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Saturday, March 3, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

MARCH 3 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Esther.

CoModerator:  Meghan and Sheila.

Stacker:  John.

Time Keeper:  Cody.

Peace Keeper:  

Note Taker:  

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

4:19 pm, Esther, Gloria Steinem said "Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke.  that's their natural and first weapon.  she will need her sisterhood. 

  Welcome to the Occupy LA's Women and Allies General Assemly. Today is day 154.  i've been with Occupy LA since Day 1 but this is my first time speaking in front of a GA.  i am inspired and empowered by the strength of our sisterhood and i am honored to stand up here amongst such incredibly beautiful women and our amazing allies.  the Women and Allies Affinity Group was formed at Solidarity Park in November to create a safe nd welcoming space for women, children, and everyone else who do not always have a voice within the oppressive patriarchal system.  our goal is to empower the suppressed voices within the movement, and our one demand is to SMASH PATRIARCHY!  i'd like to introduce our facilitation team - Meghan, John, Cody, and here is Sheila to start us off with a presentation on patriarchy.

4:20 pm, Sheila:  [SHE READS FIVE (14 POINT FONT) PAGES] Where does the tendency to divide or to separate come from? This perceived need for one to dominate another. Here at Occupy we often find ouselves thlking about colonization, oppression, power, hierarchy etc. because we see it all around us, in our personal, cultural, and economic environments. We feel it, we've ex[erienced it, and if we are truthful we know that sometimes we perpetuate it so we must also have the self inquiry to recover our true selves as we practice it, often in unconscious ways. Unsurprising really. Our society encourages and rewards domintaion. It is a normalized state of being. We know however, that our movement will be nothing original without eliminating subjugation and oppression. Social movements in the past have often failed becdause of their inability to look close enought at this liablility. Hierarchy creeps in and with it greed and power. Don't forget women were often relegated tojust making coffee in many leftist organizations.

Here in the 'first world, women in comparison to our sisters across the planet, have obtained new hard fought freedoms. But just because you have a nicely decorated prison, it is still incarceration. So:  What is patriarchy?

Patriarchy is defined a social system in which the male gender role acts as the primary authority figure central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination. Many patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage.

The experience of being female in this world entails being born into a long 6000 year history of patriarchy. Historically a woman's identity has been defined by men. Our bodies have been defined in relation to how a man see's you, and 'how attractive you are' is how 'worthy you are'. We as women and young girls, still learn today through media, culture, and often our mothers that our biggest asset is our body, [and] not our mind.

Historically 'men' have retained the right to make both governmental and church law, thereby leislating both official and unoffical systems of morality. When women were denied the vote they were told, that their husband's voted as the 'head' of the household.

"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands", women are told by the Bible, Historically we have been owned.

In Benjamin Wadsworth's 'Puritan Marriage Manual', a woman in 1712 was advised that "even if she were not 'inferior' to her husband, she was nevertheless unquestionably to act as his[MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE] [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

4:27 pm, Cody:  ...about Men's roles... ...patriarchy {READS FROM A PAMPHLET] [MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE] 

We cannot co-opt... ...ti would be beautiful to... [LAUGHTER]... ...[HE READS FROM IPHONE]... ...[MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE]men are often afraid to... ...

... ...[READS FROM PAMPHLET] How to... ...douche bag...

4:36 pm, Sheila:  [INTRODUCES A QUESTION GAME (LIKE 'SIMPLE SIMON SAYS']

4:37 pm, John Waiblinger:  [EXPLAINS HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS (ANSWERING HONESTLY)]...

4:38 pm, John Waiblinger:  This Occupy LA General Assembly needs to be a safe place where we can all trust each other without being... ...this is about trying to feel... ...in terms of our movement... ...so please 'feel' some of these questions and don't be ashamed.

4:40 pm, Sheila:  The first question is 'Do you consider yourself fo be a feminist...? [ASSEMBLY MEMBERS COME FORWARD AND DIVIDE TO OPPOSITE SIDES]... The second question is do you feel a 'negative' connotation with ?feminist'? [ALL MEMBERS ON LEFT SIDE] Do you feel ashamed of your body? Yes, No, or Maybe. Have you tried to change your body? Yes, No, or Maybe. Have youever been in a position where you felt...?

4:43 pm, John Waiblinger:  Have you ever tried to change someone else's body or appearance to show that person off? Have you ever expected somebody to change their body?  [THIS GAME HAS ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SHIFTING LEFT TO RIGHT SIDE OF THE MODERATORS]... ...[TWO OTHER QUESTIONS]... ...Have you ever been sexually harrassed? Do you believe that babies should be born in hospitals? You're going to have a baby, your partner insists upon a home first, do you agree? [MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE][MORE CONTENT FORTHCOMING, I PROMISE]

BREAKOUT GROUPS

4:57 pm:  [ASSEMBLY GOES TO 'BREAKOUT GROUPS', DISCUSSION TOPIC ON ALL THE PREVIOUS 'GAME' (SEE ABOVE) QUESTIONS].

5:27 pm:  [STACKS ARE OPENED FOR 'REPORT BACKS'].

5:30 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RETURNS].

5:31 pm, , 1st Group:  ...at first we had a discussion about the logic and intuition question and whether or not the wording was fair... ...guilt for things we did in middle school... ...and how it has permeated capitalism. We talked about how these roles... ...1969 and the Stonewall riots... ...and about beautiful people and not beautiful... ...and [FINANCIER SECURITY GUARDS ATTEMPT TO STOP 'SIDEWALK CHALKERS', YELLOUTS:  You have no authority here!, ASSEMBLY CHANTS:  Chalk is not graffitti (several times)]... ...and about women's rights which I will not get into.

5:35 pm, :  we feel that the system promotes feminism against... ...and the system through patriarchy and capitalism punishes women through the use of kids... ...people have to leave work to tend to children... ...the system should be responsible for... ...men... ...objects... ...about women fitting into men's roles rather than having a women's role...

5:37 pm, Susie:  ...about childbirth and the issue of have a baby in the hospital rather than at home... ...the patriarchal society... ...[I.e.] "Don't push, don't push. The Doctor's not here yet."... ...we had a couple of guys from the Marine Corp... ...[HANDS THE MIC TO ALYSSA:  (On competitive games]...if we... ...then, we will stop having the patriarchal society that we live in.

5:41 pm, John Waiblinger:  ...that patriarchy has hurt me... [TREMBLING]... ...really a lot... ...to say "That really hurt my feelings." I wish that people would say that more often. I wish that people would say that to me when I do it... ...God and it's so hard to do that... ...you know, I really love Occupy LA, [ASSEMBLY YELLS: I really love Occupy LA!].

5:43 pm, Barry:  ...racism, it really drags it down for everybody. Discrimination is... ...that's why Im in the trades union.

5:44 pm, Meghan:  [OPENS STACKS FOR ??].

5:45 pm, , :  ...leaflets and... ...we consensed on two International Women's day events. The first one is with CODEPINK at 1 pm... ...the second event is Saturday, March 10th, we are going to Re-Occupy for the day... ..please bring a tent at 11 am... ...I'm going to bring the Kid's Tent. We're going to have tents all the way around the block... ...next weeking 11 am to 4 pm...

5:48 pm, Jeff, Resources Committee:  ...We've got a .... ... from Shepard Fairey donation... ...our storage unit expires at the end of the month... ...if you want to keep our Library... ...talk about is donating our library back to a public library...

5:49 pm, Roxanne:  ...anyone who has art inspired by or created at Occupy LA or any Occupy email to OccupyLAArts@gmail.com and Saturdays at 2 pm Arts Committe meets if you want to be involved.

Hector, People's Collective University:  Sunday at 1 to 6 we invite everyon to come and participate at 118 Winston [ART GALLERY]. 

Barry, at 4025 S Western avenue is on Western just south of... ...Cardenas to protest her eviction...

Brian, Actions:  I'm here at 619 or 620 we'll be talking about some actions... ...want to help plan or do some actions... ...bring your tent, at Oxnard... ...genetically modifying seecds... ...get a lot of tents out there on the 16th to the 17th at noon more dertails on FaceBook and I'll make sure I get on the calendar.

Tiffany, Julia's sister:  March 7th at 862 N Vermont there is a fake Women's Health Clinic... ...they're politically motivated to intimidate women into... ...they're with the National ??? ???coalition??... ...and then on March 3th we're celebrating International Women's Day... ...abortion free state... ...legalization for all: Black, white, Asian... ...Rally to celebrate Inter national Women's day and shut down the 'Fake' Clinic...

Occupy Culver City on FaceBook Check it out!

Roberta, Occupy Hollywood:  Tomorrow and the next three Sundays from 2 pm to 4 pm... ...meets at the we're teaching NonViolence and making a huge flag... ...

Scott Schuster:  On March 15th come to the 'Left' Forum on March 16 to 18th. Google 'Left Forum' to get this information.

Laura:  The ArtWalk coming up this Thursday... ...raise awareness about 'dairy' we do a performance that's fun and.

Ruth:  Every Friday we're going to Occupy Main Street in solidarity with Skid Row... ... ......We were there last night... ...It's a challenge! We can do it! Every Friday night.

Margaret Prescod:  I'm a host on KPFK I want you all to know the 'Fund Drive' is finally over... ...let you know what's happening... ...7 to 8 Tuesday and Friday I host the Sojourner Truth.... ....At the Southern California Library a Teach In, on Vermont in South LA.  On March 24th on Sex, Race, and Class... ...Our keynote speaker is Selma James, an acitivist, anti Capitalist, anti racist 82 years old and her new anthology is being l... ...and her book is being launched... ...New York City... ...and KPFK is the proud media sponsor of the women occuopy event on March 10th.

John Waiblinger:  They've selected the CEO of Goldman Sachs to be the... ...of same sex... ...we are extremely offended by this... ...planning meeting tomorrow for the protest at 2 pm... ...

Joan, OLA InterOccupy:  InterOccupy meets at 519 S Spring, discussing the Occupy SoCal event which is on Sunday the 11th... ...I am aware of the... ...if you want discuss it: OLAInterOccupy@gmail.com.

