Minutes

May 13, 2012
12 present
Facilitator :  William
Minutes  :  Mary Ann
Stack  :  Jeffrey
UPDATES:  Update was given on the Mona Lorraine Community Garden project.  Items needed are a rain barrel, garden hose and sprinkler, more starts, herbs, and perennials.
Occupy the Food Supply meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Meadowlark.
AGENDA/PROPOSALS:
1.  Quorum.  It was proposed to lower quorum from 9 to 7.  PASSED
It was amended this decision be reviewed monthly.  PASSED
2.  $50 for laundry.  Items still need laundered from encampment.  Will be given away at Free Saturdays.  PASSED
3.  $20.00 to reimburse William for last newsletter printing.  PASSED.
     $10.00 a week for printing fliers/newsletters. Printing costs to be reviewed monthly.  PASSED
4.  Mary Ann proposed to withdraw/cancel the Chicago Trip.  PASSED
5.  Mary Ann then proposed half of the funds allotted for the Chicago Trip to go towards participation in the White Clay action June 7th, 8th, 9th.  $175.00 to be distributed between cars going.  PASSED
This proposal will also be contingent upon the amount of participants.  To be reviewed closer to the day of action.  It was also amended to include and coordinate a couple Occupy Omaha members.  PASSED
6.  Trina requested permission to open dialogue with the Antidefamation League regarding help with Occupy the Homeless issues.  It was discussed and agreed this was more of an individual action and did not need GA approval.
7.  City Council Open Mic.  This was discussed at length, but due to time restraints an official Occupy Lincoln statement could not be produced.  Perhaps at a later date.  No GA vote needed, turned into mostly discussion surrounding the issues that will be discussed at open mic.
8.  Free Saturdays!  Also more of a discussion than a proposal as this is already planned.  First free Saturday will be at Antelope Park on Saturday May 19th.  Ideas were shared for future planning regarding this bi monthly event.  Fliers are made and being printed for canvassing and distribution.  An event page is already up.
9.  The subject of Marches was discussed, but tabled for another GA.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

NO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012–OL General Assembly

Facilitator:  Jeffrey
Minutes:  Trina
Stack:  Mary Ann

Committee Announcements:

None

General Announcements:

Mary Ann has chickens
William is open to making a skin for the Tipi, but only with canvas,not with used clothes
Trina’s birthday celebration-cookout on Centennial Mall at 7PM, Saturday, April 14 (postponed to the 21st due to storms)

Agenda:

Student wants to work with Occupy to do a brochure and Ad campaign.  It would be free to us and she would be able to use it for her portfolio.   passed

Occupy the Food Supply asked for $130 of camp funds for seeds, Earth Day supplies and a permit for the big tent to be used on Earth Day.   passed
(Currently waiting to hear if we can erect the big tent for Earth Day before getting permit)

 

Sunday, April 8, 2012

NO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

NO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

Sunday, April 1, 2012–OL General Assembly

Facilitator:  Dana
Minutes:  Mary Ann
Stack:  Jeffrey

Proposals:

  • Global General Strike, May 1, participate as best we can.  passed
  • Media:  $100 for newsletter, pamphlets, posters, buttons.  passed
    Amendment:  increase to $120.  passed
  • Move all general assemblies to camp.  passed
  • $200 for attorney to file an injunction against the city  so they don’t change the law regarding use of Centennial Mall; amended with no cash.  passed with 2 stand asides

 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012–Occupy Lincoln General Assembly

Facilitator:  Mary Ann
Minutes:  Velvet and Ben
Stack:  Jo

Intro to hand signals and FAQ’s

Committee updates:

  • Media–working on details of showing Inside Job at the Bourbon Theatre
  • Urban farming–progress on garden in Mary Ann’s yard; sod cutter from “Food not Lawns” on Friday, mural will be painted, rocks will be decorated on honor of departed loved ones
  • Free Speech Zone meeting at Meadowlark @ 8PM this week
  • Finance–received a check for $100

Announcements:

  • OL answered the letter received from city, saying OL intends to honor its agreement with the city to have vacate Centennial Mall by May 1, but cannot guarantee that individuals might not act on their own
  • A member of OL is getting threatening phone calls and tire vandalism.  Police surveillance may be asked for.

Questions for Committees:

  •  How can media committee generate donations?
  •  Who can help to create more healthy meals?

