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WALKING ON THIN ICE

Bridges

February 25, 2013 No Comments

I was thinking about the Cleveland Five, the young men who were led astray and attempted to damage a bridge. I’ve been musing about bridges and the affection I feel for them and what this means in the context of my sadness over the situation of the Cleveland Five.

Bridges are powerful. In a physical sense, it is a very notable thing when a bridge is built to connect one side of a city to another, one community to another.

Sometimes they’re controversial, like bridges that have been built over neighborhoods, eliminating some existing housing, erecting a physical barrier in the neighborhood. But that’s not where I’m going with this. I’m interested today in the positive aspects of bridges. I’m interested in bridges that connect.

beautiful bridge trees friends

So there are bridges that connect such that we are one world, one peace, such that we know we are one piece of world. These bridges go all around the world. You can always find a bridge by just watching a video and learning about the beauty of another culture:

And there are bridges between the material world and the mind of God (however you define It, God/Goddess/Reality/Interconnectedness)… bridges that make God more perceptible to us, like praying, just meditating and perhaps talking to God, thinking about God, doing something good, appreciating reality.

There are bridges that connect you to me, family member to family member–the bridge of communication is one of the best bridges of all. There’s also the bridge of example, but it is very good to be able to communicate respectfully and hopefully joyfully with each other. It’s a good thing to be able communicate well as a mature adult, although I wouldn’t say that just because one doesn’t communicate well doesn’t mean that they are not mature. It’s just that, well, it helps a lot. And although although it hasn’t been very prevalent in modern life, I think that with social media, it is becoming more so, and that all people are really starting to wake up, look around, see what they are doing and not doing, and adjust accordingly.

~ Lady

Asking for Compassion, Common Ground

November 14, 2012 No Comments

Sometimes I make deals with God/Goddess, and then I think, “well, that deal isn’t necessarily mine to make, but if You feel this is a good proposal, please run with it as best You can.”

And I look for other people to make concessions. I look for them to make concessions, to give ground, so we can move forward.

I make concessions in the way I live to better match my point of view, to lay the groundwork to help my ideals become reality, hopefully insofar that they are wise. I shop union stores as much as I can muster, I bike as much as I can muster, I reduce my driving and I handle multiple chores at once when I do drive as much as I can muster. And there are other things.

There’s still room for improvement–I can still bike more; I can eat less sugar. But I do what I can with a healthy dose of pushing myself beyond obsolete boundaries.

I guess the question becomes: what happens if a significant portion of the population holds a different point of view than I do–that their ideals don’t match mine significantly? Then in that case where can we at least find as much common ground as possible?

You see, I have a big favor I am asking of reality. And that favor is to see things from my point of view when it comes to the sentencing of the Cleveland 5 (some say the “Cleveland 4” because one of the people is testifying against the others, but even so, I believe in compassion for all, am not judging, am not judging).

I do not wish for these young men to be sentenced the extreme amount that some in our government have been asking: life sentences. That would be very very sad because some in the government actually created the plot and facilitated and pushed the carrying out of the plot for which the young men are being sentenced. If that is not entrapment in a bad sense, what is?

The sentence one of their lawyers is asking for is much more reasonable: 5 years.

So I’ve been wondering what can I do to give ground on my point of view about some issues so that other people will give ground on their issues? What can we do to be less extreme?

I’ve always considered myself pro-choice for the most part, but I’ve noticed that conversation about the details of what that means tends to be heated, so much so that I’ve just kind of held the issue at arm’s length and not engaged in discussion. Interestingly enough, I’ve experience far more anger from the “pro-choice” side of the issue than from the “pro-life” side, but this is probably because I tend to talk more relaxedly with people who tend to be “pro-choice” and tend to have more of them around me.

I am willing to make a concession, and that is that I can see that it is reasonable for people of sound mind and capabilities who are over 18 years of age to do better to prevent themselves from getting pregnant (except in the case of rape), and that these people should act more responsibly–and possibly that the right to an abortion regardless of circumstance might be something that we can reconsider.

(And yet I adamantly believe that children (people 18 years old and younger) do not have any obligation to carry pregnancies to term, and people who have been raped.)

Since I make this concession to seeing the “other” party’s point of view on abortion, will the “other” party see my point of view? And where can we find common ground on the anti-war issue and being pro-life?

~ Lady

POETRY LETTER FOR SOCIAL CARING

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

POETRY LETTER FOR SOCIAL CARING
For the Cleveland Five

There’s a machine that works on metaphor, action,
prayer, intent, art, words, poetry, communication.
It permeates and inflates. It girds up the health
of clay to pen open lung heart.

It works on levers, breath, promise points, little
areas we work to heal the big areas, the endurance
of holding softly to kind open mind,truths I can
muster as much as possible.

It’s a machine that trusts me and I trust it.
Advaita. This machines is me, Thee, the stuff
around me and Thee. It says “I am.”

The levers are consistency in truth and action,
keeping promises. The more promises are kept, the
more effective the oar. It stirs a reservoir of
ever renewing wellness. It rachets down
conclusions to tender secure for sure.

Promises are keeping the faith. Keeping the faith
can be doing the marginal things to make a
difference, to widen or winnow the circuit,
circumference, area, mindful resource.

Keeping the faith is having a foot in the door to
to nourish us, propping that door open to let in
the sun, the rain, whatever is needed for the
garden, the garden interior, the garden exterior.
The more calm discernment, the easier the
propping. The window. Windows passing through
bars.

Keeping the faith. How can one not forget some
sadness, gently? What genie lets one care and not
immerse in steeping ill-ly? Can the highbeam
eyebeams focus concern but not open danger vistas
on account of wanting to be healing? Ruach.

This letter is a ladder leading to a jail cell in
which someone for whom weather unladened something
rotten and I’m sorry. I cannot just skip tiles at
convenience, follow the yellow brick road with
abandon.

Thou shalt not forget; thou shalt not obsess too
much. Thou shalt not abandon. Cannonballs and
canons. Cannonballs through canons sometimes.
Cannonballs of canons. Personal cannons, cans,
ons, Can on. We can on. We can carry on. Our
cannoning of community histories. Our cannoning of
that which we wish to accrue.

Progress is carried on the rachets and the breath
and when we inflate with intent of best, when we
let the stuff wind kind for a long while, well,
that’s a good way. Progress is mindful of what has
happened, too.

I seep the silk of a ladder of attention to the
jail cell in which someone is not forgotten. The
silk is a tieline of care that kindles calm balm.
Light it like a wick. Let the candle be the
outside air, and the letter about ladder be soaked
in something that matters. Let the person
receiving this letter find his reservoir by
candlelight, softly, softly.

