Proposal: Responses to Conflict and Violations of Trust

[_Rebecca]

As a movement of the 99%, our goal is to build the most inclusive possible movement that resonates with the needs and interests of all members. In building such a movement, we value diverse input, and as such we recognize that is natural for conflict to arise. In many cases, conflict may be a productive aspect of challenging race, class, and gender hierarchies within our movement and learning how to work together as equals. We also recognize that conflict can detract from the success of our movement, however, and that in some cases it is useful for members in conflict to have support from outside parties. This proposal is concerned with the specific ways in which the Conflict Resolution Committee will work with committees and individuals, as well as the ways in which Occupy Chicago as a whole will promote a culture of non-violence and constructive engagement of conflicts. It is also concerned with those rare events in which an individual has violated the trust of the movement in a manner serious enough that temporary removal from the movement may be the only option.

As we consider this proposal, we emphasize that we are here because our government is failing to provide the necessary services to address the needs of our community, and that this is reflected in many of the problematic behaviors we see at headquarters, in committee meetings, or at other Occupy Chicago assemblies. However, we recognize that in order for members of our movement to feel safe, we must agree upon a response to individuals who routinely violent or threatening behaviors while at headquarters or other Occupy Chicago assemblies or events. We do not believe that punishment is a just or effective approach, or that we as Occupy Chicago have the right to punish anyone. Seeing the failure and the enormous costs of retributive justice in our society, we hope to promote restorative justice as an alternative. Therefore, we suggest a set of procedures that asks individuals who have committed serious violations of trusts--which in this proposal are defined as violent acts that directly harm or have the potential to harm a person or people--to be accountable to the community for their actions and supports them in being a responsible member of the movement.

There are three types of conflict interventions that will take place depending on the type and severity of conflict. In the first, the conflict resolution committee will act as a resource to all individuals or groups of individuals in disputes. In the second, where a dispute involves the restriction of an individual’s participation--for example, through demotion from a committee--the conflict resolution committee strongly encourages the individuals and the committee involved to try to come to an agreement through use of a peace council that will be facilitated by conflict resolution. The third type of intervention, which pertains to incidents involving violence or the threat of violence, may involve the General Assembly and may result in an individual being asked to leave the movement temporarily.

1) Intervention in Disputes and Proactive Conflict Engagement

The conflict resolution committee cannot require that Occupy Chicago members participate in a mediation or peace council, but we urge Occupy Chicago to use us a a resource when situations become unmanageable. Any member of Occupy Chicago may approach the conflict resolution committee for assistance in handling a conflict with another member or group. The committee will maintain a conflict resolution helpline where members can receive support and suggestions for how to engage the conflict. Where necessary, the conflict resolution committee will engage with all sides of the conflict in order to try to reach an agreement through a mediation. In such cases, members of conflict resolution committee will remain neutral and will keep the details of the conflict confidential. The conflict resolution committee will also offer trainings and teach-ins on such subjects as non-violent communication, deescalation, and restorative justice in order to encourage more people to acquire skills to engage conflict constructively.

2) Intervention in Disputes Involving Restriction of Participation or Access to Resources

When a conflict involves an individual being asked to temporarily stop participating in a certain Occupy Chicago activity or stop using an Occupy Chicago resource, this is a potentially more serious situation. In rare cases when a committee believes it must ask an individual to temporarily leave a committee, which will heretofore be referred to as demotion, we recommend that this be done by a 9/10ths vote. Committees are free to take this action when they have exhausted all other options of resolving conflict with an individual, but they are encouraged to either videotape the voting process or invite members of conflict resolution to observe it. After this action takes place, the individual in question will be demoted from the committee for 2 weeks, but the conflict resolution will continue to engage with them and with the committee involved and will attempt to set up a peace council. The aim of a peace council is to give everyone concerned the opportunity to explain their perspective and to facilitate communication toward an agreement on how the individual concerned can be accountable to the committee for their actions and participate constructively. Peace councils will be comprised of 2 facilitators from conflict resolution committee, the individual concerned, members of the committee concerned, and other impacted parties that are agreed upon. If the individual does not want to participate in a peace council or does not abide by the committee’s decision, or if a committee does not agree to participate in a peace council, the issue may be referred to a vote at the GA.

