OP GA Notes Thursday 12/15/11
7pm Friends Center Worship Room
PROPOSALS PASSED:
1. (Outreach, Messaging, People of Color WGs) In agreement with the statement created at the World Social Forum in Dakar in February 2011, Occupy Philly calls for: the ratification and implementation of The United Nation Convention for the Rights of Migrants Workers; the closure of immigrant detention centers; and the revocation of all the agreements and programs concerning US borders which offend human rights. We denounce the consequences of global neo-colonial and neo-liberal policies and claim the fundamental role of migrants as political and social actors to build a universal citizenship around the world.
2. OP is willing to host a democratically-planned multi-GA-sanctioned national gathering on 7/4/12 at Independence Mall. Disclaimer: this initiative is not affilitated with the 99% Declaration.
3. (Interfaith WG) Endorse Friday 1/20/12 Occupy the Courts (Move to Amend) event protesting corporate personhood. Have OP GA 1) Put this date on the OP calendar and 2) empower Interfaith to organize event.
PROPOSALS TABLED:
1. GAs will be held, weather-permitting, at Thomas Paine Plaza, at 7pm, until a permanent encampment is established. [TABLED UNTIL PROPOSER RETURNS WITH NEW LOCATION]
2. Finance WG proposes that OP GA endorses a letter (written by Jacob) regarding our relationship with Friends Center.
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Welcome / Ground Rules / Agenda – Jesse
Working Group Reportbacks:
Emmanuel (Economic Empowerment) – Secret flash mic check at 18th & JFK 12:12pm tomorrow. Also, will know 2221 Broad Street might be available to OP 1/1, will know by tomorrow.
Tim (People’s Victory Parade) – Don’t have a place for a reception, if anyone has an idea please get in touch. If no place, will do a very scaled-down reception at Rittenhouse. Next planning meeting at 6pm on Sunday at Cosi.
Caleb (Radical Caucus) – Bad news: Arturo and Florence Mason were both arrested yesterday afternoon. Florence is in women’s detention center in Northeast, high bail, previous charges. Legal Collective is working on this. Arturo’s situation is unclear. Trying to get info. We have a press conference tomorrow at noon at Thomas Paine Plaza, talking about Mason case in its entirety. Florence Mason was evicted from her home because slumlord enabled Section 18 foreclosure. Police arrested kids, killed her dog. We’ve been organizing support for her in a spirit of solidarity. She came to Occupy and GA voted unanimously to support her.
Sally (Messaging) – To accomodate Immigrants Occupy March on Sunday 12/18, we are moving the Open Mic from 4pm to 530pm, we’re going to secure an indoor space. Should be a bunch of new people to Occupy. March is at 3pm, party is 4-5pm at Arch Street United Methodist Church.
Lisa (Process) – Just had meeting. Working on a bunch of things. Will be a bulletin going out to WGs reminding everyone of the importance of showing up to CoCo and the Allocation Council. We are trying to define what a WG is, asking WGs to come up with 3 things you think should be requirements/features to give a WG legitimacy in OP. Website is coming up soon, will be featuring WGs, need to figure out some sort of criteria or else anyone from anywhere at any time can create online WG. Please send WG feedback to ricci.lisa3@gmail.com
Gwen (Labor) – Verizon action Thursday 530pm. Solidarity Carols, Santa hats, cute and totally badass.
Iwanka (Adopt an Occupier) – Wanna help you with my name, it’s pronounced I-Vank-a, spelled with a W, a little different. AAO is a fundraiser for all of OP, hopefully can connect with people in different WGs. Changing name to Sponsor an Occupier. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs meets gift economy. Unmet needs. Meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 5-7pm at Arch St. Methodist Church. Meet again on Saturday from 5-7pm. Will set up special time on Sunday. M/Tu/W 5-7pm at Arch Street Methodist Church. Any questions: adoptanoccupier@gmail.com. Fundraising will run until end of year.
Laura (Calendar) – Transitioning to occupyphillycalendar@gmail.com.
Larry (Facilitation) – Update on Flash occupy will meet at Thomas Paine Plaza at 12 to support press conference, then will go to flash occupy.
Dave (Documentation) – Created OP Doc WG FB page for GA/CoCo notes. No longer under my name. Looks way more official.
Announcements – Jesse
Ian – OP got Philebrity (terrible website) award for Best Festival. People are accepting this award now at the Trocadero. Should march there after this.
Jacob – Invitation to create a join a WG. Occupy Communal Housing WG. Will discuss working principals for communal living, explore locations, and work towards setting up communal housing. A living base for InterOcc communities. Meeting space, temporary food/shelter, planning center, dispersed network of IT centers. Building horizontal structures.
Elise – local artist doing large public arts project on OP movement. Making large mylar tent/quilt. OP-ish groups are helping out. Really want Occupiers. Each panel will have different view about movement. To show diversity and pattern of unity. Here today, have flyers, can contribute 99 characters to the quilt. Happy to meet with you now. Looking for artists or art appreciators, aspiring filmmakers in terms of documenting people who are participating.
Freda – Eastern Service Workers Organization, organizing 99% since 1976. Organize service workers, part-time workers that don’t fit into unions. Happy to provide any assistance to OP that we can.
Amanda – Direct Action and Occupy Spaces working with Occupy our Homes, emergency meeting at 930pm at 1652 Ridge.
Proposal 1 – Larry
Lisa (Messaging / Outreach / People of Color)
Immigrants Rights March this Sunday 12/18. Will read document and then give portion that OP needs to endorse. [reads document]
On December 18, 2011, Occupy Philly will stand up for the recognition of human rights for all and stand against the perpetuation of the politics of exclusion exercised by the international financial elite, as we join the International Day of Action Against Racism and For the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People.
From Turkey to Germany, the Philippines to Japan, North Africa to France, Mexico to United States, the same economic framework has driven women, men and children to move away from their homelands. It is the forced implementation of a globalized economy, based on free trade agreements and the deregulation of corporations, which dictates the dislocation of communities through violence and unjust laws. Immigrants in the United States are blamed for the economic crisis and stigmatized as terrorists, manipulations that benefit the United States’ staggering prison-industrial complex (packed with nearly 2.5 million inmates) and the growing militarization of the police. The escalating demonization and incarceration of immigrant populations proportionally drains these communities and also pushes them into the shadows without recognizing their vast contributions to society. In the name of national security, the state criminalizes immigrants and those who protest, providing an easier context for repression and the silencing of political debate. In the mass media, the debate over the “illegality” of immigrants has crushed crucial discussion about both immigration reform and the recognition for equal access to higher education and workers rights for migrants who have lived in this country for years.
Occupy Philadelphia works for a community where human beings must have the right to choose, freely and independently, where they want to live: whether they prefer to stay where they feel their roots are, or seek their realization in a different place. In an act of solidarity and recognition that we are all in the same struggle, Occupy Philadelphia has chosen to unite with religious and secular social organizations that have worked for years to protect marginalized communities and improve their situations. In agreement with the statement created at the World Social Forum in Dakar in February 2011, Occupy Philly calls for: the ratification and implementation of The United Nation Convention for the Rights of Migrants Workers; the closure of immigrant detention centers; and the revocation of all the agreements and programs concerning US borders which offend human rights. We denounce the consequences of global neo-colonial and neo-liberal policies and claim the fundamental role of migrants as political and social actors to build a universal citizenship around the world.
We are all one voice that says: “Freedom of Circulation!” “No human being is illegal!” “No! to the militarization of borders!” “No! to the criminalization of migrants and refugees!”
CQ – What does UN document contain?
A – Nothing different than Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Specifically saying that the UDHR be upheld for migrants, are no less entitled to those rights. Second part denounces legal decisions that have violated rights of migrants, violated human rights. First part is just saying that migrants are no less entitled to those other rights than other human beings. Second part is an explanation of the ways rights have been violated.
CQ – What is “neoliberalism”? Also I’d like to change wording.
Larry – Can not do so because of previous GA vote on documents.
Larry – Explanation of “neoliberalism”?
Wispy – Neoliberalism is a certain form of capitalism in which free markets are uninhibited. No barriers to trade.
CQ – Is this online?
A – Yes.
C – USA is going global, this is a bad thing. I think this is a great opportunity to center ourselves. Neoliberalism was about no borders for capital. What about a free market for labor? Great opportunity to raise those concerns.
STRAW POLL – CONSENSUS
BINDING VOTE – CONSENSUS
DOCUMENT ENDORSED
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Proposal 2 – Larry
Rina – GAs will be held, weather-permitting, at Thomas Paine Plaza, at 7pm, until a permanent encampment is established.
