The Occupations Report: 12/8/2011
This report includes updates from Occupy sites and related efforts across the country and the globe. It includes big wins, local organizing efforts, protests/events, police activity reports and calls to action where additional support from allies/general public may be needed. Find it online atwww.FreeSpeech.org.
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Tell Us What You Think
What would you like to see in The Occupations Report? More reports from the field? Training resources? We want to know what you think. Fill out the survey athttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
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NATIONWIDE
Shut Down the Port: December 12, 2011
In response to coordinated attacks on the occupations and attacks on workers across the nation:
Occupy Oakland calls for the blockade and disruption of the economic apparatus of the 1% with a coordinated shutdown of ports on the entire West Coast on December 12th. “The 1% has disrupted the lives of longshoremen and port truckers and the workers who create their wealth, just as coordinated nationwide police attacks have turned our cities into battlegrounds in an effort to disrupt our Occupy movement.”
Occupy Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tacoma, Powell River (BC) and Houston have all passed resolutions to shut down their city’s port on Monday December 12th.
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Occupy Albany
Fundraiser for the 99%
Thursday, December 8 – 4pm-7pm – Labor Temple, 890 3rd Street , Albany, New York – Occupy Albany is fighting for the 99% and so are we. The Capital District Area Labor Federation will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to raise money and supplies to keep the Occupy Albany movement going through the cold winter.
Tickets are $15 dollars and we will have “All You Can Eat” Spaghetti, meatballs, salad and dessert.
Occupy Atlanta
Pittman Family Appeal For Help
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – Occupy Atlanta will hold a press conference at 3 pm to discuss the ongoing crisis and needs of the Pittman family, at 404 Glen Iris Dr. Atlanta. Members of the family will speak this afternoon; additionally, Occupy Atlanta plans an action against Chase Bank on Friday at 4 pm, starting at the Pittman family home and marching to the location. Members of the family plan to participate in that event as well. Contact: Sara Amis
Occupy Baltimore
Jobs for the 99% Seminar
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – At 6pm on Thursday, workers from BWI Airport, an Inner Harbor hotel, and Baltimore Convention Center food service workers will share their experiences and engage in a discussion about ongoing campaigns to improve hospitality jobs.
Occupy Berkeley
Occupy Berkeley Celebrates 2 Months of Occupation
Thursday, Dec. 8 – OB will be celebrating their 2 month anniversary on Thursday, December 8th with a day of credit card shredding, informational tabling, a march to the big banks on Shattuck, and a movie screening of Just Do It (a film about direct action in the climate change activist movement).
Occupy Boston
Call to Action: Occupy Boston Eviction 12am Tonight
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Some Occupy Boston protesters began packing up their belongings today after Mayor Thomas M. Menino issued a midnight deadline for them to leave their Dewey Square encampment. Ariel Oshinsky, a member of the encampment’s media working group, said there had been discussion of striking the camp, but no decision had been made. At the same time, she said, “I think a lot of us plan to stay and hold our ground and fight for what we think is right. Nonviolently, of course.” She said food, tents, and other valuable materials were being removed from the camp today so they wouldn’t be destroyed and wasted in a police raid. Protesters were also making sleeping arrangements for the encampment’s “most vulnerable members,” in case they are evicted from the camp, she said.
CALL TO ACTION: 1) Please come to Dewey Square en masse tonight.
Text “OccupyBoston” to “443322″ to receive SMS updates before, during, and after a raid by Boston police. If you don’t receive a confirmation text within 5 minutes, text your number to to be manually added. Standard carrier text messaging rates apply. No additional charges.
Occupy Columbia
Occupy Columbia Speaks Up for the Unemployed
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Occupy Columbia will hold a march in solidarity with unemployed workers and the National Mobilization for the Jobless and Jobs this Thursday at 4 p.m. Occupy Columbia will join clergy, community leaders, unemployed workers and concerned working families at a press conference outside of the S.C. Dept. of Employment office. After the press conference, the Occupiers will march to the State House to rally for jobs.
For more information and to sign-up for this action on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/tzzMKe.
Occupy Portland
Thursday, December 8 2011 – A whistleblower from Portland Oregon tells her story of being fired for speaking up against the predatory lending practices of Wells Fargo. “The only way for the people to take their power back is to get the money out of the banks.” Watch the video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Davis
Ending Overnight Occupation
Thursday, Dec. 8 [Occupy Davis Statement]- Occupy Davis will no longer be maintaining a continuous occupation of Central Park. Our tents and structures are coming down this morning. This does not mean that our movement is ending or that we will stop having actions, rather that our movement will now be proceeding in a new way. At Monday’s camp meeting it was decided that our goals can best be served by regrouping and refocusing on more targeted political actions. 24/7 occupation has been a valuable tactic for us so far, and an immensely successful strategy for the wider occupy movement, but now we intend to set aside continuous occupation for the time being, so that we can gather ourselves and strengthen our movement. General Assemblies will continue.
Occupy Denver
Emergency GA Tonight
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Information has come to light of a plan hatched by outside groups to sabotage the peaceful 12/12 action that Occupy Denver has planned at the Walmart Distribution Center in Loveland. The Non-Violence Committee is calling for an emergency GA tonight to discuss the action. 7PM @ Civic Center Park. Watch a promo video about the Wal-mart action here:http://occupydenver.org/promo-
Occupy DC
Take Back the Capitol: K St. Arrests
During a major shutdown of K Street on Wednesday (December 7th, 2011), 62 protesters were arrested, including 9 from Kansas City. According to reports, the arrests did not involve the use of tear gas, pepper spray, or other means used so commonly on protesters at events in several major cities since the Occupation began. The officers weren’t even in riot gear.
The protesters had linked arms at the intersection of 14th and K-Street, and managed to bring this intersection to a halt for hours as police removed each peacefully protesting individual. Those lying in the street were attended to by medics during the link-down, who even kept them warm with mylar blankets as they awaited their removal, chanting ”Whose Streets? Our Streets! ”
Occupy Durham
Occupy for Jobs
Thursday, Dec. 8 – From 12pm-6pm, Occupy Durham will Occupy for Jobs! The group will have hot off the press copies of The Occupy Durham News & Record, a compilation of recent Occupy Durham blog posts written by members of Occupy Durham.
Occupy Houston
Easy Home-Based Direct Action
Thursday, Dec. 8 – The Occupy Houston Off-Campus Workgroup (www.facebook.com/OHOCWG) has received its first entry in the “Occupy Your Own Front Yard” contest. The workgroup was recently formed to expand involvement by off-campus supporters of the movement. A $50.00 prize awarded on 12-25-2011 for the most interesting yard display supporting the movement. The winner will receive payment via paypal.com
Occupy Las Vegas
OLV Goes to Washington
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Members of Occupy Las Vegas joined in as the wider occupy movement hit the halls of the U.S. Capitol. “Take Back the Capitol” is affiliated with the Occupy movement, but is also an outgrowth of the movement to protect collective bargaining that started this year in Wisconsin. Capitol police say one person was arrested for unlawful entry to a congressional office. Members of the Occupy Las Vegas movement took pictures of themselves as they visited senator Dean Heller’s office. According to their tweets, they also visited the office of congresswoman Shelly Berkley, who was voting at the time, and they say they were turned away from representative Joe Heck’s office.
Occupy Long Beach
Protest Financial District
Thursday, Dec. 8 – From 3pm – 4pm, Occupy Long Beach will be doing an ongoing protest outside the downtown financial district to bring attention to the financial communities wrecking of the economy. Say no to financial terrorism,
Occupy Missoula
Occupy Missoula Must Relocate by Dec. 12
Thursday, Dec. 8 – The Missoula Board of County Commissioners requested that Occupy Missoula relocate their camp or use the gazebo without tents during the day. Commissioners say they are not trying to to undermine the Occupy movement.
Occupy North Carolina
Call NC Attorney General: Say No to Bank Immunity
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Here in NC we are asking the NC Attorney General and other Representatives to oppose the proposed bank settlement that will grants banks immunity from investigation around fraudulent mortgage banking practices. We are asking for: No Settlement and a Moratorium on Foreclosures Pending Investigation. Call Mr. Roy Cooper, NC Attorney General, at . Get sample script at http://interoccupy.org/call-
Occupy Orlando
5 More Arrests
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Last night five more occupiers were arrested for sleeping on the right-of-way. All funds donated today through WePay will be considered to be meant for bonds.
Occupy Palm Beach
Eviction Notice
Thursday, Dec. 8 [member report] – The city has given us an eviction deadline for this weekend. It’s crunch time! We need all hands on deck at the GA this Saturday to decide next steps for the Palm Beach Occupation. So, come down to the occupation site on Saturday at 2 PM to help make this decision.
