Working Group Proposal for Communication & Networking

People are occupying spaces in over 150 communities throughout the nation and many more worldwide. We have all become part of a network of people who are working together for something much bigger than any single person, idea, or group. The growth of this movement has been vast and rapid. As we are growing, it is important for us to be able to communicate with one another so we can support each other, share ideas, information and knowledge. This is how we will grow stronger. We have already seen a couple of locations start to form working groups taking on the large task of networking and opening up communication.

Occupy Together is humbly submitting a proposal for consideration: a working group formed by each general assembly that would communicate and network with other “occupations.” Since often times specific working groups from one area want to speak with similar working groups in another, ideally this new working group would be comprised of liaisons or a sampling from the others within the general assembly.

This is only a proposal, if and how these groups are formed and which communication tools they use is up to each general assembly.

Occupy Together is first and foremost a website to aggregate and accessibly distribute information. Outside of this, we try to stay as neutral as possible. We feel that we are simply serving a function as part of this decentralized movement. We never intended on being—and don’t want to be—any kind of organizer, voice or leader of this movement. We feel that we’ve made our intentions clear to everyone who has visited our site or has contacted us and acted accordingly.

That being said, since we’re at least loosely connected with all of the general assemblies forming around the country, we’re in a unique position to be monitoring and hearing what the current needs across the nation and world are. We feel that communication between general assemblies is crucial and is already past due. With this information presented, we felt it was outside of our scope and mission to be creating these communication tools. We did, however, see the urgency and necessity for them so we started talking with others who were beginning their development. When it comes down to it, we just want to be able to inform everyone of how they can be in contact with one another.

Here are some tools in place that can currently be used for this kind of communication:

If/as these working groups form, Occupy Together can add those involved on a listerv that is hosted on TakeTheSquare’s private server. This listserv is already created and ready to go. A listserv essentially acts as a way to mass email each other in a more organized manner.

In addition to the listserv, an IRC room can be created where those involved with the working groups will have voice priority. Meaning, if the room gets out of hand the moderators can stop the chat so that those involved in the working groups are able to talk to each other. There is an IRC phone app that can be used for wider access for those who don’t have computer access.

TakeTheSquare has offered assistance in setting up N-1, an open-source social networking program. They have used this extensively in the Madrid uprising.

Also, there is a voice-chat service (can also be used on any smart phone) that is being developed at OccupyGlobal.net.

Ultimately, Occupy Together is neutral on which tools are used to communicate. We just want to inform you of ways you may be able to effectively communicate. If these working groups do form and want to start by using one or more of these tools, they are available. If better tools or better ways of communicating come along they can be used at any moment.

If your general assembly does decide on creating this type of working group, and you together decide you want to use these tools, please send us your location and email addresses for those involved to communication@occupytogether.org and we can add you to the listserv to further discuss communication options.





-info found here
http://www.occupytogether.org/2011/10/20/working-group-proposal-for-communication-networking/

Educate Yourself, then Educate Others

CURRENT ATTENTION

FOX BUSINESS NEWS - PRO OCCUPATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF30eMuWFHI

MSNBC -PRO OCCUPATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCRnkamitVk

CURRENT, KEITH OLBERMANN -PRO OCCUPATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWyrk10_S84

ANONYMOUS -PRO OCCUPATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lrGZnKf888

RON PAUL -PRO OCCUPATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka1ym7S3F3w&feature=related






OTHER ONLINE EDUCATION

Andrew Napolitano, On The Constitution and its History/Contents (57 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sNWbiAMf80&feature=related

Max Igan's THE AWAKENING (1h 5min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60DfpHyuuL0&feature=related

ZEITGEIST: THE MOVIE 2007, (2h 1min)
http://player.vimeo.com/video/13726978

ZEITGEIST: ADDENDUM 2008, (2h 3min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EewGMBOB4Gg

ZEITGEIST: MOVING FORWARD 2011, (2h 41min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w

KYMATICA (1h 23m)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkbvJFEQgJU&feature=related






FILMS TO SEE

Inside Job (2010) 
Dir. Charles Ferguson, written by Charles Ferguson, Chad Beck, 108 min.: This Oscar-winning documentary from Sony Classics piles on the chronic aches and pains of Wall Street, from Lehman Brothers to AIG, mapping out the systemic corruption that causes the financial crisis to keep bleeding.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) 
Dir. Michael Moore, written by Michael Moore, 127 min.: With the U.S. subprime mortgage fiasco well under way and the casino mentality in full throttle, Moore goes door to door looking for a sound explanation of why we trust in a system that is leaving more and more people behind.

