Read Minutes

Monday, April 16, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

APRIL 16 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  John Waiblinger and Michael

Shadow Moderator:  

Stackers:  Mike and Michael.

Time Keeper:  

Note/Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:36 pm, John Waiblinger:  Welcome everybody to the GA. We'll be starting the GA in about ten minutes.

7:44 pm, John Waiblinger:  Mic! Check! Today is day 199!... ...anybody needs Spanish translating?... ...Does anybody need Sign Language Interpretation... ...anybody new?

7:46 pm, Eva:  I'm visiting from Finland. It's not my first time here... ...I wanted to come and visit the Occupy LA

7:47 pm, Harry:  I'm from England, this is my first GA. I'm here with Kylene...

7:49 pm, Erico:  My name is Erico I come from Italy. I am a journalist. I follow the Occupy, I've been to Germany. We have an Occupy

7:50 pm, Eva:  We've been experiencing privatizing... ...in Finland the increase in income di\fference is faster than anywhere in Europe... ...so we're going to see a big difference in health issues... ...it's alarming...

7:52 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RECITES OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY']...

7:53 pm, John:  Next we will give an opportunity for individuals to provide a statement of nonviolence...

7:53 pm, Jeff:  ...

8:01 pm:  [A SOLIDARITY CLAP IN RECOGNITION OF...].

8:04 pm, John Waiblinger:  Next thing... ...Time Sensitive Announcements

8:04 pm, Esteban:  ...plotted about Where, How, and When. a General Assembly right here on May !st. This Saturday at the M1GS meeting at 4 pm... ...we're going to discuss it...

8:06 pm, John:  We'll be meeting at Wilshire... ...caravaning up Wilshire... ...three stops... ...joined by Veterans For Peace and ... ...Cupcake action... ...The third stop at the Bank of America... ...up to Wilshire Park and caravining down... ...that's the plan for the West Wind.

Dele:  From the South Wind... ...Dominquez Hills... ...travel towards Watts in Compton... ...Black Riders and Liberation Party... ...a very unique... ...action... ...41st and Central which is the area where the Black Panthers were assaulted and defended themselves very militantly... ...we are leaving open the times because... ...Omar is working with El Camino... ...we're coordinating with... ...Chuco Center... ... LA Tech... ...a group involved with Fighting Foreclosures... ...so I'm asking all of you to come to the South Wind.... ...The meeting... ...but it's going to be very close to the Blue Line. We're meeting at Imperial... ...don't forget it's an International Chapter... ...starting from... ...Algeria to Tunisia... ...celebration of May 1st at Occupy LA

John:  Bohemian, there's a meeting

Esteban:  ...Chavez and Atlantic... ...we're going to walk in procession... ...Companeras... ...Caesar Chavez to Obregon High School at noon... ...Mariachi Plaza at 1... ...board on the Metro... ...march to... ...Planning meeting tomorrow at Corazon del Pueblo...

Bilal and Kylene: joining forces... ...and hopefully working with Occi College and Chinatown and then come downtown...

Michael: Our meetings are 7:30 on Tuesdays at... ...in preparation for... ...at 2:30... ...once everyone is assembled... ...at 3 we're going to... ...try to circulate a list of supplies... ...like food and water...

Michael Novick:  North is Panorama... ...getting on the subway... ...by caravan... ...a group called... ...for Immigration... ...bike and car caravan... ...at least a symbolic bike caravan... ...probably down San Fernando Road... ...if you have any interest in that come see me at the end

Barry:  annual march fro Immigrants... ...march and then there's going to be a rally at City Hall depending upon... ...permits... ...we can get people to go to... ...and other future events that have yet to be announced... ...SEIU, Service Workers Division is going to be protesting at the Airport.

Brother TC 11700 Imperial Avenue, at Denny's... ...the Green Line actually stops there too.

Michail Novick: SEIU... ...one is definite early in the morning at 6:30 am, at noon their going to be marching from terminal to terminal... ...so if anybody wants to get arrested there's your chance... ...so there at this point there's a strong likelihood there's going to be a strike... ...and they have 20,000 janitors around the state. Very likely...

Mike:  We've been printing a lot of flyers for your sake... ...[BILINGUAL FORTHCOMING, SPANISH]

Michael Novick:  ...I left banners with... ...them... ...if anybody has or knows how to get a hold of Ovarian [group] they have them...

John Waiblinger:  ...we have about fifteen days to...

8:22 pm, Sky:  For those of you who don't know Occupy Wall Street has been Occupying Wall Street... ...today there was a total of nine arrests... ...right now they are sitting on the steps of the Federal Building so that the NYPD has no jurisdiction. The Federal Building is the building in which the Bill of Rights was ratified. That's it.

8:23 pm:  [STACKS OPEN FOR TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS].

8:34 pm, A Man:  Massive Incarcerations Meet at Pershing Square at 4 pm Thursday the 19th.

8:25 pm, TC:  It's been confirmed tomorrow at 11 am we're going on strike against the Red Shirts and we'd like to meet up at 4th and Towne... ...we are tired of being harassed... ...we are permanently homeless... ...they should put more effort into doing something that... ...They're going to spend $2.66 Billion for a Jail... ...we want them to spend... ...for the homeless...

8:27 pm, Mike, VFP:  This is a reminder for the action tomorrow at El Segundo at Mariposa Station from 4 pm to 7 pm. If anybody needs some transportation come see [us here now]...

8:29 pm, A Man: [HE NAMES OTHER GROUPS THAT WILL BE THERE].

8:30 pm, Nina:  The Canvassing team is meeting up Wednesday at 6 pm at 519 South Spring Street. We will be discussing about how to get more surveys out to people and more M1GS Outreach. 

8:32 pm, A Man, Against the Genocide of the Armenian People:  ...my wish is to unite all the people that have gone through this genocide, It's on April 24th... ...my wish is for any... ...poison the water supply and pollute the air...

8:34 pm, Mike, VFP:  ...it comes up every four years...

8:36 pm, Barry:  ...I don't think it's been made clear... ...it's not only a matter of only admitting to it... ...they do it against the Kurds... ...

8:37 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...We're going to have a '10/cent Cinema Slam; a queer storytelling platform'; A Gay Revolt at Denver City Council and How it Changed Our World. It's on Tuesday, April 17th at 1525 South Robertson Boulevard. It's a little known event it's a great place to do some outreach...

8:37 pm, Michael Novick:  if anybody wants to volunteer passing out flyers for M1GS to the people waiting in a long line. There's one on Airport Boulevard and 96th Street...there are two other big tax protests[NEED CONTENT ONLINE].

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

8:38 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...we're going to have a discussion... ...we're going to break out into groups... ...There has been a number of alcohol... ...[appropriateness] for our movement...

8:40 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAKS OUT INTO DISCUSSION GROUPS]

9:10 pm, John Waiblinger:  Mic! Check! [OPENS STACKS]...

9:11 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RETURNS].

9:14 pm, Brother Adam, 1st Group:  ...we came up with a certain code of sobriety at least for... ...you guys have to remember this is real shit... ...we're walking into a neighborhood... ...the people at Skid Row have been taking a lot of heat for what we've been doing, but they're willing to take it... ...this is an everyday thing, that's why we're here... ...if you endanger the movement I'm going to tell you, you are not going to be very happy... ...we are endangering the

2nd Group:  Prior to any event, designate what we are doing and why we are there. what is counterproductive... ...and if we are going to an event we are to determine whether it is going to be alcoholic or no booze

3rd Group:  It's not in our place to start policing our fellow Occupiers by setting the rules but we can jeopardize our movement... ...buddy system to tell each other when we're out of line and tell... ...to take each other home... ...to have a reminder on Main and 6th not to binge drink.

4th Group:  ...maybe don't drink but if that's too hard... ...try to self-monitor yourself maybe up to five drinks... ...maybe nine if you've had a lot to eat... ...maybe when we were [young] we learned some lessons... ...it's stupid to give other people a reason to point the finger and look at us... ...like in Japan, you're not really judged by... ...but being here in America... ...know your tolerance maybe instead of buying a forty maybe buy a two ounce... ...and by example... ...and we do need Peace Keepers... ...but I do think we should be able to walk around drunk [CHUCKLING, CHEERS].

Michael:  What are we trying to accomplish by Occupying Main Street that is that we are trying to De-Gentrify... ...in my mind that leaves a question about that action maybe think about moving to another location where it might be more of an action... ...What we're trying to accomplish... ...

A Woman:  ...we come here to fight for a better world... ...there's nothing fun about losing your home, going to jail, going to war, or when we are trying to change an address... ...my fun for me is marching, chanting my idea of recreation fun... ...you're representing... ...everything that stands for justice... ...these things we hold that are very dear, and that's just my perspective. [CHEER, APPLAUSE].

John Waiblinger:  ...when people get overly aggressive it's not a very [safe] place... ...from my experience when I get drunk... ...maintaining my personal boundaries... ...remind everybody is 'Taking Personal and Collective Responsibility for everybody...

Michael Novick:  ...what people are feeling... ...i think that is a big piece that people... ...and try to bury with alcohol and drugs. Think about that.

AN EMERGENCY PROPOSAL

9:29 pm, Gardenia and Esteban and Sarah:  [ESTEBAN PROPOSES A CHANT:  'Que Vida La luccia Le la ??Cras??' (ASSEMBLY CHIMES IN)... ...[HE TRANSLATES] Long live the working class struggle (you microns)!]  We have a proposal because there's been someone that's been posting on ??FaceBook?? some things that should not be...???... ...This person has posted that on May 1st that we will be pitching tents at MacArthur Park and here at Pershing Square... ...this person has been going around at other Occupations publishing this false information... ...[READS[  Occupy Los Angeles Dispatch while we encourage online... ...MayDay there is a person [CONTENT] [CONTENT] [CONTENT] [CONTENT]  This infliltrator is going by the names Anon Mous and Anon Max on WWW.OccupyMay1st.org [STACKS OPEN FOR QUESTIONS]9:35 pm:  [TEMPERATURE CHECK AND A QUESTION WAS RAISED:  Is it absolutely necessary to address this?]... ...Yes... ...is trying to divide us.

9:47 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

9:49 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...we do not have any other proposals so I think we are done... ...[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE, SOLIDARITY CLAP, CHANTS: Power to the People! 4X, SINGING:  'SOLIDARITY FOREVER'].

