The Occupations Report: 12/3 – 12/18

The Occupations Report: 12/16 – 12/18

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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Nationwide Initiatives & Updates

Bill of Rights Day: Nationwide Actions Mobilizing Against the NDAA

Thursday, December 15, Occupy sites across the country celebrated the 220^th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights Day actions and press conferences were coordinated in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco and other areas of the country to stand against the National Defense Authorization Amendment. Forbes Magazine calls the NDAA “the greatest threat to civil liberties Americans face.” Several national coalitions — including the Muslim Peace Coalition, United National Antiwar Coalition, Bill of Rights Defense Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Committee to Stop FBI Repression and others co-promoted this call to action. In New York, representatives from civil liberties, religious, social justice, and peace organizations will came together to voice opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act and other recent attacks on our civil liberties. For information on actions around the country, go to: http://bordc.org/.

Call to Action: Pressure Congress to Say NO to Internet Censorship Bill!!!

Today the House version of the Internet Censorship Act is being marked up in the House Judiciary Committee.

The pressure we’ve put on Congress to say NO to Internet censorship is working. The House is now considering lots of amendments to improve the legislation. Thanks to our efforts and the work of a broad coalition of organizations, the Senate now won’t consider its version until next year. Rep. John Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, needs to vote NO on this legislation. He was an early supporter of the bill, and continues to back it. But, the more calls he receives today from the progressive community, the more likely we will be to change his position. Call Rep. Conyers today and tell him to reject Internet censorship:

International Migrants Day: December 18th

Sunday, December 18th – Occupy sites and allies will hold actions to celebrate International Migrants Day and protest the exploitation of migrant workers by the 1%.

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Occupy Albany

Keep the Park!

Friday, December 16, 2011 – Occupy Albany’s park permit ends next Thursday, and the group is strategizing how to keep the park.” The state legislature comes back into session at the beginning of next month. Let’s show Cuomo and other legislators that their back room deals and crooked politics are not acceptable. By holding the park across the street from that house of government, we empower citizens everywhere to join their voices with ours and create justice.”

Occupy Atlanta

Canvassing in Riverdale

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – One week ago Occupy Atlanta set up an encampment on the lawn of decorated Iraq war veteran Brigitte Walker with the simple goal of saving her home from eviction at the hands of Chase bank. As we continue to build community support for her cause it’s become painfully clear that her subdivision is riddled with the same problems facing millions of Americans; economic crisis. The South Hills subdivision, like many Atlanta area subdivisions, is full of foreclosed homes. There are at least a dozen totally abandoned homes which are not only eye sores but crime magnets. Home break- ins are on a historic rise, children have nothing to do after school and on the weekends, and the community is fed up with paying dues to their HOA for no apparent reason. The subdivision was supposed to have a community center, a pool, and a basketball court, but when the economic crash hit South Hills these projects were halted. Occupy Atlanta is working with the neighborhood to build a stronger community. Another world is possible, and in Riverdale we are finding that in order for that world to exist, we must create it. Check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFlAhCv99E&feature=g-upl

Occupy Baltimore

Cities Evicting Occupy Camps

December 16, 2011 [UPI] – Communities across the United States have ongoing efforts to evict Occupy protest encampments, officials say. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Tuesday her city had been “respectful” in its handling of the Occupy Baltimore camp in a city square, The Baltimore Sun reported. Police woke about 40 people before the sun rose and told them to leave, offering rides to a homeless shelter. Tents and other belongings were moved to a sanitation yard where protesters have until next week to retrieve them.

One protester said it was time to move on. “You don’t need to be at McKeldin Square,” Cullen Nawalkowsky told the Sun. “You don’t keep hammering on a tactic when a tactic is producing diminishing returns. The physical occupation is just one part of the broader movement.” Read more: http://bit.ly/u7fhXo.

Occupy Boston

Tuesday, December 13 – Boston prosecutors offered about 20 protesters a deal Tuesday: Dropping resisting arrest charges in exchange for guilty pleas to trespassing with a penalty of a year’s probation, The Boston Globe said. Most took the deal, which usually included an order to stay away from Dewey Square. Read more: http://bit.ly/u7fhXo.

Occupy Burlington

December 17th Occupy Solidarity Candle Lit March

Saturday, December 17, 2011 –Occupy Burlington is holding a solidarity march in remembrance of Mohamed Bouazizi, 3 months of occupations and all those who have suffered at the hands 1%. “December 17th marks a year since our brother Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire in Tunisia. His act began the Arab Spring where ordinary people like ourselves began to stand up for democracy and justice. Nine months later on September 17th in New York City,the Occupy Movement began. In remembrance of Mohamed Bouazizi and in celebration of three months of occupation, OccupyVermont-Burlington non violence working group is holding a candlelit march and vigil to remember all those who have suffered under a system that only supports the interests of the 1% at the detriment of the 99%. We would like to invite other occupations to ‘Take Back the Light’. Hold a candlelit march and vigil in line with the principles of non-violence after dark on December 17th. Join us in memory of all who have suffered and begin to create a world of peace and hope.

Occupy Chicago

Occupy Chicago Addresses Concerns Over Moving Indoors

Saturday, December 17, 7:00am – This Saturday, Occupy Chicago will hold a G.A. discussion over preparing to move indoors. “The celebration that started the week has given way to conversations shaped by both fresh ideas and fresh concerns. This Saturday, December 17th, is the time to bring these ideas and concerns to the table and discuss them as a movement at the 7:00PM General Assembly.”

Occupy Cleveland

Bill of Rights Day Action: Help the Cart Family

There is a moratorium on evictions beginning in four days. Please help the Cart family in Orwell, OH keep their home by calling Andrew Wilson at . ANOTHER WAY TO HELP, compose a letter asking Judge Ronald Vettel to suspend any eviction action until Monday, which will put it within the holiday eviction moratorium buying us time until after the new year. Please FAX your letter to the contact info below. If you don’t have a fax machine, you can use the free web to fax service, http://faxzero.com/. Also, email your letter to his bailiff (see below). Remember, be respectful but firm. You can fax your letter to and/or:

Judge Ronald Vettel
Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas
25 West Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047

Also send an email to:
Bailiff Sharon Huey

Occupy Columbia

Occupy Columbia wins in court

Wednesday, December 14 - U.S. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie granted an injunction that protects Occupy Columbia’s first amendment rights, including a 24-hour occupation of the State House grounds. “We will have more to say on this when the written decision becomes available in the coming days.”

Occupy DC

Hunger Striker Arrested at US Capitol

Friday, December 16 [McPherson Media] – Hunger striker Adrian Parsons, now 200 hours into a hunger strike to help D.C. get votes in Congress, has been arrested on Friday afternoon blocking Independence Ave. in his wheelchair.

Parsons was arrested with three others, James Jones of D.C Vote, Senate Candidate Pete Ross and Occupy D.C. protester Rob Wohl. Before the arrests a crowd of about 50 protesters fromPlanned Parenthood, D.C Vote, AFL-CIO and Free D.C. had gathered outside the Longworth House Office Building. They were protesting the District’s lack of voting rights in Congress as well as Congress’ attempts to place a rider on the D.C. budget that would not allow funds to be used for abortion, according to Sam Jewler a hunger-striker that was at the protest. Shortly after the protest in front of Longworth, Parsons, Jones, Ross and Wohl entered Independence Ave. and began to block traffic, according to Jewler. Jewler said they were quickly given three warnings by police and then arrested.

Occupy Denver

Solidarity March with International Migrants Day

Saturday Dec. 17, 2011 Occupy Denver will be holding a rally and march in solidarity with immigrants across the country in celebration of National Immigrants Day. For generations, immigrants have been marginalized in our society, from the Irish and Italians in the 19th century to Central and South Americans in the 21st century. In an era where the world is interconnected, and globalization is a reality, it’s time to come together and stand in solidarity with each other no matter where we, or our parents, came from. Greedy bankers and the opportunistic 1% have preyed on immigrant communities for generations through racist predatory lending practices, marginalizing socioeconomic policies and many other atrocities ranging from corporate owned detention centers and seasonal visas to so called “free trade” agreements. Change is in the air. The time for action is now.

Occupy Eerie

Still Going Strong

[FDL Action] Union made OccupySupply jackets keeping Keith Reide & many of the other occupiers in this Erie Times-News video report warm. [http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/12/15/occupy-erie-still-going-strong/]

Occupy Eugene

Council Votes to Close Occupy Eugene Camp in 4 Weeks

The Eugene City Council voted 5-3 Wednesday, December 14, to allow the homeless camp to stay at Washington Jefferson Park until Jan. 11. Council members were split down the middle by the question of how to pay for police and transition services. The camp issue was so divided that Mayor Kitty Piercy had to break several ties.