~ Lady

“One For All” at the Union Hall

April 12, 2012 1 Comment

Tuesday evening we participated in “Spring Training for the 99%,” a three hour session of galvanizing brainstorming, case studies and exercises at the Steelworker’s Union Hall on Independence Road in Cleveland.

Perhaps eight people from the Occupy Movement per se were there, yet the meme “99%” is associated with the Occupy Movement and the literature we received frequently refered to the movement. Over sixty people participated, mostly union members.

I was pleased to see many people of color. I am a person of mostly European heritage and I grew up in “white” suburbia, so am always looking to broaden my horizons and become less insular. I am also encouraged that so many people of color are employed in unions. As always, when I talk about “race” issues I kind of worry because I have been so ignorant in my life, albeit full of compassion. My ignorance has been in my kind of awkwardness and lack of comfort in diverse groups. I think this is something that many kind-hearted people experience, and it is important to understand our awkwardness and work on becoming more comfortable in the community on which we are working on becoming more a part, the diverse world community.

I wonder to myself how frequently people get together in union halls and what is discussed. Is it typically union issues, or is there also camaradery and perhaps talk about the larger issues of society?

The most interesting part of the gathering was that we were broken up into groups (we counted off by number), given a large sheet of paper, and asked to brainstorm and draw in twenty minutes all the things we want to see in an ideal community. We named our communities, too–ours was the town of “One for All.” (Later I got a kick out of learning that smith’s group’s town had the name of “All for One.”)

At the center of One for All we drew a community garden. Then one guy said, “We need more jobs here again; we need industry; let’s put in a shoe store and clothing factory.” So we put a shoe store and clothing factory in the upper left. Below that, affordable housing. And a river under the community garden for which we specified “clean water.” Train tracks for high speed rail right through the center of town which the inhabitants can use to zip around to other communities. Free education building, a city hall, a free clinic, a free hospital. We had it made!

The organizer for the evening then came to our table and drew a big “X” right through our free hospital and clinic. “This land is being taken over for WalMart,” she said. “There’s nothing you can do about it.” And then she ripped the section off our map.

We drew a wall and protestors around the torn off area but she came back and tried to take away the paper. I held on to it but then thought, “Oh, perhaps there is supposed to be some kind of lesson here,” so I let her take our beautiful community and she proceeded to rip it up and walked away with the pieces. (I still have it in my head, though, so it’s not gone.)

Later we learned that three of our groups had actually protected their communities by creating a physical blockade so that the “corporate actors” couldn’t get to them. This was what we were supposed to do–think outside the box. And what really would have been great, the organizer said, was if we had called on adjoining communities’ tables to help us defend each other from the attacks. Food for thought.

Many great ideas this evening–and the one I like the most is the “tactic star.” Here’s a version of the tactic star for those who are interested.

The idea of the tactic star is to really think about how to hone one’s tactics to achieve a particular goal. Many good points are touched on–largely related to how the tactic will be received by those we are working on helping and persuading and if this reception aids the goal.

Upcoming events in Cleveland:

Today (April 12, 2012) at 4:45 by the Free Stamp–“Save the Post Office”–rally to prevent cutbacks of Post Office services, locations, budget…

Saturday April 14 @ 9-3 & 5-8 – Community Forum and Dinner events (register and pay at saveourcommunities.org)

Sunday April 15 @ 3:30 – Justice for Trayvon gathering at 2917 E. 116 & Buckeye at Second New Hope Baptist Church

Monday April 16 @ 4 – Justice for Janitors Rally at Public Square

Tuesday April 17 @ 4:15 – Tax Day Protest @ NW Quad. Public Square – help stop war spending–instead use the money to help our communities and have a fairer rate of taxation of wealthy people (Buffet rule)

 

Occupation Station

January 2, 2012 1 Comment

Tonight’s occupy Cleveland General Assembly meeting – foto Smith

Just stood in the cold for an hour for tonight’s Occupy Cleveland General Assembly so Lady could offer a proposal to help slow down a bank evicting a woman with cancer. It was 29 degrees Fahrenheit but felt like 16 according to weather.com. It’s going down to 20 tonight – what’s that going to feel like . . . 7 degrees?

Tonight’s hour out in the freeze and blow hurt my feet, hands, neck, and ears. How do these young adults stay out there 24 hours a day 7 days a week manning the open Occupy Cleveland info tent without heat, without tents, without sleeping bags, without electricity, without gas to cook hot food?

I know their youth makes them stronger, sturdier, able to acclimate and endure more. And I know their protesting our country’s rigged money game is going to be one of the moral highlights of their lives, perhaps one of the most important things they’ll ever do for themselves, and us. But still, it’s so cold, bitter.

Lady tries to make it a wee bit better every morning by taking down 4 hot egg and cheese sandwiches for them (or a quiche and fried potatoes, or this morning it was a Spanish omelet) plus a large thermos of coffee one day, cocoa the next (all of which is seriously damaging our low income budget and is forcing us to shop at the Great Satan Wal-Mart so we can afford supplies),

The 8-14 constant info tent occupiers (who refer to themselves as the Troglodytes) wanted December 24th off to rest and shower and drink and party and get warm so Lady decided she would start her 39th birthday off by having us take the 5am to 10am shift.

We started off comfortable and warm in the 29 degree cold, but as the hours pass, the heat seeps from your body and cold creeps in. We spent most the time huddling on the heated sidewalk around the steam grate trying to keep various body parts warm — something I’ve seen the homeless do for years.

By 10am when our relief shift was to arrive I was cold, miserable and more than ready to go home, so of course our relief didn’t show up. Three hours later at 1pm a couple of the regulars returned and we took off. But that 8 hour shift in the cold on the concrete gave me a whole new appreciation for what these occupiers are doing.

And they needn’t have to. Cleveland’s Mayor Frank Jackson is just being petty, pissy, shitty in denying them electricity, heat, tents, sleeping bags, sleep, cooking while hoping that the elements will defeat us where his police mercenaries can’t.

This is especially galling because Cleveland lets Christmas shoppers set up tents in parking lots so they can camp out over night to be first in line for the Big Box Store sales, and they let the Cleveland Brown fans have grills and fire barrels for their illegal tailgate parties, so Mayor Jackson is selectively enforcing city laws — if breaking them benefits his Corporate masters, he looks the other way; but if breaking them involves free speech and the use of our civil rights which embarrass his Corporate owners, he has his SWAT team arrest us.

According to the recent U.S. census, one of every two Americans is slipping into poverty, while less than 1% of the rich own 90% of this country’s wealth – in fact 6 of the Wal-Mart descendants own more wealth then 50 million Americans combined.