3) Procedure for Intervention in Serious Violations of Trust

When a serious violation of trust involving acts of violence or the brandishing of a weapon have been committed, the response will involve the safety and security committee and the conflict resolution committee and will be transparent to the broader movement. In extreme cases where an act of serious violence has been witnessed, it will be possible to suspend having a peace council and bring the matter before the GA. Instances of self-defense will be considered on a case-to-case basis.

In general, when alleged violations of trust occur at headquarters, GAs, committee meetings, or other Occupy Chicago assemblies, we will offer the survivor support, and the survivor will never be discouraged from contacting the police if they wish to do so. Security will take statements from witnesses and those involved and forward these statements to the conflict resolution committee.

After consulting these statements, conflict resolution committee will find a safe space to meet with the individual in question and determine if they are willing to be accountable to the community for their actions through participation in a peace council. Conflict resolution will have 48 hours during which to review statements and meet with the individual involved to determine their willingness to engage.

If the individual agrees, a peace council consisting of the individual in question, 2 facilitators from conflict resolution, volunteer members from 2 Occupy Chicago committees, witnesses to the event, and agreed-upon supporters will be convened. A survivor of an incident will be invited and supported if they wish to be part of a peace council, but will never be compelled to be involved.

The peace council will give all involved parties a chance to speak and explain their perspective and how they have been impacted by the situation in question. The aim of the peace council is to facilitate an agreement on how to incorporate the individual(s) into the community and the movement. This may include a request for their respect of the established rules at headquarters, connecting them to a particular committee or task, as well as, where applicable, providing information about where to find shelter, food, mental health support, substance abuse counseling, etc. In order to be accountable to the broader community, the conflict resolution committee will post the basic details of the incident, with identifying details removed, and will encourage the parties to post the final agreement that is reached.

If the individual involved does not agree to participation in a peace council, and the incident involved violence or the real threat of violence, then the matter must be brought before the General Assembly for review. The General Assembly may vote by 9/10ths majority on whether to ask the individual to temporarily leave the movement. The vote may be tabled. Wherever possible, the conflict resolution committee will attempt to refer this person to supportive resources and continue to engage with them, but the individual cannot be reinstated without a vote from the GA.

We are putting forward this proposal to solicit feedback from members of Occupy Chicago, but regardless of the outcome of the proposal, we will make available the support and resources we have outlined to any individuals or committees who request it.

[amidala]

I think this proposal makes a lot of sense... very organized and well thought out. I agree with the proposal. I like the idea of the GA being involved in serious violations of trust or violence, we need the occupy community as a whole to help with those types of issues.

[myanswer]

I third and will post

[Sugar]

This does not go far enough. There has to be a mechanism in place to remove people from the movement for the safety of the people in the movement, and so that these issues do not become the focus of media and gives the powers that be the authority to shut this down because we are no longer safe. CRC should have the ability to go through steps, that may ultimately lead to removal from the movement if someone has been found to be violent or using drugs in an occupied space.

If there is no way to remove a violent person from this movement, than I will have no choice but evaluate if I can be part of a movement that condones violent behavior but allowing it to stay.

*spirit fingers down*
Sugar

[david sec]

im down for the principles of this, but i think if were even temporarily banning/barring some one from any activity i think 2 weeks is a bit excessive because when if that individual comes back they will now be completely out of the game. i think demotion periods should only last for 3-5days, that enough time for people to cool off to get shit done and it was cause minimum harm functionally to the disbanded members whom may or may not return

[myanswer]

I agree we need a procedure for permanent removal from our movement and notice to other Occupy's for their protection as well.