Council members were voting on an eight-part plan from Council President Alan Zelenka. They debated both on what to do with the camp and the many homeless people in it. “For us to capitulate this way is both reckless and irresponsible,” Councilman Mike Clark said. “It’s reckless because we are putting more people in danger.”

“I see this plan here as a very calm, reasoned, sensible approach,” Councilman George Brown said. Officials eventually settled on extending the camping exemption for Occupy Eugene out to Jan. 11. Councilmen Mike Clark, George Poling and Pat Farr voted no.

Occupy Houston

International Migrants Day March

Sunday, December 18 – Join Occupy Houston on International Migrants Day, and stand in solidarity with our
brothers and sisters in the international struggle for equality. -Meet @ 2 pm, Chimney Rock and Bellaire. “We will be protesting against racial profiling, detention and deportation of immigrants, and the prison industrial complex.

Join the international struggle for justice!!”

Occupy Houston Rejects the NDAA

Thursday, December 15, 2011 – Thursday marked the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights. In solidarity with Occupations around the country, Occupy Houston joined the Houston Free Thinkers and other civil rights activists as part of a week-long series of national actions protesting S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act. The group marched from Tranquility Park to the offices of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn. Occupy Houston demands that President Obama veto S.B. 1867. “We demand that the United States cease funding undeclared wars immediately. We further demand that our president, our legislators and our justices take no future action that conflates the duties of the civil police with those of the military or other law enforcement agencies, authorizes torture, allows the detention of prisoners without informing them of their rights or providing them with counsel and access to witnesses, or that in any way denies anyone access to the swift, accurate, humane and fair justice that is our right not as U.S. citizens but as members of the worldwide human community.”

Occupy Iowa City

Occupy Iowa City Mic Checks Newt Gingrich
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – In a forerunner of what some Republicans expected to be a recurring event over the next 20 days, about a dozen protesters from the Occupy Iowa City mic-checked Newt Gingrich at the start of a campaign appearance at the University of Iowa on Wednesday. The group, continued as several members were escorted from the room by plain-clothed security officers. There were no arrests. Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T_7vCOZF4Y

Occupy Kansas City

Economic Crime Scene Investigation

Thursday, December 15 – The Occupy KC People’s Investigation, Search and Seizure of Economic Destroyers Unit (P.I.S.S.E.D) were deployed to Bank of America in downtown KC on 12.15.2011 to set up an Economic Crime Scene. As the the nation’s largest bank, BOA has engaged in a wide array of economically criminal deeds that kick the feet out from under the 99%, drive smaller banks and credit unions out of business, destroy the housing market and allow the now-family-less homes they have seized to deteriorate. Watch video: http://www.occupykc.net/updates/videos/13445286.

Occupy Long Beach

Banking System Discussion

Friday, December 16, 12pm – 1pm – The OLB Actions Committee will hold a weekly discussion on the banking system in front of Wells Fargo on Ocean Blvd and Pacific at noon on Fridays. 111 W Ocean Blvd Ste 100 Long Beach, CA 90802

Think Big, Buy Small #3 – Live on Broadway

Saturday, December 17, 10:30am – 2:00pm – Occupy Long Beach will meet at the southwest corner of Newport and Broadway to discuss the joys and challenges of being a small business owner with owners of locally independent shops. Come out and meet these great local businesses who support Occupy Long Beach!

Occupy Los Angeles

Hollywood Gets Occupied in Opposition to the NDAA

Last Saturday, a contingent of Occupy LA posted up at the busy tourist intersection of Hollywood & Highland to inform passersby of what may be the most significant eradication of an individual’s constitutional rights in my lifetime. Watch the video: http://vimeo.com/33715315

Occupy Memphis

The Three-Headed March

Saturday, December 17 – Occupy Memphis is organizing a three-headed march this Saturday to mark the one year anniversary since Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire in Tunisia – starting the Arab Spring. It also marks the three month anniversary since Occupy Wall Street began in New York City. The group calls for a major convergence on December 17 in order to draw attention to and protest against financial fraudulence. The three marches will begin at noon: Occupy for Memphis, Occupy the Banks and Occupy the Streets, to protest for affordable housing and homelessness services. The three rallies will occur simultaneously: Occupy the Banks and Occupy the Streets will meet Occupy for Memphis at Forrest Park at 1 p.m. The convergence of all three actions will lead to a march from Forrest Park to Civic Center Plaza, where Occupy Memphis has been camped out in protest for 60 days. The day of action will end with a special General Assembly at 2 p.m.

Occupy Minneapolis

Occupy Minneapolis interrupts Hennepin County Board meeting, demands end to attacks on People’s Plaza

Tuesday, December 13, 2011[Fight Back News] – About a dozen people from Occupy MN/Minneapolis interrupted a Hennepin County Commissioners Board meeting Dec. 13, demanding an end to county attacks on the Occupy movement and the People’s Plaza. The action began with a practice round of mic check on the Plaza outside and then occupiers each grabbed a sign and headed up to the 24th floor meeting room. The public meeting is held inside a large glass-walled room, where about 100 people sit in the room, and dozens more mill around outside, watching the proceedings on TV screens. Some signs were held against the glass, while several more went inside, with slogans reading, “Shelter is a human right,” “The first amendment is 24/7,” and “The 99% will not be silenced.”

Occupy Oakland

Officer Who Fired Beanbag at Occupy Oakland, Reassigned

(CBS/AP) — The police captain who approved using beanbag projectiles against Occupy Oakland protesters and the SWAT officer who fired a beanbag round at a demonstrator have been reassigned during an investigation into the tactics. Oakland police Capt. Ersie Joyner III said he could be fired or demoted because of the Nov. 3 beanbag incident. Joyner has been transferred to the Office of the Inspector General while the investigation continued.

Report-Back from OO on Monday’s Port Blockade

This week – Occupy Oakland protesters are trying to decide their next step after a successful blockade and shutdown at the port on Monday, the second in a few weeks. Read a report-back accounting one protester’s experience at the port blockade this past Monday:http://www.progressive.org/occupy_takes_over_ports_oakland.html

Occupy Olympia

December 16, 2011 – At 9:41 am Friday, Olympia Police Department in full riot gear surrounded the Occupy Olympia encampment and the New Rachael Corrie Community Center. There are reports that the police may have also possibly fenced off the park and have closed off roads leading to the park. Get more updates of this action as it happens at: http://occupyolympia.org/update-impending-eviction-at-heritage-park/

Occupy Santa Cruz

Re-Occupy Santa Cruz

Saturday, December 17 [Member report] – “Our camps have been repressed, but assemblies continue daily (6pm weekdays, 2pm weekends) and the occupation spirit remains strong in Santa Cruz! Join artists, musicians, and local community members for an all day performance event in support of Occupy Wall Street and the occupation of space and reclaiming of the commons. On the 3 month anniversary of the birth of this movement, we will gather to celebrate OWS and to occupy space together. For those who can support, any donations of these supplies will greatly help our re-occupation efforts, as well as provide comfort to those most in need through these harsh winter months: sign making materials, lights, power generator, speakers, trash cans, food, utensils, tents, sleeping bags, and domes.”

Occupy Seattle

Defend the Bill of rights protest!

Thursday, December 15 – Citizens are took to the streets to protest the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 and the Internet Censorship Bill, also known as SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). These treasonous and unconstitutional acts violate the sovereign and inalienable rights that belong to ALL people. Members of various community organizing groups will participate in the march and demonstration which will be between 5pm-8pm beginning at Westlake Park and ending at the Federal Building in Downtown Seattle. This will be a peaceful, non-violent demonstration to celebrate Bill of Rights Day, which is December 15th, and to declare our disapproval for the anti-constitutional actions taken by our government against the people it is sworn to serve, protect, and represent.

Occupy Wall St.

Mumia Abu Jamal’s Message to OWS
Thursday, December 15, 2011 – “My message will have to be brief. But let not this brevity take from it, its strength.

You are the central movement of the hour. You’re raising questions that are in the hearts of millions. Your motto, “We are the 99%,” has been heard, heeded, and responded to by millions. You can be certain that the 1% have heard you clearest of all. Your work, however, is just beginning. You must deepen, strengthen, and further your work until it truly reaches the 99%, almost all of us: workers, black folk, Latinos and Latinas, LGBTs, immigrants, Asians, artists, all of us, for we are integral parts of the 99%. I salute you and hope fervently that you will grow beyond number.