 

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 4:00pm

Body:

 

APRIL 14 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Julie Levine and Heather.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

4:18 pm, Julie:  Mic! Check! I will be Moderating because Brian... ...car trouble... ...today... ...actions... ...and action planning... ...what came out of Occupy Freedom School today is that whenever you are doing an action you need to plan... ...what are some of our strategies? [ASKS ASSEMBLY] ...Strategies... ...[i.e. A MAN:  Ending the corporate state.]... ...Outreach... ...so [if] we go out and do our actions and we go out on our streets and say "[EXPL.] the pigs!" Who are we outreaching to?... ...and [if] we do say that; the 99% that we are trying to outreach [to] are not going to join us... ...We want to build People Power, not corporate power... ...[I.E. OCCUPY FORECLOSURES IS THE EASIEST THING TO STATE]... ...Same thing goes for the M1GS action... ...What are we doing? What are we trying to do?... ...the immigrant rights, because the [greater] percentage of immigrants are Latino... ...how many here have been doing outreach for May 1st? [HANDS RAISE] That's not enough... ...The best place to outreach for M1GS is in your own communities... ...If you're a hippy you've got 'Burning Man'. If you drive an ice cream truck you can outreach to the kids... ...[CHANT:  Occupy everything and never give it back!]... ...outreach... ...is to preach nonviolence... ...but it's all about 'Strategic Action'... ...let's plan first! One: Do they speak English?... ...let's reach people where they are, and say "Let's come out", and reach these people... ...I like to say... ...and let's go to the GA and Occupy this movement."... ...you have to reach beyond the choir... ...We need to build solidarity in our actions... ...you can't just go to the park and say "Hey, whose park? OUR PARK!" because there are a lot of other people who... ...that that park is theirs.

Heather:  What Julie's saying is "Try to find a way to plug in and... ...

Julie:  [INTRODUCTION ABOUT DISCUSSION GROUP TOPICS...I want people to step forward, that are willing to work on those ideas... ...we're going to do that today:  Who's your target? What's your action? How are you going to do that? What's your timeline? [AND OTHERS]... ...Occupy the Military Complex...

Julie:  and Tuesday is also the... ...for Occupy the M1GS... ...we're going to get you there... ...busses.... ...Tuesday is the Mariposa Station at 1 pm to outreach the area one hour before the meet time at 2 pm. [JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS TO 'POINT PERSON' A MEET UP HERE AT PERSHING SQUARE "Right here" WHERE WE HAVE THE GA. Junior:  If I'm not right here [Assembly Steps] I will be right over there [POINTS NORTHEAST TOWARD THE CENTER OF PERSHING SQUARE PARK]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariposa_(Los_Angeles_Metro_station)

Junior:  In order to get there from Pershing Square go towards 7th Street to Blue line down [toward] Long Beach to Imperial highway

Julie:  ...We're going to meet up on Wednesday 2 pm at Leimert Park and then we're going to march... ...and do outreach at the target [??WalMart??]... ...the target group for the 18th is... ...and the action is to build for the May 1st Strike... ...

Brother Adam:  [ASKS:  Did anyone bring it to the Nations?]

Heather:  another action is on Thursday, the 19th on 'Stop Massive Incarcerations'...

Julie:  The two ideas that we worked on, on the Actions at the Strategy meeting today is:  They're going to build a StarBucks on... ...where there's two existing mom 'n' pop coffee houses there. So, we are going to plan an action... ...Stephen Occupy Zeigler who brought it to the meeting says that there are a lot of allies that are there that we have had in ?solidarity? with Occupy Los Angeles but they're starting to [??shy away?? (gen. idea)]... ...the other is Occupy Shell Oil... ...and Kandist from our group is taking the [point person] on that... ...but there was a feeling in the group that by going to the refinery we stand to outreach to other groups like 'GreenPeace' [NAMES OTHERS]... ...Why is Shell bad? Names three reasons... ...not to mention building solidarity with the other Occupations in the nation... ...It's not only polluting the... ...so those are the two actions that we're going to bring to the GA and we're going to be working on coming on Monday.

Tuwasi:  I travel a lot I did bridge dropping, banner dropping... ...I learned to do it is a felony to... ...do a banner... ...

Brother Adam:  ...what we really need to do... ...because there's a lot of things coming at us... ...[MENTIONS BROTHER BERDA] what we're doing Wednesday... ...are going to canvas the neighborhood, basically try to see what's going to happen... [JULIE KEEPS THEM STANDING FRONT & CENTER ]

...Next Sunday... ...I think it's going to be at Kenneth Hahn [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Hahn ]... ...and where to meet at... ...[? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Hahn_State_Recreation_Area ?]

Rudy Perez:  ...Corporate Media

Julie:  If we can get that... ...KPFK... ...So we're going to break out for fifteen minutes we're going to break out in three different groups: [JULIE NAMES THE THREE GROUPS BEING POINT-PERSONED BY THE PREVIOUS THREE VOLUNTARY ANNOUNCERS]...

5:02 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAKS OUT INTO THOSE THREE GROUPS]... ...1) Bridge Dropping [WITH TUWASI  2) Canvassing [WITH RUDY PEREZ] 3) ??Kenneth Hahn?? [WITH BROTHER ADAM].

5:28 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RETURNS]

NOTE:  530 Ramirez Street at 'Big Bang Coffee' shop behind Union Station it's the Occupy Fight Foreclosures, (OFF)... ... meet at 1 pm tomorrow (APRIL 15).

Julie:  People were asking about where Occupy Fight Foreclosures is meeting tomorrow on Sunday; 530 Ramirez Street at 'Big Bang Coffee' shop behind Union Station. It's the Occupy Fight Foreclosures meet at 1 pm tomorrow.

Julie:  ...that we convene the Actions Committee on Mondays beginning a week from this Monday, which means Monday April 23rd at the Cabbage Patch at 5 pm... ...if we met here at 5 pm we could get some folks... ...I sent Brian Seligman a message on FaceBook, but I don't want to step on his toes because he's not here... ...but we need to... ...some actions. That's going to be a week from Monday...

What we're going to do is get 'report outs' [REPORT BACKS]...

Adam:  our group... ...we're going to help Berta out on Wednesday at the Orange Line at 1 pm, Sepulveda and Oxnard is the closest cross street... ...but another good thing that came out of it was to build heavily towards the local businesses and mom 'n pops... ...and it's something that we can do... ...hit us up at OccupyShadowMediaLA@gmail.com in Van Nuys. It's not really going to be an action we're just going to walk around the park. [ 4100 SOUTH LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90056) IN BALDWIN HILLS LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 34.0086 / -118.3644 ]

Tuwasi, Banner Drop:  ...if you feel like showing solidarity 4 pm, Monday Main and the 110 fwy. Bring big signs, and they should be general... ...it should say 'Occupy', 'General Strike' or '99%'...

Rudy Perez:  We plan to do an outreach in Chinatown... ...we're going to discuss next week the progress that was made during the week concerning the demands for the stopping of the Walmart being built in China Town or the warning that ... ...the outreach, anybody who wants to come out... ...and boycott against WalMart. It's being built right in the middle of LA... ...we have plans to have flyers made in Chinese and also Spanish ones for Olivera Street... ...[MENTIONS THE ?HAHNS?] One day before mayday which is a Monday to be prepared for the next day.

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

APRIL 11 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Omar and Esteban:

Stackers:  Sarah and Karo.

Time Keeper:  Julie.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION [NOTE: THE COUNT TODAY IS 56].

1:34 pm, Esteban:  Mic! Check! It's seven thirty! Please make you way  over here...

7:38 pm, Esteban:  [ASKS FOR SPANISH TRANSLATOR (IN SPANISH)].

7:39 pm, Omar:  Today is day one hundred and ninety four.

7:40 pm, Esteban:  [GIVES 'HAND SIGNALS'].

7:41 pm, Omar:  Who loves to read the Solidarity Statement?

7:41 pm, A Man [READS OUR 'STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY']:  We are the ninety-nine percent and we have moved to reclaim our mortgaged future. Through a direct Democratic process we have come together as individuals and crafted these principles of solidarity which are points of unity that include but are not limited to:

Engaging in direct and transparent participatory Democracy;

Exercising personal and collective responsibility;

Recognizing individual's inherent privilege and the influence it has on all interactions;

Empowering one another against all forms of oppression;

Redefining how labor is valued; The sanctity of individual privacy;

The belief that education is a human right; And, endeavoring to practice and support wide application of open source. We are daring to imagine a new socio-political and economic alternative that offers greater possibility of equality. We are consolidating the other proposed principles of solidarity after which demands will follow.

7:44 pm, Omar:  [ASKS SOMEONE TO SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STATEMENT OF NONVIOLENCE].

7:45 pm, My name is Matt... I spread thousands of flyers across Venice and Santa Monica... ...For thousands of years they spread slavery. They lied to the people and the said they were civilizing them. To this day... ...lied to the people...

7:47 pm, Esteban:  Are there any new people here that have never come to the General Assembly

7:48 pm, Karen:  Hi my name is Karen… …my boyfriend Shawn is coming and I'm here to check it out, thank you.

7:49 pm, Lala, Black Riders Generation Party:  We're going to make a couple of proposals here tonight and [CALLOUT:  Not right now. Just introduce yourself.] ...Oh. This is [NAMES HER TWO OTHER PARTY MEMBERS WHO WILL BE PROPOSING WITH HER LATER].

7:51 pm, Julie:  OLA Freedom School Saturday... ...talk about build the movement and move it forward on Saturday from 12 to 3 pm, at 118 Winston, and from 1 to 3:45 'Know Your Rights' at ???on Stanton..

7:54 pm, Karo:  ...May 1st and talk about what it's going to look like. So, Monday at 6 pm at Jalisco's on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd. We need a lot of people to come out to this General Assembly.

7:55 pm, A Man: Occupy Art Walk, Meet Tomorrow at 8 ?? at Solidarity Park. We will

7:56 pm, A Man:  We have a bunch of flyers over there [HE POINTS TO BOX] ...we have thousands to hand out.

7:56 pm, Fury, Los Angeles City College Student:  We're holding a rally and we're going to have Occupiers... ...we're going to have teachers and students... ..and CSU is going to be taking applications... ...also at 3:30 we'll be joining Sulu for an ??InterOccupy Conference??...

7:57 pm, Beth:  Our bail fund is really pathetic right now... ...the WePay account for the General Fund and for the Bail Fund. It really needs help right now... ...for M1GS we need... ...if anybody has a video camera... ...if anyone wants to join us and be a shooter come see me... ...we're building a news team and if anybody wants to report on anything come see me... ...I'd like to have people Tweet us on M1GS I'd like to re-Tweet...

7:58 pm, Brother Adam:  All power to all people... ...we have just established a WePay Account to gain permanent housing... ...we have a new Occupy Skid Row page... ...will also be on the Los Angeles page...

8:00 pm, Rick:  I just met today with somebody called the Park Advisory Board... ...they told me that the City's going to ask Occupy LA to start having a permit...

