Minutes of the 60th Occupy Detroit General Assembly, April 28, 2012

Facilitator: Christine
Stack: Sonya
Minutes: Hans
Time Keeper: Barb

Agenda
• welcome
• approve agenda
• Working Group report back
• Announcements
• Small Group Breakout
• Proposals
• Closing

Agenda approved

Direct action
Meet at 7pm,
Working on a few campaigns around victims of foreclosure, a large protest around Bank of America May 9th. Planning for a May 2nd protest, bottom lined by Josh and Thomas, around the consent agreement, marching to coleman young municipal center from Grand Circus.

Arts and Culture
Focused on May Day support right now, making banners, blankets for campers, etc. This Wednesday will be the regular pot luck/jam session.

“Break the Dependency” work group
Jasahn is starting this today. Wants to engage people in the city on breaking their reliance on the existing institutions (corporate and governmental) for survival. Jasahn is working with another encampment that is raising a conversation in the neighborhood it’s in.

Outreach
We’d like to lead a 10 minute “listening session” at the May Day GA in Grand Circus. Some questions were raised about it (how is it structured?).

Camping working group
Camping on May Day, joining the Joy road encampment afterwards. I’d like to see it in neighborhoods, libraries, etc. We’ve got folks in some roles, we still need a kitchen bottom liner and library bottom liner (Arts and Culture volunteers for the library)

Comfort committee
Reconstituting itself for camp at Grand Circus and Joy road. Meeting after GA today, we’ll be looking at the basement of 5900 . Also there’s the “really free market” starting at 3pm at Grand Circus on May 1.

Rob
We started sprouting seeds. If anyone wants to donate supplies or help, see me after GA.

Finance.
We’d like to start our own bank account
Urban partnership bank is a nonprofit bank.

Media
We’re working to make sure we stream all our events. We have needed some equipment to do that. We want organizations to be able to pick up our feed on May Day. Let us know if you’d like to tie in your stream to our feeds.

Facilitation
We’re working on cutting our meetings down to once a week, since people are working on other things. Typically we just discuss the agenda for the next GA, so that doesn’t always require a meeting. We’ll instead try to focus meeting about issues within our scope. Our numbers are dwindling a bit, so I would encourage folks to consider plugging in, or plugging back in. Meeting Monday at 7:30 at 5900, to discuss the May Day GA.

Announcements
Jasahn: Camp at West Chicago and Appoline, set to begin on May 2nd. We need 15 bodies to commit to four or five days. It’s a higher traffic area than where we were before.

Josh: At our camp at Grand Circus, we’re also trying to have entertainment, speakers, performers on Wednesday May 2nd until we leave the park. Upon exiting the park we’re going to march to Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, starting around 6pm.

Tristan: I’ve got a petition against the suspension of the students who staged their walkout last Wednesday. They’ve had to stand up to parents, administrators, etc. admonishing them for it, so they need support. They’re considering a boycott of the schools starting on the May 3rd (separate from the “free school” idea). Please sign the petition.

Fuzzytech: Windsor Workers day of mourning. At 2pm
No Consent group: we have a declaration from the group that contains ten points. Looking to get a lawsuit against the Michigan department of human services (I missed what he said about the basis of it).
We need to get money from transportation riders. We’re trying to get a media campaign going, recording testimony from people on their experience.
Email: comais1@michigan.gov

Mill Meyers: Tomorrow at 5pm there will be a film and panel discussion about Kordra, the photographer who took the famous Che Guevara picture. 3439 Livernois.

Interoccupy conference is at 5900 tomorrow, starting 4pm. Speakers starting at 4, GA starting at 7pm.

Small Group Breakout
Open discussion on Public Act 4. (…amazing discussion)

Proposals
Joe: I propose Occupy Detroit officially endorse the petition against retaliation of those students who staged the high school walk out.

Point of information: I’d heard of some gang rivalry problems between Western and Southwestern high schools.

Point of information, National lawyers guild letter was attempted to be delivered to the school board. It was rejected but the students read it and felt encouraged by it.