Important for visibility. Shouldn’t be huddled indoors. We should be on our own time schedule, not on Friends Center schedule (but I love Friends Center!). Time for us to emancipate ourselves from Friends. TPP is easily accessible. Would be nice to not use up Friends Center every night. Would probably appreciate downtime. Some autonomy would be nice. Same time, same schedule, TPP.
CQ – What if attendance for GA goes down? Do you have a plan to bring it back inside?
A – There’s no trouble if we have a gathering of
CQ – Can you define “weather-permitting”? I grew up in warm climate!
A – When we had our encampment at Dilworth, we used Friends when it was really miserable out, would like to stick to that. In terms of cold, I totally understand, but I think it’s important to get out there when it’s cold and tough it out. We’re tough! Activism isn’t easy! We can buck up and do it.
CQ – Would this space only be used for GAs, or could it also be used as a space to Occupy?
A – Proposal doesn’t address that, but it’s a good discussion for us to have. In the context of this proposal, just GA.
CQ – Would like to see symbol or flag to show where we’re meeting. Don’t want people to get sick.
A – People sleep out in this weather every day. I get that it’s cold, but it’s part of the Occupation. It wasn’t going to be easy. We’re gonna have to keep each other warm.
C – Reasonable Solutions WG has a permit. This might cause conflict between two groups. Would have to schedule around that permit.
Rina – Point of information. RSWG ends at 7pm, our GA is at 7pm, this is separate.
C – Worry about media seeing OP and RSWG as working together.
C – I kind of bring people out into cold for a living. It is tough as hell to get people to come out in the cold. If we want to be welcoming and friendly, and inviting, we have to be understanding of people with bad circulation, older people. Not everybody can sit outside in the cold for 2 hours, especially 3 nights a week. I don’t think we have the drawing power to be out in the cold 3 nights a week.
C – Proposal addresses problem of permanent visibility, which we need to consider. But the idea of moving GA isn’t best way to address that. I agree with previous concerns about cold being a negative factor. In order to be in a good conversation, it’s good to take care of yourself in the best way you can. Space would be less loving than inside, we need to work out hard things together.
C – Concerned about RSWG. They would capitalize off our meeting on their “turf” so to speak. Really divisive, if not now than in future. Moratorium on any of this being at TPP until we get this worked out. Sending mixed signals. Love idea of autonomy, but it’s too cold, we wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.
C – Shouldn’t put this proposal down completely as we do need to move. Should amend the space. Need autonomous space, but not outside.
C – We pride ourselves on being anti-homophobic, anti-racist, but we’re bad on ageism. Cold plus lack of seating will make it very difficult for those over 65.
C – Want to affirm certain things: autonomy and visibility. Caution against us making friendly amendments moving somewhere before we really think it through.
C – Not worried about RSWG because they’re never there and they’re like 5 people. Thousands and thousands of Philadelphia brave out the cold in an Eagles game. I think people have the capacity to do it given the right motivation. If I recall correctly, we had a lot of problems in our Dilworth GA: agent provocateurs, fights, etcetera. Made it hard to have discussion and make decisions. Need to be in public but in space free of distraction. Need to be inclusive of homeless, etcetera. TPP is toxic and makes us vulnerable to a lot of creepy people.
C – I just really want to address the RSWG thing. We give way too much credit to RSWG to think that they’re this big of a problem. Doing this takes TPP away from RSWG. This is not helping them. If RSWG blocks this proposal, then they’ve done more harm to our process and
TEMPERATURE CHECK ON TABLING VS CONTINUING WITH FAs
Emmanuel – Point of process, can you do that without asking proposer?
Larry – Yes and no.
LET’S JUST MOVE ON TO FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
FA1 – Market East, Suburban Station, underground at 17th-18th & Market, one GA per place each week.
FA1CQ – What is purpose of having GA at 3 different locations on 3 different days.
A – Visibility and outreach.
FA1CQ – Has anyone tried to have a meeting at those locations?
A – Professionals for Progress has had press conferences there. Less than 75 people isn’t a problem.
STRAW POLL ON CONTINUING WITH AMENDMENT
CLEAR MAJORITY AGAINST, AMENDMENT FAILS
FA2 – This should apply only to Saturday GA.
STRAW POLL ON CONTINUING WITH AMENDMENT
CLEAR MAJORITY AGAINST, AMENDMENT FAILS
FA3 – Table proposal until
FA3CQ – When would it come back?
A – Whenever group has a new location.
Rina – If this happens, come see me to talk about this please.
STRAW POLL ON TABLING PROPOSAL
SUPERMAJORITY FOR, MOTION IS TABLED
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Proposal 3 – Alex (facilitator)
Larry – OP is willing to host a democratically-planned multi-GA-sanctioned national gathering on 7/4/12 at Independence Mall. Disclaimer: this initiative is not affilitated with the 99% Declaration.
Since it went through GA that we have not endorsed 99% Declaration, the idea behind this is to take OP’s willingness to host a national GA to the national stage. If this passes, this will basically be so I can go to other GAs and say Philly will do this if the national Occupy Movement wants it.
CQ – What is the threshold for multi-GA? At what point would it turn into a plan?
A – At the moment, I’m working with Movement Building in OWS to craft a proposal. Ideally, wherever we decide to have national assembly, we’ll have to go through their GA to see if we can have it there.
CQ – Does this have anything to do with a signing of a declaration? Is it about DC?
A – Not bringing any process or structure at all. All GAs will come up with agenda/process. I’m not in a position to answer that right now.
CQ – If this were to pass, who are we delegating to go off to other GAs to deliver it?
A – This GA endorsement would function as a Communique. Goes through Committee of Correspondence WG.
CQ – Is that Committee going to decide who goes where?
A – I was speaking metaphorically. If we endorse this, I will get on the phone with people at OWS.
CQ – What is Movement Building WG?
A – An OWS WG. I’m involved with InterOccupy, sort of a subset of Movement Building. They have nothing to say about this, because this is OP. If a proposal comes out of this, CoC would handles communiques and everybody is welcome to join.
Jacob – CoC works with Philly Occupy Together. Several WGs working on this, completely open and democratic.
C – Weather concerns.
C – Would be a lot of work. A lot of OP energy would be sucked up into this. Don’t want to lose the Philly in OP if we take this on. Might want to apply local issues to national gathering.
C – One concern about the date. 7/4 has a lot of racist and colonial history. National convention on that date seems corny.
C – Hotel bookings would be tax revenue for city, same city that evicted us. List of demands of city that should be met before we have it here.
C – Philadelphia needs to start thinking larger. We have to have this here. “We the People” started here. Welcome America is here over 7/4 holiday.
C – Recognize symbolic value and problems with colonial issues.
C – If we want to do this, this is a very cool and nuanced way to do it.
C – Perhaps May 1 is a better date?
C – Might want to change date so people don’t have to move the next day.
C – Fear of tri-corner hats. Wish it didn’t have 7/4 attached. Don’t want to drape ourselves in the flag, etcetera. Drape in blue/gold municipal flag. Don’t want to see colonial imagery.
C (Proposer) – The fact that that was such a good conversation suggests that we need to have this in Philly. Work and cost are legitimate concerns. Gonna happen somewhere, we’re all one movement. What I am proposing to you, to light that fire on the top of the mountain so they see in NY that the beacon is lit. Concerns about logistics/funding/money etc, people who are working to craft the actual proposal are seriously considering those issues.
Alex – Larry, could use address date?
Larry – If this was passed, and the view of the national Movement wanted to have it on another day, our intention to have a national assembly would still stand. As for colonial history, what better place to claim a new independence from our history than in Philadelphia?
STRAW POLL ON PROPOSAL
SUPERMAJORITY SUPPORTBINDING VOTE
6 OPPOSED, PROPOSAL PASSES WITH SUPERMAJORITY
TEMPERATURE CHECK ON IF IT DIDN’T HAVE A DATE (NON-BINDING)
CONSENSUS
Whitney – Why did we take two straw polls? Was confusing.
Alex – Just wanted to see mood of room, didn’t count for anything.
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Proposal 4 – Alex
Craig (Interfaith) – Endorse Friday 1/20/12 Occupy the Courts (Move to Amend) event protesting corporate personhood. Have OP GA 1) Put this date on the OP calendar and 2) empower Interfaith to organize event.
CQ – Restate proposal.
CQ – Is Interfaith aware that you don’t need GA approval for actions?
A – I believe so, can’t speak for entire group. Idea was to be as transparent as possible and bring it to a large group.
CQ – That was my question. We don’t need to bring Direct Actions to the GA. I like this action. We should all be thinking about how to best use GA.
CQ – Would you be invading people’s privacy in actions against shareholders?
