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Working together, we can create a worId that respects the human rights of every human, nurtures
creativity and heaIth, promotes unity, soIidarity and peace, and uses resources in a way that protects
the earth and affirms Iife.
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We recognize that the money and other resources that have been swaIIowed up by miIitarization must
be redirected to soIve human needs - to protect the basic human needs of food, sheIter, freedom of
movement, freedom of speech, freedom from harm, and protection of Mother Earth, which nurtures and
sustains aII Iife.
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We can buiId an economic system that is not based on individuaI, corporate, or private ownership and
does not expIoit peopIe, the pIanet, naturaI resources, or Iiving beings, but instead is based on
principIes of coIIectivity and sustains our communities. We must move aside oId systems that have
faiIed and create new ones that serve and are accountabIe to aII peoIes and aII Iiving beings.
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We must commit to a wiIIingness to work together to seek understanding, to coordinate action, and to
move forward coIIectiveIy with a sense of urgency to create a more just worId. We acknowIedge the
need to break down barriers. We must integrate our nationaI struggIes for the human rights to dignity,
weIfare, freedom, and justice.
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We must buiId respectfuI reIationships across difference. Our struggIes and our goaIs are aII
connected to each other. Our fronts of struggIe and our goaIs are aII on the same continuum. We have
the desire and energy to create something different that sustains us. As a peopIe, we must reIy on
each other. We can reaIize our dreams to treat each other as equaIs and to buiId aIIiances across our
commonaIities and differences.
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We beIieve that we can buiId our coIIective power through participation in popuIar poIiticaI education
and organizing coIIective action. We can each reaIize the power that resides within each one of us and
buiId coIIective power by participating in the fronts of struggIe recognized through the PeopIes
Movement AssembIies. Let us unite and create a better worId for aII future Iiving generations.
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This statement represents the work of a Synthesis AssembIy
to craft a SociaI Movement Agenda based on the work of over
50 assembIies heId at the US SociaI Forum in 2010.
A Synthesis Commission made up of Ieaders from various
movements (Marian Kramer, Rose Brewer, Suzanne Pharr, Manuel
Pino, and Jacqui Patterson, facilitation by Dana Wright) wrote and read
this decIaration at the NationaI PeopIes Movement AssembIy.
National Peoples Movement Assembly affirming this statement
USSF Detroit, June 2010
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Ecological Justice Peoples Movement Assembly
USSF Detroit, June 2010
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South Atlanta Peoples Movement Assembly,
June 2009
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Action against Incinerator (result of 2 Peoples Movement
Assemblies) USSF Detroit, June 2010!
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AssembIies are an important part of a Iong-term ongoing organizing strategy.
We organize before, during, and after an assembIy.
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To buiId sociaI
movement power
and construct pIans
for governance
To take action in
response to a
specific probIem
or set of probIems
To increase
participation and
invoIvement from
diverse peopIe
To deveIop
Ieadership
within our
movements
Social M
ovem
ent Assem
blies integrated into W
SF as m
echanism
to create collective plans for action.
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40+ assemblies
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participated in 50+
assemblies at USSF.
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A direct call to
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assembly. Millions
of people mobilized.
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WSF provides open
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social movements.
Soclul movement hlstory rovldes lmortunt lnslght for our communltles to understund the current olltlcul moment. lf we
understund the churucterlstlcs of thls new moment we wlll contlnue to move forwurd eectlvely
!"#$%&'(%()*+$)((,$)(-$./0)+$&1$02*3&)4
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trunsfer of ubllc weulth lnto rlvute lnstltutlons reveuls the corrutlon of the governlng systems. ve need un
uutonomous, lndeendent soclul movement wlth lts own soclul und economlc ugendu.
9&230/$%&'(%()*+$0#($+*#03)(,4$$Soclul movements exlst ln the US, yet ure often dlsjolnted und worklng seurutely.
ve need to bulld stronger colluborutlve soclul movements by deeenlng our understundlngs of our common gouls und
seeklng to lntegrute ucross lssues und reglons. 1hls lntegrutlon ls fucllltuted through convergence.