Agenda/Proposals:

  • $200 for rights to show Inside Job (if needed)  passed
  • $50 for food at camp this week.  Continue to push for donations, lists need to be updated.  passed
  • Sell 4 season tent and tipi poles  withdrawn
  • Coordinate with LUNk House for the April 28 march.  Speeches will be planned for the Capitol Steps, Governor’s house, Lincoln Police Department, and UNL campus.  passed
  • Start cleaning up camp, identify things that aren’t being used.  tabled
  • Union Bank employee newsletter should go up on OL website. passed
  • Start working group with Roy Guisinger from Belgrade, NE about meritocracy.  withdrawn
  • April 15, six month anniversary mega march and party  tabled
  • Candlelight vigil for Mary Ann’s Mom’s passing, April 5, at 8PM passed
  • criteria for pets staying at camp should be dealt with at camper’s meeting withdrawn
  • End individual dialogue with the city  withdrawn

 

Sunday, 25 March 2012 — Occupy Lincoln General Assembly

Facilitator:  Jeffrey
Minutes:  Trina
Stack:  Levi

 General Announcements:
The 24-hour Free Speech Zone workgroup meets at Meadowlark on Thursdays at 7.00 p.m.
The camp received a letter from the city asking that we reaffirm our intent to leave by May 1st.
Occupy The Food Supply:  William and the workgroup will be looking into gardens, garden space and the community food aspect.  Meetings after the march on Saturdays.
A plea for unity amongst the Occupiers. We need to support each other.
The tipi has been removed by Farmer Bill. The camp owns the poles but made a written agreement between Farmer Bill and Trina/Jeffrey (witnesses) to keep the poles at his place until we can decide what we want to do with them. Will may be able to sew a skin for a tipi that we can use the poles for.
Levi proposed that we get rid of the weekly marches and promote “mega marches”, first to be held on April 15th, 2012. The mega marches could include speakers at various stops of the march and food.  Proposal ammended to let weekly marches be held voluntarily but to put more promotion on the larger marches.  Passed.
Levi proposed that the camp start moving to a new location in two weeks.  We can walkthrough various site possibilities with parks and rec. Levi, Lou and Trina looked at a site before the meeting that was viable.  Proposal blocked although it was looked at that people may want to move their personal stuff out.
Proposal on how to answer the letter to the city: (Everyone)  Many opinions heard, many proposals made. It was passed by the GA to answer the letter by saying we were not given enough notice to take an in depth look at the situation, the GA formally voted to move by May 1st but as letter said, we can’t control the actions of individuals.  We will not give names of anyone on the site that would be there for reasons other than expressing their first amendment rights and we request that the city leave the internal affairs of Occupy to Occupy and that they should reaffirm their side of the agreement to let us stay until May 1st as trying to remove us early would violate their side of the agreement and our First Amendment rights.


 

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 – Occupy Lincoln General Assembly 

None

 

Sunday, 18 March 2012 – Occupy Lincoln General Assembly

Facilitator: William
Minutes: Velvet Devoe
Stack: Trina
(reached quorum at 2PM)

Explanation of consensus process and hand signals

Committee Announcements:

Media: Working on a movie showing at The Bourbon Theatre before May 1 (possibly Inside Job)
Committees not heard: Education, Legal, Medical, Finance

General Announcements:

A hostile interview will run on KZUM between 4AM and 6AM
1. Nonviolent Direct Action Training–April. 14-20th (update: will be held at First Plymouth Church and will be called Huskers for Peaceful Change)
2. Free Speech Zone meetings meet Thursdays at 7PM at Meadowlark
3. Question–Are underage people staying in camp at night?

Agenda Items:

1. Occupy the Food System
2. Free Speech vs. Obscenities
3. First Plymouth Church is interested in social issues; would someone be willing to show Inside Job and lead discussion group?
4. Consider using Spokes Council model. GAs would be the decision making body.
5. Bring back facilitation workshops

Proposals:

1. Community Page be part of GA (Include Handyman stuff)
2. Toilet tent should be removed
3. Does camp log still exist?

Agenda Discussion:

Occupy Gardens/Food System:
Gather information from the community
Community Crops plots available?
Farmer Bill?
Strip of land at 48th and Vine?
“Gleaning Project”, harvest produce that folks don’t harvest
Create map of those places (determine if pesticides have been used)
Database of abandoned fruit trees
Public outreach campaign
Newspaper ads (check into classifieds)
Thrifty Nickel
City officials can make us a map of anything we want
Research squatting laws, abandoned buildings, foreclosed homes

Freedom of Speech vs. Obscenities:
F*** the police sign was offensive to a large segment of the Lincoln population and the police are part of the 99%
The police have been professional and we have enjoyed peaceful longevity at camp
Someone from camp called to ask for an increased presence and they refused because they didn’t want to look “heavy handed”
Negativity reflects badly on us
Sign was encouraged by other campers
Cannot control somebody else
The message get distracted, changes the conversation, etc.
It worked well
It split the group
Lack of communication
Clear communication

Lost quorum. No proposals passed.

 

Wednesday, 14 March 2012 – Occupy Lincoln General Assembly

Facilitator: Mary Ann
Minutes: Trina
Stack: Tammy

Committee Announcements:

Jo-Finance Committee: No tally of donations this week. Would like to know how much we received

Media: Mary Ann and William will be taking over the newsletter. Media meetings resumed at 11 a.m. Saturdays at camp.

Camp: Supplies needed include battery operated lamps, already baked goods and meals for the campers would be appreciated.
______________

General Announcements:

The 24-hour Free Speech Zone Workgroup will start meetings. First meeting was Thursday March 15, 7.00 p.m. at Meadowlark.

Jane Kleeb (Bold Nebraska) is bringing in Bill McKibben (founder of 350.org) to rally the Unicameral against the TransCanada pipeline on Friday, March 30.

