When: Noon, Tuesday April 30th 2013

Where: Public Square. Most likely at Tom Johnson Quadrant on the north west  quadrant at W. Roadway  and Rockwell Streets.

Since the events of a year ago the Occupy Wall Street movement has been suffering the effects of coordinated campaigns to suppress dissent and protest in public spaces as it actively promotes a better model of social change from the grassroots. Part of that strategy by post 9/11 law enforcement and homeland security agencies has been to attempt to entrap activists in terror plots promoted by these agencies. This happened here in Cleveland a year ago with 5 members who participated with us in open, transparent general assemblies. Our movement suffered by the actions of both law enforcement and these individuals’ misguided collaboration with an ex-con informant (never part of Occupy Cleveland) with multiple felonies working for the FBI off the premises of our movement. We have survived the damage done and are willing to engage the public and media about how we move forward, support our friends paying the awful penalty with long prison sentences, and rally for Joshua Stafford who is attempting to fight his charges this summer.
Occupy Cleveland has always affirmed its commitment to the principles of non-violence, following the Occupy Wall Street movement’s example, from the beginning of the movement here in October of 2011. It confirmed this following the events of April 30, 2012 and has firmly disavowed any participants who strayed from the proposals passed by the General Assembly early on concerning our movement’s commitment to non-violence. Occupy Cleveland was clear on May 1st 2012 with the public and media about what we stand on the issue of non-violence. We continue that commitment today and on the anniversary of the events of the arrests.

Join us tomorrow and help us spread the story of the Cleveland 4 and the impact of free speech and assembly here in Cleveland.

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This interview was taken in early March after the City of Cleveland refused to dismiss the original charges. Because of their choice to prosecute and deny this was a civil rights issue, Erin and Lea had to decide for the long haul of not allowing the City Law Department and Mayors office to intimate citizens with arrests and long expensive challenges to their abuse of police powers over Free Speech. The video illustrates what it takes in clarity and execution to struggle in the Public Square for a voice for the 99%.

She ends with:

“What’s most important is that we meet that threat with Peace.”

Thank you Erin and Lea. And Peace this Season to all of Cleveland.

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Ohio State Court of Appeals Reverses Arrests of October 21, 2011 

Erin McCardle and Leatrice Tolls were the two last remaining of the 11 arrested on October 21, 2011 in the Tom Johnson Quadrant of Public Square in downtown Cleveland who took their case for appeal to the State of Ohio.  Their separate judgments were consolidated in a test of the 1st Amendment rights of Ohio citizens in public spaces. What follows below in the written opinion is a tour de force landmark decision against a law designed to sweep the homeless and those considered undesirable off the Public Square. Later the law was used as pretext to send in riot police to enforce a “curfew” against the 1st Amendment. 

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Statement Concerning May 1st Events in Cleveland * Info tent removed * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * Chicago Bail Fund * New shift calendar! * Current needs * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

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NEWER ARTICLES

Statement Concerning May 1st Events in Cleveland

Media Contact:
Katie Steinmuller
(216) 202-4499

Media Contact:
Peter Schanz
(614) 704-2481

May 1, 2012 – Cleveland – While the persons arrested Monday evening by the FBI have participated in Occupy Cleveland events, they were in no way representing or acting on behalf of Occupy Cleveland. Occupy Cleveland has affirmed the principles of non-violence since its inception on October 6, 2011.

Occupy Cleveland has spoken out and worked against violence in all its forms, including:

• Wars and occupations
• Economic violence of financial inequality, unemployment, debt, and foreclosure
• Social violence of racism, sexism and homophobia
• Environmental violence of global warming and fracking

Occupy Cleveland believes the only way to respond to a violent federal and corporate state is through active non-violence.

It is unfortunate that this occurred on the eve of May Day, the day the Occupy movement and workers around the world have taken to the streets, demanding justice. What has happened in no way discredits the issue and the non-violent methods of Occupy Cleveland and the Occupy movement worldwide.

Info tent removed

May 3, 2012–On the orders of the office of the Mayor of Cleveland, members of the department of Parks and Recreation came to Public Square in the middle of the night and took down the tent that we have occupied continuously for the past seven months. The tent was not destroyed.

Occupier Jacob Darling, who is on the scene, states, “The removal of this tent in NO WAY diminishes the commitment to a better world or the determination of Occupy Cleveland to bring it about with the love we have in our hearts for the movement.”