8:10 pm, Tina, Bridges Community and Reconciliation Group: ...circle after the GA for emotional debrief post F29 or the... ...Alex [Weinschenker]... ...please see us after the GA.

Friday, March 2, 2012 - 7:30pm

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MARCH 2 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Karo and Lance.

Stackers:  Frank and Eddie.

Time Keeper:  

Note Taker:  

Peace Keeper:  Dele.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:39 pm, Lance:  Today is day 155.

7:40 pm, Michael Novick:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

 

7:43 pm, Burt:  As I read Gandhi, nonviolence is not his root value.... ...the search for truth is the root, nonviolence flows from that... If I'm searching for truth it means that I am wrong in some respects and the person that I am opposing is right in some respects ... ...If I were to kill that person I would have killed part of the truth... NonViolence stems from that. That's what I understand from Gandhi.

7:45 pm, Lance:  We want to hear some Report Backs from the Actions, Wednesday, F29. So open stacks for people that were there.

7:48 pm, Matt:  I moved to Oakland and ....allowed me to experience... ....laid out that this is a map of where we're going to go and how we're going to shut it down... ...the idea is to go in with people that you trust... ...the other thing is that we make decisions faster than the police because they have to take orders from the captain.

7:48 pm, Freedom:  show of hands how many here were at the actions on f29.  ...got to the door they had been expecting us so we did something right... ...they came in with excessive force. I know everybody that it's been a big day... ...I'm just acknowledging that a lot of us are bearing.... So f29, no mainstream media... ...we had several LiveStream there... ...The police told the.. ...that they would be arrested if they didn't go inside... ...so we can do some outreach to the workers there... ...There were about a dozen of them with cameras. ... If you missed it ...see it on my LiveStream on OccupyFreedomLA.org and UStream.TV/OccupyFreedomLA.

7:53 pm, , :  ...a kettle situation but they were able to squeeze us in... ...We shut down Commerce.. ...

7:54 pm, Karo:  Open up stacks for the funeral service for Alex today. Anybody if you want to talk about it...

7:54 pm, Steven:  it was at Forest Lawn. you guys helped pay for that... .we raised $2600 so we gave $2800 to the family there... ...Alex meant a lot to us... ...It's really hard .... when we have to send somebody off...

7:56 pm, :  My comrades, whenever my comrades will never be forgotten. Soldiers will fall, comrades will never be forgotten. Alex is up there watching over us, watching every... No matter what happens he will always watch over us and he is still there in our hearts. and until the day that we are 6 feet under. No matter what he will always watch over us [Applause].

7:59 pm, :   ...I didn't even know Alex that welll.... maybe said a few things to him like "Hello Brother"... ..today is the day to protest the grief... I lost one of my best friends the same way... I am so lucky to be a part of this... there is no replacement for Alex... that kind of energy... all we can do is remember him ... ..support his kid... build some kind of website in honor of him... Why didn't I say something to him... don't really know what I'm saying right now, just want to honor the guy...

8:01 pm, Scott Schuster:   Kind of grew a little older today... ...just talk about it... ..after our meeting today... Wellness and Bridges is going to have a little meeting today after the GA if you want to talk about it.

8:02 pm, Angelina, :  I wasn't there ....but thank all of you who showed up there, thank all of you sitting here listening here today.... ..I had no idea Alex was struggling from that kind of thing... ..So how many of you out there are hiding that you're suffering from that same type of thing.... I just want you to reach out and....

8:04 pm:  [SOLIDARITY CLAP].

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:05 pm, John Waiblinger:  Tomorrow here at 4 pm, Women and Allies will be doing a themed GA. And we came up with a unique format around Mysogyny and it's going to be a game type of thing... This Sunday March 3rd at 2 pm, we will be planning our March 17th Action to protest the HRC Fundraising dinner.... it's the biggest LGBT that has selected Goldman Sachs as the corporate spokesperson for same sex marriage. We are profoundly offended by that and plan to make our sentiments known.

8:07 pm, Barry:  Tomorrow a conference on mobilizing against one of their anti civil liberties motion... they cut it in half but they added some more measures. They renamed the order from special order 11 to special order 1. It's happening tomorrow at 10:30 am at 828 west Washington Boulevard, SEIU Union Hall. Washington and Figueroa... In the evening there's going to be a panel discussion at pathfinder bookstore, about dangers on the job at 4025 South Western Avenue. For those who participated in the MLK parade it's near the assembly where that took place... This morning people gathered around 210 West Temple, Carlos Montez hearing.

Bilal:  His lawyers were... one of the charges was that he was a felon with a gun... ...DA showed that he wasn't charged with a felony but a misdemeanor. ....He's been held up because he has a rich history as an activist and he is a good example of what can happen to someone who is an activist... .so it's not just about him but about all of us..l 

Occupy Hollywood is having an event... meditating and we're planning an event with Reverend James Lawson..and we're making a huge flag... ..He wants it to be the biggest flag in the world... Every other Occupy we're going to ask to do one stripe. And it's in Hollywood, you get off at the Highland stop and we'll be right there.

8:15 pm, Michael Novick:  At Occidental College, 8:30 event.... and the May 1st General Strike is not meeting on Sunday... ...so we're having a meeting Tuesday night, at Corazon del Pueblo at 7:30 pm if you want to take part....

8:16 pm, Matthew:  If you have grief issues related to Alex I ask you to stick around tonight. ...And if you are an addict...I think that addicts should start supporting each other in the movement...

8:18 pm, Beth:  Social Media meets on Sunday at 3:30 at Grand Central Market... We are looking for new people... On a media note in general we really have to be careful... don't record medics. that's their privacy.... When we do these actions no matter how cool you think it is don't ever ever ever tag your friends on it...

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

8:20 pm, Lance:  We're talking about:  Empowering people against all forms of oppression...

8:43 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RETURNS].

8:43 pm, John Waiblinger:  we need to think about in times of this movement is how we are going to make this space safe for people that have been marginalized... ..bring people in and make them feel welcomed...

8:44 pm, Barry:  One thing that we don't think about oppression is the work conditions and harrassment by bosses etc. during the ordinary work day including unsafe working conditions and not being able to pay the bills... we think about the 99%... There's also conflict between classes. In Cuba Workers and farmers took control of not only their workplaces but their entire country through a revolution and nationalized almost every industry etc. Therefore, there is not a single Walmart, McDonalds, etc. in Cuba. Foreclosures and discrimination are illegal. Cuba has the highest ratio of doctors and teachers per capita in the world. Of Cuba's 75,000 doctors, about 30,000 of them work abroad providing free medical care to those people just like there's free medical care in Cuba.... ...they nationalized the banks and they nationalized the Yankees holdings and corporations. The Cuban Revolution shows that one CAN end oppression.

8:49 pm:  oppression and our influence on how to avoid it... that we educate each other on things like privilege, educational system, healthcare and prison systems are very oppressive.

8:49 pm:  our group... ...being mistreated in the immediate sense. are those with special needs, but would still like to participate in our GAs... ...we had a feeling that we'd like this conversation to begin with at OLA...with these two groups... with mental patients with health issues...

8:51 pm, Eddie:  ...we should educate OccupyLA where the Oppresiveness comes from, and certain systems that oppress like capitalism and patriarchy...

PROPOSALS

8:52 pm, Karo:  [GIVES 'HAND SIGNALS'].

8:54 pm, Ryan, Proposer:  who was here or heard about how awesome it was at Occupy Skid Row... We want to...Occupy LA commits to march every Friday to 5th and Main, bring tents [camp out].

Questions of Clarity

8:57 pm, Burt:  Is this run by Bilal?  Ryan Answers: Yes and he gave spirit fingers on it. I spoke with Bilal and ....occupation is a plus.

9:06 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:09 pm, Ed, Freedom School: 1 pm What is Fascism, 2nd class Why don't they Want Us to Value Education, 3rd class, What Is Education at 118 Winston Street between 4th and 5th.

9:10 pm, Dele:  You all had good food tonight. Let us say "Thank You" to that young man right there, D'jon.

9:11 pm, Shakti:  Campusers are needed for upcoming women's event for International Women's Day... ...I would also like someone to translate this into Spanish.

9:14 pm, Barry:  At the previous Assembly it was announced that there was an Occupy action against a foreclosure. According to today's newspaper, La Opinion the woman who was defending against her home being foreclosed, Blanca Cardenas, had been deported to Mexico. Protest Sunday, March 11, 11 am, rally at La Placita followed by a march to the Immigration Detention Facility to protest this.

9:17 pm, AnaBella:  The reason she was deported was because she went to jail and someone advised her to plead guilty.. ..she messed it up when she pleaded guilty... we ask the people, do not plead 'guilty'. You have to fight to the [bitter] end. ...they had decided to deport her.

9:19 pm, Barry:  pick up a paper of La Opinion to get more information/details on Cardenas case/deportation.

9:20 pm, , :  Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Rodney King beating and Riots.... If we Occupied the South Central Farm... because it's all related. The largest 

9:22 pm, Brittan, OccupyWalk:  [ON THE PHONE FROM THE SOMEWHERE NEAR THE OUTSKIRTS OF JOSHUA TREE, MIC CHECKS THE ASSEMBLY]  Come out to Joshua tree next weekend. Bring tents, sleeping bags, instruments, and lots of water....

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 29 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Kimberly and Patrick.

Stackers:  Liberty and Tom.

Shadow Stacker:  Julie.

Time Keeper:  Ashley.

Note Taker:  Alyssa.

Peace Keeper:  Dele.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:46 pm, :  Today is day 153. Let's start with a Solidarity Clap. Our next themed GA is next Saturday. It's the Women and Allies ‘themed’ GA, March 3rd, is Saturday, 4 pm at Pershing Square. [CALLS FOR SPANISH SPEAKER AND AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER].

7:49 pm, Patrick:  [GIVES HAND SIGNALS].

7:52 pm, A Woman:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY' FROM NEW YORK CITY, FOLLOWS WITH CHANT:  We are the 99%.]... …and we have moved to reclaim our mortgaged future. Through a direct... ...but are not limited to... [SHE BEQUEATHS HER READING TO ANOTHER IN THE ASSEMBLY].