The 99% Spring is offering Nonviolent Direct Action Trainings across the country:   At hundreds of local trainings, we’ll learn how to tell the story of what happened to our economy, learn the history of non-violent direct action, and make plans for how to use that knowledge to take action on our own campaigns to win change.  The trainings will take place the week of April 9-15. Sign up to host a training now. We’ll make sure you get support and guidance to coordinate a training and have everything you need to help build the 99% movement in your community.

Camp Meetings determined that they will not be disbanding the camp early.

___________________

Proposals:

Occupy Lincoln to host Nonviolent Training April 9th – 15th. Proposal Passed

Occupy Lincoln asked to stand in support of the Lincoln Nebraska Moms for Marijuana March Against Domestic Violence. Proposal Passed.
_________

Asked to be added to the minutes…A discussion regarding a large weekly calendar to be added to the billboard at camp. William would like to have discussion groups/ circles and activities scheduled for camp.

Occupy Lincoln General Assembly Minutes
2.22.2012

Facilitator; Dianne
Stack; Carol
Minutes; Char

Ten people present,

three more by 7:50

Start time 6:30 p.m. 

Agenda; Proposals and Discussions

Suki made a proposal to have a rally at camp on 2.28.2012 starting at 4:30 p.m.

in support of a national call to protest the suppression of the Occupy movement.  Another group, Move On, will also be having a rally that day starting at 4:00 p.m.  in front of the capitol in support of this call.

Passed- eight, two stand aside.

Due to the fact that this G.A. had a scheduled meeting with a representative of the mayor’s office the group agreed to focus on having a concrete proposal to present to him. Passed by consensus.

A proposal was made to go through the list of proposals generated at previous G.A.’s and ask the question:  Is this a requirement that must be met before agreeing to leave Centennial Mall by May 1st?  (May 1st is a date negotiated at the previous G.A.) This passed by consensus. 

#4.  At the new site, we want to have a permit to erect our large tent.  

The group was reminded that this item had been previously discussed with the representative of the mayor’s office and he said that it would be very difficult to get approval for this.  The tent in question had already been through a process of application for a permit which the city denied. 

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal. 

#5  We want continuity at the new site.  We propose to be assured we can remain at the new site long term.  We don’t want to have this discussion again.  

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal.

#6.  We want to make sure we have sufficient space at the new site for our future needs. 

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal.

#7 We propose the City of Lincoln waive any and all fees related to permits necessary for the new location.  

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal.

#8.  We propose all permits be expedited so we can occupy the new site legally by May 1st.

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal.

#10.  We propose a plaque laid in the new mall recognizing Occupy Lincoln’s contribution to protecting free speech and free assembly. 

Passed by consensus to remove it from the proposal.

A proposal was made to add;  #9 We propose the mall be designated a 24 hour free speech, free assembly zone.,  #11.  We propose the tickets for the flash mob be dropped.,  #12  We propose the mayor facilitate a conversation on passing  a resolution to support  Move to Amend, that corporations are not people and money is not speech.  That these three be made requirements of the proposal to vacate Centennial Mall by May 1st.

Passed by 12 with one stand aside.

Jeffrey reported that #11 and #12 had been passed by last Sunday’s G.A. 

Discussion with mayor’s representative on proposal to vacate Centennial Mall by May 1st with the three requirements. 

He reported that a discussion on the flash mob ticket of disturbing the peace had been discussed with attorneys and they were unwilling to drop the charges.  They were also unwilling to lessen the charge to tresspassing as that carried a lesser fine.  

In regards to facilitating the conversation on Move to Amend (Corporations are not people and money is not speech) it was suggested that OL get a coalition of a much broader group of people together to press for this as the support is not there on the City Council to do this. 

As to the free speech and assembly zone on Centennial Mall, the mayor is unable to do anything about this.  It is likely that Centennial Mall will change from a right of way to a park under the jurisdiction of Parks and Rec and will then have a curfew.

So the three requirements for leaving are unable to be met. We are fast approaching the eviction deadline of March 1st and this subject will need to be brought up again at Sunday’s G.A. Jeffrey and Suki plan to send a letter with tonights proposal to the mayor.  

It was suggested that we contact Jim Preshong of the police department to discuss how we and they plan to handle the eviction. 

The meeting ended at 9:33 p.m. by consensus.

 

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 – Occupy Lincoln General Assembly

Facilitator: Jenny
Stack: Carol
Vibe Watch: Alex
Time keeper: Kevin
Minutes: Diane till 8pm, then Jeffrey

12 people present

INTRODUCTIONS

“How to” Consensus Decision Making – brief process/hand signals explanation

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Upcoming actions – don’t forget about big actions while figuring out Camp/City issues!:
  • links with details to be posted on Facebook?
    • national call to action
    • General Strike
    • Greece Solidarity
    • Keystone XL pipeline revival attempts and resistance – Call yr Senators!
  • See Occupy Education fliers/OL calendar for details:
    • Theater of the Oppressed workshop – Saturday at UNL
    •  ACLU “Know Your Rights” training – Tuesday 7pm, Meadowlar
  • Potluck Saturday evening at 7.30
    • contact < adobovs @ gmail.com > for details!
  • Legal committee will have a brief list of legal information available before Sunday’s GA
  • Benefit at the Zoo Bar – Sunday, Feb. 26th
  • Valentine’s Day callin and visit to Mayor’s office ROCKED
  • Possible upcoming resolution in City Council on corporate personhood?