If you wand to adopt a tent... ...bring it to... ...just email adoptatent@gmail.com

PROPOSALS

First Proposal

8:02 pm, La La, Michael Novick, and Dele:  Southwind Resources Request... ...if the Black Riders do not have... ...other resources on this list is... ...for return to $1000 for bicycles for youth $750 for security uniforms... ...M1GS South Wind Resources Request ‘Para Todos Todo, Para Nosotros, Nada’... ...WHY: The South Wind passes through one of the most impoverished neighborhoods of LA, who daily suffer from police brutality, racism and oppression. The Black Riders, as local residents, have worked hard in this community to provide protection, food and resources for the people. Now they are our comrades and allies in M1GS, and are essential to the South Wind’s success in gaining a critical mass and popular support in order to pull off the caravan. Some of the resources we request are to repair their vehicles for use in the caravan, and provide themselves and all participants with security for the South Wind. If the Black Riders do not have vehicles or security, they will be unable to provide the South Wind with the community support it needs to be successful. OLA cannot do this alone, and we are a group that asks nothing for ourselves, save the liberation of all those who struggle alongside us. Other resources are for items which will return to OLA once M1GS is over, for use in future actions, or for reselling, whatever the GA decides to do with them. With all items we purchase, we will instigate a sign out sheet so each bullhorn or radio must be signed out, and be the responsibility of a designated individual, who will be responsible for its safe return to Resources after M1GS.

Second Proposal

8:15 pm, , Bradley Manning Affinity Group:  I'm asking for an endorsement for an action on April 14th, 240 South ??? Blvd in , California... ...we're goingt o write Bradley a letter... ...Then we're going to march and then have some food, and then we're going to have a candlelight vigil...

8:17 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

Third Proposal

8:18 pm, La La and two other women:  [LALA READS] ...Co-sponsor and provide resources for a rally and food distribution in South Central LA/Watts by our allies on the South Wind of M1GS as a build-up action in April. Why? The South Wind of the May 1 General Strike peoples power caravan goes through some of the most impoverished sectors of the Black and Mexicano/indigenous communities of Los Angeles in Compton, Watts, and South Central LA. The Black Riders come out of and organize within those communities and face the same conditions of exploitation, unemployment, and repression on a daily basis by police, sheriff’s deputies, etc. (intensified because their political stance and action focuses police repression on them). Material aid, and their ability to help meet the material needs of people in their community through their survival programs, will help promote the M1GS south wind peoples power caravan. The Black Riders have stood strong for Black/Brown unity for years and are in a unique position to contribute to the success of these efforts. Occupy LA has resources that will bottom-line this food distribution so that other efforts to obtain food (such as through contact with RAC, South Central Farmers, local churches and others) will be more successful. [LA LA EXPLAINS FURTHER 'WHY'].

8:38 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:40 pm, Sky:  I just wanted to announce that I have put together a streamer code of ethics and shared it with streamers across the country... ...if you are interested in this... ...come talk to me

8:41 pm, Barry Echo Park United Methodist Church, for Carlos Montez...

8:42 pm, Shyma:  ...this Saturday in Highland Park 240 South Avenue 57 at 12 noon.... ... 'The Vagina Monologues'

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

8:43 pm, Esteban:  Recently we've had a lot of financial proposals. So the question is:  How do we continue? How do we prioritize our expenditure?

8:43 pm:  [ASSEMBLY INTO GROUPS].

8:59 Pm:  [CHANTING AND CLAPPING:  COME BACK TO THE GA!; SINGING:  'SOLIDARITY FOREVER'].

9:01 pm, Esteban:  Are we ready for 'Report Backs'! Please go to a stacker.

9:02 pm, , 1st Group:  about acquiring Resources... ...things that belong to us as a community... ...do it without money... ...priorities... ...use money to establish other organizations and to grow our movement... ...about funds because it is very difficult to... ...funds... ...also some kind of paperwork that could show that... ...using some of our own resources... ...for the community...

9:04 pm, Esteban, 2nd Group:  ...keep resources that we get and instead of worrying about resources that we actually get resources... ...I actually thought about... ...that we take money and dump it... ...

Annie:  ...we need a space, we need a building... ...we could try to take it but we need to have an overall discussion because we know we need it

Yisho:  ...there are so many abandoned lots all over the city... ...take these things back because they’re ours... ...

James:  ...that we're spending a lot of money... ...about capitalism.

A Man:  [BEGS FOR THE FLOOR] ...these people [GESTURES TOWARD THE SECURITY GUARDS] are in love with capitalism but how can we bring them to our side... ...it is a corpocracy... ...the media paints us, the Occupy as... ...I just want you to...

Brother Adam:  ...if we begin by respecting ?each other?... ...

Shakti:  ...we know that our votes don't really count, right? This [POINTS TO A BOX IN HER HAND] is a ballot box, it's a joke... ...they could fill this survey out if they want... ...if you're interested please come and see me I've got a ton of flyers... ...Meet next Wednesday please... ...come and talk to me after this so we can at 6 pm MOccuLections next Wednesday before the GA.

Mic! Check! There are still a lot of flyers! Take them all!

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 8:30am

Body:

APRIL 9 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Julie and Patrick.

Shadow Moderator:  Michael.

Stackers:  Tuck and Mike.

Time Keeper:  James.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:41 pm, Julie:  ...Welcome everybody to the General Assembly. Today is day 192. [CHEERING, APPLAUSE]... ...[INTRODUCES FACILITIES]... ...is there anyone new here tonight?

7:46 pm, Yushi Yamazaki:  My name is Yushi Yamazaki and I'm here to distribute this flyer... ...it's about nuclear disaster in Japan... ...it's about how mothers in Fukushima are organizing for their rights... ...and nobody buys their contaminated... ...and fish... ...because government doesn't reach out to help them... ...I'm doing this because California has nuclear power plants in San Onofre and [NAMES OTHERS AND POPULATIONS SURROUNDING]... ...I want people to know what's happening... ...

7:48 pm, Shyma:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:51 pm, Anthony:  I am nonviolent. I use nonviolence and civil disobedience to further my agenda. Thank You.

TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

7:52 pm, Barry:  Those who have been attending... ...are familiar with the case of Carlos Montez who has been framed up... ...as well as 23 others being subpoenaed... ...there is going to be a fundraiser coming up this Saturday at,  There is also an event concerning women's rights... ...Vagina Monologues

7:54 pm, Candace:  This Thursday is Art Walk. We're going to meet at 8 pm at Solidarity Park, City Hall and we're going to march to... ...see everyone Thursday.

7:55 pm, , OLA Direct Action Affinity Group:  Venice, at 2 pm a Direct Action... ...[SHE READS]. We have open meetings every...

7:56 pm, Julie:  We are having Occupy Freedom School from 12 to 3 pm Sunday.

7:56 pm, Day of Outrage on April 10:  We are all Trayvon Martin... ...[HE READS]... ...Tomorrow there will be a 'Speak Out' at 4 pm and at 5 pm there will be a march on Crenshaw Boulevard. For info contact Day of Outrage planners at Revolution Books: (323) 463-3500.

7:58 pm, Julie:  Pasadena City Hall a protest against the police killing of... ...at City Hall... ... stop LAPD spying on 1st and Main...

7:58 pm, Anthony:  we had about 20 Occupiers some from Pomona and some from Skid Row [WENT CANVASSING AT HIP HOP EVENT IN SAN BERNARDINO (Where lots of people just like us... so that they'll know)] about the General Strike and about... ...handing out flyers and leaflets... ...we didn't have a canopy and it was hot so we went to the mall and Direct Actioned yelling "El pueblo unido! Jamás será vencido!"

8:00 pm, Patrick:  [GIVES HAND SIGNALS].

PROPOSALS

1st Proposal

8:04 pm, Alex:  My proposal is that everybody gets a cell phone, not just anybody... ...so I propose... ...cellphones... ...You only need those for about... ...Active Participants on this only, and if you don't need it don't take it. [COLIN ASKS:  HOW DO WE KNOW WHO GETS A PHONE]...

[?TABLED?]... ...[?NO TEMP-CHECK?]... ...[ENDS ABRUPTLY]... ...[?ARRANGE AFFINITY MEET?].

2nd Proposal

8:15 pm, Mike, [REPRESENTING VETERANS FOR PEACE]:  'What' is a 'Statement of Solidarity' for Veterans For Peace... ...[HE READS THE STATEMENT]  OccupyLA recognizes and welcomes the involvement of Veterans For Peace with the Occupy movement and appreciates all the sacrifices they have made in the protection of peaceful protesters engaged in exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.

The plight of veterans is very dear to the hearts of Occupy activists. Veterans and active military personnel, being part of the 99%, have been exploited and abused for the profit of the 1%. OccupyLA is committed to highlighting the neglect of veterans by a government that represents the interests of the corporations and the 1%, and that turns a blind eye to the basic requirements of veterans. We stand in solidarity with Veterans For Peace in their struggle to bring relief to the housing, employment, physical and mental health needs of veterans.

As police violence and brutality increases with the arrival of the American Spring, we believe the timely formation of Veterans Peace Teams is beneficial to the growth of the Occupy movement. But OccupyLA wants Veterans For Peace to be part of this growth and not be limited to providing security against police brutality. We invite all veterans to join us at our General Assemblies and get more involved in the decision making process. We have formed a Veterans For Peace Affinity Group to act as a liaison and be present at our Facilitation Committee meetings. We recommend establishing multiple modes of communication, including but not limited to cell phones, e-mails, facebook, twitter, etc...

OccupyLA would be honored to join Veterans For Peace for any of their upcoming actions or projects, especially the Arlington West Memorial at the Santa Monica Pier. We also offer any other services within our capability, that Veterans For Peace finds useful. Like media teams, street medics, flier and banner art, drummers, etc...

8:23 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

3rd Proposal

8:23 pm, :  The May 1st Convergence will start at 12:30 at 6th and Main... ...there will be food and... ...in front of LA CAN... ...we will do a direct action at... ...the Financial District, and then we will converge on... ...at 4 pm.

8:33 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

[An Indiv. Anncmnt.]

8:33 pm, A Man, From Canada:  ...and as you know Occupy is International. I feel just as home here as I do all the way in Canada and I'm sure that if you went there you would too.

4th Proposal

8:34 pm, Henry, Endorse a Day of Outrage:  ...day of Outrage April 10th. We are all Trayvon Martin. At 4 pm Speak Out in Leimert Park and at 5 pm there will be a march on Crenshaw Boulevard. [HE CONTINUES READING] The murder of Trayvon Martin... ...the 'hoodie' has become a badge of honor. How is it that in this day and age the murder of Trayvon Martin is not an outrage...

