OCCUPY FRESNO

NOVEMBER  14, 2011

GA

-Vanessa shared that Bob has directed those of us who have been arrested or the 10 plaintiffs to NOT speak at the Country Board of Supervisors and don’t say anything to anyone. If you have any additional questions regarding this issue, please contact Vanessa.

-Reflection on last night’s arrests:  at 12:30AM, 5 people were arrested at the freedom gazebo, Buddy was on the side wark, but got arrested anyways.

-Sheriff used PD to pull people off of city side walk so that Sheriff can arrest them.

-Sheriffs moved slowly in as we move stuff to the side walk and then arrest us.

-Last person to get released was either Pat or Buddy.

-Reporters and Chanel 30 said that PD came cause we were making cat calls, but we don’t know what that means.

-Sheriff have arrested a total of 60 to 70 people so far.

-When you’re released, keep your yellow paper, because you will NOT get another notice. Your court date and time is on it.  Information on this paper should be sent to Vanessa so that she can get it to Bob to seek legal representation for you on the day you appear to court

-If you have been arrested, DON’T talk to anyone

-Vanessa reported that Law suit and Restraining order have been filed today

-Press Released today

-Vanessa shared that someone from last night’s arrest refused to accept citation.  He wanted trial, but keep in mind that by signing and accepting citation does not mean that you have wave your rights to trial.  You will still get trail.

-We may or may not PD to the complaint

-Sylvia volunteered to appear at public hearing on behalf of the Occupy Group cause she has not been arrested

-Billy shard that Buddy was out talking to people about their 1^st Amendment Rights, Sheriff went straight to him, took his flag, and arrested him.  The gray hair sheriff arrested Buddy.  They said that he didn’t leave right away.

-Vanessa stated that someone said that the Task Force was both Sheriff and PD, but we’re not sure.

-Impede, Michael Becker will ask Bob then will get back to GA

-New folks to the GA:  Emily from Fresno State and Chris from Church of Christ, came to show solidarity

-Tank reported that another attorney Pamela E. is willing to help as well.

-Legal Representation:

Judy stated that she is in touched with Catherine Camble and other Attorneys who may be interested to help.  She is meeting with then on Monday and she is okay with Michael Becker letting other Attorneys know to call her.

-Judy is a Divorce Attorney.

-Anyone who have received coupons to other attorneys with a discount, need to give coupons to Vanessa cause Bod wants to see them

-West Fresno wants to meet with Occupy Fresno.  Saturday at 3:30pm so anyone interested? Gunther volunteered to go but if anyone else is interested, they should also go.

-Direct Action: group reached consensus that

-4:30 Banner Drop Huntington and 41, but meet at the camp at 4:00 before going over to Huntington

-Tuesday night at 4:00  paint, markers, and posters will be provided for folks to help make posters for the drop, so come by to help

SEIU will drop their banner at Tulare/41

-Ashland-Education and Students

-Bus to San Francisco on Wednesday, get in the bus

At Woodrow and Shaw, leave at 7:30am, Fresno State North Gym parking lot.  (Barstow), you have a car and need to park, go to residential area.  Its free there.

-2 buses, one leaving from Merced and one leaves from Fresno.

-Chris stated that they did outreach at Fresno State.  – They passed out 500 and they plan on doing more outreach.  They want to go to City College, Fresno States, and other campus.  They are planning to

-Green Hope Vet. Want to get involve with Occupy Fresno.

-Chris did some outreach with four others and passed out 500.  They are going to go do more outreach tomorrow. Meet in front of the Library at 12 noon.

-Glen Beatty, freedom of Casibo.  Michael Evens stated that Community alliance has more information about Glenn Beat, so can to their web site-search.

-Someone suggested that we should change freedom gazebo to dedicate to Glen Beatty.

-MB and Tank stated that we should wait since many were there to make decision.

-To search some more on this, MB planned to look at some of the occupy group, Michael Becker stated that he will study the power point.

-Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at noon, Fresno State

-Wednesday at 4:30 March over to School Board meeting

-7:30 Occupy is on the agenda to speak, but we may get to go earlier if get done early.

-We will talk to media and get them to stay for our agenda item.

-go to the occupy camp to help with signs, paint and colors will be available.

-Saturday 8:00am Fresno State’s It101

-Sat. at 11pm Special GA

-SEIU will be making signs so anyone interested can go to this location:  5228 E. Pine.