The coordinating committee started a brainstorm last night for various possible next steps. You can check out the list we came up with on the website at http://
EDIT: Also, there’s a good chance we’re going to need help moving camp on Saturday after the meeting and Sunday morning. If you have access to a truck or van, or can come move stuff, we’d love your help! Just let us know on the forums.
Occupy Philadelphia
Rev. Jackson Message to Occupy
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Rev. Jesse Jackson visited The Take Back Our Capital camp to give a statement to the Occupiers and labor union reps. I missed the initial statement to the camp held in one of the large tents, because I was eating lunch and thought it was a video playing of him speaking. Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Sacramento
Police Arrest Over 20 Protesters
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Sacramento Bee] – Around two dozen more Occupy Sacramento protesters were arrested this morning in Sacramento for refusing to leave Cesar Chavez Plaza. Occupy supporters had signaled their intention to stay after the city’s 11 p.m. curfew for the park across from City Hall. On Wednesday they announced that they planned to stage a “First Amendment party” after the city’s 11 p.m. park curfew. Occupy said this morning in a press release that 23 supporters were arrested around 2:30 a.m. Sacramento police put the number arrested at 21. The city has made about 110 arrests seeking to enforce the curfew since the Occupy Sacramento protests began Oct. 6. Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/
Occupy San Francisco
Police Raid Camp, 70 Arrested
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Police raided the Occupy SF camp early today, arresting 70 campers and protesters at Justin Herman Plaza and clearing out the 2-month-old encampment. Officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and public works crews converged on the camp at the foot of Market Street at about 1:30 a.m. and gave protesters five minutes to clear out, said Officer Albie Esparza, a San Francisco police spokesman. Most did, but 30 Occupiers did not, and another 40 were arrested when they blocked Market Street in protest, Esparza said. The 70 were arrested on suspicion of illegal lodging and camping in a public park, Esparza said.
Occupy Santa Cruz
Camp Demolished, 6+ Arrested
Thursday, Dec. 8 – 100+ law enforcement officers, most in riot gear, surrounded Occupy Santa Cruz’s encampment early this morning. Five Occupiers were arrested for resisting “evacuation”, plus one arrest on an unrelated outstanding warrant. Scores of county workers stuffed tents, bicycles and other personal property into a garbage truck. The public was blocked from getting close enough to the activity to take pictures.
One Occupier said, “I lost my tent because I was trying to help that old lady over there. They were going to gas her because she couldn’t get out of her tent fast enough.”
A flier was passed out at camp Wednesday that included this call to action: “We will rally at the courthouse and march to the office of Dannettee Shoemaker on Thursday December 8th at 12:00pm – 323 Church Street. If you have further questions concerning the Evacuation, please feel free to call her at .”
Occupy Santa Rosa
Port Shut Down Solidarity Action at Wal-Mart
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Occupy Santa Rosa is planning a local action at Wal-Mart for those Occupiers who cannot make the trip to Oakland. The group is holding a meeting tonight regarding Solidarity with the West Coast Port Shutdown
6pm @Cafe Martin
Items for discussion: Which Wal-Mart, Windsor or Rohnert Park or Both? Type of action, picket or leaf-letting or both? Message? Scheduling for Sign-making and/or flier making
Occupy Wall St.
Homeless Family Occupies Family-less Home
Thursday, Dec. 8 – VIDEO: http://occupywallst.org/
WORLDWIDE
Occupy Aotearoa
Thursday, December 08, 2011 [member report] – The hearing to decide whether anti-capitalist protesters should be removed from Auckland’s Aotea Square adjourned after a protester allegedly uploaded a photo of proceedings to the group’s Facebook page. The Auckland District Court was to decide today whether to uphold an Auckland Council trespass order to remove Occupy protesters from the public square where they set up camp on October 15. However, the protesters say an eviction would breach the Bill of Rights. On the witness stand, Auckland Council risk and assurance manager Natalie Verdouw said a trespass order was issued because six weeks of talking had failed to reach a resolution. Occupy member Chris Glen says in trespassing the group, the council was trying to limit the time, scope, impact and location of protest action. He says Occupy members will be defending their right to protest now and in the future at today’s hearing. “I’m concerned it might give a mandate to other local authorities to limit the scope of any further protest actions in New Zealand.” He said. The other occupations and respective city councils are waiting with anticipation as to what the outcome will be, if the court rules in favor of the establishment the occupations will more than likely be moved on by police.
Occupy Powell River (BC)
Solidarity with West Coast Port Shut-Down
Dec. 12 - Occupy Powell River is calling for a unified action against BC Ferries Corporation on Monday December 12, at all BC Ferries terminals on the BC coast. The action is intended to apply pressure for lower fares and increased government subsidies, as well as for increased local civic involvement and less corporate control in operating the ferry system. This amounts to a move toward restoration of the idea of a marine highway as a public transportation infrastructure, rather than corporate property. PAOV participants are encouraged to demonstrate with signs and hand out pamphlets on Monday December 12 at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal or, alternatively, at the head offices of BC Ferries Corporation, 800 Yates St., Victoria (at the intersection of Yates and Blanshard). We hope to have an information pamphlet to make available soon. In solidarity with Occupy Powell River and other groups along the coast, this is a component of a broader action on December 12 intended to shut down or interfere with all ports on the west coast of North America.
Occupy Sydney
Global Human Rights Day Festival
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Sydney invites individuals, families and inviting community groups to join us for a festival at Martin Place on 10 December – the Global Day of Action and Global Human Rights Day.
This family friendly festival will feature music, open mic, speakers and participation from a variety of community groups and associations in Sydney talking about global human rights and social justice issues. Workshops from the Free School include: Borders and Occupy, DIY renewable energy, A History of Radical Sydney, Community Renewable Energy, Discussion on Occupy Melbourne and Circus workshop. For more info on the
Global Day of Action, visit: http://dec10.
Occupy Vancouver
Feeding an Occupation
Thursday, Dec. 8 – This short piece was made during Occupy Vancouver shortly before it got shut down. It examines the logistics of feeding hundreds of people a day, using only volunteers, donations and salvaged food. It also offers a glimpse into the people who are behind the food and the occupy movement in Vancouver. Watch the video here: http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/
ALLIED ACTION
Activism Training for Your Site
Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action Training Sessions
The National Training Project (NTP) is a loose nationwide coalition of training groups and networks that are collaborating to combine resources to support the growing Occupy movement. The goal is to help match trainers and other resources with cities’ needs. If you or anyone from your Occupy site is interested in Trainings for your site, sign-up at https://docs.google.com/
Take Back the Capitol
December 5-9, 2011 – From the 5th to the 9th, thousands of 99%ers will converge on Capitol Hill “to show Congress what democracy looks like.” Over the four days, the camp will visit congressional offices to demand that members of Congress represent the 99%, swarm K street lobbying firms, and hold speak-outs throughout the Capitol. A tent city will be set up on the mall called the People’s Camp, where there will be teach-ins, seminars, music, and other entertainment. Get more info at http://www.99indc.org/#lpoint
Stand for Freedom
December 10, 2011 – If you’re in NYC, you can join tens of thousands in the streets of downtown NY to rally for voting rights and protest the spread of voter suppression legislation across the country. The rally will start at the office of the Koch Brothers, major proponents and funders of Voter ID legislation, and end in front of the UN to highlight that we must protect our right to vote on UN Human Rights Day. There’s also a national petition on voting rights that the NAACP is willing to making customized landing pages for if your organization is interested. For more info, go to http://www.stand4freedom.org/
RSVP for Bail Out America: A Conversation with Leading Housing & Economic Democracy Activists
Thursday, Dec. 8 [5:30 – 6:30 PST] – Tonight Backbone Campaign is hosting a report from and conversation between some of America’s leading housing defenders. RSVP to join this conversation. This is a HUGE movement building opportunity for our progressive movement. Don’t miss it. to be part of the podcast conversation [Email ]
The Daily Occupation Report is compiled by Rebuild the Dream using information gathered from online news sites, Twitter, blogs and other sources of occupation-related updates. You are welcome to share this report and can download the Word document version at http://rebuildthedream.com/
If you have any questions, feedback or would like to contribute reports from your local Occupy site, please send them along with your contact information to or .
For more updates from occupations around the country, listen to the Occupation America podcast athttp://soundcloud.com/
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The Occupations Report: 12/7
This report includes updates from Occupy sites and related efforts across the country and the globe. It includes big wins, local organizing efforts, protests/events, police activity reports and calls to action where additional support from allies/general public may be needed.
