The new forum offers our users many new features and enhanced capabilities. We switched to a new forum platform, so we were unable to transfer our forum users. We apologize for the unavoidable extra step, but everyone is required to re-register (preferably with the same user name), prior to participating.
Effective immediately, the old forums will be closed to new posts, but will be kept available in a Read Only format.
Please contact forum@occupyeugenemedia.org with any questions.
—————————————————————————————
phpBB is the most widely used open source bulletin board system in the world. A full list of the new features is available at the phpBB site, here are a few of the highlights:
Enhanced security / Data Management
Robust searching
Trending / Hot topics
Bookmarking and Private messaging
Signatures and Online listing
Forum display and organization
Improved and simplified moderation and administration
In support of Occupy Portland: Candlelight Vigil TONIGHT @ Occupy Eugene. Occupy Portland has been ordered an eviction notice from their site as of midnight tonight. Come peacefully protest in support of the global Occupation. Bring extra candles/candleholders, signs in support of Portland. Let’s hold our vigil along the sidewalk on 7th (Big Red side of camp). We’ll start lighting candles at dusk. Let’s hold the space through midnight.
Occupy Eugene will have a day of action on Saturday, November 12, beginning at 12:00pm. We will meet at Free Speech plaza, march at noon to the Federal Building (as it is the most visible representation of the US Government in Eugene), and then march to the occupation site at 6th & Washington.
Once at the park, we will have a Middle-Eastern Community potluck at 1:30pm, show educational videos about the Egyptian Revolution, and have a videoconference with our fellow activists in Egypt. Our goal is to highlight the ongoing struggle of the Egyptian Revolution and the difficulties they face as they try to press forward and create a truly democratic society. In aligning with the struggles of other resistance movements across the globe, we strengthen our resolve and edge closer to achieving the liberation of the 99%.
Occupy Eugene wishes to express its solidarity with the ongoing Egyptian Revolution. In light of the email the Occupy movement has received from Egyptian activists, Occupy Eugene has agreed to the following statements:
We applaud the brave efforts of our sisters and brothers in Egypt that resulted in the overthrow of Mubarak on February 11, 2011
We recognize that Mubarak’s removal was only the first stage in the Egyptian Revolution, since his apparatus of power remains
We oppose the use of military tribunals against civilians, adult sentences for minors, the rampant use of torture, and sexual assault of female prisoners
We condemn our government’s continued provision of “military aid” and “development loans” to the Egyptian military government. The US provides $1.3 billion in aid each year to the Egyptian military. The tear gas, guns, and other weapons we provide are being used to suppress Egyptians’ human right to free speech and assembly, and “development” has only meant lower wages, less job security, and more privatization of essential social services
We agree that elections cannot provide a “transition to democracy” in a government that is dominated by “a junta that holds legislative, executive, and judicial authority” (as quoted in the email from Egyptian activists). The Egyptian government shows its true face, the real meaning of its commitment to democracy, when it systematically targets those who speak out against them
Finally, we recognize the shared nature of our struggles — we acknowledge that economic and political democracy in the United States is impossible while the 1% continue to practice economic devastation and political repression abroad. Occupy Eugene expresses our solidarity with our sisters and brothers as they defend the Egyptian Revolution
In an effort to support the Occupy Eugene camp and its occupiers, the Egan Warming Center is inviting all those interested to attend a training on professional homeless assistance.
The training aims to better work with and care for the homeless community on site and make a positive impact within camp.
Bruce Beasley’s ‘Big Red’ Becomes Willing Participant of Occupy Eugene
Bruce Beasley’s “Big Red,” the abstract steel sculpture which has sat in Washington-Jefferson Park between Sixth and Seventh Avenues since 1974, is a special feature of the City of Eugene’s landscape as well as the community’s culture. So while Occupy Eugene readied itself for the move from the Millrace to Washington-Jefferson Park, many of the activists understood the need to be proactive in paying respect to the landmark.
Martin Truther, an Occupy Eugene participant, took the initiative to write Beasley to ask if Big Red could become a pillar of the community, both metaphorically and literally, as Occupy Eugene’s Engineering Committee had tossed around ideas of using Big Red’s central spire to support a tarpaulin. Truther explained how Occupy Eugene planned to protect the sculpture from damage using carpet and recycled tires to act as a buffer.