Though I speak to you today by proxy, I’m confident that you will hear my voice soon. Love, fun and music, Mumia Abu-Jamal”

An all day performance event at Duarte Square, 6th and Canal

Saturday, December 17— With support from more than 1400 faith leaders, elders of the civil rights movement, prominent artists and community members, Occupy Wall St. will gather at noon in Duarte Square, downtown Manhattan, for an all day performance event. This event is part of a call to re-occupy in the wake of the coordinated attacks and subsequent evictions of occupations across the nation and around the world.

International Migrants Day March

Sunday, December 18th – 1:30pm until 5:00pm, Foley Square -Immigrants are part of the 99% and on December 18th we will march with the Occupy Wall Street movement to demand immigrant justice including putting an end to wage theft, and stopping detentions and deportations of our beloved community members. As the Occupy Wall Street movement highlights corporate profiteering we would like to shed light on those that profit off our labor, exploit workers and refuse to pay dignified wages. We also march against the corporations who support anti-immigrant legislation so they can make billions of dollars by detaining immigrants in private detention centers and deporting nearly 400,000 people per year. As the occupy movement goes global we also recognize the destructive role that these corporations play in exploiting resources and labor in our home countries which forces millions to migrate. December 18th is the International Day of Migrants and we stand in solidarity with those world wide who are proclaiming Immigrant Rights as Human Rights.

WORLDWIDE REPORTS

Occupy Dame St.

Christy Moore visits Occupy Dame Street and sings Ride On

Thursday, December 15, 2011 – Singer songwriter Christy Moore dropped into Occupy Dame Street in Dublin last night to sing and send grettings to all the Occupy camps in the major cities of Ireland, at Cork, Limerick, Belfast, Waterford, Kerry, Athlone, Galway and the over 2000 Occupy camps world wide. In the video Christy refers to being in the ‘Yellow Submarine,’ thats the wooden structure built to serve as a kitchen for a camp that is waterproofed with heavy yellow plastic. Christy then sings ‘Ride On’ before heading off into the night to the applause of the assembled campers.

Occupy Nova Scotia

Rally in Solidarity with (Re)Occupy Wall St!

Saturday, December 17th – This Saturday, Occupy Nova Scotia will stand in solidarity with the 3 month anniversary of the birth of this movement. The group will hold a rally on Saturday, December 17, from 3 pm to 6 pm, on the Grand Parade, the site of our month-long Halifax Occupation.

Occupy Wukan

China’s 99%

It all began with a protest over illegal land sales and rigged elections. According to the investigative Chinese journal Caixin, the local government in Wukan village in southern Guangdong province had earned over 700 million yuan (roughly US$110 million) from selling collectively-owned farmland but it disbursed only 550 yuan (roughly US$86) to each villager. Moreover, the highly unpopular village party secretary and director had rigged the local elections, managing to hold on to power for 40 years as a result. The villagers had been unhappy about the situation for a number of years and have complained by petition since 2009. However, there was no resolution until they finally took to the streets in September. Read more: http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2011/12/15/occupy-wukan-china%E2%80%99s-99-percent/

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ALLIED ACTION

Cooper Tire Workers Expose Sweatshop Conditions at Ohio Factory

12/14/2011 – The workers now fighting wage and benefit cuts at the Cooper Tire factory in Findlay, Ohio are subjected to back-breaking work, in many cases for poverty wages, under a piecework pay system. Read more here: http://wsws.org/articles/2011/dec2011/coop-d14.shtml.

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

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The Occupations Report: 12/13

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Occupy West Coast Port Action: Three Major Ports Shut Down

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 [LA Times]

“The protests stretched from San Diego to Anchorage, brought work to a standstill in Oakland and Longview, Wash., and led to the closure of a major marine terminal in Portland, Ore. Demonstrators caused smaller disruptions in Seattle and in Long Beach, where a driving rain and threats of arrest put a damper on an early morning picket line.”

Reporting from Oakland, Seattle and Long Beach—

Thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters blocked access to several major West Coast ports Monday in synchronized demonstrations that slowed business but fell short of what some protesters hoped would be a complete shutdown of coastal shipping.

The protests stretched from San Diego to Anchorage, brought work to a standstill in Oakland and Longview, Wash., and led to the closure of a major marine terminal in Portland, Ore. Demonstrators caused smaller disruptions in Seattle and in Long Beach, where a driving rain and threats of arrest put a damper on an early morning picket line.

In many cities, protesters targeted terminals operated by SSA Marine, a shipping company that is locked in a labor dispute with some port truckers, and is partly owned by Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Bill of Rights Day this Thursday, Dec. 15

There are currently actions planned in Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, and several national coalitions–including the Muslim Peace Coalition, United National Antiwar Coalition, and National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms–are co-promoting this call to action.

The Cleveland rally will be at Public Square at 3 PM across from Tower City, and theand March at 3:45 PM to the Federal Building at Ontario and Lakeside. The Federal Building contains Senator Portman’s office; he voted for this legislation. (Editor’s note: Senator Sherrod Brown also voted for this legislation. Perhaps we can have an additional protest at and/or near his office.)

Please share with your respective grassroots networks: http://bordc.org/ndaa/ ndaatoolkit.pdf. If your organization does mostly online action, please consider linking to (or replicating) these petitions, one of which is specifically for military servicemembers, vets, and retired officers: http://bordc.org/ndaa/.

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Occupy Oakland

West Coast Port Successfully Shut-Down

Monday, December 12, 2011 [Huffington Post] – Most longshoremen at the Port of Oakland were sent home Monday after Wall Street demonstrators blocked entrances as part of a coordinated West Coast port blockade effort. Shipping companies agreed with workers’ concerns that the protests were creating unsafe working conditions and released about 150 out of about 200 workers on the morning shift, said Craig Merrilees, spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Workers in unaffected parts of the port remained on the job.

Several hundred people began picketing at the Port of Oakland before dawn and blocked at least two entrances. A long line of big rigs sat outside the gates, unable to drive into the port. Police in riot gear monitored the scene as protesters marched in an oval and carried signs with messages such as “Labor and Occupy Unite,” an invitation to the powerful dockworkers union join their push against corporate greed. No major clashes with police or arrests were reported.

Occupy Atlanta

Free Copper

Tuesday, Dec. 13 [Member report] – Copper found a home with Occupy Atlanta, and Occupy Atlanta found in him a tireless advocate and hard-working contributor to the community.

Being part of Occupy Atlanta sometimes means becoming a target of the authorities, warranted or not. Copper intervened when a park ambassador attempted to remove signs which had previously been left alone, and he was arrested.

Copper has spoken about his past life and its troubles. Because of his past, and because he is still considered “homeless,” his bond is significantly higher than it would otherwise be. We have made the decision to use our funds to secure his release because we believe that he deserves a chance to continue to turn his life around. Please donate to the Occupy Atlanta Legal Fund. Watch this video about Copper’s journey with Occupy Atlanta http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2GS4FI1Zhw0.

Video from Last Week’s Foreclosure Actions

http://occupyatlanta.org/2011/12/12/great-videos-from-last-weeks-foreclosure-actions/

Occupy Baltimore

Police Clear Square

Tuesday, Dec. 13 – 50 law enforcement officers cleared the square at around 3:30 this morning. No one was arrested. Participants were asked to take their tents down. Participants were told that they could return to the square at 8am this morning. Occupy Baltimore will hold an emergency GA at 8pm tonight.

Occupy Boston

Boston Counts, Counsels Homeless

In Downtown Crossing, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and emergency shelter director Jim Greene offered assistance to Courtney Smith, 35, during Boston’s homeless census last night.

Menino and Greene spent several minutes talking to Harris, as an activist passing by with a tray of sandwiches from an Occupy Boston meeting handed him one.

“I’ve been feeding the homeless for a long time,” said the activist, David Lamoso, 30, of East Boston. “We did it a lot in Dewey Square” where Occupy Boston had been located. As the night and the count went on, some homeless residents accepted transportation to shelters, while other refused.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/12/13/boston-counts-counsels-homeless/IcX5EnERCaG84LkqsTfr6I/story.html

Occupy Chicago

“Turnaround” the Mayor’s Office

Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Chicago 12/12 – Since taking office, Rahm Emanuel has made privatizing Chicago’s public schools a top priority. Building on the strategy of Arne Duncan, former head of CPS and architect of Renaissance 2010, Mayor Emanuel has continued to scapegoat teachers and school administrators. His policies are destabilizing Chicago’s schools through punitive, union-busting measures like the “Turnaround” program, under which a “failing” school’s existing staff is dismissed without cause by the Board of Education, and a new principal – specially trained to guide the overhaul – takes charge, hires new teachers and pushes for higher expectations, standardized test scores and discipline. 3pm – City Hall, 5th Floor

Occupy Denver

First-Hand Account of Port Action

Tuesday, Dec. 13 – Denver, Longmont, Boulder and Greely gathered at the WalMart distribution center in Loveland Colorado Monday morning to blockade the trucks in solidarity with the West Coast Blockade. Today, Occupy Denver protesters released a first-hand account of Monday’s events. Protesters counted approximately 35-40 police in one form or another at the site of the blockade. “We estimated the total number of protesters at the time of the blockade to be about 60. The 6 protesters who volunteered to block the road were very brave and when arrested some other protesters took their place. We believe between 7-10 protesters were arrested. Some of the protesters were put down on the pavement face first and handcuffed and dragged away, others were handcuffed while standing and taken away.” To read the entire account and watch the video, go to http://occupydenver.org/first-hand-accounts-of-walmart-action/.

