Read Minutes

Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 7:45pm

Body:

Moderator: Lucetta Introduction greeting Welcome newcomers How many are Occupying?

 

crowd applause Translation announcements

 

spanish translation and sign language available

 

Announcements: Mario Endorsements and support for Occupy LA Teachers, support and donate 5,000$ Good Jobs LA, donate 200 blankets and supplies

 

Request for people who have been at the occupation to step up and speak: Lucky, encourages 9-5 working people to come out and join when not at work. Deven, request help setting up area for children. Blade of Grass, is here for a food revolution. Chris, is here to take back his country. Regina, is creating an Indigenous alliance. Ryan, wants people to be aware of pending trade agreement proposals.

 

Assembly hand signal and proposal submissions review: Esteban Hand signals reviewed If you have a proposal, we need to know

 

What are you proposing? How you plan to implement your proposal? Why it is in the interest of Occupy LA?

 

Committee reports and updates:

 

Web Team: Dan web team is working on setting up wifi web team meeting at 9:30 a.m. every day at Media Tent

 

Arts and Education: Planning event for Saturday, meeting at 10:00Media Team: Joe Request for people to be aware of the image they are presenting to reporters Request for submissions to Occupy LA Times newsletter project

 

Outreach: Lee Thanking those who participated on thursdays march The Outreach Committee is working with the Print Media Collective to produce Occupy LA print material, flyers, posters, info pamphlet. Available at Welcome Tent

 

Objectives: Mat Has box for suggestions meeting 5:30 p.m. south steps

 

Actions: Alise Friday 11:30-1:00 we will have some city employes joining us for lunch. meeting at 5:00 p.m. friday

 

Indigenous Peoples: Regina Request for list of Groups that have formed to date at Occupy LA

 

Print Media: Kat Accepting cloth donations at Print Lab Request people respect the Print Lab Tools meeting 5:00 friday at Print Lab

 

Welcome: Request representatives from groups to volunteer at welcome tent Request for tables, chairs, lights and bins for dropped off donations Reminder to allow 4 foot clearance for disabled people and saftey Have Lots of items available, print and supplies like blankets

 

Keeping it real: Lee Has map for organized tent formation.

 

Civic Engagement: Jeff Workshop at 9:00 a.m. tuesday meeting at 6:00 Welcome Tent

 

Zero Waste: Jeremy Making signs for bins

 

city has dropped off recycle bins and dumpsters Request for everyones help keeping grounds clean meeting after GA

 

Research and education: Bradley Doing legal history sign up at Welcome Tent to get involved

 

Food: Anastasia Request for drivers needs volunteers, 4 hours each shift to work the Food Tent. meeting 6:00 p.m. Food Tent

 

Facilitation: Would like people to make a 1 week commitment to learn process meeting 5:30 everyday debrief after GA

 

Poem is Read Individual announcements

 

Bike repair station has been set up, bike sharing being developed Announcement about anti war protest Justice for janitors workshop Growth of Occupy Movement to 700 groups

 

Proposals

 

Actions: Proposal for Occupy LA members to attend attend war protest friday

 

Reached Consensus Proposal for Occupy LA members to distribute flyers on LA Metro and street corners

 

Reached Consensus Proposal for Occupy LA members to pass out flyers to cyclists on sundays event

 

Reached Consensus Proposal for Occupy LA members to go to Beverly Hills on October 15

 

receives 15 hard blocks discussion

 

Proposal tabled Proposal to have a rally to take back air waves

 

Proposal tabled

 

Indigenous Peoples: Proposal for Occupy LA members to join anti Columbus day march

 

Proposal tabled Proposal to have badges made for Occupy LA Media Team

 

Reached Consensus

 

Keeping it real: Proposal to Organize tents

 

Reached Consensus Occupy LA General Assembly October 6, 2011 closed

 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - 7:00pm

Body:

Minutes for OccupyLA General Assembly 10/4/2011

 

 

Facilitators: Arturo and Anastasia

Stack Takers: Mike, Louis

Runner: Mike

Note Taker: Brian

 

Arturo – Welcome and explanation of the order of the meeting. Beginning of Committee Reports

 

Rudy – Medical Cmt. - I live off less than minimum wage so this is personal for me! If you have any medical issues, come to our tent. We need:

-thick 30 gallon trash bags to help people stay dry

-Ice for sprains, like one bag per day, and bags to put the ice in

-a rolling cabinet for supplies

-head lamp for medical work after dark

From diabetes to headaches, just come by. If you are sick with a contagious disease, please stay in your tent or go home. Remember to sanitize your hands.

 

Anastasia and Rob – demonstration of hand signals for interacting in the

 

Nicki Marquez - Representative from Justice for Janitors - speaking in Spanish with a translator – Representing the thousands of janitors that clean the downtown office buildings. Thank you to the 20 of you who came out to our march to demand justice for the County Workers. When there is a fight, the janitors will stand in solidarity with you! An injury to one is an injury to all!

 

Arturo – Begins discussion of the consensus process.

-Reads the agenda:

Committee Reports

Committee Proposals

Proposals from individuals

Open Mic.

Please join the committees, they need your help

 

Anastasia and Rob – Demonstrate and explain the hand gestures for communicating in the general assembly.

-Applause is raised hands, wiggling fingers

-Agreement is a wave

-Point of clarification is to raise two fingers

-Disagreement is wave hand up and down in front of you face

-Hard Block indicates that you cannot participate in the action or that the action being suggested violates the points of unity or solidarity of the movement and is shown by crossing your arms over your head.

 

Arturo – Committee updates and proposals, during this process, get on the stack with the stack takers if you have something you want to say

 

Anastasia – We want to read the Points of Solidarity of the Occupy Wall Street General Assembly.

“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 individuals’ 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 human right; and

  • Endeavoring to practice and support wide application of open source.”

 

Matt – Demands Committee

-Demands Committee will change their name to the Objectives Committee

-Similar ideas in the web docuements will be linked by tagging them

-Objectives Committee will formulate objectives into more concise language on an ongoing basis

-Get familiar with the demands from other Occupations

-Meetings will be daily at 5:30p by the portapotties and then move to find a quieter spot

 

Felipe – Comment on the questions that people in the GA may have, maybe we should ask questions during the open mic and only do points of clarification right now. No consensus reached.

 

Cheryl – Welcome Committee and Accessibility Committee

-Please sign onto the lists of committee meetings at the welcome tent. We also have supplies list which we need. We have some tents and tarps, some sleeping bags, sleeping mats, box of underwear, ponchos, etc. Welcome tent moves sometimes, but come find us.

-Accessible 24hr bathroom across the street. Need to put cones up near tripping hazards.