A – Questioning corporations right to personhood.
CQ – What exactly do you intend on how to affect shareholders?
A – Those were just my side notes. Movement/action will not be centered around that, but around the corporate personhood idea.
C – Concern with the language involving corporate personhood. Not to pick a fine point, but because I’m very concerned about the 1886 Supreme Court decision that established this, the language around Citizens United waters down awareness of that. More clarity, more distinction about corporate personhood issue. Citizens United is a problem, but it’s not the same thing as Supreme Court decision that established corporate personhood.
C – Whenever people mention corporate personhood, shareholders often take the blame.
STRAW POLL ON SKIPPING AMENDMENTS? CONSENSUS
BINDING VOTE ON PROPOSAL – CONSENSUS
PROPOSAL PASSES
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Proposal 5 – Dave
TABLED AS PROPOSER GROUP WASN’T PREPARED
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Celebration – “We Occupy” song (instrumental)
[notes by Dave]
OP GA Notes 12/13/11 7pm Friends Center Worship Room
PROPOSALS PASSED: Occupy Philadelphia does not endorse the 99% Declaration or anything else the group behind the 99% Declaration puts forward.
Welcome – Jack
Friends, Philadelphians, Occupiers, congratulations, you made it to this meeting! We’re such a cool group, the room has decided to play along.
Ground Rules / Agenda - Dave
Working Group Reportbacks – Christina
Caleb (Radical Caucus) -
Kevin (Food) – 1/13/12 Banquet, goal to raise $10000 for OP. Need volunteers for food prep, cooking, serving. Goal is to have representative of all committees to make small presentation on what their WG is doing within OP. Approximately 200 people.
Larry (Free University) – WG meeting tonight at 9pm at Rittenhouse Cosi. Gonna go over process, teachers lined up, proposal to use Elkins Estate as our base, solidy a lot of things. Changing the world and Occupying Education.
Jacob (Occupy Together) – More than 200 people this past Saturday at Friends, Baltimore, SF, South Jersey, Delaware….responses were very positive. This was a satisfactory event, endorsed by GA, everybody was very impressed by OP, that we’re still here and still going.
Alex (Victory Parade Planning Committee) – [Hilarious knock knock joke]. 12/31/11 Victory Parade is going to be a fun event! Marching band, parade (not march), costumes, each WG should have own costume. Meeting tomorrow night after CoCo at Rittenhouse Cosi. Reaching out to unions, faith-based groups. Celebrating global awakening of 2011, from rest of world to local. Food, hot chocolate, music, speakers, bad jokes, etcetera. Leading into NYE party. Fun family-friendly day, shooting for 500-1000 people for march.
Jody (Legal) – Today we had 10 more eviction case people go to court. 4 of 10 are going to trial, will join other 19, now have 23 total going to trial. 2 more court dates upcoming. Today was reviewing videotape of Greg Harris’ arrest. If you saw him being arrested during eviction, please get in touch with Legal WG and let us know. Greg is charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, a felony. We looked at video and we need a not guilty on this case. Please come forward with video footage, photos, or if you witnessed what happened to Greg, please help us out. occupyphillylsg@gmail.com. We have the ability to frame-by-frame blow things up and look at them. We can enhance photos. You can make difference between guilty/not guilty. Also, legal avenues are being pursued on horse tramplings. Civil suits come after criminal, have a year to file. Once we get criminal cases under control we will pursue civil suits.
Jesse (Direct Action) – Tomorrow there’s a march event against National Defense Authorization Act. Provision that permits government to declare anyone an enemy combatant and detain them indefinitely. 12 noon at Senator Toomey’s office (1628 JFK) goes to Senator Casey’s office.
Bri (Occupy Spaces) – Friday 10am-3pm will be cleaning up vacant lots on 300 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Trash bags, gloves, food, warm clothes, cameras, two hands. See you there!
Nate (Outreach) – Planning info desks around city (with Info WG), interested in getting people from every WG to be involved. Some people are gonna start going out now with clipboards & buttons, trying to get people’s info so we can be in touch and introduce ourselves to the communities. We need more people! Hopefully will lead to Occupy town halls, use churches, union halls, to help spread our story. Email will be going around with Google survey for availability.
Greg (Finance) – Allocation Council last night, money was spent. $2500 was spent on restitution to Friends Center for breaking their dishwasher and destroying a bunch of rugs, professional cleaning from night of eviction. Started last night with $8000 in bank and $300 in donations from the week, now we have less than $5000. Don’t anticipate that kind of expense again soon, but should highlight importance of fundraising. Also, fiscal sponsor (Jobs With Justice) is requesting receipts of purchases from first month of Occupy. If you received money in that first month, and can write something down with some info about it, please send it to opfunding@gmail.com or opinkind@gmail.com, or come to our meeting.
Emmanuel – Organizing secret mic check. 12:12 on Friday. Get in touch with me.
Mark (Web WG) – This is an early Christmas present for our Occupation. Offered NYCGA.net web infrastructure, we are implementing it. [projector show!]. Groups: Each WG can have subsite on this page! Using WG inventory forms to set up website. Need each WG to come up with their own administrator for website. Will be reaching out to WG contacts for training, etcetera. Blogs, own permissions for within groups, will be able to submit content for homepage. Events: calendar is second piece of functionality. Archive: a record of everything that’s going on with our GA. Proposal form is coming. We will have a warming-up period for proposals. Will have a database to see status of proposals. Really excited about this, wanted to hit three big points that will transform us into Occupy 2.0. Would like to go live in next 10 days. Next meeting is Saturday 5:30pm at Good Karma Coffeehouse (btw 9th and 10th on Pine). This website will be a vehicle for sharing information within and without. Facebook is useful but not comprehensive. Please seek us out and talk to us about who wants to put relevant WG info forward on this vehicle. NYC was kind enough to give this to us, we’re almost ready to go, just need content and contacts. Really simple, intuitive piece of work. Don’t need to be a tech geek to help with this.
VALUES DISCUSSION – Bri and Alex
Bri – I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. We missed a big important first step: what values do we want this movement to stand for. Really important to discuss in this forum. Values we need and would like this movement to uphold. This process came from C.T. Butler, the consensus guru. When he does Direct Democracy workshops, this is the first step. Interesting that we skipped it. Gonna open forum for 10 minutes, what values are important to you, what role do you think values play in this movement. Popcorn-style, no stack. Gonna pass out this list of random values to get everyone’s brain going. [passes out list of 300 values, reads a few examples]
- I believe in a universal consciousness, a light. If you’re working in a group, it’s important to take the time to meditate and quiet ourselves and reflect on that as a group.
- Community. That embodies a lot of values within it, but is strongest value I take from this place.
- Anti-war
- People over property and profits. Valuing human life. Uplifting the voice of those of the most marginalized.
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- Suggest that we step back and take a look at the simple list before we apply them to political situations.
- Economic justice.
- Generosity encompasses a great many things. Of mind, listening to other people. Of person, not withholding one’s self. Generosity of time, the opposite of being possessive in every way.
- Solidarity. Cooperation.
- Flexibility and generosity of mind.
- Moments of levity and fun, visited other Occupations and they’re not having as much fun as we are.
- Humility, sustainability, and respect
- Responsibility
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- Accessibility, transparency, anti-elitism
- Love really sums up all of what we’re talking about. If we can get it into people’s heads that OP loves one another, it will spread out from their.
- Need to be kind to ourselves, don’t need to be perfect.
BREAKOUT GROUPS ON VALUES
WRITE DOWN INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL LIST OF VALUES YOU NEED, and LIKE
99% DECLARATION DISCUSSION – Dave
I’d like to invite the Proposers to come forward to present the 99declaration.
Diamond [Proposer]- Hello everyone. for those who don’t know, we are a group that started out of OWS GA, shortly after the brooklyn bridge incidents, after the protesters were forced across the bridge into mass arrests. Around two months of organizing this site and getting the message out, 10,000 people are organizing a national assembly to ratify a list of grievances. Just a pissed off list. But it would be a list that would be widely discussed from sea to shining sea. The purpose is to get the Occupy movement in the US and Guam and other areas to discuss and come to a conclusion for why we occupy. We would ratify this declaration in Philadelphia on July 4 and sign it. The methodology is on the website — a new site was just launched: 99declaration.org.