-Consensus reached that we will go to School Board meeting to present PowerPoint on cuts but there is no need to apologize for your actions for past actions.

-bring friends to the meeting on Saturday at 11pm for special GA, come out to support

-one can move to the side walk if do not wish to be arrested.

-Mug-shot-send a head shot to Tank so he can create a mug-shot.

-Candidate for office

-Jerome suggested that in order to create change, we have to fun for office.

-MB stated that we already making a difference.

-Change me just change us, instead of creating change when you go into a situation thinking you’re there to change it.

-Michael Evens support grassroots groups for office

-others were afraid that occupy will not sustain itself.  Jim also agreed.

-Judy suggested that she has a friend on the FUSD Board and the recommendation is that we need to be respectful when attend meeting.  We agreed.

-Gerome stated that South America is able to change politics by grassroots getting involve.

-Richard-believed that Occupy Fresno is not about politics.  It has to go on.  We can’t let it died.  Occupy Fresno will change into forms but now, just keep it going.

11/9/11 General Assembly meeting notes

Legal
- if you’ve been arrested, talk to Vanessa re: contact info, charges, penal codes, court date, arrest date
- Elizabeth Martinez couldn’t make it but will be with us soon
- we may meet elsewhere for an in-depth legal strategy discussion

Arrest update
- around 12:30AM sheriffs in riot gear illegally arrested 7 people
- they pulled the paddy wagons in front of the gazebo to hide the arrests
- last night was different – threw everyone in the vans and left, without taking down information as they had done earlier
- 40 illegal arrests now
- We have been out here 31 days now
- We are not here to be arrested: we are be here to exercise our freedom of assembly and speech
- let’s not say we are “willing to be arrested,” since it’s not true. We are excercising our first amendment rights and getting arrested for it
- it means a lot if people can be here after you get released from jail

Belongings
- People need to collect belongings. If you’re missing things, some of us have truck loads of belongings (Noah, Bud, Dallas have some)

Food Availability
- It would be great to get food here in the mornings
- Georgia is able to take food away at night and bring it back in the morning
- Mike and Georgia will bottom line getting food tubs ready

Sustainability of Occupy Fresno
- suggestion: fewer illegal arrests each night
- suggestion: have a sign-up sheet of those willing to be illegally arrested
- suggestion: get people out here from midnight
- we will pace ourselves, be patient and persevere
- let’s work harder at outreach
- keep sustainability in mind when choosing to temporarily lose your rights to the “authorities,” get kidnapped and thrown in a cage

Anti-Oppression Policy
- Mike and Noah will send it out again to refresh peoples’ memories

99 cents
- suggestion: carry 99 cents exactly when getting kidnapped by pigs and thrown in cages as a symbolic gesture

Direct Action
- Suggestion: for Xmas we do a blanket drive for homeless, maybe start shortly after thanksgiving, then deliver to the women’s shelter. Speak to Darla – she will bottom line this
- George W. Bush is going to speak in Tulare Feb 15 and Oliver North will be at a charity golf tournament to raise money for the VA on Nov 11th. We could ask the organizer of the event why they are inviting a convicted criminal to their event. Matt will bottom line this
- Proposal: Outreach to Fresno State and explain what it is and invite them out here. Speak with Chris, Paula, Mike after GA. Chris will bottom line this
- Ruben got a call from a union and they will possibly be joining us
- Nov 18 at 8:00AM, at IT 101, presentation on 1% of those at Fresno State who are dismantling education at FSU. More info to come
- Bud and Ruben will bottom line getting us a presence at the Veterans Parade

Unions
- Ruben got a call from the president of the FAX/Transit system union. They are very interested in joining us. Ruben will tell us more soon.
- Chad will work with Stan, a Central Labor Council Board member – where there are 65,000 members in Fresno county. There is work to be done in terms of getting everyone on board.

Media Update
- Fresno is blowing up over the web
- Kent and Johnny contacted us from Wall Street, New York, will be staying through the winter, and are getting us assistance from New York and want to get all of our media
- See Chad for getting interviewed by national media
- We were also mentioned in LA Times and SF Chronicle
- Proposal: Let’s get a good camera to capture good footage and buy a large memory card for the camera
- Elizabeth has an interview with NPR – the California Report
- ‘The other 99′ have been with occupy wall street from the start and is a division of their media team. their main resources are aimed at wall street, but tomorrow we are their main story
- Bud has a video camera available to us
- Get our media footage to chad

