Here is the summary of this morning’s 10 a.m. General Assembly. Tonight’s GA will be at 7 p.m.
We talked about a possible 9 a.m. wake up call for the camp for everyone be ready and present to hear morning announcements. This will be further discussed at tonight’s GA.
The city collects our trash at 2 p.m. daily, so trash should begin to be organized at noon and again at 8 p.m.
Intercommunications Team (now known as the Comm Team) training took place directly following the GA. If you would like to join the Communications team please come to the media tent!
Groups need to do the following:
– Send a Reddit moderator are needed from each group to the media tent.
– Each group needs to compile a list of things they do and their function. Please bring this list to the media tent by 6 p.m. TODAY or email it to commboston@gmail.com
-There are periodic facilitator training meetings. There will be one today at 5 p.m. across from the Media tent on the rise. Check the schedule outside the Media tent for more information.
-Arts & Culture are now calling themselves Recess and tonight at GA they will propose their ideas for events. They are located in the Community tent.
-There was a Direct Action meeting right after the GA.
Other Morning News:
Two of signs hung up over one tent were taken down and an American flag was hung upside down was flipped right side up. Please be aware that an upside down hanging flag means the country is in distress. There was also a report of a threat of violence against one of our community. This is not acceptable. We are a nonviolent movement and so we expect all occupiers to follow this rule. Respect everyone! A point was made here that if you ever feel yourself getting hot-headed, please try to calm down and not do anything rash. Head over to the meditation space in the Faith and Spirituality tent for help (once it gets rebuilt).
There will be a rally on November 2 about the cost of public education. Location to be announced.
The Planning and Layout Committee would like to keep the rows organized by naming them as streets. Meet with the Planning group directly following GA to talk about that. Also, be sure to help your neighbors with rebuilding tents if they have fallen over.
We are working to make a laundry drop off spot. If you don’t need clothes washed but do need them dried, there are clothing racks outside the Community tent. People can check out SML Merch shop here!
OTHER POINTS:
-National Lawyers Guild training is at 3PM right next to media tent
-We need to figure out a time for curfew so campers can sleep and also maybe designate an area without a curfew. Will be talked about at evening GA
-We need to pass out bread to homeless people around the city because we have way too much bread
-There as thought of a possible homeless food shelter
-We need to make it easier for people of color to join the movement
-Logistics needs blankets. Please donate!
-Flyers are available at the internal comm table
-Meditation has a group meeting at 2PM
-Legal, call the NLG instead of the ACLU
-There is a 5pm outreach meeting. Please can all members attend
That’s it! Hope to see you tonight at 7 p.m. for our evening GA.
39 Responses to “GA Summary – Sunday 10/2/2011”
?? Why are “people of color” having trouble joining the movement????
1) Asking police to join in the march.
2) Uppity white people telling everyone to dress like a rich white person.
Blacks are used to getting shit on in society. Now that a bunch of white people got wronged they all want to protest and expect black people to help them.
We should get united and all act together to show them how powerful we can be.
Let us all follow the same action, any action, just to show what we can achieve together.
Let us boycot one of these corporations for a day.
For instance, let us announce we will not pump any gas into our cars for one day, or …
I am sure we can think of something better and more significant, but even that would be significant, even if a tenth of the population does it.
Power to the people!
Josh
I just noticed a twitter post announcing “Meditation Training at the Spirituality and Faith Post”…..
This kind of stuff is what gives the naysayers ammo. It comes across as Hippy-Dippy and is easily ridiculed, and subsequently makes the entire protest easier to dismiss as frivolous and unfocused.
People should meditate on their own time, not at a street protest.
This movement has to be packaged and sold in order to get more traction and support.
A sure fire way to alienate potential supporters is to outwardly engage in activities that not only have nothing to do with the protests, but are perhaps uncomfortable for other people to want to associate themselves with. I made an earlier point about a group Yoga session in NYC. Despite the fact that Yoga and meditation are perfectly legitimate pursuits, the time and place for them are not now, and not here.
I also just read in the Metro blog that there was a verbal altercation between tenters, one of whom hung the American flag upside down outside his tent. An offended protester threatened to “put a bullet through (his) head”.