7:56 pm, Another Woman:  [FINISHES READING:  Points of unity...].

7:58 pm, Leo:  I've been doing statements of nonviolence in honor of International Women’s Day[/Week]… …from Ella Baker, [EXPLAINS] She lived from [1903 to 1986] and she worked alongside some of the most famous civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including: W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King Jr. and so many other great leaders... ...remember we're not fighting for the freedom of the negro alone but for the freedom of the human spirit that encompasses... ...for the benefit of the group... …the universality of… …was... ...that it is important to keep the movement Democratic and to avoid struggles for personal leadership... …My theory is... ...strong leadership is...

8:01 pm, My personal statement revolves around Occupy… ...I think we should have open arms to learning from each other... …we're all students… …and being nonviolent is the biggest way to grow us.

8:03 pm, Kimberly:  we meet at

8:03 pm, Patrick, Occupy Philadelphia:  My name is Solomon and I'm from Occupy Philly. At Occupy Philly I'm a member of Direct Actions... ...My job is to... …who is down with Civil Disobedience... …shutting shit down in a nonviolent way...

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS [TIME SENSITIVE]

8:06 pm, Barry:  the chant should be to drop the charges against Carlos Montez a longtime activist... …It's March 2, at 8 am at the Criminal Courts building, 210 West Temple Street... …some of you are familiar with because you were at Occupy when it was raided and you got arrested and charged with... …Freedom of Speech, but they can't charge him with that so they charged him with some trumped up [charge]...

8:09 pm, Liz Ryder:  I am here to talk about jobs. We contribute to our own... …by working for corporations... …We give them power over us by making them rich. If we make our own jobs... …I have a proposal here... …for building worker cooperatives... …we share decision making, profits, I would like to invite you to a meeting at my house. I would like to sign you up.

8:12 pm, Kimberly:  We're going to have Report Backs on February 29th what you did today see your stackers.

8:12 pm, A Man:  At the town hall on Washington... …LAPD is spying on us so we are going to have a class...

8:13 pm, Beth:  So now I'm a Medic. The reason I'm a medic is because when I went to Oakland I realized everyone should get it... you never know when you’re going to need it.. So I went to ... no arrests , they shut down the Haliburton Office.. New York got kettled a few times so they said “[EXPLETIVE] this.”… …so they shut down Bank of America... ...we camped out last night, we had a bonfire, it was awesome, we got some coffee delivered to us... …from San Diego to LA and we got together and shut down... …and shut down the whole block... …We had undercover officers who were trying to lead us astray.. kettled the let us out they followed us and we said "Have a nice day" and went.

8:15 pm, Junior:  Today was a bumb ass day... …Standing down a cop and... …protesting. It was awesome and we shut down three corporations... …we held down those trucks until... ...They stopped watching us which was the Walmart that we shut down... …nobody got hurt and I hope we have another one.

8:17 pm, Julie:  So, you might not have seen me today... …I was at Oxnard... …[Names several other Occupies] were there. We had that whole stretch of the Northern... …Occupied.

8:19 pm, Bilal Ali:  Good evening, I've been asked to come down and.. share some insight around the circumstances around the MacArthur Park, RAC... …I'm one of the co-founders of RAC... …and RAC was founded after the 2000 PYGMALIA... …As a result of that we formed the Revolutionist Autonomous Community... ...because it’s a food hazard... …a lot of my brothers and comrades from the 60's and 70's... …Prior to the Occupation at... …Square... …some people that were a part of that process that understood that they had to Reach Out to the community... ...and I was constantly asked to go out... …and what they could do for these communities... …they will be asked to... …realities... … oppressed of people of color... …Park Downtown South Central... …l doing these things but not expecting... …relationship to these communities... …called paratroopers... …people come and saying "Hey this is what you need to do" [3X] and... …was bullshit nothing ever comes out of that shit... …for one of the members... …recycler... …so one of the members of the OccuPicnic went over there without asking permission or asking who... …and started taking the cardboard boxes... ...I got put in between that... …this has been building. You have members in there that want to reach... …person of Occupy LA who's been at Occupy LA for about 3 weeks, called the police on RAC [ASSEMBLY 'BOO'S]... …She approached the RAC in the wrong way and ended up calling the police. Now RAC are Anarchists, they've got [names several gangs and outfits]. We don't talk to the police, we don't call the police, don't want [anything] to do with the police... …Everybody has the right to be at that park I'm a member of the Board... …So, RAC is still willing to work with Occupy LA but not at this time... …so, that Tim was saying that it was all good and painting a picture that everything was [??hunky dory??] ... …that shit wasn't true... …I'm just here to say... …Most of you slept on the... …you have good intentions... ...but you have to respect other people's communities... …That community has a history of police murder and brutality. They beat up the vendors and stole their money, threw their merchandise out into the street... …I don't want to see anybody get hurt because of their [??stupidity??].

8:32 pm, A Woman:  

Bilal:  Build relationships... ...because RAC... …learn the terrain. [A WOMAN:  What if some of us want to connect with... …?]… …of MacArthur Park... …with everybody's consent.

Jennifer Sunshine: I think that if we want to... …to share with the... …I've been to the Occupy Picnic.

Ruth:  The picnic needs to move or it needs to end. [ANGRILY] I'd like to point out that several Occupiers... …that they had offended RAC and no one did a thing... …and tried and tried to... …[FIERCELY ANGRILY] and made Occupy look really bad... …[CONDESCENDINGLY] and they still don't understand what they've done... …build relationships with the local community so I propose... …to release a short statement of apology... …and would... …if they will have me, but I don't think they…

A Man: ...that we are the 99%... …the man keeps us under their foot... ...by keeping us un-sensitive to [other's ??] needs I would suggest this... …discussion topic... …The 1% has beaten us with this for years... …we have to purge this... …out... …maybe a class at the Freedom School... …118 Winston Sunday from 1 to 6 pm.

Leo:  Wow! This is challenging, we have to... …struggle, we have to go deep... …said I was deep... …this is beautiful... …when you go into the Hood, which is my ‘Hood’... …When we go into these communities... …I'm indigenous too... …I have to get my doggie papers. I am Chippewa! when we go into these neighborhoods we have to be cognizant of their... …we can't just go in and start tearing things down... …whenever I go into other people’s neighborhoods I look them in the eye, [?and greet them in their language?]... …and have to... …We're working in the system... …When you work within the system... …one of my professors... …he went into the system. He wrote his own death warrant... …We have to know when we go into communities you have to show respect. Ghandi said... …Buddha said... …It's the optimum condition of human life to unfold [SHE WHISPERS VERY SOFTLY, INAUD.]…

Liberty:  I think our comrades raised a good point and I appreciate Ruth and everybody bringing up to speed. I personally won't be going to the picnics.

Patrick: today at Mira Loma at the Occupy Action Occupiers blocked the streets, blocked trucks and they were successful in... …there was an undocumented worker who was afraid of losing his job... ...this presents a moral question.  Something that we need to continue to understand and be aware... …just ??ramifications??  We need a lot more understanding before we go ahead and declare that we could save the world.

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

Kimberly:   We're going to discuss one of the principles of solidarity... …Exercising personal and collective responsibility.  What does that mean to you How do you want to implement that in the movement... …and.... 

8:50 pm:  [ASSEMBLY GOES TO 'BREAKOUT GROUPS'].

9:17 pm, Michelle, 1st Group:  We talked about the cult of Individual action and the ?? of collective responsiblility... ...it seems that we thought that if ther's an inevitable clash, discussion is an inevitable...

9:20 pm, Emily, 2nd Group:  We talked about the picnic at MacArthur Park... ...we have to be mindful that ... ...somebody also mentioned checking our white privilege... ...also felt that Occupy LA should not have any more meetings at MacArthur Park until...

9:22 pm, Alexander, 3rd Group:  I feel that... …are trying to compromise... ...I'm a member of OLA and I [??am friends??] with RAC... ...I've been a part of this community... ...lead by example, build a relationship into all these communities...

COMMITTEE AND AFFINITY GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:25 pm, Michelle, Foreclosures:  First the Responsible Banking Ordinance... …Where they put our money... …Passed... …That was... …by Occupy LA... ...Now we have to ensure that... …doesn't put our money where it doesn't oppress us... ...We are going to Occupy the County Recorders office that... …against the banks even though they fraudulently... …documents... …Also there's a woman named Blanca who... …home was foreclosed... …has two dogs... …need homes... …Arturo de Los Santos... …occupy home... ...Another woman was deported today... ...Tomorrow the Strategy Discussion group is meeting from 1 to 2 at City Hall West steps... …we planted in some planters there..

Nestor... …We're meeting this Sunday at 2 pm at the Women's Hall/Solidarity Hall at... …Go to our FaceBook page...

Ed, Occupy Freedom School:  Every Sunday at 1 pm we have classes at Freedom School, 118 Winston Street between 4th and 5th streets. First class is Fascism. Second class is Why Don't They Value Education, 3rd Class is ‘What Is Education’.

Dele:  If you had that good food this evening it came from Meg [ASSEMBLY ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND CHANTS:  Thank You!].

Barry:  Two announcements. First, protesting special order about LAPD,, meeting on Saturday at 10:30 am... …Justice for ??/ merge become SEIU... …Address ... …just west of Trade Tech Towers... …Second, special program in the evening, 4025 W 3rd Avenue... …6:30 Dinner, and 7:30 talk that's after the GA

Laura, I got arrested in Oakland, Every time I called they said i wasn't in the court system... …They intend on pressing major charges... …I had a judge me into discretion for... …because those assholes zipped tied me until I bled... …They put all Occupiers into their terrorist yearbook.

Olga:  I just had a cop approach me and I guess he was trying to change my mind... …if you become a cop and make more money... ...I just pretty much said this [... ...]. 

A Man:  Somebody accused me of having white privilege... ...I know I was accused for having white skin...

