General Assembly Notes

Announcements

Catherine-Jefferson Warehouse tomorrow:  Art and Music Benefit for Occupy the Midwest Regional Conference (OMW)

Tom-Eco Village
Tom apologized for a lack of clarity at the Sunday GA where he offered Culver Way Eco Village as a camping possibility for OSTL. He wants to be clear now that he is offering the space for two weeks before OMW, if we can get 15-20 campers in order to say we have freedom of assembly. Please contact Tom if you plan to camp there and/or would like to help get the space ready.

Culver Way is still an option for OMW. If OSTL wants to continue to occupy this space after OMW, we can all evaluate at that time and proceed from there. Ultimately Tom would like to see this space evolve into a spontaneous eco village with a veggie garden, which Sasha is taking on, and markets.

In the spirit of full disclosure, Tom wants everyone to know:

The Eco Village has liability insurance. The premium was due today, but his agent is letting him put $500 down tomorrow with the balance due in a few days. Someone put up an event page today to help raise money. This premium is due every 3 months.

Before camping could happen, temporary fencing would need to go up to make his neighbors happy and protect campers. The first floor needs to be converted into a common space. Tom needs volunteers.

Tom has obtained a challenge loan. Monies Eco Village raises will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000. So, there could be a potential $100,000 raised. This money will be used to pay off outstanding defaulted loans and back taxes. The city has agreed to waive penalties and fines for the back taxes if the base amount is forthcoming.

Desiree will help Tom create an Encampment Event Facebook page. (It should be noted that by the end of GA Tom had raised, with the matching funds, $400.)

Brad- He and and John have been working with the Unions to see if there is money to be donated.

Desiree- On Sunday, March 18, at 2:00 (which is also the last day of OMW), Occupy Kids are going to be a part of the “Show Me No Hate” photo shoot at Clayton High School. This is a campaign to raise awareness of marriage
rights equity.

Proposals
Susie reworked the proposal that passed last Sunday’s GA because there had been a lot of constructive feedback she wanted to include. (Many of us were rushing out the door to hear Angela Davis speak and do outreach prior to her speaking.) The new proposal: Whenever possible Official Statements and Change of Process proposals will be posted on occupySTL.org>Forum>General Discussion a week prior to being proposed. This does not apply to time sensitive press releases. This will allow for careful consideration, discussion, feedback, and friendly amendments not only at GA, but prior to GA as well.

If you do not have access to a computer, you can ask someone to post it for you. The Forum is a public space to which everyone has access. If you have difficulty registering to use this space, email media@occupystl.org for assistance.

Emergencies, should they occur, will be handled on a case by case basis by the General Assembly.

Passed first GA

Susie read another proposal that The Occupy Caravan wanted passed. Everyone agreed the proposal was too vague. Susie will get back to Occupy Caravan to see if they can make their proposal more specific.
Proposal rescinded

Announcements
Catherine- This Saturday night at Paul’s house there will be a discussion about moving the movement forward and participatory democracy.

Catherine- Reminder there is a Concern Circle (CC) this Saturday at 1:00.

As it turns out most people were not aware the location for this Saturday’s Concern Circle had moved at a prior GA to Freedom Square (aka Kiener Plaza). If the weather is inclement a text alert will go out moving the CC back to Union Station in the food court by Sbarro’s.

Susie- Shared Vision, Strategies, and Tactics Discussion, where we discuss long term strategy, is held every Friday at 6:30 at the World Community Center, 438 N. Skinker Blvd.

Tom- anyone wanting to can meet with Tom after GA to further discuss plans for occupying and developing Culver Way Eco Village.

Vibe Checks
Desiree- We need more conflict resolution skills to help us treat each other with more respect.
Feedback: It was agreed that this would be good to bring up to CC.

JJ- is concerned that facilitators step out of their role to give their opinion. He mentioned that he doesn’t facilitate for this reason.
Feedback: The role of the facilitator is to keep the process smooth and moving along. We need to operate within the spirit of our roles and not be tied to the letter of them. The facilitator’s neutrality comes into play in that s/he can’t vote or change the process.

Tonight’s facilitator had stepped up to facilitate the last 3 GA’s because no one else had done so, and when she did step out of her role tonight, with the exception of JJ,  everyone seemed to think she had done so in an appropriate manner.
If someone chooses not to facilitate in order to be able to always express his/her opinion, that person is placing the role of neutrality on everyone else without assuming part of the load.