It was decided we would use congressional representatives so that all Occupy representatives would be repped geographically. People are on the site, we got the word out via a donated commercial that was on Keith Oberman last week. Over 16,000$ raised toward the venue, no down payment on the venue they’ve selected yet, but it’s due at the end of December. It can be any venue. The voting system has not been determined or solidified, still negotiating how people will vote for their deligates. Everybody wants to come for this giant Natioanl direct action to ratify the list of why we’re pissed. It’s a free-flow group and things are developing on an hourly and daily basis. Still no venue, no voting system. But you can get involved by registering on the site. Our working group is going to be on the occupy philly GA site. You can register as a deligate on our site to be a representative for your district. The national park service has a permit approved, we can go sign this thing as a symbolic gesture. the actual list will be negotiated online, by skype, by all delegates, and it will be done on July 4. This will be a symbolic rally. Celebrities have been asked to come. No politicians will be asked to come, we don’t want any political affiliations at the event. Anybody we voted on to come is pretty much alligned with the preliminary list. There are 23 points. The way it works, you post a suggestion and then it’s voted on and left up for a week, then accepted. All you can do now is volunteer as a delegate.
Clarifying questions:
Iden – I know a little about this doc. Originally, the plan is to have two representatives from each congressional district, empowered to agree on what the grievances officially are. Still true?
Yes. One man, one woman.
Second question, How will demands be agreed upon?
Right now the list on the website means nothing, it’s just the 10,000 people who’ve agreed upon these 23 grievances.
Greg – Why do you need our social security numbers to conduct criminal background checks on anyone who wants to be a delegate?
It’s for legality, not only for the venue. For safety issue, we don’t have a paid security system and it’s the easiest way to determine you live there, that we’ll have a safe environment for a thousand people, and that you’re not an infiltrater. It’s a safety issue.
Tim: Was this ratified in any other GA? Was it passed anywhere? At OWS?
There are at least a dozen other GAs who have approved it. The original idea came from OWS GA.
Larry – POI: it didn’t pass through the Wall Street GA. The Movement Building group has confirmed that.
Dave – To clarify, there is no proposal on the table at OP. This is just a discussion.
Julia – We voted a month ago to have our own National Assembly in Philadelphia. Are you aware of that?
I was at that GA.
Then why are you starting this separately?
I’m just telling you of my involvement. It’s happening in Philly and ten thousand people are excited to come here.
Dave – Can anyone clarify?
Wispy – There was an amendment passed to encourage Regional assemblies across the Occupy movement.
Gwen – Did this group already meet with city or park officials without representation from OP? Was there representation from OP? Have agreements already been made with the city without consultation?
The 99declaration met with the city the same day they met with OP at 30th Street. No agreement with the city, but we just let them know.
Who did 99declaration meet with?
Negrin.
In this strategy, the delegates will go to congress people with their grievances, but if that doesn’t work, a 3rd party will come in. Is that the plan?
The six point plan is a new part, a recent addition 7 weeks ago. Any part can be subtracted or trashed, but the plan is to facilitate a direct action that results in the ratification of grievances. Someone added the plan and everyone agreed it was good.
Jacob – Why would any group choose to break up representation by congressional districts, to preserve the power structure that keeps those divisions in place?
It’s a simple way to split the country apart geographically.
Jack – Do you know that Occupy people throughout the country have acquired records that would impede them from becoming congressional delegates?
Every occupy has more than one felon, so I can’t run. I’m sure we could agree upon one cool person here to be a representative of our collective voice.
There are 535 districts, more time than 2 hours will be required to sign any document. How will you compensate for this?
890 signatures. We are meeting for 3 days in a venue TBD. In 3 days, 900 people can sign and our symbolic march to city hall is just a celebration afterwards.
There is not an occupy movement in each district, last time I checked. What we’re setting up is a brilliant example of a National GA that replaces all individual GAs that is unrealistic and is taking energy away from GAs that will serve the same goals on a much larger scale. Thank you for your indulgence.
This is a way to get every occupy to come together for a march. There’s no way we could have direct democracy and voting across the country. It has nothing to do with politics. It is a fluid seven week process.
Jody – I too have done research, I looked at your board, which is made up of lawyers. I have grave concerns about a bunch of lawyers making decisions. One of your board members is an ex-vice president of Goldman Sacks. The law firm that reps this board is a corporate law firm. Who are these people?
The people voting are the 10,000 on the facebook and website. The sole purpose of the board is to hold the money. I can’t tell you exactly who came up with the social security background check.
Are you aware that asking for social security numbers like this is illegal in this context?
I was not aware.
Cathy – I’m mind boggled by a group wanting to come into Philly and dictate what would happen in Philly on a national level. How did a working group form to support this? How do you have the audacity to come into Philadelphia, instead of looking at what we want to do here on a national level? You stated that this will happen, with or without Occupy Philly.
I’m a member of Occupy Philly. I had nothing to do with the requirements for voting, which isn’t even solidified, except that I support a direct action here because this is where the first national congress was? It’s soon. It’s gonna be strong.
Christine – I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having national ideas come together. But, the venue seems to be very expensive, and all the talk is about paying for the venue and security. How about an outdoor event, especially because it will be in the summertime.
I told them, its ridiculous that we don’t know where the venue is, because we’re keeping it secret. Why they need a hundred thousand dollars, it doesn’t make sense. But they said, we don’t need to do that, as OP, we can suggest another space. The initial proposer to selected the venue went for a place with all union labor. He gave me carte blanche to bring back ideas for cheaper venues.
Vanessa – I did a bit of research. A gentleman named Michael Pollok organized this. He made this statement: “Occupy Wall Street is a failure… it has consumed its own oxygen and now the flame is out… we will press on with our national assembly and we withdraw our support.”
I’ve never heard that.
Well, he admitted it and wrote about it on the official OWS GA site. How can we put our trust behind this group to organize this event when he made that statement?
Colin – Are the SS#s used to varify the gender of the prospective delegates?
Don’t know.
Did they consider it could be unsafe to have someone who wasn’t a convicted felon? How is the line drawn?
It was brought at a proposal and accepted through a voting process. Only voters who have SS#s would be able to register in the congressional districts.
Who voted?
I can’t give you a correct answer, you can find out online.
Dave – temp check: Are people cool going to a short stack of concerns, without breakout groups? [Yes]
Concerns:
Josh – Nothing on the 99declaration site or facebook page allows for the horizontal direct democratic process most occupations are adopting. It’s fishy to me that there’s this board of lawyers and though I don’t know much about it, it seems there is little accessibility to know more. Nate – Our GA passed this statement October 20: [Regional Assembly Invitation] “We intend for this message to set a president for direct GA-to-GA communication… We can only unite together if we commit to transparency and openness”
Reena – I respect your passion for this declaration because I believe that you’re genuine. Making this national would be huge and awesome. My negative concern, it doesn’t look like anybody else likes this idea. That’s not to say a national conglomeration is bad, but the way it’s being done now, there will be so much skepticism that it will be a flop. I think we need to reconsider the way we’re going about this right now. Good news is, we have until July.
Shawn – Getting all the Occupies involved is a contradiction because it contradicts what Occupy started as. People weren’t getting results from representative democracy, and this is reinventing that process. It seems very manipulative to coopt the movement and turn it into what i think would be a liberal tea party.
Ian – The people bringing this seem completely clueless and confused about what Occupy movement is doing. Or, this is a really conscious attempt to coopt the movement.
Larry – This representative govt is not how any of the Occupy movements do things. We’re most likely not going to do it. I would urge a petition that, instead of wasting all the money this 99declaration has raised, is to get behind us! Since the idea was thrown out for Philly, I’ve been crafting with OWS a proposal to go through both GAs for a national assembly that will go from the ground up. I urge these people to get behind us doing it. Let’s still have this on July 4 in Philly, just not like that.
Heather – In the spirit of flexibility and generosity, we should all figure out a way to do this. If we have a national GA, that’s not the only thing everyone wants to come out of Occupy.
? – My biggest problem is the exclusion of felons from being representatives. It excludes a disproportionate number of minorities and trans people. It is completely unacceptable within the occupy movement. We’re supposed to be supporting all these people.
Wayne – I’m afraid you’re all going to isolate yourselves, go up against the govt and corporates and they’re gonna win. Take a look at the media, it’s gone. We’ve lost. Basically. We’ve got to reach out to all the people. If there are going to be any real changes, we need to win their hearts. We need to look at the possibility of this — the 99declaration will move on whethers yous like it or not. We’d just like you to be involved in it. You cannot exclude the rest of the population.
Dave – Can we just bounce quickly through this stack.
Caleb – The way this has been done breaks solidarity and is divisive to this movement. People were upset with the direct democratic process, upset by anarchists, decided to throw them to the wolves and run to the politicians. If you want to engage with the system, you need to have a place from which to engage.
Jack – Those who embrace controversy as a starting point either expect to lose gloriously or they better have a second plan. There will be time to do it better.
