Re Occupy the Park Blocks

[Ross]

Not a homeless camp, not a camp at all, rather a single structure for a 24-7 assembly. Ranging from 24-7 information center to weekly, multi weekly gatherings, A single structure will not be such an interference for the Sat Mark or Farmers Market, and it will be a "peaceful assembly". OE can establish as many of these "assembly points" as can be maintained.
Shifts- 4-6 hour shifts, two or three occupiers at all times. If we are part of OE, we can each take our turns at the OE Occuassembly centers.
Having a centralized, high traffic visibility is important, Occupy Eugene, does not just blend into the cracks and empty spaces like so many other city, state and national problems, OE Occupys.

[Nancy Forrest]

I really like this idea. The weather will begin to dry out and get warmer; the days longer. A 24/7 OE presence is necessary, some how, some way. Returning to outdoor, open, GAs will also be a huge improvement, both for outreach and inclusiveness. There is nothing like the promotion of a large, peaceful, democratic, transparent, open meeting happening day after day, in plain sight of thousands of bystanders and passers by. Soon, we'll see old friends, those who we met at the Park Blocks last October, who over time have decided to take a break. Please let me know how to "star" something, although I am not an official member of Actions because I can not attend their meetings as currently scheduled, except on very rare occasions. Ross, I'm sure that many other OE Committees will support this idea as it will help us to collaborate better and increase our outreach to the 99%.

[sweet]

Just what we need, more places to meet...
I got another idea, more fundraisers and committees...
That'll teach 'em a lesson they'll never forget!

I think a child's set of building blocks is about all we could occupy these days, but even that would probably be a little too concrete for the facebook-types.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Kitty stopped by OE V the other day. She sends her regards to everyone, and is glad to see that we have been Pussies, just like her.

[GrameenEugene]

Interesting idea Ross. Maybe we could kick it off when the out of town folks from the 36 other Occupies come to Eugene February 25 for our Oregon Occupy Statewide Assembly.
Fergus

[dsgetch]

I've always liked this idea. We could start gathering people with various speakers and such. Unfortunately, Sweet is right. We need more people if we are going to pull it off.

[sweet]

I think occupying Kesey Square, like what has been happening on Fridays and such is a better idea for the time being. It seems like we are starting to make some headway downtown, props to all those who have been rabble rousing there lately. I am very much looking forward to this Friday and every future action like this!

Sweet

[jeanstac]

unless we have some very very clear goals and the people to support them (and i think we could but don't yet), we shouldn't obligate ourselves to what we cannot do at park blocks. i like the idea of only one station, and that it is a focus for information sharing and consciousness raising. that could be a really good thing, properly done.
.
the medical tent is an incredibly productive effort ...serves people, shows a new way to live together, shows the positive potential of occupy eugene
the kesey square outpost in an incredibly productive effort ....serving as a launch pad for trying to stop the downtown exclusion zone and all other forms of harassment ....as well as providing a forum to, once again, learn new ways to work together.

i'm only for doing what we can do well ....and what is consistent with our purpose. i think a lot of our purpose is raising the questions ....and then helping to provide forums for people to explore the answers.

but i also think that we have to be a battering ram, fully weighted and determinedly aimed at those who do not want us to change in the ways that we must. we have to stop our own desires and the corporations that take advantage of them. we too often forget that our consumption in some cases, our apathy in others .....is half of the equation of what is destroying our world....takes two to tango.

[sweet]

Posing questions is one thing, but "discussions" only go so far. If we are trying to send a message, and people who are still prospering by continuing to keep things as status quo can easily brush us aside, that is precisely what they will do. A "battering ram" is no use sitting in a warehouse.

I agree, the ends and means must be directly related for an action to be successful. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to hone in on the pulse of society as whole. This is why a wide array of tactics are so necessary, simply put, different people will different solutions and ways of relating ends to means. If you are trying to create a grand message and tactic that everyone will agree with, good luck with that and have fun in therapy afterward. In the mean time, I will continue to have some non-corralled fun, and probably end up in therapy as well...

Ugh, another conversation about tactics....sorry.

I could explain why I think a future occupation must happen, but then again the reasons I have would be my own, so I will leave the manifesto publishing for a narcissistic day.

[k brandt]

we were talking about the 24/7 outpost since last november, i still think it's a great idea and would totally volunteer for shifts. i think a lot of different kinds of people would be attracted to such an informational spot with a totally accessible 'face' so to speak. lots of opportunity for small group or one on one discussion, and before long there would be no lack of volunteers to take shifts. the eternal flame of occupy.

[jeanstac]

if it is an information occupation as suggested, would kesey be a good locale or not?????? maybe parkblocks is more exposure ....however, some more conflict there with sat. market .....probably the exposure is most important. what do others think>

[cswriter1]

I am looking for an explanation of the protest downtown where my granddaughter was arrested. I am really pissed about her being arrested. Evidently picked up off her feet, turned upside down and body slammed by a police officer, in front of her 4 year son. If anyone did this to a woman, other than a police officer, he would be charge with assault and doing jail time. I do not think this police behavior should be tolerated. I do not think Occupy is wise to put people in this danger. I am very concerned about how well Occupy supports people when these arrests are made.

Now about the old subject of this post, let's see . I manned a booth at the Washington/Jefferson park almost everyday for months, throughout the worst weather, and no one asked me if I would be interested in manning a station at Park Blocks. Until the organization problem is resolved I don't think much can be accomplished.