Enron:  The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) 
Dir. Alex Gibney, written by Bethany McLean, Peter Eikind, Alex Gibney, 109 min.: Obsession, compulsion, and addiction, coupled with shell companies and a high stakes game of endless profits, created the deception and fraud that ultimately drove Enron into the ground.


Food, Inc. (2008) 
Dir. Robert Kenner, written by Robert Kenner, Kim Roberts, Elise Pearlstein: The "spinning of a pastoral fantasy" gets unspun in this must-watch look at the food on our dinner table and the wage slaves who bastardize it for the big companies that monetize Mother Nature.

A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2006) 
Dir. Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack, 94 min.: Peak oil may be the one elephant in the room we're hoping the techocrats and wizards can chase away, but as this doc explains, no magic wand is that big.


Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) 
Dir. Robert Greenwald, 98 min.: Wal-Mart is the poster child for an American corporation gone bad in this in-depth analysis of how the retail giant keeps prices low and profits high. 


2012: Time for Change (2010)
Dir. Joao G. Amorim, 85 min.: Even if you're not into shamanism or psychedelic drugs, "Time for Change" offers more than just Iboga roots to chew on.

Casino Jack (2010) 
Dir. Alex Gibney, written by Alex Gibney, 118 min.: Wherever money and politics meet, lobbyist Jack Abramoff leaps in through the back door, highlighting just how much the fabric of the U.S. government resembles swiss cheese. 

(information from,  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/idUS283171780220111007)


 OLDER WISDOM

Severn Suzuki, 12yo girl Addressing the UN, amazing (6min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZsDliXzyAY 


Ron Paul History
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka1ym7S3F3w&feature=related

Gearing up for the BIG DAY!

Although it has not yet been put to a vote, as it will be this Wednesday, the specific date and location of our long term occupation are on almost everyone minds. If you were not already aware, make sure you are there this Wednesday @ 6pm if you want your vote to be heard.

Once the actual Occupation begins things should become much more fluid. Everyone will have an opportunity to express themselves to one another on site. The committees will have the opportunity to meet whenever they like since some people from each will most likely always be available. This is exactly why the occupy Wall Street model works, "It is always present and always growing." We have an opportunity to learn from one another, to share our stories and information. We have an opportunity to be a constant reminder to the community that we are not mindless and not a mob, we are simply a group of like minded individuals who's many different concerns all run along a few parallels. So this needs to be PRIORITY 1!

Our numbers in the US and around the world are now at staggering levels. These mini cities that are popping up everywhere are becoming local communication hubs for a greater cause. As the end of the week approaches I can tell all of you one thing, even if we have not yet had a voting opportunity,.. I will be there. I will begin to occupy one of the potential locations, even if I have to do it alone. I know it is time for the world to change, let us be the ones to affect that change! Join me, join us, occupy the world!

Tonight was fun. We reached out and people responded.

First off I would like to thank everyone who showed their support by standing with us tonight.
And for those of you that decided to randomly join in and march with us  THANK YOU!! :) 


Our pre march get together was a big sucsess (did lose my keys though..  sadness)  We made signs and shirts and passed out stickers that have a UPC code to direct you to our site!!  KSPR dropped in and got some footage as well as took a few interviews.  They informed us that we would make the news tongiht, this is a big positive, the more media coverage the better.  We headed to the Art Walk at around 6pm.
I believe we started out with around thirty people and as the night went on the numbers only grew.  We used chalk and held signs, we raised our voices and spread a little truth.  I cannot tell you how amazing it was to hear from so many other people.   I would fill you in on the details but honestly, my feet and vocal cords are killing me so I hope to see everyone of you Wednesday that can make it at out.  Same place and time as our last one.  Phelps Grove park, 6pm.

Homeless Reality in America.. is this our future?

Last nights meeting and todays activities

Hello everyone,
After having attended last nights meeting and getting a better view on what is to come over the next week, I figured I should share as much with those interested in keeping up with the movement as it happens.