This is sick. Just plain wrong. And very shortsighted.

Occupy Wall Street has changed the conversation in this country. Before OWS, this gargantuan disparity in wealth was seldom mentioned in the news; now it is talked about everywhere.

And if the rich and corporations and politicians listen and heed and actually do something about this grotesquely unfair rigged con-game that brings such disparity, we can turm America into a nation we can finally be proud of. If they don’t, then blood will run from boardrooms and mansions into the streets, as it morally should.

Making things fairer might also turn out to be financially more rewarding and definitely physically safer for the elite.

The rich need to realize there are repercussions to their theft and lawlessness. It is in their best interest to start paying their taxes, start paying their employees decent wages, establish universal free healthcare and education, and to stop raping the Earth.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I will remember Mayor Frank Jackson’s corporate ass kissing actions when I walk into the voting booth next election and vote for anyone but Frank Jackson. And that includes any other politician I get to vote on who is not actively supporting Occupy Wall Street.

People and politicians forget that protesters changed the racist segregation laws in this country, forced Nixon to get out of Viet Nam, forced men to give women the vote, forced slave owners to free their slaves. Principles and protest and persevering actions and dedication can and has changed things for the better.

It’s all up to us.










Occupy Cleveland 2012 – foto Smith

Daily Digest – Monday, Nov. 28 – Discussion

November 28, 2011 No Comments

An Hour of Bat Signal! * Tents at Soldiers & Sailors Monument Removed * Discussion of Joshua Holland’s Article: “Naomi Wolf’s ‘Shocking Truth’ About the ‘Occupy Crackdowns’ Offers Anything but the Truth” * International, National, State News * Today’s (Monday’s) Events * Please Contribute to Event Planning Guide * Origami Tents! * Black Friday – Why?! Save Your Money for a Good Cause * Update on Electrical Hookup for Heat and Permit for Info Tent * Permanent Occupiers Workgroup * New Communication Improvements * Today’s Poetry * GA Recap Links * Update on Electrical Hookup (For Heat) * Update on Possible Winter Home * Bank Walk-away Project * Possible Community Meetings with Police * Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator * Fresh Facilitators Wanted * Upcoming Events of Note * Meetings / WAGs * Current Haves and Needs * More Reading / Links * Call for Information

 

NOTE: Am having technical difficulty with Occupycleveland admin interface, so am posting here today. – Lady

Weekday Schedule: Today’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Christmas Lights

photo by smith

An Hour of Bat Signal!

About twenty minutes into this video, there’s an hour of bat signal!

Tents at Soldiers & Sailors Monument Removed

Some people put tents up at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. We saw the tents yesterday morning as we did our morning check-in with people at the Info tent and everything looked good. Then later came across a post on Facebook that said the tents have been removed. I called the police department at 216-621-1234 regarding the removal of tents at Soldiers & Sailors to ask that the tents be allowed. The person who is a phone operator said that the reason the tents were removed was because no one from Occupy Cleveland would say whose tents they were. I said that I am expressing support for our movement because it is dealing with issues that are important for the whole country, and asked for the tents to please just be allowed. She said that we have to provide information when asked by police and this is why the tents were removed. The conversation was cordial. The person seemed supportive of the movement but she deferred to police authority on the tents. Some feel that the City of Cleveland Police acted beyond their jurisdiction as this is county owned land.

Discussion of Joshua Holland’s Article: “Naomi Wolf’s ‘Shocking Truth’ About the ‘Occupy Crackdowns’ Offers Anything but the Truth”

Holland’s article was published November 26 on Alternet.org in response to a recent Guardian article by Naomi Wolf. Given that this article was published on a known progressive venue for articles and information, I submitted this to a Facebook group for Occupy Cleveland. I asked people to post thoughts on the piece for today’s Digest:

“In my own opinion I think Naomi Wolf’s article is spot on and this one is full of crap. This writer complains that Naomi’s is not factual or researched while his is? That’s not how I read it.”

“Naomi doesn’t spin or fear monger.. her article is spot on and she would not have published it w/ out coraborationg facts. The paramilitary police I encountered on Wall Street last week were NOT local law enforcement, and there were MANY Homeland Security folks around to be seen.”

“I find Holland’s report quite credible. While it might be more exciting to imagine conspiracy rather than recognize communication, and while some people might be driven emotionally to want to believe that some dark power is at work, Holland’s connections fit the simple facts much better than Wolf’s leaps.”

“Naomi Wolf was referencing articles published right on on AlterNet such as one by a private firm asking for $850k to demonize Occupy, and another about a private international NGO police association working with DHS and Mayors.”

Get Occupy Cleveland in your inbox! Sign up to receive home page articles and the daily digest via email here (http://bit.ly/tCcnzQ).

International, National, State News

International:

National:

  • A cousin of a local occupier who is in LA is reporting that police are moving in on occupiers as of 12:23 a.m. this morning.
  • 11-27 – CNN – Arizona police vow probe into bloody arrest of grandfather at Walmart A person shopping at a Phoenix-area Wal-Mart was mistreated by a person who is a police officer. Please consider calling the sheriff’s office at (602) 876-1801 and respectfully ask for people who are police to treat all people gently and respectfully.
  • The New Yorker on Occupy Wall Street Lengthy article on the origins and future of Occupy Wall Street.
  • Smithsonian Collects Occupy Wall Street Ephemera Each day, Occupy Wall Street grows larger and the question persists: will this movement change history? The Smithsonian thinks it might.
  • Faith Groups lay out Thanksgiving feast for Occupiers Protesters from Washington’s two Occupy Wall Street offshoots flocked Wednesday to a church where Abraham Lincoln once worshipped for a Thanksgiving buffet and some robust words of support.
  • Occupiers complete NY to DC march! Ranging in age from 18 to over 50-plus, the protesters set out on the hike to spread the word about the movement, meet with members of other “Occupy” desmontrations in Baltimore and Philadelphia and to send a message to Congress that it can’t put off dealing with the nation’s fiscal problems, Glazer said as they marched the last remaining miles to their final stop of McPherson Square – home of the Occupy D.C. encampment.
  • Michael Moore on Making Demands

Ohio & Cleveland:

Today’s Events and WAGs

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekday events, here are some special events that are happening today! Lots to do! Unless otherwise noted, events are in NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson/Free Speech Quadrant) of Public Square or nearby in the white tent area. More upcoming events after today are here…

  • Mon., Nov. 28 8:15 AM – Mic Check Action About Foreclosures – Join us at 8:15am Monday Nov. 28th (Yes, it is early, but it will be worth it!) at the corner of W. 3rd and Ontario (The Justice Center) for a Mic Check action about foreclosures! See you there!
  • Mon., Nov. 28 12 NOON – 3 PM – Case Western General Student Strike – General Student Strike in support of student protesters everywhere who has experienced police violence. Meet at the main quad at noon for a rally to make our voices heard. Bring signs if you like, or just bodies and voices! http://www.facebook.com/events/246136542114980/
  • 6 PM GA – Formal assembly at NW corner of Public Square or in white info tent west of this area. At this assembly, proposals and announcements are made. This is where consensus items are decided. Please review stances/thoughts at viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1003 for discussion in today’s (Tuesday’s) GA
  • 7 PM Community Chat – Informal assembly
  • 10 PM – 2 AM and 2 AM – 6 AM Evening Shifts – Please sign up at the white tent for an evening shift so that we can maintain effective occupancy overnight and relieve people who are overburdened. Dress extremely warmly with lots of layers and bring appropriate gear to keep yourself warm.