Clearly both of these guys are a liability to the cause. Threats of any violence against each other or the police simply cannot be tolerated.
The hanging of the flag upside down is so clearly misguided and stupid, I’m at a loss for words. What is the number one symbolic way to turn people against you? Dishonor the flag. Way to go, hammerhead. Incredible.
I’d suggest that at the next General Assembly, these issues be addressed. Anyone seen dishonoring the flag, making threats, wearing shirts with anti-American slogans, people holding anti-American signs, etc. will be asked to discontinue their behavior, and failing to do so, they will be asked to leave.
All it takes to ruin this is a front page photo of an upside down flag.
Continuing on the imagery thing, Monday the 10th is Columbus Day. While it is a divisive holiday in some ways, it is still a observed and honored holiday by most Americans, and should not be denigrated by protesters. If people want to protest Columbus Day, they should do so elsewhere. There is a large protest in Plymouth every year.
If potential allies and supporters see people in Dewey Square holding up signs slamming Columbus, we possibly lose their support. It is simply counter-productive, and doesn’t address the immediate concerns and goals of the protest.
Reply ↓
If an ally is going to be bigoted and not care that Columbus day represents pain for people, I don’t want them being an ally in the first place.
People have to think about why it makes them uncomfortable and examine their privileges. This protest won’t go anywhere until the 1% and 99% both realize that.
If the 99% win, it only makes life better for middle class people. Black people, Native people…white people will go back to not giving a shit about their problems. And when I get the inevitable “Oh they can start their own movement” replies, look above for what the advice is going to be – “stay away from us, because it hurts our cause.” Fuck a bunch of that.
Do you not care that Columbus Day is a point of cultural pride for Italian-Americans? Who is being bigoted here? There is a reason I said the holiday is divisive. And who are you or I to say one opinion is correct? Columbus represents genocide to many people, but to others he was a great explorer and seafarer. That’s just reality. So with that dichotomy in mind, it is best to steer clear of using the Occupy Boston protest as a way to protest Columbus Day.
The aim here should be to include as many people as possible in the protest against what is happening NOW, not what happened 500 years ago.
The protest needs to be packaged and sold to people who might be on the fence, so holding upside down flags and chanting against Columbus is not helpful.
Who are these monolithic white and black people you speak so knowingly of… As for allies, you can be allies on the major causes and, hopefully, you’ll be able to disagree through discussion and possibly learn something along the way. Some people know more than others about certain things. You have to know what you know as well as know what your areas of ignorance are. And, above all, discerning what the truth is is something not learned overnight.
Keep in mind that I’m not speaking for the movement as a whole, but I did not join this occupation to tell people what not to say or protest. While I understand that strategic benefits of being agreeable to the masses, freedom of speech is important and should be maintained in the camp. This includes being able to hang your flag upside down. Threats of violence are obviously unacceptable, and a peaceful resolution was achieved out of the flag incident.
I agree with you on principle, but in practice, blatantly divisive displays are potentially devastating to the movement. What if 30 people all held up a banner that read “We Hate America”? Does everyone just let them do that because they have the right?
The eyes of the nation on Dewey Square, and it is crucial to keep things on point, and the more image and media savvy people are, the better.
It’s an age of images and soundbites, and it’s paramount to a successful movement to respect that fact.
Thanks for your comment Mike & also to CP below. I personally heard the individual’s telling of the incident first hand. Hanging a flag upside down represents that the country is in distress. This is a fact that cannot be argued. It was proposed that there be a clarification about what that action means & that if someone is personally moved by it for whatever reason, that open dialogue be started!! We can talk about these things as they happen instead of immediately resorting to thought policing or violence of any kind. It just isn’t necessary.
Of course I appreciate CP’s point! We do have to keep in mind the wellbeing of the movement. That’s why at the occupied sites the democratic process is being used. People can go out and form autonomous protests on their own but they also know not to do something that will endanger the whole movement – especially in its beginning stage. That is the responsibility of everyone there and they are aware of it. <3
CP just in response to your initial post.