Occupy Honolulu

Occupy Honolulu’s Plea for Help

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The city of Honolulu will not give us a permit to remain in Thomas Square Park past 10pm. Please call to request that the parks department grant an exception to their permit rule to Occupy Honolulu, to allow us to remain in the grassy area adjacent to the sidewalk during park closure hours. Please leave a message if no one answers. Thank you!

Parks Department Permit Office: 808.768.3440
Park Coordinator: 808.592.2288
Fax: 808.768.3053

Mayor’s office: 808.768.4381,

Occupy Houston

Police Repression During Port Shut-Down Action

During Monday’s Port Shut-Down action, Houston marchers were snatched by police, handcuffed and lain out on the ground. The fire department covered them in a giant red inflatable tent to conceal what they were doing to them from the rest of the protesters. Many cops had tape covering their names and badge numbers. In the hours following police repression increased, mounted police attacked protesters followed by more arrests, and there was one report of a gun being pulled on someone parking their car near the protest. Watch video of Monday’s action here: http://westcoastportshutdown.org/content/houston-police-place-tent-over-restrained-protesters-and-gas-them.

Occupy Kansas City

Ensuring Occupy KC is a safe place for all

A motion was proposed last night to address the actions of a specific member of our group. The motion sought was to come to consensus regarding the future involvement of Micheal Mikkelsen in Occupy KC and a corresponding statement regarding the same. The intent behind the motion was to continue to ensure the safety of all community members of Occupy KC, including Mikkelsen himself. After much deliberation and discussion a consensus was reached.

Occupy LA

An Open Letter from America’s Port Truck Drivers On Occupy The Ports

Tuesday, December 13, 2011- “We believe in the power and potential behind a truly united 99%. We admire the strength and perseverance of the longshoremen. We are fighting like mad to overcome our exploitation, so please, stick by us long after December 12. Our friends in the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports created a pledge you can sign to support us here. We drivers have a saying, “We may not have a union yet, but no one can stop us from acting like one.” Read the letter at: http://occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/2817.

Occupy Long Beach

Occupy the Ports “A Day Without Goldman Sachs

Monday, December 12, 2011 -The West Coast Port Blockade Action in Los Angeles Harbor’s Long Beach ports Monday morning was scheduled for 4:30 AM at Harry Bridges Memorial Park. According to Occupy Media’s Lady Libertine, the protest began with “the usual chanting and the usual drumming” as hundreds of Occupy protesters gathered at the Port of Long Beach in an action to shut down commerce by closing off the entry way into the port.

Occupy San Diego

Line Broken, Arrests Made During Port Action

Monday, December 12, 2011 – Monday morning San Diego’s picket line at the port was held for three hours until broken by police, after which longshoremen crossed picket lines and went to work. Several people were violently snatched and arrested. Both San Diego and Seattle have requested an extension of the blockade, in solidarity with them for the police repression they have endured.

Occupy Seattle

Monday, December 12, 2011 – Demonstrators picketed and blockaded terminals 18 and 5 at the port of Seattle, the only terminals with ships actively unloading. At both terminals the unions arbitrator decided the longshoremen should not cross our picket line. You can learn more about the day’s events from the live blog.

Occupy University of Vermont

Petition and Rally to End Rape Culture

Thursday, December 15, 2011 – Occupy UVM is demanding that UVM launch an aggressive campaign against sexism and rape culture after a member of UVM’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity recently sent a survey to his brothers, in which the final question listed was:

“If you could rape anyone who would it be?”

The group holds that UVM must immediately disband Sigma Phi Epsilon and will hold a press conference and speak-out against rape culture and sexism this Thursday at noon on the steps of Baily Howe Library, Main Campus, UVM * -FedUp Vermont.

Sign the petition to end rape culture and Shut-Down Sigma Phi Epsilon here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/end-rape-culture-now—shut-down-sigma-phi-epsilon-vermont-gamma/

Occupy Vermont

Occupy Green Mountain Care Listening Session

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 6:00pm until 8:00pm. Green Mountain Care is Vermont’s plan to provide universal health insurance. It was established by Act 48 in 2011. The intricacies of funding and coverage are being formulated right now. A front group for the 1%, “Vermonters for Health Care Freedom” has been set up to try and weasel control of the process, thereby guaranteeing for themselves the greatest profits, the least taxation and regulation; while screwing the 99% percent. Car pool leaving CHP at 4 PM. WE NEED AS MANY FROM THE 99% AS WE CAN MUSTER, to show that we mean business.

Event: Vermonters Say Corporations Are Not People!

Thursday, December 15 – “Fellow Vermonters, Join us in this Historic Effort to amend the Constitution

Corporations Are Not People! Learn how you can get the issue on the ballot in your community. We want every Vermont town to vote on this at Town Meeting. If you want your voice heard and balance restored in Congress please join your friends and neighbors (real people) for inspiration, information and refreshments. For more information contact Marianne . Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 7:00pm until 8:30pm.

WORLDWIDE

Occupy Japan

Solidarity with Occupy Oakland

[Member report - We’ve carried out the 2nd protest action against ITOCHU,representing the attached protest letter.

Security guards handed in glove each other and inhibited us from entering the office.

However ONODERA Makoto, a representative of Societal Management Dept. came out from the office at the end.

He received our protest letter and confirmed to forward the letter to a representative of the Food Company of ITOCHU and ask its prompt reply.

ITOCHU has been and is still persisting booster of privatization, outsourcing and casualization agenda of neoliberalism, and now makes a big push to join in TPP.

Occupy Philippines

Protesters in the Philippines have attempted to ‘occupy' the historic Mendiola Bridge near the Presidential Palace by staging a campout protest against budget cuts and poverty. Police used batons and water from fire trucks to violently disperse the assembly yet thousands continue to gather around Mendiola day after day to make a strong statement in front of President Noynoy Aquino's own doorsteps. Six students were arrested but subsequently released after the flimsy charges filed against them by the police were dismissed by the prosecutor's office. Scores of other protesters have been critically injured by the brutal dispersals. Watch video here: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/12/10/philippines-occupy-protests-overcome-police-brutality/.

ALLIED ACTION

Activism Training for Your Site

Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action Training Sessions

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.

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

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The Occupations Report: 12/10 – 12/12

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NATIONWIDE

Shut Down the Port: Monday, December 12

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. Occupy movements all along the west coast of the U.S. will be shutting down their respective ports, Occupy movements in Texas will be collectively demonstrating at the Port of Houston, Occupy Denver will shut down a Wal-Mart distribution center, and Japanese rail workers will be protesting Itochu, a Japanese firm which is a partner with EGT, which has been in a longstanding dispute with the Longshoremen in Longview, WA. Negotiations between the Longshoremen and EGT broke down when EGT demanded that the Longshoremen work 12-hour shifts without overtime pay.

International Day of Action for Global Change: Saturday, December 10

Saturday, December 10, people all around the world will stand up together to demand the rights we were promised in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed and approved by most of the world’s governments and the basis for many of our constitutions. Visit 10december.net for more information on the global movement. Search for or submit a report for #10D actions in your area.

5,000 Occupy Arrests Since September 17

With Wednesday's arrest of 70 people at Occupy San Francisco, there have now been over 5,000 arrests in 82 cities across the country since the Occupy movement began in New York on September 17, 2011. OccupyArrests.com, a project of St. Pete for Peace, has been tracking these arrests and lists each chronologically, including number arrested, location, a brief description and links to source documentation. The total number of arrests is conservatively derived, including only those instances in which at least two credible sources are found. Some of the cities with the largest number of total arrests include New York (1,359), Tucson (455), Los Angeles (399), Chicago (305), San Francisco (189) and Oakland (188). For more information, please visit http://occupyarrests.com.