Occupy Eugene was delighted when they received a response from Beasley that he was “pleased and honored to have Big Red be a part of [Occupy Eugene].” He added that it would be all the better “if she acts as some kind of guardian angel,” and that photos and videos of Big Red’s participation in Occupy Eugene would be much appreciated. Truther was even invited to Beasley’s sculpture garden in Oakland, CA, and the two were able to meet this past weekend to discuss everything from Big Red’s role in Occupy Eugene, to the state of Occupy Oakland in marked contrast to Occupy Eugene, as well as some of Beasley’s own history in social activism. “He’s an inspiring guy,” says Truther of Beasley.
So far, plans to integrate Big Red into the structure of the camp have been unnecessary, but the sculpture is a main focal point in the occupation and one that is regarded with much adoration and appreciation by the occupiers. A few days ago a sign sitting next to the sculpture read: “I’m With Them.” Occupy Eugene was also careful to build the occupation in such a way that the rest of the Eugene community’s view of Big Red isn’t obstructed.
With Bruce Beasley and Big Red’s enthusiastic participation, gracious cooperation from the Eugene Police Department, and the City Council’s decision on November 9 to exempt Occupy Eugene from a camping ban in Washington-Jefferson Park, Occupy Eugene is continually humbled by the amount of support the community has shown. Occupy Eugene and the broader Eugene community have created a model for a cooperative, productive relationship that can be used by other cities and occupations around the country, something the entire community can be proud of.
As shown in this video, U.C. Berkeley students trying to set up an Occupy encampment faced a violent altercation with campus police, who arrested seven protesters and tore down tents along the campus’ Sproul Plaza Wednesday afternoon.
The police, wearing riot gear, clashed with students again Wednesday evening as they attempted to reestablish their camp.
The Berkeley students were gathering as part of a statewide ‘Occupy’ effort to unite against the cost of California’s higher education system. Chancellor Robert Birgeneau sent a letter to members of the campus Monday warning against engaging in such demonstrations.
On Wednesday We the People of Eugene is sponsoring a public teach-in forum on Occupy Eugene. The discussion will include several Occupy Eugene organizers, University of Oregon (UO) professors and local community organizers. If you are interested in sharing your feedback or concerns about Occupy Eugene with organizers and other community members, this would be a great event to attend.
The following day (Thursday) two UO sociology professors, Michael Dreiling and Val Burris, will facilitate a discussion about the broader social and historical context of the occupation movement. With events moving so quickly—both here and around the world—this discussion will give people a chance to step back and take a moment to digest this explosion of movement activity. Though unprecedented in scale, there are significant connections between the occupy movement to earlier social uprisings. To the extent that we begin to appreciate these connections, we may learn some valuable lessons that can help inform the current struggle.
Both events offer a unique opportunity for those interested to engage further in the Eugene Occupation: so please spread the word!
What: “The Movement in Perspective,” with Michael Dreiling and Val Burris When: Thursday, November 10th at 6pm Where: Willamette Hall, rm. 100, 1371 E. 13th Ave., University of Oregon Campus.
Remember, remember the 5th of November! Occupy Eugene encourages everyone to close your account in a corporate bank by November 5th and deposit your money in a local credit union or community bank.
Join us this Saturday for a rally at 11:00am in the Free Speech Plaza (8th & Oak) and then for a March at 12:00pm visiting the local large corporate financial institutions.
Local Credit Unions have already reported a surge in new accounts as a result of the anti-corporate bank movement associated with Occupy Wall Street movements around the country. Occupy Eugene and other groups such as SEIU Local 503 and ESSN have been holding regular protests at corporate banks in Eugene, such as Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.
“People are fed up with the excessive fees these banks are charging, and their unethical practices and profiteering,” said one local Occupy Eugene activist. “If you leave your money and your business in these banks, your money is telling them their practices are acceptable. They are not.”
The ten largest banks in the U.S. now own 80% of banking assets. Community banks and credit unions own the remainder of these assets and generally provide small business loans, home mortgages, and other similar accounts.
Bank of America, in addition to other corporate banks is now charging its customers a $5.00 per month fee on debit cards if an account has less than $20,000 on deposit, disproportionately impacting lower-income customers. Given the million-dollar bonuses paid to big bank executives after taxpayers bailed them out in 2008, the high rate of home foreclosures resulting from predatory loan practices, the admissions that many of these banks lied to investors to increase their gigantic profits, it isn’t difficult to figure out that ‘we the people’ should not be rewarding these unscrupulous business practices.
You can use this contact sheet to find options for Oregon credit unions or better yet, start a discussion with friends and family by asking them if they know of any local credit unions.