Colin – About the substance of the proposal, there’s a colonial aspect. Not interested in rehashing white slaveholding merchants. The 1% works on a global level and as a movement we won’t solve it as a nation, we will do it as a race. We need to reach out to people all over the world.
Lauren – I have a major issue giving my SS# to an employer, let alone an individual. This is a movt that should allow people to remain anonymous.
Bri – Vice president of Goldman Sacks? No fucking way.
Diane – Motion: we take a vote on whether or not we support the 99declaration.
Dave – I would suggest we take a nonbinding straw poll but not a binding vote.
Diane – It’s important for us to make it transparent to other GAs that we do not support this and that other GAs shouldn’t trust them. We should denounce them.
Lauren – The original proposal was for a discussion and for an endorsement as a later vote.
Alex – On process. That proposal is different from what Diane is suggesting. There’s nothing stopping anyone from bringing a proposal to CoCo tomorrow to denounce the 99declaration.
Cathy – I believe we are within process, that the GA is the dictating body for what we do or don’t do. I do believe we need to bring a proposal to denounce.
Colin – The process is supposed to be empowering. We can say, we’re ready to vote now.
Dave
Diane – I propose we vote right now that we do not endorse the 99declaration or anything else the group behind the 99declaration puts forward.
Binding vote: Supermajority
Dave – we just voted to not endorse the 99declaration.
IT’S OVER!
[notes by Dave & Jenna]
GA Notes 12/10/11
Arch Street Methodist Church
Welcome: Jacob’s Kickass Poem (actual title currently unknown)
Tomorrow there will be a People’s Assembly at 4, Rittenhouse Square.
Report Backs:
- Immanuel (Economic Empowerment): loved the flashmob at 30th Street, should do more with that
- Hollister (Inter Faith): meeting on Tuesdays creating a multi-faith, multi-economic, multi-cultural space for clergy and Occupy to meet
- Valerie (Victory Celebration Planning Committee) – meeting tomorrow at 5pm at Cosi, 17th and Walnut, go over logistics and direct planning
- Michael (Info): Info had first meeting, working on getting info out through email, going to start Guerilla Info on the streets, let us know if you know a good corner
- Larry (Free University): have been meeting with various estates to get a place, having a meeting Tuesday to look at other places to run. Meeting with education and other affinity groups. Want all of you there learning or teaching, contact Larry or Nate to get involved.
- Vanessa (Media): OccupyPhillyMedia.org is going well, invite everyone, even out-of-towner’s to post, want to cover different events and stories that are important. Media training the weekend of Jan 20 to learn photography, reporting with cell phones, writing, video-editing, etc.
- Ryan (Washington DC Occupy): Was amazing when everyone arrived in DC, met many different people from all around the country. Specifically was moved by hearing everyone’s stories. Occupy DC was unfortunately evicted, people still want to be involved.
- Nate (Committee of Correspondence): We’ll not be meeting tomorrow, if you’re interested in joining please see me or Larry
- Nate (Outreach): Guerrilla Info Tables – sending a few Occupiers out into different types of places, different parts of the city and suburbs. If you want to be on one of the teams, let us know. Also hoping to work with churches or business (places with big meeting rooms) and have Occupy Town Halls where we can get info out, answer questions, etc.
- Greg (Camp Liberty): Camp Liberty is the group looking for new homes for the homeless. We have 10 permits for all the parks/plazas in the city. On Tuesday we’re having Press Conference about turning in the permits. Currently working on maps for the parks, if anyone is interested in helping with creating these, let us know if you want to help.
- Greg (Finance): Monday 5:30 Allocation Council/Treasurer’s Meeting at Friend’s Center where money is given to different groups.
- Laura (Calendar/Scheduling): If you aren’t getting the calendar, find me. If you’re part of a working group and have a meeting, send it to me so it can go on the calendar.
- Dave (Documentation): We have a lot of great feedback when we get the notes out quickly, it’s important to document these meetings. If you’re interested, please see me, Valerie, or Hollister. Don’t have meetings yet, hopefully will have enough members to do so.
- Bri (Occupy Spaces and Direct Action): Occupy Spaces is meeting tomorrow at 2 at LAVA, if you are interested in free food grown in mass all over the city, protecting homes from foreclosure, free education for all, come to this meeting. Also, Direct Action will have a meeting at 4PM at LAVA about a super awesome, top secret, guerrilla theater action. Be there!
Announcements:
- Going to canvas Block Captains in one of the poorest neighborhoods. There has been a lot of animosity towards Thomas Paine Plaza, want to hold GAs there at 7PM to resist the city. If anyone else is interested, contact Rina.
- Greetings from Occupy Baltimore! Beautiful Mumia Rally. Beautiful march today. Baltimore has support from fraternal police and fire fighters. We do have a problem: we have a solid encampment going but we’re running low on all resources. Individuals, if you have donations (camping equipment, warm clothes, blankets, monetary donations, etc), please send them our way.
- Greetings from OWS. Updates on actions: on Monday there’s a port shut down on the West, we’ll be doing a solidarity action against Goldman Sax. On the 17th, the international day of tenting, in NY we’ll be taking space. The 18th, we’re having a big visioning day at PACE University to see where we take this movement next. Unleashing creativity, long-term strategizing, etc.
- There is another Occupy in Mount Holly, Jersey in the works. See Mairead.
- Jacob has tons of art and poster material. Take it! Free!
Proposals:
Valerie and Alex: People’s Victory Celebration, Dec 31st afternoon celebrating 2011’s global awakening and building toward a new year of change. Including parade, reception, bake sale, and awards.
Clarifying Questions:
- Where will the proceeds for bake sale go?
*The idea was to fund Occupy Philly and possibly throw money toward Friends Center or Arch St for hosting us – Will there be booze at the party on New Years Eve?
*We’re not planning the party. The Celebration reception is family friendly, so probably not. The party is being organized independently.
Concerns:
- Mairead: I want a marching band for the parade. If you want to be in it, see me.
- Sam: I don’t like award ceremonies because they leave some feeling under-appreciated. I think it might leave some feeling left out.
- Emanuel: My concern is the word “victory.” I suggest we use an “occupation elevation” ceremony. Then when we actually accomplish a specific goal, victory will have meaning.
- Brian: Will you be able to raise enough money? Pockets are low. It’s always hard to raise money for an event like that.
* Valerie and Alex: The money we would raise wouldn’t be for the event. It would be a fundraiser separate from the event. Hopefully the event wouldn’t cost much money, so we could manage it. One of the last marches we did costed $15. It’s really not so much.
- Alex: One of the reasons we wanted to call it a Victory Parade is because there have been many things accomplished by OP. We wanted to brainstorm a list of successes to acknowledge at the ceremony. The awards would be for working groups, not individuals, and we would try to recognize every working group. It’s not a competition and we wouldn’t be trying to leave anyone out.
Friendly amendments:
- Emanuel: change “Victory” to “Elevation Celebration”
Straw poll: opposed
- Cowboy Mike: Suggestion that we could call it an “Awakening March”
Straw poll: opposed
- Greg: To change “working group awards” to “international struggle awards.” To shift devotion during awards from working groups to Egypt, Spain, Honduras, and countries around the world whose struggles we can acknowledge
Questions:
- Could it also be for recognition of local struggles?
- Why shouldn’t we acknowledge working groups?
- What is your argument against celebrating their hard work?
Straw poll:continue discussion for concerns
Concerns:
- Alex: Great that we recognize accomplishments around the world, but this is not a competition, so we don’t have to choose
- Concerned that no one from elsewhere in the world will show up to receive their award.
- Emanuel: We might leave somebody out unless we make it global.
- I like global- and we’re dealing with global issues, international companies, and I would say we are in a global scenario, so I would go along with the title change.
Straw poll: opposed
- Rena: Replacement of bake sale with prevision of baked goods and optional donation
Questions:
- Would that mean you’d potentially give everything away without raising any money?
- Is there going to be a separate time where food will be served for free?
*Alex: To me, it seems we could work out these details in the planning of the event. The people who come to the meeting and plan the event can decide how it goes down.
Straw poll: opposed to amendment
- Jerome: Shouldn’t it be called “National Occupy Celebration Day”? Not just Philly?
* Valerie’s response: the title specifies: “Celebrating 2011’s Global Awakening and Building Towards a New Year of Change”
Questions/Concerns:
- Shawn: If we’re changing the word “Global” to “National” we are minimizing the scope. If it’s global, it includes every nation in the world.
* Being that we are focusing on what’s happened in Philadelphia, I think it’s a great idea to link up with other places in the US.
- I think it should be a global issue.