 

Ryan – Comment/Announcement

-Showers will be available from people volunteering their homes, contact Ryan

 

Evan – Print Media

-Giant Map and Schedule will be posted on paper at the Welcome tent. We may be able to hook up a nationwide print contract with a printer to make this way cheaper.

 

Callie – Finance Committee

-Portapotties are still available and will continue. Also if you know of an organization that can offer us a tax shelter please come to the Welcome tent.

-Money donations: checks payable to OccupyLA but may take time, or you can make checks out to individuals you know in the area. Also, you can make payments to the Paypal Account on occupyla.org

-Physical donations should be mailed to

OccupyLA

c/o UPS Store

645 W. 9th St.

Unit 110-253

Los Angeles, CA 90015

-We know that tax shelters do limit some political actions. Discuss later.

 

______ – Welcoming Committee feels disorganized, but can we start taking a count of how many people are here?

 

Cheryl – Please bring your resources and offers of projects to help out to Welcome tent.

 

Rob – Education/Arts/Entertainment Committee

-We want to collect donations of cold weather gear to send to Occupy Wall Street in solidarity because it is so cold there.

-We meet after GA beside the steps and we need to have help to share responsibilities.

 

Jarrod – Going to NYC this weekend, let me know if I can help bring supplies.

 

Kei – Southern Poverty Law Center is an antiracist organization that monitors white supremacist groups around the country. I want to donate copies of their magazine to the OccupyLA.

 

Kendal – I am a knitter, lets knit for NY!

 

_____ - Civic Engagement Committee

-City Council Meeting tomorrow and City Councilman Eric Garcetti will be introducing a resolution in support of OccupyLA at 9:00a.

-Training on making public comment tomorrow

-Saturday, social and economic justice organizations are invited to table on Saturday starting at 9am. Bring tables and chairs (we don't have any to spare)

-Next committee meeting is 6:30p at the welcome tent

 

_____ - Make Banks Pay! Join SEIU to protest tomorrow at 12:00p at Bankers Plaza

 

Daniel – Media Committee

-We need Volunteers!!!

 

_____ - Public Relations Committee – Outreach

-Decent local news coverage, police called us peaceful. Media requests have been coming in. Need volunteers.

-We will be doing a media spokesperson training

-Next meeting every day at 6:00p at the welcome tent

-450 people are watching us on livestream!!! Tables of information are being set up

-Next Meeting is 6:00p at the welcome tent with the Public Relations committee.

 

[The Committee Against Police Brutality (CAPB) approached the microphone to give their update]

 

Cheryl – The Committee Against Police Brutality is not a recognized committee.

 

[arguing, eventually CAPB approaches the mic]

 

Alejandra – Committee Against Police Brutality

-We have been building a facebook group.

-We have been meeting and planning for workshops on know your legal rights, defending yourself, Secure Communities program against immigrants, historical studies of police interventions in social movements, outreach to various communities that are targetted by police brutality.

We want to establish transparent and accountable communications with the police liaison committee.

 

Paul – I joined the Committee Against Police Brutality facebook group, asked questions critical of the committee and got banned.

 

[arguing]

 

Gray – I consider this a very dangerous committee. The police have been very cooperative with us.

 

[crowd members ask “what's your question?”]

 

Gray – My question is what would a police officer think if they saw this facebook page?

 

Arturo – No preconditions have been set on committees as I understand it. We will continue with the agenda and the process

 

Rob – Should this be discussed here at GA? Peoples' minds change through discussion.

 

Arturo – More questions for the committee?

 

Lee – As CAPB, what will you be doing?

 

[crowd members “they already said what they would do”]

 

____ - Do we want all committees to have to be under the GA or can they be separate?

 

Calisa – If the FB has “OccupyLA” in it, we need to vote on it here at GA

 

Alejandra – CAPB

-We put together this group to discuss actions and plans

 

Anastasia – If you put “OccupyLA” next to the name of your committee on the Facebook page, you need to bring it to GA

 

Francis – Why do you have a right to kick someone off the CAPB OccupyLA facebook page?

 

Kwazi – Point of Process. The difficulty here is that the facilitation committee lost its members and notes. New people volunteered and are learning about the process. Move this to the facilitation committee to decide how to proceed.

 

Alma – We are taking a lot of time here. The majority of GA agrees with the trainings we proposed. The CAPB will go and meet and discuss what has happened here and your concerns. When we have an update we will bring it to the GA. The next CAPB meeting will be after GA on Thursday.

 

Cole – Security Committee-Please

-The security committee only exists to assist and we heard that there was a concern that one of us went into someones tent and that should never happen. We assure you we will not do that. Thank you.

 

Sergio – Education Committee

-Next meeting is at the palm tree by the street in front of these steps after GA. We will be building a workshop schedule to bring us in.

 

_____ - Action Committee

-Roberto de la Cruz of SEIU wanted us to know they stand with us. We will be forming teams to conduct outreach at Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles City College, and Loyola Marymount.

-Los Angeles County Action Network fights fro Human rights for the homeless, and are inviting us to attend their “Counter-Safety Walk” to counter the “Safety March” of an anti-homeless gentrification organization. It will begin at 5:00p at the corner here and then march to the LACAN office on Wednesday

-Friday will be an antiwar protest on the 10 year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan at the Federal Building

-We would like to propose an action in solidarity with the 10/15 Global Day of Action for the occupation movement. Occupy Rodeo Drive.

-Next meeting will be at 5p at the bottom of the stairs here.

 

Arturo – We will decide on each proposal during the Proposal Section once the Committee Reports are complete

 

Doniel – Web Team

-4p tomorrow there will be a meeting of the “Committee of Committees” where we will discuss getting a committee page up on the website for announcements and updates. Also indvidual blogs can be created by anyone once they register on the website.

-We are planning to get a wifi hotspot

-We are also planning a Twitter training at the media tent at 9:30a at the media tent tomorrow

 

_____ - Peoples' Community Committee

-If worse comes to worst, what can we do as a group to stay safe? We want to plan Know Your Rights trainings, and spaces for testimonials, and experiences about experiences with police. We are working with the Committee to End Police Brutality.

 

Anastasia – Thats good. It looks like you're not just trying to cause trouble.

 

Steve – Keeping it Real Committee

-We want to build community and build better relationships with each other. We will meet three times a day and work with other committees to keep it real.

 

Lucero – Rise and Shine Committe

-Exercise group in the morning before breakfast.

-Next meeting 8:00a at the breakfast table

 

Anastasia – Food Committe

-2nd day working with offsite kitchen.

-Need volunteers to do dishes and to transport the food.

-Starting tomorrow, no more disposable plates or utensils

-Next meeting at food tent after GA

 

Arturo – Now for individual proposals

 

Megan – We are all angry. Breathe. Occupy Tulsa has posted a really inspiring message about how to make contributions to the movement without bringing our egos into the discussions. If you are here to disrupt or sabotage us, it will be your shame.

