Occupy Fresno Petition

November 29th, 2011 · · Action One comment

Please print out the following petition and present it to your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.

Please mail completed petitions to: P.O. Box 5115, Fresno, CA 93755 no later than Dec. 4th.

http://www.occupyfresnoca.com/images/OccupyFresnopetition.pdf

PETITION TO END THE ARRESTS IN FRESNO’S COURTHOUSE PARK 

To the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims: 

We the undersigned hereby call for an immediate end to Fresno County’s current practice of arresting
nonviolent protestors in Courthouse Park, people who are simply exercising their constitutional right
to peaceably assemble and demand redress of grievances.  If such assembly is somehow in conflict
with minor county ordinances, it is within your power to alter or waive those ordinances in such a way
as to allow twenty-four hour peaceable assembly to occur in the vicinity of government offices.  It is a
huge waste of taxpayers’ money to devote so many law-enforcement resources to arresting people
who pose no threat to the public.  Leave Occupy Fresno in peace and devote your resources instead to
fighting real crime.

 

Occupy Fresno cost tops $130+ thousand dollars.

November 22nd, 2011 · · Action, Media No comments

Please remember, we started occupying courthouse park on October 9th.

The first 2 weeks went smoothly without a problem. We had no permit, there were no cops/sheriffs, no damage, no incidents, no cost to anyone.

The next 2 weeks, where we obtained a permit, there were no arrests, no cops/sheriffs, no damage, no incidents, no cost to anyone again. (Contrary to Sheriff Mim’s argument that if they were not present there would be rapes, assault, property damage, etc. Please keep in mind, court house park has always had issues with the houseless, property damage, excrement before we ever set foot onto court house park, it is unfair and simply not true to blame it on us now.)

After our permit expired, our lawyers had a meeting with the county to discuss an extension. We were told they would NOW enforce the 12am-6am ordinance, 4 1/2 weeks after we first assembled. That clearly goes against everything that our movement is about. So we came to the consensus that we would not file for another permit since we felt no need to obtain a permit in which we do not plan to oblige by.

To date, we have had over 95 arrests in just over 2 weeks. The county has spent over 150k+* in arresting peaceful protesters that is not causing any harm to anyone. The jails are overcrowded and day after day they focus on us where that money could be spent for actual crime. If you are angry just as much as we are please speak up and let them know! This needs to stop!
The man behind the eviction is the County Administrative Officer, John Navarette. You can reach him at 559-600-1710.

County Contact:

http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/webform.aspx?id=21249

direct email:
FRWebmail@sjvls.org

Sheriff Mims:  margaret.mims@fresnosheriff.org
County Board of Supervisors:
Phil Larson, Chair:  jbarlow@co.fresno.ca.us
Judy Case:  district4@co.fresno.ca.us
Henry Perea:  ppinedo@co.fresno.ca.us
Susan Anderson:   district2@co.fresno.ca.us
Debbie Poochigian:  District5@co.fresno.ca.us

You may also want to contact our Mayor and voice your concern:

Call Mayor Ashley Swearengin 559-621-8000 or send a email:

Mayor Contact:

http://www.fresno.gov/Government/MayorsOffice/ContacttheMayor/EMailMayor.htm

 

Occupy Fresno Wants to ‘Increase the Peace,’ While Lawsuit Moves Forward

November 20th, 2011 · · Press No comments

OCCUPY FRESNO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2011

 

Occupy Fresno Wants to ‘Increase the Peace,’ While Lawsuit Moves Forward

Occupy Fresno is pursuing its federal lawsuit as to First Amendment liberties and Fresno County’s ongoing decisions regarding public gatherings in Courthouse Park.  While the lawsuit moves forward, Occupy Fresno also wants to “increase the peace,” says activist Michael Becker, professor of political science at Cal State University Fresno.

According to Becker, Occupy Fresno’s attorneys are in talks with Fresno County to obtain a “stand-still agreement” or temporary “peace agreement,” that will lead to a more peaceful atmosphere in the Courthouse Park, while Fresno County prepares its brief on the constitutional issues.

As of late Friday, Occupy Fresno and Fresno County were working with U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, to hammer out a schedule for writing briefs and hold hearings in the lawsuit.   Attorneys for Fresno County were not available to meet with Occupy Fresno on Friday, but said they plan an internal meeting Monday, Nov. 21, to discuss the temporary agreement regarding the daily arrests.

Because the agreement was not reached Friday, there were more arrests over the weekend of peaceful protesters.

