2009 Convergence: July 20-26, Pittsburgh


In the past, we’ve held festive gatherings far from industry and concrete: hundreds camped out in forests, underneath stars, beside lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks. Climbing bluffs overlooking rolling hills and vast plains, we fell in love, met allies, and experimented with the experience of freedom. To create the spaces where this could happen, we sought temporary escape from the cities that had in so many ways coerced and constrained our very existence.

Some of us, however, felt limited by this flight. We dreamed of building an anarchist castle out of the derelict abandonment right under our enemies’ noses. Hundreds would arrive to help us paint a masterpiece upon our canvas of rubble: workshops, meeting halls, libraries, performance spaces, gardens, and orchards would be constructed out of ruins and wreckage. We’d supply food, shelter, and so much more; like before, we would exchange stories, ideas, laughter, and dance moves with the maniac nomads, eloquent criminals, and dedicated rebels who descended upon our city for a week of chaos and feverish activity. The beauty of this dream was that at the end of it all, some of us could stay; for another week, a season, a year, or maybe even the rest of our lives. It never had to end.

We held onto this plan in secret, believing it to be impossible. Our dream was fraught with complications and seemed doomed to fail. It remained a fantastical plot we lacked the daring to attempt. Until now.

Save the date, July 20-26, Pittsburgh, PA, and stay tuned for more details.

griffjam said,

February 15, 2009 @ 5:39 pm

cool. that’s near where i am now, i hope its near me in june also

gatheredghosts said,

February 15, 2009 @ 10:57 pm

i’ll be moving there at the end of july. if anyone needs a place to stay (i know this is way in advance) i’d be happy to have you and your friends, lovers, partners in crime.
gathered.ghosts@gmail.com
if anyone is interested.
-danielle

LakeSwimmers said,

February 16, 2009 @ 9:31 pm

The W. Michigananders will be their in full force.

theonlyjessica said,

February 17, 2009 @ 9:39 am

anyone from florida going besides me?

c-rockONE said,

February 17, 2009 @ 10:43 am

i don’t know anybody in FL that will be going. i’m from Atlanta. i want to go but would like to find more people to go with.

puneta said,

February 17, 2009 @ 6:20 pm

puertorican from Central Virginia goin up there con to’ lo que hay

RebeccaSoup said,

February 17, 2009 @ 8:57 pm

Will be there. Likely with partners and daughter in tow. Somebody get in touch with me about childcare(whos expected, whats needed, how i can help) and helping with set up if you pleeease.

emmagershwin@riseup.net

theonlyjessica said,

February 17, 2009 @ 8:58 pm

crossed my mind that i should leave my email address so attendees from my area could contact me. sanguine_gloom@yahoo.com

and i’m coming from central florida if that makes any difference to anyone -.-

Deneshi said,

February 18, 2009 @ 12:09 am

im really excited to see the things that we will be able to accomplish as a group, especially in a city environment. This should be a very interesting and fun experience. Altough i do love being in nature, i think this might help to give us more chances to experience new things that only a city can hold. I am excited and i hope to see everyone i saw last year plus more.

P.S. all hail to the maximum ultraists. ;)

Kristin said,

February 18, 2009 @ 8:53 am

I know this is run by Crimethinc (far east) but really…its gets farther east every year!

d said,

February 18, 2009 @ 9:30 am

Wow, I’d heard the rumors but after reading this I’m even more excited. I think the previous years in the woods will be good preparation for making sure a city-convergence doesn’t just wind up like another NCOR, while the city will force us to be more creative than spending our days idling in the sun, going swimming and cavorting in the woods.

Will we still huddle around campfires late at night? Where/are we all going to sleep together? Can we interact with the city the same way we have interacted with the woods, and maintain that sense of unity and collectivity we have when we are isolated from the world? I’m thrilled we’re discarding the easy answers and starting almost from scratch here.