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Occupy Oakland

West Coast Port Shut-Down Action

Monday, December 12, 2011 - Organizers are hearing from ILWU rank and file of local 10 in the Bay Area that they are being told by their local president NOT to cross the picket line on Monday. This is a major victory and is in line with the long history of the ILWU respecting community picket lines. Oakland Educators Association has endorsed the 12.12.11 call to Blockade the Ports and will be participating in the action. Read their statement here. Iraq Veterans Against the War has also endorsed the action and will be participating. Read their statement here.

Occupy Athens

Occupy Athens Vandalized

Member Report - Occupy Athens has voluntarily decamped one week ahead of schedule following a destructive act of vandalism. A person, or persons, unknown slashed every one of the Occupy Athens tents with knives, rendering them useless. This incident followed just two days after an attack that occurred Monday morning in which the Occupy Athens safe and other belongings were stolen. Our resolve is unwavering. Public camping was never the ultimate goal of Occupy Athens. It is a means to gather support, open a public discourse, and to practice democratic values. Over the last 62 days of continuous occupation and encampment we have brought the economic and political injustices that pervade our society to the forefront of our community’s dialogue. Occupy Athens continues to protest daily from 5-9pm at the arch including General Assemblies at 8pm. We are moving forward with multiple events planned in the near and distant future. Occupy the Dinner Table, a holiday feast, will be taking place on the North Quad on December 18 and will be open to all.

Occupy Atlanta

Human Rights Day Events

Saturday, Dec. 10 [member report] – Everyday People Occupy Atlanta hosted a family-friendly event on Dec. 10 from Noon to 3 PM in recognition of Human Rights Day, including a Children’s Peace March at 2 pm. Additionally, Occupy Atlanta has an entry in the Visualize Human Rights art show at the Auburn Ave. Research Library at 101 Auburn Ave. A reception will was held at the library from 5-7 pm. Watch video here:http://occupyatlanta.org/2011/12/10/occupy-atlanta-pays-chase-bank-a-visit/

Occupy Baltimore

National Solidarity Action with West Coast Port Shut-Down

Monday, December 12– (4:30pm) In solidarity with our West Coast brothers and sisters. We will meet at Port Covington Wal-Mart, then march over the Hanover Bridge. Walmart is one of the largest distributers of foreign imports. Support your local businessman. Buy American.

Occupy Boston

Occupy Boston Evicted from Dewey Square

Sunday, December 11 – On December 10, 2011 at 5 am #OccupyBoston’s Dewey Square encampment was raided by the Boston Police Department and other officials. Thirty-five peaceful protesters were arrested on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway just two days after Mayor Thomas Menino issued a notice of eviction. Eight others were arrested in the streets and sidewalks surrounding Dewey Square and three were detained in South Station. Throughout the two-hour period during which the arrests occurred, #OccupyBoston members remained resolute and nonviolent in the face of a disproportionately large police presence. At least 100 officers were counted inside Dewey Square at 5:30 am, while some estimates place the count at greater than 200. Credentialed press, citizen journalists, academic researchers, and #OccupyBoston media members were repeatedly corralled and moved to surrounding areas 50 feet away or more, prohibiting many from thoroughly covering the raid. From pointing lights in photographers’ lenses to targeting the two official #OccupyBoston USTREAM live videographers for removal, officials went to great lengths to block media access. See the Live Tweet History of the Occupy Boston Raid at http://storify.com/profpoole/occupy-boston-arrests-12-10?awesm=sfy.co_RCV&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=storify-pingback.

Occupy Chicago

West Coast Port Shut-Down Solidarity Victory Party

Monday, December 12, 2011 – In solidarity with the West Coast Port Shutdown, Occupy Chicago will march on Goldman Sachs, 440 S. LaSalle St., on Monday, December 12, 2011. Meet up at Jackson & LaSalle between 4pm and 4:30pm. At 4:30pm we will march to Goldman Sachs. Bring an instrument, wear your finest warm clothes, and celebrate at the Occupy Victory Dance Party in front of Goldman Sachs. A celebration of the shutdown that will inevitably cost them millions. Let’s take the fight directly to the 1%.

Global Climate Justice Week Action: Coal Plant Rally and March

Saturday, Dec. 10 – 12:00PM-4:00P P.E.R.R.O. press conference, speakers, and march against the coal plants whose toxic emissions kill 42 Chicagoans a year. We will march from Pilsen to Occupy Chicago headquarters, and then to Midwest Generation headquarters (owners of Crawford and Fisk).

Occupy Cleveland

Social Security/Medicare /Medicaid Rally and March

Saturday, December 10 – Americans and #OccupyCleveland rallied together to demand that Congress fix our national debt in ways that DO NOT cut vital Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs. Come celebrate International Human Rights Day and defend the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which declares “social security” and “security in the event of sickness” as basic human rights!

Occupy Richmond

Human Rights Day Events

Saturday, December 10 – is National Human Rights Day. In observance of this day, Occupy Richmond will welcome guests from Occupations all over Virginia and surrounding states for a statewide solidarity rally. Throughout the day, we will be holding direct action events that will take us from the buses of Richmond, to Monroe Park, the Federal Reserve, and finally back to the site of our original occupation, Kanawha Plaza.

We are still working hard to pack and refine the schedule. As of now, Saturday’s events include:

Occupy Houston

Occupy Houston Joins “Occupy the Port” Action”

Monday, December 12 – Occupy Houston will be joining our brothers and sisters in the Occupy movement around the United States in a coordinated action targeting the nation’s ports. This event is an expression of solidarity with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and West Coast truck drivers who have come under attack this year, as well as a statement against the multinational conglomerates and their relentless campaign to outsource American jobs and undermine our economy in the pursuit of ever-widening profit margins.

Occupy LA

OLA Port Action

Monday, December 12 – As part of the Dec. 12 Boycott and March for legalization and good jobs, the Occupy movement will protest at one or more facilities belonging to SSA Marine, a shipper owned by Goldman Sachs, with 5 terminals and a warehouse in the Harbor area. SSA Marine was recently fined for building an illegal road to the site of its massive, dirty coal terminal project in WA. It was also caught recently not alerting workers to the threat of explosive cargo in Oakland. SSA/Goldman Sachs symbolize the ruin that corporate greed has brought into our lives. The 1% are depriving port truck drivers and other workers of decent pay, working conditions and the right to organize, even while the port of LA/LB is the largest in the US and a huge engine of profits for the 1%. The 1% have pursued a conscious policy of de-industrialization that has resulted in “trade” at the port meaning that there are 7 containers coming in for every one going out. The 1% have driven migrant workers into a “grey market” economy and repression. The 1% use police brutality and repression, jails and prisons to suppress, divide and try to silence the 99% and all who oppose their insatiable greed. To put an end to all that, we call on the 99% to march, boycott, occupy the ports, and STRIKE on December 12 for full legalization, good jobs for all, equality and justice.

Occupy Long Beach

Occupy the Ports “A Day Without Goldman Sachs

Monday, December 12 - As part of the Dec. 12 Boycott and March for legalization and good jobs, the Occupy movement will protest at one or more facilities belonging to SSA Marine, a shipper owned by Goldman Sachs, with 5 terminals and a warehouse in the Harbor area. SSA Marine was recently fined for building an illegal road to the site of its massive, dirty coal terminal project in WA. It was also caught recently not alerting workers to the threat of explosive cargo in Oakland. SSA/Goldman Sachs symbolizes the ruin that corporate greed has brought into our lives. The 1% are depriving port truck drivers and other workers of decent pay, working conditions and the right to organize, even while the port of LA/LB is the largest in the US and a huge engine of profits for the 1%. The 1% have pursued a conscious policy of de-industrialization that has resulted in “trade” at the port meaning that there are 7 containers coming in for every one going out. The 1% have driven migrant workers into a “grey market” economy and repression. The 1% use police brutality and repression, jails and prisons to suppress, divide and try to silence the 99% and all who oppose their insatiable greed. To put an end to all that, we call on the 99% to march, boycott, occupy the ports, and STRIKE on December 12 for full legalization, good jobs for all, equality and justice.westcoastportshutdown.comoccupytheports.com

NOTE RE PORT ACTION: URGENT! We need volunteers all week long out in the streets in the neighborhoods surrounding OLB & the ports getting the word out about the West Coast Port Shutdown. Ernesto Navarez needs bodies to help him talk to independent drivers on the San Pedro side. He can be reached at. put “I want to help” in subject line and inquire where to meet him or call me at the number below!

Think Big, Buy Small #2 – Retro Row (4th St.)

Saturday, December 10 – “Think Big, Buy Small” is a walking tour/march to promote independent businesses, in the Retro Row Long Beach area. We will be stopping by several small businesses along the tour, meeting the people that own those business and learning about their experience operating a shop in the Retro Row area, including the challenges that nearby big businesses cause.