Report backs
- OF went to the county board of supervisors meeting yesterday to request that the ‘authorities’ back off. They didn’t seem to care much until it was said that we would be filing civil lawsuits.
- Check out Fresno Bee article tomorrow. Mims may not like it.
- Big presence at FSU yesterday

Berkeley
- Students began to set up a camp, pigs came in, attacked the students, students formed a line and pigs hurt many people with their sticks. Pigs destroyed their tents. Mike will write a letter to them on behalf of OF

Interpersonal Skills
- perhaps have a little workshop on how to express ourselves in a passionate manor without being reactionary

Blankets and warm things
- donations always encouraged
- Mike can help us store things

Re-wording of “Being arrested”
- suggestion: “willingness to be detained for exercising 1st amendment rights”
- suggestion: “exercising my first amendment rights despite the threat of arrest”
- for now we’ll discuss this again later

Helping with the houseless
- Dedicate a recycle bin to save all bottles in to give to those who can exchange them for money
- brainstorm on where the houseless people can go
- get some of these empty buildings around here for people to sleep in
- Ca. has squatter laws. We could do it officially or unofficially
- the county and city owns many vacant buildings. They have many excuses
- county and city’s solutions are permanent, not temporary. Keil can help us let us know about safety regulations – he works in architecture
- Bud will contact aarp and other areas regarding mobile homes or RVs

Deliveries
- Center for non-violence can receive care packages for us for the time being if anyone wants to send us stuff
- the sleeping bag project is a 501c3 and gathers hundreds of blankets and sleeping bags each year

11.8.11 GA meeting notes

Legal
- Those who have been arrested, please see Vanessa
- Those who witness Michael D.’s arrest, please see Bob

Last night’s arrests
- Sheriffs in riot gear arrested 9 after midnight early this morning and were released around 4:00 AM
- You will not get arrested if you choose not to and choose to be a legal observer
- Those who are getting arrested are now saying the “authorities” are being more friendly in jail and asking lots of questions. Anything you say can be used against you and you don’t have to answer any of their questions other than pertinent contact/personal info.
- The media is now saying OF’s focus has shifted to the first amendment. It has not. It is just one of the issues we are dealing with

County Board of Supervisor’s meeting
- Perea asked that an inquiry into the cost of the sheriffs and the arrests be made

Poetry Club
- Billy and Moses will be starting a poetry group soon to read and discuss different works. More on this coming soon

Church invite
- Linda Hawke (sp?) of the Sacred Pursuit study group at the first Congregational Church has invited OF member tomorrow at 5:30 to share and do outreach

Signs
- Suggestion: We hold signs during GA’s. Please feel free to do so

Direction
- Suggestion: Plan for a local purchase day. More to come on this.

GA meetings
- The process of the meetings needs to be explained better at the start of each meeting. For example, the concept of the “stack” we use is new for many people and it needs to be clearly explained.
- Suggestion: time limits for people talking too much. This was brought up because it’s not efficient for one person to lecture for a long time.
- We need to be more empathetic and listen to everyone

Website
- We have 600,000-800,000 (is this correct?) new visits a day
- Thousands of people are watching our live streams now
- We have made national news, including Keith Olberman, LA Times, CNN, SF Chronicle, etc.

Houseless
- People who’s shelters are being destroyed by the city are welcome here.
- There is a strict anti-drug and alcohol policy here
- Rev. Floyd and other ministers are discussing options for those with no where to go
- It was mentioned that a drug test must be passed in order to get shelter
- more on this soon

General Assembly Meeting notes 11.7.11

Jesse Morrow Mountain
- Plans by Fresno County and large corporations are under way to destroy and take 500 feet of the top of Jesse Morrow Mountain that would send Valley Fever spores into the valley and contribute to environmental destruction. More information on this soon.

Reciting the pledge of allegiance at the start of GA’s
- This was suggested as a show of patriotism and solidarity
- Due to the unpopularity of this suggestion, consensus was reached that Occupy Fresno would instead do a unity clap at the start of the meetings

Civil Lawsuits
- A lawsuit may be brought against the county/board of supervisors/sheriff on behalf of an unincorporated association of members of Fresno who had their civil rights violated
- There may also be a temporary restraining order against the sheriffs
- A professor/scholar/author is working on the above with Bob.
- It may be filed as early as next week
- Bob wants to meet with witnesses of Michael Dominguez’s afternoon arrest – which appears to be a clear violation of his rights
- The 1st Amendment embodies several rights, i.e., speech and in particular, the right of assembly, which has been slowly slipping away
- Sheriffs are presently standing in our meeting and therefore violating the ordinances they have told us we’re violating