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Tell Us What You Think
What would you like to see in The Occupations Report? More reports from the field? Training resources? We want to know what you think. Fill out the survey athttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PVSSV6H
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NATIONWIDE
Shut Down the Port: December 12, 2011
In response to coordinated attacks on the occupations and attacks on workers across the nation:
Occupy Oakland calls for the blockade and disruption of the economic apparatus of the 1% with a coordinated shutdown of ports on the entire West Coast on December 12th. “The 1% has disrupted the lives of longshoremen and port truckers and the workers who create their wealth, just as coordinated nationwide police attacks have turned our cities into battlegrounds in an effort to disrupt our Occupy movement.”
Occupy Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tacoma, Powell River (BC) have all passed resolutions to shut down their city’s port on Monday December 12th.
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Occupy Albany
Occupy Albany Facing Dec. 22 Eviction. Sign the Petition
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Occupy Albany PR] – “We protest your decision to disband the Occupy Albany camp site by December 22. Occupy Albany and the other occupations around the country have gained wide support because of their message, which is that the 1% is running Wall Street and the country for their own interests while the other 99% are being hurt by these policies… The order for us to abandon our occupation site is a direct attack on our civil liberties. The occupation has served as a much-needed ongoing protest to the policies of the 1%, which you are now attempting to stop. We demand that you allow this public space for our continued peaceful protest.”
Click here to sign the petition or go to http://bit.ly/vQiOgj.
Occupy Atlanta
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Occupy Atlanta report] – “Join us on the lawn of Brigitte Walkers’ home (2607 South Hills Drive, Riverdale 30296) at 11am to learn more about Brigitte and her family’s story. Occupy Atlanta will also be sharing our strategy to not only win Brigitte Walkers’ home back, but on how to build a stronger community in Riverdale, a community that has each other’s backs.”
Occupy Baltimore
Occupy, Union Protesters Rally for Jobs
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Approximately 200 people from the Occupy Baltimore movement and labor unions rallied on the Howard Street bridge on Thursday during rush hour to protest economic inequality in the U.S. (Luke Broadwater/Baltimore Sun) Watch the video here: http://bsun.md/rKod10.
Jobs for the 99% Seminar
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – At 6pm on Thursday, workers from BWI Airport, an Inner Harbor hotel, and Baltimore Convention Center food service workers will share their experiences and engage in a discussion about ongoing campaigns to improve hospitality jobs.
Occupy Berkeley
Occupy Berkeley Celebrates 2 Months of Occupation
Thursday, Dec. 8 – OB will be celebrating their 2 month anniversary on Thursday, December 8th with a day of credit card shredding, informational tabling, a march to the big banks on Shattuck, and a movie screening of Just Do It (a film about direct action in the climate change activist movement).
Occupy Boston
Restraining Order Lifted
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Just before 4PM today, December 7, Judge McIntyre ruled to lift the temporary restraining order prohibiting the city from removing the encampment at Dewey Square. While this is not a court order to remove Occupy Boston, it does allow the city to clear out the Occupy Boston encampment at any time. The group will be holding an emergency General Assembly at 7 PM tonight to discuss their plan going forward. “We have lost our safety net and encourage everybody to come, despite the inclement weather.”
Occupy Brooklyn
Americans Re-Occupy Their Homes
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – In East New York, Brooklyn – a foreclosed home is being reclaimed today by a local homeless family. #OWS, along with local neighbors and community groups, has pledged to stay with the family and defend them from eviction. Kendall Jacklman from Picture The Homeless spoke to the housing crisis ongoing in New York City, saying, “There is enough housing in this city to shut down the Department of Homeless Services and offer everyone decent, affordable housing based on our real wages.”Check out video from yesterday’s Day of Action in East New York. http://occupywallst.org/article/americans-re-occupy-their-homes/
Intro to Direct Democracy & OWS Facilitation Training
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – This quick course is an introduction to direct democracy as well as OWS-style facilitation training for the mediation process that the NYC GA uses @ Occupy Wall Street.
Occupy Columbia
Occupy Columbia Speaks Up for the Unemployed
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Occupy Columbia will hold a march in solidarity with unemployed workers and the National Mobilization for the Jobless and Jobs this Thursday at 4 p.m. Occupy Columbia will join clergy, community leaders, unemployed workers and concerned working families at a press conference outside of the S.C. Dept. of Employment office. After the press conference, the Occupiers will march to the State House to rally for jobs.
For more information and to sign-up for this action on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/tzzMKe.
Occupy DC
Take Back Our Capitol
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [MSNBC] – By plane, train and bus, thousands of activists are converging on Washington, D.C. this week to “Take Back Our Capitol.” Though the pilgrimage borrows the some of the language of the Occupy protests, and includes a contingent of those activists, the crowd hails largely from nonprofits and political organizations.
“We came to tell members of Congress that they should represent the 99 percent not just corporations and the 1 percent,” said Colleen Bugarske, 59, a volunteer from West Los Angeles withMoveOn.org, a national nonprofit political advocacy group. Watch video on the Occupation of K Street here: http://occupydc.org/video-the-occupation-of-k-street/.
Newt Gingrich Fundraiser Occupied
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Mother Jones] – On Wednesday night, Republican presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich held a fundraiser at the posh Willard InterContinental hotel in downtown Washington, DC. Waiting there for Gingrich were a few dozen protesters. Around 7 p.m., they snuck through an unlocked back door to the candlelit ballroom hosting the Gingrich affair and caused a ruckus. An email from the Service Employees International Union alerted me to the protest, and I joined them as they crashed the fundraiser.
Occupy Detroit
A Squat in Time
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Metro Times] – In some ways, the Occupy Detroit movement, especially now that it has moved out of downtown’s Grand Circus Park, is like a spider web, with strands shooting off in various directions but still connected, even if sometimes tenuously. Some in the movement are focusing on the electoral process. Others see education — especially in terms of economics and political power structures — as the area of primary focus. For others, both here and in other cities, it is something they call Occupy the Hood. In this case, the Hood is a cluster of vacant houses along Goldengate, a few blocks south of Seven Mile between Woodward and John R. The idea is simple enough: Begin reclaiming neighborhoods one house at a time. Which is why a small group of people are working on a cluster of four houses, trying to make them habitable. In a way, this neighborhood — parts of which look as if it’s been hit by bombs — seems a universe away from the gleaming towers of Wall Street. In fact, though, there is a direct connection between there and here. Eric Sewell, 48, explains how it all ties together, sitting on a folding chair in a room that has no heat. Read more at http://bit.ly/vRWCyB.
Building for a Fight
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Metro Times] – Check out the Metro Times story about Marc Hesse – the man that donated building space to Occupy Detroit when they were facing eviction. Read more at http://bit.ly/sMW2Lk
Occupy Fort Lauderdale
Occupation Fair Part 2
Occupy Fresno
Heading to Court Friday
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Occupy Fresno report] – This is a call for an immediate end to Fresno County’s current practice of arresting nonviolent protesters 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 the power of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and/or Sheriff Margaret Mims 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 county resources instead to fighting real crime. Sign the petition at http://chn.ge/t3L2Rt.
Occupy Hartford
Thoughts on Coverage of Tuesday’s eviction
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Jay Kamins of Occupy Hartford wrote this response to the Courant news article covering Occupy Hartford’s eviction yesterday: “We were indeed compromised by some we welcomed into the camp… Reporting those issues to the police was our obligation to the members of the camp and the neighborhood, but also our undoing. We have seen some criticism for bring homeless into our camp… They now are sent back into invisibility, where most go blissfully unaware of their existence… We will remain, and will continue our fight for the working class, working poor, and homeless.”
To read the full statement, go to http://occupyhartfordct.com/author/admin/.
Occupy Houston
Calls Out Obama on Occupy Policies
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Watch the video here: http://occupyphillymedia.org/video/washington-dc-report-back-occupy-houston-calls-out-president-obama-policies.
Occupy Kansas City
Call to Veto National Defense Authorization Act of 2012
Wednesday Dec. 7 – Occupy KC to the White House: We implore the Obama Administration to veto the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867). Several provisions of the bill pose a direct threat to the civil liberties of Americans by authorizing the indefinite detention of American citizens without trial or access to legal counsel, with the mere suspicion of terrorism as justification. These provisions, which undermine several fundamental protections granted by the U.S. Constitution, are applicable to American citizens detained on U.S. soil, essentially redefining America as “part of the battlefield” in the war on terror. In light of failure of the Udall Amendment , and the likely passage of the bill in the Senate, we urge the president to exercise his authority to veto the National Defense Authorization Act.
