The Occupy LA General Assembly is in ongoing discussion about a proposal to Amend the OLA Statement of Nonviolence.
Some people support one or more of the versions below and some people are opposed to any changes to the current principle, while others prefer to make zero statements on nonviolence and some people prefer strict guidelines. We are a diverse group with many opinions. Please weigh in and join us tonight to discuss in person.
The OLA General Assembly is held at 7:30pm Mon/Wed/Fri & Sat.
Current Statement of Non-Violence:
We are an open, participatory, democratic, horizontal, peaceful, and non-violent movement. We are not a leaderless movement, we are a movement of leaders. As a non-violent movement, we have agreed to refrain from violence against any person, from carrying weapons, and from destruction of property. We reject violence, including property destruction, because we recognize that it undermines popular support and discourages the broadest possible participation among the 99%. We believe non-violence promotes unity, strength of message, and an environment in which every one's voice might be heard.
Proposed Statement of NonViolence:
V1
Occupy Los Angeles believes that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend the rights of individuals and organizations to practice them. As a nonviolent movement, we do not support or condone violence in any form, including rioting, vandalism or wanton property destruction that is used to oppress or harm individuals. We are not a leaderless movement: but a movement of leaders. As such we respect the autonomous rights of those in this movement to self-govern without resorting to the violent systems of state and corporate controlled policing agencies to regulate our behavior.
V2
Occupy Los Angeles believes that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend individuals' and organizations' right to engage in such action. As a nonviolent movement, we do not support or condone violence against persons, nor rioting, vandalism or wanton property destruction. We are not a leaderless movement: but a movement of leaders. As such, we respect the autonomy of those within this movement, as well as each individuals' ability to act responsibly and maintain self-discipline without recourse to the violence of formal policing and institutional repression.
V3
Occupy Los Angeles believes that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend individuals' and organizations' right to engage in such action. As a nonviolent movement, we do not support or condone violence against persons, nor rioting, vandalism or wanton property destruction as a method to oppress or condemn individuals. We are not a leaderless movement: but a movement of leaders. As such we respect the autonomy of those within this movement, as well as each individuals' responsibility to act accordingly and maintain self-discipline, without recourse to the violence of formal policing and institutional repression.
9 Comments
NV 2.0
Submitted by 3rock on
The first part of the original NV starts with what we are, BEAUTIFUL & ends with what we are, MORE BEAUTIFUL.
I'm afraid the way the others are phrased is a cop-out to the violence we were just subjugated to, but there are parts of the other proposals I like and here is my view, suggestion:
We are an open, participatory, democratic, horizontal, peaceful, and non-violent movement. We are not a leaderless movement, we are a movement of leaders. As a non-violent movement, we have agreed to refrain from violence against any person, from carrying weapons, and from destruction of property. We reject violence, including rioting, vandalism or wanton property destruction, because we recognize that it could subject us to the violent systems of state and corporate controlled policing agencies to regulate our behavior, undermines popular support and discourages the broadest possible participation among the 99%. We believe non-violence promotes unity, strength of message, and an environment in which every one's voice might be heard.
They work.
Submitted by dmbondi on
With respect to all the passions brought to bear by discussion over this issue, I must say that any version of this statement is sufficient to underscore what is meant by the very general term of "non-violence". Please come to consensus and move on to more pressing problems.
nonviolence - no detailed explanation necesarry
Submitted by Mahayana on
I am trying to figure out why the statement of non-violence is causing so much controversy. "Occupy Los Angeles does not condone violence or vandalism" It can be said in one simple sentence. All other verbage is just to flower it up & make it a bit more eloquent.
I do agree that this sentence should be removed:
"As a non-violent movement, we have agreed to refrain from carrying weapons"
None of OLA's policies should conflict with our constitutional rights. Lets leave those types of actions to our corrupt government.
The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves - in their separate, and individual capacities. -Abe
I like this version from
Submitted by NotBoxedIn on
I like this version from Bruno:
Occupy LA is committed to non-violence. We believe that love, peaceful protest and non-violent civil-disobedience are the most powerful and effective tools for changing the increasingly undemocratic and violent power structures of today.
Peace
Submitted by 3rock on
For those of us who are a bit enlightened, understanding the original NV is an easy thought process, the problem is example: We are not a leaderless movement, we are a movement of leaders. There is a beautiful thought flow to that, that is incredible but to some it may be construed as, "Oh it's OK to wink, wink, be a leader." I'd like it to say "we are a leaderless movement."
Therein lies the problem. I posted earlier some additions because it's so cool people are involved. This is you, younger generations energy & I'm afraid I've taken up way too much.
I just think that a beautiful, easy to understand NV for a newcomer, is important.
I'd like to see a more thoughtfully concise, engaging, ever changing version on the webpage. How could non violence & peace be ever changing? Is he coo coo? This rocket ship has launched.
I swear this is my last post for a while. I swear this is my last post for a while. I swear this is my last post for a while.
good idea but think short and memorable
Submitted by macbug on
Way too long, how will anyone remember them... we live in a 3 second world of sound bites.
five really well thought out one liners, is better than a million words
How about " The people first in all matters"
Justice for all, not just the rich, well you get the idea..
Stay Angry and vote...
macbug
COMPUTER GEEK VERSION.
Submitted by Dennis de la Vega on
For here is, yet one more outside-the-box version. It is a checklist for someone new to read aloud. It may be rally called 'Caisson' like. Incrementally modifiable? You decide. The 'Assembly' in unison will 'BZZT' or 'CHECK' each item. "BZZT" is conveniently quieter than "CHECK" which often echoes off of the Superior Court building. Also, a "BZZT" response to the Carrying Clause has the decibel gun enthusiasts may consider safely expressing their thoughts... Isn't it? Imagine yourselves in an assembly carrying openly. Now imagine yourselves amidst us carrying a concealed weapon. Please consider. Moving on... Herein, co-moderators simultaneously begin the sentence structures while moderators voice the three interrogative words what, why and how. Readers read the checklist, after which, the assembly responds with one word.
[MODERATOR] What?
[CO-MODERATOR] We are;
[READER] Open, participatory, and democratic?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] Horizontal, peaceful, and non-violent?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] Leaderless?
[ASSEMBLY] BZZT!
[READER] All leaders?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[CO-MODERATOR] We agree;
[READER] To refrain from violence?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] ...against any person?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] To not carry weapons?
[ASSEMBLY] Humdidum...
[READER] To not destroy property?
[ASSEMBLY] BZZCHECK!
[CO-MODERATOR] We reject;
[READER] Violence?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] Property destruction?
[ASSEMBLY] Hmmmmm...
[MODERATOR] Why?
[CO-MODERATOR] We recognize that it;
[READER] Undermines popular support?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] Discourages the broadest possible participation?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] ...among the 99%?
[ASSEMBLY] Double-check!
[CO-MODERATOR] We believe;
[READER] Non-violence promotes unity?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] ...strength of message?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] An environment?
[ASSEMBLY] Check!
[READER] ...in which every one's voice might be heard?
[ASSEMBLY] Yes!
[MODERATOR] How?
[ASSEMBLY] By checking our moderators! (Just kidding).
[ASSEMBLY] Transparently!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJybwgtR970
:)
Submitted by 3rock on
V4
Submitted by macbug on
We are a nonviolent movement. SHORT AND SWEET AND TO THE POINT
Stay Angry and vote...
macbug
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