Unions
- Emails to various local unions will be sent to invite them to GA’s to bring their issues and engage in dialogue with Occupy Fresno
- Recendo will bottom line this
- Will and others will pass out flyers that Mike will bottom line organizing

County Board of Supervisors Meeting
- Meet at Courthouse Park at 1:30 tomorrow to engage in public comment during the meeting
- Perea still has not replied to a letter written by an Occupy Fresno member. One board member replied but showed little interest

People being arrested for upholding Constitutional rights
- Sheriffs can search through cell phones legally if they arrest you
- If sheriffs in riot gear arrest you, people not being arrested are willing to hold your belongings
- Thank you all for upholding your civil rights and showing genuine patriotism

People wearing bandanas on faces
- People have the right to wear bandanas should anyone choose to.
- If someone wears one and you don’t recognize them, just ask someone who it is

KMJ
- Do to KMJ repeatedly smearing Occupy Fresno, the message to KMJ is: Occupy Fresno has come to consensus that we don’t talk to KMJ

Planned activities
- Rally to Defend Education tomorrow at FSU
- County Board of Supervisors meeting tomorrow downtown
- Veteran’s Day Parade march Friday in front of City Hall at 11AM
- Joanna will be going to schools to talk about Occupy Fresno. Please meet with her to help put together a presentation
- Camille wants to plan a day where we all carry signs in protest to Michael Dominguez’s arrest
- No bank march this Friday as banks will be closed
- next Wed, school board meeting

Moving to Water Tower
- it was proposed that Occupy Fresno occupy the Water Tower area instead of Courthouse Park
- justification for the move includes: location is very visible, there’s parking, bathrooms, and there is an amphitheater, potentially more flexibility with Mayor Ashley and the City Council, we could set up tents, Occupy Fresno is good for downtown revitalization
- opposition to the proposal includes: Fresno police are more oppressive than sheriffs, police use steroids and are aggressive, it could appear that we would be giving in, Courthouse Park is our physical occupation
- Consensus – we stay in courthouse park for now but continue discussing the potential move

Houseless update
- Brown Berets and other Occupy Fresno members were showing support at the encampment this morning.
- We need more supporters at 6:30 AM on G and Santa Clara
- Take pictures and contact Mike Rhodes of the Community Alliance

Personal Belongings
- Please grab your stuff
- Things can be stored at Michael D’s house and at the Info Shop

Speaking with “authorities”
- Be mindful that the “authorities” can legally lie, manipulate and sweet talk all of us. Don’t fall for it and know that they are recording everything we say.

Language
- Be respectful and look over OF’s Anti-Oppression Policy
- When people use anger against the 1%, it can be natural to yell and shout, particularly since if anyone chooses to resist (which Occupy Fresno does not do) the “authorities” will pull out their guns and club and use them

Illegal Arrest Update
- Michael was put in handcuffs and locked in a jail cell for sitting down and holding a sign with 4 other occupiers near him. He was told he didn’t have a right to hold his sign.

11/6/11 General Assembly Meeting (more than 100 people present!)

Upcoming events

- Fresno police are planning on tearing down tents and evicting houseless people who have nowhere to go

- Please be at G St. and Santa Clara show support for those being evicted.

- Bring cameras and be legal observers

- Contact Peace Fresno if you have donations such as blankets, tents, etc.

- Speak with Richard from the Fresno Center for Nonviolence if you have cash/check donations

- Tuesday at noon at the Fresno State University free speech area there will a Rally to Defend Education and a press conference.  Occupy Fresno will support this

- There are FUSD board meetings on Wednesdays.  Please arrive the Courthouse Park downtown at 4:30 to march there and attend

- Fridays are bank marches.  Please meet at the Gazebo at 3:30

- Fresno Center for Nonviolence at Van Ness and McKinley will show the film “Call me Malcom” Wed at noon and at 7PM.  There will be a potluck at 6:30

- Occupy Fresno has been invited to the Veteran’s Day Parade.  More info coming soon

Last night’s arrests

- At 2:30 AM sheriffs started yelling and shaking tents and telling people to leave or face arrest.