 

Joe – Gives presentation of policy proposals and will continue working with the demands committee

 

_____ - Keep communications uniform please, hard blocks are about fundamental ethical issues.

 

_____ - Security

-Meet behind the bus stop now

 

Mike – Antiwar meeting tomorrow

-Protest Wells Fargo CEO's house tomorrow. The bus will arrive here at 4:30 to pick people up.

 

Hosana – Please support a movement to decertify the Federal Reserve system.

 

______ - Railroad workers United has voted to endorse OccupyLA

 

Lucero – Can smokers please smoke by the sidewalk to spare those of us who are sensitive to the smoke from having to breathe it.

 

Anastasia - Ron Paul supporters will be here at 10a on Saturday, but make sure that they are not able to astroturf us.

 

______ - Anecdote “There has never been a revolution in the U.S. Because we can't get over our sectarian bullshit.”

 

Conrad – Starting Study group for real discussion about political issues.

 

Alejandra – Committee Against Police Brutality

-There is a flier circulating with our names and pictures on it saying we are provocateurs and pushing us out so the police can target us that are in the committee.

 

Candace – I think it is really easy to talk about peace and love but if we will be treating each other like the way we are treating this committee, we aren't going anywhere.

Saturday, October 1, 2011 - 7:30pm

Body:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 01, 2011

 

 

GA 10/1/11

Welcoming statement. Emphasized patience, love, acceptance, moving forward
together.

Consensus of 9/30/11 GA

         1) we agreed to respond nonviolently to police aggression to that we
will cross our arms open our hands w/palms up & chant: we are peaceful!!!

         2) we created an assembly to discuss our demands & bring to GA for
final approval.  Anybody can join with regular schedule day & time.

         3)conceptual presentation about how this new thing works

             a)experiment on collective thought-

             b)popular assembly

             c)proposal's most contain 3 parts

                         1)what

                         2)why

                         3)how



             d)hand signals

                         1)fingers

                         2)block over heard =strong objection

                         3)roller hands -wrap up

                         4)compress hands over head- shorten what you're
saying

                         5)hand in front of face & wave=disagree but willing
to move forward



         Group updates-

             Arts & entertainment-

             Media & Video team-Joe-

             The white tent on the west side of the lawn is the media
consolidation center. If you have experience please join us. Live stream with
NY to collaborate w/them.  Transit system is giving us 60 seconds every hour
on all transit TV. NY's media team is being targeted frequently by the
police, so be aware that they are putting their asses on the line

         Demands team-Julia

             15-20 members have already met. Some ideas for possible demands:
legalization, education for all, no police oppression.  Not set in stone,
these will be debated.  To be debated by the people.  On the website
occupylosangeles.org there is a list of demands.  This process is meant for
all to participate in. Demands team will meet tomorrow at 5:30 pm on the
northwestern corner of the south lawn by the palm trees.

         Facilitation committee-Esteban

         Will meet on the corner 1st & spring 11am & 5:30pm before the GA
@7:30. We are open to all. We discuss & formuate process & developing
collective thought & consensus.

         Security Committee

         Security will help to prevent police action.  Anybody interested to
help out it is direly needed & much appreciated. Meet behind the fountain
tomorrow.  Question:  what do we do to protect ourselves?  Cross hands over
face & repeat chant:we are peaceful. Non violent procedure will meet at
flagpole tonight after GA.

         Announcement from Food Not Bombs

Bring own plate & fork or put forks in bucket for wash.

Compost set up-come see me at table.  More food available.

contact woody 707-616-1571 woodycycle@gmail.com

         Finance-Kelly

         Thank everybody who donated today. Meeting tomorrow at 1pm. Everyone
is welcome to come.  UPS addres: this is where all over the world can send
nonperishable  food,

UPS Store

Attn: Occupy Los  Angeles

645 W.   9th st. unit 110-253

  L.A., CA. 90015

Avail on twitter & website

Civic Engagement-

         Need help~ideally one civic engagement each week. If interested meet
me next to media tent after this meeting.

A Message from the ANSWER coalition

5pm on monday thru financial dist ending at fed blg to protest polic. They
will meet here at city hall. Demand is to drop all chargers for all the
comrades in NYC that were arrested.

SPEAKER- This body and the organizational structure is not represented by all
of L.A. We want to see more people of color.  We must also acknowledge our
privilege.

Print / Media-Evan

         We want to include all the art all fiction and anything you have in
magazine where everyone can be published in a way only the 1% can see. If you
want your work in submissions@manifestmag.com. please submit.  If you want to
be involved in creating & editing, email at the above address.  We will have
meetings in this park at a later date.  also : not enough brown people up
here.



Free Speech:

During free speech, a proposal to make a COLLECTIVE decision to sleep on the
lawn as opposed to following the decision that was made on Thursday's General
Assembly. Arguments were made for either of the two options:

a) Everyone sleeping on the sidewalk and following police directives, except
for those who are willing to risk arrest.

and b) Everyone collectively deciding to sleep on the field in an act of
civil disobedience



It was eventually decided that we would choose option a, though it must be
strongly emphasized that this was a rough consensus and not unanimous.

Friday, September 30, 2011 - 7:00pm

Body:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 


Facilitation committee

Review of concepts:
Collective Thought (active listening/”you and I”)
Popular Assembly (free association/respect)
Consensus (Direct Consensus/Indirect Consensus).
--Methods of assessing no consensus.
---If there is a blockage (minor amount), the facilitation team will consult the blockage
and consider validity of the blockage.
Proposals: how, what, why
Structured Discussion (3 comments in favor vs 3 comments opposed: 90 seconds per;
general commentary that is relevant to topic at hand)
Roles: Moderators, stack keepers (keep order of commentary/questions from assembly),
note-taker; rotate every assembly, note-taking, time keeper
Language: No cross-talking/disruptiveness, don’t make things personal, no foul language.
Symbology: new method of indicating “I don’t agree, but I am willing to move on” (hand
waving over face), new method of requesting clarification/proposal (2 fingers in the air)

UPDATES FROM COMMITTEES
Food prep: still looking for kitchen to use, church near by turned us down to cook, though
they will feed everyone at 7:00 every night if we so choose. Donations are
accepted/encouraged.

City Council meeting his morning. city council members seemed to be in agreement, city
council member Richard Alacon(?) told LAPD if we’re arrested in a violent manner
LAPD will be held responsible. Richard A. will be attending Saturday to observe.

Security: still in need of more security volunteers.

Arts: in need of people to share profound stories that are relevant to the cause. First
people speaking will be occupiers. Diversity encouraged.

Civic Engagement: Official committee to work on education for attendees. Classes
suggestions/considerations (civic community problem solving, volunteer work,
organization membership drive, fundraising, voting, contacting officials/media,
protesting/petitioning/boycotting/etc.)