Occupy Fresno wants an early hearing because of the risks of harm, while Fresno County is seeking more time for briefing. Lead attorney for Occupy Fresno, Robert Navarro, said, “this is an irreparable harm case, because of the liberty issues. It’s not the type of harm that can be paid back with money.”

Occupy Fresno does not object to Fresno County having more time to prepare its case.  However, “because of the ongoing risks of harm, Occupy Fresno wants the County to come the table.” Navarro said. “Let’s reach an agreement regarding the daily arrests of peaceful protesters at the 24-hour vigil, while the County puts together its case.”

Occupy Fresno points out that the truce will increase the peacefulness of relations between the two sides, as well as lower costs for everyone. “Let’s all get along while the legal matters are being written up,” says Navarro.

The County continues to demand that protesters leave Courthouse Park and argues that the police presence is costly. However, Navarro says, “Staying at vigil is a constitutional liberty. Occupy Fresno would not be able to recover money damages for its loss of liberties, were it to give up. Civil liberties cannot be bought and sold in the marketplace,” Navarro explained.

Under Title 13 of the Fresno County Code of Ordinances, permits to stay overnight in the park are allowed, but Fresno County refused Occupy Fresno’s request for a permit to do so, opting instead to arrest peaceful protesters at great expense to the taxpayers.

Occupy Fresno meets in the park to discuss the issues of the day. The presence of Occupy Fresno in the park is expressive conduct, performed in solidarity with all of the other Occupy groups in cities around the world. The presence is a signal to the public that there is an ongoing need to work toward peaceful resolutions to economic inequality.

“Arresting peaceful protesters who gather in a public park is a sure-fire way to change the topic and to chill First Amendment liberties,” said First Amendment expert, Elizabeth E. Martinez, who is a sociology professor at Fresno Pacific University.

 

Occupy River Park

November 18th, 2011 · · Action, Media No comments

According to the Fresno Bee, nearly 400 activists hit River Park in solidarity with the National Occupy Wall street movement.

This action was organized by labor groups who originally planned to drop banners on overpasses along highway 41. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) warned the Central Labor Council (CLC) not to hold the banner drop, threatening arrests and liability if the distraction caused accidents. The CHP had a significant presence on highway 41 with lots of CHP patrol cars from Tulare to Shaw avenue. There were no banner drops and the CLC directed the rally to take place at Blackstone and Nees avenues.

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/11/17/2617843/1-occupy-fresno-protester-arreste…

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/17/18699927.php

 

Alternative to the Provost’s task force recommendations

November 18th, 2011 · · Action No comments

OCCUPY FRESNO RECOMMENDED BUDGET REDUCTIONS

ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROVOST’S TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The core mission of California State University Fresno is teaching and research. When cuts to the CSUF budget are necessary, every item in the budget that is not directly related to the core mission should be considered for reduction first. Arbitrary budget distinctions like Level A and Level B funds or auxiliary spending cannot be used to divert attention from the basic principle that should be guiding us: cuts to the classroom and research as a LAST RESORT. Instead, over the last few years we have seen draconian budget decisions in the area of the core mission: faculty layoffs and furloughs, student fee increases, reduction in course offerings, larger class sizes, consolidation of programs, reduction of enrollment and more. At the same time many less essential areas of the budget continue to receive full or substantial funding: administration, administrative salaries, auxiliary activities, athletics, C-SALT, TILT, Red Balloon, etc.

This trend must be decisively reversed. In addition, upper administration must lead by example and share fully in sacrifices that they ask others to make. These two principles, protecting the core mission and shared sacrifice, are the foundation for the budget recommendations suggested below. We believe that the alternative cuts proposed here demonstrate that there is a substantial amount of money being spent in non-essential areas and that significant cuts in these areas must precede any further reductions in the core academic area.1 A Provost’s responsibility is to protect the basic academic mission of the university. We ask you to recommend these and other alternative budget reductions to the President. Otherwise it is clear that you are failing to perform your fundamental duty.