- They were in riot gear with shields, helmets and dogs

- Occupy Fresno cleared out their belongings and 15 people were arrested for refusing to leave

- This morning deputies said that no one is allowed to chant or carry signs at any time of the day or night

- Our message the “authorities” is that we are engaging in a legal and peaceful demonstration guaranteed by the 1st Amendment

- One of the concerns is the number of sheriffs used (50 in full riot gear) and the amount of tax dollars used for this

- Bob Navarro, a lawyer who was also arrested, was pleased to see the exceedingly organized and non-violent behavior during the chaos, as well as those monitoring the events

- Bob was also impressed with the peaceful and non-violent characteristic of last night as it reflects well on the entire Occupy Movement.

FUSD Board meetings

- Occupy Fresno has formally submitted an item to be put on the meeting agenda regarding an across the board administrator pay cut ensuring money goes back to the classrooms.

- It looks like it may have been accepted and the meeting will be Nov. 16th

- A power point presentation has been requested

Occupy Fresno T-shirts

- more coming soon!

- $7 will cover the cost but people are free to donate more than that.

County Board of Supervisors

- A letter has been written to Parea asking to put an item on the board meeting agenda.  There has been no response so far.

- Another letter has been written to all supervisors but there has been no response.

- Occupy Fresno will try to attend their meeting a week from Tuesday and/or this Tuesday

Bank Transfer Day

- More than 80 people showed up on First and Shaw to peacefully demonstrate

- Over a million big bank customers closed their accounts across the country on that day, equalling 4.5 billion dollars

- Big banks dropped their proposed fees as a result of Bank Transfer Day

Legal observers and video recording and provocateurs

- Please be mindful not speak while recording and to let what is being recorded do the talking

- If you are in front of jail or anywhere, be careful with what you say as it could be used against us

- Speak with Ralphy about documenting our side of the story

- If someone comes around speaking of committing acts of radical violence or aggression, they’re probably a wing-nut, a provocateur or a cop.  Tell them to get lost.

Property

- Please claim and take your property from the gazebo during the evening or it may be confiscated by the deputies

Food

- Many heart-felt thanks to all of you bringing food throughout the days and nights.  Thanks to Billy and Nancy for greeting those released from jail with hot food and doughnuts!

Other

- Hundreds of defense attorneys in Ca are wanting to help out with legal issues re: defending our right to protest peacefully.  More info from Peace Fresno coming soon

- Consensus has been reached that Occupy Fresno will write a letter to Mims with questions regarding staying in the park, arrests, etc.

- See moveon.org for education night on Wed.

-Ruben, an Occupy Fresno elder, was presented with flowers and a card following a surgery he had.  We all love Ruben!

- Community Alliance members show movies at the UU church on Willow & Chesnut

food:

sylvia will coordinate food/kitchen–work with the volunteers bringing food; please help her with this ask

consensus: we will not use food pantries until we have to as this foo should go to people truly in need

make sure to always give big props to people bringing us food

______________

permit: to renew it or not? it’s mostly up to the night folks as the permit mainly pertains to the night crew.

discussion of possible new locations: park behind fashion fair.

sanitation has been the excuse to go after other occupy sites; keep it clean!

prepare for a crackdown next monday

___________

marches: keep chants going; need another megaphone; someone to talk on egaphone between chants

___________

halloween: SUNDAY, 7 PM AT COURTHOUSE PARK; food, decorations, candy–olga is coordinating it; mike will bring pumpkins to carve. roving, raving “thriller” zombie dance contest at nearby banks and at bill mahr

General Assembly Notes 10/24/11
Message from Bob, the lawyer

A permit got signed and is in effect that ‘allows’ Occupy Fresno to remain in the park until next Monday.

Another permit may not be necessary since we have disregarded the permit stating we can’t sleep from midnight to six in the morning, and since the authorities don’t seem to mind.

A curfew ordinance is not cited anywhere in the county laws

PR

KFCF has given Occupy Fresno 5 invitations to attend their banquet to recognize free speech and to recognize Occupy Fresno. Please speak to Vanessa if you want a ticket. We will be given 5 minutes to speak. Walter Turner will also be there.

Polo would like a bilingual male and female to speak on his radio show Nov. 1.

Bill Maher is coming to Fresno Nov. 13(?) and Vanessa will try to get him to visit Occupy Fresno

On Nov. 16 the San Joaquin Valley Democratic Party will have a meeting. Speak to Vanessa if you’d like to go. They have invited us.

The Progressive Democrats of America have invited Occupy Fresno members to their meeting on Wed. Vanessa will give more details.

