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    Saturday Night (10/8) GA Notes

    Noah and Rockelle facilitated and began with the usual introduction and went over the hand signals, as well as reminded the group, “We are not here to make anyone feel like they’re in danger or a hostile environment. We are here to get things done.”

    There was a reminder that anyone present needs to watch for the handicapped space.
    The Facilitating Team was explained:
    Two Facilitators
    Stack Managers
    Time Keeper
    Floor Managers
    Process Manager
    Space Manager
    Vibe Manager
    Clerks

    The Agenda
    Working Group Announcements
    Working Group Proposals
    Individual Proposals
    Individual Stack

    Working Group Announcements:

    Indigenous People Outreach Group: We formed one.

    Free School University is located at the bright orange block on Atlantic Ave. Their
    schedule for tomorrow (Sunday) is the following:
    Noon: workshop discussion on capitalism energy and climate change
    2:30 discussion human need, not corporate greed
    3:00 Discussion on tools against sexism at occupy Boston.
    5:00 Meaning on we are the 99%

    Access Working Group: We welcome everyone to join us. You do not have qualify by a specific label. We would like to create a space where everyone can move around freely and feel welcome. We are part of the 99%. We are open to invisible disabilities.

    Arts and Culture: Will be having a meeting after the GA. We would also welcome people who are working on projects similar to arts and culture to tells us what they are working on so there is no overlap.

    Food: The food group needs volunteers. Also, a restatement of the no-smoking rule on the GA floor and no Smoking in tents

    Legal: Most people involved in the legal working group are not lawyers. NLG is here to represent people who are arrested. Let legal observers know about any activities that may attract police attention.
    The following training sessions are happening with the Legal Group:
    Legal Observer
    Civil Disobedience
    Know your rights
    If you get arrested, fill out an arrestee intake form. Legal also needs more people to be at the tent during the day.

    The Safety Committee stated the following rules:
    No open flames in tents.
    Watch your step.
    Lock your bike.
    Clean up trash.
    Volunteers, wear yellow armbands.
    Keep noise down at night.
    Need volunteers.

    Outreach: The student march on Monday starts with a meeting at the Common gazebo at 1:30 p.m. Global Homeless advocacy day is upcoming. The group needs canvassers. The Outreach tent has moved from back to front

    Proposals
    The Proposal Process:
    Person will make a proposal.
    Clarifying questions
    Points of information
    Strong concerns and objection
    Friendly Amendments
    Proposer will decide what to adopt and modify.
    Repeat steps 2-4
    Vote
    Ask for blocks

    Group Proposals
    The Drug Reform Group focused on a better solution for drug reform.

    Individual Proposals
    Lindsey: I propose a preamble to our statement of occupation.
    Clarifying Questions: Who are the actors? Can we see the words before approving them? Why do the actors have no place in our democracy?
    Points of Information: We have a committee with dealing with our statement: SPP. We are just a working group like any other. Anyone who has proposal on their own should feel free to present as they are doing tonight.
    Serious Objections/ Concerns: I think we should seen anything in writing before we vote.
    Talks about solutions and doesn’t give any. I don’t want a preamble that focuses on liberal democracy. The word state is very directly to colonialism. Let’s avoid it. Does it make sense to draft a preamble before we decided on the body of the statement? We need more historical context.
    Friendly Amendments: I believe that the word actors should be changed to bureaucrats. I feel that language of the document should be a little closer to legal language such as wherefore, whereas and therefore. I amend that this document be added to the working document that is being discussed in the SPP. I amend that the proposal can put online so that people who do not have access to this site can read and comment on it. I believe that in the democracy, we should be all inclusive. I propose that once its online, it should be in the form of a wiki where everyone can comment.
    Proposer: I would accept the amendment around the actors wording. I will like to put it online. I will pull it off the table.