Today’s WAGs

  • Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins – Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.
  • Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) * NOTE CHANGED TIME – Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.
  • Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community

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” The basic foundation of humanity is compassion and love. This is why, if even a few individuals simply try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community.” — His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Please send poetry submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

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GA Recap Links

Please post GA notes in the GA portion of this forum in written, not only video format: http://unju.st/forum. Otherwise, I cannot easily update this section.

Friday’s GA on video | Notes based on video | Archived notes

Friday’s GA

  • WePay money recovered. Donations can be received at https://www.wepay.com/donate/occupycleveland.
  • Proposal: workgroups to submit weekly budget items – will bring up at larger GA
  • Tech group: ready to move on laptop and hotspot. Going to purchase used items.
  • Second Monthly Anniversary party Dec. 6
  • Great GA, lots of smiles.

Recent Concensus Items

  • 11-23 CONCENSUS REACHED that Education does not have to pass teach-ins by GA, but can just go ahead and schedule them. Education group encouraged to post events as Facebook Events
  • 11-22 CONSENSUS for letter to City Council requesting the ability for the public to speak at City Council meetings with various conditions and amendments.
  • 11-21 1) for people to please review stances/thoughts at viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1003 for discussion in today’s (Tuesday’s) GA; 2) we agreed that a giant People’s Mic around a campus or comparable area down the line (perhaps saturday actually). What can we do to make this awesome? (Probably will happen in January.) More complete proposal in the works. 3) Proposal that we do an action on Black Friday, involving flyers and interacting with people to support buying local. The final proposal was a set of three-hour actions at each of three suburban shopping centers.

Recent proposals

  • 11-27 PROPOSAL in forum: Proposal to allow people in info tent to buy food with money collected at tent
  • 11-27 PROPOSAL in forum: Proposal for read-ins at malls the Saturday before Christmas or day after Christmas
  • 11-25 PROPOSAL in forum: Tiny Tents!
  • 11-25 PROPOSAL in forum: Suggestion – on occupying a business in Akron
  • 11-23 PROPOSAL & DISCUSSION of challenges with permanent occupation participants being represented fairly in permanent occupation workgroup (which is held elsewhere). Please refer to this article for current status.
  • 11-21 forum proposal: Two letters to mayor & council, Good Neighbor Agreement modification. Letters were discussed at 11/22 GA and the letter to City Council requesting ability of public to speak passed with various caveats
  • 11-20 GA raised propals: Proposals for Gift Tree for children and unconventional holiday carols discussed.
  • 11-18 forum proposal: “Our proposed stance/demands/etc.” This proposal was discussed in the 11/22 GA but no decisions were made.
  • 11-16 forum proposal: consolidation of social media accounts
  • 11-14 GA raised proposal: “Occupy the Food Bank” day – sent tentatively to Outreach WAG for thought
  • 11-14 GA raised proposal: Community meetings with police- sent to Gov/Legislative WAG for thought

Interesting Threads

Please Contribute to Event Planning Guide

“I want to make this a handy guide for putting on public, nonviolent, and generally legal actions for Occupy Cleveland. I’m not arguing against other kinds of actions. They’re just not what this is about,” says Mark. “The information here comes from some experiences organizing Occupy Cleveland events and is subject to constant revision.”

Mark has called for help to flesh out this guide on the wiki.

Origami Tents!

Carry your own cute little Occupy tent – fashionable and applicable for any function! Here’s a nicely-designed PDF with with the tent folds and instructions.

Printable Tent PDF

Black Friday – Why?! Save Your Money for a Good Cause

“With the overall state of the American and the continuous decline in OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR — we continue to have this tradition of ‘BLACK FRIDAY”! Why? Because since the 19th Century Americans have been making corporations rich!! And now, most of us are broke!!!” — Natalie

Continue reading…

Update on Electrical Hookup for Heat and Permit for Info Tent

Multiple Cleveland City Council members are assisting with pushing the request to allow the movement an electricity hook-up that would be metered and paid for by the movement. There are potential offers to help pay for the set-up. This is viewed as a critical need and we hope to get a positive response by Monday or Tuesday.

The permit for the West Roadway sidewalk is anticipated to be approved on Monday. The City has already approved a 1-month extension to the waiving of the curfew at Tom Johnson quadrant. We assume that permission indicates a high probability for approval for the sidewalk through the end of December as long as we maintain a legal presence under the permit regulations – three sides can now be covered. The big hope is to be able to get electricity as mentioned and if we can, there needs to be a re-organization/better weatherproofing of the walls and floors to keep out drafts and water.

Permanent Occupiers Representation

We are working on a solution to help the needs of people holding down the tent such that they can be represented well at the permanent occupation workgroup meetings (which are held in another location). The current solution is to call the tent phone at (216) 202-4999 and have each end (the separate meeting spot and the tent spot) put on speaker phone. The hurdle is how to handle stack. The reason for the separate indoor meeting is that some of us have gotten sick from stress and exposure to the elements, and so it is more comfortable to be indoors to handle these meetings; these meetings require a lot of diligent thinking. Ideas for facilitating this peacefully needed. There’s a thread on this in the Occupy Cleveland Non-violently Group and people are encouraged to help.

New Communication Improvements

Our main website’s (occupycleveland.com) Events and Needs pages are now being updated on a periodic basis as I run across items in compiling today’s Daily Digest.

Update on Possible Winter Home

11-22 The Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Train Men Union own a third floor room for about twenty people on Public Square. There’s a guard who works there 24/7. Some people will join the occupier who mentioned this to talk to them about possibly using the space. http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1066

We’ve been looking for space between E 30 and W 30 (marching distance to banks and fed are key here) that is accessible 24/7. (Also, should have heat that won’t cost us a fortune).
If you know of a space, know someone who might help us out, or just drove by something with a sign outside and feel like calling and checking, we need your help and any information you find. For the most part this means storefronts or office space (maybe in one of than bank buildings so we can occupy the bank?) but if you’ve got another idea that doesn’t look like that don’t let that limit you.

