Proposal to Adopt the Chicago Principles of Solidarity

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

You misjudge my naiveté. No need to be nasty. *** I thought was okay. And I corrected everything as asked. I am nothing but polite despite the disrespect that's sometime shown me.

[Lucas V]

@ myanswer and radio,

The principles state that we oppose limiting action to "free speech zones". This is one of the no-brainer aspects of the principles IMO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speec ... Criticisms

[phys431]

When I hear an Occupier use the word "anarchist" exactly as the mainstream media has posed it to us, I feel a little ill. Anarchism does not equal "blind violence."

Horizontalism, direct democracy, direct action, and becoming the change that you want to see in the world are all anarchist tenets. Please do some reading. You can start here - it's quick and easy: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinio ... 04508.html

And yes, there are many of us among you. You may even be one of us; you just might not be aware of it yet. So before you go using the rhetoric that has been devised to keep us in the mind's eye as folks slinging grenades, please, please educate yourself.

I read your article and I apologize for going overboard with the 'anarchist' stereotype.

This is my first rodeo. But bear in mind that the Occupy movement is attempting to achieve ends that will change the lives of everybody in the United States. Since the 60's and 70's, there has probably not been a coast-to-coast movement that has lasted this long.

While the use of my stereotype was wrong, I will clarify that it is difficult for me to respect tactics of violence even if the ends are supposed to justify the means. Diversity is inclusive and political diversity includes (unfortunately) the violent tactics. Most citizens are not political activists and they might harbor the stereotype as I did. If rocks started getting thrown, I wouldn't hang around to point a finger anyways. But can anybody seriously say that it would be 'ok'? If there would be a consensus that it is not ok, then could the CPofS just reflect that?

I find it very exciting that so many people and groups are coming to voice-off to Nato and the G8 leaders. I truly believe that the groups in those long lists are coming to throw insults, not rocks. If the CPofS was specific enough, in some language, that violence was not acceptable, then I would also vote a resounding "YES" to these principles.

[Dormaphaea]

Thank you, m-x for finding the link that Mary sought and finally answering the question of who had amended what, proposed what, etc.

I think it's important for all of us to remember that while Occupy does have a physical presence and organization, the larger picture is that Occupy encompasses An Idea, and a Paradigm.

Is Occupy "everywhere?" Yes. As Occupy Chicago, the physical and organization, adopts the Chicago Principles as it applies to the G8/NATO summits in May, we are all, at the end of the day, individuals engaging in collective action. We are responsible for our own behavior, we are responsible for our own happiness, and we bring paradise with us where ever we go.

So, as these principles stand (if they do after Friday, and I have no reason to suspect they well not) I'm just going to offer up my thoughts on the matter at the tail end of this forum thread that hopefully, everyone has abandoned by now in pursuit of more productive endeavors.

This is a symbolic gesture to our fellow activists, to live and let live, to let all forms of free speech, whether or not that includes artistic expression, civil disobedience, or more nefarious forms of expression, i.e. the odd brick through the odd window, co-exist in a fashion that is acceptable to all.

What I will remember is this: That those who will engage in property damage as a form of expression will do it where ever they choose, and when ever they choose. They are making a conscious (albeit misguided in my opinion) choice to risk arrest and what will most assuredly be a violent confrontation with the police. Or whomever Rahm has deputized for the day.

While I in no way condone violence, and frankly, abhor the cowardice of the masked marauder who chooses to create mayhem (I see it more or less as an immature and mis-directed response to issues and problems) I will not step between a brick thrower and a window.

What I WILL do, is quietly and CALMLY move away. As well should anyone else who believes in non-violent tactics. To engage those who are causing destruction is only going to give them more power, the easily achieved power of attention - and that is their need. Don't feed that need with confrontation. Walk. Away.

That is not to say that if I see peaceful protestors being manhandled by a short penis in riot gear that I'm not going to have my camera out and be screaming for witnesses. I will. You can count on that.

And that is really the purpose of these principles, right? As I see it, it's a masterfully worded document telling us to do just that. Stay out of the fray, don't feed the fray and most importantly

LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

The Occupy commitment to non-violence is a long-argued premise, and was adopted immediately, down there outside the Fed back in September, by a small group of strangers who all fell in love with an idea and each other on a fine afternoon. Seriously, I can remember each and every face. My word, look at how far you've come in such a short time. 'Scuse me, I got sumthin' in my eye…

Pardon the digression.

