The Official Site of the #OccupyCleveland Movement

Happy Holidays!

Call for Articles – Occupy Plain Dealer * Thursday GA Vote to Finalize Proposal to OWS * Call for Volunteers at Food Bank Jan. 7 * International, National, State News * Today & Tomorrow’s Events * Today’s Poetry * Permit Renewals * Call for Help with Fliers * 30 Second TV spot idea for Occupy Cleveland * Public Square Permits and Request for Daytime Volunteers * GA Recap Links * OCC Communication to Banks Regarding Foreclosed Residential properties * Flash Mob Ordinances * Bank Walk-away Project * Upcoming Events * Meetings / WAGs * Current Haves and Needs * More Reading / Links * Call for Information

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

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Call for Articles – Occupy Plain Dealer

Occupy Plain Dealer is asking for contributions! Contact the Tent/Base Operations workgroup for more info: [email protected].

Thursday GA Vote to Finalize Proposal to OWS

The OWS proposal is coming in at a total of approximately $26,000. One of the ideas being proposed is a Midwest convergence here in Cleveland, bringing in area occupations. It would essentially be a teach in with several different workshops within which people can connect with those from different occupations. This is to be followed by a major combined direct action likely to be the Sunday following Saturday’s convergence. The convergence is tentatively scheduled for February. Possible workshop topics include nonviolence/civil disobedience training and legal observer training, teach-ins from area leaders in various fields, direct action planning/training and organizational training.

Additional portions of the proposal include foreclosure defense, creative direct action, advertising, tech needs and info tent shoring supplies.

We will be voting on this Thursday at the GA. Please have friendly amendments prepared in advance and communicate them with Tim Russo. The proposal will be brought to the OWS GA one hour following our GA so we must be prepared and efficient in order to have changes made in time and not delay or otherwise endanger our opportunity for this grant.

Proposal Narrative | Proposal Budget | Discussion and proposed amendments in forum

Call for Volunteers at Food Bank Jan. 7

On January 7th, from 8am to noon, Occupy Cleveland will send 10 volunteers to help at the Cleveland Food Bank. If you are interested, please contact Occupyclevelandoutreach@gmail. com and check out the post on the forum: http://unju.st/forum/ viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1326

International, National, State News

International:

• 12-23 – ThePhoenix.com – Noam Chomsky to the Occupy Movement: Move to the Next Stage

National:

• 12-26 – Salon.com – Occupations in winter – Protesters nationwide link up through large-scale conference calls and plan what’s next.
• 12-25 – Dailykos.com – Montanans Launch Recall of Senators Who Approved NDAA Military Detention. Merry Christmas, US Senate
• 12-23 – Occupy Berkely police beat someone with a baton.
• 12-23 – Reason.com – Lee County Deputies Tied Suspect to a Chair, Gagged Him, and Pepper-Sprayed Him to Death
• The New Yorker on Occupy Wall Street Lengthy article on the origins and future of Occupy Wall Street.

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 12-25 – Youtube – Merry Christmas to Occupy Cleveland Video – Compilation of outtakes, bloopers, and cutting room floor video from the OCLE archive collected since October 4, 2011.

Today & Tomorrow’s Events and WAGs

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekday events, here are some special events that are happening today! Lots to do! Unless otherwise noted, events are in NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson/Free Speech Quadrant) of Public Square or nearby in the white tent area. More upcoming events after today are here…

Special Events in the Next Couple Days

• We might have specials activities for New Year’s Eve this weekend but this has not been finalized.
• For more events please go here

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM GA on Weekdays - Formal assembly at NW corner of Public Square or in white info tent west of this area. At this assembly, proposals and announcements are made. This is where consensus items are decided. Please review stances/thoughts at viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1003 for discussion in today’s GA
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 10 PM – 2 AM and 2 AM – 6 AM Evening Shifts – Please sign up at the white tent for an evening shift so that we can maintain effective occupancy overnight and relieve people who are overburdened. Dress extremely warmly with lots of layers and bring appropriate gear to keep yourself warm.

Today & Tomorrow’s WAGs

• Tech WAG * Wednesdays 8 PM OccupyCLE.tech (_at symbol_) gmail.com, 216 200 6278
• Occupation WAG * Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6 PM GA Coordination and research of physical occupation
• Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins – Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.
• Grievance Declaration WAG * Every Day at Info Tent, 4 PM
• Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) – Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

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“I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent; curiosity, obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism have brought me to my ideas.”