Point of information: lots of these schools already have a serious language barrier.

Questions: could we support this Monday meeting of parents by showing up offering support, maybe bring some water for folks or something?

Point of information, distributing this petition is a form of help. Calling Roy Roberts’ office is another way. The more this petition is getting out, the more it becomes clear that these students are representing a section of Detroit. The students are looking for an opportunity for another action, they are considering a boycott and making sure people show up for that rally would be very important. The student who pulled the fire alarm to get everyone out of the building was expelled and given a $500 fine.

Point of information: the meeting of the parents we may not be invited to, but the Clark Park free school we are welcome to attend. Could maybe network ourselves there.

This is a great opportunity, I’d like to make a banner for May Day saying Occupy Detroit supports the courage of and stands with the students at Southwest and Western high schools.

Jasahn: Friendly amendment: if people are expelled, we as a GA offer to mentor or fill in what would then be taken from them. We also offer legal support.
Joe: Amendment is rejected in favor of keeping it simple. Some of those things can be worked out with the spirit of support we’re already feeling.

Nina: We should be listening to the students for what kind of support they need, and base our actions from that.

Maybe we could offer as Occupy Detroit to pay that ticket. Have a fundraiser event around it!

Rakiba: If the ticket gets dismissed, I’m sure we could offer the money to something else they need. there is some past history of walk out action: the freedom school, etc. I think if we have an event we can include history about it.

PROPOSAL PASSED.

We had an impromptu discussion, outside the original agenda, regarding youth outreach.

Closing

Global updates
There’s a lot coming up in Chicago during the month of May. May 20, 21, NATO conference.
The CISPA bill, a cyber “security” bill, made it through the House of Representatives. Point of information: there was less push back against this bill

There were stay away orders at UC Berkley. One of the things coming out of the demands over there was for the chancellor to resign. He did. Another demand was for the city and county to drop charges against the students. That’s being worked on.

All the charges against Occupy Philly were dropped.

Gratitude
Grateful for all these buttons being made!
Grateful for the work going into 5900!
For the decorations here at 5900!
For the discussion taking place in this movement!
Great discussion! We need more group discussion in GAs!
Grateful for Wednesday discussion group!
Grateful for the respect in the room!

Minutes of the 59th Occupy Detroit General Assembly, April 24, 2012

Next meeting- Saturday will be at 5900 not at market due bad weather forecast. Will be at Eastern Market on May 5
Nina- Many actions happening in SW Detroit tomorrow- wed April 25 starting at 1030 at Western & SWestern High Schools.
Info is on facebook, Nina will try to share it out…
Sarah C- 1 night camp coming May Day, bring tents, spend just the one night.
Curtis- Thurs 10 am Lansing- meeting to decide if they will be counting the signatures on the petitions. If you are committed to going there is a bus.
Stephen B- Housing as a Human Right- Thurs night 6-8 pm meeting.

WorkGroup Report Backs:
Facilitation preparing packets of info for folks to help more be comfortable facilitating. Discussing having the meetings only 1 day per week instead od before both GA’s. 
In the interest of helping folks prepping proposals- we have a form/checklist available, that may help prepare the info needed to help a proposal be supported by the GA.- Passing around, will try to get posted on the web site.

Camp- 3 min- having 1 day May Day camp Grand Circus, not bringing a lot of stuff- need police liaison, more media, more comfort, more speakers, music, sound system, practice camp Sunday
Camp meeting post GA today
Occupy-detroit-spring-preparation@googlegroups.com
Want to come in force to show we are the folks from last year, & are still viable…. If you do one thing this month- do this.

Media- need writers to submit to contactmedia@occupy-detroit.us
Meeting & working on how to improve web site, and how to get all these events covered- need more reporters, streamers, etc…
Talk of preparing a live stream teach in in a couple weeks for folks interested in livestreaming tips.

Finance met this week- working to set up the wepay as approved to allow directed donations to working groups. Seeking to get all the info & receipts needed to prepare a solid financial statement & do so on a regular basis. Next regular meeting May 6 Phoenix.