Occupy Los Angeles
Family Guy Writer Arrested
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Family Guy Writer tells the story of his arrest: My name is Patrick Meighan, and I’m a husband, a father, a writer on the Fox animated sitcom “Family Guy”, and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica.
I was arrested at about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning with 291 other people at Occupy LA. I was sitting in City Hall Park with a pillow, a blanket, and a copy of Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Being Peace” when 1,400 heavily-armed LAPD officers in paramilitary SWAT gear streamed in. I was in a group of about 50 peaceful protestors who sat Indian-style, arms interlocked, around a tent (the symbolic image of the Occupy movement). The LAPD officers encircled us, weapons drawn, while we chanted “We Are Peaceful” and “We Are Nonviolent” and “Join Us.” Read more at http://occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/2656
Occupy Orlando
7 Arrested
Sunday, Dec. 5 – At 3:00pm Monday police arrested five female Occupy Orlando participants. Orlando Police Department arrived at Senator Beth Johnson Park shortly before 3:00pm to enforce Section 18A.09 of municipal code relating to prohibited activities in parks owned by the city. This section of municipal code forbids such activities as sleeping, digging holes and disturbing wildlife. Four women were arrested while attempting to claim personal belongings, and one was arrested for impeding a police car. Earlier in the day, one male and one female were arrested for trespassing, bringing total arrests to seven. Sunday evening a group of approximately 50 occupiers marched to Mayor Buddy Dyer’s residence seeking a forbearance on the enforcement of codes restrictions. Occupiers brought the Mayor Christmas cookies and sang “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Mayor Dyer addressed the group saying, “I kind of agree with some of your stuff.” However, he refused to call off the eviction while inviting Occupy Orlando to City Hall to air grievances. The cookies were also refused.
Occupy Portland
Portland Public Schools Shut Down Occupy Portland Panel
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Press Release] – The Occupy Portland Panel, invited as guests to a 6th grade current events class at the Astor School, were interrupted Wednesday afternoon just as students began naming off important world issues. The guests were told by the teacher, “The school district is not comfortable with us having this conversation.”The Portland Public Schools’ Board of Education includes this passage in their 6.20.010-P Academic Freedom policy document:
“In a public school system in a democratic society, academic freedom includes the freedom of the teacher to teach about controversial issues and to make available to the students a wide range of instructional materials and community resources.” Read more at http://bit.ly/urUjNd.
Occupy San Francisco
SFPD Raid OSF, Arrest 70
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Police raided the Occupy SF camp early today, arresting 70 campers and protesters at Justin Herman Plaza and clearing out the 2-month-old encampment.
Officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and public works crews converged on the camp at the foot of Market Street at about 1:30 a.m. and gave protesters five minutes to clear out, said Officer Albie Esparza, a San Francisco police spokesman. Most did, but 30 Occupiers did not, and another 40 were arrested when they blocked Market Street in protest, Esparza said. The 70 were arrested on suspicion of illegal lodging and camping in a public park, Esparza said. Read more at http://bit.ly/tQ9Foq.
Occupy Santa Cruz
Restraining Order Sought
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Wednesday December 7th Occupy Santa Cruz will present an ex parte application for a temporary restraining order against the enforcement of the “evacuation notice” sent by the City of Santa Cruz to dismantle the San Lorenzo Benchlands Park encampment and ticket and/or arrest campers after 5pm Wednesday. The hearing will take place at the Courthouse at 1 PM, and is expected to be removed from Department 5 to Department 4.
Occupy Santa Maria
Request for Solidarity Action: Occupy Congress at Home
Monday, Dec. 19 – 23 – Occupy Congress at Home, an action in which the 99% introduces ourselves to members of Congress in their district offices and welcomes them home for the holidays
Funny tagline: “Hello, Congress, welcome home for the holidays. We’d like to introduce ourselves. We’re the 99%, you know, the people you’re supposed to represent.”
Copy for bumper sticker or flyer: “This holiday season, show Congress you care. OCCUPY CONGRESS AT HOME: Coming to a district office near you Dec. 19-23″
Occupy Wall St.
Zucotti Park Owners Owe City $136,000 in Taxes
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [NY Daily News] – City taxpayers have poured millions of dollars and hundreds of police hours into keeping the peace at the privately owned Zuccotti Park during the Occupy Wall Street protests.
The least the park’s owners could do is pay their taxes. The city Finance Department says park owner Brookfield Properties and its parent company, Brookfield US Corp., currently owe the city more than $139,000 in unpaid business taxes from 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/zuccotti-park-owners-brookfied-properties-owe-city-139g-back-taxes-article-1.986720#ixzz1ftSGty5d
WORLDWIDE UPDATES
Occupy Amsterdam
Possible Eviction Thursday
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Occupy Amsterdam is livestreaming their GA meeting tonight where the group will discuss possible eviction Thursday. Catch the Livestream athttp://livestre.am/13WCG.
Occupy Edmonton
First Flash Occupation
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Occupy Edmonton, AB report] – Occupy Edmonton held a ‘flash occupation’ today on the lawn of the Edmonton City Hall. The ‘flash occupation’ was planned to highlight the issues the group believes the public should be concerned about. Today’s ‘flash occupation’ was held at City Hall today to remind Mayor Mandel that 2,421 people are still homeless in Edmonton, and that he needs to reduce the proposed $10 million in city service cuts, and the regressive property tax increase that will affect low-income home owners more than high-income home owners.
Occupy Melbourne
Tent Protest Costume Violently Stripped from Protester’s Body by Melbourne
Monday, Dec. 6 – Yesterday morning, a peaceful Occupy Melbourne Protester was violently stripped of her protest costume and disregarded on the ground in her bra and panties. The individual in question was part of the Occupy Melbourne protest against the ban on tents. Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAkUB7jRb2c.
Occupy Palm Beach
Pictures from Vigil Mourning Fraudclosure
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Photos: http://occupypalmbeachcounty.org/2011/12/pictures-from-dec-6th-palm-beach-county-fl-candlelight-vigil-to-mourn-fraudclosure/
Occupy Powell River (BC)
Solidarity with West Coast Port Shut-Down
Dec. 12 - Occupy Powell River is calling for a unified action against BC Ferries Corporation on Monday December 12, at all BC Ferries terminals on the BC coast. The action is intended to apply pressure for lower fares and increased government subsidies, as well as for increased local civic involvement and less corporate control in operating the ferry system. This amounts to a move toward restoration of the idea of a marine highway as a public transportation infrastructure, rather than corporate property. PAOV participants are encouraged to demonstrate with signs and hand out pamphlets on Monday December 12 at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal or, alternatively, at the head offices of BC Ferries Corporation, 800 Yates St., Victoria (at the intersection of Yates and Blanshard). We hope to have an information pamphlet to make available soon. In solidarity with Occupy Powell River and other groups along the coast, this is a component of a broader action on December 12 intended to shut down or interfere with all ports on the west coast of North America.
Occupy Sheffield
Sheffield Council Edorses Occupy
Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Member report via Twitter]: Sheffield Council has become the 2nd in the UK (after Edinburgh) to formally endorse Occupy.
Occupy Sydney
Global Human Rights Day Festival
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Sydney invites individuals, families and inviting community groups to join us for a festival at Martin Place on 10 December – the Global Day of Action and Global Human Rights Day.
This family friendly festival will feature music, open mic, speakers and participation from a variety of community groups and associations in Sydney talking about global human rights and social justice issues. Workshops from the Free School include: Borders and Occupy, DIY renewable energy, A History of Radical Sydney, Community Renewable Energy, Discussion on Occupy Melbourne and Circus workshop. For more info on the
Global Day of Action, visit: http://dec10.takethesquare.net/english/
Occupy Victoria
People’s Assembly of Victoria Endorses Harm Reduction Campaign
Sunday, Dec. 4 – The People’s Assembly of Victoria reached consensus to endorse the upcoming campaign “War on Drugs is a War on the Poor”. The official launch of this campaign will be at Cabin 12 this coming Thursday, December 8th, at 7:00 p.m. The campaign is being launched by a collaboration of local Harm-Reduction and Anti-Poverty groups, including the Beddow Centre, S.O.L.I.D, and Allies of Drug War Survivors, to challenge the ‘War on Drugs’ as a critical component of the current War on the Poor. Read more at http://occupyvictoria.ca/.
ALLIED ACTION
Activism Training for Your Site
Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action Training Sessions
The National Training Project (NTP) is a loose nationwide coalition of training groups and networks that are collaborating to combine resources to support the growing Occupy movement. The goal is to help match trainers and other resources with cities’ needs. If you or anyone from your Occupy site is interested in Trainings for your site, sign-up athttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVrX0VtbkR3ZGIxZkV6cy1ZNjA3VHc6MQ.