8:44 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

[???5th Proposal???]

8:44 pm, Jaimie:  Hi Brothers and Sisters! Tomorrow... ...This is to rescind Special Order 1 and 11... ...so we are going tomorrow to LAPD that we are not... ...tomorrow at 8:30 at 1st and Main. Some are meeting at LA CAN AT 6TH AND MAIN.

[???Consensus???]

BREAK OUT GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC AND THREE REPORT BACKS

8:47 pm, Candace and ??, Occupy Art Walk [A DISCUSSION TOPIC INTRODUCTION]:  We're meeting at the West Steps at City Hall at 8 am.

9:04 pm, :  ...talked about meeting at LA CAN...

9:06 pm, Alex:  ...artists to help support our movement... ...contact artists ahead of time... ...fundraising, to do flyers...

9:09 pm, ?Yisho?:  ...Occupy the Courts... ...prints... ...political posters...

AN ANNOUNCEMENT

9:10 pm, :  ...This Saturday we are approved... ...Vagina Monologues and it's hilarious... ...from 12 to 5 pm... ...a lot of... ...workshops...

 

Friday, April 6, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

Moderators:  Karo and Michael Novick.

Stackers:  Ron and Mike.

Peace Keeper: 

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:38 pm, Karo:  Welcome everybody, the General Assembly is going to begin. Today is day 189!

7:39 pm:  [SHOUT-OUT OF OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:41 pm, Dele:  Yesterday Caroline had a jury trial... ...two of the [the jury] came up to her and apologized... ...at the end of the deliberation in the jury room two of them were crying... ...they wondered why the District Attroney... ...This young woman sat throughout the whole... ...staring down all the prosecutors...

7:44 pm, A Man:  On April 4th in Santa Monica about 30 people were pepper sprayed including a four year old. Tomorrow morning at the 3rd Street Promenade we're going to protest that. so be there at 11 a.m. Along with that in Boston...

7:45 pm, Brian:  This Thursday at Cal State Los Angeles is a Teach-In about May 1st [M1GS]... ...I thought that I'd tell you so that you could come at 4 pm and tell them what it would be about...

7:46 pm, A Man:  Tuesday April 10, a Day of Outrage, we are all Trayvon Martins... ...let me tell you what that is... ...outraged at the murder of an innocent child. People protesting en masse and going down to 7:48 pm,  :  …Leimert Park at 4 pm... ...and people going to Crenshaw High School... ...are living under a death sentence... ...and then at 5 pm there's going to be a lively march going down Crenshaw... ...I'll have copies here...

7:50 pm, :  ...Occupy Freedom School... ...No School.

7:49 pm, Liberty, Day of Outrage:  On April 10 we are all Trayvon Martin. The whole damn system is guilty! Speak out in Leimert Park at 4 pm and at 5 pm we'll march on Crenshaw Boulevard.

750 pm, David Waiblinger: Queer Affinity group is meeting tomorrow at 11:30 am to discuss the M1GS... ...get in touch with me...

7:52 pm, Michael Novick: meeting at SEIU tomorrow at 3 pm 848 West Washington. Meeting of the 99

% Table. They want to meet with Occupy and Immigration coalition ... ...a lot of different groups doing different actions.

7:53 pm, Karo:  [SHOW ON?? ]Facilitation will be meeting at 5:45 pm upstairs at Cabbage Patch...

7:54 pm, Brother Adam:  Tomorrow we will not be having a GA here... ...we're meeting in Santa Monica at the 3rd Street Promenade. It's a roving GA with Occupy the Hood and the theme is 'Solidarity'.

7:55 pm, Carlos Marroquin:  ...there is a drive to stop all Foreclosures... ...we engaged to Occupy with Oregan... ...so that homeowners will have resources to ??legal??... ...the situation in Detroit is so ugly... ...talking about streets that are so empty... ...whatever we're doing here we can really fight back and use the resources that we have...

7:57 pm, Michael Novick:  stick around we still need to figure out... ...about the convergence...

7:57 pm, Karo:  ...the Proposals are about M1GS... ...and Bunny Support for the Vagina Monologues

PROPOSALS

7:58 pm, Three Women Proposers, 'The Vagina Monologues':  The event is around violence against women... ...fighting patriarchy is important... ...[SHE READS]Members of Bike Scum, Keeping it Real, Love Tribe, and Art & Temple affinity groups have been working collaboratively to coordinate V-Day Highland Park, an event aimed at raising awareness of violence against women. On Saturday April 14, we invite you to come to la Tierra de la Culebra for a day of workshops, art, food from Food Not Bombs, and a performance of the Vagina Monologues. We are asking the Occupy LA General Assembly to support this event.  WHY: Fighting patriarchy is a major component of the discourse currently happening in Occupy LA. It is important that we have events and spaces dedicated to examining the social and economic oppression of women. The Vagina Monologues began as a one-woman powerhouse. After interviewing hundreds of women, Eve Ensler wrote a play that attempted to lend a voice to the variety of experiences women had with their vaginas.

8:05 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:05 pm, Liberty, Ryan, and Sunshine:  I can't do it without Liberty... ...[JOHN:  I'll give you a hand with it]... ...So, this is about buying... ...tents... ...[HE READS]What:  Buy tents and put them up for adoption by Occupiers.  These tents will be Occupy tents, owned by the collective people.  Why:  Eight tents have already been bought, which made a good impact.  They provided shelter for Occupiers living downtown and there’s a need for more.

8:10 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

8:11 pm, Karo:  ...when the Central Convergence went to scout out the [original] location... ...so your thoughts... ...and any feedback

8:21 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAKS OUT INTO GROUP DISCUSSIONS].

8:37 pm:  [STACKS OPEN FOR REPORT BACKS].

8:36 pm, :  we talked about the North Wind and we talked about the American Reclamation Center Action at 11 am... ...and we start at 8 am... ...so we meet back together at...

8:39 pm, Karo:  Pershing Square... ...

8:40 pm, Dele:  We are ready, South wind... ...we are moving from Dominguez Hills we are moving through Compton, Watts... ...going to move by  MLK... ...USC... ...adult school... ...so we're going to stop by 8:42 pm, Grand and then come back... ...we intend to have a flatbed truck... ...it seems the Janitors 'IF' they go on strike... ...I ask my comrades to look towards the South Wind... ...[A MAN]:  ...to meet the night before... ...organize, get some cars together...

8:43 pm, Barry:  most have discussed getting there... ...Southern California Coalition... ...march on Broadway has been done for six years... ...we have already voted to have an Assembly... ...and getting immigration and labor involved... ...we have leaflets... ...we should not have an Occupy with 'Hand Signals'... ...this would be a perfect opportunity to get other people that were never involved and vice versa.

8:44 pm, A Woman:  LACC!... ...Scoop us up!... ...we talked about getting LACC involved...

8:45 pm, , :  ...ideally this is a place where we should converge or at City Hall...

WEDNESDAY'S PROPOSAL TODAY

8:46 pm, Anthony, , :  What? Canopies and Tents, B.Y.O.Tent... ...generators... ...I would like to have a media team... ...and also $150 for... ...fabric and paint and... ...Organize a Flash Occupation... ...Image and Conversation... ...M1GS... ...Flyers and... ...on the bus which we have donated to us... ...it's at Pomona Fairplex... [TEMPERATURE CHECK AND THERE WERE NO CONCERNS].

8:51 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:55 pm, A Woman:  LACC has been... ...having an event for Education... ...The event will be at noon, next Thursday, April 12th. There is also a FaceBook, it's called A12 a Rally for Education. Please be there.

8:57 pm, Dele, Keep'n It Real:  What's the deal? [ASSEMBLY:  Keep'n it real!].

8:58 pm, a Man:  ...our first event was A1... ...we're going to keep doing that... ...and then we're going to have a symposium... ...they're all going to be posted and you'll be given notice...

8:59 pm, Barry:  ...at 2100 South Maple Avenue in solidarity with Occupy LA Immigration SubCommittees... ...on May 1st... ...

9:00 pm, Jojo:  ...does anybody know about the football stadium... ...it's going to take out a lot of buildings... ...if anybody needs one of this [flyers] come see me.

9:01 pm, Beth:  ...Grumpy was... ...to leave... ...we're looking for... ...writing and contributing to the website... ...we're silenced... ...I have a few people here now but we need more... ...we need people who could take shifts on Twitter... ...we're having a meeting at Grand Central Market

9:03 pm, A Man:  Bradley Manning!... ...we are working on planning consistent actions until the release of Bradley Manning... ...come see me if you want to be a part of the 'Bradley Manning Affinity Group'.

9:04 pm, A Man:  ...there's a lot of... ...against corporations... ...if you could spend your money in a smart way you're... ...if you're... ...maybe you could enact some change...

9:05 pm, Esteban:  ...

9:05 pm, Michael Novick:  ...the Occupied Los Angeles Times needs reports from... ...courts... ...from Occupy Venice... ...from Occupy San Fernando Valley... ...they need submittals... ...please write your articles. Get them in.

9:08 pm:  [OPEN MIKE ENSUES]

9:09 pm:  On Saturday April 28th, we are Occupying the 'Doodah Parade'... ...come and see me if you want to get involved in planning it... ...come to me if you want to get that done...

9:20 pm [APPROX.]:  [ASSEMBLY STANDS IN OPEN CONVERSATION AMONG EACH OTHER IN GROUPS OF ONE ON ONE OR GROUPS OF HALF A DOZEN TO A DOZEN OR SO], [THE ASSEMBLY TAKES TOWARD THE LIGHT ON HILL, STEPS ONTO THE STREET AND BOLDLY MARCHES ALL SHOUTING:  WHOSE STREETS! OUR STREETS! FOR THE LENGTH OF A CITY BLOCK, SHOUTING:  THE SYSTEM! HAS GOT TO DIE! HELLA HELLA OCCUPY!...]...

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

APRIL 4 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Sarah and Kim.

Stackers:  Steven.

Time Keeper:  Mike.

Peace Keeper:  Dele.

Note Taker:  

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:38 pm, Kim:  Mic! Check! This is day 187!

7:39 pm, Sarah:  Is there anybody here for the first time ever?... ...second time ever?... ...anybody want to give their personal account of nonviolence?

7:40 pm, Mike:  I'm Mike and if I ever get angry... ...I may shout a lot about it... ...please bear with me

7:42 pm, Sarah:  Does anybody want to give our 'Principles of Solidarity'?

7:43 pm, Jeff:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:44 pm, Sarah and Kim:  [GIVES 'HAND SIGNALS'].

7:46 pm, Sarah:  First on stack...

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

7:47 pm, Julie:  ...I have the personal possessions of the Occupiers that were arrested on Rimpau... ...see me after the GA.