Comfort- meeting Saturday after the GA to identify & pack up the items we will want in a rolling comfort station in the van for May Day camp. Will work with those who have been sorting & clearing excess in the basement… and work in tandem with those efforts.
Dry goods working group- processing the cloth & clothing etc donations- screening many w/ od logo…

Transit- more cuts coming, M1 rail initiative…

May Day is happening…. May 1- flyers available, need volunteers, march guides, medics, chalk brigade
Next meeting Wednesday eve 7 pm at 5900

Direct Action- meeting Thursdays- eviction meeting at 6; other direct action at 7 at 5900
Request to plan an action on May 2…. If you can/would help plan that please join us.

Outreach Presentation-
6-10 attend…. 83 on google group.
Presentation to allow folks to understand what outreach is & is doing, and get some ideas & feedback
Will share speaking engagements, what street team does, volunteers, how we use google docs, listening campaign…
Listening campaign- short speech intro self, what life was like before occupy & after. Make connections. Be relatable.
Solving issues- state (ie) abortion is the issue, how do we solve it… not getting into pro con debate.
Example listening camp-
What is the biggest problem you face?
Lack of representation
Out of control gas prices
Destruction of communities
What do you think is the one big change that will make the biggest change?
Mark a- how’s the equity in your house? Change I’d like to see… debt forgiveness on mortgages.
Reboot the system, corps out of govt
Environment

Proposals-

1- Victor Huey Houston- speaking at interoccupy- wants to come do teach in with us & give insight to raising funds, awareness…. Needs plane ticket from Texas. $350
Will co-anchor our May Day broadcast, will continue to stay here & help us get fundraisers & outreach rolling stronger. Was part of Black Panthers, has many famous connections… usually gets 3k speaker fee, waiving this.
CQ- sounds interesting, have the local been contacted?
A-yes he has been in touch w/ Ron Scott & some local folk. Ron serves on “board of elders”
Says he can stay till he sees us get off the ground & have more support.
CQ- what do we need a lot of money for?
Concerns?
If he can’t come he won’t be speaker at interoccupy
PASSED 350 ish for plane ticket

2- Michigan Summit – gathering of progressive activist folk. At Kellogg Center Sat May 12. Lots of occupy language this year. Event focused on winning tactics for organizers.
Propose we spend $100 to share a table with Occupy Kalamazoo. This would also get 3 people paid into the summit…. 100 would cover gas as well…. Could do a hat drawing if need to choose from a pool of people…
PASSED
If you are interested in going- see Jen Teed

3- Camp proposal- seeking less than 200 for camp supplies, some will stick with us for future events as well.
CQ- some examples of items..
Porta john (seeking donation, if not will cost 75)
Whistles, disposable cameras, batteries….
Concern- 200 may be low- revise to 250…. accepted
PASSED

Closing!
Thank you for moving this along.
I like the quick flow
Zaney no nonsense
Glad for outreach presentation
Glad for transport help & planners
Enjoy workgroup info, try a bit shorter next time.
Suggest flyer/take home piece for presentations like this

Minutes of the 57th Occupy Detroit General Assembly, April 17 2012

I. Welcome
a. Facilitation Roles
i. Facilitator:Thomas from Chicago
ii. Co-facilitator: Sarah
iii. Time: Rakiba
iv. Stack: Direct Action Joe
v. Minutes: Jarret

II. Agenda Approved

III. Small Group Breakout

a. Camp Discussion(Against)

i. Too much time focused on just keeping camp going
1. Occupy London had a tent city but they didn’t sleep in the tent. Rather they had information tents, library tents, or activity/skill sharing in tents. They made a statement without sleeping in the tent.
ii. We are moving beyond protest and can achieve the same results without sleeping in the tents
iii. We should support the Brightmoore initiative
iv. Safety is a big concern
v. Cant camp but will stand with them
vi. Overnight is too draining
vii. Bathrooms…Let’s plan for the basics if folks decide to
viii. Listen to the community, they don’t want to see it at GCP
ix. Other orgs. did very little outreach with the homeless
1. United way should have assisted with outreach

