Washington Square #OWS General Assembly (NYC)

Internationally-lauded author, activist and world citizen Arundhati Roy will speak as part of the People’s University, which exists to bring free education to all people.

“Cap-ists” and “Lid-ites”
Arundhati Roy at the People’s University in Washington Square
Wednesday
November 16, 2011
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Location
Washington Square Park

Details at
http://peoplesu.tumblr.com/

“Dignity is an echo in the heartbeat of the people”

Monday, November 7, 2011
at 7 pm

Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center
1680 Lexington Ave
between 105th and 106th St
(take the 6 train to 103rd St)

“The community of East Harlem, NYC opens its arms to all the good-hearted people of Occupy Wall St.and invites them to join us in our corner of the world for an evening of dialogue. We will share our stories of resistance, and memories of victory, as we bring to life our shared dreams of a world of justice, dignity, and democracy.”

Contact: movementforjusticeinelbarrio@riseup.net

Movement for Justice in El Barrio is an immigrant- and people of color-led, grassroots community organization that fights for dignity and against neoliberal displacement from East Harlem to Chiapas and beyond. For seven years, Movement has built a 700-member-strong, local movement for dignity that has taken on and defeated multi-national corporations and corrupt politicians. Committed to the principles of autonomy and self-determination, Movement practices participatory democracy and horizontal decision-making on a community-wide scale. As part of the Zapatista-initiated The Other Camplaign, Movement fights for liberation from below and to the left.

Some comrades have been planning several NYU events around the murder-execution of Troy Davis.  The next event is an open mic and it is going down tomorrow, Sat 11/5.  Details including the Facebook event page are below.  Hope to see you there.

Saturday November 5th, 7pm-10pm
Palladium Multipurpose Room (3rd Fl)
Free Ya Mind: Liberation Through Creative Expression
Free and open to the public with ID
http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=slam+nyu&init=quick&tas=search_preload&search_first_focus=#!/event.php?eid=234067003318792

A celebration the life of Troy Davis through spoken word and other artistic forms through a dynamic open mic. Whether you write, play music, or just enjoy being in the presence of good people, this event promises to offer powerful and provocative insights; all will leave inspired and uplifted. Open mic begins at 7.

Main Points:

Announcements: Call for national day of action November 17th.  Proposal to consolidate Tactical, Structural, and Communications working groups into one.

1. It’s cold, we are looking for places to meet inside. 

Shawn has a contact with Judson Church about longer term indoor space.

Eli and Peter are going to try to talk to New School Outreach and Faculty to arrange facilities for meetings.  

At the very least Peter and possibly Denny would like to hold Arts & Culture Group in the semi-outdoor atrium and/or the cafeteria or classrooms of the 11th and 12th street buildings.

2. Poem by Peter Burzynski.  (Please see the attached video).  Poem was read.  Zeal was had.  Liberal diatribes were voiced. People stopped and listened.  Passive constructions were rampant.

3. GA time and day discussion:

The GA proposes to suspend Friday GAs, due to schedule conflicts, lack of interest, and perhaps the fact that two weekly GAs may be enough.  Sunday for big events, Weds. to plan the Sunday.

Furthermore, the GA had discussed whether or not to have Sunday’s GA be much earlier in the day (possibly at 2, possibly at 3) in order to have events then lead into a GA around 5 p.m. and take advantage of what warm weather we will still have

The GA noted that the four of us acknowledge that we wish to be welcoming to those with 9-5 desk jobs during the week and those of us with 4-Midnight jobs during the weekend.  Those of us with multiple jobs, I’m not sure.  Life is difficult, but beautiful.  

4. Arts and Culture Group:

Shawn and Eli purposed that Denny and Peter take over the reigns for this group.  

Peter would add that Liz and others should stay involved as much as they can but acknowledges that all of us are terribly busy people caught between work, Occupy, our passions, and our recreations.  

Public Forum in Washington Square Park this Sunday Nov 6th at 4pm

“DEBT & MONEY — DEMAND THE IMPOSSIBLE”

The General Assembly of Washington Square Park (www.OccupyWSP.org) is hosting a Public Forum this Sunday Nov 6th at 4pm on imagining new responses to debt.

• Are other systems beyond money possible?
• How can the Occupy movement address the issue of student debt?
• What is the currency of community?