Here’s a recent thread about the ideal criteria we are looking for in a space: http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=1068 and here’s a recent thread about the current search: http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=764

Bank Walk-away Project

We’re considering working on a project involving 44 foreclosed properties. Any addresses / ideas for properties can still be emailed to occupyclevelandpermanentbasecamp (_at symbol_) gmail.com

According to the article Northeast Ohio Plagued by 30,000 vacant homes awaiting demolition, “Former Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis said he believes the number of condemned homes and buildings in northeast Ohio has ballooned to 30,000. Rokakis blamed foreclosures and irresponsible banks, investment firms and individuals who have walked away or ignored their distressed properties.”

Possible Community Meetings with Police

From Monday’s GA: “Kevin (the white one) happened to meet Police Commissioner McGrath, who suggested a more regular community liaison approach with Occupy Cleveland, which Kevin offered as a proposal. We discussed it a bit and agreed to refer that to the Government/Legislative Working Group that has been working informally.” – http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=969/

Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator

We have an environmental justice issue going on here in Cleveland. We have to put the kabash on this insane deal! Some want to burn toxic garbage right near community gardens and tons of schools. Please help stop this whatever way you can!

http://heresanotherreason.tumblr.com/

Fresh Facilitators Wanted

The facilitation group has asked for fresh people to do the facilitation process. Here’s a training video put out by Occupy Wall Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfTf2db6YfI. Interested parties can get in touch with the Facilitation workgroup as well.

Upcoming Events

Events are in the NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson Quadrant) of Public Square unless otherwise noted.

  • Tues., Nov. 29 @ 7-8:30 – Conflict mediation teach-in led by Peter Wolmak with Heights Interfaith Council – This teach-in will be indoors, location TBA. It is focused on development needs of the #OccupyCleveland movement but is also open to the general public.
  • Thurs., Nov. 29 @ 7-8:30 – Another conflictmediation teach-in led by Peter Wolmak with Heights Interfaith Council – This teach-in will be indoors, location TBA. It is focused on development needs of the #OccupyCleveland movement but is also open to the general public.
  • Wed., November 30 – Move to Amend Cleveland Meeting – Meeting including film and discussion of Jan. 20, 2012 Occupy the Courts action and campaign to pass resolution to abolish corporate constitutional rights & money as speech. Peace House, 10916 Magnolia Ave., Cleveland. http://www.facebook.com/events/259126194134066/
  • Wednesdays @ 8 PM – 10 PM – Community Drum Circle – Bring your drum to the NW Quadrant (“Tom Johnson Quadrant”) of Public Square Wednesdays at 8.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site (I now have the ability to update this page).

Regular Meetings / WAGs*

WAGS are located in the northwest quadrant of Public Square by the Tom Johnson statue or in the white tent adjacent to the quadrant unless otherwise noted, and all are welcome to come and participate! Please send your meeting/WAG info to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so that it can be listed here.

Working Groups and Contact Information Wiki

Community Outreach WAG *
Next Mtg. Sat., Dec. 3 @ 1 PM * Alternating Saturdays and Sundays * PLEASE NOTE CHANGED MEETING VENUE Coordination with groups to help grow the movement. Meeting tentatively at Gypsy Bean and Baking Co. (6425 Detroit Avenue) to see about using their extra room for the meeting. Will update everyone as soon as I know.  11/20 meeting notes. Outreach email: occupyclevelandoutreach (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Occupation WAG * Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6 PM GA Coordination and research of physical occupation

Tech WAG * Wednesdays 8 PM OccupyCLE.tech (_at symbol_) gmail.com, 216 200 6278

Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) * NOTE CHANGED TIME Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.

Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community

Education WAG * Next Mtg. TBA Coordination of Education / Teach-ins / Scheduling. occupyclevelanded (_at symbol) gmail.com. Meeting Notes from 10/30 on Ed Forum (unju.st/forum)

Theater Subgroup of Arts and Culture WAG * Next Mtg. TBA *
Collaborative Theater Meeting This particular meeting pertains to theater event(s) and other creative actions. We are planning a major creative event in November and we invite poets, artists, singers, musicians, dancers, theater people and anyone interested in participating to come to this planning event Wednesday, which will also be a group collaborative event that will be fun. More details below. occupyclevelandtheater (_at symbol) gmail.com

First Aid/Housekeeping/Sanitation WAG * Next Mtg. TBA

Silent Demonstration and Public Art Affinity Group * Next Mtg. TBA

* WAG: Working/Affinity Group

Check the forums for more info on working groups. There are probably working group meetings that are happening that are not on the above list. Here are some known working groups: Outreach * Phone & Q&A * Arts & Culture * Spirituality * Food * Mission/Vision * Legal * Peacekeeping * Entertainment * First Aid * Sanitation * Nightwatch * Direct Action * Facilitators * Finance * Tech * Logistics * Transportation * Permanent Occupation Base

Current haves and needs

  • Current physical needs are now posted on the Needs page as I now have access to this page
  • Hot chocolate and markers for today’s Winterfest activity
  • Donations
  • Representation, tolerance, kindness, listening, family, friends, seriousness, joy, work, kindness, self-critique, community, patience, persistence, dialogue, peace, rationality, health, equality, empathy, civic support, solidarity, idealism, courage, dialogue, mentoring, participation, calmness, respect, compassion for one another, outreach, ethical banks, small business loans from banks, energy, focus, kindness, wholeness,global tribal ethic, fostering leadership in young adults, restoring reverence to older adults, community, focus, patience, lots of love, pride, humility, moving forward, reaching out.

Other Links of Note

Recurring Info

Weekday Schedule: Today’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: 3PM GA (General Assembly); 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Today’s Events; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7.

Info Tent #: (216) 202-4999 | Phone Rules

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

YouTube list of OccupyCleveland tagged videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&search_query=occupy+cleveland&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

Marches, interviews and more!

Call for Information

Dear Readers/Occupiers:

People who are planning events and work groups–please email these events to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so I can post them rather than having dig and dig every morning through the forums and multiple facebook pages to find these items. It is taking between one to three hours to do this Digest every morning, so emailing info to me will help me get this out more quickly.

Please continue to post GA notes daily in the forum “General Assembly” here: http://unju.st/forum/. It is vital to post these notes for the larger Occupy community so that we know what items are being consented to and what events are consensus events. Thank you to those who have been posting notes!

Peace,

The Temporary Editor

What Would You Like to See?