Mom:  I love y'all. Donald and I have been here all day today and can happily report that the security here is far nicer than the general services police. However, I have received a special request because I told them that I have good kids and... …that I don't approve of or don't allow... ..."You are going to, do whatever you want to." These nice security people have families to feed and they could lose their jobs.

Nestor:  I'm starting an affinity group for Chicago G8 Nato. So if you're planning to... …Chicago come see me. Let's make a party out of it.

 

Monday, February 27, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 27 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Anthony.

Stacker:  Karoline.

CoModerator:  Ryan.

Shadow Moderator:  Lance.

Peace Keeper:  Jim.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:35 pm, Ryan:  Does anybody have any Bacardi 151... ...because today is day 151!

7:38 pm, Leo:  I am doing this in honor of Black History Month. Every day when [we] do our Statement of NonViolence... ...from Sojourner Truth:  Well Children... ...out of kilter... ...everywhere. Nobody ever helps me ... ...or give me the best place anywhere... ...Look at me... ...I have bourne 13 children.. ....no one but my... ...heard me... ...Now what's this thing... …they're talking about in the head? Intelligence... ...that little man in the back... ...Where did your Christ come from? Man and a woman... ...the first women turned it upside down... 

7:40 pm, Brian:  [DEMONSTRATES MARTIAL ARTS (NonViolent), AND HOW TO GET AWAY AND RUN].

TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

7:42 pm, Occupy :  This Wednesday a lot of you will be Occupying in Mira Loma. This Wednesday the Occupy Oxnard will be Occupying Haliburton... ...5651 Perkins Road, Oxnard California. We'll be there from 8 am to... ...There is a FaceBook page on this.

7:44 pm, Shakti:  ...as part of an educational and funny videos that I'm putting out... ...tomorrow night 'Felonious Acts of ??' 530 South Main Street, at 7:30 pm. It will be fun as well as educational.

7:46 pm, Karo:  ...we're going to be going to Mira Loma to do a direct action at a Walmart Distribution Center... ...this action starts at 6 am on February 29th. The actual warehouse is at 4100 Hamner Avenue which is down the street from where we'll be meeting... ...Pitzer College... ...1.5 mile location everything is on the FaceBook page called service for Alex.

7:48 pm, Duncan:  Friday we'll be having a meeting at ....F Street printers...

7:49 pm, The hearing for Carlos Montez... His trial is up this Friday March 2nd and he would love it if everybody could help fill the courtroom, at 210 W Temple, at 8:30 am...

7:51 pm, Joan:  I have flyers, there's a conference call Tuesday, February 28th at 12 pm. Anyone is welcome to get on the call, We'll be meeting on Wednesday at 7 pm. We've been meeting at F Square Printing at...

7:53 pm, Matt, Occupy Foreclosures:  He's spent a lot of money on legal help... ...the sheriffs could come at any time... ...the guy had come at 10 at night and served them papers, which is illegal 18162 Gallineta Street, in Rowland Heights, 91748.

7:54 pm, Suzanne, Objectives and Demands:  Meets every Wednesday at 6 pm and Sunday at the Picnic at 3 pm. If you decide not to have a picnic we'll be back at…

BREAK OUT DISCUSSION GROUPS

7:55 pm, Anthony:  ...tonight's discussion will be on 'Recognizing individual's inherent rights' and…

8:21 pm:  [ASSEMBLY RETURNS FROM BREAK OUT GROUPS].

8:22 pm, Shyma:  Recognizing 'privilege' how do we identify ourselves being wealthy, white, educated, attractive, light skinned, black, progressive, in a tolerant neighborhood? We have to think about how... ...and how some of us saw how they were different... ...to speak up and check oppressive language... …from feeling isolated from different groups... ...being aware of other cultures... ...and not letting other cultures or communities or groups influence our actions.

8:25 pm, Drew:  We saw that the media frames a lot of how we perceive ourselves and shapes it poorly... ...the privilege could be used to better the collective. We spoke a lot about how we could challenge our assumptions about people... ...we need to not just give it lip service... ...but bringing into spaces where people don't do this so much.

8:26 pm, Sister Sue:  Our group talked about if you talk about privilege you have to talk about colonization... ...about the Dutch... ...suffering in other countries... ...Class and race your based on your class… …about colonization on money to see a white person and to assume they have money... ...which is what's bringing privilege to the discussion board. You have to talk about imperialism, racism, and... ...and I'm privileged because I'm a woman. I was given a free t-shirt because I'm a woman.

8:39 pm, ??...and Shakti:  We talked about white people and men being more privileged than women in a lot of ways too. We talked about the definition of privilege and inherent privilege. ...figuring out what inherent privilege is... ...refers to what you are born into... ...male you're going to be someone who is more privileged. If you're born into a higher class... ...the higher class is more privileged than the lower class... ...Why are they the ones with all the power? Just like Paris Hilton. Why is he more privileged than...

Ken, LAPD:  …When I was in high school… ...speaking… …I got so nervous... …One thing that I ask is please, do not smoke marijuana here because one of my guards got yelled at by City Directors for not doing their jobs.

We had a GA and we learned that… …which is paid for by the banks... ...and I'm not saying you because you really look like a nice guy. [YELL OUT:  We should not talk to cops! We do not talk to cops! I’m sorry, we do not talk to cops!].

8:36 pm, Anthony:  [GIVES 'HAND SIGNALS'].

PROPOSALS

8:37 pm, Legal Committee Confirmation Proposal:  The legal committee exists...[HE READS CRITERIA].

8:42 pm:  [LEGAL COMMITTEE IS CONFIRMED].

8:43 pm, Sheila:  On Saturday March 10, the Women's Committee

8:45 p:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:46 pm, Kristen, CODEPINK: …national day of action on International Women’s Day, Thursday Mach 8, to break up big banks… …we're dressing up as super heroes and sheroes. Meet at noon at 240 West Beverly Canon Gardens… …to Bank of America 9454 Wilshire Boulevard… …and from 3 to 5 pm Bank of America 1715 N Vermont Avenue.

8:50 pm:    [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:51 pm, Mike, Occupy Venice, Proposer:  The Occupy LA, Occupy Venice [OLA OV ART SHOW]… …This was presented on February 24. [RESTATES PROPOSAL]…

8:56 pm:    [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:59 pm, Nestor, Queer Affinity Group:  We meet Saturday at Women's Hall also known as Solidarity Hall at 11 am

9:01 pm, Anthony, Actions Committee:  Ryan with the cane. He's the new point person with the Actions Committee... meets Coffee Bar on Spring Street, at 4 or 5 pm... and actions against Monsanto...

9:01 pm, Sheila:  There is a Women and Allies themed GA on March 3rd. We're having a meeting on Thursday at 5. so if you want to come just come over and say "hi" and you can come.

9:02 pm, At Tech@Occupy.net go to Directory.Occupy.net. There [are] all kinds of tools at Occupy.net 'notes'.

9:06 pm, Shakti:  I'm going to postpone the MOccUlections...

9:07 pm, :  Occupy London was evicted from Saint Paul's Cathedral. Occupiers were dragged off even though… …in prayer. I want to propose solidarity with London.

Kevin:  I've been with Occupy LA since Day 1 and I just got back from Washington D.C. Sometimes I'm a conspiracy theorist... ...maybe we should start talking about issues... ...I always went out there and flew signs... ...my next... ...is I'm going to go on the WalkUpy.

9:10 pm:  [SOLIDARITY CLAP].

 

Friday, February 24, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 24 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Karo and Alex.

Stackers:  Seraphime and Dele.

Time Keeper:  Sergei.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

  

INTRODUCTION

7:46 pm, Karo:  It's day 148!... ...Who is new?

7:46 pm, Alex:  [INTRODUCES A MAN FROM MIAMI].

7:48 pm, , From Miami:  [SHOUT OUTS:  Yay! Occupy Miami!]... Well, I can't exactly say I'm an Occupier from Miami but I am from Miami... ...Occupy Miami is doing great...

7:49 pm, , Volunteer:  [A READING OF OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:51 pm, Leo:  Rosa Parks. Yes she is one of the mothers of nonviolence. ...part of it is from a 1956 interview... ...The only tired i was, was tired of giving in. No. I wasn't afraid.... ..."The time had just come when I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed, I suppose. I had decided that I would have to know, once and for all, what rights I had as a human being and a citizen, even in Montgomery, Alabama."[CHEERSAND APPLAUSE].

7:54 pm, Freedom:  [Asks why we're not reading our 'Statement of Nonviolence']

7:54 pm, Alex:  ...we decided that for a short time that we were going to stop reading the 'Statement of Nonviolence' and that people should come up and talk about what 'nonviolence' means to them.

7:56 pm, Freedom:  [Asks why we're not reading our 'Statement of Nonviolence'] ... ...because [our Statement of NonViolence] means a lot to me. [A DISCUSSION BETWEEN, SHE AND MODERATORS/OTHERS 'BREAKS OUT', NO 'POINT OF PROCESS' SIGNALS, ASSEMBLY LISTENS].

7:58 pm, Karo:  I'm here to talk about F29 [FEBRUARY 29TH] with my comrades from Riverside... ...On February 29th, we're going to be going to Mira Loma to do a direct action at a Walmart Distribution Center. We're going to be meeting a 6 am at... ...and Hamner Avenue... ...if you want to come the night before... ...in his backyard. Civil Disobedience training will be meeting at 8 am at Claremont College in the parking lot.

8:01 pm, , :  We're meeting in the parking lot and .... ...the let us use one of their rooms... ...we'll figure out all the plans for the next day especially for the workshop that's going to be meeting in the backyard.

8:01 pm, Karo:  This is a really big action... ...so we hope all of us can come the night before at the corner of Hamner Avenue. The workers are in support, they wrote us a letter expressing their solidarity with us, but they're not going to be with us because of their economic circumstances...

8:05 pm, Beth:  We're working on buses,.. ...we'll figure out on carpooling the night before.

 

8:07 pm, Elise Whitaker:

8:09 pm, Beth:  I just got back from a foreclosure in Riverside.. … …OCCUPY RIVERSIDE… … ...we need a lot of people to come there on Sunday night. There's two judgments... ...every time the Sheriffs drive by, we put up another tent... ...tents and left them there all night long! [LAUGHTER]...