Following from the success of recent Forums featuring Judith Butler (2 weeks ago) and Angela Davis (last week), this weekend continues the tradition of presenting challenging and inspiring ideas and speakers in the public space each SundayThis Sunday’s Forum will consist of presentations by four speakers, followed by extensive Q&A.

DANIEL PINCHBECK is the co-editor of the new anthology, What Comes After Money?, co-founder of websites Reality Sandwich (www.realitysandwich.com) and Evolver.net, and author of the books 2012: The Return of Quezalcoatl and Breaking Open the Head, all of which encourage looking at an emerging new paradigm.

ANYA KAMENETZ is the author of Generation Debt, DIY U, and The Edupunks’ Guide, all about the intersection of education and economics, and self-organized solutions.

McKENZIE WARK is the author of The Hacker Manifesto and The Beach Beneath The Streets which focuses on the history of the Situationists International including the liberating promise of public space.

ANDREW ROSS is the author of many books including Celebration and Nice Work if You Can Get it: Life and Labor in Precarious Times. He is interested in the new Student Debt Moratorium Proposal.

4pm this Sunday, in Washington Square Park NYC, near the archway. All welcome.

Further info: OccupyWSP.tumblr.com twitter: @OccupyWSP facebook.com/OccupyWSP

Please join students from universities, colleges, and high schools across the city for an important Assembly to address planning for a Week of Action, November 14-November 21.

Public Forum in Washington Square Park this Sunday Nov 6^th at 4pm

“DEBT & MONEY — DEMAND THE IMPOSSIBLE”

The General Assembly of Washington Square Park (www.OccupyWSP.org) is hosting a Public Forum this Sunday Nov 6^th at 4pm on imagining new responses to debt.

-                Are other systems beyond money possible?

-                How can the Occupy movement address the issue of student debt?

-                What is the currency of community?

Following from the success of recent Forums featuring Judith Butler (2 weeks ago) and Angela Davis (last week), this weekend continues the tradition of presenting challenging and inspiring ideas and speakers in the public space each Sunday.

This Sunday’s Forum will consist of presentations by four speakers, followed by extensive Q&A.

DANIEL PINCHBECK is the co-editor of the new anthology, What Comes After Money?, co-founder of websites Reality Sandwich (www.realitysandwich.com) and Evolver.net, and author of the books 2012: The Return of Quezalcoatl and Breaking Open the Head, all of which encourage looking at an emerging new paradigm. 

ANYA KAMENETZ is the author of Generation Debt, DIY U, and The Edupunks’ Guide, all about the intersection of education and economics, and self-organized solutions.  

McKENZIE WARK is the author of The Hacker Manifesto and The Beach Beneath The Streets which focuses on the history of the Situationists International including the liberating promise of public space.

ANDREW ROSS is the author of many books including Celebration and Nice Work if You Can Get it: Life and Labor in Precarious Times. He is interested in the new Student Debt Moratorium Proposal.

4pm this Sunday, in Washington Square Park NYC, near the archway. All welcome!

Minutes 10/26:We discussed establishing contacts for legal use of park (chairs, tables allowed?), sanitation (trash, rodents), community outreach (local churches, restaurants), food donations, and how we can obtain hot water (for hot cocoa/coffee/tea, soup.) We tasked responsibilities to connecting with the kitchen at liberty park, and local food pantries for more info. We are scheduled to meet again next Wednesday following the GA.   Last night (10/27) I also attended the democratic assembly/meeting held by our local officials. I made contact with the chair person that represents Washington Square. He is offering his support. Here is his info: BRAD HOYLMANCommunity Board 2, Manhattan3 Washington Square Village, NY 10012-1899www.cb2manhattan.org

Be part of the parade with OccupyWashingtonSquarePark tonight!
Meet at 6th Avenue between Canal and Grand at 4:30 pm

Denny has donated 21 beautiful marionettes and an antique wheelbarrow full of candy for the parade!
We will have a banner! It’s official! March with us and represent this Occupation…
The Puppets Take Over the Puppet Masters!
Come in costume, or not
bring candy if you like, or don’t
but do show up! Bring friends!
Occupy Halloween!!

This Sunday at 5pm in Washington Square Park, Angela Davis will speak, using The People’s Mic. Immediately following, The Washington Square Park General Assembly will begin (as opposed to beginning at its usual time of 7pm).

Bring your questions and ideas for the movement. Sundays are the vision building meetings for the General Assembly.

artfulnessisbliss:

       

       

The Occupy London Movement has received a nice gift in the form of a sculpture from none other than artist Banksy it seems. The artist presents his take on the Monopoly game with Uncle Pennybags looking for a handout. The artwork is standing at St.Paul’s Cathedral as a show of support for the protest against corporate greed and corruption.

#OCCUPY….

“New Gang Alert….Hashtag OCCUPY …..- Lupe Fiasco

Minutes – Occupy Washington Square Park GA 10/23/2011

•  Introductions are made after an address from Judith Butler
• Review of hand signals/direct Democratic process
• *We imagine these assemblies will duplicate throughout our city!

Proposal is made:

• Consolidate General Assemblies to three times a week, with each GA focusing on a specific agenda. GA’s will meet at 7pm
• Sunday: Talk about hopes, dreams, why we are all here. Discuss what a paradigm shift may look like.
• Wednesday: Town planning – structure, outreach, facilitation, etc.
• Friday: Impact – how to take the message outside of WSP, arts, culture, education/empowerment, direct action

**As a note: proposals should be brought to facilitator meetings, and these facilitators rotate! This is not about authority! Please join a facilitator training if you would like to facilitate a GA.

Clarifying questions:

• Q: Will there be a GA every night?
• A: No, the GA’s will meet three times a week. (See above)
• Q: Is Wednesday a night to plan the occupation of WSP?
• A: Good question! At this stage, everything is living, and at this stage we would like to use this space for other uses beyond 24 hour occupation.  The group may decide differently in the future.
• Q: How do we communicate with Zuccotti?
• A: We have Twitter, Facebook and real people reaching out and going down to Zuccotti! Zuccotti is supportive!  Also, notes are published on our website for transparency.
• Q: What do you plan to change?
• A: We intend to break out into small groups about our ideas. No hierarchy, no agenda at this stage.  Please bring your thoughts!

Concerns:

• Q: Was this GA originally at 7pm? I am troubled by the group making decisions for people in the GA when the GA was originally posted for 7pm, and it is not yet 7pm.
• A: We dove right into GA after Judith Butler’s address to keep the crowd.  We apologize for the inconsistency! We are hopeful that it will be 7pm by the time we settle into discussion groups.
• Q: (Artist concern!) Since Occupy has been in WSP, cops have put barricades around many structures. Cops are trying to turn the public opinion against the protest.  The occupy movement loves this park and its freedom.  Barricades militarize this park and prevent people from enjoying it.  Music under the arch no longer happens. Can the movement address this? We must assure the NYPD mean no harm.  Make your voices heard and call 311 to tell cops/NYPD to demilitarize WSP.
• Direct Response: Yesterday this concern was presented.  A working group had been created to address this idea and perhaps start a petition to include artists in the park. Protests and art need to happen together.  Please see Liz Walsh for more info. You can reach her via the email address occupywsp@gmail.com

Point of information:

• It is not yet 7pm.  Those who thought the GA began at 7pm may want to be involved in the consensus process for this proposal.
• A: All the time, the GA makes decisions with different people at different times.  This is a living organism.  If we decide to wait, we can.  Or we can move on.

Friendly Amendments:

• Vote on/after 7pm.
• Amendment accepted!
• **Spokes council model is discussed**
• The model requires a facilitator, a note taker, time keeper, stack keeper.
• One spokesperson reports back
• Each group sits behind the spokesperson
• The spokesperson is only empowered to speak for the group on points consented upon.
• **Four steps to success in any endeavor.  It is still not 7pm – hopefully this quick discussion will bring us to the 7pm consensus!**
• 1.     Passion! You cannot succeed unless you have an idea of where you are going. A group cannot move toward a goal without discussion.
• 2.     Intelligent direction. Once we know our goals – what are the appropriate steps to take?
• 3.     Sincere effort. After planning, show up! Do the work. Whatever is your affinity – join what interests you.
• 4.     Skillful execution.  Live the things you set out to achieve!

• Q: In the remaining time, can you tell us about the status of the spokes council arrangement at Zuccotti?
• A: Debates are still happening! It has been tabled until Tuesday or Wednesday. We realize the movement grows out of Zuccotti – it becomes like cells replicating.  Zuccotti doesn’t have the time/structure to approve of everything we do.  Our vision statement will be our own that we may choose to share.

• Consensus on Proposal? (7pm) Yes!
• **Break up into four groups for a half hour to discuss dreams/goals/ideas, etc.

Report Backs:

Group One:

• Less nationalism
• More decentralizing
• More fluid conversations
• We are globally implicated – we must find commonality in systemized oppression
• We must not be isolated
• Direct communication is key
• Accessible spaces for expression to demand what we need from our government

Group Two:

• Education/the symbolism of WSP
• Debt
• Bringing people to the WSP
• Relationship between the media/keeping the park positive
• Emphasize education empowerment and community
• Important to make this positive and fun – we must have more fun than the 1% and let that be known!

Group Three:

• The process is the product
• Education as a means of awareness
• Economic and political structures are broken – we need a representative government
• Direct action should be an ultimate goal of discussions and work with, not against, horizontal organizing and open communication
• **Point of information: Direct action is a broad category of actions to confront or publicize issues which the movement cares about.  At last night’s GA we discussed an action in which we would “occupy” certain morning talk shows with signs and bodies.

Group Four:

• WSP as a center of unique actions
• Voices here can be amplified
• End corporate personhood
• Demand equal rights
• Artists are people
• People are artists
• The rest of the world exists and there is no difference between labor here and labor elsewhere.
• All people should be welcomed
• Immigration amnesty
• Amnesty for those undergoing foreclosure
• We are the political!
• Money out of politics
• Discussion about equal rights – not just supporting ammendments that support the gender binary.
•  —> **Point of information: WG at Zuccotti called Queering Occupy.

Discussions

• Possibility of support from church. How do we feel about asking for support from the Archbishop?
• Folks are doing many versions of occupations in different contexts.  An article on occupy education tumbler calls for the occupation of religion. Maybe we need time to discuss this elsewhere.
• OccupyJudaism has bad movements around Jewish holidays.  Maybe there is an occupy Christianity?
• At Zuccotti there was an interfaith discussion – we can occupy all institutions and structures.  Also, there are concerns from indigenous people and allies about the occupation of land. It may be more productive to occupy ideas and not land.
• To occupy religion we must engage in both speaking to people and hierarchical figures. We hope for a conversation! Let’s not alienate anybody!
• A former Christian: never knew hwo the Archbishop was.  Need to reach out to figures of authority but it is wrong to assume that power/faith comes from them.  Reach out to communities first.
• Has anyone talked to Judson Church?  They are known for progressive politics – it’s getting cold!
• Direct Response: Yes! We are looking for indoor spaces.
• We should keep critical voices alive. Wars in this world have been waged in the name of religion.  Wall Street thinks of money as God.
•  Movement is about the people.  We should leave our organizations at the door.
• Direct Response: While using our organizations as a space to network and share the movement!
• Objections to religious spaces – inherently Christian spaces seem uncomfortable.
• Direct Response: Let’s talk about this Wednesday at Town Planning.
• Is it possible as a group with varied identities to seek a plurality of resources rather than criticizing singular ideas?

****GA concludes asking people to bring Town Hall thoughts to Wednesday’s GA.  As an additional note, there was a discussion concerning CEDAW and the Equal Rights Ammendment.  See bit.ly/odI1Ji for more info – I, the note taker, could barely hear this discussion, and couldn’t keep up!****

Judith Butler

Washington Square Park

6 pm 10/23/2011

I’ve come here to lend my support

and offer my solidarity

for this unprecedented display

of popular and democratic will

before us

So what are the demands

that all these people are making?

Either they say

there are no demands

and that leaves your critics confused

Or they say

that demands for social equality

that demands for economic justice

are impossible demands

and impossible demands are just not practical

But we disagree

If hope is an impossible demand

than we demand the impossible

If the right to shelter, food and employment

are impossible demands

than we demand the impossible

If it is impossible to demand

that those who profit

from the recession

redistribute their wealth 

and cease their greed

than yes 

we demand the impossible

Of course the list of our demands is long

these are demands

for which there can be

no arbitration

We object to the monopolization of wealth

We object to making working populations disposable

We object to the privatization of education

We believe that education

must be a public good and a public value

We oppose the expanding numbers of the poor

We rage against the banks

that push people from their homes

And the lack of health care 

for unfathomable numbers

We object to economic racism

and call for its end

It matters

that as bodies

we arrive together in public

As bodies we suffer

we require food

and shelter

and as bodies we require one another

in dependency 

and desire

So this is

a politics of the public body

the requirements of the body

its movements and its voice

We would not be here 

if electoral politics

were representing 

the will of the people

We sit and stand and move

as the popular will

the one that

electoral politics

has forgotten and abandoned

but we are here

time and again

persisting

enacting the phrase

We the People

4pm:

• The People’s Forum will become an event called “Two Chairs,” where two individuals will sit, debate style, and discuss issues that they believe the occupy movement needs to address. This will be a timed event and will use the people’s mic in order to ensure that the debate is participatory. Individuals will rotate spots in the chairs, using progressive stack* for fairness.

6pm:

• Judith Butler, a scholar on gender, queer issues, and social movements, will be discussing political bodies and their presence in public space. See this link for more information: http://www.eipcp.net/transversal/1011/butler/en

7pm:

• The Washington Square General Assembly will meet. Please bring your concerns, questions, and ideas for the Occupy Movement. Thank you.

*Progressive stack is a way of keeping track of people who would like to speak using the people’s mic. It privileges the voices of traditionally marginalized groups, including women and people of color. It also ensures that one person is not getting an unfair opportunity to speak more than others.

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST UPDATES: @OccupyWSP

Noon: All-City Student Assembly (Washington Square)

2pm: Rally in Union Square against police brutality

4pm: People’s forum

5:30: General Assembly

…notes from yesterday’s meeting to follow soon, apologies for being behind! Follow Twitter to stay up to date all day tomorrow and bring your questions and concerns to the General Assembly, as usual!

Agenda Points Pertaining to Structure

+Facilitation

+Info 

+Outreach

———————————

1. Brainstorming / setting agenda

    - address how to keep meetings running smoothly

          - what to do in the event that individuals become upset

               - possibilities: have someone (possibly designated) to take that person aside and address their concerns without interrupting the meeting

          - how to avoid the meeting “going in circles” / efficiency

     - making sure people, even those who come halfway through the meeting, understand the process and feel included

          - making sure people, ” ” , understand the roles of facilitators, etc

     - defining the role of the structural working group

          - transparency

     - communications / outreach specifically for WSP

          - consolidating twitter / FB accounts into a single WSP internet presence

     - coordination with NYU’s GA, CUNY, etc

     - set the agenda for tomorrow’s GA

john is designated as timekeeper

first agenda item: setting the role of the structural working group

     - one role of structural WG to make sure each WG knows the responsibilities of its and each other WG

     - address “things to remember” to keep GA running smoothly

     - our group NOT empowered to establish structure of GA, but should analyze it and suggest conclusions to GA

     - group can be strong, as long as it is transparent and open

     - possibility of bringing a proposal to group regarding future GA structure

second AI: efficiency during GA

     - codify meeting procedures

          - announcements of group, of WGs, etc

     - empower people to use hand signals more often

     - someone designated to catch people up who come late

     - debate of indoor / outdoor GAs

third AI: facilitation WG at zucotti

     - clarifying / communicating with zucotti

          - sending representatives from WSP WGs to respective zucotti WGs

          - rep from WSP GA to zucotti GA

     - WSP is part of OWS movement, but autonomous

     - whether to wait or go ahead with contacting existing movements at zucotti

fourth AI: agenda for tomorrow’s GA (thurs 10/20)

     - what was discussed by each WG

          - which is a report back, not a debate

     - discussion of GAs and (not how they have to be, but) how they have worked in the past

     - proposal to let WGs establish themselves without being voted upon

          - or announcement regarding structural WGs decision to let WGs establish themselves without being voted upon

               - creation of a communications WG

                    - notice on what that would entail, twitter, FB, etc

     - let people know that each issue can be contributed to by any member

     - discussion of whether to get emails (to be discussed further by communications WG)

     - breakout groups and report backs

Yesterday’s meeting was relatively small, which means we will probably spend some of today addressing questions for those who missed the GA yesterday. Please bring your questions and concerns to the meeting, as others will probably want to discuss the same issues, and this affords us the best possible transparency and accessibility. Thanks!

***SUNDAY’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING WILL START AT 7PM IN ORDER TO ALLOW JUDITH BUTLER (!!!) TO SPEAK AT 6PM. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON THIS SPEAKER.***

Miscellaneous Notes:

• Facilitation tip: remember to do a 5 minute call around the park, using the people’s mic
• Nomadic university at WSP on Saturday, 10/22, from 3-5pm
• We gained consensus on an outreach group, which is responsible for internal communication (new ideas, plans, GA themes, coordination among working groups, etc.) and external communication (media relations, reaching out to NYU students and the WSP community)
• ANNOUNCEMENT: on 11/11/11, there will be a *3 DAY GATHERING IN CENTRAL PARK* - Central Park is a public space and the goal is to create a global gathering about ways to come together and learn - “World’s Fair” (occupycentralpark.org, occupycentralpark@gmail.com); next meeting will be at 3pm between Hanover and Williams at Wall St. (overnight 3 day occupation - global day of solidarity)
• Every working group meeting is asked to take notes and submit to blog in order to maintain transparency and effective communication
• IMPORTANT: WORKING GROUPS ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS PROVIDED COMMON SENSE AMONG THE GROUP IS USED AND MINUTES ARE SHARED WITH OUTREACH. EXCEPTION IS WHERE DECISIONS WOULD AFFECT THE ENTIRE GA. WE NEED TRUST BETWEEN WORKING GROUPS AND WITHIN THEM IN ORDER TO HAVE BETTER EFFICIENCY AND QUICKER DECISION-MAKING.

Q & A:

Q. What can/cannot be on Twitter (other social media)?

A. Anything goes! But please keep in mind the image of the GA when you discuss it. We all need to individually spread the word and keep hate out of the message

Q. What other working groups do we need?

A. Arts and culture - please let us know if you are interested!

Q. Are working groups autonomous? 

Q. What purpose do working groups have?

ABOUT JUDITH BUTLER…

Judith Butler is Maxine Elliot Professor in the Departments of Rhetoric and Comparative Literature and the Co-director of the Program of Critical Theory at the University of California, Berkeley. She received her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Yale University in 1984 on the French Reception of Hegel. Judith Butler is the author of Subjects of Desire: Hegelian Reflections in Twentieth-Century France (Columbia University Press, 1987), Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (Routledge, 1990), Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of “Sex” (Routledge, 1993), The Psychic Life of Power: Theories of Subjection (Stanford University Press, 1997), Excitable Speech (Routledge, 1997), Antigone’s Claim: Kinship Between Life and Death (Columbia University Press, 2000), Precarious Life: Powers of Violence and Mourning (2004); Undoing Gender (2004), Who Sings the Nation-State?: Language, Politics, Belonging (with Gayatri Spivak in 2008), Frames of War: When Is Life Grievable? (2009), and Is Critique Secular? (co-written in 2009). She is also active in gender and sexual politics and human rights, anti-war politics, and Jewish Voice for Peace. She is presently the recipient of the Andrew Mellon Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement in the Humanities.

LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.egs.edu/faculty/judith-butler/biography/

Some General Issues:

• How to be more efficient?
• Creating proposals
• Maintaining transparency
• Creating agendas for GAs
• Coordination with NYU & other schools

Roles of the structural group (proposed):

• Avoid overlap among groups
• Create a process to get things done w/consistency
• Address issues that arise out of GA meetings
• Work with the group, don’t focus on disagreements w/individuals
• Handle problems and then present solutions to the GA

Efficiency During the GA (ideas):

• Follow a schedule (news, announcements, procedure, etc.)
• Continuously test for consensus and make more temperature checks
• Get volunteers to help late comers

Talking about the facilitation working group at Zuccotti Park…

• Get support for daily training
• We operate autonomously, but together in the name of the movement
• Improve communication with Zuccotti Park
• Liz will be downtown tomorrow at 4pm to let people at Liberty know what’s going on at Washington Square (60 Wall Street, atrium)
• Will ask for someone to help facilitate tomorrow’s GA

Tomorrow we are going to propose a separate outreach group

Some other points about the structure group:

• When we want to create a group to focus on an issue, do we need to get permission from the GA, or is it more just that those interested create it, and the purpose of the GA is to facilitate this process? Obviously those who want to be in a group should be free to do so and don’t need permission from everyone, but it’s goals, etc. should be made as clear as possible
• Structure group should be responsible for relaying factual information about events, etc.
• Report backs should be free of discussion to be more efficient
• More temperature checks!
• Please use hand signals on your own throughout the meeting so everyone knows how participants are feeling
• The GA’s purpose is to enable people to work together - people are free to occupy, and the GA’s role isn’t to give them the right to occupy or deny them the right to occupy

Opening remarks: we can discuss goals and a report back from Nick’s visit to Liberty Park’s E/E group.

Report from Liberty:

About 80ish in E/E working group

They have been discussing structure, organization, accommodating newcomers, the “nomadic university.”  The structure is predominantly an open format discussion. They meet at 60 Wall Street on Tuesdays/Fridays at 8pm.  

Apparently, the university is trying to set curriculums and establish a degree granting program. OWSP E/E working group is interested!

In the interest of an “open format discussion,” thoughts are shared between participants. *’s are individuals, unnamed.

*Interested in communicating occupation issues back to hometown and wants to use OWSP for purpose of knowledge and to spread out of Liberty Square.  Would like to help change the portrayal of the movement into something more self-aware and positive.  Would like to see a sense of “emotional literacy” built in the park.

*Interested in communicating the movement outward - would like to see the movement establish a sense of “why we are here” beyond typical “demands.” Believes we need consistency in presence to keep the message and visibility alive. 

*Sees our biggest criticism is a lack of demands - wants to be in working group to learn.

*Interested in using WSP as a space of knowledge and empowerment.  Would like to recclaim public space.  Would like to facilitate an inviting and open space for people to communicate, share, and host relevant teach-ins, events, etc. 

*Excited about using WSP as a new space - is also excited about empowering the direct Democratic process.  We live in a hierarchical society - what would happen if we changed the organiztional strategies throughout?  

*Would like to use public space as it is meant to be used.  Humanity is on the verge of a consciousness revolution.  If invited, speakers should offer new ideas that shift the paradigm.  Horizontal organizing is powerful!

Points extrapolated from discussion:

-Education

-Empowerment

-Information

-Visibility

-Entertainment

-Impact

How do we accomplish these things?  Do we go from zero to full impact or do we start slowly?  Agreed that WSP should be a platform for awareness, education and emotional literacy.  We must explore horizontal responsibility.

Proposal: 

To “inaugurate” our ideas, we propose an rally/assembly.

Sunday, at 4pm, we would like to invite a speaker (open to discussion!) who would draw crowds (like Spivak did) and speak to the movement.  (These should be people who someone in the GA has an effective way of contacting.) We would also like to open the time between the end of a possible speech and the GA for creative expression such as sign making, chalking, info-desking, etc.  This event would hopefully draw publicity to our GA and invite people to stay and participate.  We would like to invite other local solidarity groups such as NYU4OWS to join.

**Other notes of interest: 

-We would eventually like to establish a continuous lecture/teach-in/speaker presence/agenda.

-We would like to reach out to Liberty Square’s E/E working group support, suggestions, solidarity, etc.

CUNY is putting together a teach-in this Friday. It would be a great opportunity for General Assembly participants to work with CUNY and bridge the movement. Please share and discuss.

http://cunyadjunctproject.org/?p=451

NYU4OWS teach-in committee meeting this afternoon. 4:30 in the Puck building (Lafayette and Houston), 4th floor.

General Announcement: The working group for Education & Empowerment will be meeting today at 5:45pm at Jefferson Market Library (at 10th St and 6th Ave) as an ALTERNATE location since the GA is cancelled at Washington Square Park. All are welcome to join this working group!

There will be a meeting tomorrow at 5:30pm as scheduled in the park. Please follow @OccupyWSP on Twitter for the latest updates or check back here.

The working group meetings are smaller and for those interested in working on specific topics. The issues discussed within these groups will be shared with the entire general assembly, and meeting notes will be available here as well. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Please take note that these meetings are intended to provide a more detailed discussion in a smaller environment in order to facilitate more efficient conversation and handle the details of certain issues for those who are particularly interested in these topics. They are *not* designed to alienate anyone, and will hopefully facilitate more efficient general assembly meetings over the coming weeks.

Feel free to post questions, comments, and suggestions.

Those interested in participating in the information and structure working group should please meet at 8pm at the Washington Square Diner on West 4th and 6th Avenue. Please follow @OccupyWSP for the latest updates

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=14444224890616027281&q=washington+square+diner&sll=40.728551,-74.025576&sspn=0.013287,0.073576&ie=UTF8&ll=40.766112,-74.09729&spn=0.00013,0.000172&t=m&z=13&vpsrc=0

#OccupyWSP Minutes 10/18

Introduction:

• Facilitated by Julia and Ethan
• Introductions are made with an announcement for Direct Democratic process/facilitation meeting after the GA.
• Agenda: Start with a review of #OccupyWSP since Saturday, 10/15 then open proposals for breakout groups based on affinity, issue or function to consent upon one or two concrete proposals to bring to the GA.  Spokes council style will be used to report back and GA will have a consensus vote on proposals.
• Recap since Saturday:
• The GA has been facilitating a discussion of the possible occupation of Washington Square Park.  Topics discussed have been:
• 1. An 18 hour legal occupation
• 2. A 24 hour illegal occupation
• 3. The structure of the GA
• 4. Why are we here?
• 5. Outreach
• Facilitators mention that potential working groups that may form could be:
• 1. Direct Action
• 2. Facilitation
• 3. Outreach
• 4. Media
• 5. Arts/Culture
• 6. Education/Empowerment

Stack Discussion:

• Possibilities for breakout groups (names reported as accurately as possible)
• Direct action to occupy Washington Square Park with a mass mobilization.  Interested in utilizing the infrastructure happening at Liberty Square.
• Group discussing use of Washington Square Park for other purposes and forms of communication while perhaps also bridging with Liberty Square.
• Proposal for a structural efficiency group focusing on time keeping, organization, facilitation and outreach.
•  Forum for people to access movement in a less intimidating way than some people feel Liberty Square is.  Would like dialog with local community and have the par be a first conract point for the Occupy movement.
• A “nomadic university” is possibly in the works at Liberty Square.  Was suggested that Washington Square Park could be a useful space for this gathering.
• Location targets that provide media exposure. 
• The final breakout groups were:
• Direct action/tactical group
• Structural group
• Washington Square Park for other purposes/community outreach group

***Breakout groups met for a half hour to discuss***

Report backs:

Washington Square Park for other purposes/community outreach:

• Discussed a daily presence in the park and everybody in the group supported the idea of education, information sharing and teaching in this space.  An involvement of students, teachers, neighbors and tourists.  Exposure to Direct Democratic Process.  Washington Square Park as a first point of contact for the movement.  Staffed info stands, guest speakers, workshops, classes, yoga, sign making, arts/culture, and education.
• Formal proposal: To have a daily presence in Washington Square Park.  To form a working group for Education/Empowerment at Washington Square Park.

Structure:

• Discussed time management, physical gestures to limit time usage and organize latecomers.  Blog/infobank for all activity at Washington Square Park in an objective manner plus minutes. Reach out to others while using the arts to facilitate.  Concerned about those without Internet and concerned about fracturing.
• Formal proposal: To form a working group for structure.

Direct Action/Tactical:

• Discussed enthusiasm surrounding occupation of Washington Square Park.  Many concerns such as how to interact with residents and those who use the park on a daily basis.
• Formal proposal: To form a tactical working group to continue discussions regarding whether or not to occupy Washington Square Park.
• **Point of information** Liberty Square working groups are empowered by the GA to dive into specific areas of focus.  In order to make a decision that would affect the whole GA, the working group must present specific proposals to be voted upon by the GA.

Addtional proposal: Move time of GA to later in the day.  

Questions/Concerns:

• Daily Presence and Education/Empowerment working group
• Q: Is this daily presence greater than the GA?
• A: Presence is to include the GA, daily working group sessions, the info booth, etc.
• Concern: The daily presence proposal does not have specific detail.  Working groups may meet/develop proposals of this presence.  Working groups are empowered to facilitate this process!
• Concern: Split education/empowerment from info desk.
• Propose: Combine structure and info (see below)
• Concern: Work as small units to be able to communicate more effectively.
• Education/Empowerment working group has GA consensus!

• Structure
• Q: Will this group be accountable for setting the agenda of the GA? 
• A: Yes!
• Structure working group has GA consensus!

• Direct Action/Tactical
• Group clarifies that it will be specifically about occupying Washington Square Park
• Direct Action/Tactical group has GA consensus!

Additional proposal to move GA’s to 7pm after Sunday, October 23rd gained GA consensus!