Other OL business:

  •   Camp: food and propane at camp are good, lotsa laundry getting done.  Tents are available to sleep in!

REPORTBACK from Sunday’s GA (see minutes from 12 Feb 2012 for more details)

  • Mayor’s office and Parks and Rec officials came to Sunday’s GA to see where OL stands on leaving Centennial Mall.  General sense – the meeting went really well!  It was a necessary space to say, out loud, what’s going on.  Getting on the same page.
  • Report from City:
    • City wants OL off the Mall by March 1st
    • OL: is it really a question of when the Camp moves off the Mall?  Or a question of if?
    • City: ok, that date is kinda arbitrary.
    • City said what they “need”
      • 2012 construction plans for downtown area = logistical nightmare.  City needs to work with contractors, make sure they can establish a realistic timeframe for getting all the work done.
      • Explained a bit of the plans for Centennial Mall renovation and talked about funding sources.
      • Talked about process for changing restrictions on City Parks, permit process.
    •  OL said what we think they need.  OL is willing to be flexible
      • City rep will walk with OL to visit other possible camp locations
      • discussion later – who will be in the group to do this?  When? (when the snow melts!)
      • City can help OL look at zoning maps, use City resources that are available to the public.
    • Police have not had ONE negative thing to say about the Camp.
    • People expressed what they, as individuals, see as important things for Occupy Lincoln to do/hang onto
      • Some expressed importance of the Camp at Centennial Mall.  Others, more generally, importance of Camp on public land.
      • Capitalism → privatize everything → undermine civic engagement.   Importance of a “fire” in the city center to wake people up and keep people engaged and connected.  Camp is a spark.
      • no “no camping” ordinance
      • no change of Centennial Mall classification from public rightofway to park.  Or, if it becomes a ‘park’, don’t set closing hours.
    • Some discussion of possibilities for how to move forward.
  • Brief wrapup discussion after city officials left – where to go from here?
  • Working group meeting, Wednesday GA, individuals on their own – brainstorm plans!
  • Brief discussion of how to structure future talks w/ City
    • Decision:
    • Next Sunday, start at 1.30, check in with OL first, then invite City officials to come at 3pm

DISCUSSION

  • Negotiation = we gotta GET something, not just give up rights that are already ours
  • What can we bring to Sunday’s GA?
  • Decide that we’re in negotiations
  • Solid, clear explanation of where we stand, info we have, so everyone is on the same page
    • positions, preliminaries, strengths we have
    • At least one proposal, possibly a list of proposals/demands
      • what we will/might do
      • what we want the City to do
      • Items to include in negotiation – propose tonight, add to the list and pass at Sunday’s GA
      • Get the ball rolling!  If we’re gonna ‘play ball’ with the City, we better bring our own ball to throw around.
      • What info to share?  And how?
      • Breakout groups to discuss – first step for future GA’s – 4 more this month, 2 Plan A meetings = a good bit of time to plan/discuss, even though March 1st is coming soon

There was a brief presentation of information gathered at the city’s open house about the downtown reconstruction.  Some details included:

  • That the city will be accepting bids for the renovation of Centennial mall starting in the second half of March and the bidding will last 2 to 3 weeks.
  • The city would like the construction to begin May 1st, 2012.
  • The first phase of reconstruction is the streets from M St to midway between N and O St’s and that will last 90 days, completed by AUg 1st for RibFest
  • The second phase of reconstruction is the streets from midway between N and O St’s and go to P and that should be finished in the fall of 2012.
  • The actual construction on the green spaces (north and south) will also be done in two phases and the first one is planned to begin in the spring of 2013.

PROPOSALS:

  1. Occupy Lincoln is working with the city on the future of the Camp.
    • Passed with 2 standing aside
  2. Today’s General Assembly will create a nonbinding list of items to include in negotiations with the City.   The list will be presented to the General Assembly on Sunday, and may be added to at future GA’s.
    • Passed with 1 standing aside
  3. Occupy Lincoln will create a list of strengths/assets we have.
    • Passed with 4 standing aside
  4. This General Assembly will propose a team to evaluate other possible Camp sites with a City official.  The team will look at potential sites, take notes, and reportback to the General Assembly.
    • Passed

 

Help Occupy Lincoln Win Equipment For the New Park Garden

Posted on October 8, 2012 by

Occupy Lincoln will be starting a community garden in Neighbor’s Park in the spring of 2013. This community garden will be the first community garden in a Lincoln Public Park. The garden will be free for participants and a percentage … Continue reading →

Posted in Actions | Leave a comment

Occupy Education – Summer Break Is Over

Posted on September 3, 2012 by

Occupy Lincoln’s education committee returns from summer break to offer an interesting series based on the Dutch “Repair Café” model.  Join us for free classes and learn some things!  All classes will take place at 7pm on Sundays at the Meadowlark Cafe, 1624 South Street, unless otherwise noted.