8:10 pm, Kristen, Women Occupy CODEPINK:  For International Women's Day to break up big banks March 8th, we will dress up as superheroes or superSheroes... ...To make costumes we will meet at the CodePink house, at 6 pm 2010 Linden Avenue Venice 90291. Contact: Kristen@CodePink.org. or at:  www.womenoccupy.org. Thursday, March 8th, from noon to 1 pm, at the Bank of America, address 9454 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, 90212.  [Afterward] from 3 to 5 pm at Bank of America, 1715 N Vermont Avenue, LA.

Brother Adam

8:16 pm, Ed, Occupy la Freedom School: 1 pm, First class: How to Defend Yourself During a Police Raid. 2nd Class at 3:15 pm. at 118 Winston Street. Three blocks [East of Pershing Square].

8:16 pm, , :  We immediately started talking to the bank and he's going to be able to keep his home. [CHEERS, APPLAUSE] The other is... ...now we have [only] days for him to stay in his home.

8:18 pm, Martha:  ...what I do is file complaints with the ?OCC? [tells story of the arrest of an undocumented foreclosee]... ...now she's facing deportation plus she's being foreclosed on... ...last night we did a big protest in front of the Van Nuys Courthouse.

 

8:21 pm, , :  She's married and has two children and she is... ...we need the police to stop abusing the families.

8:22 pm, Kawazi:  ...Across the board we've got people who are fighting for their homes... ...are people who have jobs but they don't make enough to make... ...the banks are moving so fast because of the [regulation] that Obama made with the banks... ...this is our opportunity to make a mass movement... ...please join in with us to build this effort.  We post things on the Occupy ListServ constantly.

PROPOSALS

8:27 pm, Joan, Proposer:  I'd like for us to transfer $100 from our general fund to our memorial fund and I'd like to... [AMENDED TO $2000 ONLY].

9:20 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

9:23 pm:  [SOLIDARITY CLAP].

9:34 pm, , :  [Quotes Noam Chomsky] the 'Kindness Proposal'... ...welcome accessibility to a wider Occupy LA audience. for fundraising, hosting events, campaigning...

9:47 pm, Elise Whitaker:  ...some of you know Alex Jaralson lost his mother. so if you know anyone who could help us get him back to Sweden... ...[The Assembly passes a hat around].

9:50 pm, Shakti:  ...since we don't have 'quorum' this is not a proposal...I hope this is more of a group created document. .... ....make it clear that these are objectives that we are considering; not that they are our objectives... ...[SHE READS] We, the people, hold that all life on Earth is interconnected and endowed with certain natural and inalienable rights. We are deeply concerned witht he violations of human rights perpetrated by the U.S., both here and abroad, and fear for the future of our planet. We express here our moral and spiritual outrage regarding the failures of our poitical and economic systems, which have led to endless war for profit and other abominations. Because our government no longer represents us, but only the rich and powerful who support them, we have little faith that it will address our grievances. We call for wide-spread, unified support from all people, because only with a strong united front can we hope to achieve our goals. Giving voice to the voiceless, and rising to the challenges posed by tyranny, we stand in solidarity with one another and all people who strive not just to survive, but to lead lives of integrity and freedom. In contrast to globalist agendas, some of the national objectives we have agreed upon or are considering, are, to:  [READS A LIST]

End the wars & create world peace;

Get money out of politics;

Housing, holistic healthcare, safe food & water, environmental justice, human rights and education for all;

Protect the environment and animals' rights;

Create and support sustainable energy sources & development [?of?];

Protect the rights of workers & create good jobs;

Protect the human rights of both citizens and nonCitizens, as well as those incarcerated or institutionalized;

Stop the police state... protect civil liberties.We envision one society for our nation and our world in which compassion, wisdom, and egalitarianism rule rather than:  Militarism, materialism, prejudice and tyranny. If our government cannot fairly represent us, then we the people must rise up. We encourage people to join us and participate in teach-ins, direct actions, nonViolent resistance, nonParticipation, boycotts, strikes, and whatever... ...peaceful ways...[SHE READS AN ITEMIZED SURVEY/CHECKLIST ON HER LEAFLET]

 

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 7:30pm

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 22 GENERAL ASSEMBLY; Open Forum.

Moderators:  Assembly Members 'Open Forum' Dedicated to Alex Weinshenker  ????-2012.

Stackers:  

Time Keeper:  

Note Taker:  

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:30 pm:  [Flowers are handed out].

7:40 pm, Esteban:  [Esteban: Guitar/Vocal; Assembly sings 'Joe Hill']. We're just going to have a kind of 'open forum'... ...because of a loss in the family...

7:41 pm:  ...Jaimie and I are here... ...everybody deals with things differently... ...look to your brothers and sisters... ...make sure that you're watching out for one another... ...tonight we brought flowers... ...tonight doesn't have a structure... ...whatever grieving process that you have... ...we've lost someone that we love.

7:43 pm, Jaimie:  ...that true identity of what community really is... ...I was priviledged with feeding Alex at my home... ...like I said we are strong in that, and we're strong in that with Alex. I think we should just come on up here and talk... ...I would like to start sharing my experience... ...Alex came and helped us at 'Wellness' with the February 9...

7:46 pm, Brother Adam:  Brother Alex was the reason I came up here. He gave me a bandana... [others share there experiences with Alex].. ...[SILENCE].

7:49 pm, Ruth, [Hands out candles]:  Alex was one of the first persons I met at OLA... ...he was just fearless, he was an anarchist and... ...someone was making a proposal and he just ran up and... ...[She continues handing out candles while sharing, for a candle light vigil]... ...I really wish I would have gotten to know him better...

7:51 pm, Brother Adam ?, Shares an experience:  ...and he said "I've got some bolt cutters." [Laughter]... ...[More silence].

7:56 pm, , [In tears]:  Alex was so beautiful, I'm so glad that I have some of his silk screen stuff. If there's anybody in our tribe that needs some help... ...the thing is, I've known Alex for so long and I'm a recovered... ...really love him so much... ...October 1st is such a long time ago and I did not even know he was... ...Alex, he was so beautiful... ...I know, he printed almost everything I wanted printed.

7:59 pm, , : ...he never stopped printing... ...

8:00 pm, A Woman, : ...until it dies and it falls and it dies and it can't really produce anything... ...that beautiful seed that he was... ...I didn't know the dude but I know that some of you really... ...that it's producing something that is so beautiful, that is something so cool... ...that we gather together around that beautiful seed that he was... ...that he took the time to... ...thank God for him for that beautiful seed... ...reminding us why we're here... ...reminding us what we're doing, so praise God.

8:04 pm, A Woman, Asks:  Does anybody...

8:04 pm, Brother Adam:  ...Brother Alex was a true friend with the people. We can all think about how he passed but... ...about how he lived.

8:05 pm, ,:  Alex was one of my closest friends. [Breaks down]... ..and it's hard because we really had a falling out... [Crying] I just figured we had a falling out and that eventually we would reconcile and I dreamt about him last night, but before I hadn't dreamt about him at all... ...if I can say any joy... ...and I could picture him on the top of a dumpster.... ..with this food... ...and handing out to [He Laughs] ... ...with the 'Bike Scum' and all... ...I don't know... ...I'm done.

8:08 pm, Elise:  If anyone has some pictures... ...I can scan them ... ...and I can make them up really nice... ...

8:09 pm, A woman:  I have one picture of him. [The Assembly is somber, sniffling, silent].

8:10 pm, Devin, :  I'd like to share about Alex. He was beautiful and I'm really really sorry we lost him to this disease. Drug addiction is this piece o' [expl.]. He was really awesome and he really love his son. [She holds a baby]... ...Alex was really dedicated to the things he really loved... ...like being Vegan... ...and I went vegan and I didn't slip up. I went vegan but then I got pregnant. [Some laughter]. I love you daddy [She cries].

8:14 pm, ...the majority of the time I knew... ...I called him ?Shakes?... ...I really... ...a brother [Inaud.] It hasn't sunk in yet... ...it just doesn't make any sense to me... ...Alex had his times... ...for a few... ...we really hated each other... ...I'm really grateful that I got to.... ...It's just, There's no words to describe it... ...I know more than anything else... ...people from occupy... ...Alex, he went through in his life. Times came when .... ..stopped showing up...

8:18 pm, , met in San Francisco:  Alex was really close to me... ...good times we had together... ...there were times when I hadn't seen him... ...a day when he was going to have a baby... ...and I thought about that day... ...and his phone was.... ...I thought he changed his number yadda yadda... ...there's was a phone call and it was him... ...he gave me a place to stay... ...I'm really grateful for that ... ...I'm still in shock. It's amazing to see so many people here taking part in this... ...how many people's lives he touched... ...I'd say hundreds. He inspired a lot of people... ...he was going to do something he would do it 'all out'... ...thank you for being here...

8:23 pm:  [A very long silence, some whispers, and family, close friends, standing off to the front conversing softly, hugs and tears, crying and the sound of his baby's voice gurgling.]

8:28 pm, Esteban, Guitar:  ['Redemption Song' by Bob Marley, Some members sing softly along].

8:30 pm, Elise:  In honor of Alex... ....because it's Alex's favorite thing to do... ...I'd like us to sing 'Solidarity Forever' [Sung to the tune of 'Glory Hallelujay'; Chorus: Solidarity forever (3x), the movement makes us strong... [Assembly joins in]... Solidarity forever 3x, the movement makes us strong!.

8:36 pm, Ruth:  I'm going to pass around a hat so we can put donations in it.

8:36 pm, Esteban and Assembly members sing 'All Along the WatchTower' -Jimi Hendrix-

8:39 pm, Brother Adam:  Brothers and Sisters, would you like to continue or would you like to do honor for Brother Alex... ...it's up to you... ...what... ...like to do

8:40 pm, Dele: If I may, I think that we should set up a special account... ...that they are here with their family... ...that we are their first family and they are ours... ...So I would like to set up with the Resources Committee... ...that Occupy LA wants to give

8:42 pm, Brother Adam, clarifies:  Brother Dele wants to set up a special account with our Resources

8:43 pm, Elise:  ...to set up a WePay account and I have already talked to Devin about it and they said their okay with it... ...G.R. and FoodStamps...