7:48 pm, Jojo:  Skid Row is under attack right now... ...we're going to camp out on Skid Row... ...we're under attack...

7:49 pm, Sarah:  I pre-emptively use 'progressive stack'... ...should be used when we're seeing too many of the same voices and I am truly sorry.

7:49 pm, Anthony:  in Echo Park we're having a Direct Action Affinity Group at Vista Hermosa Park... ...so if you're interested come on down.

7:51 pm, Amy:  A bunch of us just got arrested. We're homeless scumbags, and I am proud to be a homeless scumbag and we need cellphones... ...all three of my phones were stolen... ...we really need phones so remember us on the front lines please. Remember us.

BREAK OUT GROUP DISCUSSION

ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. QUOTATIONS

7:53 pm, Sarah:  ...Discussion Topic... ...Dele and Kimberly are going to lead the discussion... ...it's the 44th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination... ...

7:55 pm, Dele April 4th 1968... ...a leader of the nonviolent movement was cut down... ... he was targeted while on a... ...visit to the sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee... ...planning the May 1st General Strike have decided to... ...linking the General Strike to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King... ...is to promote justice and that is part of the Discussion Topic this evening... ...We have printed some quotations of Dr. Martin Luther King... ...in the courts... ...this morning I saw a lot of the women who are part of the Occupy Movement... ...sitting down in dignity... ...demonstrating peacefully with dignity being set up... ...I see the Occupy Movement... ...a logical extension of the abolitionist movement and... ...that the Occupy is building a new... ...history.

7:58 pm, Kim:  As Dele said when MLK was building a movement he was planning on building an Occupy... ...City... ...a multi-racial...

7:59 pm:  [SEVERAL UP FRONT TAKE TURNS READING DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. QUOTES].

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressesed. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrated it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the stricent clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.

If we are to go forward, we must go back and re3discover htose precious values  that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.

8:05 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAKS OUT INTO GROUPS]... ...[A POLICE VEHICLE PULLS NEXT TO THE ASSEMBLY, SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERRUPT THE ASSEMBLY]... ...[CHANT:  CHALK IS NOT GRAFITTI!]... ...[RUTH FACES OFF WITH OFFICERS, THEY BACK AWAY AND HUDDLE]...

8:16 pm:  [ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO DISCUSS THE TOPIC AFTER POLICE INTERRUPT]...

8:31 pm, Sarah:  Mic! Check! If you have a 'Report Back' please come to a stacker.

8:33 pm, Jodi:  One of the things... ...Martin Luther King has a speech that many people... ...call the 'Drum Major'... ...faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase. In this speech... ...he talks about "keeping up with the Jones'"... ...buying this and buying that... ...that we don't have to purchase our spirituality.

Anthony:  ...the Prophet 'Bathroom Steve'... ...isn't it right to be the manifestation of Dr. Martin Luther King?

A Woman:  ...that MLK Jr. worked with the Democratic Party at the expense of more radical... ...illegitimate system... ...so they know what you want to hear so they can put it on their agenda on their platform

Barry:  ...millions of people that... ...march... ...I particularly like Dr. Martin Luther King... ...taking all the typewriters for the city of Los Angeles... ...organizing... ...but its not the first time... ...Rosa Parks was a seamstress... ...and... ...NAACP... ...there was Stokely Carmichael... ...quote: There is a higher law than the law of government. That is the law of conscience... ...is our own government...

8:39 pm, Sergio:  ...we discussed the inroads that Dr. Martin Luther king Made... ...more equality... ...that there's more work to do... ...the inroads... ...that we should all be inspired, especially the non-citizens in our community... ...we spoke about the opposition when he took a public opposition to Vietnam [War]...

Tony:  ...one of the best uses of Dr. Martin Luther King's was... ...backgrounds and protests of the past and align with us...

Sarah and James:  We acknowledged that King's success was probably related to Malcolm X's success and that there was a little ying and yang there... ...they were all related... ...that we're kind of flipped upside-down... ...that... ...the broader issues and that this kind of group... ...smaller issues... ...making sure that we don't fall in love with ourselves that we stay with the general population. [Sarah]:  distracted by... ...private security... ...people had a revolutionary practice.... ...some people that they... ...religious association... ...revolutionary activities... ...and if you go to the ?Middle East? that that secularism is there... ...we don't need a church to be disciplined... ...we could be militant and playful and do that.

8:46 pm, Kim:  Yesterday Santa Monica College was protesting and they were pepper sprayed and this kind of thing is happening everywhere...

8:46 pm, Steven:  Yesterday... ...Board of trustees was... ...wanted to establish a two-tier [pay] system... ...they wanted a non-binding student referendum... ...there were 60 people there and the campus police were barring the door... ...and the... ...were wanting to get in... ...and they acted [??out of panic??] and peppered sprayejj [a lot of innocents]... ...and we got angry and organized a march and we chanted things like "[expl. the pigs and go away, ANOTHER CHANT]... ...we organized to not let them privatize our education... ...and those cops should be ashamed and we have his name and he got docked... ...students couldn't imagine that this was happening in their beautiful campus and they were like "What?", and "This just doesn't happen here!"...

8:51 pm, Brother Adam:  Today was a monthly 'Skid March'... ...the Red Shirts, Green Shirts, Black and they pretend like they're here to protect the people but they're really here to protect the 1%... ...check it out online.

A PROPOSAL

8:53 pm, Alex, Brian, and Lance:  This Saturday April 7th is a major Hip Hop... ...opportunity to reach out... ...inform them that Occupy Still Exists... ...M1GS... ...we do need allocation of Resources... ...we're asking $50 per person... ...It's scalable... ...I put it down as 20 heads... ...also we need $300 dollars... ...for the creation of art... ...we're asking the General Strike Committee if they can allocate resources... ...$300 for the canopy... ...and another...

9:35 pm:  [TEMPERATURE CHECK AND A VERITABLE ARRAY OF CONCERNS]... ...

['CLARITY/CONCERNS' DURING WHICH:  AFFILIATE PROPOSER INTERJECTS ROGUELY/INAUDIBLY]... ...

[DEEP SIGHS AND A 'SOLIDARITY CLAP' WAS CALLED TO ORDER]... ...

10:47 pm, Beth:  [CITES TWO INDIVIDUALS].. ...[CITING ONE] was being extremely rude [at the assembly happening now]... ...[RECALLING THE OTHER MAN WHO DID SOMETHING TO WOMEN A PLURALITY OF TIMES]... ...[THERE WERE MANY 'TWINKLIES' DURING BETH'S CONCERN AND NO MOTIONS FOR 'POINT OF PROCESS' ON 'SINGLING INDIVIDUALS'].

ASSEMBLY GOES INTO DISARRAY, ONE PROPOSER AND A COMPANY OF MEN WALK OFF, A MAN DIRECTLY TO LIVESTREAM WITH SEVERAL WORDS AND ...I'm going anyway.]

 [AFTER THE DUST CLEARS, BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONS ENSUE].

10:01 pm, Sarah:  Mic! Check! I personally am out of breath and out of shape apparently. We're going to have the proposers restate the proposal...

10:02 pm, Anthony:  [RESTATES PROPOSAL] ...we don't want to make too much of a... ...because we don't want to get arrested... ...

10:31 pm, Anthony:  [RESTATES PROPOSAL WITH AMENDMENTS]... ...What $500. Specific Participants... [TEMPERATURE CHECK: MANY CONCERNS]

10:33 pm:  [ANOTHER BREAKOUT DISCUSSION ENSUES].

[TEMPERATURE CHECK: CONCERNS, ONE PROPOSER ROGUELY COMMENTS, CANDACE FRONT AND CENTER RAISES A HARD BLOCK AND COMMENTS AS IF SHE COULDN'T HOLD IT ANY LONGER AND IT WAS AIMED AT THE ROGUE COMMENT, WHAT FOLLOWS IS THAT A VAST ARRAY OF 'HARD BLOCKS' GOES UP LIKE THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA].

10:55 pm:  [TABLED]... ...[PENDING AFFINITY DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE EVERYONE "REALLY LIKES THIS PROPOSAL" ...HOWEVER...(come to friday's ga)].

Monday, April 2, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

 

APRIL 2 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  John Waiblinger and Jessica.

Shadow Moderator:  Dele.

Stackers:  Julie and Tuck.

Time Keeper:  Esteban.

Peace Keeper:  Lewis.

Note Taker:  Kimberly.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:39 pm, John Waiblinger:  Hey everybody! The [Occupy] Los Angeles GA. We'll be starting right on time in about three minutes!... ...Today is day 185!... ...[INTRODUCES FACILITATIONS MEMBERS, REMINDS GA MEETS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 7:30 PM AND A THEMED GA 'OCCUPY THE HOOD' ON SATURDAY AT 4 PM]... ...so be there.

7:45 pm, Abelito, Janitors and the SEIU [NEW PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT]:  ...[INTRODUCES SEVERAL OTHERS]... ...give you guys a little more background on what we're doing... ...[SHE TRANSLATES SPANISH TO ENGLISH] Omar Ochoa:  Event for the fifth and as a part of the 99% we want to give you a... Abella:  ...the reason we are doing an action is because in Century City we have shed blood, and as a... ...we want to show that 1% that we are still up and fighting... Alberto:  What's going to happen on April 5th is... ...some of our... ...are going to be at Washington and Grand so be there at 10:30 and the action will start at noon... ...we no longer [wish] to be oppressed by them... ...Abelita:  Please bring your banners... ...on the back of the flyer is a map for the parking... ...The potential of the Janitors is... ...we are... ...going to show that potentiality... ...we are going to show... ...every organization in every corner of this city... ...every sector is going to be... ...in every sector of this society. Thank You... ...we're really looking into how we're going to pull this off... ...maybe about 2,000... ...That's only the janitors of this city... ...how we're going to take over this intersection... ...different... ...of this city to get that done. [A QUESTION:  ...as far as outreach goes... ...?]... ...we've been working with [SEIU]... ...South Central... ...I've been in L.A. since 2000 and... ...I know I look like I'm from high school... ...I've worked with Michael for a lot of years... ...any suggestions we're really happy to hear them.

7:55 pm, Michael Novick, Labor Union:  ...North wind will meet in Occupy San Fernando Valley at the Civic Center, the East wind meets at Corazon del Pueblo, West wind meets at the Beyond Baroque Foundation, 681 Venice, Venice Beach. The Southern Wind meets at ??? ???... ...and Central wind is meeting here at Pershing Square... ...there's another action at the North Valley and they're converging at ??? ???... ...

7:56 pm, Abelito:  I have additional flyers if you'd like to take some back....[CHANT:  (In Spanish) ...Unidos!...]...