One strategy is not sucient Attucks on our communltles ure urt of lurger nutlonul strutegles to dlsmuntle ull
ubllc lnfrustructure thut nurtures soclul und economlc selfdetermlnutlon. ve nee multlle strutegles to enguge more
eole und lncreuse our collectlve otentlul to resond ght buck und wln
:(1&#%+$0#($)&*$()&"8;<$-($)((,$*&$,('(/&.$/&)8=*(#%$'3+3&)$0),$+*#0*(874 ve need to envlslon
ulternutlves und creute new structures to develo the world thut we wunt. ve need to develo struteglc luns thut creute
short und medlumterm results und leud to longterm systemlc soclul chunge.
>(0,(#+;3.$%"+*$?($;(/,$?7$.(&./($-;&$/3'($0),$(@.(#3()2($3)A"+*32(4 Cur movements need to contlnue to
be led by eole who ure uected by soclul control ruclsm und economlc dlslucement 1hls guldlng rlnclle und ructlce
strengthens the eectlveness und lntegrutlon of our movements
#7#
Assembly process
introduced to US
movements.
Freedom Caravans,
Peoples Movement
Assemblies on Wheels,
travelled to USSF
from across US.
Social Movement
Assemblies held at
Border Social
Forum.
!""#$%&'#"($)%'&'*#(+,)-"!./"()0(1#)1&#
!"!
The assemblies do not t into one category.......
73
CLARIFY & STRENGTHEN POLITICAL POSITIONS
& STRATEGIES
STRENGTHEN LOCAL, REGIONAL, & CROSS-REGIONAL COLLABORATIONS
53. Solidarity Economy PMA March 2010
54. Migrant Justice - LGBTTS PMA Tucson, June 2010
55. Defining Transformation for Social Change USSF II
56. Echo Justice: Building Movement through Building Meaning USSF II
57. Ecological Justice PMA USSF II
58. Emerging Strategies to [Re]Claim the Commons USSF II
59. Excluded Workers Congress USSF II
60. Forming a National Alliance on Racial Justice & Human Rights
USSF II
61. Funders Assembly USSF II
62. Health, Healing Justice, & Liberation PMA USSF II
63. Inter-Alliance Dialogue Convention USSF II
64. Rebuilding the Anti-War / Peace Movement to End Wars
& Occupation USSF II
65. Stimulating Grassroots Activism on a Massive Scale USSF II
66. Supporting Sex Workers Safety & Rights USSF II
67. US Techie Congress USSF II
68. World Court on Poverty in the US: Disappeared in America
USSF II
69. Youth Movement to Create a National Student Bill of Rights
for Education Justice USSF II
70. Law as a Weapon of War PMA Atlanta, May 2011
14
1
32
34
93
2
47
90
40
72
89
79
35
39
87
84
37
38
53
92
54
2
83
71
3
81
36
48
78
5-27 55-69
29
91
85
4
28
31, 33, 49, 51
82
36
30
73-77, 80
86, 88, 94-97
50
41-46
43. Northwest PMA USSF II
44. Up South / Down South Assembly
USSF II
45. Urban Congress USSF II
46. Working for Peace & Justice in
Michigan USSF II
47. SE Youth PMA SHROC Birmingham,
December 2010
48. Pick up Your Peace II Youth PMA
New Orleans, March 2011
49. Healthy LIfestyles Youth PMA
Atlanta, April 2011
50. East Bay PMA June 2011
51. Atlanta Youth Education Justice PMA
Atlanta, July 2011
52 Youth PMA San Antonio, August 2011
MOBILIZE FOR NATIONAL
ACTIONS & CONVERGENCES
(USSF, WSF, demonstrations, etc.)