Occupy Minneapolis

Occupy Homes Committee Meeting

Sunday, December 11 – As many people know, a number of folks with Occupy Minneapolis have been engaging in a lot of work with foreclosures, most recently attracting national press with our kickoff event at the home of Bobby Hull. Last Monday, the Minneapolis General Assembly agreed to recognize Occupy Homes as an official committee to coordinate this work. All of this dovetails nicely with the ongoing sentiment among those of us organizing this work that we need to transition from an ad-hoc group to one with more of a planned out structure and roles in order to manage this growing campaign, identify more homeowners in foreclosure willing to fight, publicize their cases, canvass their neighborhoods, organize campaigns to put pressure on the mortgage holders to negotiate, and create neighborhood forums where people can come together and discuss how foreclosure and other forms of economic pressure affects their community. We will be discussing how to set up that structure, goals/strategies, and how to build further engagement at this meeting. If you are interested in being a part of this campaign to help homeowners and communities to resist economic injustice, and help Occupy Minneapolis spread into communities most affected by the policies of the 1%, we need you!

Occupy Orlando

Human Rights Day March

Saturday, December, 10 – Occupy Orlando will be kicking off a march at 2:00 PM from Sen. Beth Johnson Park in solidarity with all human beings worldwide to celebrate, and to demand the continued recognition of, our fundamental rights as established by the UN on December 10, 1948.

Occupy Pittsburgh

Eviction Notice for Occupy Pittsburgh

Sunday, Dec. 11 – The city has issued an eviction notice to Occupy Pittsburgh giving the group until 12pm on Sunday, December 11. Occupy Pittsburgh has occupied Mellon Green since Oct 15th. BNY Mellon consented to the presence of the camp on Day 1, so there has been no police presence near the camp at all. Read the text of Occupy Pittsburgh eviction notice: http://bit.ly/tOv48V.

Occupy San Jose

West Coast Port Solidarity Action: Occupy the Banks

Monday, December 12 – Banks continue to deny loan modifications to keep families in their homes. Bank of America continues to be the largest holder of subprime loans in the country and has the worst record of modifying loans.
Wells Fargo, Bank of America and their investors are making billions while people suffer. They invest in GEO Group and Corrections Corp of America (CCA), who run detention centers were people have died and suffer inhumane treatment. More information at immigrantsforsale.org . Action in solidarity with the West Coast Port Shutdown.

Occupy Seattle

Live Blog: West Coast Port Action

Monday, December 12 – Monday December 12th – The occupy movement and its allies up and down the West Coast are shutting down major ports to take a collective stand against the 1%, their budget cuts, their union busting, and their brutal crackdown of occupations across the country. Below you’ll find major updates, livestreams and twitter feeds. Major updates throughout the day will be posted at: owsoccupyseattle. Watch live streaming video from owsoccupyseattle at livestream.com. Also check out hiphopoccupies and occupybellingham (who is visiting Seattle for the day).

Occupy Wall St.

Port Blockade

Monday, December 12 – Occupy Wall Street on the Waterfront. Actions are planned in every major west coast port city, plus Houston, TX; blockades of Walmart distribution centers in Salt Lake City, Denver, and more

Meet at Westlake Plaza (4th & Pine) for a 1pm rally, then march to blockade the Port of Seattle. There will be two rallies near the port at 3pm and 6pm at the Spokane Street fishing area, just to the east of the Spokane St. bridge, near the intersection of SW Spokane St & SW Manning St. under the West Seattle bridge.

WORLDWIDE

Occupy Perth

Corporate Scumbags Tour - Forest Place

Saturday, Dec. 10 – As part of the larger program of the Occupy Perth, the group will be embarking on a “Corporate Scumbag Tour” of the Perth CBD.

Occupy Philippines

Protesters in the Philippines have attempted to ‘occupy’ the historic Mendiola Bridge near the Presidential Palace by staging a campout protest against budget cuts and poverty. Police used batons and water from fire trucks to violently disperse the assembly yet thousands continue to gather around Mendiola day after day to make a strong statement in front of President Noynoy Aquino’s own doorsteps. Six students were arrested but subsequently released after the flimsy charges filed against them by the police were dismissed by the prosecutor’s office. Scores of other protesters have been critically injured by the brutal dispersals. Watch video here: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/12/10/philippines-occupy-protests-overcome-police-brutality/.

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.
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 or .

For more updates from occupations around the country, listen to the Occupation America podcast at http://soundcloud.com/occupation-america.

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The Occupations Report: 12/9

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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

International Day of Action for Global Change: Saturday, December 10

Shut Down the Port: Monday, December 12

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), Houston. and OWS have all passed resolutions to shut down their city’s port on Monday December 12th. Several other Occupy sites not located on the coast, have also planned solidarity actions

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Occupy DC

Occupy DC Members Launch Hunger Strike

Friday, Dec. 8 – Occupy protesters have erected a shelter that will be used for a hunger strike by three protesters at the Occupy D.C. encampment. The Occupy protesters started their hunger strike Thursday and will sustain it until Congress and the president take action to grant D.C. full voting representation in Congress and to free D.C. from Congressional control over the District government’s budget and legislation. Read more: http://wapo.st/oo4Vw4.

Occupy Albany

City Threatens to Clear Occupy Albany Encampment

Friday, Dec. 9 [WSWS] – The City of Albany announced last Friday that the Occupy Albany encampment, which has been in place in Academy Park for about a month and a half, is in violation of a number of city safety and health codes. The city demanded that the protesters clear the violations and apply for a permit by December 6 to continue their encampment; otherwise, they would be evicted. The order from the city stated that even if the occupiers were granted a permit, it would only be valid until December 22, after which they must all vacate the park. In advance of the Tuesday deadline, the occupiers made great efforts to clean up the encampment and reduced the number of tents from nearly 80, many of which were not continuously in use, to about 30.

Occupy Atlanta

Foreclosure Action

Friday, Dec. 9 – Occupy Atlanta will be gathering outside of the Pittman house (404 Glen Iris, Atlanta). Both Carmen Jones (Eloise Pittman’s Grand-daughter) and wounded Iraq Veteran Brigitte Walker will be sharing their foreclosure grievances with Chase bank. From there protesters will walk to Chase bank and confront the institution head on. There will be a Speak-Out in front of the bank.

Occupy ATL Occupies Pittman Home

[OccupyOurHomes.org] - Occupy Atlanta began two Occupations of homes being foreclosed upon as a result of irresponsible banking practices. We’ve been fielding dozens of phone calls and emails over the last month from struggling home owners. It just so happens that Chase bank keeps coming up. Whether it’s 103 year old Vita Lee, wounded Iraq war veteran Brigitte Walker, or the bereaved family of Eloise Pittman, Chase bank seems to be especially callous in their pursuit to put hard working Americans out of their homes this Holiday season. Watch Video here: http://bit.ly/v9lsp0.

Occupy Boise

Accolades for Occupy Boise

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Boise was featured on national PBS (clip begins at 5:23). Salon.com calls Occupy Boise“the best organized occupation out of the two dozen we have visited across the country.” Watch here: http://occupyboise.org/archives/1400.

Occupy Boston

Thousands Rally to Save Occupy Movement

Friday, Dec. 9 – Yesterday, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino ordered protesters out of Dewey Square by 12:00am or risk arrest. In a show of solidarity with Occupy Boston and the ideas represents, thousands of people poured into the park and rallied to save Occupy Boston. They came by bus from New York and DC. They carpooled from Providence and flew in from Chicago. They drove from Worcester, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Last night, demonstrating how clearly Occupy Boston’s message has been heard and understood, two thousand people traveled from near and far to defend Dewey Square. They painted signs and spoke in General Assembly. They chanted and sang, “Which Side Are You On?” six times, at least, as a brass brand blew steam into the frozen December night. They rallied at midnight, making circles two deep around tents, as the Veterans for Peace stood guard, white flags snapping in the wind. They dressed as bankers so that bankers might be arrested for once. And when the news came that no raid was coming, no eviction imminent, they danced in the streets to celebrate.

Occupy Chicago

Global Climate Justice Week: Teach-In

Friday, Dec. 9 – Learn about and discuss climate change at a climate justice teach in, presented by Rising Tide and Occupy Chicago Education Committee. At 4:30pm, Columbia College, Room TBA. For more information, go to http://peoplesuchicago.tumblr.com/calendar

City-Wide Day of Action Against Coal

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Chicago will have several actions to target “the main culprits” of coal pollution – Midwest Generation and its investor Bank of America tomorrow (Saturday). Events include:
10:00 AM - Teach-in about climate change by Rising Tide at Rudy Lozano Public Library 18th and Loomis.
11:00 AM - Bank of America Customers pull their money out at 18th Street Branch – with rally outside.
12:00 PM - Rally at Plaza Tenochtitlan 18th Street and Loomis Ave.
12:30 PM - Press Conference
1:00 PM - March begins
2:00 PM - Arrive at LaSalle and Jackson and join Occupy Chicago then march to Midwest Generations Corporate HQ at 440 S. La Salle St.