7:58 pm:  [THE ASSEMBLY YELLS OUT OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY']... ...[AND ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE].

7:59 pm, Esteban:  My nonviolence is tactical because in this society we're outgunned and out manned so we have to outsmart... ...they use violence because that's how they chose to go about it.... ...in war... ...we... ...to be transparent and we don't have to cover our faces to not be seen.

8:00 pm, John:  ...on Actions this weekend [STACKS OPEN]... ...[SOME BEG SUNSHINE TO SPEAK, SHYS LIKE MOVING SUNRAYS BEHIND PATCHY CLOUDS].

8:01 pm, John:  [REPORT BACK:  APRIL FOOLS DAY ACTION, HOLLYWOOD] ...we talked to a bunch of people [protesting in Hollywood for April Fool’s day]... ...and we really... ...[Positive Response].

8:02 pm, Lucky:  ...we ended up at an action that was a zombie run. Because out there... ...there were bunch of people dressed up as zombies... ...and they did a Michael Jackson [revue] of 'Thriller'...

8:03 pm, Leo:  I'm wearing a hoodie and I'm going to wear a hoodie until there is justice... ...oh my God am I so glad, [WHISPERS]... ...and we marched from... ...to Leimert Park... ...for Trayvon Martin and...

8:04 pm, Dele:  ...remind... ...that a man of peace... ...Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4th, 1968... for the struggle by Martin Luther King, [Jr.] in 1968... ...From South Africa to South Central we are marching and we are going to ?war?

[STACKS OPEN FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMITTEES, AFFINITY GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUAL].

8:06 pm, Carina:  Hello. Since it's Easter Sunday there will be no classes for Freedom School but on the 14th? we're going to have Julie for the Action Workshop. We're going to have a 'Know Your Legal Rights' training and...

8:07 pm, Esteban:  [HE READS...The women of Occupy LA have joined together to address how our culture and the political system we reside in impacts women's lives specifically and how this very culture and system manifests in our own movement via male privilege, sexism, the sexualisation of women and sexual aggression. The circle has provided women a powerful vehicle to bring these issues to the attention of all of us and examine the need to not perpetuate this cultural baggage within our Occupy Los Angeles community. [ALEX READS] We believe it is time for men to take responsibility for addressing these issues directly amongst themselves in a forum where we can talk honestly and deeply about how male privilege and its culture of aggression/competition, commodification/objectification of sexuality and homophobia impact not only our relationships with women, but with each other, as well. [RYAN READS] It's time for men to step up and [take] responsibility for examining how we make women feel unsafe and marginalized, how we often inappropriately sexualize things and what we need to do, as men, to address how we've all internalized the unhealthy aspects of male privilege in our culture. We believe that some honest self-examination and conversation is a first step to seeing how we dump this shit not only on women, but each other as well. Women have long known that such self-examination or 'consciousness raising' is an empowering tool for change and challenging the system. It's time that we men learn for our sisters and do some of our own 'consciousness raising'. In addition, we hope that a Men's Circle can begin to provide a community space where we can help individual men, and each other, face, address and resolve conflicts or problems identified with OLA. This is an opportunity, for men, [which] has probably never come up for a lot of us. We use a lot of language about safe spaces and creating an environment in which all voices may be heard. This Men's Circle is an additional facet to that, and to this movement. [ANOTHER READS] We plan to hold an initial meeting tonight after GA to identify men interested in moving forward with this idea and determine where, when and how we can begin meeting as a group.

8:10 pm, A Man:  [READS A NOTICE FROM LAPD ABOUT SLEEPING IN PUBLIC PLACES AND LAPD STARTING TO ARREST PEOPLE FOR THIS AND ASKS THE ASSEMBLY WHAT TO DO]... ...now the only problem I have with this is do I pick up everything I have and carry it... ...[HE THANKS THE GA].

8:12 pm, Anthony:  ...affinity group we're involved in the open action... ...we want to expand and we want to have fun with it... ...come to me, or Jessica or [NAMES OTHERS].

8:14 pm, Carina:  Yesterday Occupy San Francisco Occupied a building and they're still there. The building is owned by the Archdiocese of San Francisco... ...our comrades in San Francisco are asking for a show of solidarity from Occupy Los Angeles... ...Call and ask them not to evict them from this building (415) 614-5500. So call them.

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

'VETERANS FOR PEACE'

8:16 pm, John Waiblinger:  [GIVES DISCUSSION TOPIC FOR BREAKOUT GROUPS]...

8:17 pm, Jessica:  [INTRODUCES MIKE OF 'VETERANS FOR PEACE'...].

8:17 pm, Mike, Veterans for Peace:  ...ideas on how to use Veterans for Peace on how to use us... ...come up with an Affinity Group to... ...stand up for this statement [HE READS] ...

People of color, including Native Americans, African-Americans, Latinos, and working class communities in America have long been on the receiving end of police brutality.

Now with the recent police violence directed toward the Occupy movement, the country at large is waking up to the unpleasant reality that the violence of the system can and will target anyone who stands up for justice and opposes the exploitation of the 99 percent by the 1 percent.

The Veterans For Peace mission statement states that we pledge to work for peaceful conflict resolution and the elimination of war-the ultimate violence. As veterans of conscience, we are compelled to take a stand against police violence toward the national Occupy movement.

Veterans For Peace will establish Veterans Peace Teams to be made available as we can, to those Occupy sites where the local General Assemblies feel our participation would be helpful. We propose that these nonviolent Veterans Peace Teams act as a buffer between Occupy protesters and police violence and ask any and all military/law enforcement veterans to join us in this endeavor.

As veterans, we stand with the Occupy movement as members of the 99 percent and oppose any and all use of force by police against peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceably assemble to seek redress of grievances as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

We also stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Tahrir Square and worldwide, standing up courageously, leading and often dying in the struggle for equality and justice as they are exposed to massive state-run police and military violence. We recognize that our common enemy is the wealthy power elite, those who control, ravage and exploit.

Excessive use of force by police toward those in the Occupy movement has led to arbitrary arrests, a fractured skull for one veteran and a ruptured spleen for another, near-asphyxiation and trampling of peaceful protesters and pepper-spraying of students sitting peacefully on a sidewalk obstructing nothing at all, among many abuses and injuries. Pepper spray, tear gas, bean bag projectiles, rubber bullets, taser [guns] and other weapons-all of which can cause grave injury and death-have all been deployed against peaceful U.S. citizens. This abuse of unarmed civilians exercising their constitutional First Amendment rights must cease.

As veterans and as citizens, we implore individual officers, police agencies, elected officials and government agencies to use restraint, negotiation and common sense when dealing with peaceful protesters. We will continue our efforts to convince law enforcement to avoid excessive force, brutality and injury to all involved. We also oppose the increased militarization of police agencies.

We seek to prevent deaths and additional injuries in domestic protests of governmental policies. We realize that those employed in law enforcement are part of the 99 percent, and we call upon all police personnel not to be a domestic front line force for the 1 percent-but to honor and perform their duty to serve and protect the people.

8:22 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...discuss on how to use the Veterans for Peace Group, basically... ...and we have extra copies of this statement.

8:23 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAKS OUT INTO GROUPS]

8:42 pm:  [STACKS OPEN FOR POINT PERSONS, REPORT BACKS ON BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS]

8:43 pm, Kimberly, 1st Group:  ...we are honored that the Veterans for Peace is with us... ...we really appreciate the statement and we think it is a great idea for Occupy LA to give them a statement... ...we want to raise demands on how this government should be treating the veterans... ...we'd like the Veterans for Peace to join us... ...and can be great to bringing attention to the issues because people really care for the veterans... ...and veterans are homeless... ...and PTSD in trying to get help and services... ...people have mixed feelings about the shield thing... ...and other people felt that if people want to be a shield then let them.

8:47 pm, Esteban, 2nd Group:  ...talk about the 'Four Winds'... ...and Veterans For Peace come to meetings and point persons come to the GA... ...on Mayday it probably wouldn't be a good idea to split people up / to split the Veterans For Peace up... ...also a myriad of actions happening on Mayday... ...affinity groups could act as a liaison between the Veterans For Peace... ...and constructing some kind of shields... ...and ask that some... ...get in touch with the homeless vets... ...we also ask the veterans to wear their Medals of Honor and Decor...

8:50 pm, Scott Olson, Occupy Oakland, Member of Iraqi Veterans for Peace and also Veterans For Peace Team:  ...one of the ideas we had was... ...give a sanity check to the police... ...apparently it didn't work in my case but apparently some police officers did stop and think... ...and one of our brothers died for... ...I think that worked for us... ...thank all of you from Occupy LA when I was hurt and I'd like to say thank you very much.

8:52 pm, Mike:  they are trained in nonviolence... ...they have hundreds of crosses on the Santa Monica Beach and they could always use help... ...every Sunday.

8:54 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...next we're going to do a little exercise on Behavioral Education... [A ROLE PLAY].

ROLE PLAY;  BEHAVIORAL EDUCATION

[JOHN DESIGNATES THREE POSITION SPACES FOR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO STAND AFTER EACH QUESTION:

1) 'I AGREE' (STAGE RIGHT).

2) 'I DON'T CARE/KNOW' (STAGE CENTER).

3) 'I DISAGREE' (STAGE LEFT)]... ...

[ASSEMBLY ALL STANDING IN FRONT, THEY ROLE PLAY, REPORT BACKS]... ...

[ USTREAM.TV/CHANNEL/PMBEERS ]... ...

9:16 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...Thank you all for participating in this [role play] game. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

ANOTHER ROLE PLAY; BEHAVIORAL EDUCATION

9:17 pm, Anthony, Keep'n It Real Affinity Group:  [DIVIDES THE GA INTO TWO GROUPS, TWO LINES FACING EACH OTHER]... ...Talk about:  Have you ever felt depressed [ONE GROUP TALKS TO THE OTHER GROUP, ONE LINE ROTATES ON PERSON TO THE RIGHT FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS]... ...What is your favorite action that you've been to? Why is the movement important? Is this fascism? and why? What does autonomy mean to you? If there is one thing about Occupy you didn't like, what is it? If you had to be a pirate or a ninja which one would you be? Where should we re-Occupy? [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE FOR AN AWESOME ASSEMBLY]

9:36 pm, Lucky:  March 17th was the 6 month anniversary of Occupy LA, and there were a lot of arrests. One of which was Craig... ...if you have his email and you witnessed his arrest, please email him. This is a very serious matter and you need to email him.

Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

 

MARCH 31 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

THEMED 'NONVIOLENT COMMUNCATION';

A TEACH-IN

Moderator:  James.

