On August 1 , 2000 , police raided a building that Viveiros , along with many others , were using to prepare for demonstrations around the 2000 Republican National Convention . He was subsequently charged with aggravated assault of Police Commissioner John Timoney and threatened with jail time . Two others were also charged with assaulting police . In addition to assault , all three men were charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors . During the convention , at least 400 people were arrested in what Viveiros ' defense committee called the " largest single violation of civil rights since the Vietnam War . " Viveiros was one of the few arrestees actively prosecuted , although no evidence could be found . He was acquitted . For nearly all those involved , their charges were dropped or they were acquitted . In an August 17 statement , Viveiros stated that " Basically the commissioner is making a symbol of me " and urged supporters " Do n't let them criminalize protest ! " The political philosophy of Viverios centers around organizing the unorganized . In February 2010 , during a speech delivered in Boston , he said " Our present economic predicament resulted from years of oppression , fear , and division . Yet now is a moment where , if we organize , we can expand our movements in order to include larger segments of unemployed workers and more community members who are frustrated at corporate policies and government inaction . " Viverios also emphasizes that activists can transform into organizers in order to be far more effective . The Activism2Organizing website , which Viveiros operates , states " We need to define the difference between activist approaches and organizing strategies to avoid paternalistic recruitment efforts and make sure that our organizing efforts go beyond rhetoric and events - or tactics-focused activism . "
2000 Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
Camilo Viveiros