Occupy Cleveland will continue its peaceful presence on the Tom Johnson Quadrant of Public Square.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• 4-12 - Occupywallst.org – Occupy Papua New Guinea Takes on Government, Wins
• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 5-3 – Plain Dealer – City removes Occupy Cleveland protesters’ tent at Public Square
• 4-22 – Cutting the Gordian Knot – First State to Defy the Federal Government, Virginia Nullifies NDAA
• 4-13 – Occupywallst.org – Chicago: #SaveOurClinics Occupies Mental Health Clinic Slated for Closure

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-17 – Plain Dealer – ACLU jumps in to oppose Medina County for barring anti-fracking group from Earth Day event
• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Saturday

• Thurs., May 3-Fri., May 4 – Vigil and remembrance of those who died May 4th at Kent years ago. Parking lot behind Oscar Richey hall – 24 hour vigil starting 10 p.m. May 3.
• Sat., May 5 @ 2 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind. It enables us to remain undisturbed, even when the situation is really difficult. It gives us a certain amount of inner peace, which allows us some self-control, so that we can choose to respond to situations in an appropriate and compassionate manner, rather than being driven by our disturbing emotions.”

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday May 2 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 5-2 several concensus items and proposals
• 4-11 CONCENSUS on mission statement for Occupy the Heart Festival April 28 – May 5
• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 4-11 PROPOSAL announcement – re funding warehouse & policies
• 4-9 PROPOSAL – “Plan of Action”
• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

Chicago Bail Fund

This fund will assist those who might be arrested in Chicago while protesting the war-machine of NATO, economic injustice, and related issues. (Although we hope no arrests will be made.) It has been set up by Occupy Chicago, who will administer the funds with the help of its fiscal sponsors, the Crossroads Fund and 8th Day Center for Justice. All donations are tax-deductible. Info

New shift calendar

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Thurs., May 3-Fri., May 4 – Vigil and remembrance of those who died May 4th at Kent years ago. Parking lot behind Oscar Richey hall – 24 hour vigil starting 10 p.m. May 3.
• Sat., May 5 @ 2 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• The Civic Commons – Forum for NE Ohio. Slogan: “turning talk into action.”
• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7

Info #: (216) 202-4999 | Phone Rules

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

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Happy Arbor Day & Welcome to HeartFest!!!

HeartFest April 28 – April 30 Go to the Free Stamp for Awesomeness * Happy Arbor Day! * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * Chicago Bail Fund * Additional Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest * New shift calendar! * Current needs * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Typical Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Typical Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

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HeartFest April 28 – April 30 Go to the Free Stamp for Awesomeness

Willard Park (Free Stamp Park) on Google Maps…

Stage schedule April 28 – 30 (subject to change)…

More events on May 1 – May 5 as well…

Join us as we gather our communities together for a 99% Spring festival. Everyone is welcome to participate! Festivities include family fun with the community, free food & entertainment, educational workshops, community meetings and general assemblies, local business spotlights, sames, music, poetry, a really, really FREE market & more! Please bring usable, nearly new, cool items/clothes/plants, etc., to donate and swap. Also: yoga, zombie walks, Planned Parenthood, art, speeches, kids stuff, toy giveaway, music… jamming. Bring your drums!

Questions? Email clevelandheartfestival@gmail.com.

Happy Arbor Day!

Arbor Day is Friday, April 27 this year. I personally plan to go out and hug a tree today. Or more. Why not? I say, embrace the label!

In honor of the trees, Grandma and I bought memberships to Holden Arboretum in Kirtland this past week. For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Northeast Ohio. Today and this weekend you can enjoy FREE ADMISSION all weekend! One of the major exhibits, opening today, is called “Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat.” It’s really a misnomer because we are going to prevent the loss of these species, but what the Arboretum is saying is that some trees have been harmed, and they are providing an opportunity to learn more about the issue and help in the actions to save our planet’s trees.