John- Now that the weather is getting nicer, how does everyone feel about moving GA’s back to Freedom Square (aka Kiener Plaza) after OMW?
Twinkles all around.

Catherine- When we move the GA’s back to outside, we can start having more GA’s.
Feedback: Can the GA on Wednesday’s at Culver be retained since it is difficult for one of our members to hear what is being said at outdoor GA’s and at Union Station?

Reese- There is an anti-war activist from St. Charles who is willing to die for the cause and wants to get 5,000 people to go to DC and have a hunger strike. Maybe after a few people die, the country will get serious about ending the wars.
Feedback: At one of the GOP debates when the subject of someone dying because he didn’t have healthcare came up people shouted, “Let him die.”
This is not something we should endorse.

In Egypt the uprising started because one man set himself on fire. But those circumstances might not duplicate themselves here.
Some people would not participate, but would stand in solidarity.

Tom- The court date for the 27 arrestees from Nov. 11/12 is coming up. What if 100 people showed up and planned an action, got arrested and shut down the jails?
Feedback: We should have all been arrested Nov. 11/12, then gone back to Kiener, then been arrested, then gone back to Kiener., then been arrested, then gone back to Kiener…..and then we’d be somewhere by now.
This won’t jam up the jails. They’ll arrest us, find a place to put us while they process us.
Those being arrested will have long records. You need very high numbers for a tactic like this to work.
This doesn’t empower us, it disempowers us. We need to focus beyond this dynamic, like on OMW.

Occupy Kids- brought by Kayla. Had 3 vibe checks:

We want to know if anyone could help us with supplies and teach us to make an Occupy Kids Banner. We want a banner to hang from playground equipment when we occupy parks.

How would people feel about helping Occupy Kids do a fundraiser? After the conference (OMW) we would like some of our own buttons and maybe t-shirts. We are thinking of collecting pennies.

Also, do people think Occupy Kids needs its own account for money it raises, or should the money be given to the financial working group as part of OSTL money?

Feedback:
Everyone was very impressed with these vibe checks and let Kayla know how awesome this is.
There was no feedback about the banner or fundraiser. (Anyone out there who
can help, contact Kayla through Desiree).
Occupy Kids is having a meeting Friday and maybe these are issues that can be developed at this meeting.
It would be good if Occupy Kids kept and tracked their own money. They could account to themselves what’s brought in and what’s been spent and learn as they go. They don’t need to fold the money into OSTL.
Lots and lots of twinkles.

Announcements:   Putin was arrested for terrorism and graft.