~ Albert Einstein

Please send poetry submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

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GA Recap Links

Please post GA minutes in the GA portion of this forum in written, not only video format: http://unju.st/forum. Due to time constraints I am seldom able to watch the videos so if minutes are taken and posted it helps me immensely and is much appreciated.

Tuesday 12-27 GA Notes | Monday 12-26 GA Minutes | Archived notes

Recent Concensus Items – These are not up to date as written notes were not posted.

• 12-26 CONSENSUS REACHED – to also look into an alternative to CGP as a back up plan for donations and miscellaneous gear not needed at the public info tent and office.
• 12-21 CONCENSUS REACHED – Proposals are to be announced in the Soapbox portion of GAs and then formally presented for consensus at the next meeting happening after 48 hours have elapsed.
• 12-14 CONCENSUS REACHED to help the Cart family in Orwell

Recent proposals

• 12-27 PROPOSAL for consideration Thursday, Dec. 29 – Proposal for Occupy Wall Street budgetary allotment.
• 12-27 PROPOSAL for consideration Friday, Dec. 30 – to change our daily GA’s to 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We will still meet every day during the week but Tuesdays and Thursdays will be open discussion. We will also still have our bi-weekly meeting at Trinity.
• 12-26 PROPOSAL – for consideration Dec. 28 – to allow Cleveland chapter of Industrial Workers of the World (IWW – Wobblies) use our office space when available to meet at 850 Euclid Ave. More details will be available at the proposal on Wednesday.
• 12-22 PROPOSAL – 90% Consensus Model – tabled until Dec. 29
• 12-21 PROPOSAL – Ask Cleveland and County for foreclosure moratorium.
• 12-13 PROPOSAL in forums: “A few proposals and a personal appeal” RE solving group infighting
• 12-13 PROPOSAL in forums: “Do a Radio Interview”

Call for Help with Fliers

On January 22nd, from 1pm-3pm, there will be a community meeting at the Cleveland Heights library. We’re going to put up fliers around Cleveland Heights in the weeks before, saying “We want to hear what you have to say! Please, come join us for a community meet and greet.” This is an opportunity to get out into the public, find out what people’s concerns are and see if we can help address those concerns. Our goal is not only to get community feedback, but to hopefully get more people involved in Occupy Cleveland.

30 Second TV spot idea for Occupy Cleveland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcaGU6O5dAU&feature=youtu.be

Public Square Permits and Request for Daytime Volunteers

The Public Square Info WAG now has the email [email protected]. The WAG has filed for new permits for the info tent and Tom Johnson Square and plans to handle the permits from now on.

We need volunteers to help with daytime presence in the information tent. Even if you can only volunteer once every two weeks we can schedule you to take a shift to help give breaks to the occupiers. Email Base Operations at: [email protected] with your day and time.

Please help us keep a round the clock presence on Public Square and be a part of keeping the flame lit over the winter.

OCC Communication to Banks Regarding Foreclosed Residential properties

12-15 – Brian-cummins.blogspot.com – OCC Communication to Banks Regarding Foreclosed Residential properties – Release guides mortgage-lending banks to take responsibility for the foreclosed properties they are repossessing, instead of letting the properties sit and depreciate in value and damage the neighboring property values, etc. Banks are guided to take responsibility for upkeep and ‘safety’ of properties they own. Many ‘vacant’ lots are hazardous, and are not actually vacant- they are owned by banks who repossessed them.

This OCC release also encourages banks to release a lien rather than foreclosing on a property when a borrower defaults on a mortgage. The banks are asked to consider releasing the mortgage note (lien) instead of foreclosing, if the future costs of foreclosure ligitation, upkeep and sale of the property are too high. Further, these lending banks are guided to notify the homeowner if the bank chooses to forego foreclosure in such an event, so that the property would no longer be abandoned and therefore depreciating in value.

Anyone can speculate as to the possible implications of these ‘guidelines’. Best case scenario: people get their homes back because banks don’t have enough revenues to take care of all the properties; those restored homeowners contribute to property tax base in communities; banks hire contractors to monitor and upkeep the properties they have repossessed so the properties don’t continue being a hazard and eyesore to the community; banks sell some properties at low price to county land banks so they don’t have to pay for upkeep themselves. Neutral scenario: banks won’t sit on properties, slowly asserting foreclosure claims and jamming up court dockets before they even have the note.