You were not there for these events. You read a tweet. I don’t feel that you have sufficient information to judge. Your voice can certainly be heard and you make valid points! However, it begs the question of if you have yet to visit the occupied site. There is a consensus at the site that a continuous meditative /prayer/ reflective intention for Peace be kept during the occupation. Thus a Sacred Space where that can take form was created. Individuals who are interested in this have a right to seek out training or guidence in how to do this so that it can be kept. People do not have to meditate for long periods of time either…they can sit for a minute, 5 or 30 depending on what they feel adequate.
I want to just add that what is being done within this movement is the cocreation of community that takes with it that of society that must be expressed for the good of the whole. This consensus is reached through democratic process. If you want to propose how the camp runs itself, go be active in what goes on in the camp, or send a representative for yourself to voice those concerns and suggestions. There are General Assembly meetings twice a day and working group meetings throughout the day. You can let your voice be heard where you feel it is necessary or would be beneficial. This is encouraged!
Thank you for your voice <3 Thank you for your support
Mary, thanks for your earnest and thoughtful words. You are quite right, it is easy for me to sit back and critique the finer points of the protest from the comfort of my living room. And I appreciate the efforts made down there in coming to group consensus. I have yet to be able to make it down there, so I’m relegated to watching streams and reading articles. Nonetheless, I still feel like adding my 2 cents, and that I have some good advice.
Good to hear the strides being made. Keep it up!
While I understand what you are saying in terms of not wanting to alienate certain potential allies, it is important to understand the context in which the Occupy Boston movement is taking place. The colonialist and imperialist history of the US have a lot to do with the situation in which we find ourselves. I found this article to be really interesting and thought-provoking regarding this issue.
http://www.racialicious.com/2011/09/30/occupy-wall-street-the-game-of-colonialism-and-further-nationalism-to-be-decolonized-from-the-left/
Clara Thank you so much for sharing this article. It is a very important point. I will personally do my best to send this to individuals and groups working within the movement. Even today there was a lengthy discussion at Occupy Boston about equality… perhaps this topic can be added to that discussion for tomorrow or sometime soon. I don’t know much about how to contact people at Occupy Wall Street but I’m sure it’s a similar process from what I do know, so I will try with them as well.
Have organizers identified what unions to approach for their support?
How about church groups?
Urban League of Boston?
Student Groups at local universities?
Veterans Groups?
These are all VITAL strategies that should be pursued if they haven’t been already.
Hi CP There is an Outreach committee that is discussing all of these things! I’m not positive about church groups or Urab League of Boston (although if it’s possible, I’m sure it’s been considered.) If you don’t see anything happening about this soon, however, do feel free to make your suggestions known. There should be committee emails being shared soon (I hope).
agreed, and the many existing vibrant organizations for social justice, housing rights, etc. in Boston– which is one of our huge strengths
Hey Boston! I was just in NYC yesterday on the Brooklyn Bridge and was thinking about coming to occupy Boston Friday night to stay for the weekend. I work at the Goodwill thrift store and thus can get lots of supplies for cheap. Could you let me know things that you’ll be needing and where the camp is set up?
Christine! Thanks for your post. Check out Tactical/Logistics…I think there’s a list there. Also, check out http://twitter.com/#!/Occupy_Boston if you want. That’s apparently pretty active. The camp is set up in the federal district of Dewey Square right across from South Station. You can get there on the T very easily. Thank you so much for your support! 🙂
(P.S. I was there all this weekend from 5pm Friday ’til 3pm Sunday and it has been phenomenal there. I believe you will love the energy and progress that’s been made! Also, the people there are great!!)
https://sites.google.com/site/occupyrevolution/what-we-have
Yay! Come on down! <3
Excellent! I’m getting pumped. I may need some help getting all of the supplies and food (I’m planning on bringing a hot meal!) from the train station to the camp, but i’ll only know after I figure out how much stuff I’ll be bringing. Keep up the good work, everyone. See you all on Friday!
Alienating a group or discounting their point of view when it doesn’t match yours on a particular issue is no different than doing the same to a person who doesn’t look, love or speak like you.