CoModerator:  James.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

1:31 pm, James, Moderator:  Nonviolent Communication... ...It's about inclusion... ...justice! James and I are going to be moderating... ...This is...

1:34 pm, James, CoModerator:  ...if your intention is to connect to people, 'it' allows you to do that... ...a lot of our... ...culture... ...it's about domination

135 pm, James, Moderator:  ...It is about social change... ...self-expression which is kind of like... ...Each person is radically responsible for their own thoughts, feelings... ...and for that we don't spend a lot of time blaming other people for our... 

1:37 pm, James, CoModerator:  ...bumped into people... ...I could be 'right'... ...or instead... ...putting distance in being right... ...making a connection on a human level... ...and I enjoy making a connection rather than being right... ...right is... ...used by the power elite... ...this is something that's much different. It's a lot more like the General Assembly...

[CANDACE HANDS OUT 'CHECK SHEETS/LISTS'].

1:40 pm, James, CoModerator:  ...If our needs are not being met then we have feelings of anger... ...frustated, so what needs are being met and not... ...

1:42 pm, James, Moderator:  ...Circle the feelings that are alive for you. [MEMBERS ARE LOOKING AND CIRCLING ON THEIR SHEETS]... ...We have this inside of us... ...the nice thing about it is, it provides a great place to connect... ...survival needs, personal needs, interpersonal needs, and shelter needs... ...Autonomy... ...Community, Transcendence... ...What we'd like you to do is to go through the list and circle the needs that... ...We're actually going to put this into practice really soon.

[ASSEMBLY MEMBERS CONTINUE CIRCLING THE CHECKLIST].

1:48 pm:  [ASSEMBLY BREAK OUT GROUPS (THREE GROUPS) OF NINE PEOPLE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SPEAK ONE PERSON AT A TIME]

148 pm, James:  [PICKS UP A 'TALKING STICK' AND EXPLAINS]  ...so, people that don't have the stick are listening while I'm talking... ...[HE HANDS THE 'TALKING STICK' OVER TO CANDACE TO HIS LEFT IN A CIRCLE OF NINE].

1:58 pm, James Moderator:  [CHIMES A CHIME, MEMBERS LOOK UP] ...well, a, couple of more minutes.

2:02 pm, James Moderator:  [HOLDS UP A HAND PUPPET JACKAL AND TELLS ITS ORIGIN AND MEANING, HOLDS UP A HAND PUPPET GIRAFFE AND EXPLAINS THE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF ENERGY] ...I actually grew up being a 'jackal'... ...it was my side of the tracks and I didn't know any other side of the tracks...

2:04 pm, James CoModerator:  ...The giraffe has a long neck... ...to be able to stick my neck out and be authentic.

A SKIT [A ROLE PLAY]

2:05 pm, James Moderator:  [BEATS THE DRUM AS A JACKAL]... ...James CoModerator:  Escuse me James [TRIES TO GET JAMES MOD'S ATTENTION]... ...This was not taken positively [HE CUSSES AND GOES BACK TO DRUMMING]... ...James CoModerator [TRIES TO GARNER JAMES MODERATOR'S ATTENTION THIS TIME MORE SUCCESFULLY]... ...[JAMES MODERATOR SHIFTS TO GIRAFFE PERSONA]... ...[THEY CONVERSE AMICABLY]... ...[APPLAUSE].

2:11 pm:  [THEY TWO ROLE PLAY ANOTHER SETTING:  A GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHERE JAMES COMODERATOR IS A SPEAKER PAST HIS ALLOTED TIME TO SPEAK.]... ...[...AND ANOTHER ONE].

2:35 pm, James Moderator:  ...The best way to interact is when we really need to share something with another person is to... [??]... ...[A ONE ON ONE ENSUES]... ...I just modeled what you were saying is that I was using empathy... ...the... ...way to get somebody's attention is to tell them that they really suck at communicating... ...If I say "He sucks at communication." What's really happening is creating a barrier to proper communication... ...so it starts here [POINTS WITH BOTH HANDS TO HIS HEART]... ...[JAMES CITES GIRAFFE ENERGY VERSUS JACKAL ENERGY]... ...So, it's integrity and value. You really want to include [??the person that you're trying to connect to/with??]... ...Is there a way that we can include more women in our movement?

2:43 pm:  [A PEOPLE'S FORUM (FORMAT) ENSUES]...

2:44 pm, James Moderator:  So, she's suggesting that we need to create an environment with more safety [IN RESPONSE TO A WOMAN WHO INAUBLY SPOKE TO THE ASSEMBLY].

2:52 pm, James Moderator:  ...in an ideal world, you would give someone the empathy that it takes to connect... ...that's when I start to feel natural compassion and empathy for another person... ...and I'm able to connect with other human being...

2:53 pm, James CoModerator:  ...in the long run they don't have as much clarity. Empathy... ...whatever is triggering them they already have that in their back pocket.

2:54 pm, A Woman:  Communicating it and articulating it... ...when it's sort of illusive it makes it harder to...

2:55 pm, James Moderator:  ...the more I'm able to understanding what it is I'm really trying to describe... ...don't get hung up on the words. The words are imperfect [REFERS TO THE CHECKLIST]...

2:59 pm:  [ANOTHER BREAK OUT GROUP TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING (ONE THING) THAT WAS LESS THAN WONDERFUL THAT HAPPENED DURING THE ENCAMPMENT:  15 MINUTES], [SMALLER GROUP TEACH-INS ON NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION (I.E. EMPATHY)], [ALL IN ONE BIG CIRCLE, TALKING STICK IS PASSED AROUND, EACH TELLS HER/HIS MOST PROMINENT THREE WORDS FROM THE LIST OF APPROXIMATELY FIFTY WORDS) (WHETHER FULLFILLED OR UNFULLFILLED)].

[THERE WERE ANNOUNCEMENTS]...

Friday, March 30, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

MARCH 30 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Omar and Tuck.

Stackers:  Frank and Chris.

Time Keeper:  Esteban.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:37 pm, Omar:  [ASKS FOR STACKER AND TIMEKEEPER]... ...Today is day 182... ...start off with Emergency Announcements... ...who is new?

7:40 pm, Theresa [NEW AT OCCUPY LA]:  I am writing my senior thesis at Occidental College on “??Increasing [?runaway?rampant?unequal?] Prosperity?? and the Government's Role in Decreasing It”.

7:42 pm, Frank:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

VOLUNTEER PERSONAL STATEMENTS OF NONVIOLENCE

7:44 pm, Chris:  this is my personal [?Feeling?]... ...I felt so... ...and anger... ...[?CITES EXAMPLE?or? METAPH0R?] when I broke that window... ...but I realized when I felt that [Grrrrrrr]... ...cost effectively... ...however I feel that we really need to find peace within so that we can stop the violence from within.

7:44 pm, Leo:  My personal... ...of nonviolence started when I was four years old... ...my Grand Mother… …so I had to start at the bottom... ...at six years old I found the model of a doctor... ...and I wanted it to be… …a way of life, and the Doctor's first credo is to do no harm... ...and I tried to understand where it would be more effective and I found that it would be most effective in my Grandmother's heart... ...and from that I learned, no matter how mad I was I had to first do no harm, and the first person... ...I knew that I had to respect them, But I knew that to respect them I had to use their name... ...but I didn't

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

7:47 pm, Alex:  So, Sunday is April Fool's Day. In that spirit for our discussion topic tonight:  [??TOPIC:  WHAT WOULD BE FUN, WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE, (WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/HOW/WHY)??] What is the... ...of fun... ...in humor... ...what ways can it be positive and what ways can it be negative.

8:07 pm, A Man:  [TALKS ABOUT A BOOK IN HIS HAND INTENDING TO GIVE IT AWAY TO ANY TAKER]... ...In the fight for feudal tomorrow Humor is Essential.

8:08 pm, Richard, 1st Group:  ...One Saturday after we got broken up, we were at the jail... ...protesting, someone got arrested. After a while [DECIDED TO MARCH DOWN THE STREET] ... ...and said "We will be back." All the cops on their motorcycles started up and drove... ...and we stopped and thought what if we turned back  and the cops on their motorcycles [WERE CONFUSED WHILE DRIVING THEIR MOTORCYCLES]... ...and we could still be obeying the law and...

8:11 pm, Joan:  I just got back from New York and they have this thing called the Plus [HARD BLOCK SIGN]... ...for [DESCRIBES ANOTHER SHENANIGAN LIKE THE ONE RICHARD DESCRIBED].

8:13 pm, , :  Occupy Wall Street had a donut on a fishing pole and started jiggling it while saying "Here piggy piggy."

PROPOSALS

First Proposal

8:15 pm, ,:  ...Sam Resnick is planning on attending an Occupy A1 event this Sunday [NAMES AN EVENT]... ...The Radical Women's Community is asking the OLA's support in... ...to stand in solidarity with Women's Right by One...

8:43 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

Second Proposal

8:44 pm, Esteban, Joan, and Michael:  $100 per month to Corazon del Pueblo where M1GS Meetings are held... ...[FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:  $100 is hardly anything, why not $200]... ...

8:58 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

Third Proposal

OLA InterOccupy Committee, Colin, Tony and Natalie are on this proposal. ...for 240 dollars it was [NAMES A FEW OTHER HUNDRED DOLLARS]... ...What I'm asking is that you reimburse for the 240 dollars for me and my... ...girlfriend that you reimburse it.

9:05 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

Fourth Proposal

9:06 pm, Mike, Daniel, and John:  Occupy the Military Industrial Complex,... ...send a message to the 1%... ...Gather at the Mariposa stop in El Segundo, April 17th, 4 pm, and March about two miles to... ...at Sycamore Street

9:23 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

Freedom:  Tomorrow night there's an Occupy Art Show, Starts at 6 pm, at 2341 Olympic Boulevard a requested $5 donation ???through WePay???. OLA Print Lab will be there screening...

Michael Novick:  Tuesday night, we decided to meet at each of the points of the four Winds North Group meets at Van Nuys Civic Center, the West Group will meet at Corazon del Pueblo, Central meets here at Pershing Square at 7:30 pm, [East Wind ????].

Candace:  The next art walk will be the month before M1GS... ...It's the second Thursday of April. Also, Boycott Shell... ...if you want any flyers to pass around we have some... ...always boycott Shell... ...

A Man, Occupy Denver Colorado:  ...some of you know Isaac... ...and his friend Paul was there... ...additionally the Walkers who started in San Diego, they were in Oakman... ...by now they should be in Kingman,,,

David, Occupy Riverside:  Tomorrow March 31st In Riverside at the 3800 block of Main Street between 4 and 6 pm, we're having a 'Hoodie Rally'... ...a man was shot by another man... ...and I say it was racist because...