Johnathan McFarland taking notes/minutes
Working Group meeting was voided due to prior Concern Circle. I wish I had made it, by the way.
Announcements:
Inter-OCC- March Convergence, if you are not on it get on it. We need help and people to do stuff. We need to solidify all the work that is ahead of us. Please help.
Because group was not transparent enough Organizers of this event moved to www.collaborate.occupy.net- there is also a googledoc you can be added to.
Wash U Coop- Weekly meetings Thursday 7:30 every week it is a potluck.
Jerome is also having problems with his mortgage company, is reaching out for foreclosure defense. That house is also open for OCCUPY events.
Off Broadway- We are locked for March 17th as venue. That is Saturday, which is St. Patrick’s day
Huge favor to occupy, please say thank you.
WePay accounts of OCCSTL and OCCUPY Midwest, please donate to OCCUPY Midwest
Please go to www.occupythemidwest.org
Format: Until 5:00 pm Family Friendly- We are asking for acts, speakers, artists, anyone who wants to perform please contact Zach, Paul, John etc, etc.
Occupy Colleges- February 22-23 campuses around the country
Wednesday the 8th meeting concerning action or event: Culver Way. 3965 Westminster
Saturday the 11th meeting concerning action or event: World Community Center 438 N. Skinker
Student outreach needed.
Occupy Finance Disclosure: Officially received debit card. $42.80 in WePay account. $1.00 in Bank Account.
Justice Institute- Anti-Oppression training- More discussion around oppression.
Training can happen anytime during Occupy Midwest. Question asked about doing it prior to March.
We should be working towards the removal working groups. We perhaps can not remove all working groups.
Because a working group should be established for a reason. We need to determine those reasons so that the work that needs to get done gets done.
The boding arrangement of our “groups” isolate people and sends newcomers away because of our prearranged condition.
People seem to purpose themselves higher than others as their participation in working groups dictate, or doesn’t. The outcome is pushing people away, the issue is one that is and will always be on an individual basis.
If we establish a working group that really works we can eradicate it due to it being effective. This will allow for its structure to enable others to join because the structure of such will not dissolve, but the labeling of the group itself will be removed for the sake of our transparency and welcoming to newcomers.
Department of Theatre and Dance in Warrensburg, MO came all the way here to get our advice on a script for a play and perhaps our participation in creating such. The play would develop an interactive narrative, breaking down barriers.
Interested in collaborating with people on this who are interested in acting, and writing.
Contact: Ben Cohen  Email: bdc47250@ucmo.edu Phone: 314.348.8574
Fred Phelps- Monday outside of Claytom Highschool at 7:30-8:30am.
This is already a Facebook event
Phelps’ son has denounced family and this event is for Phelps to retaliate.(as told?)
Tuesday at Black Bear Bakery Action and etc meeting at 11am
Last night there was a threat of removal from the warehouse by the police, this YOUNG individual went to check on them to see if they were okay. 9 year old.
Everyone arrested has gotten off “scott free” in St. Louis
A little town in Iowa started “Time Bank” because the Government removed their Post-Office.
A town of 400 has retaliated against the capitalist system by removing their economy from participation. This hopefully is very inspiring. The 400 came to consensus on the issue.
For those of us against the NDAA and who are veterans, we received an Email yesterday.
Proposals:
John- Creation of a new workgroup.
John left with notes for exact language. I was not quick enough. My bad. LOL
Vote: Passed
Arianna-  Community Garden Program- Grow your own Campaign
Proposal: Grow your own campaign (This was clarified as an endorsement)
Who: Us- Occupy St. Louis
What: Community gardens as outreach to North St. Louis
Impacted: Involving neighbors in their neighborhood
When: Spring, typically after April, after warning of last freeze.
Outcome: Fighting the food dessert of the North Side.
Vote: Passed
Catherine-
Proposal: To create an ongoing teach-in/movie screening on Thursday nights @ the World Community Center
Affected: Events, whoever comes out
Impacted: All
Time: A two month, ongoing event
Outcome: To facilitate discussion and understanding of differences and things that effect our movement(s).
Vote: Passed

Announcements

Arianna announces “Grow Your Own” Community Garden campaign, passed through last week’s GA, also gave Finance report and asked for volunteers to help with food for the Midwest Conference

Bradly announces Liuna Laborers interest in helping fund Occupy StL

Jay announced a call for non-perishable food and camping supplies for the conference, to be held at World Community Center; also Amanda Chasnoff found us a public space to meet during Midwest Conference

Cat L. announced Thursday Night teach-ins/movie screenings at World Community Center, also setting up a google group through events working group

Johnathan announced MoveOn.org is offering movie screenings of Inside Job; they’re willing to provide the physical copy if someone wants to host… Tom B wants to host at Culver Way sometime soon-ish

Proposals

Arianna

“Bear-Bombing StL”, Occupy StL taking plush animal toys (teddy bears) to the StLPD to keep in their emergency response vehicles – in order to co-opt the violent verbage of the police with a non-violent message

Passed, Solidarity!

Arianna

“Bright Line” statement of principles (see statement online) so that no one can claim Occupy StL carried out actions which Occupy StL was not involved in as a collective.

Passed with Consensus minus one – Arianna accepted amendment to present this to a second vote

Cat L

proposed a fundraiser concert/art show at the Jefferson Warehouse entertainment venue March 1^st to raise money for the Midwest Conference and art supply donations for school kids

Passed, Consensus!

Cat L

Move this Saturday GA time to noon at Union Station so people can make it to Annie’s foreclosure meeting

Passed, Solidarity!

Tom B

OSL to endorse “Re-Occupy the Rust Belt” Eco-Village campaign as an initiative supported by Occupy St. Louis and Occupy StL advertise the fundraiser event on Feb 24^th

Passed, Solidarity

Sasha

Official Statement of Non-violence (see statement online)

blocked

Paul

Counter-proposed OSL adopt Occupy Pittsburgh’s statement of Non-violence (See Occupy Pittsburgh website) but substitute “St. Louis” for “Pittsburgh” and add “occupy participants and supporters” between “police” and “public” in point number 1.  See statement online.