Straw poll: opposed
Vote on Unamended Proposal: passed by supermajority!
Proposal:
Iwanka: Adopt an Occupier – we would have a form and any Occupier willing to fill out a form would express their needs (e.g. I need tokens, I need help with my rent, etc). We would then be asking others to help us. It would be anonymous. We’d share what is given to us to meet the need. We’ve got to remember why we’re here, and we’re here for each other.
Clarifying Questions:
- Bri: How would you envision this being disseminated?
* This is just one way, but may not be the way. I would ask all those interested to come together and do this. We could list our needs on FB, in the Metro, we could put it wherever you are comfortable and asked about beforehand.
- Greg: could this be integrated into future fundraising efforts? Also, what do we do if we don’t get all the needs?
* Anything that exceeds the need would be put into our general funds/current fundraising efforts. For the second question, if we’re not having the need met, we need to share that it isn’t being met. I don’t have a plan for that, but the people working on this would have to come together to see that it is met, whether that be an additional drive.
- Mairead: How do you determine who is given preference if there’s more than one need to be met at a specific time?
* Maybe first in, first out. But I think its up to the whole group, it would be unfair of me to make this decision for Occupy right now. Come to the meeting so people can work on it.
- What body determines who qualifies as an Occupier?
* Right now we’ve only defined Occupiers residential and Occupiers commuters. People have suggested that if you’re in a working group, you’re an Occupier, or an individual who participates.
Concerns:
- Matthew: I think this is something a WG can take care of, but I do love this idea.
- Vanessa: I’m afraid you may be overwhelmed with requested. I’d like to see a more detailed proposal. It’s very difficult and takes a lot of time and resources.
- Daniel: I’m concerned about that this money is going to come into a general fund and not to the individual Occupier.
- Whitney: People who are donating will probably expect a tax deductible receipt. Also, how do we go through this process of discriminating who has more of a need than others?
- Other: Who has more of a need than other?
- Ryan: I’m concerned that the good faith will be taken over by the logistics.
- AD: My concern is that if you’re going to ask requests from Occupiers, you’re going to get a lot, we’re all Occupiers. We should give presents to the homeless.
- Dave: I think this is neat, we’re talking about a gift economy. If it doesn’t work out, we don’t need to continue it.
- Mairead: My concern is that this is being brought up as a GA proposal. It unintentionally sets up a dynamic where a few individuals make decisions about who gets what or when. It should be taken care of like food or comfort or other WGs who deal with donations.
- Iwanka: I’m not coming as a WG, but an individual. There are a lot of proposals that come without every detail worked out. We have not tried to bring a gift economy yet, so I say to you to come and be a part of the group that makes change a reality.
Amendments:
- Jacob: There are many who work here very hard and might have needs that we could meet. I amend that we use the existing structure. Individuals go to a WG and say what they need, like they do with other WGs already. Don’t just have this be a seasonal need, make it an ongoing mechanism.
Questions:
- How do you deal with individuals who don’t need to be anonymous?
* I don’t think my proposal doesn’t need to be an anonymous match and match.
- Would it be possible to set up something like paypal so people could donate?
* Paypal already exists on OccupyPhilly.org
Straw poll on continuing discussion: majority to not continue this amendment
- Greg: Prioritize the fundraising aspect, we already have plenty of entry points of the needs, we already have an allocation system set up.
Questions:
- Why do we need to prioritize this?
* No fundraising is happening right now. We just try to fulfill people’s needs.
- Would this make this group an extension of finance?
*No.
- Is that amendment or a new proposal?
* The proposal sounds like a campaign, since it’s Christmas time we do campaigns like toy drives, etc. We could have this be the Occupy Holiday Campaign.
Straw Poll on continuing discussion: majority against
- AD: Some homeless don’t consider themselves Occupiers. When you adopt someone, you give them you’re name. I think we should take these to the Homeless and adopt them into the Occupation
* decided that this is a new proposal
- Mairead: motion to table, a lot to still discuss
Straw poll: nope, just finish this
Vote on the unamended proposal: majority in favor, passes.
Next on agenda: Value System Exercise – tabled for next Tuesday
Next on agenda: Discussion on 99% Declaration – tabled for next Tuesday
Celebration – Dave’s Occupy Song!!!!!!!!
11/18/11 Occupy Philly GA notes
Welcome – Jesse
Ground Rules & Agenda – Ian
Working Group Reportbacks – Jesse
Justin (Labor) – We need to clarify who we are, who we represent, what our capabilities are. Union support came very quickly in the beginning. We wanted to participate in Occupy Philly and create solidarity. Thrust into position of trying to mediate between OP and Dilworth construction. [Reads from 11/17/11 Labor statement] We need your support to help our WG. Frankly, last couple weeks have been a distraction. We want to get back to gaining support in union halls, as they have strong resonance with OP messages. Need to move past Dilworth construction and focus on building
Mike (Queer Alliance) – Sunday is Transremembrance Day. Would like to see you at our first Direct Action. 5pm 15th & Market. Going to march to the Gayborhood to show them they have a place here. Let’s bring out more people!
Melanie (Library) – Update on where we went. Books and supplies are in storage, want to keep them safe when we come up with plan. Will let you know when we’re back!
Emanual (Economic Empowerment) – 9 Solutions for the Resolutions, our own 9-9-9 plan, 9 for the 99, is scheduled to come to GA. Proposal will come to floor soon. [handouts]
Steven (Sanitation) – I’m on the verge of just quitting sanitation. Crazy stuff happening, people hoarding stuff. People overcharging for coffee. People don’t even notice me sweeping up. I need to rebuild my tent, not under my direction. I need nails, things to rebuild, need to talk to Finance.
Robert Jordan (Media) – No announcements.
Matt (Safety) – Unsafe decision last night, should have planned better. Think about how you’re going to do it before you do. If you see police tearing down a sign, don’t freak out about it. Escalation last night was bad. Don’t let police corral you. Safety in numbers. A small group divided makes an unsafe situation. Dismantling the Food Tent first is a bad idea. Plenty of abandoned tents to start with, much better testing ground. Please try to keep eyes on what’s going on, we tried to move, they won’t let us move, they don’t want us anywhere, realize that you’re not particularly safe anywhere. Safety is in eyes and in numbers. Better luck next time.
Discussion – Alex and Valerie
Summary: Last night GA decided to move across street to Thomas Paine Plaza. Immediately after GA we began to move, police forced us back here, then we had a discussion about it.
Sheila (Legal) – If you were on Market St. Bridge, email occupyphillysg 484-758-0588, or talk to me, Drew, or Jon. 12 arrests at Wells Fargo, have not been processed yet, talk to someone in Finance about donating bail.
Drew (Legal) – Talked to Vic Wolsack (ACLU PA) who talked to City Solicitor. In the event that no action is taken to apply for TPP permit by Monday, we could see police come in to evict us as early as Monday night. RSWG has already applied for permit. City wants us to apply for permit. If we do, City will make a decision on which permit to grant and under which circumstances. If our permit is denied, we’d have legal recourse to take. Would have litigation options in that situation. It is possible that both groups will end up on the same site, there are a lot of possibilities and details are unclear, will try to keep you up to date.
Sheila (Legal) – Please do jail support for people at Roundhouse.
OPEN STACK (1 minute) QUESTIONS FOR LEGAL
Stack – Marade & Sheila
? (Paul) – Brothers and sisters, I’ve fallen off the wagon, and may not make a shitload of sense. But as an old hippie, we’ve got to do better in moving across the street in the middle of the night. We’re not here. [Valerie asks if Paul has a question for legal] I am finished.
? (Maha) – I heard thru email that RSWG wanted to negotiate with OP. Is that true? If we reconcile with RSWG, can we be added onto their permit, or do we have to still apply separately?
A – We haven’t heard either way. Their permit application has been submitted, and we don’t know what’s in it. So we have no way to determine if their requests are appropriate to our needs.
? – What does Legal Collective need to submit application?
A – GA approval.
? (Emanuel) – Assuming Legal is swamped, what can we do as individuals do to help Legal by using our personal relationships with the City members?
A – Legal is open WG accountable to GA. Someone can bring a permit proposal to GA.
? (Emanuel) – We have tried to join Legal, have been rebuffed?
? – Who is we?
? – Professionals for Progress, Sherrie Cohen, Michael Court, Sharee Street, we’ve been fighting this issue for 6 weeks, this is holding us back.
? (Jessica Outreach) – Might I suggest that Outreach connect with you right now and I personally will make sure you get connected to proper channels. We need you guys, if you want to be here, we want you to be here, in solidarity.
? (Ryan) – Is there any way once we have fully acknowledge our union support, can we get them to help us to push the permit application through?