ELIMINATE ASSOCIATE DEANS and SIMILAR ASSOCIATE POSITIONS IN UPPER MANAGEMENT: $2, 483, 533

20% REDUCTION IN SALARY FOR REMAINING ADMINISTRATION–Admin level II, III, and IV: $1,543,000

 

CSUF FOUNDATION: 10% salary reduction weighted toward senior management : $732, 656

CSUF ATHLETIC CORPORATION: 10% salary reduction weighted toward senior management and highest paid coaches: $268, 757

 

CONSOLIDATION OF STUDENT LIFE AND STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES

Elimination of multiple Admin. positions, total savings: $530,000

 

ELIMINATION OF REMAINING STATE FUNDING FOR ATHLETICS: $4, 000,000

 

TOTAL SAVINGS: $9, 557, 946

Official Press Release 11-14-11

November 15th, 2011 · · Press One comment

November 14, 2011

Occupy Fresno

Press Release

Today, Occupy Fresno filed a lawsuit in the federal court challenging the violations of civil liberties and First Amendment rights by Fresno County. The members of Occupy Fresno have chosen Courthouse Park, a public space maintained by taxpayer monies, as the venue in which to peaceably assemble and petition our government for a redress of grievances. This right is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Included in the lawsuit filed today by Occupy Fresno is an application for a temporary restraining order against Fresno County, prohibiting them from further unlawful enforcement of its permit system regarding the use of Courthouse Park.

In the application and enforcement of local ordinances pertaining to Courthouse Park, Fresno County has consistently denied the citizens of Fresno and Fresno County wishing to join in the Occupy movement the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights. The ferocity with which Fresno County has enforced the ordinances pertaining to Courthouse Park is unacceptable. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Department has arrested members of Occupy Fresno, and others wishing to stand up for their First Amendment rights, every day since November 6, 2011. In addition, they have consistently squandered taxpayer monies by maintaining a twenty-four hour presence in Courthouse Park since this date. The members of Occupy Fresno are, have been, and shall remain peaceful in our actions. However, as citizens of these United States, under the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Occupy Fresno will maintain our presence in Courthouse Park; we are not leaving. Through acts of Civil disobedience we will continue to resist the illegal enforcement of unjust laws against our liberties and our persons.

The Occupy movement is a movement of national and international prominence. The Occupy movement, which began on September 17, 2011 in front of Wall Street in New York City, New York, began as a gathering of people who felt wronged by their government. In the following months the Occupy movement spread across the nation, to hundreds of cities, bringing tens of thousands of people together for a common cause. As times have grown more and more desperate, The Occupy movement has offered the hundreds of thousands of American citizens displaced by our economic crisis a new home. Occupy movements maintain a twenty-four hour daily occupation of local cities because these times are desperate. The corporatocracy that controls this country has secured a stranglehold on our system, and our way of life. Occupy exists out of the sheer desperation of people who no longer have a voice.  The movement has since provided a venue for the people of these United States to stand together in solidarity with one another, to join their voices in a truly democratic process, to join their dismay with the current system into a cohesive voice with which to petition their government for a redress of their grievances.

It is in this spirit Occupy Fresno was born. As a member of the national and international Occupy movement, Occupy Fresno will not leave until our national objectives have been met. Occupy Fresno will not be deterred by arrests, or by ordinances restricting our rights as citizens; Occupy Fresno will not be suffocated by Fresno County Sheriff Deputies; Occupy Fresno will not leave. We will exist as long as the national Occupy movement exists.

 

11-14 Notes

November 15th, 2011 · · General Assembly Notes No comments

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 1st 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veterans Day Parade – Outernational Visits – 1 Arrest – Upcoming Events/Flyers

November 12th, 2011 · · Action 2 comments

About 20 members of Occupy Fresno attended Veterans Day Parade! Of course we had problems with PD but they stepped aside and let #OF march eventually:)

(more pictures coming soon)

————————————————————————————————————————

Outernational, a band from New York visited Occupy Fresno!!

Be sure to check out their website and listen to their album! Just finished listening to it a few minutes ago and it is really good!

http://flavors.me/outernational

 

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Only 1 arrest on 11/12/11 (in the am). We are still strong, but we need to reenergize and recuperate after a week long of arrests.

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New Flyers available to print out! Click on the picture below to download a PDF file:

Revised Occupy Fresno’s Anti-Oppression Policy

November 12th, 2011 · · Action One comment

Occupy Fresno’s Anti-Oppression Policy
To be posted at all times at the campsite and to be made available as handouts

Occupy Fresno always has, is and will be non-violent and peaceful in all of its actions among all participants all of the time.