CURRENT SCHEDULE:

September 9, 2012
Introduction to the Repair Café/Mending Clothes/Planning Session for September 23
Barb van den Berg

September 16, 2012
Repairing Small Appliances
Justin Orem

September 23, 2012
Mending Clothes II/Crowd-sourced Project from September 9
Barb van den Berg

September 30, 2012
Basic Bicycle Maintenance
**This teach-in will meet at the Antelope Park bandshell – bring your bicycles**
Nick Svoboda

October 7, 2012
Winterizing Your Home
Justin Orem

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Up.

Posted on August 25, 2012 by

Today, at about 2:45pm local time, the first of our species to walk on another world died.  There have only been a dozen of us who’ve left footprints on unearthly soil – who’ve been able to go outside at night, point squarely at the pale mysticism of the moon, and say, “I’m going there” – but brave Neil Armstrong was the first.  And now he’s gone.

Humankind has always looked up.  In early times, we looked to the sun and moon and constellations as deities who took interest in our existence.  Our early explorers used star patterns to get around then-unknown parts of Earth.  We created fantastical myths about mortals soaring on wings crafted of wax and feather (and were uncharacteristically wise enough to include in them a warning about overambition), then in 1903 a pair of brothers in America managed to soar a few hundred yards on wings crafted of wood, metal, and cloth.

The language of “up” is everywhere.  Keep your head up.  Chin up.  Stand up for yourself.  Movin’ on up.  Uprising.  Fall seven times, stand up eight.  Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.  It is hard to imagine another word in the English language able to encapsulate so much optimism and so much hope in so few letters.  But up is deeper than that – even as a lotus plant must struggle through layers of mud before it can reach the surface and bloom forth unstained, human existence must struggle upward through obstacles to be free and unfettered.  Some of these obstacles occur naturally – gravity, in Mr. Armstrong’s case – while others are put in our way by those who think that their “up” must come at the cost of ours.

There was a time when we did great things.  When entire nations could come together and work hard toward a single goal.  When there were priorities other than war and profit.  When we could set our sights on doing something just because it should be done.  “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” a journalist reportedly asked George Mallory, an Englishman who in 1924 may have been the first to successfully do so.  “Because it’s there,” he replied.  Explorers like Mallory and Armstrong, as well as scientists like Pasteur and Tesla, were not motivated by wealth or glory, but by the knowledge that it was within their ability to lift up the species.

So what happened?  Gone is the wild spirit in which we strapped our bravest cowboys to the tip of a 3100-ton 350-foot missile, took our best aim at the moon, and lit the fuse.  Gone is the spirit in which we came together and built the Interstate highway system from the ground up, or stood up and said no, everyone should have civil rights.  And what has replaced this spirit?  Anger?  Hatred?  Yes, and worse: apathy.  Moral governance has become twisted into a sideshow industry concerned with little more than manufacturing wedge issues with which to divide the people and distract them from abject corporate thievery, destruction of the only world every human outside of a dozen have ever known, a growing police state, disastrous austerity measures, and endless warmongering.  And that’s just the half of us who actually vote (a number which drops to nearly a third for midterm elections).  The other half?  Too ignorant to care or too cynical and jaded to think it matters anymore.

Today, a national hero passed from the earth again – this time, never to return.  Yet how many of the flowery eulogies currently being tapped out on keyboards around the world will mention that for years, Armstrong’s achievement has simply been impossible?  In 1966, NASA’s cut of the overall federal budget was 4.41%; estimates for 2012 place NASA’s slice of the pie put it at 0.48%.  We’ve stopped looking up.

But it’s not too late.  We The Species need your voice, we need heroes, and we need dreamers who will keep looking up, no matter what.  You can get involved, you can lift up others, you can even fly – but the first small step for man is that you have to get up.  Then, by stepping, leap.  When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Revolution Will Not Be Polite: The Issue of Nice vs Good

Posted on July 23, 2012 by

Though it is already a few months old, this post by Rachael on socialjusticeleague.net offers brilliant commentary on yet another way the privileged silence and disarm the marginalized in American society – the demand for civility.

From the article:

Social justice is about destroying systematic marginalisation and privilege. Wishing to live in a more just, more equal world is simply not the same thing as wishing to live in a “nicer” world. I am not suggesting niceness is bad or that we should not behave in a nice way towards others if we want to! I also do not equate niceness with cooperation or collaboration with others. Here’s all I am saying: the conflation of ethical or just conduct (goodness), and polite conduct (niceness) is a big problem.

Plenty of oppressive bullshit goes down under the guise of nice. Every day, nice, caring, friendly people try to take our bodily autonomy away from us (women, queers, trans people, nonbinaries, fat people, POC…you name it, they just don’t think we know what’s good for us!). These people would hold a door for us if they saw us coming. Our enemies are not only the people holding “Fags Die God Laughs” signs, they are the nice people who just feel like marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense, it’s just how they feel!