Facilitation: meet 2 hours before every GA to discuss evolution of GA organization.
Spring and 1st lawn of City Hall, 10/01 5:30.

Accessibility: requesting volunteers to assist.

Logistics: needs safe house coordinator, sanitation needs volunteers. Sign up sheet will be
at welcome tent of N Lawn. Need donation point-person from 10:00 until about 1:00
@Pershing Square.

(Thursday a permit should be acquired for sound.)

COMMITTEE PROPOSALS

Starting march approx 11:00, no more than one hour.
Marching Root (Logistics): (A) through financial district (less populated) (B) up
Broadway (more populated)

Points added: More people/more attention through Broadway. More opportunities to
approach people. Signs should be bilingual.

**Decision: consensus. decision to go Broadway route.**
**********

Response to Violence (Logistics): If we see violence, react by simultaneously sitting
down to draw attention to the person committing the violence and to disengage from the
violence visually.

Points added: sit down with hands up/”agree” motion. Chant “peace” while sitting. If
fighting is within our group, treat differently so it’s not brought to attention of police.
Maintain security from police, we want to be able to expose their violence but address
internal violence and stop it. Suggestion to shout “media” for police violence, and to
shout “peace” when internal and to rush in to de-escalate.

Renewed proposal: When there is violence observed, sit with hands up and chant
“Peace”.

Temperature check: 13 blocks/oppositions. 5 minutes taken to discuss.

Counter proposal: Police will beat you when you’re down. Cross arms with peace
symbols to cover face, stay standing.

Temperature check: Still a significant amount of blocks.

Counter proposal: (A) internal violence warrants immediate attempt to de-escalate, if
unsuccessful chant “be cool” gradually getting louder. Outside violence (authorities)
crossing arms/peace symbols.
(B) Simply say: “We are nonviolent”
(C ) Internal violence, people immediately nearby try to physically move in between
them and move them aside. Sitting down may be means for a distraction, media could
spin it negatively.

Renewed proposal: shout “media” for police violence (crossing arms/peace symbols),
shout “peace” for internal violence.

Temperature check: 2 blocks.

Points added: Handle violence on a case by case basis, consistent signals cannot be
realistic. Single proposal for police brutality, rather.

Renewed proposal: specifically for shouting “media” and crossing arms/peace symbols
towards police violence.

Points added: vulnerable for fingers to be broken (peace symbols), no hands on anyone
because it’s considered assault. Consider appearing as nonviolent as possible. Protect
face with crossed-arms motion, also having some sort of security ID with enough bodies,
presenting security classes.

Renewed proposal: Protect by blocking face, yell “Media” to draw attention.
Points added: renew proposal to say “we are nonviolent”. Open hands, fists might be
taken wrong. Open hands with palms up b/c police cannot say there is something in your
hand.

Proposal: stand with hands open faced and arms crossed in front, chant not specified yet.
Points added: group together when police violence happens, stand with crossed open face
palms.

Temperature check: existing blocks. Concern regarding leaving a person being beaten
alone, clarification that this isn’t to leave them alone but to bring attention to it.

Points added: family/friends should step in if someone gets violent.
Proposal: group together when police violence happens, stand with crossed open face
palms.

**Temperature check: consensus on proposal.**
*******

Proposal for chant: “we are nonviolent”
Temperature check: Hard blocks.

Counter proposal: “The world is watching”
Points added: “we are peaceful” puts out a direct and nonviolent message, media team
can take it as a signal.
Counter proposal: “We are peaceful” vs “we are nonviolent”

**Temperature check: appears to be a tie between the two, consensus finally met on “we
are peaceful” for chant.**

***So far….consensus on marching down Broadway. Consensus on standing with open-
faced palms and chanting “we are peaceful” when met with police brutality.***

Committee updates (cont)
FINANCE – If a donation is offered to someone who is not on finance, direct them to

Finance committee member .

Proposal: create a list of organizations we want to work with.
Points added: there are organizations that may corrupt the message if they don’t fall in
line with our philosophy. 99% concept gets muddled.
**Proposal tabled due to time constraints**

INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS

What: Demands committee to bring suggestions to GA
How: Discuss demands/goals
Why: We need organization and space to discuss potential goals/demands

Points added: OccupyWallStreet has demands stated. Coordinate with them/be conscious
of global movement. Including individual local characteristics (California). Cannot be our
sole responsibility to come up with demands of thousands of people to come.

Renewed Proposal: Demands Assembly to coordinate about issues that we’re occupying
to address. Coordinates global movement/local needs to present them to GA.
**Temperature check: consensus**

Thursday, September 29, 2011 - 7:00pm

Body:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

 

INTRODUCTION:

Welcomed new members, introduced hand signals, read Occupy Wall Street terms of unity out loud, explained format for the consensus process.

 

CITY LIAISON COMMITTEE:

Came to the general assembly with pressing news from their meeting earlier today with representatives from the LAPD and other members of city government. They requested prior to tonight's GA that this item be placed first on the agenda.

 

·       At the meeting with the city, they were informed that if we choose to sleep, lay or sit on the sidewalk after 9pm then we will be arrested.

·       This information contradicts what they had told us yesterday, wherein they said we would be safe from arrest so long as we did not sleep on the lawn.

·       Our legal counsel is currently trying to figure out precedents by looking at case law, but it seems as though we actually do have the right to sleep on the sidewalk. Through fair application of law, we as a first amendment group have the same right to sleep on the street that downtown LA's homeless population does.

·       However, it must be noted that the City Liaison Committee could not say with absolute certainty whether it was legal or illegal at this point in time. More research is being done presently.

·       While the committee acknowledged that it cannot forcefully prevent anyone from getting arrested if they commit civil disobedience, they advised against risking arrest at this particular time because we do not have a bond or sufficient financial backing.

·       We will also be facing a number of street closures on the first day of the occupation on account of the CPAB happening on the same day. Spring to Main street will be closed off on 1st, and 1st to 2nd will be closed off on Main street.

·       By Thursday, most of these concerns should be a non-issue, as we will ideally have permits and the sidewalks will be closed for our use.

 

Proposals:

Given this information, the committee introduced a proposal to the General Assembly. It consisted of two main parts, which we later decided to address as two separate proposals:

 

1.     We hold a press conference tomorrow to express openly that we know our rights and we plan to continue the occupation. We also use this as an opportunity to pressure the city to make a settlement with us and allow our group to sleep on the sidewalks.

2.     If there is no settlement, then we replace our plans to camp out with a march or moving candlelit vigil. We still have a presence 24 hours a day, but we will divide ourselves into shifts for marching from 9pm-6am. Logistics committee will be tasked with organizing these shifts.

 

The floor opened to questions for clarification. These were answered by the committee.