8:44 pm:  Temperature Check and [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED] on Dele's proposal... 

8:45 pm, , Resources:  We can set up a WePay account...

8:45 pm, Brother Adam :  [Asks the Assembly if we should go on with the business of the GA, proposals etc.]

8:45 pm, , :  I would just like if we could keep on with playing some songs because that's what he really liked. So if we could just go on with some songs... ...

8:48 pm:  [Knockin' on Heaven's Door].

8:52 pm:  [Mr. Tambourine Man].

8:55 pm:  Bruno:  Alex was one of the first people I saw when I came to the camp here. Every time I saw him we smiled.. ...he really was an amazing spirit.

8:59 pm:  Is there anybody here that was camping with Alex in Highland Park? Or anybody who knows who was camping with Alex in Highland Park?

9:02 pm:  [The Assembly has separated into groups around the Pershing Square park, there is a steady hum of people conversing softly]...

 

Monday, February 20, 2012 - 7:30am

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 20 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Elena and Kimberly.

Stackers:  Frank and Julie.

Peace Moderator/keeper:  Dele.

Note Taker:  Esteban.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

7:41 pm, Elena:  ...We are back at Pershing Square this is where the first GA took place on September 25th 2011... ...the upcoming GA is going to be at Skid Row... ...be respectul in that community. It will be at 1 pm on Saturday.

7:43 pm, , No Tent TakeDown:  ...We had all the tents up... ...and they said "You can't...". We said "What... ...and there's gonna be more tents!... ..."... ...[Yells: And what did it feel like? It felt like Occupy LA all over again.] 

7:46 pm, , Occupy Orange County:  We're in Fullerton right now. ...posted on FaceBook. We have an event this Sunday, F26, It's a preRally for F29. We invited all Occupations to this event called Occupalooza for an event,... ...good music, good food, and good vibe... ...on February 26, 8 am Breakfast at the North Justice Center in Fullerton, 1275 North Berkely Avenue.

7:57 pm, Esteban:  [A READING OF OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY].

7:49 pm, , :  My personal belief is I belive in tactical nonviolence... ...we are building a mass base. We need to build futher... ...I feel that violence will not ... ...our struggle at this time... ...Where people are imprisoned.. ...police state... they need to...

7:51 pm, , :  My feelings on nonviolence... ...I believe in self-defense... ...I don't use my hands for fighting. I use my 'words'... ...Words will destroy your enemy more faster than your hands. And, that's what I believe [about] nonviolence. Fight with your words, not with your hands.

7:52 pm, Elena:  [INTRODUCES FACITLITIES MEMBERS].

7:54 pm, Kimerly:  [GIVES HAND SIGNALS].

7:56 pm, Elena:  [CALLS FOR TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS].

7:57 pm, Jared:  I just saw Kawazi Occupy the Hood... ...an action to defend a man from foreclosure in the morning.. ..If you need info on that I'm sitting over there.

7:58 pm, Shakti:  MockULection, Tomorrow at 519 Spring Street, 7:30 pm tomorrow, at Four Square Printing.

7:59 pm, Beth:  We have a food emergency. Dierdre of Food tent was on her way here but her ride fell through. She needs a ride.

8:00 pm, Susan:  We need supplies Downtown at 4th and Towne where other Occupiers are:  like warm stuff, socks, blankets, and tents...

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

8:01 pm, Michelle:  ...we're going to break out groups and talk about something that helps us build community and build the movement. We're going to look at the 'Principles of Solidarity':  In your small group please think about these two questions. What does ... this mean to you and the movement and  How can we embody it and apply it in our everyday actions and... ... and the first Principle is 'Engaging in direct and transparent participatory Democracy'...

8:05 pm, Elena:  We wanted to take this opportunity so we really could understand what it means.

8:23 pm, 1st Group:  ...flipside to Transparency is paranoia. Co-creation... it's wise to introduce it to the community.. ...intentional community. Being part of the community by will lends itself to transparency. Also, living the truth creates transparency... ...and learning how not to be a leader and learning to embody the community.

8:24 pm, Laura, 2nd Group:  My group we took a Greyhound bus to [names a few cities]. ...Democracy is just messy everywhere. There was fighting and bickering and... ...I thought I would have it down at Occupy Wall Street. We got it down here at Ocuupy Los Angeles. I went to Occupy Philadelphia. They kept reminding each other to be polite.  There were Quakers there.

8:27 pm, Lucky, 3rd Group:  My friends are paying for this.. ...engaging in a direct participatory Democracy. Our country has spent years going to other countries for this... ...that you can actually see that your're a part of... What are you doing? What this means is your ability to make change. There's no secrets in this... ...going into different nations and killing people.

8:28 pm, Jason, 4th Group:  Four concepts: Participation which means not just showing up but engaging.... ...a self sustaining environment for people to engage themselves... ...in that sense we can all be facilitators.. Transparency, we don't have to worry about spies... ...transparency is figurative of the world we wish to create

8:30 pm, Tony 5th Group:  We talked about how we represent true Democracy. about how this country operates, which isn't a true Democracy... it is a Republic... because we're electing someone to do what they want to do... ...somehow transmute the entire system into being a true Democracy. So all we've got to do is keep going and keep building.

8:33, Sarah, 6th Group:  ...that it's a no brainer that participatory Democracy is...that people who don't come that we think that it should look like this. we think that there should be more participation. Occupy the Hood is very active... ...So one way to think about this is how you can be involved. a lot of people can't make it to the GA. Parents and children... ..can't make it to the GA at 7:30... ...Most of the 'things] we do at night and some minorities who think that the police would be more active at night.. ...to get more people involved... ...participation for new people.

8:35 pm, Bradley, 7th Group:  We took a different direction by accident. We started talking about how to make America a true Democracy... ..First thing: Congressional Lottery, One term limits, if you can't run again you have no special interests to make. So if it is a lottery... they won't make shitty laws to get reelected.. get votes on everything that affects all of the people... ..a direct vote when that can happen and we don't have to worry about digital sabotage.

8:37 pm, Tuck, 8th Group:  The GA is our participatory tool. This is where we experiment and learn about Participatory Democracy... ...There was an emphasis on...  ...concern for availablity and speed in process... ...there was a concern:  I participate even though I have a lot of crap in my life. I come I don't wait even when I expect others to... ..remember... ..you can't get burned out .... ...Democracy is a way of exercising power... ...If the number of us focusing on decisions is small, our minds on the decision is small.

8:38 pm:  MUSICIANS [A GUITARIST AND A DRUMMER PLAY 'GET OFF OF MY CLOUD' by The Rolling Stones]. [ASSEMBLY PARTICIPATES: Hey, you! Get off o' my cloud; CHEERING AND APPLAUSE].

8:42 pm, Elena:  So, if you are a musician, the Occupy LA is looking for musicians. We will put you on stage.

PROPOSALS

8:43 pm, Mike, Occupy Venice:  The plan... that'll compel us in coordination with Occupy the Arts and Occupy LA... ..a basic sense of the Magic... Occupy Venice proposes an Occupy Art Show, at Olympic and Santa Fe, On March 10th, ... ...secure the murals ... to show at the... ...the cost will be $110 for... ...political graphics. Includes. Co Coordinated by members of Occupy LA

8:52 pm, Shakti:  ...a voice to the voiceless, a draft declaration:  We the people... ..and endowed with certain inalienable rights. We are deeply... ...and fear for the future of our Planet... ...moral outrage, regardless of the failure of our government... ... because of the notion that [CONTINUES READING 'STATEMENT OF DEMANDS]... ...[QUESTIONS OF CLARITY, POINTS OF CLARIFICATION, TEMPERATURE CHECK:  HARD BLOCKS]. 

9:20 pm, Donald:  [INTERJECTS DURING SHAKTI'S PROPOSAL, MAYEM ENSUES].

9:24 pm, Elena:  Things have gotten a little out of hand so I propose we take a 60 second 'Sounds of Silence' [ASSEMBLY IS SILENT].

9:25 pm, Elena:  [GIVES SHAKTI THE FLOOR].

9:27 pm:  [DEMANDS PROPOSAL WAS TABLED].

9:28 pm, Alex, Anarchist:  I think that the proposal should not be centered around one individual... ...I am a marginalized anarchist... ...it is intended that we are going to be invlolved in elections, that we're about to be...

COMMITTE ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:30Kawazi:  Myself and Bilal Ali are going to be Occupying a house in Riverside that is going in foreclosure.

9:32 pm, We're from LACC. We want to start an LACC Occupy Group. March 1st people are going to have a National Day of Education.... ...I want to start an Occupy Education group on that day... ...I want people to come and talk about those issues.. ...If you are a student and would like to be involved with this, I need help with Facilitation, Flyers, and passing them around. If you know Grif also a student he is not here but we are all at LACC.

9:33 pm, Who are going to the Know Your Rights Training. February 26th at 1 pm, at 118 Winston.

9:35 pm, Michelle:  The Education Committee meets every Sunday at 118 Winston. It's between 4th and 5th, between Main and Los Angeles Streets.

9:38 pm, Tony:  We're meeting every Sunday 3 to 6 at Pho City at 2nd and hill and Wednesday 6 pm at Pho City

9:38 pm, Sarah, Occupy SoCal Affinity Group:  Southern California Schools are organizing... ...we are about to get rowdy... ...this week there was a Board of Trustees meeting. 46 Professors were fired. 96 classes are cancelled. ... We are going to that Board of Trustees meeting. They're not going to talk. We are going to Mic Check. 7 pm this Wednesday, Pasadena City College. I really want to get you all involved and really do anything to get you there!

9:39 pm, Jessica and Eddie:  There is actually a place to stay the night before, It's going to be a flash Occupation, It's going to be really early. There's also a nonviolence training. It's going to be really fun. We're going to shut Walmart down. There's going to be a guy with a walmart head. There's also going to be a Walmart Pinata Smiley Face. Remember Print Media? They're going to be there.

