Occupy Eugene Launches Sustaining Donor Drive

Occupy Eugene’s overhead is minimal. With no paid staff, its expenses consist of office rent, supplies for actions, and the printing of the Eugene Occupier five times a year. These costs total $5000 a year. While we were at Washington Jefferson donations came in steadily. However, these days donations are few and far between and all too often organizers and activists are spending much of their volunteer time raising funds, time that would be better spent doing the work of Occupy

If 40 people were to donate $120 a year, $10 a month, Occupy Eugene’s costs would be covered, freeing up people to do the work that brought them to Occupy in the first place. Becoming a sustaining donor is easy and there are several ways you can do so. You can make a direct deposit to Occupy Eugene’s account at Oregon Community Credit Union. Or you can mail a donation to P.O. Box 744, Eugene, OR 97440. Or, visit our website, occupyeugenemedia.org, and click on the link on the left below “Donate to Occupy.” There you can set up a recurring donation by downloading the form on the page to arrange for automated monthly debit from your bank account. The form can be mailed to the post office box or returned at the 3rd Friday GA at Growers Market, 454 Willamette. This form can be accessed by clicking on the Direct Debit button. Or, donate using the WePay button on the page,though please understand that 3% of your donations goes to WePay.

Donations below the sustaining donor amount of $120 are gladly accepted, as are amounts over. You may donate anonymously if you prefer. If you are unable to donate financially, the donation of your time is greatly valued. Join our mailing list, on our website’s left column, to receive Occupy Eugene Announcements which notify you, once a week, of various actions and events of Occupy Eugene and its allies.

March Above And Beyond Monsanto, for Food Freedom!

On Saturday, October 12, Lane County residents will participate in the worldwide “March Against Monsanto” for World Food Day. Over 275 cities around the world are scheduled for events on the same day. In Eugene, we will hold a joyful celebration of sustainable agriculture dressed in Franken, mad scientist and veggie themes. This time we march toward solutions! We will march a short route downtown Eugene starting at the Wayne Morse Free Speech plaza (8th and Oak St.) at 11am, where Samba Ja and Jasun Plaedo Wellman will lead us off in great spirit, marching toward the event “Tools and Tactics for Sustainable Food Systems,” an informational panel moderated by Camilla Mortensen, investigative reporter at Eugene Weekly, followed by a short work party/informational meeting with leaders in area of your choice at The First Christian Church, 1166 Oak Street, where speakers from Center for Sustainability Law, Support Local Food Rights, Kid Food Matters, Healthy Bees Healthy Gardens, and GMO Free Oregon will talk about what’s being done locally and in- state toward sustainable food systems. They will address community rights, sustainable farming, and the dangers that GMOs present to our environment, health, and local economy, the laws and current campaigns afoot, as well as what you can do to help directly. Please join us for fun and community education and activation.

Judge Rules for Free Speech

From the Register Guard

By Greg Bolt

The Register-Guard

Published:


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SLEEPS protestors Peter Grotticelli (left) and Bethany Clement walk their tents down Sixth Avenue in Eugene from their campsite near the Ferry Street Bridge to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza at the Lane County Courthouse after being evicted by Eugene Police. (Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard)

Lane County is 0-for-2 in its efforts to control the use of a public plaza after a judge on Thursday threw out trespassing citations issued to 21 protesters earlier this year, again saying the action violated their free speech rights.

It’s the second time in a week that the county’s actions against protesters in the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza have been found to violate the state and federal constitutions. Last week, the same judge dismissed a trespassing charge against a single protester who remained in the plaza after the county said it had to be closed for cleaning.

Eugene attorney Lauren Regan, executive director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, said the two rulings show that government must tread lightly when it comes to rules that put any kind of burden on the rights of people to assemble and speak out.

“Our intentions in bringing this case before the court in this way was to have a court rule on what our constitutional rights are at this very public forum in this community,” she said. “We will continue to zealously advocate on behalf of our community’s First Amendment right to exercise free speech and to protest.”

Anne Marie Levis, a spokeswoman for Lane County, said county officials hadn’t had a chance to review the ruling Thursday and couldn’t yet comment on it. But she said the curfew rule that sparked the protest is likely to come up for discussion by county commissioners at a future meeting, possibly in two weeks.

Some protesters returned to the Morse Plaza Thursday night, both to continue a protest over the rights of homeless people and to celebrate the court ruling. The group moved to the plaza from a site under the Ferry Street Bridge next to East Sixth Avenue, where they had been camping to protest police treatment of homeless people.