Direct Action

Homeless encampment evictions:

This coming thursday notice has been given that the city will evict homeless living at encampments throughout Fresno and take all of their property and store it

We need to broadcast this information as widely as we can to get as much support as we can.

On Wed. there will be press conference at 10:30 AM on the steps of City Hall. Please speak with Vanessa to get involved with the conference and to speak on the connection between homelessness/Occupy Fresno/the Occupy Movement

Occupy Fresno marches are every morning and every afternoon

Upcoming Direct Actions (from an email sent to the Occupy Fresno list)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 10:30 a.m. at Fresno City Hall: A Press Conference Re/ Homeless Evictions.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 6:30 am at Courthouse Park/Freedom Gazaebo; march to Ventura and Santa Clara and resist homeless evictions.

WHY THIS ISSUE IS PART OF OCCUPY: Not a single elite banker who ruined this economy and put

hundreds of thousands on the street has ever been arrested, charged, prosecuted or convicted of a

single crime; in fact, most are engaging in the same risky investments that caused the recession and

swimming in even more wealth. Meanwhile the most vulnerable and weakest segment of society is

being evicted from the few scrap of canvas and tents that remain to them as homes.

WEDNESDAY,FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 3:30 pm at Courthouse Park/Freedom Gazebo: “Tour the Bastard Banks;” march to downtown banks (other than Wells Fargo and B of A) to resist the banksters

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 10 a.m. at Chase Bank on the corner of First and Shaw: Protest at Chase Bank and march to and protest at nearby B of A in solidarity with a global day of uprising to demand that the G-20 enact a “Robin Hood tax” of 1% on all financial transactions and currency trades, enough money to fund every social program and environmental initiative in the world.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, before, during and after Bulldog Football Game, “International Move your Money Day,” outreach, more details to follow

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, noon, at the Free Speach Area, CSU Fresno, “Education Forum” rally

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, 7:30 pm at Courthouse Park: Prof. Meta Schettler, Department of Africana Studies, CSUFresno, “The Legacies of the Civil Rights Movement: Race, Inequality and Occupy Wall Street”

A grand opening of the Yard House will be at River Park soon. We will use this opportunity to plan a direct action using balloons, dummies, information, etc. Details to come

Noah submitted a public request to put an item on the FUSD board meeting agenda. Should the board approve of putting the item on the agenda, it will be on Nov. 16th.

Opposition to Occupy Fresno’s involvement in FUSD board meetings

The following 4 points were offered by a GA attendee as reasons for not participating anymore:

The history of dysfunctional Board behavior, including undermining each other and even their own employees, including their Superintendent, indicates that Occupy may only be encouraging the dysfunction. The fact that Larry Moore, a current board member, invited and encouraged us to come back to the meetings so we can rattle Superintendent Hanson speaks volumes of the dysfunction.

The Occupy Fresno grievances against the school board are informed by only part of the whole story. Issues within the school district are actually complex and individual grievances may include private information. All of these need to be hammered out over time and with consideration to factors unknown by Occupy Fresno.

The salary ranges of the FUSD administrators are not so extreme to warrant such attention by Occupy. In addition, salary schedules are based on many factors, and budget cuts are reached through painful compromises. It isn’t so much that administrators’ salaries should be cut, but rather, teachers’ salaries should increase.

With the media attention given to Occupy Fresno’s actions against FUSD, I’m concerned that the perception is that we are not the movement that deserves a tidal wave of support from our community. Continue focusing on poverty, homelessness, outrageous CEO compensation, incarceration of the poor, air pollution, unsafe drinking water., etc.

The following rebuttals were made to the opposition:

Occupy Fresno has overwhelming support to continue addressing and protesting injustices that hurt the 99%.

Many teachers and parents have asked Occupy Fresno to specifically address injustices within FUSD that affect the education of students and future generations of this country.

It is individuals, and Superintendent Hanson in particular, that create and perpetuate the damaging power structures on the local level that mirror the corporate and political power structures on Wall Street. No one is attacking Hanson personally, but rather the principality of what his is doing/not doing.

These power structures existing at the local level, and within FUSD in particular, consist of dictating policies from above with out making sacrifices while forcing those on the bottom to make sacrifices

The cuts in pay that Occupy Fresno is suggesting the administrators take will generate millions of dollars to substantially improve education and teacher employment/benefits.

The connection to and involvement with the greater Occupy Movement involves tackling local community issues that are tied directly to the movement

Noah and Lori will meet early next week to discuss the matter further and see what can be worked out.

