Minutes of the 36th Occupy Detroit General Assembly, Feb. 4, 2012
I. Welcome
Visitors from Occupy Chicago, Gray Panthers, WILPH, Occupy Philadelphia
II. Process Review – Hand Signals
III. Agenda Approval
IV. Small Group Breakout Question
What should the goals of the Occupy Detroit Movement be?
Reports: Bring participatory democracy into our culture, forefront for campaigns – help existing groups bring their message to the general public to address class issues, core message 99% vs 1% bringing social issues to the focus, still figuring our direction as we evolve
V. Working Group Report Backs
a) Voter Registration – Shannon starting up again after a lull following the governor action, occdetvoterreg@gmail.com if you want to help
b) Direct Action – Joe, Garrett foreclosure action was a success! Eric Campbell, daughter, etc. connections were made with lots of groups to make this work. Dumpster was turned away, blocked by a car, rally downtown at 12pm, rally at family house Tues, Local 600 was very supportive, Tues afternoon bank made a deal with the Garretts. Next meeting , Sat 7pm (Eviction defense subgroup meets Thurs pm)
c) Education WG – Dave planning a teach-in a week or so after Easter, effects of financial crisis, war, PA4, attacks on unions, etc.
d) Finance WG – Hans, meeting right after GA, have two accounts, 1 with AFLCIO $4235.58, 1 wepay account (PayPal) $3024.76. Checks go thru AFLCIO, online donations thru wepay.
e) Locations WG – Hans, meeting Sunday 8pm 19966 Livernois, want people from Outreach to attend
f) OccupyOurHomes – Justin, Thursday had an action at BOA in the NewCenter, mic-checked the bank, David Kirby shared his story, announced OOH demands, share-holder spring buildup, procured BOA and Wells-Fargo stock as part of this action. Bartosz if you want BOA stock please see him 810-523-7123, bakumor@gmail.com , stock is approx. $5/share. Shareholder meeting will be in NC in the spring. Is there a relationship with local Welfare Rights group between OOH? Answer – not right now
g) Outreach WG – Josh pursuing city-wide listening campaign building relationships with existing groups, training for listening and speaking, will speak with Green Party, Zeitgeist, growing contact list. Please share any contacts you may have. Tues, 5pm at 1515, also Fri 5:30 on 1stUU at corner of Cass and Forest.
h) Newsletter WG – Josh will go out early next week, if you have things to include contact occupy-detroit-newsletter@googlegroups.com.
i) Springprep WG – continuing the conversation, email occupy-detroit-spring-preparation@googlegroup.com
j) Goldengate WG – Eric looking at moving into the “brick” house. Meeting Sun, 1pm come to 136 Goldengate, “library” house. Working with Do Foundation has offered business space and is working to buy property in the neighborhood. Question: involved with local church Ans: not yet. ACC community org also there to be made contact with.
k) Facilitation WG – Christine meetings Mon, Fri 7:30pm at 1515. Encourage participation to provide help with the meetings, help work on agenda, collect proposals ahead of time, etc. This Friday, WG is a “retreat” begins at 6:30pm will meet at Rakiba’s house. See Rakiba for specific details on location.
VI. Report backs from Tuesday’s GA discussions – topics were Occupy Oakland, 5900
a) 5900 – collected people’s concerns, pro and cons of this space, take away that concerns were legal regarding does Occupy own the building, lease the building, etc.
b) Oakland – people’s feelings on how to express solidarity with that group
c) Summer Camp – no input
VII. Announcements -
Joe after this GA there is a teach-in on the EM issues, Barb has arts & culture potluck was great changing dates to 1st and 3rd Weds every month bring dish, instruments, etc., Dave Welfare Rights is beginning a program to move women/children and vets into vacant homes in Detroit, 67000 homes have been identified, committee investigating these properties, carpenters and plumbers working, in formation now, meeting this coming week, check welfare rights website showing movie about people who have done this successfully before, very systematic and well-organized. Maureen Taylor is heading this up. Chris, youtube search kinetic pushmill generator, will work, local union members built this, can be used in summer camp, coolly medieval, good exercise, etc. Talk about a general strike the 1st of May, would like to work locally to get involved in this Stephen.dewyer@stephengdewyer.info. Tonight outreach at the bar, OD has been invited to Bumpers Bar in Westland on Newburgh just S of Joy rd, 7:30pm. Photography group is planning an exhibit will show photos that have been taken terry.hall313@gmail.com if you have photos you would like to have included. Monday, Feb 13, 10-10:30am , lynnwiggins01@gmail.com action in behalf of Rest Ctr of Mi, linking health to liquor for party stores working with Good Food, Good Jobs, state legislation. Christine following GA on Saturday, Feb 11, teach-in on alternate genderism to create a better understanding of these issues. Jason Eagle idea to encourage people to buy a small blue tarp (no standard size), display in your yard, political sign supporting Occupy movement will be provided to show in your neighborhood (suggestion to have this in other languages – sure, can be done) start doing this in April begin talking about this now.
VIII. Proposals
1) Money for the Direct Action WG, need to make flyers, etc. Would like $100 for things already made. – PASSED
IX. Global Updates
Speaker coming to the Tues GA, Jacob Corvidae, will make a presentation tailored to our group.
X. Closing