The 99% includes people who respect the flag,own guns, vote republican, etc. While that is distasteful to some, they are a part of what this movement purports itself to represent…All of us. What unites us is our concern, our outrage and our common desire to do something about it.
Divisiveness is poison. Already in the media I am hearing comments on “many messages” and questions about whether or not Occupy Boston knows what it’s really about.
When we fought for property rights in Massachusetts in the eatrly 90’s what united us was the fact that we were the victims of obtrusive goverment regulations, Blacks, whites, republicans and liberal democrats, gay and lesbian joined forces to
gain our rights as landlords. You need to realize that the 99% are the victims ot the the major banks and wall street. Once the 99% wakes up to the facts that they are the victims of the banks and overregulated government, they will put aside thier political differences and join forces to bring about change. It worked back then it can work again.
Victims tend to act like victims. We need more than the feeling of being oppressed. Also, we are culpable and have to realize how our actions have contributed to the current crisis. Victims tend to stay asleep, comforted in their own victimhood…
I’m one of the 99 for sure, but I never felt victimized. Still, I agree with you. Left, right and center are all fictitious constructs meant to keep us from realizing that our similarities outweigh our differences…
What about the communist party? Are they invited to the soiree?
Yes, we welcome all ideologies! Everyone has something to contribute to the dialogue. This is a movement of unity, after all.
I would like to propose a Movement/Music installation some day this week from 5pm-7pm. This would be a performance, so unlike practices (such as yoga and meditation) it is meant to be public and it is meant to be expressive. Some people like to protest and hold signs, others like to express themselves through their bodies. It would go something like this:
Segment 1: Dancers/movers surround Dewey Sq. like pillars. For one hour they simply move (perhaps utilizing signs)
Segment 2: Attention is directed toward one dancer in the circle/semi-circle and everyone in the group (including protesters) repeats that dancers movement until he/she passes along to the next ‘pillar’ until the circle in complete.
We also would have musicians with non-amplified instruments (per City permitting laws)…If we have enough, one could be at each ‘pillar’? That would be really striking!
The thing is enough people from the camp would have to participate to make it effective. And for those worrying about being too hippy, crunchy granola: By profession, I am a dance-artist. I am part of the 99%. This is HOW I express my outrage against corporations. Won’t you join me?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256163634424814#!/event.php?eid=256163634424814
http://www.zoedance.org/wordpress/2011/10/02/occupyboston/
Why is it so difficult for “people of color” to find and join you? Why are you so race-based in your thinking? I thought people are people… all equal in our eyes. Don’t understand why the white guilt is being injected here. I’ve been at the site multiple times and everyone is welcome if they’re interested enough.
Flag upside down? Why not have a big sign that accompanies it that says, “THIS IS HOW A SHIP’S FLAG IS FLOWN WHEN UNDER DISTRESS” or something of the kind. This way anyone who misunderstands it for being disrespectful will actually have to think about it.
I’m altogether with you on opposing corporate greed, I’ve donated food, and have good conversation, but please keep this protest open to everyone including people who are more libertarian (such as myself) than socialist-democratic, etc…
Also, I’d love it if you guys would gather under the flag to read the Declaration of Independence (I think making this a media event would be a smart thing to do).
I’m impressed with the tent city, the cooperation, and the dedication so many have shown… look forward to visiting again…
Henry, I was leaning toward thinking some similar things this afternoon while I was there. After hearing the discussion I realized that there are all kinds of people who could get on board with this movement but they need to hear about it. This is the beginning of “casting a wider net” and getting people interested. The tone was completely inclusive (though it does seem a bit exclusive at first glance). Seemed to me like the man initially proposing this was (wisely) taking into consideration that not everyone sees this as a space for them- yet.
I’m not being as succint as I’d like- – what I’m trying to say is that it was the older, more “middle america” folks I saw on the Occupy Wall St news clips that got me thinking that I could do something too.
I agree that the tone sometimes feels politically one sided. Right now, it seems that’s the majority of who is there. Libertarians, republicans, suburbanites, etc need to speak up, show up and tell their “circles” what Occupy is all about.