b. Camp Discussion (in favor)

i. Visibility is key
ii. Camp is a message tactic.
iii. Pumpkin carving and other events there were great
iv. Important for foreclosure defense
v. We are having a giant sit-in
vi. Make demands
1. If you do it long enough they will cave to your demands
vii. Need to develop a sustainable model that we can have long term
viii. Abandoned building would be great or a Bank of America headquarters
1. Do this sun-up to Sun-down
ix. Eviction Defense is great
x. Mobilizations are great
xi. We have not reached our goals yet
xii. We need to OCCUPY SPACE
xiii. Show solidarity with the global movement, connects us with everyone
xiv. We can be the hub for actions
xv. Big outreach thing
xvi. Makes us accessible to the public
xvii. We should have community camps where local neighborhoods could link in
1. Council of camps
2. Talk about best practices
xviii. It was good way to show solidarity with Occupy Wall Street
xix. Would prefer more daily demonstrative/celebratory activity at camp

IV. Camp Informational
a. Everything can be packed up in 30 min.
b. Keeping all supplies at 5900
c. Security only watches people, not stuff
d. Would like to kick it off on May 1st

V. WG Report Backs

a. Joe from Direct Action
i. Meetings are now at 5900 at 6pm for eviction defense Thr. 7:00pm for general meeting
ii. Packing court room in Inkster for Jerome Jackson at 1:30 at the house Wednesday and 2:30pm at Inkster Court room

b. Media
i. Calendar person is going on vacation
1. Please be specific
2. contactmedia@occupy.us

c. Occupy Transit
i. 1301 E. warren Tranist riders meeting this Thursday
ii. 23rd of April annual regional transit awards banquet
iii. 30 people at last night’s food and transit justice

d. Goldengate
i. Moved Hugh into new house(neighbor of goldengate property who was homeless
ii. Big things are happening
iii. JB is doing art classes for youth that want to
iv. They made community garden
1. Tilled and good to go
v. Question about title search
1. They now have a contact who will research titles of houses they are occupying

e. Sunflower project
i. We have seeds and a planter
ii. Food Justice Coalition can get them more seeds

f. Education
i. All day teach in at Wayne State from 12-8

g. Sensitivity and Racial Inclusion
i. Next big meeting is Saturday at Central at 5:00pm
ii. Reg. meeting are thr. At Mack and woodward Starbucks

h. Eastern Market Working Group
i. It went good but it rained
ii. Another GA planned for two weeks from Saturday
iii. We learned a lot but we have some planning to do

i. Outreach
i. Teach-in GA will be one week from today

VI. Announcements

a. Tent city movie night is tonight V for Vendetta 1 block east of Meyers near Joy Road
b. Concerned Citizens for Democracy is still going and working to address Financial Stability Consent Agreement
c. Saturday April 28th Workers memorial day at 151 W. Jefferson by ambassador bridge
d. Rally’s at GCP on Friday April 20th from 6-9 for 99% spring training
e. Take buttons
f. Sunday the 22nd with the Wobbly’s breakfast from 11:00-2:00pm at Cass Park
g. Media Working group from 1-4pm on Sunday
h. City Wide Thou shall not kill with United Communities of America( UCOA) 5:30 at Fellowship Chapel 7707 W outer drive Detroit

VII. The Bat Signal Proposal

a. $72.00 for our light per message for each lazer cut message. Greatness
b. Rental of 200 Watt Generator
i. POI: Occupy has a generator through Goldengate Erik
ii. Question: Would this work on a cloud A: Yes…it’s the Occupy Signal
iii. Q: How often will we use it and what does it say
iv. A: Occupy Detroit, we can use the template an unlimited number of times
v. If we approve the money are we approving design as well
1. A: yes
vi. One design right now
vii. Propsal Passed