Take Back the Capitol
December 5-9, 2011 – From the 5th to the 9th, thousands of 99%ers will converge on Capitol Hill “to show Congress what democracy looks like.” Over the four days, the camp will visit congressional offices to demand that members of Congress represent the 99%, swarm K street lobbying firms, and hold speak-outs throughout the Capitol. A tent city will be set up on the mall called the People’s Camp, where there will be teach-ins, seminars, music, and other entertainment. Get more info at http://www.99indc.org/#lpoint
Stand for Freedom
December 10, 2011 – If you’re in NYC, you can join tens of thousands in the streets of downtown NY to rally for voting rights and protest the spread of voter suppression legislation across the country. The rally will start at the office of the Koch Brothers, major proponents and funders of Voter ID legislation, and end in front of the UN to highlight that we must protect our right to vote on UN Human Rights Day. There’s also a national petition on voting rights that the NAACP is willing to making customized landing pages for if your organization is interested. For more info, go to http://www.stand4freedom.org/
The Daily Occupation Report is compiled by Rebuild the Dream using information gathered from online news sites, Twitter, blogs and other sources of occupation-related updates. You are welcome to share this report and can download the Word document version at http://rebuildthedream.com/occupy-update.
If you have any questions, feedback or would like to contribute reports from your local Occupy site, please send them along with your contact information to or .
For more updates from occupations around the country, listen to the Occupation America podcast at http://soundcloud.com/occupation-america
*****************************************************************************
The Occupations Report: 12/6/2011
This report includes updates from Occupy sites and related efforts
across the country and the globe. It includes big wins, local
organizing efforts, protests/events, police activity reports and calls
to action where additional support from allies/general public may be
needed.
******************************
Tell Us What You Think
What would you like to see in The Occupations Report? More reports
from the field? Training resources? We want to know what you think.
Fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
******************************
NATIONWIDE ACTIONS
National Day of Action to Stop (and Reverse) Foreclosures
The fight to reclaim democracy from the banks is growing from Wall
Street to Main Street.
On Tuesday, December 6th Occupy Wall Street will join in solidarity
with a Brooklyn, NY community to liberate a foreclosed home. This
action is part of a national kick-off for a new frontier for the
occupy movement: the liberation of vacant bank-owned homes for those
in need, and the defense of families under threat of foreclosure and
eviction. Actions will take place in more than 25 cities across the
country today. Get more info at http://occupyourhomes.org/.
Read a Raw Story article on Today’s National Day of Action:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/
Shut Down the Port
Occupy Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tacoma
have all passed resolutions to shut down their city’s port on Monday
December 12th.Watch a Video Announcement about the port shut-down
here: http://occupywallst.org/
General Assembly Resource
The general idea is that all the news and information about the occupy
movement will be collected via RSS into a managed news system. From
there the raw feed data can be placed into “channels.” For instance,
we currently have about 100 occupations delivering RSS feeds to our
system. Any time a blog author tags a post “GA minutes” it is sent
automatically into the GA Minutes channel. This produces a stream
(RSS) of all the meeting minutes for all the GA’s across the world!
Check it out here: http://news.occupy.net/node/
******************************
Occupy Alameda
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 – Report on Twitter says Occupy action in
Alameda shut down a foreclosure auction at the court. Picture from the
action.
Occupy Atlanta
Troy Davis/Woodruff Park Re-Occupied
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Press Release] – Occupy Atlanta has successfully run
off numerous people who came to place bids on foreclosed homes and
assisted one guy in convincing the auctioneer to talk to his lawyer
and take his house off the auction block. And at 1:50 PM there were
reports of one protester arrested so far at auction sale in Atlanta
for disorderly conduct and obstruction for using and passing off a
megaphone to save neighborhood homes.
Occupy Baltimore
Solidarity Rally with Unions
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Join AFL-CIO, SIEU, & Young Trades Union tonight at
5. 1st a rally then a union-led GA at 8!
Occupy Birmingham
Crowd Joins Occupy Birmingham at Immigration Protest
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Chants in English and Spanish echoed through the
streets in Gadsden on Saturday as protesters of Alabama’s immigration
law marched on Forrest Avenue in front of the Etowah County Detention
Center.
A crowd estimated between 150 and 200 people marched for about an hour
on Forrest Avenue in the block near the courthouse and detention
center. More than 100 officers from the police department and
sheriff’s office worked overtime Saturday for the event.
Occupy Boston
National Day of Action to Stop (and Reverse) Foreclosures: Take Back
the Capitol
Tuesday, Dec. 6 -. December 5-9, thousands of 99%-ers will travel to
Washington, DC to take back the Capitol from corporate control.
December is a big month in Washington. Congress is set to deliberate
the extension of unemployment benefits for more than 2 million people
– and the Super-Committee is discussing devastating cuts that could
destroy millions of jobs. We can have a real impact! By day 99%ers
will show up at Congressional hearings and the offices of K Street
lobbyists, and by night we’ll crash in church auditoriums, union
halls, and in tents around the Capitol. It’s not a luxury trip, but
meals, housing and transportation will be provided. Goal: to remind
Congress they represent ALL Americans – not just the richest 1%! The
Bus from Boston departed on Monday and will return on Friday, December
9, 2011.
Occupy Boise
Letter to the Sherriff Condemning Home Foreclosures
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – “We, the people of Occupy Boise, are calling upon
you, Sheriff Gary Raney, to announce a moratorium on foreclosures
throughout Ada County. Winter is approaching; homelessness is an ever
growing concern in our community. The foreclosure process has been
illegally pursued in many instances in our own community. STOP
benefiting the banks more than the population. Through illegal
practices our nation has been robbed of its wealth. The middle class
is under attack we ask you, Sheriff Raney, out of respect to the
Natural Rights that our nation was largely founded upon to take a
stand.” Read the letter at: http://occupyboise.org/
Occupy Chicago
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Members of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign and
Occupy the Hood have used volunteer labor and donated materials to
rehab a home so that it can house Ms. Shirley Henderson and two other
homeless families. Watch video of Chicago’s Day of Action here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Below is a list of other Anti-
Foreclosure events taking place in the Chicago area today:
Housewarming in Belmont Cragin
Riis Park
3.3 mi away
northeast corner of Narragansett Ave and Fullerton Ave
Tuesday, December 6, 10:30 AM
Description: A housewarming event for a family that has taken over an
abandoned building in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. “I believe what
we are doing is right, because people need a place to live,” says
Sabrina Morey, one of those who recently moved into the building.
“There should be no vacant homes anywhere.” This press conference will
be at 11am of the national day of action for liberating foreclosed
homes. The meet up spot will be Riis Park (on the northeast corner of
Narragansett Ave and Fullerton Ave) at 10:30am. Press should arrive at
11am and then all can caravan to the house.
Cleaning & Boarding Up A Vacant Home
A Vacant, Bank-Owned Building
5.1 mi away
4943 W Van Buren St
Tuesday, December 6, 11:00 AM
Description: 11am @ 4943 W. Van Buren st, a vacant, bank-owned that
the South Austin Coalition (SACC) will be cleaning and boarding up.
This action will be done in conjunction with staff, students, and
parents of the nearby May Elementary school, who have complained for
months about the dangers posed by this vacant home. Unable to get the
city or the owner, Citibank, to take responsibility for properly
maintaining the building, elementary school students, staff and
parents will work with community activists to clean it up before
determining it how it can best serve as a community asset.
Occupy Our Homes Action
2029 S 17th Ave
10 mi away
2029 S 17th Ave
Thursday, December 8, 6:30 PM
Description: A press conference on Thursday, December 8th, where
Sherri Norris will announce at that her family has decided to occupy
her foreclosed home. Despite US Bank’s fraudulent dealings with her
and the order of possession the bank has now obtained, Sherri has
decided that she and her family will fight to stay in her home, and
she’s calling on her neighbors and allies for support.
Cleaning & Occupying A Foreclosed Home
A vandalized, “walk away” home
14 mi away
8730 S Throop St
Tuesday, December 6, 3:30 PM
Description: 3:30pm @ 8730 S. Throop st, a vacant, single-family home
that was abandoned by the owner after repeated attempts to negotiate a
loan modification with her lender, J.P. Morgan Chase bank. In the
ensuing months, this “walk away” home was vandalized, sprayed with
grafitti, and stripped of its pipes, sinks, and heating units. With
permission from the owner, the house has been cleaned up and will be
used to house a single mother, a grandmother, and a college student,
all currently homeless.