It is vitally important to any form of social justice movement that a sharp distinction is drawn between polite conduct and ethical conduct.  This is because the key ingredient of any protest movement is passion – which, as we all know, is not always (or even often) accompanied by politeness.  What we as agents of social justice need to realize and internalize, however, is that this is okay.  One cannot effectively speak truth to power and challenge an unjust system while walking on eggshells.

In this writer’s opinion, the Occupy movement (as well as progressives in general) are widely misunderstood in this regard.  Yes, some of our signs are blunt.  Yes, some of our chants are laced with “profane” language.  And yes, we’ve all spoken with someone who agrees with our message but takes issue with how we’re choosing to say it.  But here’s the thing.  We’ve tried saying it nicely.  Some of us have been trying for decades.  It hasn’t worked.

That’s reason enough to change tactics, but the article linked above gives us an even better reason to forget about minding our manners: because they are almost always defined by the ruling class.  By communicating on their terms, we’ve already given them yet another advantage.

olm36

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

American Autumn: an Occudoc

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

Click this link to view the movie. (Songs by FUGAZI and more!)

Shot on the front lines and meeting spaces of the Occupy movement in NYC, Boston, and Washington, DC from the earliest days through the end of January 2012, American Autumn: an Occudoc is an inside looking out view of the occupy movement.

With interviews and insight from key organizers, thinkers and activists including Medea Benjamin, David Degraw, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Lee Camp, Naomi Klein, Nathan Schneider, Ashley Sanders, Vlad Teichberg, Sgt. Shamar Thomas, Dr. Cornel West, Kevin Zeese and many more, writer/ director Dennis Trainor Jr weaves commentary and a fearless style that often puts the viewer right between police and protesters.

The film includes an original score by Goldi, a member of the OWS music Rebel group and Guitarmy, with additional original music created by Mike Lawrence-Yanicelli.

The legendary punk band FUGAZI supplied additional songs.

AJ Russo served as the Associate producer, co-editor, and created all of the graphics; James Russo served as the audio designer.

more at http://www.occudoc.org/

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Occupy Santa Rosa: A Statement Of Solidarity With Students

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

Crowd of Mexican protesters, many wearing Yo Soy 132 shirts. One sign reads: A mi, no me reprimen revolucion

 

 

The following statement was approved by Occupy Santa Rosa General Assembly on Thursday, June 28.

We are inspired by your student-led rebellion against the burden of student debt and the massive popularity that you have galvanized. Your movement is the spark that created a groundswell for new possibilities of economic and social equality. Occupy Santa Rosa stands with # Yo Soy 132, Occupy Canada and Montreal, all people with debt, and all of Occupy as we work together to create a truly just and democratic society!

With love and solidarity, Occupy Santa Rosa Santa Rosa, California

Occupy Santa Rosa Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Montreal, Occupy Canada and Mexico’s #Yo Soy 132 Movement – Student Struggles Everywhere are United!

On Sunday, July 1st, Occupy Santa Rosa is sending a written statement and visual message of solidarity to the masses of peaceful protestors taking to the streets in Mexico City, Montreal, and across Canada. July 1 is Canada Day, as well the day of the Mexican presidential election. Our messages of solidarity are attached, and can be found on www.occupysantarosa.org.

This latest North American tide of peaceful, democratic protest began in Montreal, Quebec in February, when students went on strike to protest a 75% tuition hike. The protests spread and swelled when the government attempted to limit the students’ right to assemble, and on the 100th day – May 22 – 500,000 people took to the streets across Canada. The protests continue daily, and have been amplified by events unfolding in Mexico.

The #Yo Soy 132 protests were sparked on May 11, when an influential supporter of conservative Mexican presidential candidate Enrique Peña Nieto accused students protesting Nieto’s proposals of being “not real students, but part of a mob hired by one of Peña Nieto’s political opponents,” according to Latin American News Dispatch. (http://latindispatch.com/2012/06/22/mexico-yo-soy-132-movement-seeks-to-influence-presidential-elections/) The students responded by videotaping their student IDs and posting them on YouTube. There were 131 students, and Mexicans across the country rose up in solidarity by proclaiming, “I am number 132″ – “Yo Soy 132.”

The protest movements in Montreal and Mexico City have supported each other with public statements and solidarity actions. Occupy Santa Rosa is inspired by these movements and stands in solidarity with them.

Since its inception, Occupy Santa Rosa has organized local peaceful protests around student issues – specifically the failure of Exchange Bank to reinstate the Santa Rosa Junior College Doyle Scholarship fund, and radical austerity cuts to the Santa Rosa City Schools budget. We will continue to proclaim education as a human right, and support the just struggles of students and youth everywhere!

“In a just society everyone is encouraged and supported equally. Not just the wealthy but everyone,” says Occupy Santa Rosa supporter Jean Redus. ”If we wish as a people to advance our culture, to move forward into our greatest possibilities, solid public education must be a choice that is available to everyone, and should definitely not leave young people saddled with debt that grows over their lifetime like a devouring beast.”