VIII. Guiding Principles Proposal

a. Occupy Detroit’s Guiding Principles Proposal
I. Justice(Eric will work on language)
a. Economic, judicial, environmental, social
II. Freedom( Coffey will work on language)
a. Notes: too vague
b. Respect peoples Autonomy
III. Inclusion(Nina will work on language)
IV. Non-violence(Coffey will work on language)
a. In speech and action
V. Safety(Thpomas M will work on language)
VI. Mutual Respect (Thomas from Occupy Chicago will work on language)
VII. Transparency(Thomas will work on language)
VIII. Egalitarianism(Josh will work on language)
a. Consensus decision making process
b. Everyone has a voice
c. Horizontalism
IX. Equality( Jarret)
a. Age
b. Race
c. Gender
d. Class

Proposal Tabled until Next Tuesday

Minutes of the 53rd Occupy Detroit General Assembly, April 3, 2012

I. Intro
a. Rakiba opened up with an overview of OCCDET Guiding principles that we strive to carry out in this space
Review: done by Curtis

II. Approve Agenda

III. Working Group

A Outreach = Jarret
4-8 retreat 4/6 @ 5900

B Midwest Curtis
Conference call

C Education
April 19th Education teachin – Diane – WSU Law school 12-8
ACLU voter suppression
Strangulation of welfare rights – Mirian Kramer

D Sensitivity and Racial Inclusion
Connections made at Foreclosure forum on Saturday
Involvement with Housing is a Human Right campaign
Meetings weekly @ Starbucks on Mack& Woodwa rd

IV Emergency Financial Manager Teach-In by Diane
Minute to minute changes to the consent agreement by city council today
$600,000,000 in interest on these deals in SWAP agreements
Suggested solutions (2)
1. People’s audit
2. Participatory budget
Questions odious debt – only 3 council members fighting Joanne Watson, Kwame Kenyatta and Brenda Jones
When will signatures verified to repeal PA 4 be verified and will it effect the consent agreement

V Announcements
4/15 99% 12-4:30 training then a direct action busing people to Livonia
4/25 GE share holder meeting
Coffey
Tucker Occupy Nation
April 14th Roast the Wall Street Bull celebration at 5900 Michigan Ave – celebrate the 6 month anniversary of Occupy Detroit and house warming for occupy space!!!
Special
We need working group descriptions and contact info for a pamphlet for the Eastern Market GA on the 14th. Working groups can send info to Coffey (coffey529@gmail.com).
Every Sat at Eastern Market people are collecting signature for the collective bargaining petition. If you’re interested in volunteering talk to Curtis, Shannon or Bartosz.
Only need 30,000 more signatures needed to get legalized marijuana on the ballot, talk to Jeph if you want to sign petition.
Wed, April 4th from 8pm – 11pm at Rosa Parks Transit Center – Candle light vigil mourning for Detroit Transit and memorial for MLK Jr.
Next GA meeting Safer Spaces proposal
Potluck at 5900 Michigan Ave every 1st and 3rd Wed

VI PROPOSALS:
Sarah Coffey
Informational Proposal
1 Month Experimental General Assemblies
Idea:
• Variable agenda for Saturday Gas
• Include Working Group Breakouts – aimed at raising our attendance at Gas coupled with newcomers to experience the different work groups directly
• Lots of people in working groups don’t regularly attend GA-so what is GA for?
• Focus is on work during the GA – ideas in action directly
• At the end of the month decision shall be made if the experimental GA s have value and shall be continued
• Working groups shall:
o Rotating bottom liner(s) designated for facilitating the GA breakout for their group
o One paragraph description of what they do, including meeting time and place
TABLED

Dianne
Proposal: Teach in on the history of Mayday
Diane has arranged with a speaker from Wayne State U to have him do this teach in
FA: Coffey – suggestion to have this teach in at GCP for the Mayday GA
21st of April 2012
PASSED

Informational Proposal:
SAFER SPACES WG
Nina/Kathy/Christine

Questions: Justin and Mark stated concerns about stating resources OUTSIDE OD
Rakiba concern was use of persons creating non safe conditions as opposed to “the subject” of the concern

VII CLOSING
EVAL
GRATITUDES
Rakiba does Invictus again for dramatic intentional closing.