    Brian and Marilyn: We are asking for a position on the wars. Occupy Boston calls for ending the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring the troops home now.
    We, occupy Boston, want the war dollars to come home to fund food, housing, healthcare, and jobs for everyone. We, occupy Boston, encourage all those who oppose the wars to march with us on the 15th.
    Clarifying Questions: Do you want to make these official statements of the group?
    Yes.
    Point of Information: None
    Serious concerns or objections: These statements sound like demands. If we vote them on demands now, we are doing the other demands proposed a disservice. I think the first statement from OB should be making a connection between criticizing wall street and financial markets and the wars. I think that inclusivity is very important to maintain at this point. I think its premature to making specific demands out of context from the overall statement. I believe that the 1% are the war mongers. Too left wing. I am concerned that we are voting on specific demand. The language sounds isolationist, beyond opposing war. I am concerned in how it interacts with our discussion around homelessness.
    Friendly Amendments: I propose that this be included in SPP discussion. I agree with the statements, but we need to wait until we have more statements. I am thinking that for now it will be good to do the last statement only. I propose that point 1 and point 2 are legitimate and would like to vote separately on these two points.
    Proposer Response: We are keeping it the same.
    Clarifying Questions: Are the statements the same or have you amended them?
    (They are the same.)
    Points of Information: None
    Serious Concerns and objections: It is not a simple issue. The wording does matter. I do not think this wording reflects the vales that brings everyone together. Well, I personally very much disagree with both wars; the wars are not why I am here nor are they why we are here at this historical moment. I feel like a statement on these peripheral issues will divide our group. Do we mean housing for all, even people who are currently excluded from public housing? What about using our war dollars to rebuild the country?
    Friendly Amendments: I propose we change the wording to say “in solidarity with” instead of “demands.” I propose that we say all anti-war marches. I propose that we change our language to reflect how these corporations are affiliated with the wars. I propose that we change to these statements to match those of the march and then we vote in solidarity.
    Instead of occupy Boston, we say that MANY of the 99% oppose, have serious concerns and objections about the wars and adversely affected by these wars.
    Proposer Response:We do not want to complicate things. We have factual information and we want to keep the proposal simple. This is a unifying thing. This will bring people together. These are general principles.
    Clarifying questions: Was that a restatement or an explanation? (The only thing that was added was that our solidarity applies to all future anti-war actions.) Are we endorsing the organizations behind the march? (No.) What level of endorsement are we talking about?
    (We are asking that occupy Boston took a stand on the question of wars.)
    Points of Information :None
    Serious Concerns: I’m concerned that the war effort is systematic of bad domestic policy rather than a root cause. I do not want to focus on the symptoms.
    Friendly Amendments: I would like to acknowledge the other wars, shadowy in nature, that our government is conducting right now. Stand the opening statement to “Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with.” Simplify the statement to we want to end the wars and our troops to come home. Change the wording to 99%. I would like to amend that statement to remove we and our to united state troops and they are not occupy Boston troops. It has a political implication.
    Proposer Response: We believe everything is symptom of an unfair society, that does not mean we can’t talk about the symptoms.
    Clarifying Questions: None
    Points of Information: Autonomous Action: we haz it.
    Serious Concerns/ Objections: None
    Friendly Amendments: None
    Blocks: They are direct demands from this group.
    Proposal was Tabled

    Marty: Statement of solidarity with indigenous groups.
    Clarifying Questions: Is there a written document?
    (Yes.) What does decolonizing actually mean? (It’s a process. We are inviting them to join in the process.) Do we have to leave Mass.? (No.)
    Points of Information: None
    Serious Concerns or objections: I feel this language is very strong and damning of us as a group. It is unclear from the current wording is inviting first nations who are not represented among us or this language was created already collaborated with first nations. I disagree with the language that we are all colonizers. Many people who live in this country did not come here at their own free will.
    Friendly Amendments: I would like all people affected by colonialism put in this statement.
    I propose that this statement be included with the statement that is being developed by the SPP. I propose that the word “decolonilize” be removed from the statement. It implies that all non-native Americas should leave and we cannot afford that kind of confusion. I would like to propose that the phrase “seek the consent of” be rephrased so that it does not seem like we are asking permission. I would like to add that we declared an occupy together day.
    Proposer Response: By decolonizing, it does mean to get rid of people – but to decolonize our minds and it is to acknowledge our history. We want to acknowledge that we seek the involvement of first nations. We hereby declare Columbus Day as indigenous people day.
    Clarifying Question: Is this a statement of solidarity? (Yes.) What do you expect to be done with this statement if it is approved today? (Make it go viral and spread the word.)
    Points of information: None
    Serious Concerns and Objections: They derail our movement and are a waste of time.
    Friendly Amendments: Boston indigenous name was something I really can’t spell, but I propose that we add that. I propose that we strike all language except the language that pertains to Columbus Day. My amendment is to propose that this document be directed to outreach and let them formulate a plan to reach out to 1st amendment.
    Blocks: No principled blocks
    Proposal Passed

    Harry and the Potters play at Occupy Boston

    Saturday October 8th, Harry and the Potters joined Occupy Boston to play a show for everyone at Dewey Square! They explained Occupy Boston on their website, saying, “These protests are not about liberal or conservative values. They’re about the very basic idea that government should serve the people (and not the corporations). It’s about the hope that we can continue to be a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people.’”

    9th Grade Class Visits Occupy Boston

    Friday, October 7th, a class of 16 students from Carroll School in Lincoln, accompanied by five faculty members, stopped by to observe Occupy Boston’s encampment. This 9th grade Humanities class is currently studying Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience.

    Click here to read more about this on The Occupy Boston Globe. 

     

    Ben & Jerry’s Supports “Those Who Occupy”

    Ben & Jerry’s released this statement of support for the Occupy movement today. Our first corporate endorsement? Weird, but welcome.

