RSS Feed   

  • Latest News:

    Another world is possible

    • Author Archive

    Join the Occupy Boston Emergency SMS Network!

    November 30th, 2011 · · News and Announcements 7 comments

    We’re asking any supporters who want to be notified in the event of a raid/eviction to join our emergency SMS network. Hopefully it never happens! But if it does, we want to make sure you know about it, regardless of the day of the week or time of the night.

    Here’s what you do to join:

    1. Text “OccupyBoston” to 443322 (standard TXT & messaging rates apply)
    2. You should receive a confirmation text within two minutes. Add this number to your contacts list.
    3. A number of Verizon users have reported not receiving a confirmation text. If you are one of those people, please text your number to (617) 340-9905 and you will be manually added to the network

    Please pass this along to your friends and family — anyone who supports Occupy Boston should be on this list!

    Police Steal Encampment Infrastructure, Continue to Make Occupy Less Safe

    November 29th, 2011 · · News and Announcements 25 comments - Tags: ,
    BPD Steals Wooden Pallet From Dewey

    Boston Police loading the stolen pallet into a truck

    Occupy Boston has been working hard to keep Dewey Square a safe and well-ordered environment. Unfortunately, the Boston Police Department (BPD) is actively working to make that goal impossible. Last night (11/28), the BPD removed a newly built wooden pallet from our encampment, moments after we brought it into camp. At around 10:15 p.m., Devon, an occupier attending the Student General Assembly, spotted the BPD carrying the pallet away and snapped a photo just before officers loaded this valuable piece of camp infrastructure into a police wagon. Watch this video to hear Devon’s detailed description of what he saw.

    The pallet was meant to improve the walkways that run among the tents, to ensure that occupiers would not injure themselves traversing the encampment. It was part of our commitment to making Dewey Square an accessible space for free speech and a model for a better society.

    In the past few weeks, the BPD has repeatedly prevented Occupy Boston from bringing in materials — including wooden pallets, winterized tents, insulation, and blankets — necessary to keep Boston occupiers the safe through the long winter. We are asking our supporters to call the BPD (617-343-4200) and the Mayor’s office (617-635-4500) to express outrage at the city’s efforts to make the occupation unlivable and unsafe for protesters.

    You cannot evict an idea. Occupy Boston will continue to improve our community in Dewey Square. We ask that the BPD uphold their stated commitment to protecting public safety by allowing Occupy Boston to properly maintain and equip our encampment for the cold weather.

    Watch Devon’s account of what happened:

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2u3_znI3mE&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]

     

    11/29 General Assembly Tonight (7PM)

    November 29th, 2011 · · Events, News and Announcements Comments Off on 11/29 General Assembly Tonight (7PM)

    Very important GA tonight at 7:00pm on the main stage at Dewey Sq for our General Assembly. There is a very high chance of rain (90%!) so bring your umbrellas and get ready to mic check (mic check!).

    We have a ton of proposals on the table — some urgent, all really important. Safety will be asking for more fire extinguishers, Media for emergency equipment, Ideas is bringing a refined statement of purpose, and more!

    This is a crazy week and there’s so much to get done, so I hope you’ll come out and stay through the end so we can keep quorum and get things done!

    Artist Brings Democracy To Walls of Occupy Boston

    November 26th, 2011 · · Press 6 comments

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 26, 2011
    Contact: davidjstokle@gmail.com

    Visitors to the Occupy Boston site at Dewey Square this weekend can take part in building democracy through art. Brookline artist, David Stokle, will be on site all day Saturday and until 3pm on Sunday to assist people with the completion of the last of five “bookshelf signs,” works of art that voice support for the preservation and maintenance of the nation’s public libraries.

    All are invited to help complete the interactive piece by writing short phrases expressing their wants, needs, hopes and ideas for the Occupy Movement. These will appear as book titles on  the Bookshelf of Occupy Movement Ideas. A table and writing material will be available. “One word of advice,” says Stokle. “Less is often more. For instance, ‘COPY SWEDEN’ speaks volumes.”

    The bookshelf signs are three-dimensional, multi-media works produced on 60 x 40 inch canvases. They incorporate real books, as well as a Monopoly board and a woodcut of McDonald’s golden arches on which a McDonald’s Barbie doll is crucified. The four already-completed signs contain messages of support for the Public Library System, whose budget has been severely compromised in recent years. The fifth bookshelf is a democratic platform for free expression. “You can view the open bookshelf of ideas dialog much like the act of voting,” says Stokle. “Voting is a democratic right, and you either exercise it or you don’t. My hope is that people will enjoy interacting with this piece and that they will use it to express their views and ideas.”

    When asked why he included a copy of Bill O’Reilly’s Culture Warrior on one of the bookshelves, Stokle responded: “Bill’s always defending the US Constitution and our first amendment right of freedom of speech. How could I possibly leave him out? And, as the author of several books, it is only logical to assume he would want to contribute to the Bookshelf of Ideas and voice his support for our public libraries. Everyone is invited.”

    Picture of one of David Stokle’s pieces: http://imgur.com/2VfV2

    Picture of entire wall at Dewey Sq: http://imgur.com/DXP35

    11/22 General Assembly Tonight (7PM)

    November 22nd, 2011 · · News and Announcements 11 comments

    As always, we’ll be meeting tonight at 7:00pm on the main stage at Dewey Sq for our General Assembly. It’s shouldn’t rain, but it’s going to be a really cold, so please dress warmly!

    Among other things, we’re anticipating an announcement from our legal team about the injunction hearing on December 1st.

    On deck for proposals is one from the outreach working group about language they are hoping to bring to the Boston City Council. Here’s a snippet of the resolution language:

    RESOLUTION supporting the peaceful exercise of the First Amendment carried out by “Occupy Boston.”

    WHEREAS, Boston residents like people across the United States, are alternately angered and frustrated by the continuing economic and political crisis that threatens individuals’ and our city’s fiscal stability and our community’s quality of life; and

    WHEREAS, “Occupy Boston” is a peaceful protest and rally fueled by Boston residents and people from throughout the region from all walks of life who have come together to support the national movement started by the “Occupy Wall Street” protests; and

    WHEREAS, additional “Occupy” protests have taken root across the country, and across the globe and are a growing movement with the shared goal of urging residents to peaceably assemble in public spaces in order to create a shared dialogue to address the problems and generate solutions for economically distressed people; and

    Check out the whole resolution on the wiki, and see you tonight!

    Contact us

    Occupy Boston Media <Media@occupyboston.org> • <Info@occupyboston.org> • @Occupy_Boston