Boundaries and Expectations

The Anarchist Olympics (AO) is an opportunity to live and interact according to our desires based on autonomy, free association, mutual aid, and cooperation. As anarchists we are rebels, we are outsiders, and we depend on each other, our communities, and our networks for safety, the effectiveness of our struggle, and our survival. In order to foster a safe space for everyone, the organizers have some requests for everyone who participates. Please respect the wishes of those who have worked to make this event happen, by acting as an autonomous individual in a way that is consistent with the autonomy of those around you. If you don’t like these policies, use this event as a chance to find others with whom to organize your own convergence according to your own desires.

Openly Anarchist
This is an openly anarchist and anti-authoritarian event. People of other political ideologies are welcome at this event as long as they respect it as an anarchist space, and do not use the event to push an agenda. Any oppression of others, including but of course not limited to racism, patriarchy, and heterosexism will not be tolerated.
Respect
Welcome to our home. The beauty around you has existed for tens of thousands of years and longer, and if we succeed in crushing capitalism, it may have a chance to return to its former splendor. We aim to leave as minimal a trace as possible on the land we have selected for the Anarchist Olympics. Please dispose of your trash in a manageable fashion. Nearby toilets will be identified. Exercise discretion while interacting with the local community.

Consent
Any interaction you have with others here, whether sexual or otherwise, should be consensual. Silence and passivity do not count as consent. If someone says no to something or is unsure and you badger them until they say yes, that’s not consent; if someone is intoxicated they may not be in a position to give you consent. If someone says you violated their wishes, that counts as breach of consent, whatever a court of law would say. By the same token, don’t define others’ experiences for them: the person who has an experience gets to decide whether or not their wishes were respected in it, and also what, if anything, the community should do about it.

No Photography or Recording Devices
There is a strict policy of no photography or use of recording devices during the games. This includes events happening inside as well as outside. No exceptions. Outside of the games, ask for consent before taking photographs.

Drinking and Drugs
There is a strict policy of no alcohol or drug use at the site of the Anarchist Olympics. This is for several reasons, including remembering the trainings, physical risks during games, and not giving the pigs a reason to bust us. If you do wish to drink or use intoxicants, please do so elsewhere, perhaps in a home to which you’ve been invited, but don’t show up at the games trashed. There is no judgment or morality attached to this policy; the last thing we want is a division between people who drink and people who don’t.

Non-humans
We love animals, they are very welcome! If you do, please keep with and clean up after them, especially where people are running around and such.

Exclusion
Because this convergence should be a safe space for everyone, people who violate these policies may be asked to leave. In cases of breach of consent, both sexual and security, we will 1) trust the survivor and 2) abide by the survivor’s wishes. For example, if you gave information to the police about someone without their permission and they don’t want you in this space, we will ask you to leave; likewise, if you have sexually assaulted someone and they are comfortable with you being here as long as you participate in a mediated discussion about their boundaries during this event, we will ask you to do so, or else to leave.

This is not a matter of permanently excluding “undesirables” from the anarchist movement, but simply of making things work in a limited space for a limited time. People can be asked to leave the AO without being exiled from our communities. If anything, this simply provides an incentive for individuals and communities to work out their conflicts in advance of events like this, so we won’t all have to deal with unresolved conflicts here.

Food and Water
Basic lunches will be provided Saturday and Sunday. On both days we’ll provide water and hopefully some snacks (any help is appreciated) all day. All vegan, All free.

Childcare
There will be a small child area labeled “Medic, Child Center”. There will be blankets and toys for a range of ages. We do not have the capacity to fully staff this area (our sincere apologies), so parents are asked to attend children, or make arrangements with trusted individuals.

Medical
In the case that anyone is hurt, we will have a medic tent with moderate medical supplies. Try to be careful.