Project Steev

Indy Conference in Austin, Texas

It's the second day of the Indy Conference here in Austin Texas. Indymedia people from all over the U.S., and even a few from abroad, have gathered here to learn from each other and discuss the many concerns related to this amazing thing we call the Independent Media Centers.

Here's a photo of John Downing giving a keynote speech last night to a room of about 150 imcistas and other interested folks. Downing is the author of "Radical Media" and had a lot of interesting things to say. He's obviously someone who, though an academic, is familiar with how Indymedia really works and what it is. In fact, he made an allusion to a discussion that's been going on in the global video list, so he must be paying pretty close attention.

I rode with 3 Tucson compañer@s the 14 hours across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas and arrived Thursday evening, stopping only for a brief 4-hour nap at Balmhorea State Park in West Texas. Once we arrived we were greeted with great hospitality, and the Austin IMC folks have been nothing but friendly, efficient and organized in setting up this amazing event.

I'm excited to get down there for another day of it. Today, also, I'm meeting with Bill Conroy, who writes for Narco News and knows a lot about the drug war in Mexico. I'm going to interview him for my Juarez documentary. Then back to the conference, at which Amy Goodman will be speaking this afternoon. Then my friend Josh, who I'm staying with, has a show tonight with his band.