5:30pm Today (Oct 7th) we will be meeting in Phelps Grove park and marching to the art walk.  I will be there at 4pm getting signs ready and picking up the stencils for our t-shirts. REMINDER - tomorrow you should wear a shirt that you do not mind being stenciled upon. We will add the 99% logo to your shirt if you are willing to wear it proudly during the march. If you would like to show up early, bring materials if you can, otherwise bring good conversation and positive energy.

We are are currently letting the Occupy New York General Assembly know when we are planning our big event ;) Things are in the works, if you want to know more, SHOW UP!  As far as our next general assembly meeting, we will be announcing that tomorrow during the march.  On a more personal note, I want to thank each and every one of you that help us raise awareness. If your reading this you are surely one those that I am referring too.

Looking forward to seeing you all,
Kellen McIlroy

If someone asks you a question, be ready to answer.

What is our End Game?
Transparency in government and the removal and/or seization of all ultra nationalist media and banking interests. It is not communism simply justice long overdue. These 'interests' modus operandi has been to infiltrate and usurp global governments through pay offs/bribes/blackmail/murder/ and terrorism, to push their agenda. Profit, at all costs.

How will we Achieve these goals?
We will achieve these goals by simply stopping the operation of these entities at the consumer level. Occupying banks, refusing to give up our homes, civic disobedience and peaceful demonstrations will be our initial tactics.  We will tax the coffers of those that have raised our global cost of living and repressed technological development as to maintain power.  We will continue to raise awareness of the crimes these entities have committed against humanity and the earth as a whole. That is why we hold protests, in the hope that people who have not yet had an opportunity to confront this information, will approach us and inquire.

Is there a Call to Arms?
Yes!  We are constantly seeking others like us.  Those that are disenfranchised with the world around them as it is today, those that have new and innovative ideas for our future.  Join us, the movement is now. 

THIS IS OUR MESSAGE

Spread it.


As we gather together in Solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose site of what brought us together. We write/right so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies, as one people, united, we acknowledge the reality that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members, that our system must protect our rights and upon corruption of that system it is up the individuals to protect there own rights and those of there neighbors. That a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the earth, and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations which place profit over people, self interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our Houses through an illegal foreclosure process despite not having the original mortgage. They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity and continue to give executives exhorbited bonuses. They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplaces, based on age the color of ones skin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. They have poisoned the food supply through negligence and undermined the farming system through monopolization. They have profited off the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices. They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions. They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right. They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers healthcare and pay. They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility. They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams, that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance. They have sold our privacy as a commodity, they have used they military and police force to prevent freedom of the press. The have deliberately declined to recall faulty products, endangering lives in pursuit of profit. They determine economic policy despite the catastrophic failures there policies have produced and continue to produce. They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them. They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil. They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save peoples lives or provide relief, in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit. They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty book keeping, and inactive ingredients, in pursuit of profit. They purposefully kept people misinformed and fearful through there control of the media. They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners, even when presented with serious doubts about there guilt. They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad. They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians over seas. They continue to create weapons of Mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.

To the people of the world we the new york city general assembly occupying wall street in liberty square, urge you to assert your power, exercise your right to peaceably assemble, occupy public space, create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone. To all communities that take actions and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal, join us and make your voices heard.

-Statement issued from Zukati Park by the General Assembly at Occupy Wall street

MEETING WEDNESDAY - WE NEED HELP :)

-The Update-

We are currently over 300 strong and growing! 

We have a meet and greet and plan Tomorrow at Phelps grove!

We still NEED a Twitter Person w/ laptop, Flier Distributors (MSU, Drury, Downtown, CBC, BBC, Evangel, ect..) and Flier Makers, Someone who is willing to hunt down ALL laws appertaining to protests at the Federal, State, and Local levels, a local Teamster Contact, Off Duty Sympathetic Law Enforcement, and possibly some very active admins for our facebook page.  3 days ago we were less than 50 and now we are more than 6 times that.



-What to Do-

 We are currently in need of a last minute surge for awareness.  Please take the time to call a loved one or two (or all your friends) and inform them of tomorrows meeting and its importance.  As soon as the meeting is over the blog will be updated with our Protest location, time, and date.  If you are looking for a little more information on the subject matter to be discussed on the meeting try the links set below.