82. Poor Peoples Movement Assembly
& Caravan Global Day of Action
Atlanta, January 2009
83. National Planning Committee PMA
Albuquerque, January 2010
84. El Paso Border PMA February 2010
85. Houston PMA February 2010
86. Detroit 313 PMA March 2010
87. Mission PMA San Francisco, March 2010
88. Detroit PMA II May 2010
89. Phoenix National Day of Action on
SB 1070 PMA May 29 2010
90. South Sound PMA May 2010
91. Border / San Antonio PMA June 2010
92. Twin Cities PMA June 2010
93. Albuquerque NM PMA June 2010
94. Atenco Prisoners / Otra Campana /
Zapatista PMA USSF II
95. Building a Movement to Combat
Increased US Militarization USSF II
96. Juvenile Justice PMA USSF II
97. Prioritizing Africa & African Diaspora
Agenda Detroit to Dakar USSF II
71. Gulf Coast Climate Justice PMAs
New Orleans & Biloxi, April & May 2010
72. PMA for Comprehensive Immigration
Reform Columbus OH, May 2010
73. Building Solidarity with Grassroots in
Haiti USSF II
74. How to Claim the Right to Housing PMA
USSF II
75. Imagining & Building a Peoples Based
Solidarity Economy USSF II
76. Preparing the Youth in Todays
Agriculture: Without Us, Who Eats? USSF II
77. Detroit Rightsizing PMA November 2010
78. Assembly to End Poverty Chicago,
December 2010
79. Texas-wide Migrant Justice PMA
San Antonio December 2010
80. Alternative to Detroit Works Project PMA
April 2011
81. Regional Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions
PMAs Chicago, Montreal, West Coast 2011
Assemblies are complex and do not t easily into categories. We oer this map to demonstrate the breadth and depth of assemblies,
that we are aware of, held over the last three years. More than 50 assemblies happened at the USSF II in Detroit, June 22-26 2010.
1. Border Movement Assembly @ Border Social Forum
Ciudad Juarez, October 2006
2. SE Regional PMA of Trans-Identified Folks Spring 2010
3. Chicago Student Congressional Summit PMA April 2010
4. Lincoln HS PMA June 2010
5. Advancing a Gender Justice Vision & Action Plan USFF II
6. Assembly of Anti-Zionist Jews USSF II
7. Building Unity & Organization in the Black Liberation
Movement USSF II
8. Callin All Street Youth PMA USSF II
9. Detroit Utilities PMA USSF II
10. Education for Emancipation & Transformation PMA USSF II
11. End to Corporate Rule, Legalize Democracy, Move to
Amend the Constitution USSF II
12. Immigrant Rights from Below Movement Assembly USSF II
13. Indigenous PMA USSF II
14. International Solidarity & Responsibility on ALBA PMA USSF II
15. Justice in Palestine PMA USSF II
16. Plant Occupations & Organizing Strategies USSF II
17. Poverty Summit USSF II
18. Organizing to Dismantle School to Prison Pipeline PMA USSF II
19. Queer / Trans PMA USSF II
20. Rebuilding Solidarity with Puerto Ricos Anti-Colonial Struggle USSF II
21. Support of Democratic Trade Unionism in Mexico PMA USSF II
22. Take Back the Land Movement: PMA to Free this Land & Life USSF II
23. Tar Sands PMA USSF II
24. The Faith Community: From Internal Reflection to External Action USSF II
25. The Way Forward: Strategy, Tactics, & Seeding BDS in the US USSF II
26. What the Health Happened? How do we get the healthcare we need? USSF II
27. PMA to Confront Prisons USSF II
28. Palestinian Movement Assembly @ 2nd Popular Palestinian Congress Chicago, October 2010
29. Formerly Incarcerated People PMA Montgomery, March 2011
30. Latin@ PMA Portland, July 2011
DESIGN PEOPLES PLANS OF ACTION DEVELOP CROSS-MOVEMENT PLATFORMS & FRAMEWORKS
31. National PMA @ USSF I Atlanta, June 2007
32. Border Movement Assembly South by SW
San Antonio, 2008
33. Juneteenth Membership Gathering PMA June 2009
34. Kentucky Social Forum & PMA July 2009
35. Pick up Your Peace Youth PMA New Orleans, March 2010
36. Selma, Alabama PMA March 2010
37. LGBTQ of Color PMA NYC May 2010
38. Greater DC PMA May 2010
39. Portland PMA May 2010
40. Local Organizing Collective 2 PMAs
Knoxville, May & June 2010
41. Asian Pacific Islanders in Detroit PMA USSF II
42. Food Sovereignty PMA USSF II
52
70
Collectively think through the current
political moment and how it impacts local issues. Discuss potential opportunities for
movement building that might come out of the assembly.