Please mail letters to the editor, story ideas, meeting times, articles, etc. to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com. Also, the Daily Digest is having a working group meeting Sunday, 10/30 at noon in the Tom Johnson (NW) quadrant of Public Square. If not right in the quadrant, please check the white tent west of the square.

Call for Poetry/Creative Writing/Art Submissions – we’re looking for poetry seeds from the larger poetry community, again, a great outreach action. We’re putting together an Occupy Cleveland poetry zine and I’d like to feature some creative items in the Daily Digest as well. Please send submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Thank you to all people who are making information available!

Daily Digest – Sunday, Nov. 20 – Toward the Sky

November 20, 2011 No Comments

Mayors Conspired to Close Occupy Wall Street Encampments * Today’s (Sunday’s) Events * Please Speak out Against Violence Against Dogs, Arrests and Other Inappropriate Actions in NY * Recap Links * Important Movement Needs Raised 11/15-11/17 * Possible Community Meetings with Police * Call for Help with Winter Occupation Quarters, Volunteers and Food * Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator * Fresh Facilitators Wanted * Upcoming Events of Note * Meetings / WAGs * Current Haves and Needs * More Reading / Links * Call for Information

Weekend Schedule: Today’s Events; 3PM GA (General Assembly); 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2;  Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7.

Get Occupy Cleveland in your inbox! Sign up to receive home page articles and the daily digest via email here (http://bit.ly/tCcnzQ).

New! YouTube list of OccupyCleveland tagged videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&search_query=occupy+cleveland&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

Marches, interviews and more!

NOTE to readers: I am posting this here today as the OccupyCleveland site is undergoing maintenance. – Lady

Mayors Conspired to Close Occupy Wall Street Encampments

From http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/nov2011/occu-n17.shtml. Snippets from the article with embedded contact info throughout. Suggestion: call and politely ask that freedom of speech, assembly and the innate freedom to work together long term to solve problems (which means sleeping overnight in tents and communal situations sometimes) be respected by people who are mayors and people who are police.

In an interview with the BBC Tuesday, Oakland mayor Jean Quan said that she had coordinated her efforts to crack down on the occupation with the mayors of other major cities.

“I was recently on a conference call with 18 cities across the country who had the same situation where what had started as a political movement and a political encampment ended up being an encampment no longer in control by the people who started them,” said Ms. Quan.

. . .

Oakland contact info:
Mayor: (510) 444-2489
Police: (216) 625-5011

.. .

On Tuesday evening, police indiscriminately sprayed large bottles of pepper spray into a peaceful demonstration in downtown Seattle. The victims included an 84-year-old woman, a priest, and a pregnant woman who was sent to the hospital as a result. An Associated Press photo of 84-year-old Dorli Rainey with her face covered in pepper spray

. . .

Seattle contact info:
Call the Mayor’s reception desk at (206) 684-4000
Police: (206) 684-2489

. . .

The same night, five people were arrested in Pittsburgh and charged with defiant trespass, failure to disperse and obstruction of roadways.

. . .

Pittsburgh contact info:
Mayor: 412-255-2626
Police: (412) 323-7800

. . .

Police cleared out Occupy San Diego at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, arresting 9 people.

. . .

San Diego contact info:
Mayor: (619) 236-6330
Police: (619) 531-2000

. . .

Police likewise raided a portion of the Occupy San Francisco encampment Wednesday morning, arresting seven people and dismantling 15 tents.

. . .

San Francisco contact info:
Mayor: (415) 554-6141
Police: 415-553-0123

. . .

Tuesday’s clearing of Zuccotti Park, in which 200 people were arrested, was only the most prominent in a string of crackdowns in dozens of cities.

. . .

NY contact info:
Mayor: 212-639-9675
Police: 212-334-0611

. . .

On Sunday, police cleared a camp in Portland, Oregon, arresting 50 people.

. . .

Portland contact info:
Mayor: (503) 823-4120
Police: 212-334-0611

. . .

Today’s (Sunday’s) Events

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekday events, here are some special events that are happening today! Lots to do! Unless otherwise noted, events are in NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson/Free Speech Quadrant) of Public Square or nearby in the white tent area. More upcoming events after today are here…

Sun., Nov. 20 @ 11 AM
Keeping Warm & Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia Workshop
For everyone who is interested, especially if you spend a lot of time outside, this Sunday, November 20th, at 11am, First Aid WG will be having a Workshop on the following topics: Keeping Warm & Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia and Frost Bite. Talking points will be on Clothing: What to wear, how often to change certain garments (ie socks, gloves), laundering the wet stuff; Hypothermia: how to avoid it, figure out if this is happening to any of our members, what to do in case it is. With winter virtually upon us, the wind picking up, and people who may plan to continue to occupy outdoors, please show up, and let anyone who is not in the online group know! http://www.facebook.com/events/216903115047801/

Community Outreach WAG
Next Mtg. Sun., Nov. 20 @ 1 PM * Alternating Saturdays and Sundays * PLEASE NOTE CHANGED MEETING VENUE
Coordination with groups to help grow the movement. We are meeting at the Root Cafe in Lakewood, 15118 Detroit Ave. 11/5 meeting notes. Outreach email: occupyclevelandoutreach (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

3 PM GA

Formal forum at NW corner of Public Square or in white info tent west of this area. At this assembly, proposals and announcements are made. This is where consensus items are decided.

Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) * NOTE CHANGED TIME

Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

10 PM – 2 AM and 2 AM – 6 AM Evening Shifts

Please sign up at the white tent for an evening shift so that we can maintain effective occupancy overnight and relieve people who are overburdened. Dress extremely warmly with lots of layers and bring appropriate gear to keep yourself warm.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Toward The Sky

Tonight as I write I sing songs
Of soulful bliss extended into storm
The night where i was born
Again as I just became woman
I lived life like I knew you, and I knew
That all these little prayers were for each star handed to me as I spoke of you
Get this world in your hand
And take cover as they attempt to hold back tears
They know they are on the wrong side of justice
Hold on, hold on to your heart and let if fly
Toward the sky
Feel the depth of the planet in your stomach
And sincerely, eagerly participate

Let it all go, let the ‘I know I should’ be replaced
By ‘I can create a new day’.
We have a voice, we have our hand,
We can lift them up to say ‘no more’.
The life I lead can turn hate into pixie dust
Shaken from the palms of children
Onto the ground before you as you stand
With your weapons in hand
Ready to fight progress and truth

The restlessness is white noise silenced
life and faces of innocence triggered sadness
Cold nails drilled souls like yesterday
When the door we opened was abruptly
Shut in our face, our palms reached out to sky
Again to seek guidance
justice whispers her breathless allegiance
Intake coming from our soul, we will no longer
Bail out news, government thinned out like
Hair on a presidents brow, like those taken
From homes, foreclosed, we have foreclosed
Upon ourselves, our ability to speak has
ripped out like rugs under faceless dictators
Those that seek to destroy restoration, take notice.
We have come. We have arrived to ourselves
Like a new day has dawned its fresh face
On our existence. We say goodnight, we let
The moon rise and the light fall onto itself
We end this day with hope.
A new day will be born tomorrow
In the earths womb, she will carry our sorrow
Toward her core, embrace it and hold it close
To her heart. We will be carried by song birds
Facing new mornings, yes, new mornings they have come
To greet us with their hands held out.