“We’re exercising our rights to freedom of speech and that was our goal, to protest for the homeless for safe places to sleep,” said James Chastain, a protester who was helping to erect tents at the plaza early Thursday evening.

Thursday’s court ruling centered on a county-imposed curfew on the Morse plaza that closes the public space from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. In January, a group of activists defied the curfew in a protest over free speech rights and the county asked Eugene police to cite them for trespassing, charges that were then challenged in court.

Attorneys for the protesters asked Eugene Municipal Court Judge Karen Stenard to dismiss the citations, saying the curfew does not pass constitutional muster. In her ruling issued Thursday, Stenard did not strike down the curfew itself but agreed that the citations were unconstitutional.

Stenard said she empathized with the county’s challenges in maintaining its facilities with a limited budget and its claim that the curfew was not aimed at stifling speech but keeping the plaza safe and clean.

“Nonetheless, enforcement of a curfew which closes the very area that the county designated ‘Free Speech Plaza’ (much of which is barely distinguishable from a sidewalk) for a third of every day significantly limited defendants’ rights to speech and assembly, regardless of the curfew’s intent,” the judge wrote in her decision.

Even under the least stringent analysis of the case, “the curfew does not withstand constitutional scrutiny,” Stenard wrote.

Regan said she is willing to work with county officials to rewrite the curfew rule in a way that doesn’t infringe on people’s legal rights. She said that would be cheaper for the county than facing another lawsuit in state or federal court asking that the rule itself be revoked.

Stenard stopped short of saying that the curfew rule itself was unconstitutional, limiting her ruling only to the 21 citations issued in this particular case. She suggested that a city judge might not have jurisdiction to rule on the constitutionality of what is essentially an internal county rule.

But given the judge’s analysis, it’s unlikely anyone else brought before her for violating the curfew under similar circumstances would be convicted. Regan said that essentially makes the rule unenforceable, and she called on the county to change it.

“If there is common sense among any of our county officials, they will sit down with us and figure out a way to resolve this situation in a way that protects the constitutional rights of all our community members,” she said.

The curfew was added to the county’s administrative procedures manual by former county administrator Liane Richardson, who has since been fired over alleged improprieties in how she was paid. She made the change in December after she shut down a protest, claiming she had smelled human feces in a planter and needed to have the plaza cleaned, an argument that Stenard also rejected as unconstitutional in her earlier ruling.

Although the curfew rule allows people to apply to use the plaza at night, Regan said the county did not have any clear procedures or application form for requesting an exception and no clear criteria for deciding whether to grant such requests. One protester testified that she tried to get a permit to use the plaza at night but was told she didn’t need one and that county employees seemed unaware of any process for granting one.

Stenard said she found that testimony troubling and indicated it weighed in her finding that curfew citations were unconstitutional.

“Any permitting or exception process should be so transparent and accessible that all government staff involved in the process are well aware of it, can explain it to the public and laypersons can navigate the requirements,” she wrote. “The curfew imposed by the administrative procedures manual is unconstitutional as applied to the defendants.”

Reporter Samuel Stites contributed to this report.

“We’re exercising our rights to freedom of speech, and that was our goal.”

— James Chastain, protester


Occupy Eugene / Bankbusters Benefit Movie: Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island: The Truth Behind the Federal Reserve gives a history of our monetary system very different from the one you may have learned in school.  Global bankers have waged an unrelenting war on popular government in the United States since the American Revolution, until they were able to trick congress into establishing the Federal Reserve system 100 years ago. By gaining the power to control the money supply, the private bankers who own the Federal Reserve system have taken control and made a mockery of self government. Through manipulation of a constant series of economic booms and busts, wealth has been concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite. Our economic vitality and the common good have been sacrificed to make a shrinking ruling class even richer.

Join us for the movie and a discussion of the real steps we can take locally to create a money system which builds democracy and prosperity for all.

This weekend: NIX THE NEONICS

A Rally, Music, and A Fun Singalong Action to Save our Pollinators from Common
Garden Pesticides!

Saturday, July 20th rally at noon in the Free Speech Plaza on 8th & Oak.  March through
downtown to the Eugene Public Library. Carpool to a Garden Store to be
announced at the rally!

KEYNOTES: Lisa Arkin of Beyond Toxics and Philip Smith of Oregon Sustainable
Bees.  Musical Parody by Scotty Perey.  If possible wear Bee costumes and
Beekeeper Suits!  Bring kazoos for the Bee Funeral Dirge March.  So it will be
easy to carpool, park near the library.  The goal of this action is education
and awareness. No civil disobedience is planned.