LINKS
http://occupywallst.org/  (Start Here)
http://www.occupytogether.org/  (The Multi State/Multi National Occupation Movement)
http://vimeo.com/29513113  (10 minute film, watch)
http://nycga.cc/  (The Cause Homepage)
http://nycga.cc/2011/09/28/general-assembly-minutes-928-730pm/    (Latest Minutes) 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Springfield-MO/282538708425871  (Facebook Page)

Okay, so... What next?

 

Pick a Street and Grab a Sign

 

I mean seriously, if you are reading this then you 'are' us.  So help! 

All you need is a sign a corner and a few hours and you will make a difference.  Our facebook page is already over 100 strong.  Yesterday we were 50. 

 

Together we can make a difference, the more of us out there trying, the faster we will grow.  If you don't yet know who we are or what we are about.  Take some time to catch up.  Find out about the current Occupy WallStreet movement in New York.  People are beginning to understand just how much and for how long ultra national banking interests have been taking.  If you wanna know more, show up, ask around, everyone has a story to tell. 

 

 

Cheap and Fun Sign Project

 

1 large piece of cardboard or sign board

1 or 2 Yardstick/Rulers/Sticks  (a plus shapped sign bass offers support on windy days)

1 roll Duct Tape

1 Large Black Marker

 

 

Tip: Before you even gather materials, decide what you want your sign to say.

If You Cant Leave The House, But Still Want To Help.

There are many different ways to create a ripple. 
If you have a phone, you could make a call or two as I have done, or maybe you can help us come up with new and better ideas to assist our brothers and sisters on the Front Lines in New York.

My Story
Just got off the phone with "Police Spoksman" (no seriously, he would not give me his name) based out of the 77th precinct New York.  Even when asked for his legal name, he spelled out POLICE SPOKSMAN.  This little bit of info was all that was received other than the arrest count and charge types.  So far, all charges given out are Misdemeanor 'disturbing the peace' charges.  It took 4 transfers by 3 different switch board operators to glean this morsel of information.  I simply introduced myself stated my name and introduced myself as an amateur blogger/journalist which I am.

What U Can Do?
Here is a good list of questions that I will be using in potential future conversations.  I am not advocating anyone to call and seek this information.  However, I will post the numbers so you can 'call as much as you like.' Just remember if a regular person like me can get the Police Spokesman on the line, imagine what you could do.  Better yet, go do it! 

Question List
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) How many Current Arrests have been made so far during the Occupy Wallstreet Campaign?  (the only answer we have received so far has been more than 700)

2) What types of charges have been given out to the 700+ United States citizens so far.
(the only answer we received was misdemeanor "disrupting the peace" charges.  Police Spokesman)

3) Why is the NYPD not joining the cause of the protesters and activists?

4) What is the NYPD's official or unofficial average of the number of people still currently occupying Wall Street and other metropolitan areas?

5) Would you be willing to help unite the people of the United States by becoming and Occupy Wall street Advocate?

6) What is the 77th or 1st precincts tactical considerations being taken to insure the safety and civil rights of the citizens of New York that are participating in this peaceful protest?

7) Do you have a comment on the alleged police brutality being seen throughout the online communities?

8) Do you have a comment on the numbers of other advocacy groups springing up across the United states because of this urban rally?

AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!! ALSO PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS WITH YOUR OPINIONS AND YOUR CONVERSATIONAL EXPERIENCES YOU HAD WHEN/IF YOU HELP US EFFECT CHANGE BY CALLING. 


Please call:

1st Precinct: +1 (212) 334-0611
77th Precinct: +1 (718) 735-0611

NYPD Switchboard: +1 (646) 610-5000
NYPD Central Booking: +1 (212) 374-3921
NYPD Internal Affairs: +1 (212) 741-8401
Mayor Bloomberg: +1 (212) NEW-YORK or +1 (212) 374-3921

Stratagy: The Occupy Portland Model

The Occupy Portland Model

We’ve witnessed an exponentially growing list of communities that are banding together with our brothers and sisters on Wall St. by organizing solidarity actions in their cities. This rise in support has been incredibly inspiring and has promoted many of you to become active in organizing an event in your area. Through the enthusiasm and excitement of wanting to show your support you are all working diligently to organize events in a short amount of time. As we have followed some of theses group’s efforts we’ve seen many different approaches to organizing. We’ve also fielded many questions on advice and how to information on effectively organizing. We wanted to feature Portland as an example for those of you would like a model to follow or to take from as they have done a great job joining and organizing efforts in a very short amount of time. Of course, each group dynamic is going to vary and what worked for Portland may not work for you, but at least this will give you an idea of how others are doing it.