I’ve already been stewing over some ideas for things I can bring would be unthinkable in previous years. This is going to be totally fucking insane, and I can’t wait.

gatheredghosts said,

February 18, 2009 @ 10:26 am

“P.S. all hail to the maximum ultraists. ;)”

this made me laugh for a good five minutes! hahaha
good times.
you’d think they would’ve found a more eco-friendly way to promote their messages. remember how much litter was all over the campground?! gah.

it is definitely going to be weird to interact in an urban setting, but exciting.

Huckleberry Finn mac Cumhail said,

February 18, 2009 @ 11:24 am

“The beauty of this dream was that at the end of it all, some of us could stay; for another week, a season, a year, or maybe even the rest of our lives. ”

I was just considering the alternatives to spending another summer here (New Orleans) without air conditioning when this came up. I could definately make this a three or four month trip this time (as opposed to just a week, like last time).

Lunarblue said,

February 18, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

Looking to maybe check this out finally. I don’t really have a way to get there, but I like to meet new peeps, especially ones who won’t steal stuff from me.

video2411@yahoo.com
or through myspace
http://www.myspace.com/lunarbluenightmare

redjenn said,

February 19, 2009 @ 3:57 am

if anyone around dayton, ohio would like to carpool, i’d be delighted. maybe we could also meet up to gather up some supplies to share with everyone (i always have a ton of craft supplies to share)

emmaanarchy@gmail.com

Demosthenes_wink-wink said,

February 20, 2009 @ 8:13 pm

Hey I’m hoping to make it to this years convergence. I’ll be traveling from WA state. If anyone has any sort of transportation I’d be glad to hear from them. Oh, altogether it would be me and maybe two others. Thanks in advance! -Anton Demosthenes.winkwink@gmail.com

seen and not seen said,

February 25, 2009 @ 6:00 am

My best friend and I will be there. Perhaps we will bring others. I am thrilled this is going to be held in our city; we’ve been waiting, searching, for something like this. The date is saved.

dystopiate said,

February 25, 2009 @ 6:48 pm

I really want to come, but I am on probation and will need permission to leave the state. I can get permission by just telling my probation officer that I’m going to visit friends in Pittsburgh. I’d rather not tell him that my reason for wanting to travel is for a Crimethinc convergence, heh. However, I don’t have any friends in Pittsburg. So, is there anyone out there from Pittsburgh that wants to be my friend or “friend,” whose name I can use for whom I’m visiting? Please?

seen and not seen said,

February 26, 2009 @ 6:41 am

My name is Megan and I’m your friend from Pittsburgh. If you need anything else, aporeticheretic@gmail.com

antagonasm said,

February 26, 2009 @ 5:23 pm

I’m Adam, and a resident of the Bloomfield neighborhood in the city. Pittsburgh has a pretty sizable and interesting anarchist population already considering the small size of the city with a couple of awesome groups and spots, so to say the least, I’m absolutely psyched that yinz are coming to the ‘burgh… especially since I was planning on heading out and doing some traveling at the beginning of August. Talk about a phenomenal sendoff.

If anyone from outside the area need anything or has any questions about the city (lucrative dumpsters, anarchist sites, landmarks, squatting areas, places to stay), don’t hesitate to contact me:

apperception@gmail.com

Mr_Law said,

March 5, 2009 @ 2:44 pm

Let me know if your in Kansas City and would like to attend.

desiderata said,

March 6, 2009 @ 11:28 am

Anyone from the LA area traveling out to the Convergence?

I know it’s a bit of a ways but a couple of friends and I are planning
on making it out there from Los Angeles.

windchimehouse@gmail.com
myspace.com/windchimehouse

barbecue said,

March 6, 2009 @ 10:26 pm

Anyone from Western Canada up for a road trip?

barbecue@riseup.net

Sirkullay said,

March 13, 2009 @ 12:15 am

Me, my long-time man, and even longer-time best friend will all be shedding everything and Heading East. The 3 of us are determined to make this trip more purposeful than previous hobo-about adventures, so along with WWOOF and various infoshop visits/playing shows over the next 4-6 months, the 1st major stop is Convergence.
We are all staying in our faithful van but would very much appreciate a place to park and perhaps to wash up and meet folks. We’ve been home-free/hosted the home-free and are very mindful of being respectful of spaec, not taking advantage or giving travelling persons a bad name, etc.
If you’re interested in hosting a3 nice anarcho-weirdbeards email me at orphanspace@hotmail.com. Also whatever you do is fine, but if it’s an issue, none of us drink/smoke/anything else.
Counting the days til July……xox