Barry:  There's also one at 8 in the morning...

Katie, Home Foreclosure Committee in Riverside:  ...we want to protest at Walmart in connection with Foreclosure and Pay Rates, where the workers got laid off in... ... in light of F29... ...slow the traffic down... ...and also do a flash mob inside the Walmart... ...Wednesday at 7 pm, at University and Main in Downtown Riverside.

... ...Also we need a PA, and if anybody has a truck we need a PA, and a receiver if anyone has one...

Shakti, MOccuLections:  ...[SHOWS CANVASSING MATERIAL]... ...they have a survey, and a statement, and a solidarity statement... ...OLA... ...it's your responsibility and your duty to go around to your friends and... ...ask them to... ...If you're interested in getting into our canvassing...

Ryan Rice: [ANNOUNCES OCCUPY SKID ROW]...

Tomorrow's themed GA is on Nonviolent Communication and it is at 1 pm, not 4 pm,...

Jojo and Bilal Ali, Occupy the Hood:  There will be an Occupy Parade, Sunday at 1 pm, 530 South Main Street... ...Dress up as your favorite Asshole.

[SINGING:  SOLIDARITY FOREVER IN PREPARATION FOR THE MARCH TO OCCUPY SKID ROW].

[THE MARCH BEGINS, INSTEAD OF TAKING ‘HILL’ THEY BEGAN AT ‘OLIVE’ THIS TIME, THEY WALK ONTO THE ASPHALT ‘TWIXT PERSHING AND THE OVERTOWERING BUILDINGS OF ONE PERCENT ROW FOLLOWED BY LEO TWENTY PACES BEHIND YELLING:  Who’s streets!]. 

[APPROX.] 9:45 pm, Dennis de la Vega:  [YELLS:  Our streets!]... ...[I NEEDED TO USE A RESTROOM!]

 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

MARCH 28 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Patrick.

Shadow Moderator:  Dele.

Stackers:  Tim and Tuk.

Note Taker / Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:34 pm, Welcome... ...today is day 180... ...[INTRODUCES FACILITATORS, GIVES 'HAND SIGNALS']...

7:36 pm:  [ASSEMBLY GOES THROUGHT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:39 pm:  [CHANT:  WE! ARE! THE NINETY NINE PERCENT!].

7:40 pm:  [MEMBERS PUT IN THEIR NONVIOLENCE STATEMENTS].

7:41 pm, Tuk and James:  Discussion:  This Saturday's Themed GA is at 1 pm, and the theme will be 'How to stay connected to each other even if we disagree'...

7:42 pm, Tuk:  ...as we were [at Facilitations]... ...all around the table [were] feelings of [distrust]... ...the movement was dwindling instead of growing... ...picking up that negativity was around that... ...and yet I felt like it was being pulled apart.

7:44 pm, James:  ...I've been gone for two months... ...while away I thought of... ...the family we had... ...taken off guard in terms of stories... ...and seeing people that I know and people that I know... ...what happened to solidarity and maybe... ...it could be...

7:45 pm, Tuk:  ...talk about experiences you've had... ...what we can do about it and... ...

7:46 pm, James:  ...in two words the topic could be 'Trust' and 'Solidarity'...

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSION

[ONE GROUP WAS SUGGESTED, ALL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS].

7:49 pm, ...it's like I don't even want to go to GA because like everyone is arguing and so angry with each other...

7:50 pm, Leo:  I'd like to ask, does anyone come from a really big family?  I think that's important... ...I study society and... ...oh my brother this is a family... ...May I do something, I've been studying women and I found that it's a job. I have to go to the information specialist. I've been studying women because it is International Women's Month, I study Carribean women, Rosa Guy and her 'Love and Sex Trilogy'... ...[ SHE READS FROM THE BOOK 'The Woman, the Writer, Caribbean Society']. You want to get away girl? I'll never stop you if you don't want to stay but remember you can keep your hands on your hips tap your feet... ...use every four letter word... and until you decide that you are a person and you can make choices and fight for them / you will never count... Which one is right? What the books now say or what we utter in the peasant newness of this settlement? We are lost here, have not found the words to utter our newness, a strangeness, our unfound being. Our clothes are strange, our food is strange, our names are strange. And it is not possible for anyone to coach or help us. Our utterance can only come roaring out of our mouths when it is ready, set, and can go.

7:54 pm, A Man:  ...people coming here... ...into the movement... ...builds the hostility...

7:55 pm, Another Man:  ...but like not being a part of the camp as a resident has, for me, a barrier. It took me a while to get used to it... ...like the M1GS movement... ...some people who either lost their jobs or were jobless when the Occupation already started... ...both are going to have to be viable because we need all of those people... ...we need to find ways to accept all of those people... ...but we need to call them out... ...not just because... ...reformist... ...but in order for this to go forward for more than a year or two years then all of those people need to come forward.

7:57 pm, Candace:  ...the ListServe... ...fighting with each other on the Internet, and now that we don't have a camp its just like people fighting with each other on the Internet... ...so then there's a clickish element in the movement... ...If you're someone that just came into... ...and you don't know what M1GS is... ...stay in the movement...

7:59 pm, A Man:  ...if we don't do it now we're all going to pay... ...God Bless you guys. Stay together...

8:01 pm, A Man:  ...whoever got the pizza, I want to say 'Thank You'. [APPLAUSE]... ...if we take time to look at people for their perpective... ...like a lot of the GAs were going good... ...we need to take our shit and leave it at home because... ...the movement... ...going on...

8:15 pm, Another Man:  ...remind everybody that we're not here to label ourselves... ...we're here to

8:16 pm, Tai: ...you know me. I've been an Occupier since... ...the point and you don't understand the poin... ...well, we have Freedom School... ...if you want some political clarity then come to 118 Winston Street between 1 and 6 pm, on Sundays.

8:19 pm, Richard:  ...who cares the LAPD... ...someone thought I was an infiltrator, it doesn't build clarity and it doesn't help the movement... ...the tributaries, the little side arguments that divide us... ...because we're not here to talk about 'Creationism' or the Creator... ...we should not... ...arguments... ...try not to blow up because it just makes more blow ups... ...

8:10 pm, Leo:  We need a PHD communication...

8:11 pm, Patrick:  What we're all trying to do is attempting to ... ...and values. In attempting that people... ...try to attack it... ...We're in a society... ...the property that they own and the barcodes that they're scanning, and we don't want to be that... ...as more of us are getting arrested and we're not understanding. It's very difficult... ...I saw some people canvassing. I saw Karo and some other and talking about M1GS...

8:14 pm, A Man:  ...I was over at the corner at Pershing Square holding up a sign and usually when you're walking on the streets nobody comes up to you to talk with you... ...it was just fun to have people come up and talk, eye opening.

8:17 pm, Barry:  ...personal arguments and that's what this... ...I've been in many... ...they were called to assemble and... ...in a common voice... ...they begin to accomplish things... ...we also see if our comrades who have been put in jail... ...we should be at those trials and prioritize those...

8:20 pm, A Man:  ...that last proposal that we had... ....[Three Persons Propose Rule]... ...there was like one ounce of criticism and they were [EXPRESSES]... ...we need to think about whether or not it is actually valid...

8:22 pm, Dele:  I hope I can find my voice... ...I don't know if all of you noticed that at the moment we started in this discussion... ...people said that there was no solidarity, no, there is... ...we have become friends and we have become family... ...if we take into... ...that there's something bigger than us... ...Cali she works with... ...and nobody pays her... ...with the same... ...in the same sense that people... ...we gather here in Pershing Square people around the world are looking at us... ...this is not about... ...but the hands of history are upon us.

8:25 pm, Another man:  ...negative energy... ...don't worry about checking your privilege... ...check your energy and cut that off at the roots before it manifests.

8:26 pm, A Man:  ...what is my intention, do I want to connect with people. Do I want friends or enemies?  A lot of what we are revolting against is... ...the people at the top are... ...as we revolt and revolve I wish to encourage people to relate and use that inner dialogue that we have... ...to see that 'How can I understand that person, how can I see it in some other way? The have... ...to make us disagree with each other... ...to say that "Hey why are those people living so well and why are we fighting with each other?" this Saturday is 'Nonviolent Communication', at 1 pm, here at Pershing Square, The 'Themed' GA.

8:29 pm, Another Man:  ...have political clarity... ...we need more consolidation... ...believe that's going to happen... ...there are different reasons why some people are here... ...I love the fact that... ...How can we stay in solidarity when we disagree with each other? A lot of people have hurt... ...an how that actually affects how we interact with each other... ...listening to this conversation we have to expand on our 'Principles of Solidarity'... ...I just want to throw that idea out there...

8:20 pm, Patrick:  Okay on Saturday were going to continue this discussion...

PROPOSAL

8:21 pm, Patrick:  ...[READS]... ...[HANDS IT TO TUK]... This is to be read at the next 3 GAs... ...We acknowlege the existence of professional activists who... ...we expect you to make known that affiliation... ...anyone making a proposal or 'hard blocking' then [PATRICK: give us your affiliates].

ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:25 pm, Patrick: we have a show, the final close out time is at 4:30 on Thursday OLA@googlegroups.com and then the next day is April 1st...

8:27 pm, :  I'm forming a group for Bradley Manning... ...I put a working group together. Come see me on the side.

8:29 pm, Candace:  Artwalk is going to come up in the next two weeks... ...M1GS... ...make videos and 'Why People Are Going to Strike'... ...really try to make it go viral. Anybody that makes a video that tells people  'Why People Are Going to Strike' it really gets people to go and strike... ...and Occupy Boycott Shell is still going on...

8:31 pm, Barry:  Friday at noon, those cafeteria workers... ...Sunday, [Hector adds] from Crenshaw and Exposition at 2 pm will march to Leimert Park... ...and Friday a march for the [Trayvon Martin]...

8:32 pm, A Woman... ...percent all cases on the Port Action have been dropped...

8:33 Vanessa:  This Saturday an event 'All in for the Ninety Nine Percent' all day at 10:30, at 400 South La Brea... ...star studded thing... ...I will be reading, Elise Whitaker, [NAMES SEVERAL OTHERS]... ...We'd like to see a lot of Occupiers there. I really feel like I'm walking into the Lion's Den... ...[A WOMAN:  Also she said, Val Kilmer is going to be there].

8: 35 pm, Braydon, OccupyLosAngeles.TV, Media Committee:  I would like to call attention to a paper on the Internet 'Generating Equality and Eliminating Poverty, the Swedish Way'. http://nber.org/papers/w4945

8:36 pm, Ryan:  This Saturday here, there is an Easter egg hunt. But I don't know if you want to make radical Easter Eggs like 'no school' inside the eggs…

 

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