Ed: Thanks to the person who provided this interpretation.

Flash Mob Ordinances

Recently Cleveland City Council passed some ordinances concerning use of cell phones, computers, and flash mobs.

I’d like to follow up more on this story when I have time; here’s a related story by the Plain Dealer: “Cleveland again targets social media role in ‘flash mobs’”

According to one person:

Municipal Code 605.03 prohibits “unreasonable noise.” (This is not new.) New ordinance 1392-11 amends Municipal Code 605.01(a) to clarify that this includes “at a community event, place of business, or any City of Cleveland property, facility, or recreation area” if its purpose is to “intimidate a public official or employee into taking or refraining from official action.”

In other words, old law: It’s a misdemeanor to make “unreasonable noise” if it’s to “intimidate a public official.” New law: Still true, but clarifies that being at a community event or public park doesn’t make it okay.

One potential concern is the misuse of the ordinances to people who are addressing legitimate concerns and working towards helping each other and society. There’s a thread of the story that might apply–that of some young people of largely African-American descent who had organized a march recently in Coventry. The march had unfortunately been followed up with a crime in the area by some people who probably weren’t even associated with the marchers.

Another aspect of the story is that some people had actually used cell phones and Twitter to get together to rob stores–this is something that I happened to hear yesterday at a business meeting by someone who works at Great Lakes Mall. So there are multiple facets to this and it is important to be calm, gain clarity and understand what the ordinances mean.

Bank Walk-away Project

We’re considering working on a project involving 44 foreclosed properties from which banks have walked away. Any addresses / ideas for properties can still be emailed to occupyclevelandpermanentbasecamp (_at symbol_) gmail.com

According to the article Northeast Ohio Plagued by 30,000 vacant homes awaiting demolition, “Former Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis said he believes the number of condemned homes and buildings in Northeast Ohio has ballooned to 30,000. Rokakis blamed foreclosures and irresponsible banks, investment firms and individuals who have walked away or ignored their distressed properties.”

Upcoming Events

Events are in the NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson Quadrant) of Public Square unless otherwise noted.

• Saturdays @ 12 – 3 PM – Coffee, Tea, and Wh”y” we Occupy @ Gypsy Beans & Baking Co. Coffee 6425 Detroit Ave. - Recurring Weekly – http://www.facebook.com/events/253534731378642/ – The idea of this workshop is to bring us all together to discuss Why we joined the Occupy Movement, and came together in Occupy Cleveland. Everyone has a reason, and I would love for us all to be able to discuss them together.
• Friday, Jan. 6 @ NOON – 2:30 a.m. – Occupy Cleveland Open House & Three Month Celebration – http://www.facebook.com/events/293716490673005/
• DAYTON Sat., Jan 7 @ 10 PM -3 AM A Night of Dubstep Occupies Dayton – Concert in support of the Occupy movement – http://www.facebook.com/events/270260973010971/
• Sat., Jan 7 @ 8 AM – Noon – Occupy the Food Bank Occupy Cleveland will send 10 volunteers to help at the Cleveland Food Bank. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].   More Info
• Sat., Jan 7 @ 4 PM – Film @ tenth floor conference room in City Club Building, 850 Euclid Av.
• Jan. 8 @ 2-4 PM – Trinity Meeting
• Jan. 9 @ 6 PM – Public Hearing on Proposed Trash Incinerator – Estabrook Rec Center next to Memphis Fulton Shopping Plaza – If we hope to stop this we really need to fill up the room folks! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Good place for a mic check moment.
• Sat., Jan. 14 @ 7 PM – 2:30 AM- Occupy Fundraiser at the Beachland Ballroom – Proceeds benefit Occupy Cleveland. $7 in advance, $10 at the door.
  Featuring:
  Morticia’s Chair,
  The Rick Ray Band,
  Katty Whomp Us,
  Comedic Stylings of Robin,
  Dead Ahead,
  Zachy,
  Nice Mic,
  Eve-n-Steven,
  Johnathan Blackshire,
  Charlie Mosbrook
• Sun., Jan. 22 @ 9:30-10:45 AM – The Occupy Movement: A Quiet Revolution? - First Unitarian Church, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, 44122. What effect is the Occupy Cleveland movement having in Northeast Ohio? Over 250 cities and 82 countries have participated worldwide. Income inequality, jobs and the growing influence of Wall street are major issues. Will this movement produce any lasting change? Moderator: Greg Coleridge, Director, Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee; Occupy Cleveland Panelists: Erin McCardle and Derek Dissell.
• Jan. 22 @ 2-4 PM – Trinity Meeting

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site (I now have the ability to update this page).