Sirkullay said,

March 13, 2009 @ 12:19 am

PS
sorry about the typos, I’m in a dark club on a laptop the size of a toaster.
Also, I can cook vegan like a mofo and we play music and do dishes with vigor.

sean412 said,

March 15, 2009 @ 9:38 am

hey everybody., my names sean and I am from the baltimore maryland area. Me and a friend are planning on riding our bikes up to Pittsburgh and are looking for a place to crash during the convergence. We will be respectful, will do chores/dishes ect. for a place to stay. If anyone can help us out my email is fightback412@live.com . Thanks so much

b. traven said,

March 15, 2009 @ 12:15 pm

So everyone knows, the plan for this convergence is still–as at the previous ones–to have communal housing, so no one has to seek places to crash, and so everyone can be together and get to know each other better. More details with be released soon; for now, suffice it to say the plan that’s being hammered out is really exciting.

TheLeftFoot said,

March 15, 2009 @ 5:16 pm

To B. Traven: Hey-o. That does sound very exciting. My name is Daniel, and i’m hosting a workshop concerning communal home space at the FOR (Finding Our Roots) conference in Chicago in late April. I would love to bounce around some ideas with you and whoever else would like to be involved. You can contact me at: therogue27@yahoo.com . Also: If anyone would like to help with my workshop, it would be much appreciated. just throw me an email. I am also interested in helping to set up housing in Pittsburgh after the conference.

Sirkullay said,

March 16, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

TheLeftFoot: good, because I just accidentally deleted 3 responses in my email. I am computarded, but this is not such a bad thing overall…

TheLeftFoot said,

March 17, 2009 @ 11:21 am

Sirkullay: lolwut? please email me. I am known for my computer literacy.

Priculics said,

March 18, 2009 @ 5:36 am

I’m coming from Portland OR. and I’ve got my eye out for a carpool if anyone else from this area is going. As a given, I’m more than happy to provide anything I can to help with the trip and would also like to meet people here of like mind in any case.

xvegxheadx22 said,

March 18, 2009 @ 2:25 pm

I’m coming from Eastern TN.Its going to be the first time i’ve hitchhiked or backpacked…any tips?Also,I could use a place to stay when i get there…

Deneshi said,

March 18, 2009 @ 3:35 pm

I’m so excited about more details. I cant wait anymore, and i think i might quite possibly explode with anticipation. This convergence is gonna be amazing.

Craxymaxy said,

March 19, 2009 @ 6:29 am

Abunch of us from Columbus are coming down there

wanderingxwondering said,

March 22, 2009 @ 10:19 am

craxy: do you already have a ride share set up? Im going too. From East Side Columbus (Arawak City) Ohio.

wanderingxwondering said,

March 22, 2009 @ 10:20 am

oh yeah….email address….

wanderingxwondering@yahoo.com

Priculics said,

March 28, 2009 @ 11:45 am

Should probably leave an e-mail if anyone from Portland OR wants to contact :
blanktuesday@hotmail.com

Maria said,

March 28, 2009 @ 6:01 pm

woah woah woah… a Crimethinc Convergence NOT held in a white town? Nice job folks… I might even go this year!