– Shelly Gracon-Nagy

Please send poetry submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Please Speak out Against Violence Against Dogs, Arrests and Other Inappropriate Actions in NY

Update: some are uncertain if the killings of the dogs actually occurred as it has not been widely reported. The NYPD killed 2 dogs, clubbed them in tents. Pepper sprayed another NY sanitation worker while sorting debris of camp. Poured “pee bottles” on the majority of library. They managed to save a few hundred (there were approx. 5,400), all tech found in camp was smashed, spent 6 hours prepping 300+ “post jail kits,” many beaten today… Over 30K on Brooklyn Bridge today. ~Reliable source in NYC~

Another source: over 300 people were arrested yesterday in NY.

Please call or email the mayor of New York at 212-639-9675, email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/ma il/html/mayor.html, and/or call the NYPD at 646-610-5000 and respectfully request that the Occupy Movement be tolerated and respected by the city and people who are police and for it to be allowed to persist easily. You can also go to http://faxzero.com/ and send a fax to the Mayor’s office! (212) 788-8123.

More #’s:
NY Governor Cuomo: 518-474-8390
NYPD 1st Precinct: 212-334-0611
NYPD 5th Precinct: 212-334-0711
NYPD 6th Precinct: 212-741-4811
NYPD 7th Precinct: 212-477-7311
NYPD 9th Precinct: 212-477-7811

Recap Links

Please post Saturday’s notes. Friday’s notes from memory, Wednesday livestream GA, Tuesday’s GA Notes – Thank you for posting! New notekeepers: please post GA notes in forum http://unju.st/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

Videos
11-17 march in support of Occupy Wall Street
11-17 rally in support of Occupy Wall Street

New! Media Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com/index.php/In_the_Media

Recent proposals – http://unju.st/forum/viewforum.php?f=32
11-16 forum proposal: consolidation of social media accounts
11-15 forum proposal/GA result: letters to mayor & council; modification of Good Neighbor Agreement; no secret meetings; proposal presented to yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) GA and looks like parts of proposal are going to be worked on some more.
11-14 GA raised proposal: “Occupy the Food Bank” day – sent tentatively to Outreach WAG for thought
11-14 GA raised proposal: Community meetings with police- sent to Gov/Legislative WAG for thought
11-14 GA raised proposal: Nov. 26th Holiday Ceremony signage/handouts – sent to Outreach, Media, Direct Action WAGs for thought

Interesting Threads
11-17 thread by Cummins asking for list of contact info on website
11-17 thread about Roadway permit signatories (need for) and heat.
11-15 thread about individual visions of Occupy
Discussions about winter occupation solutions in Occupy Cleveland Non-violently Facebook Group

Important Movement Needs Raised 11/15 – 11/17

  • Help with laundry
  • Boots (mens size 10 to 11), flashlights, long underwear, hats, gloves, socks, prepared foods, easy nonprepared foods, plastic dishware, rubber gloves, meat, coffee, walkie talkies
  • Help with where we are going to be in two weeks – please review http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=960
  • Help with Dec. 10 NO CUTS day (RE Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Super Committee) – please review http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=972

Possible Community Meetings with Police

From Monday’s GA: “Kevin (the white one) happened to meet Police Commissioner McGrath, who suggested a more regular community liaison approach with Occupy Cleveland, which Kevin offered as a proposal. We discussed it a bit and agreed to refer that to the Government/Legislative Working Group that has been working informally.” – http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=969/

Call for Help with Winter Occupation Quarters, Volunteers and Food

Currently looking for space between E 30 and W 30 (marching distance to banks and fed are key here) that is accessible 24/7. (Also, should have heat that won’t cost us a fortune). For the most part this means storefronts or office space (maybe in one of than bank buildings so we can occupy the bank?) but if you’ve got another idea that doesn’t look like that don’t let that limit you.

If you know of a space, know someone who might help us out, or just drove by something with a sign outside and feel like calling and checking, we need your help and any information you find.

First Aid needs more volunteers, and Housekeeping and Sanitation need people to help with the tent. We are running out of food and we call for donations.

Call for Help to Stop Garbage Incinerator

We have an environmental justice issue going on here in Cleveland. We have to put the kabash on this insane deal! Some want to burn toxic garbage right near community gardens and tons of schools. Please help stop this whatever way you can!

http://heresanotherreason.tumblr.com/

Fresh Facilitators Wanted

The facilitation group has asked for fresh people to do the facilitation process. Here’s a training video put out by Occupy Wall Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfTf2db6YfI. Interested parties can get in touch with the Facilitation workgroup as well.

Upcoming Events

Events are in the NW Quadrant (Tom Johnson Quadrant) of Public Square unless otherwise noted.

Sun., Nov. 20 @ 11 AM
Keeping Warm & Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia Workshop

For everyone who is interested, especially if you spend a lot of time outside, this Sunday, November 20th, at 11am, First Aid WG will be having a Workshop on the following topics: Keeping Warm & Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia and Frost Bite. Talking points will be on Clothing: What to wear, how often to change certain garments (ie socks, gloves), laundering the wet stuff; Hypothermia: how to avoid it, figure out if this is happening to any of our members, what to do in case it is. With winter virtually upon us, the wind picking up, and people who may plan to continue to occupy outdoors, please show up, and let anyone who is not in the online group know! http://www.facebook.com/events/216903115047801/

Mon., Nov. 21
Request from OccupyCincinnati that we Occupy Portman offices, phones, emails, faxes

Wed., November 23 @ 8 PM & recurring every Wednesday
Occupy Womens Group
We aim to create a safe space for woman-identified individuals to discuss ideas and goals on how Occupy Cleveland can incorporate events/direct actions to better demonstrate the movement’s solidarity with women in their struggles. Meeting place: Tower 230 Bar & Grill, 230 W. Huron, Cleveland. https://www.facebook.com/events/168133733282156/

Fri., November 25
Benefit concert for #OccupyCleveland at Phantasy Nightclub in Lakewood

Fri., Nov. 25
Buy Nothing Day
http://www.facebook.com/events/304240506270048/

Wed., November 30
Move to Amend Cleveland Meeting
Meeting including film and discussion of Jan. 20, 2012 Occupy the Courts action and campaign to pass resolution to abolish corporate constitutional rights & money as speech. Peace House, 10916 Magnolia Ave., Cleveland. http://www.facebook.com/events/259126194134066/

November Date-time Continuum Slot/Event Name TBD
Theater production(s) RE pertinent topics

Sat., Dec. 10 @ 12 NOON
International Human Rights Day No Cuts! Rally and March
A coalition of community members and organizations (including #OccupyCleveland) are banding together to organize this event to stop the proposed cuts by the Super Committee. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130719423702177; forum discussion: http://unju.st/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=972

Wednesdays @ 8 PM – 10 PM
Community Drum Circle
Bring your drum to the NW Quadrant (“Tom Johnson Quadrant”) of Public Square Wednesdays at 8.