Passed, Solidarity – has to go to a second GA for approval

VIBE CHECK

Cat L asked if we should handle the eviction of folks living in the “hole in the wall” warehouse the same as a foreclosure eviction – vibe “YES”

Point of process/information: Proposal from the 2/1/2012 GA at Legacy Books to require all statements be posted 1week in advance prior to proposal is a process change & is potentially invalidated by the previously-passed 3week moratorium on process changes

Announcements:

Catherine:  Occupy Benefit concert at the Jefferson Warehouse on  March 1 at 8:30pm.  The proceeds will go to Occupy The Midwest Regional Conference. It is a live art and music show. Door fee is ten dollars, two art supplies to go to needy schools or five canned goods for the conference. THere will be artists creating their art live. Need help finding bands; send them my way!!

Chuck:  Clarification–Occupy the  Midwest (OMW) has 30 different cities involved.

Occupy St. Louis can’t pass anything that affects OMW . If we still had a camp at Kiener then our policies of safe space would apply, but the OMW space is a temporary space and everything needs to pass through the OMW GA. OMW is temporary and dissolves afterwards, along with all it’s official statements, until there is another regional conference somewhere else.

Reese:  finances are $65. Please share the donation link. OSTL money is on a separate WePay account from OMW. OMW has $300 in it.

Douglas: There is a Quaker Peace exhibit, “Eyes Wide Open” which will be in Peoria, Il.  February 29 through March 7.

Proposals:

Paul: Statement of tactical non-violence for St. Louis. This is adopted from Occupy Pittsburgh:

In solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and other occupations across the country, Occupy St. Louis has adopted the strategy of Tactical Nonviolence.

We are calling this approach Tactical Nonviolence because it limits itself to actual tactics that we will be using, at this time and in this place. It does not demand acceptance of any specific religious, philosophical or political world-view, and though compatible with the ideas of nonresistance and pacifism, it does not ultimately require them; nor is it taken quite so far as those sometimes are. Tactical Nonviolence does not, for instance, rule out all forms of personal self-defense, civil disobedience or direct action, and there is no simple formula covering every possible set of circumstances.

However, Tactical Nonviolence does remain a practical and effective way to empower the disempowered in asymmetrical conflict by concentrating all our efforts toward addressing the real issues, where violence tends to obscure them, and itself becomes the issue.

THEREFORE,  to foster unity across the broad spectrum of views held by those here assembled, to promote the safety of every member of this community, and to help reduce the distortion or dilution of our message to those of the 99% who are not yet with us, we agree to the following points, while at or near Occupy Pittsburgh’s encampment or actions:
• not to initiate physical violence with members of the police, Occupy participants and supporters, or public,
• if attacked by either, to respond in ways that seek to minimize harm to persons, and
• to abstain from provocative destruction of property.

The General Assembly retains the power to clarify or modify this statement as needed.

Brief discussion ensued from clarifying questions and points of information:

Question about actions that could impede safety.

This doesn’t address that issue.

Does this cover whether or not spray painting is an act of violence?

This is a statement of principle that as a group we will encourage. This is not saying we can control the autonomous acts of individuals.

What’s one person’s act of expressing themselves and being empowered is another person’s offensive or violent act. We can’t tell anyone what to do. We can just agree what we do in an Official capacity.

We have a safe space agreement in place.

PASSED second GA, consensus minus one

Many people were comfortable passing the above proposal only if an amendment was accepted. Since this was a second GA no new language could be attached. Everyone agreed as to what the new language should be and Susie brought this as a proposal.

Susie: The legal definition of destruction of property is to render property useless.

PASSED first GA

Paul: “Bright Line” an amendment to our proposal of safe space. Passed 1 GA already, this is the second GA.

Majority Blocked.

Vibe Check:

Susie: Do we need to have a “buy-in” where the type of march or action is expressly stated right before the march/action takes place?

There are already marshall’s for Official actions and marches that defines what each march is about right before the march takes place. This needs to happen again, kind of got lost in the shuffle.

There was also a proposal passed that the marshall also states clearly that this is the end of a march/action so if anyone who wants to can continue on, but it is no longer official.

Chris: Procedures and requirements for things change often. Is there somewhere on the website where these things can be found without wading through other stuff? Catherine will take this to the admin.

Chuck: Chuck was looking up the legal definition of violence towards property during GA. All the definitions he found didn’t match what we defined as legal. Chuck proposed we change the “legal definition” to “the definition we’re adopting,” but we’d lost quorum so he vibe checked it.

Vibe checked positively. Will need to change the wording in next two GA’s.

John David:  No matter what we do, we need to work within the spirit of OSTL rather than the letter of OSTL.