    We, the Ben & Jerry’s Board of Directors, compelled by our personal convictions and our Company’s mission and values, wish to express our deepest admiration to all of you who have initiated the non-violent Occupy Wall Street Movement and to those around the country who have joined in solidarity. The issues raised are of fundamental importance to all of us. These include:

     

    • The inequity that exists between classes in our country is simply immoral.
    • We are in an unemployment crisis. Almost 14 million people are unemployed. Nearly 20% of African American men are unemployed. Over 25% of our nation’s youth are unemployed.
    • Many workers who have jobs have to work 2 or 3 of them just to scrape by.
    • Higher education is almost impossible to obtain without going deeply in debt.
    • Corporations are permitted to spend unlimited resources to influence elections while stockpiling a trillion dollars rather than hiring people.

    We know the media will either ignore you or frame the issue as to who may be getting pepper sprayed rather than addressing the despair and hardships borne by so many, or accurately conveying what this movement is about. All this goes on while corporate profits continue to soar and millionaires whine about paying a bit more in taxes. And we have not even mentioned the environment.

    We know that words are relatively easy but we wanted to act quickly to demonstrate our support. As a board and as a company we have actively been involved with these issues for years but your efforts have put them out front in a way we have not been able to do. We have provided support to citizens’ efforts to rein in corporate money in politics, we pay a livable wage to our employees, we directly support family farms and we are working to source fairly traded ingredients for all our products. But we realize that Occupy Wall Street is calling for systemic change. We support this call to action and are honored to join you in this call to take back our nation and democracy.

    — Ben & Jerry’s Board of Directors

    Link to Original Release

    MA Transgender Political Coalition Endorses Occupy Boston

    *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2011*

    Contact: Gunner Scott
    617-778-0519
    gscott@masstpc.org

    The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition Endorses Occupy Boston  

    The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is endorsing Occupy Boston, Occupy Wall St. and the Occupy Movement across the United States. MTPC is in solidarity with call for economic justice, government reform, and equal representation in government, which has been echoed by Occupy Boston activists.

    Transgender youth, adults, and their families are part of the 99% of Americans who are not being represented equally by our government and whose basic needs such as housing, employment, and education are not being met.

    “Coupled with gender identity discrimination, the current economic crisis has plunged many transgender people even further into poverty. For organizations like MTPC, advocating for a marginalized group, such as transgender youth and adults, we virtually have no voice or representation in state, local or federal government.” said Gunner Scott, MTPC’s executive director.

    Studies have shown that economic inequality for transgender communities is severe and is often the direct result of discrimination including job loss because of being transgender, being denied a job or housing because of having to disclose one’s transgender status, or transgender youth being forced to drop out of high school or college because of harassment.

    The 2009 National Transgender Discrimination Survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that for transgender community members:

    ·      Transgender survey respondents experience unemployment at twice the rate of the population as a whole nationally;
    ·      15% of Massachusetts transgender adults live on $10,000 a year or less, also at twice the rate of the population as a whole
    ·      20% Massachusetts transgender adults were fired from their job and 39% were not hired due to their gender identity;
    ·      22% Massachusetts transgender adults were denied equal treatment by a government agency or official;
    ·      79% of transgender youth in K-12 were harassed and this led 11% leaving school in K-12 settings or college.

    Members of MTPC, including the executive director Gunner Scott, transgender youth and adults, including many currently homeless transgender women and youth have been actively participating since the planning for Occupy Boston began on Tues. Sept 27, 2011. Transgender people continue to be welcomed and encouraged to participate in Occupy Boston at Dewey Square by the other activists, many of who are not familiar with transgender communities.

    Additionally, Occupy Boston’s internal solidarity statement “recognizes the task to unify the 99%” and that transphobia, racism, classism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression are not welcomed as part of Occupy Boston.

    Through this endorsement, MTPC will offer Occupy Boston activists cultural competency workshops on transgender communities and assistance in continuing to be actively inclusive and welcoming of transgender activists in the Occupy Boston movement.

    MTPC will continue to reach out to transgender participants of Occupy Boston and provide resources and referrals. MTPC will also continue to maintain an open dialog with Boston City Officials and Boston Police Department’s LGBT liaison to ensure if any issues should arise that transgender youth and adults participating are treated with respect by city officials and the Boston Police Department.

    In order to begin to even address some of the disparity transgender people face, MTPC calls on the Massachusetts state legislation to pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill quickly and for Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act this session.

    For more information about MTPC visit www.masstpc.org or call 617-778-0519.
    Link to original release.

    ###

    Founded in 2001, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is a 501(c) 3 that works to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. MTPC educates the public, advocates with state, local, and federal government, engages in political activism, and encourages empowerment of community members through collective action.

    Contact us

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