We have the high ground here. The violence is perpetrated daily by the 1%, by the PTB such as the G8, the G6, the G20, who use the forces of NATO and law enforcement as their henchmen. That is the real violence. A brick though a window? Come ON. It's nothing compared to the starvation, the homelessness, the eddies of financial ruin visited upon each and every one of us due to their policies and greed.

We must take these days in May (and April, and June, July - as long as it takes) to do our damnedest to shove a new paradigm down their collective throats, to think and act to shape-shift this world. We must take the reins of leadership through our actions and presence everywhere in this city during the summits - we need to be better than they are, we need to prove that happiness isn't in a financial statement, we need to show the world that the People, United, aren't in any way in danger of ever being defeated. We know how to do this. We know how to turn on the light. We need to take these days and fill them with so much joy and love that these rat bastards won't know what hit them.

I think I just wandered off topic. I'm not sure. See - this always happens.

If I was there to vote, I'd vote to adopt the principles.

Onward, Power to the People, Love and Rage, Brothers and Sisters.
- dc

[education01]

Mary: I've asked you twice politely. If I have to ask you again I'm going to request that Tech Committee intervene and delete your posts themselves.

PLEASE EDIT MY GODDAMN NAME OUT OF YOUR POSTS. DO IT NOW. WHY IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK? Erase my full name as well as my initials. NOW

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

I did them all yesterday using your abreviated screen name. If it didn't work I will try again.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

I rechecked just now, you may need to refresh your browser or empty your cache so see it.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

You could have done this privately. I posted when I had completed the changes yesterday. This is a courtesy I extended to you that others have not.
Rather than shout first and display the uncivil side of OC you would have discovered an error and saved us another dose of ugliness after what I thought was a good resolution.

This site is the public face of OC. I wish people would remember that and use their Forum voice instead of their GG voice.
Also remember that when people come hear they have nothing to reference but what you are posting, so time and consideration needs to be given to that fact. Cut and paste from GG to here may not be enough. As it was with your proposal.

Some of us are trying to make this a useful resource from people interested in joining. A little help would be nice when committee members come to post. These are very open discussions that need to communicate on multiple planes.

[BenBurton]

You could have done this privately. I posted when I had completed the changes yesterday. This is a courtesy I extended to you that others have not.
Rather than shout first and display the uncivil side of OC you would have discovered an error and saved us another dose of ugliness after what I thought was a good resolution.

This site is the public face of OC. I wish people would remember that and use their Forum voice instead of their GG voice.
Also remember that when people come hear they have nothing to reference but what you are posting, so time and consideration needs to be given to that fact. Cut and paste from GG to here may not be enough. As it was with your proposal.

Some of us are trying to make this a useful resource from people interested in joining. A little help would be nice when committee members come to post. These are very open discussions that need to communicate on multiple planes.

I've repeated this point on the Google Groups a number of times and will continue to do so. I've also approached Tech about the log out issue to see if it can be rectified to help improve usage of the site.

Hopefully we can increase the level of dialog here.

[rmperrotta]

Let me tell you the story of Media Benjamin - one of the founders of Code Pink. In '99, she was doing PR for protesters at the Battle of Seattle. When things got crazy, she told the media she thought the anarchists should be arrested. She got so much heat for this statement, she had to retract it immediately. Why? Because solidarity isn't a catch phrase or a cool way to sign emails, its a code of conduct . . . one our GA should approve!

The international media ran with the news, and the only stories popping up were about divisions between the protests camps, and violence in the streets. There was some mention of the WTO not being able to meet because to the actions.

The point is, we're not here to tell the story of the battle between protesters and police, we're here to fight the battle for the story Occupy is creating. What if the giant international GA passed demands during the summits, and we marched tens of thousands strong to deliver them to our leaders and the global media? Think BIG - Anything is possible.

It's not hard to sidestep questions about what other groups are up to. All we have to say is, "Occupy Chicago is a non-violent movement dedicated to peaceful protest. If you have questions about another group's actions, you will have to speak to that group."

Please, don't ask your press team to pull a Media Benjamin. Personally, I would never say or send a statement that broke solidarity - I care about my credibility, and believe in solidarity and respect.