Workgroup/Affinity Group Meetings / WAGs*

WAGS are located in the northwest quadrant of Public Square by the Tom Johnson statue or in the white tent adjacent to the quadrant unless otherwise noted, and all are welcome to come and participate! Please send your meeting/WAG info to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so that it can be listed here.

Working Groups and Contact Information Wiki

New! Public Square WAG – occupycle.baseoperations (at symbol) gmail.com.

Grievance Declaration WAG * Every Day at Info Tent, 4 PM

Community Outreach WAG *
Next TBA * Alternating Saturdays and Sundays * PLEASE NOTE CHANGED MEETING VENUE Coordination with groups to help grow the movement. Meeting tentatively at Gypsy Bean and Baking Co. (6425 Detroit Avenue) to see about using their extra room for the meeting. Will update everyone as soon as I know.  11/20 meeting notes. Outreach email: occupyclevelandoutreach (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Occupation WAG * Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6 PM GA Coordination and research of physical occupation

Tech WAG * Wednesdays 8 PM OccupyCLE.tech (_at symbol_) gmail.com, 216 200 6278

Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.

Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community

Education WAG * Next Mtg. TBA Coordination of Education / Teach-ins / Scheduling. occupyclevelanded (_at symbol) gmail.com. Meeting Notes from 10/30 on Ed Forum (unju.st/forum)

Theater Subgroup of Arts and Culture WAG * Next Mtg. TBA *
Collaborative Theater Meeting This particular meeting pertains to theater event(s) and other creative actions. occupyclevelandtheater (_at symbol) gmail.com

First Aid/Housekeeping/Sanitation WAG * Next Mtg. TBA

Silent Demonstration and Public Art Affinity Group * Next Mtg. TBA

* WAG: Working/Affinity Group

Check the forums for more info on working groups. There are probably working group meetings that are happening that are not on the above list. Here are some known working groups: Outreach * Phone & Q&A * Arts & Culture * Spirituality * Food * Mission/Vision * Legal * Peacekeeping * Entertainment * First Aid * Sanitation * Nightwatch * Direct Action * Facilitators * Finance * Tech * Logistics * Transportation * Permanent Occupation Base

Current haves and needs

• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent along with healthy nibbles for energy throughout the cold days
• Current physical needs are now posted on the Needs page as I now have access to this page
• Donations
• Respect, representation, tolerance, kindness, listening, family, friends, seriousness, joy, work, kindness, self-critique, community, patience, persistence, dialogue, peace, rationality, health, equality, empathy, civic support, solidarity, idealism, courage, dialogue, mentoring, participation, calmness, respect, compassion for one another, outreach, ethical banks, small business loans from banks, energy, focus, kindness, wholeness,global tribal ethic, fostering leadership in young adults, restoring reverence to older adults, community, focus, patience, lots of love, pride, humility, moving forward, reaching out.

Other Links

• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring Info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7.

Info Tent #: (216) 202-4999 | Phone Rules

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

Call for Information

Dear Readers/Occupiers:

People who are planning events and work groups–please email these events to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so I can post them rather than having dig and dig every morning through the forums and multiple facebook pages to find these items. It is taking between one to three hours to do this Digest every morning, so emailing info to me will help me get this out more quickly.

Please continue to post GA notes daily in the forum “General Assembly” here: http://unju.st/forum/. It is vital to post these notes for the larger Occupy community so that we know what items are being consented to and what events are consensus events. Thank you to those who have been posting notes!

Peace,

The Temporary Editor

What Would You Like to See?

Please mail letters to the editor, story ideas, meeting times, articles, etc. to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com. Also, the Daily Digest is having a working group meeting Sunday, 10/30 at noon in the Tom Johnson (NW) quadrant of Public Square. If not right in the quadrant, please check the white tent west of the square.

Call for Poetry/Creative Writing/Art Submissions – we’re looking for poetry seeds from the larger poetry community, again, a great outreach action. We’re putting together an Occupy Cleveland poetry zine and I’d like to feature some creative items in the Daily Digest as well. Please send submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Thank you to all people who are making information available!

Read more at Occupy Cleveland