A – I can’t speak for any unions, but I know they are very much in support of what we’re doing here, but I don’t anticipate any specific need for help for submitting permit. As for the permit decision, that is in the Mayor’s hands.
? (Joseph) – Should the permit application fail to go through, how long would litigation take, and what it likelihood that it would succeed?
A – Can’t answer first question. Second, reluctant to categorize, but we’ve been led to believe we would have a realistic chance of success.
? (Henry) – What is the real opinion of Legal WG on the question of “is the RSWG” at all in any way a legitimate representative of OP, and whether there is any basis of challenging their claims that that is the case?
A – My understanding that RSWG made clear that they are operating outside the GA process. Legal always operates within GA process.
3 part discussion – Alex & Valeria
1. Tactics (last night) and lessons learned
2. Our goals as a movement
3. Strategy moving forward
TACTICS – Alex
BREAKOUT GROUPS (6-8 PEOPLE) 10 MINUTES
“What did we learn from last night’s skirmish in terms of logistics of what went down, tactics of what was good/bad/could have been better, or other ideas from last night’s skirmish?”
BREAKOUT GROUP REPORTBACKS (1 from each group)
Lonnie – What could you do to help obtain housing for the homeless?
Kate – 1. Urgency vs. democracy. Decision-making in a time of crisis can be dangerous, and should be done reasonably. 2. What is the different between Occuping with a permit vs. without a permit? Are we prepared to Occupy without a permit? And how do we do it? 3. Planned vs unplanned movement. Move last night was dangerously unplanned. We should be well-informed about practicalities of moving such a large group of people and a large amount of structures/objects.
Sean – Discussed last night. We need a lot better planning. And a lot more people to show up to GA to know what’s going on.
Hollister – We are not a perfect movement and we’re doing the best we can. One really good thing about last night was the solidarity around Florence that happened at Friends Center, and we think that’s a model for what Occupy can do. What went wrong: a lot of miscommunication, some of us who were not here last night were concerned that we looked sort of amateurish. Some thought we need more structured leadership. Camping out may not be the best strategy/solution. It was a problem that we didn’t anticipate what the cops were going to do. After whole thing is over, there was a whole lot of doubting about GA decision, and it’s important that we respect the GA decision-making process. Rapid Response team in future needs to be more visible. Not having a permit isn’t a very good idea.
[next group] – Urgency. Need for messaging when we do cross, in the form of signs/banners. Talked about moving on our own terms and that means knowing how to react when cops are there, because they will be there, we should know that, we should know how to react without screaming and running back and forth.
Viv – Our group thinks that a permit is a good idea. Moving during the daytime is a good idea. Working together to move is a good idea. Talked about the things that might not have people here. How to take care of them, each other. One of our group said that the unions are willing to help us move. Our group thinks that is a good idea.
Deb – We need a Police Response team. Need to think of this like a game of chess. Antipicate police response and think a couple moves ahead. 24-48 hours to pack up and make it a march at one time across street with people locking arms on either side of us to protect us from police. We’ll march our things across the street, have people there to watch them, do it again. Create a group to deal with police issues.
Brendon – Moving would be more efficient to have a drawn-out map for across the street. Would have been helpful in GA to discuss possible consequences of not having a permit. Also we felt that having a permit is better than not.
Jinx – Rapid Response, we need to communicate better and be on same page, should move on our own agenda. Strategizing around moving without a permit. Shouldn’t let short-term decisions affect whole movement. Not enough communication between people moving. Organizing, and really communicating with each other, getting on the same page, we’re all here for the same reason, need to love each other and do this together.
John – If we go after our permit, based on city’s concerns expressed in meeting with RSWG, we need to think about whether we want to stay for 24 hours a day, if there will be tents, if we will house the homeless, and if they offer less than we want, if we accept that and challenge further in the courts, or reject permit.
GOALS – Alex
BREAKOUT GROUPS (6-8 PEOPLE) 10 MINUTES
“What brought you here to Occupy to begin, and what do you envision it accomplishing in your wildest dreams?”
BREAKOUT GROUP REPORTBACKS (1 from each group)
Kirk – People in middle-class, largely-complacent, or hugely-ignorant of causal relationships behind power structures leading to things being how they are. Globalization, public education, public transportation, public health. Get psychology out of American education. NEA, education reform, very important. Are they training us vocationally? Development for jobs, understanding of histories of why corporations got together. Broken economic system, want equanimity in system. Same thing with health care. Pharmaceutical influence on doctors, health care.
Francis: Change in system. Creation of a beloved community where people care about each other, economic justice, need to empower people, take care of environment. How do we strategize so we get through this winter and next election?
[next group]: Declaration of human rights, adapt it. FDR’s second Bill of Rights and adapt it and write a manifesto based on changes we want on federal/state/city level.
Rich – We really like energy of the people that are brought together. We like to have a forum ongoing so that we can continue to share energy and ideas on an ongoing basis. Our goal for one is to keep the forum together, the physical meeting place, so we can find like-minded people, so we can share and raise each other’s knowledge. Different levels of awareness of when system hasn’t been working. General frustration that no politicians are working for us. Want to work outside of existing system on ongoing basis, and continue the dialogue.
Kevin – Our group wanted to focus on movement as loudspeaker for disparate groups recognizing different problems. Problems have gone unrecognized by government and different portions of population. Want to see Occupy Movement before a forum to discuss these problems and make more people aware of them. We also strongly emphasize important of doing what is right for us, and not necessarily the government. That we are all empowered to take actions together outside of current system.
John – Networking, galvanizing movements that are already fighting, Keystone Piping, anti-fracking, creative forum for honest discussion about economic justice, demands for movement as a whole, not just Philadelphia.
John – Isn’t is great to be talking about what we want to do? Harness our energy to do small good things. Occupy can descend, flash mob style, on a vacant lot and create a community garden. Can clean up an area of the city, feed homeless, make public art. Long term: member of corporate board can pound his fist on table and say “Jessica, I don’t think we’re protecting our workers enough in this decision!”
Sean – Ran the gamut about things we talked about already. So happy to have this conversation. Remember first week when everybody had a personal story about why they’re here. Long term: sowing seeds for things that will happen 3-4 generations down the road. Setting context to yield a different kind of human psychology. Education: information, technology is available for people to take control, once people have power back, they can have more influence in changing what’s best for them and people down the road. Combat short-sightedness with long-term thinking. Where are we going as a species?
8:45 STRAW POLL ON CONTINUING GA
MAJORITY VOTES TO CONTINUE
STRATEGY – Alex
“How do we make change? Occupation is a tactic, not a strategy. Strategy is the plan for how you get from here to there, from here to the world we want to see. Tactics: individual things we do along the way to enable strategy. Do we work with government officials or not? Do we work with existing power systems or not? National or local reforms? Who are we trying to mobilize? What portions of the 99% are we trying to reach? How do we focus our energy?”
OPEN STACK ON STRATEGY
Announcement (Sean): Well Fargo Direct Action people are in jail. Mobilize support to Roundhouse, also accepting donations (money and food etc). Please find me (Sean) if you want to donate.
Rich – Start local before we try to change rest of nation. Grow from there. Work with established power structures to the extent that they make themselves useful. Make sure you know 3 people to share info with. Like physical place to gather, let’s get a permit, even half a permit is better than no permit. Work with what we have. Don’t want to lose energy, don’t want to get dispersed, continue conversation, not lose track of one another.
Emanuel – Need to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. We should exemplify the best of America. We should go out and make city a better place: cleaner, greener, enhancing public opinion about what we stand for. Focused: banks caused this problem, but more than just money, the attitude they have. Focus on demands, and if they don’t meet it, shut them down.
Henry – Working outside the system is great! But keep an open mind about working within the system too. System exists to be manipulated, we can do it the same way they can. City Council has 5 at-large seats. 2 are reserved for non-Democrats. They only needed 5000 votes to get those seats, I’ve seen that many people on marches. Keep an open mind to electoral campaigns. Don’t pass up low-hanging fruit!
[next person] – Many people are afraid/unfamiliar with our movement. If you have an idea/action, develop a flyer and make it available to everyone you know. Share your actions with your neighbors, let people know we’re here for them.
Paul – [Quotes first verse and chorus of “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell]
Ben – Need to constantly expand size/scope/intensity of movement. Look up turnpike to NYC: 11/17 had cascading chain of actions across city. Not excited about encampment, excited about direct actions. The system is capitalism, there is an antagonism, we need to find most explosive antagonisms and exploit them. Struggle is everywhere all the time, make it public, make them recognize what side they’re on, and have them join the fight.