Occupy Cleveland
Foreclosure March
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Press Release] – At 1pm, Empower and Strengthening
Ohio’s People in Cleveland went to five Chase branches &
simultaneously delivered letters to CEO Jamie Dimon and FHFA head Ed
Demarco calling for principle reduction for homeowners.
Occupy Columbia
Endorses Rocky Branch Green Way
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Occupy Columbia formally endorses the development of
the lands along Rocky Branch into a green way! And we reject the
building of a Wal-Mart or any other warehouse style big box chain on
these lands along Assembly street! Email City Council members and let
them know you support a green way in Columbia and don’t want another
Wal-Mart or big box chain! Find their email contacts on the link
below.
Occupy Detroit
Saving Southgate Homes
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Huffington Post] – As part of a countrywide day of
action planned to combat foreclosure practices and home evictions, two
Metro Detroit households will open their homes to Occupy Detroiters
Tuesday in an effort to halt foreclosures at the homes. The actions in
Detroit are in part spearheaded byOccupy Detroit and Occupy Our Homes,
a national coalition focused on foreclosures that has developed out of
the Occupy movement. On Tuesday protesters affiliated with those two
groups will try to bring attention to the plight of Debbie and Rob
Henry, a married couple from the Detroit suburb of Southgate. They
could be kicked out of their home of seven years by January, according
to Shannon McEvilly, a Detroit area spokeswoman for Occupy Our Homes.
Video of Debbie at today’s Day of Action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Fresno
Petition to Stop Occupy Fresno Arrests
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – This is a call for an immediate end to Fresno
County’s current practice of arresting nonviolent protesters 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 the power of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and/or
Sheriff Margaret Mims 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
county resources instead to fighting real crime. Sign here:
http://www.change.org/
Occupy Hartford
Occupy Hartford Facing Eviction
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Member report via Facebook]- EVICTION NOTICE
CONFIRMED: Police arrived and gave us a letter from the mayor saying
we had to leave by 6pm or be arrested they will set up a perimeter and
not let anyone in. if you have belongings here come get them ASAP if
you don’t want to lose them call your representatives and media
contacts. We would also like a member of the legal team to come down
Occupy Houston
Solidarity with West Coast Port Shut-Down
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Members of Occupy Houston plan to join in solidarity
with West Coast to shut down the Port of Houston. As of Monday night,
a time and place of the event had not been circulated.
Occupy Houston Speaks Out Against Arctic Drilling
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – From 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Secretary of the Interior
Ken Salazar is hosting a public comment session in Houston over the
current draft drilling & oil exploration plans. The current draft
allows for drilling to potentially extend into the unspoiled Arctic.
OccupyHouston hopes you’ll join us in this rare chance to speak to the
Secretary, and to inform him that the world needs green jobs, not
arctic waste.
Occupy Las Vegas
Occupy Las Vegas Repudiates the National Defense Authorization Act
Monday, Dec. 5 – The General Assembly of Occupy Las Vegas agreed by
consensus to send a statement to Washington D.C. regarding their
position on S.1867, “The National Defense Authorization Act” [
http://tinyurl.com/c4w2wdh ]. Read the statement here:
http://www.occupylv.org/news/
Occupy Minneapolis
Occupy Minneapolis Defends a Veteran from Eviction
Tuesday Dec. 6th – Occupy Minneapolis is fighting to defend a local
Vietnam veteran from foreclosure. Occupy Minneapolis rallied in
support of Bobby Hull, Tuesday, at Hull’s home on Columbus Avenue in
South Minneapolis. Hull faces a February eviction after recent health
problems caused him to fall behind in mortgage payments, according to
the movement. The house has been in Hull’s family since 1968, when his
mother first purchased the home. The title was later transferred to
him. The Occupy Movement created a video about Bobby’s amazing story.
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Oakland
Anti-Foreclosure March
Tuesday, Dec. 6 -
Occupy Orlando
Occupy Orlando Back in Park After Eviction
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Orlando Sentinel] – Occupy Orlando protesters are
back in a downtown park today, less than 24 hours after police and
work crews moved in to make arrests and remove belongings from a city
right-of-way. This morning, about 20 protesters were in Sen. Beth
Johnson Park, and the strip of land along Magnolia Avenue that had
been packed with possessions sat empty. Several protesters said they
were undeterred by the city’s enforcement actions. “If anything, it
has brought us together even more,” said Emily Rogers, one of five
women arrested Monday in the park. She said she’d been charged with
resisting arrest without violence. Member Update [viaTwitter]: OPD at
the park, IDing and running background checks on Everyone.
#occupyorlando
Occupy Philadelphia
Occupy Homeless Camp: Eviction part 2
Monday, Dec. 5 – Occupy Homeless Camp Eviction. VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Portland
National Day of Action to Stop Foreclosures
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – 10am – Support a neighborhood family in resisting
their eviction — to get the address as soon as we have it on Monday
afternoon,follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or join our email
announcement list:
4pm – Deliver “Keep Us Home For the Holidays” cards to the sheriff’s
and county assessor’s office, while singing Anti-Eviction Carols
(fancy garb encouraged): 510 SE Hawthorne
Occupy Richmond
Walkupy Arrives in Richmond
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – The Walkupy mobile occupation has marched down from
Washington, D.C. and has arrived in Richmond! They joined up with some
of Occupy Richmond at Pollard Park and are presently marching south on
Route 1. The plan is to march past Monroe Park across the Lee Bridge
to the southside for a night of relaxation and respite. Join us in
welcoming these travelers for justice!
Occupy Santa Cruz
Facing Wednesday Eviction
Tuesday, Dec. 6 [Member report] – The camp at Occupy Santa Cruz is
scheduled for removal on Wednesday 5pm. Please stand in solidarity
with the 100 campers who have successfully maintained a camp of
houseless folks the likes of which hasn’t been seen in 20 years here.
HELP!!
Occupy Seattle
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – A small victory from Seattle: After pressure from 30
OUR Washington members and 20 or more phone calls into Aurora Loans,
Nikolin & Maria Fushazis were able to talk to the top executive at
Aurora loans who committed to engage with them on a possible
modification and with Freddie Mac, who owns the loan.
Occupy Wall St.
Day of Action Against Home Foreclosures: Live Broadcast
Tuesday, Dec 6 — Twitter reports of 400 people participating in Occupy
Wall Street’s action in East New York. Volunteer cleaning crew from
Occupy Wall Street arrives at reclaimed and reoccupied home in East
New York Brooklyn to begin cleaning and renovating the home for Tasha
Glasgow and her two children.
Brooklyn Anti-Foreclosure Action Updates
A block party in East Brooklyn welcomed a homeless family to their
reclaimed home this afternoon, complete with balloons, house warming
gifts, and a brass band and a home in East New York Brooklyn is
reclaimed from Bank of America. Single mother of two, Tasha Glasgow,
moves in with her family children. Tasha and her children had been
homeless since shelter services in NYC were slashed due to budget
cuts.
WORLDWIDE
Occupy Aotearoa (NZ)
[Member Report] – “We as Occupy Aotearoa are working on a vision
statement for our country as we are not yet at the event horizon of
the global financial crisis, we are certainly affected by it but so
far can do pretty well for ourselves. But as the recession continues
this will change… The Occupy Dunedin NZ group have been occupying in
breach of a trespass and eviction notice for 4-5 weeks now, our Bill
of Rights states that no bylaw should over power the bill of rights,
the NZ police have said that the right to protest is strong and will
not action the eviction for fear of being sued. However The Auckland
occupation, which is NZ largest and most active occupation is going to
court to make the justice system decide if our occupation has “become
to much hassle for the public” and give the green light to the police
to evict the occupations across the country.”
Occupy London
London police listed ‘Occupy’ protesters as potential terrorists
Monday, Dec. 5 [Raw Story] – The City of London Police listed “Occupy
London Stock Exchange” (OLSX) as a domestic terrorist threat in a
bulletin sent to businesses, according to The Independent. The
protesters have been camped outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London’s
financial district since October 15, as part of a global wave of
demonstrations against political and economic inequality. The
bulletin, “Terrorism/Extremism Update,” listed the protesters along
with al Qaeda, the Colombian revolutionary group FARC, and Belorussian
terrorists.