July 4, 2012
New Continental Congress July 4 in Philadelphia
“WE, THE NINETY-NINE PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in order to form a more perfect Union, by, for and of the PEOPLE, shall elect a NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY to convene on July 4, 2012, in the City Of Philadelphia.” – http://www.facebook.com/events/118304291615364/

Regular Meetings / WAGs*

WAGS are located in the northwest quadrant of Public Square by the Tom Johnson statue or in the white tent adjacent to the quadrant unless otherwise noted, and all are welcome to come and participate! Please send your meeting/WAG info to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so that it can be listed here.

Community Outreach WAG
Next Mtg. Sun., Nov. 20 @ 1 PM * Alternating Saturdays and Sundays * PLEASE NOTE CHANGED MEETING VENUE
Coordination with groups to help grow the movement. We are meeting at the Root Cafe in Lakewood, 15118 Detroit Ave. 11/5 meeting notes. Outreach email: occupyclevelandoutreach (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Occupation WAG * Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6 PM GA
Coordination and research of physical occupation

Tech WAG * Wednesdays 8 PM
OccupyCLE.tech (_at symbol_) gmail.com, 216 200 6278

Direct Action WAG * Every day after GA (7 PM Weekdays, 4 PM Weekends) * NOTE CHANGED TIME
Coordination of Direct Action communication and initiatives. Wed., Nov. 2 Mtg Notes.

Communication WAG * 1-3 PM Daily Check-ins
Facilitates communication with reps from each group–check in with John between 1-3 PM in Public Square–phone coming.

Foreclosure and Bank Action WAG – Video/Phone Conf * 8 PM Mondays
Concerns ways to brainstorm to change the situation with banks such that banks are held accountable for foreclosure impact on community

Education WAG * Next Mtg. TBA
Coordination of Education / Teach-ins / Scheduling. occupyclevelanded (_at symbol) gmail.com. Meeting Notes from 10/30 on Ed Forum (unju.st/forum)

Theater Subgroup of Arts and Culture WAG * Next Mtg. TBA
Collaborative Theater Meeting
This particular meeting pertains to theater event(s) and other creative actions. We are planning a major creative event in November and we invite poets, artists, singers, musicians, dancers, theater people and anyone interested in participating to come to this planning event Wednesday, which will also be a group collaborative event that will be fun. More details below. occupyclevelandtheater (_at symbol) gmail.com

First Aid/Housekeeping/Sanitation WAG * Next Mtg. TBA

* WAG: Working/Affinity Group

Check the forums for more info on working groups. There are probably working group meetings that are happening that are not on the above list. Here are some known working groups: Outreach * Phone & Q&A * Arts & Culture * Spirituality * Food * Mission/Vision * Legal * Peacekeeping * Entertainment * First Aid * Sanitation * Nightwatch * Direct Action * Facilitators * Finance * Tech * Logistics * Transportation * Permanent Occupation Base

Current haves and needs

Work, kindness, self-critique, community, patience, persistence, dialogue, peace, rationality, health, equality, empathy, civic support, solidarity, idealism, courage, listening, dialogue, mentoring, participation, calmness, respect, compassion for one another, outreach, ethical banks, small business loans from banks, energy, focus, kindness, wholeness, tolerance, listening, global tribal ethic, fostering leadership in young adults, restoring reverence to older adults, community, focus, patience, lots of love, pride, humility, moving forward, reaching out.

Practically speaking: Boots (mens size 10 to 11), flashlights, long underwear, hats, gloves, socks, prepared foods, easy nonprepared foods, plastic dishware, rubber gloves, meat, coffee, walkie talkies, people to help wash clothes and to help drive people to wash clothes, overnight occupiers to work in shifts in our overnight area–sign up at the tent, particularly the 2 AM – 6 AM shift, water (particularly hot water), very large thermos for hot water, more computer equipment and luxurious hot food made as ethically as you can conveniently or inconveniently muster–especially in the morning when people are cold–and donations.

Other Reading Items/Links of Note

Huffington Post: Occupy Wall Street Groups Protest Foreclosure, Try To Halt Evictions

Mentions Cleveland action mucho!

11-14 Ohio Woman Credits Occupy Cleveland For Saving Her Home

Letter of Support from Dennis Kucinich (10/28)

OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring Info

Weekday Schedule: Today’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: 3PM GA (General Assembly); 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Today’s Events; Upcoming Events; Stuff happens continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7.

Info Tent #: (216) 202-4999 | Phone Rules

New Media Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com/index.php/In_the_Media

Call for Information

Dear Readers/Occupiers:

People who are planning events and work groups–please email these events to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com so I can post them rather than having dig and dig every morning through the forums and multiple facebook pages to find these items. It is taking between one to three hours to do this Digest every morning, so emailing info to me will help me get this out more quickly.

Please continue to post GA notes daily in the forum “General Assembly” here: http://unju.st/forum/. It is vital to post these notes for the larger Occupy community so that we know what items are being consented to and what events are consensus events. Thank you to those who have been posting notes!

Peace,

The Temporary Editor

What Would You Like to See?

Please mail letters to the editor, story ideas, meeting times, articles, etc. to occupyclevelandstories (_at symbol_) gmail.com. Also, the Daily Digest is having a working group meeting Sunday, 10/30 at noon in the Tom Johnson (NW) quadrant of Public Square. If not right in the quadrant, please check the white tent west of the square.

Call for Poetry/Creative Writing/Art Submissions – we’re looking for poetry seeds from the larger poetry community, again, a great outreach action. We’re putting together an Occupy Cleveland poetry zine and I’d like to feature some creative items in the Daily Digest as well. Please send submissions to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com.

Thank you to all people who are making information available!