In full agreement (and nice to hear it)… What needs to be discussed is the true meaning of the word Diversity. Diversity is too often mistaken for a gathering of multicultural people who agree on mostly the same things. Diversity is not a matter of skin color and languages… it’s a matter of opinion, principle, and philosophy. But the main thing is not to lose sight of the reason for this occupation and be divided by these details.
Differences are to be expected, especially when you have different economic brackets, generations, levels of experience represented in a single place. Hopefully these will be exciting times rather than violent ones… As Lincoln said, let us appeal to the better angels of our nature…
I have been to the occupation. I was at the last two ga’s before the occupation started. I was there yesterday and heard an argument about a sign that said smash capitalism. The person who made the sign was basically held at. At almost the same time, I heard a protestor who was carrying an “approved” sign tell a cab driver who did not honk his horn that ” he can’t be that happy with his life” because he drives a cab. I’m disappointed and basically fed up. Are we fighting for a revolution or are we fighting so new people can tell us what to say and think? If someone wants to hang the flag upside down let them, there’s no better time since America IS in crisis. The person who treated to put a bullet in his head should be asked to leave, not championed. We all have our own reasons for being upset. I don’t need to be made to feel alienated because I want to express myself how I wish. You lost me occupy Boston. Good luck.
threatened* to put a …. thought I should clarify that.
Thank you <3 For sharing your position here. I was also there today when all of this happened. I did not hear the conflict but I helped the individual process what happened and helped him bring it to GA so that there could be a discussion and one more movement toward organizing the conflict resolution and mental health support group.
"You Lost Me" I hope your regain your faith in this movement. There will be times when it seems like we are going astray, I am sure. Everything can be discussed, if not at the larger level, within working groups…either the situation will be resolved or you can help develop a proposal to be put through to GA. We may try things out that we don't end up liking, and we can change them. <3 We're doing really good. Comparitively speaking, this has been extermely accelerated. That particular conflict was resolved on the individual and group level. There is no reason why this should not be the case at the end of anything that follows.
Have you guys thought about trying to get permission to do a film screening? It’s an easy way to ease people into O.B. who might otherwise be intimidated — plus, it’s educational & entertaining for all. What about seeing if you could do The Take, The Corporation, Inside Job, The Yes Men, or even Capitalism: a Love Story?
Try to find a way to get in touch with the arts & culture group. They have considered this idea.
the Pirate Party talked about that today. we were thinking a silent film might be good too, so it doesnt cause too much problems if people want to sleep early
I look forward to seeing the Message notes from last night’s meeting. I had to leave early-ish. Maybe Message could be pushed up on the agenda tonight?
Please don’t get bogged down in identity politics. Economic justice is powerful message, it will bring in a more diverse crowd if you can decide on what path to support. Are there Message working circles? The world is not just watching, it’s waiting for the answer to the question–“What does OWS want?”
Al
If you want to learn how to involve more POC, here is an excerpt from Hena Ashraf: Brown Power at Occupy Wall St:
…
“We didn’t like the language of how we are all one human race. The facilitator said that that is scientific fact, that we are all one race. We agreed, but had to explain that socially, there is inequality. It was highly problematic that we had to break down systems of oppression to this man who seemed to have the final say on this document, this document that will be shared with the world, that is supposed to represent Occupy Wall Street, as well as supposedly the 99%. Manissa had to explain that he as a white man had more power and privilege than her as a woman of colour. That racism isn’t about feelings, as he thought, but about power and oppression, as Sonny and Thanu explained. It boggled our minds that we were discussing power and privilege while at the same time we could feel this man’s power and privilege over us, and that he is a facilitator/organizer for Occupy Wall Street! Clearly there needs to be a lot of self-education workshops at Liberty Plaza.”
Go read the whole thing.
There was a lot of talk about demands Sunday, but this discussion did not make it into the GA recap. I am beginning to feel that the Boston Media Team is trying to control it’s message. While issues of race and ethnicity are being discussed vigorously, to include those demographics not present, there is no action to satisfy the concerns of individuals already attending the meetings. I feel that this approach derails the efforts of those who are trying to come to a consensus on the original intent of these protests.