Determine the length and location of the PMA
A PMA can be 3 hours, a full day, or a few days of gathering together.
Allocate enough time in the small groups for resolutions to be generated.
8e sute thot the locot|on |s occess|ole (ttonsottot|on, hys|col soce, s|noe, toomsetu,
language, dietary considerations, etc.) and has space for childcare.
Create a clear agenda with coherent flow. Create opportunities for those
involved to understand, be engaged, and feel a sense of ownership in the process.
Plan the documentation strategies.
7h|nl thtouh howthe content ol the ossemoly onJ lons ol oct|on w|ll oe cotuteJ (v|Jeo,
ouJ|o, notetol|n, etc.}.
Communicate broadly about this opportunity for
convergence with people, groups, and networks
impacted and working on the issues .
Talk with as many of the people coming as possible about
what they can expect from the assembly.
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A lot of organizing happens before the assembly begins. A strong
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Develop a clear and common understanding of the purpose of the assembly
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Gather skilled and experienced facilitators to
conduct the meeting and design the agenda
with others who are invited into the process.
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Set the historical, political, cultural, and movement context.
Outline the question(s) addressed and the root causes of the problems.
Draw from other local or global examples of convergence and assemblies that have
been integral to successful social movements.
Give an inclusive welcome, establish guidelines, provide an overview of the order of
events, and explain the assembly process.
Cultural activities can be used to convene the assembly (ritual practices, spoken
word, song, dance, drama, etc.).
Collect contact information
Guide the groups to name the primary issues, determine the strategic short-term
actions and solutions, and craft future visions.
Keep emphasis on collective action to achieve visions.
Make commitments to next steps to bring about change.
Focus on developing actions to solve problems.
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Photos from Peoples Movement Assemblies in
Greater DC (May 2010) and Detroit (June 2010)
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Gather the documentation from the small groups and from the notetakers /
videographers.

Create short videos and written documentation of the event.
Post audio, video, and print documentation on the Peoples Movement Assembly
website and consider creating a website for the assembly.
Contact all of the organizers and facilitators of the small groups to debrief the
assembly and the action steps.

Organize large or small meetings or speak with people individually to think through
these questions and others that are relevant to the assembly: What resulted from the
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Gather together the documentation of the assembly (resolutions for action,
notes, video, etc.) and create a synthesis of what happened at the assembly.

Categorize the information and produce representative statements and plans
of action that can be easily understood by people who did and people who did
not attend the assembly.

Make this synthesis readily available to all who attended the assembly and to
organizers of other assemblies.
Contact those who participated in the assembly to ensure they continue their
involvement.
Activate people and organizations committed to involvement in action steps.
Ensure that there are clear ways for others who did not attend to be a part of
implementing the plan and developing next action steps.
t Look over the feedback from the organizers and facilitators and from the
participant evaluations.

t Think through the challenges that were faced and the accomplishments that
happened. Keep in mind the goal of building social movement power and
constructing plans for governance. Evaluate the assembly and determine
the next steps in the organizing process.
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The time after the assembly is the next phase of organizing.
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tPass around sign-in sheets at the beginning of the small group discussions.
tAssist the group to stay focused on the goals.
tEnsure that people develop clear and specic plans of action and follow-up
strategies.
tRecognize that issues being discussed are overwhelming and concentrate
on how the actions can contribute to movement building.
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CONTENT DRIVEN: Focus on content when the goal of facilitation is to share knowledge,
ideas, and skills.
PROCESS DRIVEN: Focus on process when the goal of facilitation is to build relationships
and teams.
DECISION DRIVEN: Focus on decisions when the goal of faciliation is to determine
coordinated actions and common platforms.
* All three approaches can be used at dierent times throughout the assembly.
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The faciliators play an important role before, during, and after the assembly.
Think about the goals of the dierent parts of the agenda and decide what kind of
facilitation to use for each section.
tBe sure that any notes and documentation are gathered and centralized.
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t5BLFBDUJPO'ollow-up on the plans for action from the small groups and the commitments
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determine if further support is needed.