Francis – Need to pick our battles and figure out what’s helpful. Not just be oppositional. It’s getting cold and I’m not sure that everybody wants to camp. We should figure out how many people we want, how many tents we want, have people take turns, make it work: to avoid media saying “it’s getting smaller.” Continue to strategize through winter. How can we minimize the strength of the press and make the agenda our agenda.
Tammy – Have education Teach-Outs all over city, educate ourselves and others, would help us and also be good PR.
Duncan – Four stages in life of activist. Education, Organization, Action, Vacation. This stage could come to end and declare Vacation when it gets really cold. Action: Occupy University: the Winter Term. May 1, organize huge action on May Day.
[last person] – Teach-ins are great. Psy-Op, understanding media is very important.
Valerie thanks everybody: Media should report on this multi-faceted discussion. Shows great progress from yesterday to today! Contemplate voices you heard, especially those you don’t usually hear, and we hope to continue this conversation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Greg
Gadget: Foodraiser at National Mechanics btw 4-7pm on Sunday. Asking for minimum donation of $10 worth of stuff. Info on National Mechanics Facebook page.
Pete: Keep doing what you’re doing!
Patricia: Was at lunch today with Arlen Specter, and somebody asked him what he thought of Occupy Movement, and he replied, “I’m inclined to agree with it.”
Dave: Next week’s Treasurer’s Mtg is Monday 4pm at Friends Center because of Thanksgiving. Finance people will be available at 12pm Monday to help prepare paperwork.
Gadget: Use social media to combat negative press, get online, make it viral, let people know good things that happen here, fight negativity of media, do everything you can to make our positivity public!
Greg announces end of GA.
CELEBRATION – Ryan
Marched in NYC yesterday. Occupy Philadelphia is the best case of what NOT to do. The police strategy has been working up to this moment. We are bored out of our minds. We are letting outside influences get in, and we are not communicating to the people of this city, not the press, not the police, the people. The 99%. They see us as idiots right now. The camp is not what the movement is. It is the conversation that we have started at every dinner table, job, everywhere. We need to continue that, whether it be physically camping in a space, or not. We need to gain more organization, strong organization, to keep conversation going, to keep more people involved, to take more action.
END OF GA
11/5
Strategic Implications of Moving — Working Group Report-Backs:
- moving would strategically weaken us, take away ability to make demands
- make it clear that we are moving to support activists who fought for accessible SEPTA stations and create jobs — proactive, for the community
- most important strategy is solidarity — moving is a way to build a city with our values
- if we move the working groups, some people will want to remain
- if we move, we should make specific demands of the city — support the homeless, support accessibility
- leave on our terms, on our calendar. we can put the burden on them to decide what to do with us
- weather is getting cold — moving into a vacant building might create a more lasting space
- if there’s not enough space at the the new location, we’d have to ask for more
- should talk to mayor and see if he is on our side — have a consolidated idea
- symbolic power of staying in perceived center of power
- relocating to a more hospitable place for the winter
- if we move, we should be proactive
- if we move, we lose a strategic opportunity to draw focus to other evictions: foreclosures, utility shutoffs, etc.
- before we vote, we need to know whether we’ll have a permit for the new location
- some feel this project only benefits the wealthy
- project will also benefit the handicapped and the 99%
- we need to figure out where the money is coming from
- this project may be in direct conflict with what we’re doing here
Additional Strategic Concerns (individual):
- other Occupys have been evicted and returned stronger — if we stay
- if we leave we may be seen as weak
- we’ve been creating a map for a possible winter city (map presented to GA)
- if we move, we may be seen as reasonable
- possibility of expansion
- some people want to stay and participate in civil disobedience — we also need a space for those who don’t
- we need to protect things important to our movement — we could move Working Groups across the street, then decide the rest
- the decision that we make is what we decide together about how we can survive and keep our voices going
- there are those who don’t want to leave but are not prepared for an act of nonviolent civil disobedience — we should facilitate a space on how to resist nonviolently
- the plaza project is a direct result of activists fighting for equal rights and is in line with our values
- someone took their tent across the street (to Thomas Paine Plaza) and was asked to leave or face possible arrest
Logistic Implications of Moving — Working Group Report-Backs:
- the best way to move is as one group
- move during day or at night?
- moving across the street would be [illegible] but not sure if there’s electric
- Code Blue (under 20 degrees) is an issue wherever we are outside — homeless are forced to go inside because it is dangerous outside — will affect us
- moving inside will be more difficult and lose symbolism
- Sierra Club and other organizations have offered to help us winterize — we can definitely do this
- should move essential WG tents first
- staying in solidarity with those who stay
- permit situation across street unclear — we may want to bring more tents over and see what city’s reaction is
- propose moving elsewhere in City Hall — other sides, courtyards, surrounding blocks, to maintain visibility — would help with winterization
- difficult to detach logistics from strategy — because all the logistics presented to us by the city are also strategies
- should explore more options besides the location the city offered us
- we can still be visible inside — can do direct actions, e.g. shutting down Market Street bridge
- offer to people living here to be trained in nonviolent civil disobedience
- could be a beautiful act of civil disobedience
Additional Logistic Concerns (individuals):
- for children, there is a shelter at 29th street
- if we move, it needs to be a spectacle — Freedom Trail style, unified
- if we move, we should also make our demands
- is it wheelchair accessible across the street?
- we should talk about expanding, not moving — infrastructure will improve by moving some of it
Amanda – Process of what’s going to happen.
Spectrum of experience of activism among group.
Stack – list of names or descriptions of people who speak
Step up step back and wait –
WAIT – Why am I talking?
“Progressive stack” vs. “stack”
First meeting – important to not get ahead of ourselves as far as logistics or planning. Or proper procedure.
Tracy Agenda –
Information from legal team with lawyers
Talk about what’s going on in New York
Committees that we’ll need to have.
When are we going to occupy Philly?
Location and date for first general assembly.
LEGAL TEAM –
- Larry Krazner
- Long
- Jody Tripp
Larry – representing people who have had issues with freedom of speech. Don’t want to have any say in what we chose to do.
Not fellow protestors, but “technicians”.
Multistep process
Video photographs and live witnesses needed at work.
People speaking who ended up in court for freedom of speech disputes.
Guidelines:
If you’re in Philly county court: Wonderful juries and good judges.
80% democratic and progressive
Federal court opposite – much more conservative
2. What charges might we face? List of misdemeanors:
Disorderly conduct – Present and likely to cause public annoyance, inconvenience or harm with no reason.
Defy and trespass – told we have no right to be there and continuing to stay there. (Advantage, if it’s puclic property, we have a right to be there. Fairmount park between 1 and 6am is private)
Obstructing the highway – everything including sidewalk. (Blocking traffic)
Conspiracy
These laws are objective. There often is a defense and the attorneys are typically successful.
Jody – Don’t be scared. If you are arrested, the legal team has our back. Enable “tracking” – they will follow what happens and make sure that no one gets left behind.
If your on probation you could end up with a “detainer” and could cause a lot more trouble.
Facilitators:
Security culture – Hard working men and women just doing their jobs.
We are being watched
We’re not doing anything illegal
Don’t say anything you don’t want repeated in court.
Reports from Occupy Wall St –
Concerns about bottom liners, need strong support.
Reaching out to unions before starting
Have a comfort committee
Find a place with grass
A lot of rumors about cops and arrest. Keep rumors out of it.
Green initiatives. Keep spaces clean.
Importance of visuals
Need a security force including veterans. Nonviolence training needed.
Demands versus a presence to raise awareness?
Be aware of medical team having good support.
How do we deal with political parties involvement?
Committee IDEAS:
Legal
Medic
Security (specifically with camping)
Outreach – To other city occupations especially, signs
Media
Tech
Food
Comfort – people to talk and be available to comfort
Physical fitness
Cleaning
Training for protests
Fun
Welcome
Local and national AGENDA committee
Location
LOCATION IDEAS:
Rittenhouse – State
Independence Mall – Federal (GET PERMIT!!)
Love Park – State
Federal Reserve – Federal
Franklin Square
Comcast Plaza – Private space
Stock Exchange
Constitution Mall -Federal
City Hall – State
Washington Square – Federal
Ben Franklin Parkway – State
Most protest on state premises, protestors don’t get permits
If it’s on federal grounds we have to go about it in a much more formal fasion.
WE’RE OCCUPYING STATE LAND… Maybe?
Have people research locations ideas.
NEXT MEETING TUESDAY OCTOBER 4th @ 6:30PM. Arch St Methodist church!
February 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm 
February 22, 2012 at 9:26 pm 
Bryant Amper ;)
February 22, 2012 at 9:36 am