Please see the link to our facebook event page at
https://www.facebook.com/events/519223101465135/.  Also, click the youtube
video links so you can learn the two songs we will sing both at the rally and
outside at the garden store we plan to visit for a scavenger hunt.

Lyrics Video One:
Neo Neo Neo Neonicotinoids (to the tune of Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZs4-7cFjI

Lyrics Video Two:
My Favorite Neonicotinoids (to the tune of “My Favorite Things”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upsjuOYnK0c&feature=player_embedded

BACKGROUND:
Neonicotinoids are a class of chemicals used as pesticides and they are
inadvertently destroying our bee populations. The pesticides are increasingly
common in garden products, sold widely by retailer garden stores and were
initially touted as harmless. Yet, the impact has been devastating on bees and
the chemicals impact other pollinators, birds and earthworms living in the
soil where it accumulates and does not biodegrade. Basically, its bad
technology. The EPA is dragging its feet dealing with the problem and
consequently is being sued by a coalition of groups. Also, following the death
of thousands of bees poisoned in Wilsonville, Oregon, legislation to suspend
the use of “neonics” until more investigation into its impact can be completed
was just introduced by an Oregon US Representative to Congress, Earl
Blumenhauer and Michigan US Rep John Conyers. More sponsors for the bill “Save
America’s Pollinators Act” are needed! Please see discussion at our facebook
group page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/467147336709359/

SUPPORTERS and ORGANIZERS:
Oregon Sustainable Bees
Healthy Bees=Healthy Gardens
Beyond Toxics
Bee! Here! Now! (Project of Occupy Eugene Library and Education Committee)

TABLING INFO: provided by the groups above and also Northwest Coalition for
Alternatives to Pesticides, OSU Extension, Lane County Bee Association.

CONTACT: Jennifer Frenzer at jenniferfrenzer@gmail.com

Press Release: Municipal Court Hearings Set for Occupy Eugene and SLEEPS Activists

Press Release

OEheader_720x132

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Regan, CLDC, 541-687-9180; Alley Valkyrie, 541-954-3779

Municipal Court Hearings to Dismiss Charges Against 20 Free Speech Activists

In Eugene Municipal Court, Courtroom 2, on Monday, July 15 at 9 a.m., Judge Karen Stennard will hear arguments regarding motions to dismiss criminal charges based upon constitutional challenges to the underlying arrests. Defense attorneys will argue that the Court must dismiss second-degree criminal trespass charges against 20 activists who refused to leave the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene, in two separate incidents last winter as they were exercising First Amendment rights to assemble and protest government action. Lane County officials are expected to deliver testimony justifying the County’s decision to restrict access to the plaza.

The cases stem from two incidents that took place during a campaign at the plaza organized by an offshoot of Occupy Eugene called SLEEPS, to challenge Eugene’s camping ban and allow unhoused people access to safe and legal places to sleep. Both cases will rely upon an assertion by defendants that their actions were protected by both Oregon and U.S. Constitutional rights to protest.

According to Civil Liberties Defense Center attorney Lauren Regan, the Wayne Morse Plaza is a “traditional public forum,” which means the government’s ability to restrict activities there is extremely limited. Regan adds that similar charges of trespass against SLEEPS activists for refusing to leave the plaza in front of the Federal Building on 7th and Pearl in December were dropped by the Federal government.

The first case to be heard on Monday concerns an incident on December 13 when one protester refused to leave the Free Speech Plaza after it had been closed by an “indefinite closure order” issued by Lane County Administrator Liane Richardson. In another gross overstep by Richardson, she imposed the order without any prior consultation with Lane County Commissioners. The closure order followed a two-day lawful demonstration by SLEEPS at the plaza. At the time of the closure, Richardson alleged SLEEPS demonstrators damaged the building and created a bio-hazard. Other County staff people denied the activists were responsible for the minor incidents. Richardson also ordered the plaza surrounded by an iron barricade.

The SLEEPS protesters vigorously denied Richardson’s claims and said no evidence existed to support them. On December 13, one day after the closure, a group of activists entered the closed barricaded plaza to protest the closure of this revered Free Speech Plaza, and, when ordered to leave by the Eugene police, one protester remained and was cited for trespass. After this arrest, Richardson amended the long standing guidelines for the Wayne Morse Plaza and imposed a night time curfew that bans any First Amendment activity at the plaza.