Q: Will we get arrested if we get off the sidewalk? What if we need to sit down to rest (especially those with disabilities)?

A: If you need to sit down for reasons of exhaustion, it shouldn't be a problem. Just get up if the police ask you to. Don't give them any reasons to arrest you and they hopefully won't.

 

Q: Given that we have new information about tents not being ok to have on the sidewalk at night, are tents still ok on the lawn during the day?

A: Our legal team is still determining this. We'll get back to you ASAP.

 

We decided to put the press conference proposal aside temporarily and begin discussion on the second proposal about marching in shifts during the nighttime. The motion was then put to the floor. The following is a summation of the arguments for and against the motion.

 

There were numerous strong blocks.

Block #1: Renewed concerns about location

·       This individual felt as though this recent news was another sign that we should change our location. He expressed that we should re-open the debate on where we conduct this action, not only for logistical purposes but for clarity in expressing our occupation as being against corporate finance, not the LA city government.

·       Response from City Liaison Committee: We had come to a consensus on City Hall as the main occupation site in a prior meeting. We made commitments to people about having our action at this space. We've been advertising it and distributing flyers. That said, we will be using City Hall as a hub and intend to conduct many excursions to financial institutions around Los Angeles.

 

Block #2: Some strongly believe that it is indeed within our rights to sleep on the sidewalk

·       A representative from the LA Community Action Network came to the front to discuss his organization's history in working with laws related to sleeping on the sidewalk. He asserted that it is legal for us to sleep there, and we should not be concerned with what the LAPD has told us in our most recent meeting with them.

·       There was another block that repeated this sentiment, adding that if we don't buckle to the police's threats of arrest then we will have strength in numbers.

 

Block #3: This is an act of civil disobedience and risking arrest is part of the process.

·       One individual noted that we have already sought a great deal of collaboration with the LAPD and they have done nothing but make things increasingly difficult for us. This person's opinion is that the police department's actions have not been in the spirit of cooperation, so we should respond by engaging in peaceful non-cooperation.

·       Numerous historical references were brought up related to the flooding of jails during the civil rights movement during the freedom rides and other actions. Some argued these tactics could still be implemented successfully.

·       The city liaison committee affirmed that they cannot stop people from participating in this kind of action, but they advised not to.

 

There were also statements in support for the motion.

Statement of support #1: Holding off on arrests projects a more welcoming image

·       This individual asserted that Occupy LA needs to start a process that a lot of members in the community can relate to and become a part of. Opening up the demonstration with a series of arrests before we bring serious numbers to the movement could disengage a lot of people from participating in our cause because they would deem it unsafe.

 

Statement of support #2: Members of our group with special circumstances can be safe

·       Certain individuals who are a part of our movement that may have concerns about being arrested due to immigration status or standing with the law. It would be more hospitable for them to be able to come into this occupation knowing they are not endangered.

·       It also is more appealing to the elderly and those with children.

 

A temperature check showed that the assembly was split fairly evenly and we could not reach a consensus, so we took a break to discuss and reformulate proposals. A new proposal was introduced in place of the original:

·       We will decide if we would like to collectively sleep on the sidewalk or collectively march around City Hall at the general assembly meeting at 7pm on Saturday based on an assessment of our numbers and the decision of the participants in the GA.

 

This also received a block.

Block #1: We must be able to tell people what they're getting into before it starts

·       Unless other people can plug into the process, we'll be alienating them. We must make decisions about the character of the action in order to clearly communicate to the 99% that we are organized, and we must do this before the occupation starts.

 

In response, another motion was put on the floor.

·       We will be having a moving demonstration around city hall each night from 9pm-6am for each night until we have the proper permits. This will coordinated by the logistics team. Those who choose to camp out against the warnings of the LAPD are free to do so. A system of mutual support will be present between all of us.

 

After some debate, the motion passed with zero blocks.

 

Next, the City Liaison Committee returned to their proposal of having a press conference tomorrow to express our intent. The motion received multiple blocks and we eventually came to a consensus that we would not host the press conference. Instead, we would send a message directly to the Los Angeles police, reading as such:

·       "We, Occupy Los Angeles, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and public space nonviolent occupations all over the world, will be maintaining a presence at City Hall starting Saturday, October 1st."

 

 

MORE GROUP UPDATES

MEDIA--> VIDEO TEAM:

·       Four shorts for Transit TV have been completed.

·       We need support for setting up the live stream because the person who previously filled that role is no longer with us. This person has to be able to know how to operate a Blackberry like a camera.

·       We need money to set up a 4G account.

MEDIA--> PRINT:

·       More flyers have been printed. New Spanish language flyers are also available.

 

MEDIA--> WEB:

·       The website needs more contributors! Please contact the web team through the forum to get access so you can post videos and other content.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS:

·       We've been landing interviews with reporters and various news outlets. People have been doing interviews in both English and Spanish.

 

LOGISTICS--> FOOD:

·       We cannot cook on site, so we are currently looking for locations nearby or accessible via metro where the food team can use a kitchen.

LOGISTICS--> SUPPLY:

·       Request for donations at the thread on the forums. If you or someone you know can drive to deliver supplies, please post on the forum.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

·       Committees need to submit proposals for things that need funding. Please contact ward.matt.a@gmail.com

ARTS TEAM:

·       We will have permits to use amplified sound starting October 6th

·       On the first day of the occupation, we will be performing JFK's "free society" speech using the people's mic.

·       We are currently collecting a list of names, skills, instruments that can be donated for the cause

·       Proposal that we eventually develop a campaign to keep Occupy Wall Street warm by raising money or donating clothing for the people in NYC.

 

MEDICAL:

·       Basic medical and CPR training will be available to anyone who is willing to donate their time and become a field medic while on site.

·       If anyone with medical experience is interested in joining the medical team, please have them contact occupy LA.

 

RESEARCH:

·       The information that we circulate amongst our occupation is key, as it will inform what we say to the world. If you'd like to help out with compiling reading lists, documentaries, etc. that could help us become a better informed movement, please contact bradleyamaxwell@gmail.com

 

SECURITY:

·       Security is in need of more people! They will be giving a brief presentation at the beginning and end of the next GA.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

·       One person commented on a stronger need to organize skill shares, workshops.

·       The KPFK advisory board is meeting soon and needs someone to represent Occupy LA.

·       One individual suggested the development of a support committee to increase support in the surrounding community by forming alliances with various groups.

·       One person mentioned that they have been advertising by using paint markers on their car to write "we are the 99%". They offered markers to other members of Occupy LA.

·       One person announced that they will be advertising for Occupy LA at the critical mass bike ride tomorrow at 7pm and they would love to have some help in advertising the cause.

·       The "Occupy Metro" outreach mission was a success and generated interest. Continued actions like these should be helpful to our cause.