Twice a week at Pho City. .. ..all inclusive, we don't screen anybody. ... This issue is very contentious tonight because we keep... ...because [gives examples and reasons why] So we've designed this website with all the nodes with all these Sunday at 3, Wednesday at 6 pm. We want to go to the Occupy Picnic because we are not getting quorum.

Occupy SoCal MeetUP March 6th. It's a Sunday. It's in the planning stages, group meets at 519 Spring Street a print shop, every Monday at 6 pm.

Issues with the Internet. I did an article last Week .... ....and other actions to prevent actions like SOPA and  PIPA.. ...did also on films that people have been putting out, and there's a lot of films that could be license as.

9:46 pm, Donald:  Sorry about speaking out of line earlier, but I felt there was something... ...sometimes... ...but I'm surprized there are a lot of people here... ...It's a bit of a problem that Committees and Afffinity Groups are treated as if they're in a heirarchy that puts them above people... ...I have worked with Objectives and Demands before... ...however I think that it was out of line when the Committee got up and demeaned that proposal and the person... ...I think that that was wrong.

9:49 pm, ,: We meet here at Pershing Square at 6:30 

Want to let you know that Occupy Venice has been working with the homeless... ...as of last Thursday the LAPD has been targeting the homeless... ..basically the Jones Settlement.. emergency sidewalks, emergency shelter.Last Thursday 25 to 30 homel4ss Occupied... ...six police cars came over there and tried to break it up. We had 65 Occupiers, members of the National Guild and Power a Venice Group. We have our GA on Tuesday and Thursays in solidarity with Occupy LA.

Leo:  There's an Occupy the Hood, Come to 4th and Town and Occupy if you really want to Occupy,. Go to 'No Tent Takedown'... ...you say you want to raise the 'bottom' Martin Luther King said "You' ain't gonna raise yourself up unless you raise tha bottom".... [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE, THE GA ENDS].

Friday, February 17, 2012 - 7:30am

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 17 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderator:  Liberty.

Stackers:  George.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega..

 

INTRODUCTION

7:43 pm, Liberty, Facilities Committee:  Today is day ?141?

7:44 pm, George, New to OLA:  My name is George. I live in Baldwin Hills...

7:47 pm, Michelle, Volunteer Speaker on NonViolence:  [SPEAKS TO ASSEMBLY ON NONVIOLENCE].

7:47 pm, , :  [A READING OF OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

7:49 pm, Michelle, :  Planting in planters tonight.

7:50 pm, Dele:  Tomorrow will be our last GA on the West Steps. ... ...Tomorrow we have a 'Black History' themed GA... ...we have visitors ... ...from all over the country.

7:51 pm, This Sunday at 1 pm, at 118 Winston Street. Two classes... .... and 'What is Fascism'.

7:52 pm, Brittan, Walking:  ...I am walking from San Diego to Washington. We are walking tonight. We meet Greyhound Bus... ...to San Diego.

7:54 pm, , :  We need an Environmental Committee here... ...we will be meeting at the picnic at MacArthur Park on Sunday... ...

COMMITTEE AND AFFINITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

7:56 pm, Ruth, : We're going to have a Skid Row, at 4th and Main, Main Street between 4th and 5th at 1 pm, on Saturday the 25th. 

7:56 pm, , : ...one of the organizers is TC of Occupy Skid Row and the other is Bilal Ali. 

7:57 pm, , Firme:  Firme is the Spanish Language GA Sunday.

7:58 pm, , :  Y'all know this weekend is Solidarity Prison Strike. We're going to have a 'No Tent TakeDown'... ...We're meeting

7:58 pm, TC, :  Sunday night on 4th and Towne Avenue. We're going to be on Towne Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets... ...We're going to rally in support of Prison inmates Hunger Strike...

8:00 pm, Bruno:  OccuParty at, 2525 Michigan, Suite D5. That's in Santa Monica. It's an Art Gallery... ...and there's going to be an open bar [WOOTS AND HOLLERING]. It's going to be in honor of Occupy... ...celebrate our

8:03 pm, Carlos, Occupy Foreclosures:  We have been ask by about 100 families that need our help. ...Next to the Union Station we are going to be meeting... ...at 1 pm. Also we are working on occupying 99 homes in one day... ...

8:04 pm, George:  I have a question: Is money a problem in politics? Who thinks it's a good idea to make a 120% increase in contribution limits? ... ...Thursday, February 23rd at 9:30 am, in LA City Hall, Tenth Floor.. ...[FLYER:  The Ethics Commission is proposing to raise contribution limits from $500 to $1,100 for city council candidates and from $1,000 to $2,200 for citywide candidates. Regular voters can't afford to give the current contribution limit of $500 for city council candidates as it is, which is why fewer than 0.1% of voters do.].[FLYER:  Tell the Los Angeles Ethics Commission not to more than double campaign contribution limits for city candidates - and tell the incumbents to weigh in, too!] [1% give more. 

8:07 pm, Liberty:  [GIVES HAND SIGNALS].

PROPOSALS

8:07 pm, , Proposer:  This proposal is to support workers at LAX.. ...leading up to May 1st... ...What:  This for Occupy Los Angeles to show support for the 99%. While blood flows and the tarmax for un.. ...worker.. ...without health insurance... ...intimidation fighting back. at terminal 6. in blocking traffic at the Airport... ...Why: ... ... When: February 24th, at noon.

8:22 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:23 pm, Animal and Earth Liberation Affinity Group:  ...we would like to become a committee. I would like to read our 'Mission Statement'. As a Committe under the Occupy Umbrella we recognize that animals... ...the ... ...is the same system that oppresses animals and the... ...we would like to request to become a Committee so that our group feels more... ...to Occupy.

[QUESTIONS OF CLARITY AND CONCERNS ON THIS PROPOSAL FOR ONE HOUR, TEMPERATURE CHECKS BROUGHT MANY HARD BLOCKS].

[TABLED].

 

[SIDEBAR] 9:10 pm, Mike, Brittain, and others [??NAMES??]:  [OCCUPY WALKERS ARE EMBARKING ON A CROSS COUNTRY WALK TO NEW YORK: WALK TO GREYHOUND BUS STATION; TAKE BUS TO SAN DIEGO; AND WALK TO NEW YORK. WOOTING, HOLLERING, SINGING (SOLIDARITY FOREVER), AND APPLAUSE. SOME ASSEMBLY MEMBERS LEAVE FOR THE WALK TO THE BUS STATION]. [MANY MARCH WITH AND LEAVE THE ASSEMBLY].

 

9:23 pm, Shakti, InterOccupy M-Occu-Lections:  A canvassing campaign that would be a survey on the people's interests and needs, get people involvee with Occupy through Outreach and throught the fun, and yet anti-political, purely-symbolic, Mocculections. Also, help gather resources for OLA.

9:55 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED, though we lacked 'quorum.]

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 7:30am

Body:

 

FEBRUARY 15 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Moderators:  Alex Stevens.

CoModerator:  Rudy.

Shadow Stacker:  Olga.

Stackers:  Lisa and Julie.

Time Keeper:  

Note Taker:  Elena.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

Today is day 138

Chant: Get rowdy get loud. Let's Occupy this crowd 4X

7:42 pm, , :  Just want to remind everybody that we're moving the GA, on the 20th to Pershing Square.

7:43 pm, , :  [CALLS FOR SPANISH TRANSLATOR, CALL FOR ANY NEW PEOPLE HERE].

7:44 pm, , :  I am from the Occupy Movement in the Inland Empire. The reason I am here is...

7:45 pm, Elena:  [READS OUR 'PRINCIPLES OF SOLIDARITY'].

7:47 pm, Alex:  [INTRODUCES THE FACILITATORS].

7:48 pm, Mike, Volunteer Speaker:  

7:49 pm, Shakti, Volunteer Speaker: ...interchanging other people's feelings and needs... ...rather than being violent... ...at the end of the NonViolence Class I had an epiphany. What if... ...teach nonviolence... ...not only teach nonviolence but 'be' nonviolent...

7:51 pm, Bilal Ali:  All Power to the People! Firstly I want to thank everybody for your support. Recently, I was a recipient of the Police Violence... ...of the police state... ...you can arrest a revolutionary but you can't arrest the Revolution... ...planned actions... ...Skid Row is not just a place of soup lines but... ...way before the Occupy Movement... ...there is a continuing spirit of resistance down there...

7:54 pm, , :  ...in support of the prison hunger strike people... ...on the morning of the 20th in the morning we will... ...and my brother TC is going to talk about it.

7:55 pm, TC:  We're all on Skid Row, bring your cameras, tents, sleeping bags

7:55 pm, Shakti:  I am in support of the hunger strikers at Pelican Bay... ...they can be denied of adequate [provisions]... ...if we don't stand up for the bottom of the barrel, that's the...

7:57 pm, Alex:  I'd like to open stacks for time sensitive announcements...

TIME SENSITIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:00 pm, Beth:  We went to an action in Beverly Hills... ...We didn't get far because the artist Will was run down and dragged about 25 feet... ...had he not dragged Will and seen a cop, he would have driven away laughing. The guy was going along in a smart car making a left hand turn with no signals on and cardboard license plate. They [police] ended up picking him up...

8:01 pm, :  On behalf of Arturo de Santos 828 West Washington Boulevard, 11 am. At 8:30 buses are loading at [near City Hall].

8:02 pm, Sergei

8:05 pm, Ed, General Strike:  tomorrow, Thursday, February 16... ...topic:  The General Strike of 1934. We will talk about what woked 519 South Spring Street... ...at F-Square Printing. Try to be there.

8:04 pm, Alex:  [EXPLAINS 'HAND SIGNALS'].

8:06 pm, Alex and Rob, Occupy Los Angeles Times:  We'd like to announce the release of Issue No. 3... ...this issue is a 'hot one' and it includes an interview with Oliver Stone, and we would appreciate help with distribution... ...