Occupy Santa Rosa calls upon the U.S. media to cover the beautiful, important protests in Canada and Mexico as they unfold, so that the 99% across North America can know that they are united in their feelings of anguish and outrage, and can be inspired by the dignity and power of nonviolent protest.

Occupy Santa Rosa supports North American democratic solidarity, not North American “free trade” and austerity programs that reward the global 1% and punish already-suffering and precarious populations. We know that we can combine our strengths and numbers and work towards a world that honors and cherishes our youth – as an investment in the future of humanity, and the advancement of us all.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oakland: Lakeview Elementary Occupation Raided; Rally at 5pm!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

Since June 15, parents, teachers, students, and allies from Oakland have occupied Lakeview school in response to the closure of five public elementary schools. Officials want to convert the buildings into private charter schools and offices, forcing students into different schools ten miles away without offering transportation. On the last day of class, community members began an on-going sit-in. They set up a community space complete with a library, free classes for children, social justice training, and more. Members of Occupy Oakland and other local Occupations have offered support and security patrols for the brave community members inside.

Around 25 people were inside this morning when Oakland police issued an evacuation order at 4 a.m. while most of the city and potential supporters slept. Just before 6 a.m., police raided the site and issued a dispersal order. Most of those inside complied with the order voluntarily, while a few remained inside in nonviolent protest. A parent and a former Lakeview student were arrested. According to witnesses, police threatened to use chemical weapons despite the presence of children and would not allow legal observers or media inside. Also according to witnesses, sanitation crews rushed in and the city immediately began building a fence after the arrests were made.

The community has vowed to stay and not give up the struggle to defend public education. A convergence of occupiers and all supporters has been called for 5pm Pacific today in front of Lakeview.

More information: SaveOaklandSchools.org
For updates: @LakeviewSitIn

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

#OCHI Members Occupy State Attorney’s Office In Solidarity With #NATO5

Posted on July 3, 2012 by

(In solidarity, via OWS)


Earlier today, three of the five people who were arrested on trumped-up charges of terrorism during the NATO summit in Chicago last May pleaded not guilty during their arraignment. The National Lawyers Guild has called the case a clear example of entrapment, as the supposed terrorist plot was coordinated by police informants themselves, who had infiltrated the Occupy movement disguised as protesters. Occupy Chicago marched to the office of State Attorney Anita Alvarez to demand freedom for the #NATO5, other Occupy supporters who were arrested surrounding the anti-NATO mobilization, and all those held by the flawed U.S. (in)justice system. The trial for the three arraigned today has been set for summer 2013.

Supporters of the #NATO5 flooded the courtroom and raised their fists in protest and others have demonstrated in front of the Federal Prison at Van Buren & Dearborn in Chicago throughout the day. Three Occupiers entered the State Attorney office and refused to leave until all charges against the #NATO5 are dropped, while others rallied in support outside chanting “Brick by brick, wall by wall, our prison system has got to fall!” and “Hey Anita what do you say? Let the #NATO5 go today!”

The sit-in did not last long before police moved in to arrest. The 3 people who occupied the State Attorney’s office have been taken to the jail at 18th and State. Several dozen Occupiers have made their way there for jail support, and others are encouraged to join them!

For more info and updates check: Free The NATO5 | @OccupyChicago

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

July 2-10, San Diego: Stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Posted on July 3, 2012 by

Visit StopTPP.org for more information!

We are waking up. The fog is lifting. We are sweeping away the lies and secrecy.

From July 2 to July 10, the political leaders of the Pacific Rim nations are meeting in San Diego to turn the Pacific Ocean and its peoples into a giant privatized corporate lake characterized by non-union workers, Wal-Mart supply chain feeders, poisoned, landless agricultural laborers, a dying biodiversity, and rising, drowning sea levels. We cannot and will not let this happen.

The TPP meeting is officially referred to as the 13th Round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Talks. The nations involved are the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Chile, and Peru. Japan, Mexico and Canada have indicated a desire to join. The economic power of this group is more than 40% larger than the 27-nation European Union. The claimed purpose of TPP is to promote development and create jobs. However, this meeting is in fact one of the final conclaves to secretly negotiate the economic structural adjustments necessary to appease the world’s largest multinational banks and multi-unit corporations. Make no mistake, these talks have nothing to do with free trade between equal nations. Rather, they are negotiations being conducted on behalf of these corporations and banks by their willing and highly-paid governments (supported by their militaries and police departments) to systematize the exploitation of the Pacific Rim peoples and increase the capital acquisition rates of the 1%.

(In solidarity, via OWS)

The essence of these talks is to privatize natural resources (despite the wishes of the world’s indigenous peoples;) restructure each country’s trade, labor, environmental, and finance laws; and reduce or eradicate social services to the people. These policies are known the world over as neoliberalism. Historically, they have been instituted around the world ever since the brutal taking of power in Chile, on September 11, 1973, by the fascist regime of General Augusto Pinochet. These policies, thus experimented with, spread to countries as widespread as the U.K., the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Indonesia, Russia, Poland, Sri Lanka, and now Greece. They have been implemented by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, a plethora of “Free Trade” treaties (such as NAFTA), and various militaries. Enough is enough! ¡Ya basta!