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A Peoples Movement Assembly for organizations involved in anti-prison and prisoner support
work to identify points of unity, plan shared actions, and emphasize strategic areas of
collaboration and resistance to racist and political repression.
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THURSDAY JUNE 24, 2010 @ USSF DETROIT
The United States is a prison empire,
founded on the legacy of slavery,
which uses racist mass incarceration,
widespread criminalization, torture,
and the targeting of political dissidents
to try to solve its fundamental
economic and social problems. It locks
up more people than any other
country on the planet.
The prison system is a central node
in an apparatus of state repression; it
destroys our communities and
weakens our resistance and
movements for justice.
Repression is a tool used to maintain
state power, and the prison
population represents the most
oppressed sectors of society: people of
color, the poor, First Nations
communities, immigrant communities,
working class women, queer and
transgender people, and radical
organizers from many communities.
- We resoIve to hoId coordinated IocaI days of action for Juvenile Justice in the week of December 6,
2010, against the prison industrial complex on International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2010,
and in solidarity with other movements and days of action against criminalization and connement.
- We resoIve to support the caII by groups Ied by formerIy incarcerated peopIe to hold a national
strategy session, led by and for formerly incarcerated people, within two years.
- We resoIve to support reunication of famiIies torn apart by the prison industriaI compIex,
including by supporting the full repeal of the federal Adoption & Safe Families Act.
- We caII for a paradigm shift in Ianguage, so that our language reects our objectives for full human
and civil rights for all people.
- We commit to supporting economic deveIopment opportunities for peopIe before and after
incarceration and sustainable alternatives for communities that currently depend on prisons for their
sustenance.
- We caII on organizations in aII sociaI movements to review their hiring process, their byIaws,
and their internal culture to determine if there are any barriers to full employment or inclusion of
people with convictions.
- We commit ourseIves to deveIoping communication tooIs that allow us to share victories,
strategies, lessons, and stories and ask allied movements to support this process.
Diverse anti-prison organizations that are part of a shared movement
against repression in aII its forms are activeIy organizing through:
tFighting for the full civil and human rights of currently and formerly incarcerated
people.
tIiminating the stigmas that inhibit currently and formerly incarcerated people
and their loved ones from speaking out.
t Suporting the leadership and leadership development of currently and formerly
incarcerated people.
t Drganizing for the immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of war.
tDemanding the immediate end to the death penalty, life without parole, solitary
connement, mandatory minimums, the incarceration of youth in adult facilities,
behavior modication/communication management units, all forms of torture, the
war on drugs, and the criminalization of youth, immigrants, and gender
nonconforming people.
tPromoting physical, mental, and emotional health and healing inside and outside
of prisons.
tDpposing all new jails, prisons, juvenile, or immigrant detention facilities and
supporting methods to immediately reduce the current prison population,
including sentencing and parole reform and eliminating prisons for prot.
tChaIIenging the institutions that prop up the prison, including the police, military,
ICE, governmental legislatures, and other forms of colonial rule.
tCreating community-based models of restorative and transformative justice in the
present.
130 PARTICIPANTS
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Collectively think through the current
political moment and how it impacts local issues. Discuss potential opportunities for
movement building that might come out of the assembly.
Determine the length and location of the PMA
A PMA can be 3 hours, a full day, or a few days of gathering together.
Allocate enough time in the small groups for resolutions to be generated.
8e sute thot the locot|on |s occess|ole (ttonsottot|on, hys|col soce, s|noe, toomsetu,
language, dietary considerations, etc.) and has space for childcare.
Create a clear agenda with coherent flow. Create opportunities for those
involved to understand, be engaged, and feel a sense of ownership in the process.
Plan the documentation strategies.
7h|nl thtouh howthe content ol the ossemoly onJ lons ol oct|on w|ll oe cotuteJ (v|Jeo,
ouJ|o, notetol|n, etc.}.
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The role of the assembly is usually discussed in the opening of the assembly and can be revisited in the small
groups. Prepare for this by researching the struggles that are relevant to the region and issues that will be
discussed at the assembly. Talk with local, regional, and national movement leaders for information and ideas.