Occupy Melbourne
Tent Protest Costume Violently Stripped from Protester’s Body by
Melbourne
Monday, Dec. 6 – Yesterday morning, a peaceful Occupy Melbourne
Protester was violently stripped of her protest costume and
disregarded on the ground in her bra and panties. The individual in
question was part of the Occupy Melbourne protest against the ban on
tents. Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Occupy Powell River (BC)
Solidarity with West Coast Port Shut-Down
Dec. 12 – Occupy Powell River is calling for a unified action against
BC Ferries Corporation on Monday December 12, at all BC Ferries
terminals on the BC coast. The action is intended to apply pressure
for lower fares and increased government subsidies, as well as for
increased local civic involvement and less corporate control in
operating the ferry system. This amounts to a move toward restoration
of the idea of a marine highway as a public transportation
infrastructure, rather than corporate property. PAOV participants are
encouraged to demonstrate with signs and hand out pamphlets on Monday
December 12 at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal or, alternatively, at the
head offices of BC Ferries Corporation, 800 Yates St., Victoria (at
the intersection of Yates and Blanshard). We hope to have an
information pamphlet to make available soon. In solidarity with Occupy
Powell River and other groups along the coast, this is a component of
a broader action on December 12 intended to shut down or interfere
with all ports on the west coast of North America.
South Africa
Police Fire on Protesters
Monday, Dec. 5 – South African police fired on demonstrators staging a
protest in front of ANC’s Luthuli House in Johannesburg against South
Africa’s alleged involvement in the November 28 election in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: http://twitpic.com/7p2114
ALLIED ACTIONS
Activism Training for Your Site
Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action
Training Sessions
The National Training Project (NTP) is a loose nationwide coalition of
training groups and networks that are collaborating to combine
resources to support the growing Occupy movement. The goal is to help
match trainers and other resources with cities’ needs. If you or
anyone from your Occupy site is interested in Trainings for your site,
sign-up at https://docs.google.com/
Take Back the Capitol
December 5-9, 2011 – From the 5th to the 9th, thousands of 99%ers will
converge on Capitol Hill “to show Congress what democracy looks like.”
Over the four days, the camp will visit congressional offices to
demand that members of Congress represent the 99%, swarm K street
lobbying firms, and hold speak-outs throughout the Capitol. A tent
city will be set up on the mall called the People’s Camp, where there
will be teach-ins, seminars, music, and other entertainment. Get more
info at http://www.99indc.org/#lpoint
Stand for Freedom
December 10, 2011 – If you’re in NYC, you can join tens of thousands
in the streets of downtown NY to rally for voting rights and protest
the spread of voter suppression legislation across the country. The
rally will start at the office of the Koch Brothers, major proponents
and funders of Voter ID legislation, and end in front of the UN to
highlight that we must protect our right to vote on UN Human Rights
Day. There’s also a national petition on voting rights that the NAACP
is willing to making customized landing pages for if your organization
is interested. For more info, go to http://www.stand4freedom.org/
To View in HTML Occupations Report: 12/3 – 12/4
The Daily Occupation Report is compiled by Rebuild the Dream using
information gathered from online news sites, Twitter, blogs and other
sources of occupation-related updates. You are welcome to share this
report and can download the Word document version http://rebuildthedream.com/occupy-update.
This report includes updates from Occupy sites and related efforts
across the country and the globe. It includes big wins, local
organizing efforts, protests/events, police activity reports and calls
to action where additional support from allies/general public may be
needed.
Tell Us What You Think
What would you like to see in The Occupations Report? More reports
from the field? Training resources? We want to know what you think.
Fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PVSSV6H.
NATIONWIDE
U.N. Envoy: U.S. Isn’t Protecting Occupy Protesters’ Rights
The United Nations envoy for freedom of expression is drafting an
official communication to the U.S. government demanding to know why
federal officials are not protecting the rights of Occupy
demonstrators whose protests are being disbanded — sometimes violently
— by local authorities. Frank La Rue, who serves as the U.N. “special
rapporteur” for the protection of free expression, told HuffPost in an
interview that the crackdowns against Occupy protesters appear to be
violating their human and constitutional rights.
Shut Down the Port
Occupy Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tacoma
have all passed resolutions to shut down their city’s port on Monday
December 12th.
Occupy Our Homes: December 6th
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Huge day of action to fight back against
the housing crisis and launch a new phase in the Occupy movement -
occupying foreclosed homes and property. 99%ers will challenge Wall
Street banks and demand they negotiate with homeowners instead of
fraudulently foreclosing on them. Around the country people will stand
up for the idea that everyone deserves to live with dignity in decent,
affordable housing. Get more info at http://occupyourhomes.org/.
***********************************************************************************
Occupy Aiken
Occupy Movement Arrives in Aiken
Sunday, December 4, 2011 – The occupy movement has spread to cities
nationwide, and Saturday it finally came to Aiken. The Occupy Aiken
movement will not be a 24/7 operation like Columbia’s, but these
occupiers still believe they can accomplish goals. Read more at
http://www.wrdw.com/politics/headlines/Occupy_Aiken_hits_the_streets_134976193.html
Occupy Albany
Millionaire’s Tax
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – On Saturday, Occupy Albany went door to
door in communities across New York to explain why a tax break for the
1% is a bad idea for the 99%.
Occupy Albuquerque
Occupy Protesters Target NM Chiles
Saturday, December 3, 2011 [KRQE] – The chile pepper purists are fired
up over genetically modified crops, especially the states staples red
and green chiles. They say alerting the peppers destroys their
uniqueness and allows imposters and big corporations to take over.
“New Mexico green chile needs to come from here, and it needs to be
the same crops we’ve grown for centuries,” said protestor JD Trebec.
He and dozens of fellow protestors marched through downtown Saturday
afternoon. They met at Robinson park on Central to discuss the issue.
Occupy Allentown
Saturday December 3, 2011 – Occupy Easton, in conjuction with Occupy
Bethlehem, marched through the streets of downtown Easton with stops
at the local branches of Wells Fargo and Bank of America.
Occupy Birmingham
Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – Occupy Birmingham sponsored a protest at
the ICE detention center in Gadsden.
Occupy Boston
Women’s Caucus March
Sunday, December 04, 2011 – The Women’s Caucus of Occupy Boston and
allies marched through Chinatown Sunday afternoon. The march was
joined by local organizations representing women, people of color and
other marginalized individuals in a powerful march beginning at Dewey
Square. The march stopped at the center of Fanueil Hall, where several
women were given an opportunity to speak out about such issues as
poverty, job and employment opportunities, healthcare, housing,
reproductive rights, and LGBT rights. Afterwards, the march resumed,
meandering it’s way through the city until finally reaching Dewey
Square where it started. From 2pm until 4pm, Spoken Word/Music then
began at the GA Stage featuring the likes of poet Idalia, writer-
playwright Gemma Cooper-Novack, and musician Lauren DeRose.
Occupy CD2
Oregonians Occupy Congressional District 2
Monday, December 5, 2011 – In the largest, unified public
demonstration to address a specific member of Congress in recent
history, the Occupy movement will convene throughout Congressional
District 2 in eastern Oregon Monday, December 5, to demand Rep. Walden
hold accessible town halls. In Bend, La Grande, Medford and Hood
River, church groups, educators, and labor unions will join the “99%”
in simultaneous mid-day rallies and marches calling for a more
representative democracy.
Occupy Chicago
Marriage Equality March in Solidarity with Sydney
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – Occupy Chicago held a solidarity march on
Saturday to support Australians fighting for marriage equality. The
Australian national ALP Platform has yet to pass legislation allowing
equal rights for same sex
couples. On December 3rd thousands joined together in Sydney,
Australia to let their voices be heard and battle against this
discrimination.The march began at headquarters and ended at the Office
of the City Clerk. Similar solidarity actions were held in the UK and
Germany. Find out more information on Sydney’s Rally here:
http://www.caah.org.au/
Occupy Columbia
Creek Clean-Up
Sunday December 4th – Occupy Columbia cleaned a portion of Rocky
Branch Creek in support of the re-emerging idea to develop the
waterway into a Green Way for our city; an idea now gaining ground in
City Council as they back away from the proposed Wal-Mart. The site
was part of the proposed Wal-Mart development. Photographs from the
cleanup will be presented to City Council to show our support of
developing the area into a GreenWay.
Occupy DC
Police Remove Protesters from Wooden Structure
Sunday, December 4, 2011 [member report]- At 12am Sunday morning
Occupy DC began assembling a prefabricated wooden structure that had
been designed by professional architects and engineers to provide
shelter, warmth and space for General Assemblies during the winter
months. At 11am Federal Park Police arrived at McPherson Square to
order that the structure be disassembled within the hour. Occupiers
held an emergency General Assembly to determine whether the structure
should stand or be taken down. Before the 12pm deadline police
surrounded the structure and informed all inside that they were at
risk of arrest if they remained inside the structure past the
deadline. A police line was erected to encircle the structure. Anyone
who stepped between the structure and the caution tape was subject to
aggressive arrest. As of 3pm 12 people have been arrested for crossing
the police line, including three inside the structure. Police insist
the structure will be taken down despite the presence of at least 20
people on or inside of it. According to a source within the Park
Police, they are contacting a certified inspector to determine the
safety of the structure, after which point further police action may
be taken.