There was a suggestion for the creation of a sub direct action committee to start doing “big picture” direct actions

Outreach

Dan has invited Occupy Fresno members to the Peace Fresno meeting tomorrow (Oct. 25) at the Fresno Center for Non-violence at 7 PM at 1584 N. Van Ness Ave, near the Fresno City Bookstore.

There is discussion of putting together a Halloween committee to discuss teach-ins and lectures

Moses and Mike will use $50 of donation money to buy masks and costumes for us to wear on and before Halloween

John Hudson and the Teamsters (truck driver union) will try to get bodies out to the camp to stand in solidarity with Occupy Fresno. We will be blasting out events to various unions.

Tech/Website

Hackers have attacked our website a couple of times but our tech guru has put an end to that (great job!)

There is now a calendar of events on the website and events can also now be made on our facebook page

Security

Nighttime security – please sign up and when you do, please be sure that you follow through

Daytime security – we need more of it. Come to the camp during the day if you can – this is very important!

A detective asked people questions at the camp about someone vandalizing the nearby peace officer memorial with “Banks suck” written in lipstick. Obviously this was not done by anyone from Occupy Fresno, so please be on the lookout for saboteurs.

Topics on the agenda: direct action, public relations, anti-oppression policy, homeless evictions, special general assembly, tech, cold weather.

23 October 2011

Direction Action:

1. There was concerns about the lack of action from the group. Anyone can construct their own direct action, but they are not limited to Occupy Fresno.
2. Monday, October 24th and Tuesday, October 25th, 5 pm each evening at the Occupation Camp, Courthouse Park: “What Is Capitalism?” a teach in on the nature and history of capitalism by Prof. Michael Becker, CSUF Department of Political Science
3. Friday, October 28 – march at 3:30, Courthouse Park: “Tour the Bastard Banks” a continuation of marches and protests encouraging people to withdraw their money from the big commercial banks.
4. Saturday, October 29, 10 a.m. at Chase Bank on the corner of First and Shaw: Protest at Chase Bank and march to and protest at nearby B of A in solidarity with a global day of uprising to demand that the G-20 enact a “Robin Hood tax” of 1% on all financial transactions and currency trades, enough money to fund every social program and environmental initiative in the world.
5. Discussion of more actions, taking place in Riverpark.
6. Saturday, November 5th: demonstration in solidarity with the international “move your money day.” Time date and action to be announced soon. for more information: http://www.facebook.com/Nov.Fifth and moveyourmoneyproject.org
7. Fresno State game at the Bulldog Stadium at 5:30. Volunteers to pass out flyers with our information. Cedar and Barstow may be a good intersection to do this.
8. November 8—ReFund California rally to refend education. Press conference at 11am, rally at 12p. Fresno State free speech area.
9. Every Tuesday at 11am, 1955 Broadway, free meals. There is a thrift store nearby called Sonshine Thrift Store.
10. Discussion about possibly having art hop at the gazebo. Art hop is the first Thursday of the month.

P.R.

1. Two Spanish-speaking volunteers to go onto a radio show on 91.5FM to discuss what the movement is about. Most likely on November 1.
2. San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club meeting. Guest speaker, FUSD board member Larry Moore. Meeting is on November 16, at Denny’s 1110 E. Shaw Ave, from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. If anyone would like to volunteer to speak to this group, talk to Vanessa.
3. Sunday, October 30—speakers to go to the New Life, New Light church, after sermon concludes at 1:15pm. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Mike Becker for more information.
4. Unions: If you know anyone involved with any unions, take an initiative and ask them if they would be willing to join our movement. If you’re uncomfortable speaking about the movement, the PR and outreach committees will be more than happy to help. If you have any email contacts, send them to Mike Becker so they can be added to our email list.

Homeless Evictions

1. This Thursday, October 27—At 7am, the city is going to “clean up” the homeless encampments. We reached a consensus on our stance and have agreed to stand in solidarity with the homeless. The first eviction will take place on Oct 27, at 7am, on Santa Fe, just south of Venture.
2. If this continues, Mike Rhodes is encouraging the homeless to move to City Hall, or the Courthouse Park.
3. November 1—the city is scheduled to destory the rest of the encampments. The flyers state this will begin at 7am, across the board, but waste management is not obligated to begin at 7am. they have been known to arrive earlier or later, to catch people off-guard.
4. In an attempt to comply with the legal technicalities of the lawsuit filed by the ACLU, against the City of Fresno, the city will store personal belongings for up to 90 days.
5. The question was brought up of what happens to Occupy Fresno if the city tries to evict us.