Any forms of oppression, including and not limited to discrimination, harassment, intolerance, violence and abuse (sexual, physical, emotional), are strictly prohibited in or around the Occupy Fresno space in the Courthouse Park, or in or around Occupy Fresno direct actions, marches, protests, demonstrations.
The following forms of oppression are strictly prohibited:
Violence: All shapes and forms of violence are strictly prohibited. Peace and non-violence is the key to our movement and the global movement in general
Ableism: A pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion that oppresses people who have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Like other forms of oppression, ableism operates on individual, institutional and cultural levels (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Classism: Prejudice and/or discrimination, either personally or institutionally, against people because of their real or perceived economic status or background (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Heterosexism: The concept that heterosexuality and only heterosexuality is natural, normal, superior, and required. This can refer to any institution or belief system that excludes or makes invisible questioning, lesbian, non-labeling, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gay people, as well as any system that constructs queer sexualities as deviant, wrong, or immoral. Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia all stem from and are supported by heterosexism. Heterosexism enforces and is enforced by a binary gender system (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Homophobia: The fear or hatred of gays, lesbians, or queer-identified people in general. This can be manifested as an intense dislike or rejection of such people, or violent actions against them. Associated with the system of heterosexism
Oppression: Prejudice and power. A systematic social phenomenon based on the difference between social groups that involves ideological domination, institutional control, and the promulgation of the oppressor group’s ideology, logic system and culture on the oppressed group. The result is the exploitation of one social group by another for its own benefit, real or imagined (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Patriarchy: Patriarchy in its wider definition means the manifestation and institutionalization of male dominance over women and children in the family and the extension of male dominance over women in society in general (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Privilege: Systems of power that benefit and favor members of a dominant group over members of a marginalized group. Privilege is unearned power enjoyed by a dominant group, giving them economic, political, social and cultural advantages (from United Church That All May Be One 2004 )
Sexism: Sexism is the outward manifestation of an inward system of values deliberately designed to structure privilege by means of an objective, differential, and unequal treatment of women, for the purpose of social advantage over scarce resources. This values system gives rise to an ideology of supremacy which justifies power of position by placing a negative meaning and value on perceived or actual biological/cultural differences. Sexism is connected with of the system of patriarchy (SOA Watch Anti-Oppression glossary)
Transphobia: The fear or hatred of transgendered and transsexual people. Like biphobia, this term was created to call attention to the ways that prejudice against trans people differs from prejudice against other queer people. There is often transphobia in gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities, as well as straight communities.
Racism: A system of advantage and privilege based on ‘race,’ in which one group of people exercises abusive power over others on the basis of skin color and racial heritage (from United Church That All May Be One 2004).
Xenophobia: “Xenophobia can be understood as ‘an attitudinal orientation of hostility against non-natives in a given population’. This term has been used to describe the fear that people have of immigrants, who are marginalized for having a foreign culture and origin in a different country. This fear is reinforced by racism and classism by the dominant group, and blames them as the source of economic failures.
www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us…/013138130X.pdf

Occupy Fresno’s Anti-Oppression Policy serves three purposes: 1. To challenge all forms of oppression 2. To support a peaceful and nurturing community 3. To create safer spaces for reconciliation instead of creating fear
Occupy Fresno’s Anti-Oppression Policy has been reached by consensus. Those wanting to be part of Occupy Fresno’s space and movement will accept this policy. Those disagreeing with any part of this policy are free to express themselves in a general assembly meeting. This policy can be modified through consensus. This policy is not a top-down approach mirroring authoritative forms of power over the people, but rather a safeguard against oppression designed in a participatory and genuinely democratic fashion to ensure the ongoing safety and success of the Occupy Fresno movement in connection with the larger Occupy movement.

In the case that a violation of the policy occurs, the following measures will be enacted:
1. Everyone who is part of Occupy Fresno will make it clear to the offenders that they either need to stop their behavior immediately or go to another part of the park where they are no longer disrupting the camp.
2. If the offenders fail to comply with the community’s request then the group will try to reach consensus on what step to take next, including the possibility of calling the police as a last resort.
3. 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 identity will remain anonymous; b.) the survivor’s wishes will take precedence (including a call to the police); c.) 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. Sexual abuse and/or harassment is a serious issue and will not be tolerated.
4. If this general approach does not work, Occupy Fresno will consider hiring security to make sure that our agreed upon policy is enforced.
5. If the incident occurs during the night, internal security will call on everyone to wake up, if necessary, to deal with the violation and follow steps one through three above.
6. As to whether the oppressor is welcome back after violating the policy and being asked to leave, the survivor of the oppression will have first say, violations will be handled case-by-case, and the whole group will convene to help make the decision.

11-9-11 Notes

November 12th, 2011 · · General Assembly Notes No comments

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