Occupy Detroit
Teach-In on White Privilege, Race and the Occupy Movement
Sunday, December 04, 2011 – The “Sensitivity and Racial Inclusion”
working group of Occupy Detroit held a Teach-In tonight to explore why
it is important to talk about race in the Occupy movement; in what
ways does white privilege shape life in America and the work of the
movement; and how to even begin to talk about these issues.
Occupy Long Beach
Weekend Actions
Saturday, December, 2011 – “Unite at Union Station”Occupy LB, Occupy
LA, Occupy Irvine, and Occupy Pasadena (perhaps others) will “Unite at
Union Station” in Los Angeles to perform skits, hold open mics and to
plan the next big Inter-occupy event. Take the Metro Blue line from LB
Transit Mall (on 1st St east of Lincoln Park) at 10 AM sharp.
for more info see the calendar on our website: http://occupylb.org/events-3/
Occupy Los Angeles
[LA Times] – Occupy LA protesters plan to continue the acts of civil
disobedience that helped the movement capture national attention. One
of their first new actions occurred Friday as a foreclosure auction
was getting underway in Norwalk. As the auction began, a commotion
erupted from across the lawn. It was a group of protesters, marching
with posters and howling an angry chant: “Banks got bailed out / We
got sold out!” Read more at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/occupy-la-foreclosure-auctions.html
Occupy Minneapolis
Occupy Minneapolis puts up 40 tents on People’s Plaza, cops carry out
late night raid
Sunday, December 4, 2011 [Fight Back News] – More than 400 protesters
gathered on People’s Plaza here, Nov. 29, defying the anti-free speech
rules imposed by county government. While state Representative Karen
Clark spoke to the rally, activists set up 40 tents on the Plaza.
According to Sam Richards, who has been occupying The People’s Plaza
since Oct. 7, “To keep the occupiers safe and healthy through the
winter we can no longer rely on Hennepin County. They, in the name of
public safety, have declared a ban on tents. This is ludicrous and we
are taking matters in our own hands.”
Occupiers are committed to maintaining the protest through the winter
but have come up against a brick wall of opposition and harassment
from county officials, who singled out the Occupy protest by passing a
new policy of “no tents” and “no sleeping” on the plaza.
Occupy Philadelphia
“You Can’t Evict An Idea” March
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – Occupy Philly marched from City Hall to
the Liberty Bell. The group shared stories from Wednesday morning’s
police violence against Occupy Philly, and announced why they chose to
continue occupying. The group continues to hold General Assembly at
the Liberty Bell. “In solidarity with Occupy LA, OWS, Egypt,
Afghanistan, and everywhere around the world people are struggling to
get free.”
Occupy Portland
Police Dismantle Camp
On Saturday, December 3, 2011 [MSNBC] – About 50 police officers in
riot gear moved in on Occupy Portland, Ore., protesters Saturday
night, clearing sidewalks and dismantling defiantly set-up tents after
announcing the park was closing early on an emergency basis. The
Associated Press reported that police were detaining protesters with
flex cuffs and hauling away those who refused to leave, but no
detailed numbers of arrests were available late Saturday.
Occupy San Francisco
Occupy SF marches through Financial District
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – [The Davis Enterprise] – Anti-Wall
Street protesters marched again through San Francisco’s Financial
District as they target banks for what they claim are unfair housing
practices and foreclosures.
More than 300 people began marching late Saturday afternoon along
Market Street as members of Occupy SF were being escorted by dozens of
San Francisco police officers on foot, motorcycles and vans.
Occupy San Jose
Two Month Anniversary Actions
Saturday, December 3, 2011 – Voluntarios de la Comunidad held their
7th annual Human Rights March in honor of the 63rd anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Occupy San Jose greeted them
as they arrived in City Hall Plaza, and then joined with them in a
solidarity march to Ernesto Galarza table to commemorate our united
struggle.
Occupy Santa Barbara
Occupy SB Files Injunction Against City
Saturday, December 3, 2011 [Santa Brabara Independent] – Eight Occupy
Santa Barbara protesters filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking an
injunction against the City of Santa Barbara which would bar police
from issuing citations to protesters for sleeping, camping, and
remaining in De La Guerra Plaza after 10:00 p.m. The lawsuit also
seeks damages for the private property confiscated by police —
including tents, sleeping bags, and first aid kits — as well as
damages caused by all prior arrests. According to the suit — written
by attorneys Joe Allen, Alan Karow , and Robert Landheer — the city is
violating citizens’ rights to freedom of speech, assembly and petition
under both the state and federal Civil Rights Acts. It states that De
La Guerra Plaza is “a traditional public forum for gathering to
exercise free speech and to petition government for redress of
grievances.” The City did not respond to requests for comment by press
time.
Occupy Santa Cruz
Police Dismantle Dome Structure
Sunday, December 04, 2011 [member report] – “County sheriffs arrived
early this morning to dismantle our primary infrastructure. Though our
camp remains strong, and our assemblies continue, Occupy Santa Cruz
greatly needs your support at this time!” More at
http://occupysantacruz.org/2011/12/04/attack-on-the-occudome/
Occupy Seattle
Building Occupations and Jail Solidarity Action
Saturday, December 3, 2011 [Occupy Seattle report]-“ Last night,
undeterred by the city’s destruction of their original encampment,
hundreds of Occupy Seattle supporters occupied a vacant warehouse
slated for demolition and condo development. After entering, Occupiers
erected barricades, held a General Assembly, and began plans to fix up
the space for community use. Using SWAT teams and a ladder truck,
police swarmed the warehouse, making 20 arrests and setting an
unsettling precedent for the escalating use of military-style tactics
against nonviolent occupiers who are liberating public space. Occupy
Seattle is currently holding a jail solidarity action in front of the
King County jail and are requesting all their supporters show up!”
Occupy Tulsa
Occupy Tulsa Justice Seminar
Saturday December 3, 2011 – Occupy Tulsa stands in solidarity with
Twan Jones, a legal and social justice advocate, to expose corruption
in Tulsa’s legal system and call for true and impartial justice to be
delivered in cases which local authorities have not practiced due
diligence. Twan Jones is a recent candidate for district [...]
Occupy Wall St.
New York Janitors Join OWS
VIDEO: http://dprogram.net/2011/12/04/new-york-janitors-join-occupy-wall-street/
Occupy Broadway
Friday, December 2, 2011 [Huffington Post] – Occupy Wall Street
descended upon Broadway Friday night, commencing a daylong occupation
of Times Square. The move to New York’s theater district is meant to
be a show of creative resistance, with a series of street performances
and speeches that symbolize the people “taking back the stage” — in
other words, the public spaces that belong to them. Read more at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/03/occupy-broadway_n_1127017.html.
ALLIED ACTION
Activism Training for Your Site
Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action
Training Sessions
The National Training Project (NTP) is a loose nationwide coalition of
training groups and networks that are collaborating to combine
resources to support the growing Occupy movement. The goal is to help
match trainers and other resources with cities’ needs. If you or
anyone from your Occupy site is interested in Trainings for your site,
sign-up at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVrX0VtbkR3ZGIxZkV6cy1ZNjA3VHc6MQ.
Take Back the Capitol
December 5-9, 2011 – From the 5th to the 9th, thousands of 99%ers will
converge on Capitol Hill “to show Congress what democracy looks like.”
Over the four days, the camp will visit congressional offices to
demand that members of Congress represent the 99%, swarm K street
lobbying firms, and hold speak-outs throughout the Capitol. A tent
city will be set up on the mall called the People’s Camp, where there
will be teach-ins, seminars, music, and other entertainment. Get more
info at http://www.99indc.org/#lpoint
Stand for Freedom
December 10, 2011 – If you’re in NYC, you can join tens of thousands
in the streets of downtown NY to rally for voting rights and protest
the spread of voter suppression legislation across the country. The
rally will start at the office of the Koch Brothers, major proponents
and funders of Voter ID legislation, and end in front of the UN to
highlight that we must protect our right to vote on UN Human Rights
Day. There’s also a national petition on voting rights that the NAACP
is willing to making customized landing pages for if your organization
is interested. For more info, go to http://www.stand4freedom.org/
If you have any questions, feedback or would like to contribute
reports from your local Occupy site, please send them along with your
contact information to monique@rebuildthedream.com
For more updates from occupations around the country, listen to the
Occupation America podcast at http://soundcloud.com/occupation-america