7he ossemoly |s on oottun|ty to clot|ly onJ sttenthen
political positions and strategies. Create opportunities for
ott|c|onts to (1} unJetstonJ how|ssues J|scusseJ telote
to otooJet systems ol |njust|ce, (2} tecon|ze the
|ntettelot|ons oetween J|lletent |ssues, onJ (3} Jevelo
plans of action that lead to systemic social change.
Ct|t|col qust|ons thot loc|l|tote Jeeet th|nl|n:
1. How do local issues in my community connect to
larger patterns across the country?
ex. Comote the totes ol |ncotcetot|on ol youn 8locl men |n
Montgomery to rates across other cities in the US.
2. How does this issues connect to other issues
experienced in my community?
ex. 7he 8P o|l J|sostet tequ|tes sttules lot cototote
accountability, env|tonmentol just|ce, wotlets t|hts,
immigrant justice, and community-based economies.
3. How does the plan of action lead to long-term
solutions?
ex. CootJ|noteJ lons to oton|ze lot smollet closstooms w|ll
lead to a broader campaign to elevate youth to decision-
molets |n eJucot|on systems.
Convergence plays a very important role in social
movements . At moments of convergence, groups have the
oottun|ty to J|scuss onJ Jetetm|ne the next stes we
w|ll tole toethet.
5ome exomles ol convetence |n tecent h|stoty:
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7ens ol thousonJs convete on
7oh|t 5quote to ovetthtow
Ptes|Jent Vuootols
repressive 30 year regime
First World Social Forum
demonstrates the
possibilities of global
convergence
Organizers shut down the
wotlJ7toJe Oton|zot|on
ministerial meeting
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Simultaneous global actions
protest the potential of a
US war in Iraq.
Bringing together many people from diverse
experiences and struggles.
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Vony ltonts ol ottocl tequ|te mony movement tesonses. Cons|Jet the
lollow|n quest|ons when lonn|n on ossemoly:
whete Jo vot|ous movements shote common onolys|s ol the o| |ctute/
whot Jo we neeJ to leotn ooout J|lletent movements thot con sttenthen the
wotl we ote Jo|n/
whete ote the sec|l|c ltontl|nes thot we con oJvonce |l we ote mote un|l|eJ onJ
cootJ|noteJ/
Collaborating amongst, between, and across social
movements to affect systemic social change.
Detroit City-wide Peoples Movement Assembly
April 2011
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Atlanta Youth Education Justice Assembly
Atlanta, July 2011
Sharing knowledge to develop common
understanding of problems & solutions
There are different ways of being involved in the
Peoples Movement Assembly organizing process:
CONTENT DRIVEN: Focus on content when the goal of facilitation is to share knowledge,
ideas, and skills.
PROCESS DRIVEN: Focus on process when the goal of facilitation is to build relationships
and teams.
DECISION DRIVEN: Focus on decisions when the goal of faciliation is to determine
coordinated actions and common platforms.
* All three approaches can be used at dierent times throughout the assembly.
Be involved in the Peoples Move-
ment Assembly Working Group
Act as an anchor organization of
an Assembly
Organize an Assembly
Participate in an Assembly
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED
Stephanie Guilloud
Project South, Atlanta GA / stephanie@projectsouth.org / 404.622.0602
Ruben Solis
Southwest Workers Union, San Antonio TX / grulla@swunion.org / 210.299.2666
www.peoplesmovementassembly.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL GUIDELINES USED TO MOVE
THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS FORWARD?
Think about the people who will be coming to the assembly and the organizations they
are associated with. Do they have guidelines by which they operate?
For example:
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t8FXJMMCFBXBSFPGUJNFBOETQBDFUIBUXFBSFPSBSFOPUUBLJOHVQ
t8FXJMMSFDPHOJ[FUIBUPQQSFTTJPOFYJTUTBOEOPUBMMPXJUJOPVSTQBDF
t8FXJMMBTTVNFUIBUNVMUJQMFTUSBUFHJFTFYJTUBOEBSFBQQSPQSJBUF
The Peoples Movement Assembly Working Group is a collaborative team of
movement leaders from across the US who are facilitating the development of the
assembly process. The working group provides documentation and support to
anchor organizations interested in holding Peoples Movement Assemblies.