$ for Window

[Tim Weaver]

It's my understanding that during a march today a window was broken by someone who was not part of our movement. 

The last week has been very excited for the movement at large and we are finally starting to get national press on a regular basis. Incidents like these can quickly turn public perception against us. As of right now we're more popular than Congress or the Tea Part- let's keep it that way.

As of right now it looks like we have some 2,500 in the Occupy Chicago wepay account. 

I suggest that we use a portion of this sum towards replacing the window that was broken. We should publicize this as much as possible- this is an opportunity to generate some great press and good will with the public. 

[SavageButtonGuy]

If we did not break it, why would we pay for it? 

Who's window was it?

[Tim Weaver]

Apparently Walgreens. And regardless of whether we broke it or not, the perception will be that one of us broke it, so we have to deal with that whether we are responsible or not.

And who cares who broke it? We have a chance to score a major PR victory here.

[SavageButtonGuy]

I disagree. If we do replace it, we are taking responsibility for it. The police know we had nothing to do with it, so it's not something we should worry about. 

I do understand where you are coming from though. It would be an act of generosity on our part, but I don't think we should be generous to walgreens.

I think it would be a mistake to act on this. I think it would make perceptions worse if we do get involved.

[westsidewarrior]

If anything we should have communication with Walgreen's over this. I'm not a fan of the we didn't do it so don't touch it opinion. Walgreen's, while a big corporation/company is from Chicago and has been here for over one hundred years. It would mean a lot if we were in a good relationship with them. Especially since it only raises their insurance costs, etc., which they will pass onto the backs of their workers. We must make sure to repel rabble rousers and be on alert for them.

Remember, in 1968 once windows were broken at the Hilton Hotel it gave the CPD full reign to unleash their rage on the protesters. That's my understanding of events.

[OnlyOneT]

Yeah I don't think that's a good idea at all. Not only would we be taking responsibility for something that we didn't do, we're giving our money to a corporation! Which is absolutely ridiculous!

We are demanding that they pay more taxes but we can't ask them to pay for a window? That's a little crazy.

Worse case scenario, Walgreen's insurance pays for a window. 

I recommend we separate ourselves from this even as much as we possibly can.

[Orion]

If we donate our money to a corporation I am seriously leaving occupy chicago and I think that others will follow.  More will refuse to join.  

Furthermore, on the issue of threatening to call the cops on each other.  We should seriously refrain from doing that, especially without discussing it as a group.  

I agree that we should not go around systematically attacking store windows but has anyone stopped to think that the kid who did this was on our side, even though we are evidently not on his.

Getting so upset and inwardly devided over a mere attack on private property is really missing the point.  We did not do it.  Everyone knows that we did not do it. That is all that needs to be said on the topic.

I do NOT agree that we need to strive to maintain good relationships with corporations.  Why anyone feels differently is beyond me. 

Am I on the occupychi.org website?

[SavageButtonGuy]

Orion said:

If we donate our money to a corporation I am seriously leaving occupy chicago and I think that others will follow.  More will refuse to join.  

Furthermore, on the issue of threatening to call the cops on each other.  We should seriously refrain from doing that, especially without discussing it as a group.  

I agree that we should not go around systematically attacking store windows but has anyone stopped to think that the kid who did this was on our side, even though we are evidently not on his.

Getting so upset and inwardly devided over a mere attack on private property is really missing the point.  We did not do it.  Everyone knows that we did not do it. That is all that needs to be said on the topic.

I do NOT agree that we need to strive to maintain good relationships with corporations.  Why anyone feels differently is beyond me. 

Am I on the occupychi.org website?

^This

[Apple20]

This is so wrong.  Talk to the Walgreens Store Manager right away.  We don't know how it happened.  Even if we do know it wasn't us - offer an apology!  Offer to pay as a goodwill gesture!   Ask them if there is anything we can do to help them get it fixed. OMG!

You get more with sugar than vinegar!  Or something like that!!

Walgreens is not the enemy.  1% that have unfair influence over our government is the problem.  

[m_x]

Orion said:

If we donate our money to a corporation I am seriously leaving occupy chicago and I think that others will follow.  More will refuse to join.  

Furthermore, on the issue of threatening to call the cops on each other.  We should seriously refrain from doing that, especially without discussing it as a group.  

I agree that we should not go around systematically attacking store windows but has anyone stopped to think that the kid who did this was on our side, even though we are evidently not on his.

Getting so upset and inwardly devided over a mere attack on private property is really missing the point.  We did not do it.  Everyone knows that we did not do it. That is all that needs to be said on the topic.

I do NOT agree that we need to strive to maintain good relationships with corporations.  Why anyone feels differently is beyond me. 

Am I on the occupychi.org website?

THIS^