Occupy Colorado Springs

ACLU’s Bill Newmiller Speaks to Occupy CS

Friday, Dec. 9 – Bill Newmiller has been a member of the ACLU for only a half dozen years or so, but has long supported their goals of promoting our constitutional rights and liberties. He is an academician, having taught Public Speaking, Literature, and Composition for almost three decades at the Air Force Academy. He spoke about First Amendment rights, particularly the freedoms of speech and assembly. He also discussed the recommendations the ACLU offers when these freedoms are challenged by law enforcement personnel. Watch the video at: http://www.occupycs.org/?p=212.

Occupy Detroit

Rally to Stop the Eviction of Kyra Williams

Friday, Dec. 8 – Occupy Detroit and other community organizations gathered in front of the house of Kyra Williams Tuesday night in support of her effort to stay in her home. Earlier that day, similar action was taken in Southgate at the Henry home. As a result of the demonstration, the bank has agreed to negotiate with ms. Williams so that with the help of her church and community she will be able to buy her home and not have to move out. The Henrys, on the other hand, have been given an extension that only lasts through the rest of the year. Plans are being made to do this again at their house January 2, 2012. Watch video from Tuesday’s foreclosure action here: http://bit.ly/tj11jp

Occupy Denver

Human Rights Day Action: Workers’ Rights March

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Denver is theming it’s march this Saturday 12/10 around Worker’s and Union’s Rights, in order to highlight the disparity between the beleaguered majority and the Oligarchic 1%. In the United States, the average CEO has the same salary as over 750 minimum wage workers combined. [1] At Occupy Denver, we find this to be outrageous. As workers and active contributors to society, we stand in solidarity with the workers and Labor Unions of the world, and invite everyone to rally and march with us this Saturday at 12pm in Civic Center Park. We look forward to hearing everyone’s stories decrying the socioeconomic disparity in our working sector.

Promo Video About Wal-Mart Action

Friday, Dec. 10 – Watch here: http://occupydenver.org/promo-video-about-walmart-action-on-1212/

Occupy Houston

Immigrant Rights: Tell-Your-Story Project

Friday, Dec. 9 – Today, Houston United, along with immigrant’s rights activists, faith leaders, and community members, will unveil its Tell Your Story Houston project. The project is designed to better understand the effects of federal programs that target the immigrant population, specifically 287(g) and “Secure Communities”, and to document any abuses that have resulted from their implementation. The 287g program deputizes local police officers to enforce civil immigration laws and has siphoned hundreds of thousands of immigrants into the deportation process. Similarly, “Secure Communities” seeks the deportation of undocumented immigrants by using local law enforcement. Nationally, both programs have come under strong scrutiny by community leaders, local and state governments, and congressional leaders for their lack of transparency, accountability, and oversight. “We want to ensure the voices of those directly targeted and affected by these programs are being heard,” notes Marianela Acuna, one of the organizers of the project, “their stories are essential in promoting immigrant rights.”

Occupy Houston in DC

Thursday, Dec. 8 - Occupy Houston accompanied Good Jobs Great Houston to stand in solidarity with other unions and Occupies in Washington, DC. 3 intersections were blocked on K Street: 14th NW, 15th NW, and 16th NW. 62 people were arrested for ‘obstructing a public highway’. As far as I know, K Street is not a highway. Occupy Houston’s Carlos Violobos is arrested for begging officers not to arrest their fellow citizens for using their first amendment rights. See photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/71681221@N05/6478526241/in/photostream/.

Occupy Long Beach

Banking System Discussion

Friday, Dec. 9 – Occupy Long Beach will hold their weekly discussion on the banking system in front of *Wells Fargo on Ocean Blvd and Pacific.

Think Big, Buy Small #2

Saturday, Dec. 10 – “Think Big, Buy Small” is a walking tour/march to promote independent businesses, in the Retro Row Long Beach area. We will be stopping by several small businesses along the tour, meeting the people that own those business and learning about their experience operating a shop in the Retro Row area, including the challenges that nearby big businesses cause.

Occupy Minneapolis

Occupy Minneapolis Reconstitution Summit Planning Meeting

Saturday, Dec. 10 – From 12pm to 2pm at The Nicollet. “The Minneapolis General Assembly agreed last week that we will dedicate the weekend of December 17 and 18 to reconstituting the various aspects of our occupation in order enable our us to function more cohesively and in a more organized manner as we transition from the busier fall into the slower, colder winter months ahead. We will be talking about what groups need to exist that don’t, how to enable further involvement from folks through the structures we put together initially, how we interact together as a whole group (i.e., in the GA and elsewhere), and in general, making the occupation more sustainable long-term. It’s a big job, and dedicating two full days to the process will allow us to make some serious headway. Help plan what these two days will look like at this meeting, and how we can best make this happen!”

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 Nashville

Global Human Rights Day March

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Nashville will hold a Global Human Rights Day march. Get more info on the day’s events at: OccupyNashville.org.

Occupy Oakland

Massive Day of Outreach for Port Blockade

Saturday, Dec. 10 – This Saturday, Occupy Oakland will launch several collaborative outreach events to build support and dialogue around the 12/12 Coordinated West Coast Port Blockade across Oakland communities. For more information on tomorrow’s events, go to: http://www.occupyoakland.org/.

Occupy Omaha

Cross-Town March for Human Rights Day

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Ocupy Omaha will be holding a symbolic cross-town march uniting traditionally segregated areas of the city. Demonstrators will start from North Omaha and South Omaha and converge at the encampment.

Occupy Philadelphia

Occupy Philly Occupies A Union-Busting Nursing Home & Company Headquarters

Friday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Philadelphia members are right now occupying the corporate headquarters of Presby’s Inspired Life, a nursing home chain that refuses to allows its hard-working health care workers to bargain a fair contract and is trying to destroy their union. Presby’s Inspired Life is a local nursing home chain that refuses to allow its hard-working nursing home employees to bargain a fair contract and is trying to destroy their union. The employees of Presby’s Inspired Life include many immigrants from the Caribbean islands and West Africa, honest and hard-working people who came to this country to live the American dream. Occupy Philadelphia calls on Presby’s Inspired Life to bargain a fair contract that would raise standards for patient care and respect the worker’s union and seniority. Occupy Philadelphia will occupy Presby’s corporate headquarters to let its management know that union-busting is disgusting.

Occupy Phoenix

Police Arrest 6 Protesters, Seize Camping Equipment

Friday, Dec. 9 – Six Occupy Phoenix protesters were arrested late Thursday night for urban camping in Cesar Chavez Plaza, violations that prompted Phoenix Police to tear down much of the movement’s camp, authorities said.

Arrests occurred at about 11:30 p.m. because protesters were violating urban camping laws by sitting inside tents and under canopies in the plaza, Sgt. R. Fricke said. Only protesters inside tents were arrested.

Derek Nasir, 19, said he was inside a camping tent moments before the police arrived. Watch the video here:http://downtowndevil.com/2011/12/09/18643/phoenix-occupy-camping-raid-cesar-chavez/.

Occupy Portland

Rally/March: Citizens Against the National Defense Authorization Act

Friday, Dec. 9 – Occupy Portland will hold a rally and march to voice concern over the National Defense Authorization Act Bill that has already passed the Senate. The rally will begin at 5pm. For more info, visit: http://bit.ly/tuCzBu.

Occupy Reno

Weekend Events

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Reno has planned several events to celebrate Global Human Rights Day including:

12 noon – Occupy Reno has been invited to join a celebration of U.N. International Human Rights Day. Meet downtown at the Christmas tree.

1pm – Occupy Your Yoga Mat! A free yoga class with Stacey. Andon recommends you wear your full-length yoga pants, as this class will be outdoors in the West Street Plaza.

2pm – General Assembly at Brick Park, aka the West Street Plaza, aka the circle at 1st Street & West Street. We’ve changed the time for this week only, to accommodate some supporters who’ve never been able to come to a GA due to their work schedules.

Saturday night – Occupy the North Pole! Join the Reno Santa Crawl dressed as an elf. We’re protesting workers’ rights in Santa’s Workshop. This is a mock protest! We’ll be joining the Santa Crawl, bar hopping with all the Santas and supporting local businesses and schools. Meet at the arch at midnight to sing a 99% carol. We are putting gifts under the tree, with tags that expose labor conditions in overseas sweatshops.