The second case concerns an incident on January 7, when more than 100 activists remained at the Free Speech Plaza after the curfew took effect at 11 p.m. After the Eugene police ordered the protesters to leave, 21 remained and were cited for trespass. The protesters cited ranged in age from 16 to 68 and included a recent war veteran. The group contended that they have the right to protest at the plaza regardless of the hour and that recent lawsuits affirmed the law that curfews are generally deemed unconstitutional restrictions upon First Amendment rights. SLEEPS activist Jean Stacey said that the group was taking a stand for the right to protest and for the rights of un-housed people. On Monday, Judge Stennard will hear arguments from several defense attorneys regarding motions to dismiss the charges against 19 of this group.

This press release is from the Communications Committee of Occupy Eugene that has been empowered to speak on behalf of the larger Occupy Eugene body.

###

Occupy Medical Fundraiser

Come support OCCUPY MEDICAL ~ Eugene’s free and mobile health care clinic ~ on Sunday, June 23, 2013!
Cozmic Pizza will host an evening of local musical talent that opens with some acoustic Americana from Satori Bob, followed by Steel Wool’s funky world beat folk rock. Indulge your senses with a slice of delicious organic pizza and a cold microbrew while enjoying the musical delights of both Satori Bob and Steel Wool. Your support allows OCCUPY MEDICAL to continue their work by providing free, inclusive health care for all.

Swarm Monsanto

Occupy Eugene will gather for coffee and donuts at the Old Federal Building Saturday May 25th at 10:00 AM to prepare for the March Against Monsanto. Occupiers will head over to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza at 10:45 AM.
The World Wide March Against Monsanto begins at 11:00 AM. There will be a rally, march and party.

Please join Occupy Eugene and affinity groups to demand a sustainable GMO free food supply.

SWARM MONSANTO
An Occupy Eugene Action

10am Saturday May 25 at Old Federal Building, 7th & Pearl Eugene OR

Let’s march together as Occupy in the March Against Monsanto on Saturday, May
25. Swarm into the Old Fed for coffee and donuts potluck (or drink/food of
your choice or nothing— please join in!) We’ll leave at 10:45 to buzz over to
the Wayne Morris Free Speech Plaza and join the march at 11:00.

Costumes & street theater:
Bees — black clothes or garbage bags with yellow duct tape stripes. Wings,
antennae. Monsanto —dress at you please, bring corn: corn stalks (real or
fake), ears of corn on strings/sticks to temp the bees. Bees buzz around with
signs “Save the Bees!”, Monsanto tempts, Bees die, Bees turn their signs over
“NO GMOs” and rise-up to pollinate again.

Needs to be a quick loop as we will be moving. If you don’t want to play in
the skit, please come with signs (or not) of your choice.

Occupy bandannas (message Brave Beatrice if you want one), patches, ribbons
etc. & Occupy signs will give us exposure, education, and recruitment
opportunities. Plus, it will be a ton of fun!

For more information or to get involved contact Beatrice at
beatrice@bravebeatrice.com
_________________________________________________

MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO

11am Saturday May 25 at Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza, 8th & Oak Eugene OR

Fight for our food!! Join us for a Rally and March and Party for a sustainable
food system. Speakers, Music and more information to be announced as
available. This event is being held in conjunction with the worldwide March
Against Monsanto. Please spread the word!!

For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/events/425053897590793/

Benefit for Occupy Eugene

You are invited! Save the date!
 

What: Celebration of Art, Poetry, and Music: a benefit for Occupy Eugene

 
Where: Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette Street, Eugene
 
When: Sunday, May 19, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Readings by Robert Hill Long, a Web Del Sol featured poet, Kirk Toncray, author of Behind the Signs, and Plaedo of Occupy and beyond.Also, Occupy Library Committee will present an Occupy Online Poetry community project.
Music by Scotty Perey and the Madison Meadow Music School. Silent auction includes paintings and sculptures by Mary Wagner, Dianne Story Cunningham, Cooper, Scott Fife, Margaret Matson (prints). Photography by Robert Hill Long and Rob Sydor. Other contributors include Hannah Goldrich, Shel, Tim Boyden, Chris Bellini, Graham Lewis, and vendors at Saturday market.
Also, Occupy Library Committee will present an Occupy Online Poetry community project. Everyone is invited to join in at https://www.facebook.com/groups/oneline.poetry/?fref=ts.Music by Scotty Perey and the Madison Meadow Music School. Silent auction includes paintings and sculptures by Mary Wagner, Dianne Story Cunningham, Cooper, Scott Fife, Margaret Matson (prints). Photography by Robert Hill Long and Rob Sydor. Other contributors include Hannah Goldrich, Shel, Tim Boyden, Chris Bellini, Graham Lewis, and vendors at Saturday market.

Contact Katia Siskron at siskron[at]yahoo.com or Christina Bellini at giulia.c.bellini[at]gmail.com for more information.