Deneshi said,

March 29, 2009 @ 3:11 am

If anyone needs a ride I’m coming from just south of Detroit Michigan and will probably be going through some Ohio towns. If you would like a ride let me know, my e-mail is imwideaw4ke@gmail.com

pjakelong said,

March 30, 2009 @ 10:06 pm

Im going i just need to find out how to get there. Im in Northern Colorado and will hitch-hike if need be; but would love to catch a car pool on the way. if any one thinks its a possabilty hit me up. pjakelong@yahoo.com

hassysmacker said,

April 5, 2009 @ 7:10 pm

hey, i need a ride from new york. will have contributions (gas and good company!)

anothernamelesscorpse@yahoo.com

underminingme said,

April 7, 2009 @ 12:29 pm

Hey, I’m in central Alabama and would love to attend, and I wouldn’t mind going to a neighboring state to meet up with anyone either. I’m really looking forward to meeting like minded folks and will defiantly contribute wherever I’m needed. underminingme@yahoo.com

atomicpunk said,

April 11, 2009 @ 5:33 am

i live in youngstown ohio and i will definetly going but not until the 21st. do we need to bring anything?

Crimethinc. Convergence: Calling All Anarchists! « Zak Cole said,

April 11, 2009 @ 9:21 am

[...] a Crimethinc. convergence occurring in Pittsburgh in late July.  More information can be found here at the Crimethinc. website.  I’m going to do my best to attend because I think it’d be [...]

More on July’s Crimethinc. Convergence « Zak Cole said,

April 11, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

[...] an eternity of suppression and willful resignation?  I think so and there are others like us.  Join us! It’s free! 0 Comments No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack [...]

Rise and Fight said,

April 14, 2009 @ 3:19 pm

I live in Indiana and I plan on attending. I have a friend that will most likely go and he has a car so i’ll talk to him about carpooling. But if he doesn’t go, then i will have to hitch a ride with someone. Anyone kind enough? It would be amazing, seeing as how I would love for this to be my first convergence!

ohiosteel said,

April 18, 2009 @ 2:17 pm

is anyone moving eastward from the NO COMPROMISE rondezvous in oregon a few weeks prior? would love to travel with you!

orrisdrake@gmail.com

-o

Tetra said,

April 20, 2009 @ 3:47 pm

I plan to attend this convergence, but also want to backpack down to Mexico and Central America during the summer.
Anybody interested in doing some genuine adventuring before or after the convergence, hit me up: tetralovesyou@gmail.com

windonfire said,

April 22, 2009 @ 1:23 pm

I’ll be there no matter what. I wanted to attend last year’s convergence, but was unable to. This will be my first, and I’ll be so happy to meet everyone!

windonfire said,

April 22, 2009 @ 3:15 pm

by the way…anyone else from the bay area of california on here? that’s where I live.

Dr.Q said,

April 25, 2009 @ 7:28 pm

anybody going from/passing thru upstate NY, Binghamton/Ithaca area?

fezziwig28 said,

May 4, 2009 @ 4:43 am

Plan on attending and will be driving from central Kentucky (yes, there are a few of us in KY). Anyone interested?

sykohippie420 said,

May 4, 2009 @ 7:07 am

Is anybody going from or passing through illinois chicago area?…I don’t have money for gas or anything but i can steel food for us (and i must say i’m a traveling companion)lol. hit me up if anyone’s out there :)

sykohippie420 said,

May 4, 2009 @ 7:08 am

*good traveling companion*

sykohippie420 said,

May 4, 2009 @ 3:59 pm

p.s., my email is sykohippie420@yahoo.com if anyone can help :)

SpinxyJynx said,

May 16, 2009 @ 11:34 am

Carpool from Richmond, Va. Only the back seats available, as of right now. Just trying to give the likeminded a hand if needed :)

spinxyjynx@aol.com

timebomb said,

May 24, 2009 @ 7:30 am

need a ride form cleveland ohio, close enough to PA that if anyone could make a small detour on their way it would be greatly appreciated email me at kushycrizzak@aim.com

J_Disorder said,

June 30, 2009 @ 2:45 pm

I don’t know how many still read this thread. But I’ll try here anyways since I am unable to log in to the Crimethincconvergence.com site

I’m looking to get out of my town earlier than July 20th. I’ve really no other place to go to. And was thinking of maybe heading to Pittsburgh early. Looking for good friendly people to put me up for a little bit. Prefer non-smoking environments.
Wanna know about me beforehand? Get in touch! If you click my name, it’ll take you to my myspace.

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