Occupy Rockford

Call to Action: PO Public Meeting Delayed. Sign Petition

Friday, Dec. 9 [Rock River Times] – A public meeting to discuss the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal to move mail processing operations from Rockford to Madison, Wis., has been delayed yet again — to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, at Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center, 7801 E. State St., Rockford.

The meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8, then was pushed back to Thursday, Dec. 8.

The delay comes after U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) requested the meeting be postponed until early January. He also demanded to see the data the U.S. Postal Service used to support the proposal to close the Rockford facility.

CALL TO ACTION: We need to keep the pressure on our US Congress members to keep these jobs safe.

Please sign the petition here: http://chn.ge/uiZ9y6.

Occupy Saint Paul

OSP Protests Military Detention of American Citizens

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Saint Paul will meet on the Snelling Ave bridge over I-94 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm this Saturday to say no to military detention of American citizens. The purpose of this action is to raise awareness about the Defense Appropriations Act, which authorizes the military to seize American citizens and detain them indefinitely without charges, without trial and without any evidence being presented. The Senate already passed this bill as S.1867. If it passes the House, the only thing standing in the way of this bill would be a presidential veto. Get more info at http://bit.ly/vuaOGY.

Occupy San Francisco

San Francisco police shut down ‘Occupy’ camp

Wednesday, Dec. 7 [Atlantic Wire]- Just after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, San Francisco police stormed a downtown Occupy Wall Street encampment, using tactics that have begun to sound commonplace after New York police used them on occupiers in Zuccotti Park. The early morning raid came as a surprise and happened fast, the Associated Press reports, via the San Francisco Chronicle: ”Officer Albie Esparza says more than 100 officers swept into the encampment at Justin Herman Plazashortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, gave campers a few minutes warning to pack up and leave, then swept in.” They arrested 70 people in all, according to a later Chronicle staff report, including 30 who refused to leave Justin Herman Plaza and another 40 who blocked Market Street in protest. In the end, police cleared out the camp and were pressure-washing Justin Herman Plaza before dawn. But most of the reports come second hand, as the San Jose Mercury News noted another similarity to New York’s operation: “Access for reporters and photographers to the camp itself has been blocked.” The Mercury News reported later that “Police Chief Greg Suhr said the decision to move in this morning was made after a breakdown in talks over the camp moving to another location the city had chosen and after confrontations last week between police and protesters.”

Occupy San Jose

March for Human Rights Day

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Join us Saturday for a full day of events in recognition of International Human Rights Day as we explore and bear witness to the connections that bind the struggles of the 99% against the 1% across the world.

10:00 am – Inside the Egyptian Revolution
1:30 pm – Human Rights for the 99%: The Philippines, the 99% & the Global Occupy Movement (Panel Discussion)
3:00 pm – Human Rights for the 99%: Solidarity March & Speak-Out

Occupy Santa Barbara

West Port Shut-Down Picket Line

Monday, Dec. 12, 6am – As part of the West Coast Port Shutdown, and in solidarity with occupiers and labor all along the Coast, we are planning to shut down the Port of Hueneme on December 12. The planning of this action was approved by participants of the OccupySB General Assembly. We present this call to you because we believe it is time the occupation movement begins to work together to carry through coordinated actions to affect positive change. We intend to demonstrate our collective dissatisfaction with the profits of the 1% at the cost of the 99%. We are in solidarity with those in the 99% who are under direct attack by corporate tyranny and our response begins with regionally coordinated action. Occupy SB is organizing a Community picket line, Occupy SB is organizing carpools leaving the morning of 12.12.11. Bring water, food, signs & sweaters.

Occupy Seattle

24 Hour Teach-In and Passive Resistance Vigil

Friday, Dec. 9 – Occupy Seattle and faculty from SCCC are hosting a 24 hr teach-in and passive resistance vigil at Seattle Central Community College. We need students and peacekeepers around the clock from 12pm Friday till 12pm Saturday. At noon Saturday OS will have a rally, which leads into the 3:00pm march for non-violence. The teach-in can only be successful with our participation. The Teach-in will start with “Civil Disobedience Training”. Other subjects include restorative justice, passive resistance, and much more. Please come support Occupy Seattle in 4 hr. shifts from 12pm to 4, from 4-8, etc

Occupy Tuscaloosa

March for Human Rights

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Occupy Tuscaloosa is holding a march for human rights on the national Day of Action for the Occupy movement and the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Occupy Wall St.

OWS Shuts Down Production of “Law & Order” –

Friday, Dec. 9 [AP] – A protest by about 100 Occupy Wall Street members in New York City shut down production of an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” The Daily News reported today that the protesters arrived around midnight at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan. The show was making an episode with an Occupy theme. About 100 police officers appeared as the protesters roamed around the park, inspecting tents and signs built by the production company. A protester from Brooklyn Heights, Drew Hornbein, says the movement is “not part of corporate TV America.” The newspaper says a police officer with a bullhorn announced that the city had rescinded the film permit, which drew cheers. Arrests were threatened, but the crowd dispersed and the set was dismantled.

WORLDWIDE

Occupy Brazil

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday Dec. 10 –Occupy Brazil is holding a Rally & March of Candles for Global Human Rights Day. More info at

Occupons La Defense (Paris)

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 – As part of the global day of mobilization for the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the indignation of Paris are calling for a mobilization.

Occupy London

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 - Occupy London‘s lunchtime GA will provide space for London lovers, neighbors and visitors to discuss plans for occupations, teach outs and other actions specific to the local areas of London. More info here.
Also, live streaming of protests and show of cross-culture solidarity at the St. Paul Cathedral with guest speaker Professor Charles Tripp. Info here.

Madrid Toma La Plaza

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Madred Toma La Plaza is holding a week of action that starts on the 10th of December (International Human Rights Day) and culminates on the 18th of December (the global action day against racism and for the rights of migrants, refugees and displaced people) including performances, a Forum of Human Rights at Puerta del Sol, music show with various choirs, etc. Find more details here.

Occupy Montreal
Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 – After their eviction and the disrespect of their rights, Occupy Montreal will march to and occupy the SPVM HQ (Montreal Police Head Quarters) on this day of human rights and liberty. Complete schedule of events found here.

Occupy Nanamio

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 - Occupy Nanamio will be taking part in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign.

Occupy Sydney

Global Human Rights Action

Saturday, Dec. 10 - Occupy Sydney is holding a Global Human Rights Day Festival with info stalls, Free School, music, food and more!

ALLIED ACTION

Activism Training for Your Site

Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action Training Sessions

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 or .

For more updates from occupations around the country, listen to the Occupation America podcast at http://soundcloud.com/occupation-america.

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The Occupations Report: 12/8/2011

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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, 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?v=AKK0_QtEcE4.

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-video-about-walmart-action-on-1212/.

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

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-north-carolina-attorney-general-and-day-no-to-bank-immunity/.

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://occupypalmbeachcounty.org/occupation-options/. Please read the list and comment with your suggestions and additions. And then, see you Saturday when we make a final decision on what to do next!

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?feature=player_embedded&v=nDn62cgcmQc

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/2011/12/07/4107647/occupy-sacramentos-first-amendment.html#ixzz1fz1LE1bG

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/article/moving-homeless-families-family-less-homes/

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.takethesquare.net/english/

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/video/feeding-occupation/9324.

ALLIED ACTION

Activism Training for Your Site

Sign-Up for Trainer Education, Group Facilitation or Nonviolent Action Training Sessions

Take Back the Capitol

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 ]

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/occupation-america

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The Occupations Report: 12/7

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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, 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

Occupy Berkeley

Occupy Berkeley Celebrates 2 Months of Occupation

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

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

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

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

Take Back the Capitol

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/PVSSV6H
*********************************************************************************************

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/2011/12/06/occupy-protesters-reclaiming-foreclosed-homes-in-20-cities/.

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/article/shut-down-wall-street-water-front/

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/156

***********************************************************************************************
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/archives/1387

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?v=885BadT615Y&feature=player_embedded.
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?v=1CQhW4bzokY&feature=player_embedded

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/petitions/fresno-county-board-of-supervisors-sheriff-margaret-mims-end-the-arrests-of-peaceful-protesters-in-courthouse-park

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-las-vegas-repudiates-national-defense-authorization-act

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?v=sDQ2_Cp7now&feature=player_embedded

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?v=oxPfg9mEW_w&feature=player_embedded

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?v=JAkUB7jRb2c.

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/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/

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.

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

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

The Occupations Report: 12/3 – 12/18

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