 

Although tonight's meeting may have been tense at times, I just want to say that I'm happy to be working with all of you. Peace!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 6:45pm

Body:
General Assembly Minutes for Meeting on 9/28/11
Facilitator: Anastasia
Secretary: Cole

• General assembly convened
• Newcomers welcomed, applauded
• Tentative change to assembly structure proposed; accepted
- 5 facilitators: 1 primary facilitator (elected) and 4 volunteer facilitators
• Hand signals explained
• Importance of civility and solution-oriented discussion stressed
• Consensus orientation stressed
• Ensuring that multiple 'yes' and multiple 'no' perspectives are heard before all blocked or contentious votes proposed; accepted
• New York General Assembly "Principles of Unity" read
• Summary of previous assembly's consensuses read
• Agenda items to be addressed in assembly discussed

Committee Updates

Finance
• Focus on oversight emphasized
• Independent oversight body proposed
• Assembly informed of current account balance of $450.00
• First request for funding: $50.00 portable wifi hotspot
- 1 objection on account of need for city-mandated port-o-potties
- Objecting assembly member informed of the likelihood that arrangements for port-o-potty donations can be made
• Coordination between Finance and Logistics Committees proposed
• Posting all requests to Finance Committee to online forum 24 hours in advance of approval during the following assembly proposed
***Motion (1) to accomplish the above proposal put forth, PASSED (consensus)***
***Motion (2) to reserve all but the most pressing questions for Committee participants after the assembly put forth, PASSED (consensus)***

Logistics
• Three meals to be provided each day of the occupation. Vegan, vegetarian, and allergen-free upon request
• List of needed supplies now available online

Media
(Social)  
• Suggestion to change personal Facebook middle names to "Occupylosangeles" proposed
***Motion (3) to suggest changing personal Facebook middle names to "Occupylosangeles" to avoid confusion with Occupy Louisiana (LA) put forth, PASSED (consensus)***

Media
(Web)
• Suggestion to use the forum—not mass email—for communication with the assembly
• Schedule of events for organizations in solidarity with the Occupy movement now available online
• Assembly alerted that TWO non-Facebook websites for Occupy Los Angeles are presently being maintained, but that consolidation is immanent

Media
(Video)
• A consolidated media center will be maintained during the occupation
• New York Police Department (NYPD) appears to be targeting Occupy Wall Street's media team; suggestion made to assembly to protect and document videographers and photographers at all times
• Assembly directed to informative YouTube video entitled, "Occupy Los Angeles 09/26/2011"
• Assembly informed that videos produced for the movement and submitted to the Media Committee shall be released under creative commons license for public distribution
• Assembly directed to Joe Michael for video forwarding

Arts & Entertainment
***Movement (4) to postpone presentation so that a particular assembly member may speak before leaving on assembly business put forth, PASSED (consensus)***

Miscellaneous Agenda Items
• Anyone in the park in front of City Hall after 10:00 P.M. is subject to fine or arrest
• Sleeping on the sidewalk surrounding City Hall may be legal between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. (This law is RESTRICTED TO "SKID ROW", according to a representative of the National Lawyer's Guild; more legal consultation advised)
• Suggestion to move the occupation back and forth until ranks grow and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) cedes the use of the park at night to the occupation proposed (applauded)
• On October 1st, 2011, a community event will bring a number of police officers and FBI agents to the park  in front of City Hall
• Meetings with city officials have been characterized mostly by agreeability or non-combativeness on the part of aforementioned officials
• Informed of unverified research indicating that City Hall's sprinkler system activates between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.
• Logistics will continue to present a problem if city authorities are allowed to determine the terms of the occupation (applauded)
• Sidewalk space is large, and will accommodate the occupation for the first weeks
• Intra-assembly security detail is forming
***Motion (5) to begin occupation on Saturday, October 1, 2011 irrespective of law enforcement event put forth, PASSED (dissent, multiple blocks, heated discussion)

Arts & Entertainment
• An open mic, drama, board games, an on-site library, film projections, orations, and a potential art installation proposed
• "Bull Market" piñata solicited
• Amplified sound permit not likely in initial stage of occupation
• Assembly encouraged to bring live insruments
• Roster of guest speakers/artists is forthcoming
• Transit TV company will show spots for Occupy Los Angeles; assembly informed that these will be seen by millions of commuters weekly

Miscellaneous Presentations

Elder activist's presentation
• Assembly advised that asking "permission" from authorities may prove problematic
• Assembly advised that City Hall may be a problematic location
• Assembly advised to be less trusting of police and FBI
• Assembly advised to build coalitions to better represent the entire city of Los Angeles

**New Agenda Items**
—Discussion on 'civil disobedience'
—Discussion on tactics and live streaming: completely transparent, or more discreet?
—Research and discuss Spanish general assembly methodologies, and criticisms thereof

Assembly adjourned.


List of Committees :

Logistics (including Medical, Occupation, Security and Food)
Finance
Media including Social, Video, Web
Liaisons to other occupied cities
PR/Communications/Outreach
Signage (Carl)
Research
Translation
Accessibility/Disabled liaison (Cheryl)
Art/Activism & Cultural/Entertainment

Next GA Tuesday 9/29/11 @ 7pm Pershing Square
Facilitator: Cody (elected 27-16)
Secretary: Andrew (volunteered, consensus)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 6:30pm

Body:

General Assembly Minutes for Meeting on 9/27/11

 

Motion to always use People's Mike because
[1] everyone can hear
[2] it promotes unity
[3] keeps people short and to the point.


---Request to increase accessibility of Facebook page.

 

Updates:

 

Web team: goal is to have one website, currently we have occupyla.org and occupylosangeles.org. Go to either site, the latter holds the forums but the former has a link to the forums. To upload one's own pictures on occupyla.org, one must create a tumblr account.


Also, current concerns about contact list: some say is too accessible, anyone can change it, others say not accessible enough, can't add own information. Also, security of personal information & privacy vs. ease of contacting others. Suggested solution, use forums [on occupylosangeles.org or follow the links from occupyla.org], to discuss, as well as to solicit and volunteer.


As for security of our information, motion to restrict Google Docs editing power to handful of people. Kali, Bonnie, and Joe volunteered [sorry, did not get your emails. Please add to bottom].

Some people have been reporting problems with Google Docs; make sure you are signed in. Try refreshing the page.

 

Social media: lots of traffic & media, need help! Samantha, Oscar, Cheryl [cherylaichele@gmail.com] & Amber to help Herwin [herwinicasiano@gmail.com]. [Sorry, did not get other emails. Please contact Herwin].

 

Video team: Joe & Joe are making a documentary, talk to them in person if you consent to having your image used.
 


Print media: working on acquiring shirts and bandanas! Also, printing up many flyers. Those arrived during meeting and were mostly picked up by the time we left.
 