A couple of members from Portland filled us in on their process:
Basically it all comes down to networking and extensive planning. The initial construction of the Occupy Portland Facebook group was backed by some pretty frequent tweeting. Once we started getting a huge following, there were more and more discussions popping up on the Facebook group. We were discussing where it should be, what Portland laws were regarding “urban camping”, as well as a number of other concerns. We then held a General Assembly to further organize where were all in consensus with our future actions and demonstration details. After we compiled notes from the GA, we discussed them further on the Facebook group. Once we had the frame work of what everyone wanted and expected we set up a Facebook page and web site to better organize and announce future details.

Advice using Twitter:
Sending messages to those working at Occupy Wall Street was definitely helped us gain notice. People are heavily following #occupywallstreet, #takewallstreet, #usdor, as well as a number of other widely used hash tags. Each tweet sent out would include a tag with a trending tag, my city (#pdx) as well as a link to the facebook group.
Also we paid attention to the amount of followers people had, and mentioned them as well.
Portlanders were watching, so they were bound to jump on board once they knew about a protest here. Nearly all of us are using Twitter, so they used the same approach when spreading the group link around the internet.

Advice using Facebook:
We first started a Group that opened up discussion to hear out everyone’s ideas, concerns and thoughts on how they could help. This was a very important stage in our organizational efforts.

General Assembly:
I think the most important thing for us was using the General Assembly model and making each decision everyone’s decision. This helped us remain unified. Legal assistance, bike deliveries, medics, photographers, people who can stream the protest, and similar topics were brought up. We covered nearly all the bases, and most of us left with a pretty hefty amount of notes. Notes from the General Assembly were posted online on a page for everyone in the Portland group to see.

Legal Advice:
Contact your local National Lawyers Guild early on for legal advice in your area. We are holding a seminar with the National Lawyers Guild so that we can become versed in the proper execution of a demonstration like this. They have confirmed that legal observers will be present durring our demonstration. We are also planning to hold a meeting with them where we discuss the importance of nonviolence and the proper way to conduct oneself in civil disobedience.

Additional Thoughts:
It’s extremely important to make sure extensive preparation goes into a something this big. Some people have certain contacts who would be useful, others are volunteering to do a specific job. It all comes as we address what needs to be seen and done upon Occupation.
We stressed something several times: this needs to remain non-violent. Remaining peaceful helps the overall image of this nationwide movement. If things do become violent, we acknowledge that staying calm only helps the cause. If we have arrests then we will have the footage immediately uploaded. It helps those in NYC by showing that the cops are abusing our rights, and that this thing is nothing like the misleading media says.

Helpful Links: 
http://www.occupytogether.org/
nycga.net Find up to date information on the NYC General Assembly.
occupywallst.org News, video feed, forum & chat.
http://nycga.cc/2011/09/24/principles-of-solidarity-working-draft/ Working Draft of the Principles of Solidarity
www.nlg.org National Lawyers Guild

Our First Opportunity

 Hello everyone, 
I would like to welcome you all to Occupy Springfield's current blog.  It is here that you will find news of what are the upcoming and past events.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whats Happening:?  Introductions,Game plan Discussions, Sign Creation, and possibly more.
Where is this:?  Phelps Grove Park (the rain backup is Starbucks on Glenstone and Cherry)
What time:?  OCTOBER 5th at 6pm.  Although myself and others will be there earlier.
What to bring:?  Markers, Cardboard for signs, food/drinks/snacks, whatever else you like.  (and if you cant bring anything, then at least bring a smile)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Being that this is the first meeting of its kind, I would like to say thank you for not only being active enough to show up, but also thank you for being here with us at the very start.  All we can say is we are fed up, as I am sure you may be and this first get together will allow us to form a more cohesive and effective group.  So please stand with us, and of course dress appropriately for the weather.  I want to be clear however that there is no leader to this movement, there are only 'we the people,' and together we may be able to create a foothold large enough to effect change.