Agenda 21 Opponents Under the Microscope

Morris's coverage of the Anti-Agenda 21 movement is fairly diplomatic, letting the movement's leaders' words speak for themselves and putting the words like "conspiracy theorists" in the mouths of others.

For an example of Morris's restraint:

"Those who have faced these activists are often mystified by their detection of international influence on local planning, and intensely frustrated by their tone and tactics."

And:

"Agenda 21’s opponents assert direct lines of connection among agencies and governments, with the United Nations at the center. This is what makes talking to Rosa Koire both beguiling and confounding. She’s cogent and detailed as she critiques the elite international influence that has promoted sustainable development through commissions, councils, and nonprofits."

But the irrationality of many of the viewpoints of the movement, as well as the destructive nature of the movement's tactics, is also implied:

• Koire claims that the master plan behind Agenda 21 is 'to restrict your choices, limit your funds, narrow your freedoms, and take away your voice.' She describes bicycle advocacy groups, 'often dominated by testosterone-laden zealots,' as “the 'shock troops' for this plan."
• "Rosa Koire defends the tactics that have limited dialogue. 'These public meetings are truly designed to stop people from having an opportunity for input. There are times when the only way to block a thing is to . . . really shut down a meeting.'"

The stakes of the Agenda 21 opposition are fair from resolved. Pending controversies include a suit by Koire against Plan Bay Area, "a set of development guidelines including expanded public transportation and a denser urban core." Moreover, the United Nations is currently considering a new set of sustainable development guidelines, but many nations, including the United States, are balking at the idea of supporting a potentially divisive international platform.