Occupy Tucson is ON! Report from today's planning meeting.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

Occupy Tucson

Today I went to the first organizational meeting of Occupy Tucson. At its height, I don't think there were more than about 100 people there but I also don't think Occupy Tucson even existed more than about a week ago and what we didn't have in numbers was more than made up for in enthusiasm!










The meeting started at 9:A.M. and this pic was taken about 9:30


The meeting was called for the fountain on the corner of Congress and Stone which is private property and we knew in advance that we might be asked to leave. Sure enough, about an hour into it, the building security guard showed up, followed shortly by Tucson's finest.



They were nice but told us that the building management would prefer that go elsewhere so we moved on to Viente de Agosto (Pancho Villa) park, about a block away. Several folks stayed behind to police the area, making sure that there was no trash left behind. In fact, it was resolved that at this and future events, one of our goals was to leave no trace. Not so much as a cigarette butt.



This whole thing has a very short fuse as the actual occupation will begin on October 15 and a lot of planning needs to be done in a very short amount of time. It was decided that a number of issues needed to be dealt with including everything from legal issues (we already have a legal team in place) to food, art, medical, PR, IT, cleanup and even Yoga and meditation. Committees were later formed to address each of these and people joined the committee they felt most comfortable with.

The whole process was quite cumbersome, in fact, it was often like herding cats. Anyone who wanted to speak, on any issue, was allowed floor time with the talking stick and people often got off topic but in the end, everything that needed to get done, got done and it looked an awful lot like Democracy to me.

The next planning meeting, with reports on what we all got done this week, and what remains to be done, will be at Pancho Villa Park on Sunday, October 9, starting at noon.

The actual occupation will start in Pancho Villa Park on October 15. It may migrate as events dictate.

As soon as web sites, facebook info, u-tube links, etc come on line, I will be updating this info. (I joined the PR group.)

If you can get involved, even just by spreading the word, we welcome your help. If you are one of the 99%, please come to the next meeting. As someone else posted at DU recently, either be a rebel or be a slave.

If you would like more info, PM me. I don't know a lot yet but I'm learning fast.

Peace
Bud

[Chipper Chat]

1. I can just hear Govnuh Brewer now.......

"But these are WHITE people" (head exploding)

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. I know that was tongue in cheek, but you're right!

Obviously we need to do more outreach. Any ideas?

[Chipper Chat]

3. There are many Hispanics that would like to join the protesters

but you wont see them for obvious reasons (despues de todo, Esta esta Arizona!) Maybe covert support. Que lastima!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

9. What a shame indeed! As a lifetime Gringo, I don't know what to say.

I tend to think of Latinos, especially Mexicans as native Americans, especially in the Southwest. They were here a long time before the Gringos but I understand the reluctance to get public, at least in Arizona. This is all kind of new to me. I just moved here from San Jose, Ca. where the Latino culture was celebrated, not denigrated. All I know is that I can't keep silent in the face of racist teabaggers. I would suggest that "covert" assistance is still assistance. This fight belongs to all 99% of us and I don't care where the help comes from as long as we fight this together.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. Some sort of effort to bring them into the protest would be a good thing...can't think of what

but you know it's a good idea...what to do? Signs saying "Hispanics are also the 99%"? I know it's tricky to attempt to "speak" or "welcome" a group but this is important and it's perhaps even more their protest than ours, in AZ...how to build that bridge?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

13. I don't know yet but you can bet your ass I will be asking!

I already know the answer I get when I don't ask.

[Chipper Chat]

14. Hispanics could donate tons of nachos, burritos, and tacos to the protestors.

Of course this would sail right past the stupid teabaggers, who wouldn't get it at all.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

15. Actually, I think that would make a hell of a solidarity statement.

And the teabags are never going to get it. You can fix ignorance but you can't fix stupid.

[malaise]

4. K & R

And so it begins

[Chipper Chat]

16. And it may be much bigger than any of us think.

Maybe the most significant American event since the civil war.

[Earth_First]

5. #OccupyRochester held it's first organizational meeting today as well...

Second meeting is tomorrow at 4 p.m. with action very soon to follow...

Thanks for the report back!

It's ON!

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Brilliant! I really like the decision to meticulously clean up after yourselves.

K&R!

[Gin]

7. I like this sign

War = Corporations making a killing....How true!

[Honeycombe8]

12. That's the sign I DON'T like. I can picture it showing up on Faux....

with bizarro announcer saying, "See? These are bunch of hippie dippies who don't want people to make money." And that's not what the "Occupy" protests are about, if I understand them.

I thought it was about unregulated business doing legal but unethical, and possibly illegal, acts, which brought down the entire country's economy, and especially hurt the middle class and poor. Wall Street and all corporations should be making money, right? As well as small businesses, and me, and you, and whoever wants to work or own a business....we should ALL be making money, right? But Wall Street got together and did some unscrupulous things, while Congress turned averted its eyes, and made billions that it basically stole from the government and the people.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Put this in the Arizona state forum, maybe, also?

Rec'for support...

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. Actually posted there first.