What would a world with #NoMoneyNoBorders look like?

Latest

 
In August, a few Chicago correspondents from the People’s Tribune organized events for a new festival in Chicago called “Perform/Transform.” Originally inspired by a game that used the hashtag #nomoneynoborders to introduce ideas and questions about what a free world might look like into internet conversations, the festival was designed to bring these conversations to the public in real life. On the first day, groups hosted open mics with performances that offered a vision of a world where people’s basic needs are met. The second day focused on workshops of various kinds. People Tribune correspondent Michelle Saltouros interviewed the lead organizer for the events, local artist Plus Sign, about the festival.
Michelle Saltouros: What did you hope to accomplish with the festival/what were the outcomes?
Plus Sign: I hoped to save the world! I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but it ended up looking like lots of people getting together all around to tell their truth and help each other relax. It produced gorgeous online content of people getting along and making art. We decided together (and individually) that utopia looks like being able to move around and work and play and communicate freely. So now we’re using our connections to build the structures of utopia that will allow us to do that.
MS: Could you describe some events that took place or that you visited?
PS: We did a . . . parade from one Perform/Transform venue to the other. It was amazing! We got to know each other, shared music, inspiration, took pictures with flowers, and enjoyed the summer night air. The next morning, after a long night of dancing and partying, a few of us gathered in a garden on the South Side to meditate while in the North, the People’s Tribune team led a guerilla gardening workshop, and in Bridgeport, women talked about vaginal health. It was a large, wonderful multi-faceted thing.
MS: Could you tell us about the origins of #nomoneynoborders?
PS: #nomoneynoborders came from wanting to start a game that could save the world! We knew that money and borders were the problem, but wanted to find a way to make solving that problem fun and inclusive. My partner Sasha and I made it into a reality!
MS: How did #nomoneynoborders turn into the Perform/Transform festival?
PS: We played the game for a half year all around this city and continent. We hosted shows, artists did installations, videos, photo shoots, live feeds—as many ways we could connect people to the concept of no money and no borders while expressing themselves about what a free world looks like to them. The festival felt like the next logical progression, a massive event where we could save the world once and for all.
MS: How can people get/stay involved?
PS: Anyone can use the #nomoneynoborders hashtag to connect with others building utopia and/or talk about what it means to them. Throw a #nomoneynoborders-themed event! Come to someone else’s! Check out all the happenings that pop up when the tag is clicked across the internet! Also, we’re fundraising for another festival (and much much more)! Check it out at tinyurl.com/fundutopia/

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Speakers Listed for April 22 Webinar on Mass Deportations

The speakers for an April 22 webinar on the resistance to mass deportations have been announced. See the speaker biographies and registration information.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Inducts 11 Journalists

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame selects 11 journalists in its 2025 class. See speech from one of the 11, Daymon J. Hartley, who has contributed photos from the front lines to the People's Tribune for decades.

April 22 Webinar Will Explore Resistance to Mass Deportations

On April 22, the Zooming to the Border Coalition, which includes the People's Tribune and Tribuno del Pueblo, will hold a webinar titled Zooming to the Resistance Against Mass Deportations. A group of activists will share their experiences in resisting the government's assault on immigrants.

‘Oligarchs are Deeply Tied to Both Parties,’ says MI State Rep. at ‘Hands Off’ Protest

MI State Rep. Dylan Wegela tells protesters to prevent people like Trump from coming to power we have to fight for people, not corporations. And to win, Democrats cannot be complicit in the oligarchy.

More from the People's Tribune