out of the building and into the streets

[emilyday]

We propose the immediate notices given to the management of 500 W Cermak to terminate the leases of Occupy Chicago's indoor spaces, to be effective May 1 as 30 days notice is required.

Because it has been voted as of March 23 that Occupy Chicago will move the General Assemblies back outdoors immediately, the space on the 7th floor has been rendered obsolete. The space was originally intended for General Assemblies and larger meetings during the harsh Chicago winter, which is now over. It has been sitting relatively empty for the past two weeks.
And it comes at the large expense of $2,489.

The space on the 5th floor is an entirely different can of worms. The cons highly outweigh the pros. Yes, we understand that we have an amazing library and tech room. There is a kitchen that was once fully stocked with food and a bathroom for people to take showers. We even have computers available to all, however that has been a source of unnecessary hostility. Though there have been multiple ongoing issues including people sleeping, not cleaning up after themselves, even women being threatened after they attempt to enforce the rules. People have been abusing the computer situation, monopolizing each work station as they look at pornography. This is a daily issue that has fallen on the shoulders of few. In spite of over a (baker's) dozen keyholders, their opening, closing, and overall presence hasn't even diminished; it was never there to begin with. This proves that we cannot handle an indoor space.
And again at an even larger price: $3,100 a month.

This is clearly unacceptable and we believe the only way to fix this is to actually go to the root of the problems, not the symptoms.

This large pricetag of $5,689 will soon be the downfall of Occupy Chicago's funds. With approximately $8,000 remaining, the spaces will be able to stay open one more month and then we will be forced to abandon them anyway.

For these reasons we believe that our time at Cermak has come to an end and it is imperative that we have a decision by April 1, due to the 30-day notice written in the lease.


Mandy and Emily
Last standing members of the much short-lived Cermak committee

[Quincy]

I cannnot believe what I just read! How you you think the people that donated their hard earned money to your cause will feel that the pricey loft space has been sitting idle for two weeks? Not to mention, the donated computers were used for viewing porn. I don't blame the posters, it seems like you get it but what about the powers that be that slammed this location down the throats of the quieter OC members? OC has become joke, instead of doing what you said you would, you spent the winter in your cozy warm building planning festivals, yoga sessions, bike rides, overpriced concerts, and drew pics of trees you want people to donate $5 to? WTF?

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

You learned little about us while you were away. We learned EVERYTHING about you. Are the same individuals who ignored and abandoned us expecting to re-take the lead on the on the streets? Have they learned anything from their folly? A bit of humility and an apology is definitely in order. And f**K your GA slow dance.

[MandyKirkwood]

As one of the proposers for this I feel it necessary to clear up a few things. Yes Cermak has not turned out the way many wished it would but I firmly believe that peoples hearts were in the right place when the housing vote was taken. Noone is perfect, this movement and every member included. So to take such a teritorial mean spirited stance against your fellow 99%rs I believe is also misplaced. As to "taking over" jackson n la salle I think we have already established that it is public property and therefore belongs to each of us just as much as the next person. We are not here to fight you. And I dont know who you want an apology from. Neither emily or I were critical in making the move into cermak to begin with so please direct your personal attacks elsewhere. We want to build unity.Not just with the people that held down hq for us over the winter (which most of us are grateful for) but with as much of the city as we can. That is why this proposal is so important. People over profit.people over pride.people over everything. We need to get back to the people.And if making fools of ourselves on bikes and dances and crazy art projects gets the attention of tje people then idn why anyone would have a problem w those things either.

Mandy

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

I speak from the heart for the many who have been marginalized by the few Occupiers who have insulted, attacked, demeaned our voices of concern, our offers to impact and contribute, and our ideas and experiences. We have been meant to feel unwelcome and irrelevant, impugned or challenged, rather than embraced as a vital representation of the 99%. Everyone knows their involvement in what I am saying, either directly or through their silence. To deny the need for a healing circle, forgiveness and amends, with a commitment to embrace and reform is to keep your heads in the sand.

A healthy community requires individual action and responsibility with absolute regard for the whole. This has not been practiced within Occupy Chicago. We have been respectful and silent, shielding faults from public display. Soul searching is called for on all of our parts. I admire your call and offer these thoughts so that they can be incorporated into your awareness.

[Philip DeVon]

You have my FULL SUPPORT! BACK INTO THE STREETS! Enough complaints from everyone else too, stop looking for some other group to make shit happen, MAKE IT HAPPEN YOURSELF!!!!! #OCCUPY!!!!

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

Our problems need more than ringing the recess bell and filling the school yard.

[nonlinear]

I don't know you Mandy, but I know Emily and she's always been pretty cool to me. Nothing personal.

That being said, this was a huge farce from the beginning and we can talk about how "peoples hearts were in the right place", but unfortunately I think a lot of people were expecting brains to be in the right place. I've noticed a lot of people involved don't seem to get that.

Also, we were all lied to because there was supposed to be an "anonymous donor" who pledged $15,000 and we were all told that we wouldn't be paying rent. Now I see that was coming out of OC's funds, it makes me furious. People talk about revolution and shit, do you really expect people to trust you? City of Chicago is better with funds than this.

The anger you see is not just in people's heads. The dream that somehow this would work out while everything was kept essentially behind closed doors as to how it was actually going down was the fantasy. Now the chickens are coming home to roost and yeah you might catch some heat from Occupy Chicago when you all get back out on J&L.

I've held my tongue for a long time after I became disillusioned. Now I feel like I want to make a rap about Occupy Chicago. Only thing is, I can't find anything that rhymes with 'Missed Opportunity'.

EDIT: "Anonymous" donor info removed since that was clearly the only parts of my post worth addressing.

[Sugar]

Just a quick thing here, the donor requested to stay unnamed. Please respect that. People may be assuming (and posting here) as to who that it. But please respect the donor who has helped this movement a lot. I take offense to that type of post.

[BenBurton]

While Mary's mostly right about the direction OC has taken this winter, the problems don't really have anything to do with moving indoors. I'd recommend people direct their anger elsewhere.

As for the anonymous donor, the donations were not supposed to cover the entire amount of the rent. That was clear at the GAs I went to when housing was discussed. I believe the amount was set at $3K a month and anything above and beyond was our responsibility. That was voted on and passed by a lot of people.