The General Assemblies of Occupy San Diego and Occupy City Heights hereby invites our communities, our regional neighbors, and our co-inhabitants of Earth, in general, to join us in both protesting the TPP and also in creating a new world. We will march with pots and pans, and drums. (Can you hear me now?) We will sponsor an international weeklong conference and roundtables on what is wrong with the TPP Pact and what are the people’s alternatives.

Something Is Cooking In San Diego. Get Out Your Pots and Pans and March. Come Exchange Knowledge at Our OSD Conference and Roundtables.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Two Months Away! Make Plans to March on Wall Street South!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by

(In solidarity, via OWS)

In just two short months, thousands will fill the streets of Charlotte for the March on Wall Street South. There are many different struggles and issues that will bring people to this demonstration, but we will all march together united. We are tired of the injustices being committed against our communities, fed up with the two parties representing the big banks and the corporations and not the people, we want an economy that meets human needs, and we know that we need to build independent people’s power from below to build the world that we deserve!

We will gather at 11am for an opening rally at Frazier Park in Charlotte, NC and then step off for the march at 1pm. It will all be happening on Sunday, September 2, right before the start of the Democratic National Convention.

Get involved today to help make it a success! Here are a few things you can do today:

  1. Sign up to be a local organizing center — Can you help organize a carpool, a van, or even a bus from your area to help people get to the March on Wall Street South? Let us know today!
  2. Become a volunteer! – Let us know if you can help with the buildup to the March on Wall Street South, would like to get involved in a working group, live in the Charlotte-area or can come early for outreach and trainings, or if you can help with the many tasks on the day of the demonstration.
  3. Make a donation – The two corporate parties have the banks and the 1% to rely on for funding, but all we have is each other. We are still a long way off from reaching our goal of $10,000 to make the march happen. Please consider making a donation today, circulating this appeal through your networks, or holding a fundraiser in your area.
  4. Organize an outreach event — Events are being organized in communities throughout the South and the US to spread the word about the March on Wall Street South and the mobilization around the DNC. Can you organize an event in your area? Coalition organizers can travel to speak at your event and send other materials to help you out!
  5. Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter! — Help us spread the word by liking the Coalition on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and inviting all your friends to the event!

There are many other initiatives in the works for the week of September 1 – 6 as well, including a youth, student, and immigrant led Festivaliberación/Liberation Festival on September 1, and a Southern Workers Assembly on Labor Day, September 3.

Keep checking the website to download fliers and other resources and for the most up to date information as we get closer to September!

Build the movement! See you in Charlotte!

Coalition to March on Wall Street South
Building People’s Power During the DNC

PRESS RELEASE — July 2, 2012

Coalition Marks Two Months Until the March on Wall Street South, Denounces “Free Speech Lottery” Being Held By City Officials

Charlotte, NC — In just two short months from today, thousands from across the country will be organizing carpools, filling vans, and renting buses to mobilize to Charlotte for the March on Wall Street South. The march is set to begin at 11am on Sunday, September 2, at Frazier Park, with the march stepping off around 1pm.

Coalition organizers report that preparations for the march are steadily progressing. At the end of May, organizers won permits for the march and held their first meeting to begin negotiations with City of Charlotte officials in mid-June. Planning for other initiatives before and during the DNC — including a youth and student “Festivaliberación,” a meeting of Southern workers, Occupy actions, and more — is also moving forward.

“From Georgia to Mississippi, Massachusetts to New York, Illinois to Wisconsin, and as far away as Oregon, plans are being made to mobilize to Charlotte in September,” said Donna Dewitt, President Emertius, South Carolina AFL-CIO, Communication Workers of America. “There are many reasons that folks will come to the March on Wall Street South, but we’re united in our calls for jobs, justice for our communities, and money for human needs, not more wars and jails. Both corporate parties are working on behalf of the banks, not the people, and in order to create the world we deserve, we have to build an independent people’s power movement from below.”

Today is also the day that the City of Charlotte plans to hold a “free speech lottery” to assign times to groups along a predetermined march route and speakers platform for September 4-6 when the DNC will be in session. The Coalition has roundly rejected that lottery as an affront to the basic constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly.

“The route that Charlotte has offered ensures that those who use it will be isolated and won’t be seen or heard by any of the convention delegates or bankers uptown,” said Michael Zytkow, a member of the Coalition and Occupy Charlotte. “People should have the right to speak out and assemble at any time, place, and in any manner of their choosing. The lack of applications, 24 for the 60 spots available, sends a clear message that people planning on attending the DNC do not consider the freedoms of speech and assembly subject to governmental lotteries. We categorically reject any attempts by the City of Charlotte or other state agencies to box demonstrators up into “free speech zones” or adopt any policies that will stand in the way of the rights of people to gather, speak and express our legitimate grievances. ”

 
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment