The Chief of NPD told us that as of now the curfew to stay in the park till 9pm hasn’t been waived. We need people at Military Park now!!!
IMPORTANT GA HAPPENING TONIGHT AT MILITARY PARK 7PM!

 (In bold are concrete logistics settled by GA).

TABLES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Julia voiced concerns as to where tables will be, and what responsibilities people will have.

Clarification: Info tables and the like will be surrounding the outside end of the sword.

 She also stressed delegation of workload.

In the midst of table conversation, Yarrow mentioned the need for an art table for sign creation, and voluteered to manning it during occupation.

Group was unsure of responsibilities, expressed that things will fall into place Friday. 

Brian P. noted a number of people may not want to organize, but still occupy. This is okay, but needs to be considered/understood. 

FLIER CREATION:

Yarrow also mentioned the requirement for bilingual flyers. Brought up Bilal’s design skills and Omar’s understanding of Spanish. Is hoping to collaborate with them for that.

Helmet also stated flier should be indefinitely relevant, so as to be handed out whenever while still being up to date.

Was suggested by Yarrow (?) to also create a board for passerbys to list their own problems as they wish (“I am apart of 99% because ______”)

Julia also offerred to create a quilt with squares of grievances. Yarrow seconded idea.

PRESS RELEASES/DECLARATIONS: 

Kathy O’Leary’s press release suggestion was mentioned. It goes as follows:

“I would suggest something along these lines for the press release.  While Prudential is a good illustration it is only one example and a narrow one at that.  We should take a lesson from OWS and make this as broad as possible.

Here are my suggestions for the release and for talking points…

The injustice that begins on Wall Street manifests itself in Newark.  There are fewer clearer examples of wealth inequality that in Essex County itself of which Newark is the County Seat.  Both the poorest (East Orange, Orange, Irvington & Newark) and the wealthiest (Millburn- Short Hills, North Caldwell, Essex Fells) municipalities fall within the bounds of Essex County.  Essex County residents are subject to the second highest property tax rate in the nation from which the individual property owners of Newark see no relief and the suffering of Newark and the poorer communities is only multiplied by Essex County and local government. 

·    While Prudential gets a tax credit of $250 million, the individual property owner in Newark sees their taxes raised by 4.6%

·    While city workers are laid off and essential services are privatized, Newark suffers under 15% unemployment

·    While luxury homes are being built in the suburbs and luxury apartments rented on Raymond Blvd., Newark has between 9,000 and 20,000 homeless people.

·    While Essex County celebrates revenue from a new contract with ICE, Newark residents are incarcerated by a for-profit company.

·    While Essex County invests $4.3 million in a high-end restaurant, children in Newark go hungry and thousands of Newark residents have no access to a supermarket.

·    While over 100 police officers in Newark are laid off, violence continues to plague the city.

The voice of the 99% has been silenced in Essex County. Our democracy has been bought and paid for by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars of campaign contributions from corporations who seek benefits from Essex County and the City of Newark.  Our only method of redress is occupation.”

Incoporating information in furture releases alongside demand.

On the subject of declaration, agreement was made about step by step process to determine topics of declaration. Here is the process:

1. E-MAILING QUESTION: Sanchez creates an e-mail asking people for their personal grievances which will be placed into a preliminary list of topics for declarations.

2. SKIMMING: Removing irrational/offensive responses, if any.

3. DETERMINATION: During Friday night’s GA, the condensed list of topics will be further condensed by the GA according to priority (Number of topics undetermined thus far). This  will be used to create a definitive declaration. 

Date for delcaration release undetermined as well.

In similar fashion, a tab and format for ON.org was proposed by Helmet. We agreed upon having an online form protesters can fill out and post their personal experiences and hardships.

EVENTS:

Brian P. asked about what specifically will be done at 12PM, prior to the 4PM start of occupation. Suggested rally nearby area for interest using mic check, announce our prescence and personal grievances. 

Omar amended, and suggested expanding to the college area as well. Seconded by other members, amendment passed.

After deliberating, it was agreed to hold 12PM to 1PM/1:30PM to set up for rally (Meeting/ creating posters/signs in Military Park, figuring out protest route). Rally begins after set up is done.

Cars with various equipment can show up early, but physical setup was agreed not to happen until around 4PM, or when the rally finishes.

Brian P. also suggested a frequent address of grievances every 20 to 30 minutes. These addresses would be done via mic check by volunteers picked on site of occupation, create/draw attention, personify movement, and fill time/space.

Also volunteered to check with Erika and Chancee about art/music/dance display for Saturday.

Helmet jokingly proposed use of cardboard TV as part of a teach-in/event, but became a seriously considered idea. Should be noted as a feature for a future event/teach-in.

Check-up with Angela about further teach-ins and scheduled events.

LOGISTICS:

Was briefly mentioned by Julia if tables set up by unfamilar groups should be allowed. (Sidenote: She asked this on the workgroup page, should be settled there.)

She also has taken initiative to respond to a Craigslist ad providing free items.

Julia also announced that 90 warming comforters were donated.

Mark and Julia have pickup/SUV to hold occupy gear for transport and prior to setup.

Brian P. asked Helmet to create a step-by-step list of Wiki/Internet page editing. Helmet will be doing so.

Brian P. also asked about general rules. Julia replied by saying Angela and herself have discussed this as well (“Good neighbor policy”). The following are the clear starters: 

No       -Violence

            -Drugs

            -Drinking

            -Stealing

            -Maintain cleanliness

Brian P. also asked at what time stations like comfort, kitchen, media, and info will close.

Before settling things, the idea of media’s placement came into question. 

Brian P. felt it should be alongside other tables outside the park to reinforce area outside of sword as “info hub”. 

Helmet and Julia clarified, saying it will be a setup purely for electrical equipment, and not for info dissemination. Safest and most logical move for 24 hour media use would be to place group within sword.Agreement made; media section will be with housing section, in-sword.

It was also stated at this point by Yarrow that there may not be enough material to justify a Kitchen section. Kitchen will only happen if enough food is donated.

Back onto shutdown discussion, 10PM was the agreed time for info tables to close sections.Tables and materials will be packed up in designated areas. It was also agreed that if volunteers to man a basic info table were had, they can keep post past 10PM.

Comfort area came into question. It was not settled by group as to whether there will be one, but thatit’s materials, in case of one, will be stored after 10PM.

In the case of homeless asking for comfort material, they can still be handed out from private storage space, but will no longer have a specific and open area by 10PM.

It was also understood that Comfort will also contain Medical equipment.

OUTREACH QUESTIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Yarrow suggested local outreaching within individual neighborhoods. Idea was seconded by Brian P.

Sanchez noted an e-mail from a St. Louis reporter covering Occupy the Hood. Was wondering how to respond around the agreed clause of handing no designated number.

Was settled by the group to ask what their inquiry is about, and respond accordingly.

In the case of goal-oriented/personal information, response should be via e-mail only, with disclaimer that they are not a spokeperson/speaking on behalf of group. 

It was mentioned by group goal-oriented inquries should be answered by declaration.

Omar announced he will recieve letters from prisoners who want their input heard, as well as further outreach made to friends and families.

Will also be mentioning Occupy Newark on La Mega Thursday night.

Discussion of flyering to clubs/party areas was had.

Sanchez opposed, suggesting they may be an undesired element.

Julia and Omar clarified that despite this, we should make an effort to reach out to everyone, irrespective of lifestyle. Group agreed. Meeting was awkwardly adjourned.

OCCUPY NEWARK GA MINUTES 11/15/2011

Introductions made by new members

Proposal introductions made as well.

Recap of mission/objective 

Brian P. mentioned occupying near/around sword, “soapbox for grievances”.

Yarrow recaps what will happen during weekend (music, art, teach-ins)

New members address personal grievances:

Malik - Child of DYFS, made homeless by funding cuts, tired of environment.

Isaiah - Urban youth provide no benefit.

Will & Samara - Reversing Newark’s negative perception; Will’s arguement in particular about the area surrounding Seton Hall.

Announcements:

Mark & Joan mentioned they will be donating sign making material such as construction paper, and markers. Mark offered to create a lockbox, as well as the use of his pickup truck for cargo transport.

Micheal announced he will be bringing tarps and folding tables as well as various school supplies for sign making. Does not have specific numbers for tarps/tables.

On the subject of music, Joan noted there should be a constant source during the weekend.

Legalities were mentioned. Brian P. noted there had been no response to a letter to suspend curfew. 

Bilal clarified; Angela did gather support from councilmen, suggesting they will occupy and “get arrested” with us.

Brian P. elaborated on POP and its daily rally.

PROPOSALS

Brian P. established handsigns.

Press release was proposed and asked for review/amendments. Was read as follows:

MEDIA ADVISORY

For immediate release: November 15th, 2010

Occupy Newark

In solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and occupations nationwide, New Jerseyans’ will begin to occupy Newark

WHO: A collective of Newark citizens, fellow occupiers, various unions, and other activist organizations.

WHAT: Occupy Newark. Educators, activists, media, and, most importantly, concerned citizens of Newark are invited to address and discuss national and local grievances. A forum with a soapbox like none other that will allow individuals to voice their concerns. There will be ongoing weekend activities, teach-ins, performances, music, information tables and more.

WHEN: Occupation will begin Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 4pm until Sunday, November 20th and potentially on-going.

WHERE: Military Park, Newark, NJ 07102, a train away from Zuccotti Park.

WHY: The Occupation of Wall Street (OWS) began with a national agenda, highlighting social injustice and asymmetrical profiteering in our country’s political and financial structures respectively. The national and state unemployment rates have been around 9 percent, but Newark’s rate exceeds 15 percent. Additionally Newark’s has a staggeringly unequal socioeconomic landscape; Prudential was given a tax credit of 250.3 million over 10 years in return for a 369 million dollar office tower while Newark residents are experiencing dramatic unemployment rates and lack of affordable housing. Local politicians and administrators increase their salaries (by a total of $131,251) in the face of this unprecedented gentrification, poverty, and job loss. Newark is a magnified example of OWS’s general grievances. The Occupy movement is a leaderless protest engaging in dialogue about the stake of the 99% and creating space for people to experience direct democracy. Occupy Newark will also seek to draw attention to issues of wealth disparity on a local level.

Contact:

www.occupynewark.org

Brian Helmet notes avoiding abbrieviations (GA, OWS), wanted elaboration on definition of “the 99%”. This was seconded by Mark and Joan.

Michael wanted input from journalists in attendance.

Walter Elliot, journalist and East Orange resident, agreed with Brian Helmet’s abbrieviations, but suggested to use abbreviations after establishing meaning.

Joan noted a lack national issues, which could alienate outside occupiers.

Brian P. replied, enforcing a front of local problems.

Yarrow added it is more about the weekend itself.

Second journalist noted some journalists may come, may not. Streses longer explanations.

Brian Helmet also wanted a mention of homelessness.

Yarrow deferred by saying media team can summarize specific issues.

Helmet agreed, and added to keeping a tab on website for press releases.

Yarrow gives proposal to release, seconded by Brian Helmet. 

 One member clarified difference between press release/declaration, former being vague

Helmet suggested more details in further press releases.

Brian P. thanked group for this advice, wanted added input.

Helmet asked to slash weekend out.

Brian P. mentioned weekend only consensus until Sunday’s GA meeting, and then asked who to e-mail release.

Walter Elliot handed out his.

To clarify, consensus was asked for more specificity.

Two blocked.

Brian P. friendly amended, offering to streamline for now, be more detailed later. 

Yarrow mentioned her voicemail information, proposed its use.

Consensus reached, motion was passed.

Brian P. asked if there should be a specific number/person for contact.

Michael noted core issues should be identified by everyone, no key spokesman.

Erika added they should instead come and speak to occupiers.

Yarrow seconded both, adding declaration as a source of talking points, as opposed to PR.

Michael makes a mention of being interviewed by My9, and stressed cause articulation.

Proposal was asked pertaining to specific number/person for contact. 

Consensus reached, motion was denied.

Proposal was asked offerring to instead use e-mail.

Consensus reached, motion was passed. 

GA Minutes for November 13th, 2011

Time: 3pm-4:45pm

Moderator: Brian

Minutes:  Julia

Attendants: 35-40

People’s Mic Initiated

Agenda

1. Things to Discuss:

a. Local Business Reach Out

b. Reach Out to Other Occupations

c. Sanitation Working Group

d. Security Working Group

e. Material Count and Needs For the Occupation

2. Announcements

3. Proposals

1. Local Business Reach Out

Brian P- Stated that we felt that it is in our best interest to reach out to the local businesses and let them know we will be occupying.

Cassandra- Reached out to 617 for food donation, as they had already donated to OWS. She asked the assembly if we should accept his donation.

Julia - Suggested we accept all the donations we can get.

James- Disagrees taking anything from anybody because they could ask for favors in return.

Brian H - We can make it clear to them that it’s a one way transaction.

Angela – Stated that if we make it a one way transaction, we are cutting the participation of the movement. We occupy on the behalf of the civilians, and local businesses are civilians, their issues are our issues. We need to see it as a two way transaction because their donation will benefit the movement which helps us help them. We shouldn’t make borders with them, anything they demand needs to pass with our consensus.

Brian – Stated that some people might take advantage and request something back but believes that the grand majority will give without asking for anything in return.

Brian P - Suggested that even if we can’t get donations, it’s still good to reach out to them and let our presence be known because we will be having our own community right across the street.

Mike I – Proposed that we should make a flyer that the businesses put in their window letting their patrons know they support us.

Chaance – Amended that we create flyers that have the “business name” to inform their patrons that they are supporting us.

Peter – Blocked: “Only if the businesses want to do it” They may have patrons that don’t support us and may not want to get involved in fear of retaliation from city.

Angela - Friendly Amendment:  For now, we can post it on our website. With much to do before Friday, it is best we leave this as a long term goal.  (majority agreed)

Angela, Brian P., and Julia will be doing local business reach out.

2. Reaching Out to Other Occupations

Bryan S – Didn’t think this is an issue, as we already have occupiers who are reaching out to other occupations.

Julia – Thinks we need to get in touch with the local colleges.

Angela - Announced that she has reached out to OccupyRutgers and ECC and is in the process of contacting NJIT.

3. Sanitation Working Group

Brian P- Clarification: This is to discuss how sanitation should be handled. Should it be a working group, volunteers, or everyone’s personal responsibility?

Julia - Thinks it should be a combination of all 3.

Mike I - Agrees

Cassandra - Stated that at the end of the day there needs to be two or three of us to make sure that happens.

Angela - Suggested that everyone should try to bring a broom and tarps.

Alex M. has volunteered to be part of the sanitation group.

4. Security Working Group

Brian P - Stated that throughout his many years in the security field, James has volunteered to be the head of the security working group.

James - Proposed that he’d like to make a barrier around the park with caution tape to keep away intruders and infiltrators. He also suggested a sign in sheet.

Angela – Stated that we don’t need to waste money buying caution tape because the police will do it for us as soon as we begin occupying.

Bryan S - Said we shouldn’t use caution tape because it will seem like were trying to exclude people but pointed out the natural border within the sword area.

Brian – Strongly believes that the sword area may be off limits and could lead to our evacuation rather quickly and and that the caution tape and sign-in sheet may scare people away.

Peter - We should use the caution tape where valuable items are stored, but everywhere will deter people from coming in

Brian – Doesn’t agree with it around the whole park, around media, food, and places where there items of value or important to the occupation.

Angela – Suggested to save funds, if we could get tables donated, we could make barricades and have it as usable spaces. As we grow our occupation will change with it and furniture stops people faster than tape.

Brian P - Suggested two people walking throughout the occupation starting from a certain time at night and ending at a certain time in the morning.

Brian  - Friendly Amendment: There should be rotating shifts instead of people having to stay up all night.

Julia - Thinks we should have the security group come up with the way it should be handled and have it proposed at a GA.

James and Alex M. have volunteered to be part of the security group.

5. Material Count and Needs For Occupation

Brian P – Asked how many tarps we think we will need.

Angela – Has 2 and suggested people bring their own, if possible, for their own space to reduce the items needed on the donations list.

Mike I - Thinks we should bring as many tarps as we can get.

Julia - Suggested we reach out the local hardware stores for possible tarp donations.

Peter - Also suggests we look on craiglist for materials at reduced prices or possibly donated.

Brian P – Proposed we table this issue until we have the layout settled.

Assembly agrees to table this matter.

Brian - Point of Info: There is a wiki on [occupynewark.org/wiki] with a list of needs for the 18^th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POP Meeting (Brian P)

As agreed by the group we felt needed someone needed to go to the pop meetings to represent OccupyNewark.  POP is very receptive of what we are doing and also agree with it. In their minutes from last Thursdays meting they agreed to stand in solidarity with us but not directly endorse us, just as we have also agreed to do with them. So we are on the same page.

Brian H – “Why is it, that OccupyNewark, and POP, are not endorsing one another?”

Joan – “I understand that when I was at the meeting most of the majority felt they wanted to support the group but not get involved directly. But two or three members disagreed with that.”

Brian P – “Part of the reason we agreed to not directly endorse them is because it was suggested to us by OWS and members of outreach. To maintain a neutral ground for sake of equality and keeping peace with other organizations and to avoid being too blatant about political affiliations.”

Brian - Point of Info:  At a GA a few weeks ago, it was unanimously agreed upon that we stand in solidarity with POP.

James - Added that the chairman also agreed of POPs stand in solidarity with OccupyNewark.

Cots Situation (Julia)

We received a donation of 34 cots that are at my house from one of Clark’s (wiki leaks truck) resources.  We can get 34 more guaranteed, and pissibly more if needed.

Website Situation (Bryan S)

                    We need people to help out with the website. If you have any experience, please contact me.

Brian P - Point of Info: The website is occupynewark.org.

Additional Announcement:

Cassandra: Every Tuesday, at 12pm, NJ Monitors rallies on the steps of City Hall. Join us.

PRPOSALS

Layout proposal

Brian P

Suggested the informative groups such as outreach, media, direct action, and info table should be in the general are where we hold our GAs.

Julia - Thinks we might have a problem with blocking the sidewalk and we should keep the tables inside of the park.

Brian P - Clarification: The working group tables will only exist in between this space, which avoids the sidewalks. Housing should be inside the sword area, and kitchen and comfort would be in the middle are for both safety and convenience.

Brian - Block/Friendly Amendment: Believes we will get evicted rather quickly if we occupy the sword area. The other side of the park seems more open, and is better that testing our limits in the sword.

Brian P - Thinks that if it’s legally possible, keeping it here would maintain consistency and is a more prominent area of the park.

Mike I - Agrees with the general location but thinks we might have to require flexibility depending what the city or police tell us to do.

Peter - Believes we should see how the city reacts. We can start in the sword area, and retreat if needed. Then as the numbers grow we can move forward.

Angela - Point of Info: By the city ordinance, we cannot camp out in this park. We are trying to petition them and address Cory Booker (on his talk show directly) on why he feels we can’t camp out. But there is no rule that says we can’t go on the grass in the sword area.

Kathy - Concerned that we as a group are asking permission of the city as oppose to approaching this from the perspective as, this is our right. We have a right to assemble and speak our minds. So we do need to be cooperative but we need to stand our grounds on what our rights are.

Angela - Point of Info: The ordinance states that it is illegal and you are subject to arrest if you camp out in the park.

Kathy - Stated that, it does not mean the ordinance of the city is constitutional or legal. Also in terms of visibility, she believes the other side is very visible to everybody who comes to NJPAC.

Man Walking By (No Name Provided): Stated that on Veterans Day, we were camping out and they didn’t say anything to us. They just don’t want us to harass the other residents around. He also suggested the other side is better because it’s wide open, there are benches, and no one would mess with us.

Blair- Suggested we camp out in the middle of the park and have info tables in the front, as Brian P. suggested, due to the fact of heavy people traffic from the bus stops.

Yarrow - Thinks we shouldn’t go to the other side because we need to be visible. Once we get more people we should spread out. Also suggested that in the case we do not get the permit, we should have some sort of statement about this being public space and us exercising our first amendment right.

Brian P - Point of Info: We are trying to create a declaration which involves Yarrows suggestion of a statement, and stays  in line with what OWS has themselves.

Joan - Asked if we have any legal representation at this point?

Brian p - We are currently reaching out to lawyers.

Justin - Knows a lawyer and can work on this.

Terrel B - Thinks the sword area would be the best side because we have the corporate offices right there. Also pointed out that the PAC is only open a few hours a day and people can really miss that part of the park.

Brian P – We also have the bus stop and subway traffic.

Bilal - Reminded us that visibility is a double edged sword, it can be good and bad.

Brian - Proposes we move it to a vote to either occupy the sword area or the other side of the park.

Julia - Thinks we should wait for the day of to vote and see how many people actually show up, but vote now as well to see how we feel.

Brian - Amended his proposal to a non binding proposal of which side of the park to occupy.

Majority voted for the sword area of the park.

Actual placement of cots and tables will be tabled until we occupy.

NJTAG

Brian H

Mike I

 Brian and Mike, of NJ Teachers Activist Group, stated that they are in full solidarity and support of OccupyNewark.  They proposed to run a teach-in with OccupyNewark. They have done teach-ins in the past such as union activism, Columbus on trial, and would like to do one on an analysis of the American Revolution and the making of the constitution. They want to arm OccupyNewark with the historical knowledge to fight the 1%.

Angela - Point of Info: She is currently in the process of organizing the teach-ins for this weekend. Friday, we will have one on political economics, and the development of capitalism.

Angela will add all events and schedules to the calendars and we will also be further advertised on our FB page.

Screen Printing T-Shirts

Yarrow

The screen printers in OWS have agreed to support OccupyNewark and will give us a starter kit to make screens to make shirts. By Thursday I will try to have things prepared so Friday we can set up a table. This is to be a donation based activity. We are not trying to make money or exchanges. There is a detailed statement that I will share on FB so we have an idea of what they do. This is an activity that will help make the occupation fun.

Mike I - Stated that he can almost guarantee that if we get the shirts he can get them printed free and quickly by his students at Technology High.

Yarrow: Agrees, but also thinks we should keep the activity in the park as a DIY experience.

Music and Artists

Chaance

Chaance is putting a group of poets, guitarists, and other musicians to perform. Everyone will perform on Saturday doing this in support of OccupyNewark and to make things light hearted and fun.

Revoking the ICE Contract

Kathy

Kathy has come today for support and involvement. She works with a group of 20 organizations fighting against the expansion of for-profit immigration detention centers in Essex County. December of last year it was announced that 1,250 additional people would be held in Essex County jail (owned by Geo Group, and leased to CEC which has spent hundreds of thousands in political contribution in Essex County alone) We are asking that you join us on December 7^th where we will be attending the Essex County free holders meeting and presenting them with thousands of signatures to revoke the ICE contract.

 Brian S - Proposed that she make a table in the occupation for this cause.

FINACIAL STRATEGIES

Angela

We have an assembly of members from all the working groups that come together before the finance committee and petition for the funds that they require. Then go back to their working group, get the feedback they need, and cast a vote at the GA for the funds. The assembly group of the financial committee would meet together and rotate facilitation responsibility. All working groups have access to this proposition.

Julia

                    Each week/day one member from each working group becomes the finance group. Within that finance group, you have a facilitator, a proposer (who proposes the funds at the GA), a record keeper, and a teller (who executes and disburses the money) which will be decided by the group as to who does which duties. Every week this group changes, There is never a static person in the finance group.

Bryan S

                    The simple plan. It’s the system that Cccupy Wall Street uses. Donations come in, and the finance group logs it. The people in the finance group cannot be in any other groups to avoid conflict of interest. They keep it transparent and they keep a log of what comes in and where it’s going. Each group proposes at the GA what they need, once a consensus is formed, the finance group disburses the money to the group. A log is made and it’s as simple as that. We will also have lock boxes for cash donations that only the finance group will have access to.

Angela - Believes in a direct democracy and that people in different working groups should have the right to know what other groups are spending money on. If we petition other groups for the money before we propose at the GA we may find a resource or donation to cover the costs of the proposal. Having a representative of each working group meet with the finance committee makes things open and transparent. The Simple Plan does not allow us to do this.

Brian S - “There is nothing more open than a GA. If a working group wants to know what other groups are spending on, they can just ask.

(proposals repeated for clarification)

Angela - Stated that there should be one person keeping and holding on to documents and logs of transactions which Julia’s proposal does not include.

Julia - “The record keeper would have that responsibility and all statements and logs should be posted on a wiki or a general site accessible by anyone.”

Angela - Feels that proposing at the GA would take too much time when the groups could just petition each other and possibly eliminate the need to propose at the GA.

Brian- Thinks we need transparency and we should use the wiki as a point for record keeping because you can see every change that happens to it.

Angela - She is concerned with corruption. She doesn’t feel comfortable having just one group of people keeping tabs on our money, as the Simple Plan proposes.

Mike I - Stated how it seems like we are discussing between the management of holding of the money and the disbursement of the money. He thinks a combination of the two systems might find a happy medium. There has to be a group of people accountable for the money but we also need the representation and different people having access to that information. He proposed we should meet in a smaller group to come up with a system that takes in those things into accountability.

Brian P- Should we table this issue and include mike’s amendment or solve this now?

Julia - Pointed out that we need to start taking donations on our website ASAP by opening a wepay.com account to receive funds. She believes we should come to a consensus now before money starts coming in.

Brian - Proposes we form a rudimentary finance committee for now, until we figure out the system we want to peruse.

Majority Agrees

GA Proposal

Brian P

                    Suggested we meet one more time before the Wednesday GA. Either Monday or Tuesday.

It was agreed to be Tuesday at 5pm.

GA is adjourned. 

carton-rouge:

84-year-old Occupy Seattle participant Dorli Rainey, pictured above after being pepper sprayed by Seattle Police on November 15th.

She later wrote about the incident:

“Something funny happened on my way to a transportation meeting in Northgate. As I got off the bus at 3rd and Pine I heard helicopters above. Knowing that the problems of New York would certainly precipitate action by Occupy Seattle, I thought I better check it out. Especially since only yesterday the City Government made a grandiose gesture to protect free speech. Well free speech does have its limits as I found out as the cops shoved their bicycles into the crowd and simultaneously pepper sprayed the so captured protesters. If it had not been for my Hero (Iraq Vet Caleb) I would have been down on the ground and trampled. This is what democracy looks like. It certainly left an impression on the people who rode the No. 1 bus home with me. In the women’s movement there were signs which said: “Screw us and we multiply.’”

(via occupywallstreet)

Occupy Wall Street Marches to Newark!!!

SPREAD THE WORD!

JOIN US AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Occupy Jersey City

GA Minutes - Monday, November 14, 2011

Moderator: Jay(?)/Neva

Minute-Taker: Dave M.

Agenda Items:

1. National Call to Action on Nov. 17

2. OJC Poetry Slam on Nov. 19

3. OJC Banners, Flyers & Graphics

4. Report-back on Teach-In at St. Peter’s College

5. Structure of GA Meetings

6. Student Debt Action on Nov. 21

7. Update on Occupy Newark

8. Brainstorming for Future OJC Events

9. Financial Report

——————————————-

1. National Call to Action on Thursday, Nov. 17. It was reported that OWS has called for a National Day of Action this coming Thursday, Nov. 17, to mark the two-month anniversary of the start of the OWS movement. The day-long schedule of events is set to begin with an attempt to shut down Wall Street at 7 am, followed by an Occupy the Subways event at 3 pm, and culminating in a rally at Foley Square at 5 pm. A proposal was made and passed by the assembled OJC members to participate in the Foley Square event. OJC members who wish to participate should meet at Journal Square at 4:30 pm. Details of the event will be posted to the OJC site and Facebook page.

2. Poetry Slam on Saturday, Nov. 19. Details of the upcoming Poetry Slam event were discussed. The event is to begin at the Journal Square Cafe at 6 pm. A flyer for the event has been made and is being distributed. A proposal was made and passed by the assembled OJC members to use OJC funds to purchase food at the cafe in order to cultivate a relationship with the owners. Another proposal to set a cap on the amount of OJC funds spent was tabled for a future GA.

3. OJC Banners, Flyers & Graphics. Several OJC members reported back on their outreach to local print shops for the purposes of making an “Occupy Jersey City” banner and perhaps getting a discounted rate on the printing of OJC promotial materials. The going rate among local print shops is approximately $0.06/page for flyers and $0.99/sq. ft. for banners. After a lively discussion regarding whether or not OJC needs a banner, a proposal was made and passed that all OJC members participating in the Nov. 19 poetry slam bring art supplies to the Journal Square Cafe on that day, and that a newly-formed “banner committee” assume responsibility for the creation of the banner.

4. Report-back on Teach-In at St. Peter’s. It was reported that the preliminary meeting concerning a “teach-in” event at St. Peter’s College on Nov. 9 was well-attended by OJC members and SPC students and professors. No definitive date for the event has been set, but a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for this coming Thursday, Nov. 17, at 4 pm. Organizers of the teach-in are eyeing a day-long event in late November or early December. Minutes from the first meeting have been posted to the OJC site.

5. Structure of GA Meetings. Various proposals concerning the structure of OJC GA meetings were discussed, including proposals to have the GA’s occur on Mondays & Wednesdays; Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays; or Mondays only. The proposals were raised in light of OJC members’ various conflicting work, school, and personal commitments. A lively discussion ensued, touching upon such topics as the purpose of GA meetings (are they for work and protest, friendship and cameraderie, or some combination of both?) and the feasibility of conducting GA’s via electronic media (i.e., email and online discussion groups). None of the proposals passed, and it was decided to retain the current GA structure and schedule.

6. Student Debt Action on Monday, Nov. 21. OJC Members were reminded about and encouraged to participate in a National Student Debt Relief action scheduled to kick off at Zuccotti Park at 1:30 pm on Monday, November 21.

7. Update on Occupy Newark. It was announced to the GA that Occupy Newark is scheduled to kick off its occupation of the city’s Militark Park this coming Friday, November 18. At the present time, it is not known whether this is to be a permanent occupation, or simply a 48-hour temporary occupation. A proposal to donate OJC’s goods to Occupy Newark was raised, but was not adopted by the GA.

8. Brainstorming Future OJC Events. It was reported to the GA that support for OJC remains high in Jersey City, particularly in the city’s downtown area. Several proposals for upcoming OJC events were made, including:

a) A march to and rally at the Goldman-Sachs building on the JC waterfront (date TBD);

b) A march and/or “soapbox” event with JC Veterans for Peace on Saturday, Dec. 3 (Brendan to reach out to Mike K. to initiate);

c) The showing of OWS/OJC-themed documentary films at various venues around the city, with possible venues to include the Pershing Field Community Center, the Five Points Library, and the Action 21 space in JC Heights;

i. It was reported that Miguel P. is already planning such an event at the Action 21 space. The film is entitled “America: From Freedom to Fascism.”

ii. A proposal to participate in this event was made and adopted by the GA. Miguel to provide further details of the event at a future GA.

iii. A separate issue was raised concerning whether or not to charge a small fee for these events as a way of raising money for OJC. One member of the GA pointed out that in order to do this, it might be necessary for OJC to obtain 501(c)3 status as a registerd charity. A proposal was made and adopted to reach out to JC Vets for Peace for the purpose of determining how to proceed with this.

d) An Un-Occupy Pavonia event on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at the Newport PATH station for the purpose of focusing attention on relations between Native Americans and European settlers;

e) An Occupy Black Friday event on Friday, Nov. 25 at the Newport PATH station for the purpose of focusing on economic issues;

9. Financial Report. It was reported to the GA that as of Monday, Nov. 14, OJC has $509.00 in its coffers. Any OJC members wishing to be reimbursed for expenses should forward their receipts to Miguel P.

** MEETING ADJOURNED **

gravewisdom:

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