GA: will be taking steps to train and mentor those interested in helping run the GAs and keep them organized and on-task. A meeting to do so will be held on Wed at 6:00 PM at Pershing Square, immediately before GA.
 

Logistics: need many bodies! Contact Heidi [heidi.sulzdorf@gmail.com] to volunteer. Also currently working on safe-houses [for shelter in case of emergency, and/or for showers]. Have contact for one, possibly two generators. Acquiring supplies such as food, sanitation, first aid, etc.  Food Not Bombs will be providing dinner for us on Saturday 1 Oct 2011, we need a headcount before then.

 

Food: received $100 donation yesterday. Thank you, keep up the good work! Need bodies to help with food prep and acquisition. Contact Anastasia [antithestasia@gmail.com].

 

Police Liaison: meeting is Wed morning at 11:00 AM. Will have update at Wed's GA.

 

Clark Davis to be a scout to ask LAPD to turn off sprinklers at City Hall.

 

PR team: scheduled interviews with KPFK on Thurs and Fri morning at 7:00 AM. Developing 10 points of unity for PR and outreach, will have by Wed or Thurs.

 

Outreach team: working on reaching labor, immigration, prisons, etc. Drafting cover letters to send to organizations. Spanish speakers needed from OccupySF. Email Stacy [stacyswimme@gmail.com]. Working on press release & media package. Email occupyla@gmail.com with media contacts. Translators needed, email Herwin [herwinicasiano@gmail.com].

 

Arts & Entertainment: is handeling signage. Need to ask cops about noise, use of amps.

 

Research team: more members needed! Johnath [universityhills@gmail.com] and Jason [jasonrosencrantz@gmail.com] to join.

 

Accessibility team: email Cheryl [cherylaichele@gmail.com] with special needs.

 

Finance committee: Josh in SD offered non-profit bank account but too much paperwork, fuck it. Personal bank account, so long as doesn't exceed $10,000 bank will not report us to IRS. Need to elect local finance person. Kali & Matt as new members [sorry, need emails]. Credit unions in LA to check out: Los Angeles Credit Union and USC Credit Union.

 

Motion to create Civic Engagement team. 35 for, 6 against.


Point people of each committee to be set by GA on Wed, 28 Sept 2011. 

 

Saturday: meeting at Pershing Square at 10:00 AM, march to arrive at City Hall at noon. Also to have small welcoming committee at City Hall for people who may arrive early, get confused, etc. Notes for Sat: be mindful, no aggression, don't block streets, don't jaywalk, etc. Also: no sticks on signs!

 

Motion to start Saturday occupation with a rally. Play speech JFK gave day before assassination, poetry, performances. Cover pensions for police.

 

Motion to Occupy Metro on Thurs. No time set yet. Focus on talking to people, give them flyers after making a connection. Watch for security. Not technically illegal but can be fined $250 for being disruptive.

 

Critical Mass bike ride occurring on Fri at 7:00 PM, contact Brandon [bhammerli@sbcglobal.net] if wish to attend and help spread the word.

 

Why City Hall? Is located on Main Street: from Wall Street to Main Street.

Motion to read Points of Unity at start of every meeting.

 

Motion to have Welcoming Committee. Patty Beers in charge [sorry, did not get email].

 

Violence management: to think of a chant to use when we or the police are out of line. Someone's uncle is in the LAPD and volunteered to train us. Who was this? Please let us know!

Also, arrest tips: write important phone numbers [including a number we will get from Lawyer's Guild] on own body in sharpie in case your possessions get confiscated. Also, if getting arrested, shout own name loudly so we know whose release to demand. Record everything, photograph badges. Check out copwatchla for other tips.

 

Legal representation: Lawyer's Guild will send a representative, one who experienced in immigrant rights.

 

Bill [bill@power-la.org] organizer from POWER told us about Action Week. Check out makebankspaycalifornia.com for details.

 

John [occupyla@greenthumbnails.com] may have contact for liaison in Liberty Plaza.

 

Monday, September 26, 2011 - 7:00pm

Body:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES 9/26/2011 - Stacy Swimme 


Facilitator: Ryan
Secretary: Stacey

Team Updates

Media:Team isn’t able to upload all of the individual videos from everybody’s phones/camera. Please upload your own videos to YouTube and sent the links to Joe (manzcraft@gmail.com) so they can be linked to OccupyLA’s new YouTube Channel.

Finance:$20 donated today
-We have 2 donation accounts: PayPal for non-food supplies and WePay for food.
-PayPal is able to be transferred into another account. Several members object to using PayPal due to their bad history with Wikileaks and some industries such as medical cannabis. Some have had their accounts closed and never got their $ back from PayPal. Pros for keeping PayPal acct are that most people are familiar with PayPal. If PayPal froze our account it would be exposure/strengthen our message.
-Group moves to keep both accounts and transfer $ out of PayPal on a daily basis.
-We’ve had no problems with WePay. We don’t have much $.
-Motion to have an Amazon Wish List account. Some okay with this as long as group approval for items over $50 applies to items on list. Some dislike Amazon and would like to see additional wish lists on alternative sites if available. Group agrees.

Outreach/Communications:No major updates since last night. Use this time for updates on today’s outreach escapade during Obama’s visit:
2-4pm poster-making. Marched to House of Blues. Many more police officers than demonstrators/onlookers. Many of the other activist groups were receptive to our message and several people we met came to tonight’s GA. All of the issues, whether anti-war/occupation, anti-death penalty, prison hunger strike, etc. seem to share a common enemy of corporate greed and corruption. The outreach effort was a success. But we learned some things could be better. We need to plan A,B,C for the action, not just when to show up, but also middle and end plans. We ran into problems with being too spread out. Need better pacing during the marches. Katherine is also with ANSWER. She saw our group approach and said we looked great, but we do need to be more mindful about not drowning out other speakers at the event. Mario says if we weren’t loud our message wouldn’t be heard.

No other team updates.

Police: Mario spoke with Sgt. Baker today. Sgt. Baker is always friendly. He already knew about the occupation because of facebook. They discussed the occupation plans and whether to get a permit. They concluded that a permit would not be ideal because of the required time limits. Mario explained to him that we are comitted to non-violence, including vandalism against public or private property. Sgt Baker was grateful that we came to him and said he recommends an agreement rather than a permit. In light of this, we need to agree to follow basic laws including no drinking in public or use of marijuana/other drugs at the occupation site. Those who wish to use are entitled to take a break and take care of their needs off-site. The following small contingent will meet with Sgt Baker again Wed. 11:30am: Mario, Joe, Heather, Cheryl, Kat (not Kali)it’s recommended that folks dress as professional as possible. This group will meet with Mario tonight after the meeting.

