Table All Demands and Grievances Temporarily.

[seemoreglass09]

Occupy Chicago has its work cut out for it. We are taking on an entrenched system of corruption and greed.  We are under attack from a hostile city government and police force. Our movement is just one month old: our infrastructure, organization, and communications are shaky, we lack a permanent home and we are facing an incredibly brutal winter.

 

We have wasted a lot of time answering outside demands for a clear mission statement, demands, and grievances. We need to focus on our internal problems so that we can with strength and unity take on the problems outside out community. 

 

Therefore, I propose that we table ALL demand, grievance and policy proposals until we have successfully occupied a permanent camp for fourteen days.

 

During this time, the General Assembly can focus on strengthening our system and our community, which are the embodiments of our movement's ideals.

During this time, the community, especially through committees and forums, can develop strongly worded and comprehensive demands and grievances. These proposals can and should be discussed and revised extensively at teach-ins and discussions. Once we have settled into a new home, there will be a full docket of strong demands and grievances, that have already been scrutinized and debated in the community.

What do I define as a "successfully occupied?"

1. Sleeping – We need a camp where we will be able to sleep at night without harassment. 

2. Permanent Structures – in order to survive the winter, we need to be able to erect tents to shelter us from the wind and the snow.

3. NO MASS ARRESTS

4. 24/7 occupation – in order to consider the occupation successful, we need to maintain a quorum of at least 12 people (sleeping or awake) at our occupation site.

I hope that the fourteen days will give the general assembly time to deal with the practical concerns that will arise with our permanent camp.

 

What does everyone think? Questions comments concerns? I'm very open to suggestions and amendments, but I think its important that we keep our house in order as we continue to protest, take direct action and raise awareness of our movement, our causes and the diversity of political and intellectual viewpoints that constitute Occupy Chicago.

[Talkdoc4]

As implied by my post a few minutes ago, I'm afraid the strategy you suggest here will lead to a rather quick end to the amazing and admirable work you are doing.  It is clear from the way Rahm is reacting that he has no intention at all of granting you a permanent location, and has every intention of teaching you an increasingly painful lesson if you try to defy him outright.  I caution against being baited by his trap.  What you propose here is exactly what he wants you to do. 

Sadly and unfairly and undemocratically, you may have to figure out how to accomplish your ends while being willing to wait a long time before the city acts like a responsible entity and lets you occupy some location permanently.  If you forego all actions until you get a permanent location, then you will likely be foregoing all action forever.  You need to be more clever than the rather simple-minded Rahm.  He knows only the club.  You know much more.

[seemoreglass09]

I did not suggest postponing all actions. In fact, spending less time debating grievances will also give the GA more time to plan our Direct Actions and develop a system for all future direct actions. This is specifically about statements. Right now, the GA needs to be about what we do.

[Talkdoc4]

A case in point:

http://prospect.org/cs/article.....est_friend

[seemoreglass09]

Am I not allowed to edit my post more than once? I wanted to update my proposal to clarify that we should spend more time planning our direct actions and less time debating words. In fact, strong direct action will almost certainly be key in establishing a permanent campsite.

 

I would like to replace the fourth paragraph of the proposal with this one:

 

During this time, the General Assembly can focus on our systems and our community, and take further, stronger direct actions. These actions and the processes that guide our developing community will make a stronger statement about who we are, what we believe and what we want than any list of grievances or demands.

[seemoreglass09]

After caucusing with a wise individual, I've got some more changes. Changes are underlined.

 

Occupy Chicago has its work cut out for it. We are taking on an entrenched system of corruption and greed.  We are under attack from a hostile city government and police force. Our movement is just one month old: our infrastructure, organization, and communications are shaky, we lack a permanent home and we are facing an incredibly brutal winter.

 

We have wasted a lot of time answering outside demands for a clear mission statement, demands, and grievances. We need to focus on our internal problems so that we can with strength and unity take on the problems outside out community. 

 

Therefore, I propose that we table ALL demand, grievance and policy proposals until we have successfully occupied a permanent camp for seven days or until the GA formally ends attempts at a permanent settlement.

During this time, the General Assembly can focus on our systems and our community, and take further, stronger direct actions. These actions and the processes that guide our developing community will make a stronger statement about who we are, what we believe and what we want than any list of grievances or demands.

During this time, the community, especially through committees and forums, can develop strongly worded and comprehensive demands and grievances. These proposals can and should be discussed and revised extensively at teach-ins and discussions. Once we have settled into a new home, there will be a full docket of strong demands and grievances, that have already been scrutinized and debated in the community.

What do I define as a "successfully occupied?"

1. Sleeping – We need a camp where we will be able to sleep at night without harassment. 

2. Permanent Structures – in order to survive the winter, we need to be able to erect tents to shelter us from the wind and the snow.

3. NO MASS ARRESTS

4. 24/7 occupation – in order to consider the occupation successful, we need to maintain a quorum of at least 12 people (sleeping or awake) at our occupation site.

I hope that the seven days will give the general assembly time to deal with the practical concerns that will arise with our permanent camp.