PROPOSALS

8:08 pm, Barry, Proposer: ...from 8 to 10 am at St. John's Hospital, the nurses there are going to have an informational pickett... ...most of the hospital administrators literally make a million dollars a year... ...that Occupy endorse and have as many supporters, come to support St. Johns RN Informational Pickett. at 10 am tomorrow, Santa Monica Boulevard between 20th and 23rd Streets... ...

8:17 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:18 pm, Proposer, Occupy San Fernando Valley:  This proposal to call on Occupy LA to show support for Occupy San Fernando Valley... ...Mockulections, Van Nuys Courthouse from 12 to 4 pm... ...Occupy Presidents Day.

8:22 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

8:23 pm, Food Tent and :  Plant edibles in the West Step Containers, Create a Community Garden in Solidarity Park, Leave spaces clean... ...do it with or without City Hall.

8:28 pm:  [CONSENSUS WAS REACHED].

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:30 pm, Karo:  General Strike we're doing an action on February 29th, against a Walmart Distribution Center who treats its employees badly in Mira Loma. We're going to be meeting at 6 am, 4100 Hamner Avenue, in Mira Loma. Come

Shakti, :  Next Tuesday is going to be the second to last Mock Debate on Corporatism, Corporate Personhood, the rights of... ...at F-Squared Printing... ...we're going to be filming it, at 519 Spring Street, at 7:30 pm, next Tuesday.

Dierdre, Food Tent:  Every Wednesday the Farmer's Market donates to us such amazing vegetables. I only ask that you give a small amount or time... ...we had huge amounts of vegetables... ...please take as much as you want. If you still want to donate money I will still be taking it at this time.

8:38 pm, Ed, Occupy LA Freedom School Committee:  This Sunday at 1 pm, at 118 Winston Street; we will have two classes:  What is Fascism and What is Eduication... ...come, be part of the school.

AFFINITY GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

8:36 pm, , 9 to 5 Affinity Group :  ...USC is getting unprecedented amounts of money and it's just cut cut cut cut cut... ...and it turns out that it's the Dean that is the culprit... ...9 to 5 Affinity Group

8:38 pm, , :  Carlos Montez, Activist that was arrested... ...the next court date is... March 3rd, 8:30 am at 210 West Temple Steet Courthouse.

8:309 pm, Mike, Occupy Walk:  We leave here Friday night after the GA, OccupyWalk.org. We're meeting up with our brothers and sisters in San Diego and we're going to walk from San Diego to New York and then march to Washington D.C.

8:44 pm, Beth:  We meet here at 7:30 am, tomorrow and have an action to march through the bar district... ...[they're] trying to take away our rights to medical marijuana...

Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 4:00pm

Body:

 

 

FEBRUARY 11 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT PERSHING SQUARE; OCCUPY THE HOOD

Moderators:  Bilal Ali and Kawazi.

Minutes Taker:  Dennis de la Vega.

 

INTRODUCTION

4:38 pm, Bilal Ali:  ...we're here today to raise that consciousness of that because there's another 'strike' looming. Four deaths [in prison] that they're not [mentioning]... ...[INTRODUCES KENDRA].

4:41 pm, Kendra:  My husband is in segregation right now [TAKES THE MEGAPHONE]... ...He's not actually in the SHU [Security Housing Units]... ...Pelican Bay... ...he was doing very well with the ?school? .... ...prison official that planted evidence..... ...and he was sent to segregation. I haven't seen him in one year... ...Recently his appeal was denied... ...They told him in order to get out of the SHU he .... ....it's called being a snitch. It comes back on [him] and on the family. There's about 3500 men in the SHU. I inow there have been about 30 men who have been in the SHU for ?7? years. It's 20 foot walls with no sunlight... ...vitamin deficiency... ...they stopped his water. And now by summertime if their 'five demands' are not met they will go on another hunger strike... ...They are going for clothing exchange. Some of them are in boxers for months. They don't have a TV or radio... ...it's worse than the SHU. .. ...There's a man, he died... ...from starving himself, and that's the first confirmed death... ...I'm trying to get it out there because a lot of families are scared... ...and these men, they need support right now. The retaliation about the hunger strike. CV Official told the men that they will be retaliated against. Their food was stopped, they turned the air conditioning up, took away their visits, tampered with mail. Visitation for family members is very important... ...that keeps communication going. They took my husbands family visits away... ...they play games on a lot of women because [the women] are out here trying to survive. They are extremely inhumane. [A QUESTION] I was just... ...labelled contraband. They said that I was a threat to the penal code system. They said that I was going to incite a riot or prison strike... ...They hold back what it is... ...family members are terrified... ...because they'll take it to the bottom... ...but [it's] good to know that my false contraband conviction is... ...they didn't even put my CDC number... ... they lifted the ban... ...I know hundreds of family members that contact... ...some of them live with their brothers that got parolled... ...You can't live with a documented ?parol member? [BILAL ASKS FOR THE FIVE] 1. In Group Punishment [the whole race I.e. gets on 'lock-down'... ...the ND Punishment... ...they are in the SHU and the only way to get out of the SHU is they have to 'snitch'. You can't see the political documentation... ...I've seen a man the reason he's in the SHU is because an article for NIke with a gorilla and that's why he's in there. If you [hallmark card with a shamrock on it]. 2. There's no education while you are in the SHU, there's no jobs... ...It's rehabilitation 3. They wanted artwork programs, they wanted to draw. The CDC.  4. They 

[BILAL ASKS: WHAT IS THE WORK YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW WITH THE UNITED NATIONS?]

Kendra:  A few years ago... ...the United Nations... ...with petitions... ...I was abel to rally up within the state of California... ...and we currently have 400 men of all defferent nationalities. For the first time ever they are revealing their mental status... ...we're hoping that the United Nations looks at this... ...in International court against America... ...and we're going to throw it back in their face [APPLAUSE].

5:01 pm, Mara, A Family Member of incarcerated brother-in-law:  He got out in April.. ...he got validated [THEY SAID HE WAS A GANG MEMBER]... ...Pelican Bay...

5:02 pm, Kendra:  When you get 'validated' you get one year... ...an IGI [GANG INVESTIGATOR] he's saying my husband has a street name moniker when at Pelican Bay they never said he had one.  Another,... ...my husband ... ...he's going up on trial against another [IGI] the CDCR ... ...they're coming down.

5:04 pm, Lindsey;  If you seen in San Quentin there was a riot between the Nortenos and the Mat salva trouche. ... that two other ... ..were killed... ...I called San Quentin today but they wouldn't give any information. There's no information that the guards shot and killed two inmates...

5:06 pm, Bilal Ali:  ...Twin Towers...Prison Industrial complex and Corporatism

5:07 pm, Michael Novick:  ...California is spending for prisons... ...when Jerry Browne got in he had a... ...put in there... ...the Koch Brothers... ...the first thing that they did was write the laws... ...on both the State level and the California ... ....California Prison guards were allowed to use... ...for the specific purpose of creating social division... ...break that strike because the prisons rely on the. ... ...The othere thing to recognize is... ...some of the started for the prisons... ...Hugo Pinogi... ...They framed up six... ...Hugo was one of them... ....like the Black Panther Party that was supporting them... ....They now have this phony... ....Their shipping prisoners out of the state entirely... ...Board of Supervisors.. ... But Sheriff Lee Baca ... ...AB109 was put together overnight... ...prison debt cells... ...Arnold Schwarzeneggar... ...it's just another sweatheart deal, more construction more... ....[APPLAUSE].

5:12 pm, Bilal Ali:  ....$2.16 Billion is going to that...

5:13 pm, Kawazi:  ...one of the reporters was in there... ...I met him in a couple of hearings there... ...this was passed in an instant. Most people didn't even see it... ....profitable returns for investment... ...in the prison program... profit sharing... for the... ...running the prison, and the prison guards... ...by the prison guards and the administrators as a means of [capitalizingf]... ...the components for weaponry for some bizarre...and they've made this...  criminal justice system...of prison on the backs of poor people...

ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q:  Retaliation?

A:  Bogus hearing on grievances... ...whenever you file a grievance... ...they did take retaliatory action... ...you're put in administrative segregation... ...

5:19 pm, Shakti:  About 25 years ago I went to a psychiatric ... ...so I researched it... ...I found out that psychiatric jails are the worst... ...it combines the horror of all of your rights taken away from you... ...from being medicated... ...shock treatment... ...you're eve less than a form of life in psychiatric jails... ...Florida where a man in p.s. ended up gouging his own eyes out... ...It's like what [author] wrote about in 'Belly of the Beast'... ...This is what Occupy is here for .... ... we're standing up for and I'll be there at Twin Towers, Monday at 3 pm.

5:22 pm, Bilal Ali:  Who doesn't know who Fred Happnin', Sr. He is the orginator of the original Rainbow Party... ... He brought together the Puerto Ricans and the..[NAMES TWO OTHERS] and many others. ... ...The Chicago Police lied and said that he initiated it... ...Fred knew who was security for ... ...and he was going to be in the?Chicago? police Department... ...He's here now... ... he's going to speak for the Prisoners of the... ...and the Black Panther....

5:s24 pm, Fred:   ...two Freedom Fighters.... ...Deputy chairman of the Illinoies... ...assasinated by the Federal Gov't... ...one of the ... ...terrorist... ...21 years old... ...my... ...comrade to be... ...a doctor's stethoscope... ...eight and half months pregnant belly [my mother's]... ...Chairman of the POCC, BOBPC... ...This is the Police Terrorism.. .....Myself ...a political prisoner... ...Concentration Camp... ...When I speak about it it's not coming from a book... Microcosm.. propaganda.. cable tv so on ant so forth... literally murder ... the initial victims of the ... gas chambers htat did not receive any mail... ...The state is still getting paid for these individuals who do not even exist... ...we must commit to never commit... ...free them all... ...we say that the American criminal justice system is just the long arm of the Bushes... ...we want to say that so loud that... What's our call [ASSEMBLY: Free them all!] [3 times].

5:31 pm, Bilal Ali:  Last... ...we did a... ...he's accused of killing two FBI agents. He's in his sixties... ...Leonard Peltiear Huga Pinel.. Abu the cuban five [NAMES A FEW TO BE FREED].

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