Legal: Jim Lafferty will join us if we want. We need to set some ground rules with him if that’s the case. He can be confrontational with police. And we need to be clear with him that he can be legal representation but not our spokesperson. There is another lawyer from NLG available, but she feels Jim is best for us. [I did not catch any agreed upon action items for this topic.]

Cheryl suggests a strategic planning model from the group she works with that will help us plan tasks and resources. Logistics team needs to follow up on this.

Twitter is blocking hash tags. Use another trending topic along with #OccupyLA to get into other searches. These issues are for web/media team to sort out.

Anastasia is pro chef! Volunteers to set up a kitchen for us. She’ll get linked up with the Logistics Team for that.

Motion to establish a Code of Conduct. It’s suggested that we need to be open and let people be themselves. NY’s using a policy like: Be peaceful and respectful to your neighbors and do as you wish. An objectin is raised because we need to be strategic and have agreements about not drinking/using drugs on-site.
Another suggestion from NY’s model is having a Security Force/personnel to protect the messages and image of the group. This group helps enforce the group’s agreed upon code of conduct and intervene if any individual is breaking the code of conduct. We don’t have to do the exact same thing but we can build upon the foundation NY has already built. Group agrees to create Google Doc to discuss conduct do’s/don’ts and bring to the group for a vote later. This will include “attitude” issues. A separate“Statement of Principles” will also be developedand our conduct should be informed by our principles. We need to be inclusive and avoid any language that is sexist, racist, ableist, etc. Code of Conduct= internal agreements, Statement of Principles= external expression of our principles.

B and Hydrangea have First Aid/Medical experience. Some other folks not present tonight also have medical/EMT experience. Medical team is folded into the logistics team and they will set up First Aid station.

It was suggested that for tomorrow’s GA we have time for just open space for people to speak and express themselves. Objections are raised because we’ve agreed to follow a set agenda to maintain sanity and keep meeting a reasonable length. If people want to be heard they can put their issues on the agenda at the beginning of meetings.

It’s suggested that a team of people should do some recon missions at and around City Hall for a few evenings this week.

Parking: is very problematic around City Hall. Leave your car at home and use public transit when you can. Use the carpool system, etc. There’s a carpool tab at the google doc https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApjUFmeRWA-pdENqdGVqTkZMN19fa1I1ci1kei1Tanc&hl=en_US

Logistics Team:needs to help us think about Safe Houses, carpools, pick ups/drop offs, etc.

Motion passes to meet at Pershing Square, 7pm Tue-Fri for remainder of week.Saturday there will be an earlier meet up and Pershing and March over to City Hall for Occupation, Welcome team will be at City Hall Saturday 10am-all day to receive people as they arrive. More details about the full schedule for Oct. 1st tabled until another GA.

A non-violence training is needed. We need statement of our commitment to non-violence posted to our site and printed on large poster to be hung at occupation site.No printing to hand out to occupiers as this will become litter.

All will print more fliers.

It was suggested on FB that we get a PO Box so people can send us supplies. Kwaziis the chair of the KPFK radio community board. He wants to ask them if we can use their shipping address. Another person present is a volunteer at KPFK and can help collect our packages. Mario can help look for other org’s to receive mail for us if this plan falls through.

Cheryl reads Points of Unity from NY Occupation.

Disclaimer for all of our flyers: #OccupyLA is not responsible for where any individual posts this informational flyer.

A participant requests that all of our printing is done through unionized printers. Some folks are checking in with contacts to find free/cheap unionized printing.

Abel tells us about new Anonymous video for LA. It’s on YouTube.

Plans for next few days:
1- Focus on Outreach
2- Make time for groups to connect and plan
3- Check out all the Google Docs
Group Doc:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q-7HOv557V_Jh634TeoLPLbqlVhEcGeh70u6VxvE_jA/edit?hl=en_US
Contacts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApjUFmeRWA-pdENqdGVqTkZMN19fa1I1ci1kei1Tanc&hl=en_US#gid=0
4- Establish Team Leaders

A better system than Google Docs is in the works and all material in the Google docs will be transferred over to a more accessible site soon!

Thursday there is a Troy Davis/Death penalty Talk and Group Discussion is Thursday 9/29 at 7pm Address: 519 S. Spring St. Downtown. More info: socialistworker.org Who’s going?

List of Teams:

Logistics including Medical, Occupation, Security and Food
Finance
Media including Social, Video, Web ?? [I missed something here]
Liaisons to other occupied cities
PR/Communications/Outreach
Signage (Carl)
Research
Languages
Accessibility/Disabled liaison (Cheryl)
Art/Activism & Cultural/Entertainment

Check out BackBoneCampaign.org

Next GA Tuesday 9/27 7pm Pershing Square
Facilitator: Rob
Secretary: Anastasia

 

Sunday, September 25, 2011 - 7:00pm

Body:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES 9/25/2011 -Roya Irani


1)      Updates: on New York Events, Greece, Arrests, Social Media, MSM blackouts, T-Shirts

2)      PR/Media Update – KPFK has offered to help, Tresspass LA - Intl artists socially conscience art projects 150 on Oct. 2nd.  New Bottom Line: Bank protests Oct 3-6th. Revolutionary Poets to help the outreach. Logistics update (Philip ~ point of contact for Logistics: phillippecrusoe@yahoo.com ):  Save your products that are NON-perishables , get ready so that for when we occupy, we will have supplies. Once occupation happens, people need to fed, toilet paper, water, trash bags, everyone needs to be prepared. Food NOT Bombs, food for the occupiers, on Vermont & Santa Monica every Sunday.

3)      Media meeting tonight 9/25: on Skype 11pm tonight Sept 25th.

4)      Action for Tomorrow::::: Monday, Sept 26th 2pm, Obama Protest – Visibility with other protesters. We need to decide location tonight (coming by tonight). We will have unified message for our protest. Discussed closures, and intersections. Intersection Crecent Heights & Santa Monica Blvd.  7pm is General Assembly at same location, Crecent Heights & Santa Monica.

5)      We have NO political affliation with any groups, parties, or organizations. We are grassroots movement – We are the 99%.

6)      We need to educate ourselves, adopt a manifesto like Occupy Wallstreet, to be discussed at another GA.

7)      Carl, is the contact for cardboard for signage, please see him after the meeting!! (need his contact info)

8)      Official Occupation Location: (where, when) – Time: Occupation Date: Oct. 1st. Permit will be attempted, Mario will apply on Monday. However, we WILL regardless, occupy on Oct. 1st no matter what. Location:  City Hall!   

9)      We had discussion on Civic Engagement, Comments, Stateme nts, Expressions, J

10)   Everyone please go to ACLU.org and read the legal handbook!

For next Meeting Monday, Sept 26th:

Moderator: Ryan Rice

Secretary – Meeting Minutes:  Stacy Swimme

Pages