Anti-Oppression Policy

1. The policy was read to the General Assembly. A PDF copy of the policy was emailed to everyone on the mailing list.
2. Discussion of possibly having a teach-in on what sexual harassment is.
3. Revision to the policy: switch wording of victim to “survivor.”

Special General Assembly

1. During each G.A., go around the circle and introduce self, to feel welcomed and part of the group.
2. Stories: have newcomers explain why they are part of the 99%, if they want to, via camera so it can be put onto our Youtube. If they are uncomfortable with that, they can email their stories. The email address can be found on the Occupy Fresno website.

Cold Weather

1. Discussion about winter: what do we do when te rainy season starts and it gets colder?
2. It was agreed that whoever is occupying overnight will hitch their tents, regardless of the permit or county ordinances.
3. Donations in preparation of the rainy/cold season: tents, canopies, tarps, etc. Hand sanitizer and cold medicine are also requested.

Tech:

1. Update: someone tried to hack into our website. They fired a DDOS attack on our site, which basically means they overloaded our servers and caused the website to shut down, temporarily. Extra precautions have been taken to ensure our websites are safe. This attack was issued by someone who claimed they were with Anonymous, a “cyber terrorist” group. Anonymous has expressed their support for the movement.  As a safety measure, please update your passwords and be cautious of what information you leak onto the web.

If you or anyone you know would like to help with food, contact Mike Becker.

General Assembly notes for 10/22/11

Food
• Billy will donate buckets, bleach, soap and containers to use as bowls, so we can eliminate waste and use less paper/Styrofoam.
• Nancy, Ruben and others who are involved in bringing hot food will use a separate email list to organize who’s bringing what and when. Ruben’s email address is aterces@att.ent

Direct Action
• A massive balloon release is in the works where we will attach informative cards to each balloon explaining whey we’re occupying. The plan is to release 1,000 balloons or more in a crowded area, i.e., the grand opening of Yard House restaurant at River Park. We will also tie dummy bankers/politicians to balloons and send them up into the air.
• Noah will contact the infamous Balloon Man to help with helium and buying balloons at cost.

• Fresno police is putting up eviction notices at all the downtown homeless camps warning of the eviction at 7 a.m. on Thursday. Please join us in resistance to this, leaving from Courthouse Park at 6:30 am Thursday morning.

• Noah will go to the FUSD building on Monday to formally write out the budget cuts Occupy Fresno demands onto an agenda item for an upcoming board meeting

General Assemblies
• We will keep general assembly meetings shorter by having committees gather and discuss after the ga’s, and then brief everyone and try to reach consensus at the start of the ga’s the following day
• Those camping will have separate meetings to discuss in-house issues that will then be brought back to the ga for a debriefing/consensus

Outreach
• We need more info on facebook. People are looking there on not seeing much activity (e.g., Friday’s march)
• We need regular sa events on a consistent basis for out of town and working people
• More outreach to the River Park area, unions, students at Fresno state and FCC

• Noah will develop and send out an anti-oppression policy

• The rules for the camp have been reached by consensus, and people who want to be a part of our space and movement have to accept those rules; these include no drug use or alcohol use in camp–people need to go far enough away that they are not within sight of the camp if they are going to drink; no aggressive, harassing, disrespectful behavior toward others within the camp.

• These rules and the anti-oppression policy will be either posted or available as a handout so newcomers will know what’s up (someone needs to bottom line this)

• If they object to the rules they can bring it up at a general assembly

• Security will call on everyone to wake up if necessary to deal with a violation of these rules or any confrontations/aggressive/oppressive behavior; everyone who is part of occupy fresno! is accepted to step up as a community to make it clear to the offenders that they need to either stop their behavior immediately or go to another part of the park where they are no longer disrupting the camp

• If the offenders fail to do that then the group will try to reach consensus on what step to take next including calling the police

• If the incident involves sexual abuse or harassment or any other similar, serious act where the survivor does not want their identity known then a.) the survivor’s wishes will take precedence; b.) the entire group of campers will seek to come to a consensus about the appropriate step to be taken, considering the survivor’s wishes as being of foremost concern

• If this general approach does not work, occupy fresno! will consider hiring security to make sure that our agreed upon rules are enforced

• Billy and summer will bottom line getting t shirts so everyone knows who is actively a part of the occupy fresno! community