We’ve also ordered some tree seedlings from the Arbor Day Foundation and I plan on integrating them into my life in a very interwoven way. I’m giving some to my mom and some to my aunt, and am looking for anyone else who might want some trees as well.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• 4-12 - Occupywallst.org – Occupy Papua New Guinea Takes on Government, Wins
• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 4-22 – Cutting the Gordian Knot – First State to Defy the Federal Government, Virginia Nullifies NDAA
• 4-13 – Occupywallst.org – Chicago: #SaveOurClinics Occupies Mental Health Clinic Slated for Closure

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-17 – Plain Dealer – ACLU jumps in to oppose Medina County for barring anti-fracking group from Earth Day event
• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Saturday

• Friday, April 27 – HAPPY ARBOR DAY – Holden Arboretum is offering FREE admission all weekend and free Douglas Fir seedlings to a lucky 250 people!
• Saturday, April 28 – Monday, April 30 HEARTFEST at Willard Park by Free Stamp – stage schedule
• Sunday, April 29 @ 1 PM – Accounting meeting
• Sunday, April 29 @ 2-4 - Trinity Group meeting
• May 1 – May 5 – Additional HEARTFEST activities
• Tuesday, May 2 – General Strike
• Sat., May 5 @ 2 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“Warm-heartedness reinforces our self-confidence – giving us not a blind confidence, but a sense of confidence based on reason. When you have that you can act transparently, with nothing to hide! Likewise, if you are honest, the community will trust you. Trust brings friendship, as a result of which you can always feel happy. Whether you look to the right or the left, you will always be able to smile.”

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.”

~ Chinese Proverb

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”

~ Martin Luther

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday April 11 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 4-11 CONCENSUS on mission statement for Occupy the Heart Festival April 28 – May 5
• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 4-11 PROPOSAL announcement – re funding warehouse & policies
• 4-9 PROPOSAL – “Plan of Action”
• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

Chicago Bail Fund

This fund will assist those who might be arrested in Chicago while protesting the war-machine of NATO, economic injustice, and related issues. (Although we hope no arrests will be made.) It has been set up by Occupy Chicago, who will administer the funds with the help of its fiscal sponsors, the Crossroads Fund and 8th Day Center for Justice. All donations are tax-deductible. Info

Additional Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest

Hey Occupiers! If you’re interested in being part of this awesome play, let us know! No experience necessary! We’d love to have as many people as we can! Contact us at: occuplay@googlegroups.com or Contact Bill at: (440) 628-4359

Occuplay Project 2012: Conceived by Joseph Zitt, Bill Himmelsbach, and Ellen Bauer from the words of the members of Occupy Cleveland, adapted from the interviews by Ellen Bauer.

Script

New shift calendar!

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Friday, April 27 – HAPPY ARBOR DAY – Holden Arboretum is offering FREE admission all weekend and free Douglas Fir seedlings to a lucky 250 people!
• Saturday, April 28 – Monday, April 30 HEARTFEST at Willard Park by Free Stamp – stage schedule
• Sunday, April 29 @ 1 PM – Accounting meeting
• Sunday, April 29 @ 2-4 - Trinity Group meeting
• May 1 – May 5 – Additional HEARTFEST activities
• Tuesday, May 2 – General Strike
• Sat., May 5 @ 2 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• The Civic Commons – Forum for NE Ohio. Slogan: “turning talk into action.”
• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

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Solidarity March on Wednesday, April 25 for Bradley Manning * Chicago Bail Fund * Additional Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest * Occupy the Trees * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * New shift calendar! * What does Occupy do? * Concensus on adopting Chicago principles * HeartFest in the works * Current needs * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

NEWER ARTICLES

Solidarity March on Wednesday, April 25 for Bradley Manning

Bradley Manning allegedly gave a video of a U.S. helicopter that attacked and killed eleven Iraqi people (civilians) to Wikileaks. The video shows particularly heinous crime, although war in general is a heinous crime.

The standard definition of patriotism as has been proclaimed by the educational system of this country is that being a patriot is to be aligned with this country’s ideals. The ideals of this country are not to kill people in other countries, and particularly not civilians. Therefore, Bradley Manning is a patriot because he cares about the welfare of people.

We invite you to join other patriots on May 5 at 5 p.m. for a march starting in Public Square if this fits in with your schedule and energy level that day.

Info

Chicago Bail Fund

This fund will assist those who might be arrested in Chicago while protesting the war-machine of NATO, economic injustice, and related issues. (Although we hope no arrests will be made.) It has been set up by Occupy Chicago, who will administer the funds with the help of its fiscal sponsors, the Crossroads Fund and 8th Day Center for Justice. All donations are tax-deductible. Info

Additional Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest

Hey Occupiers! If you’re interested in being part of this awesome play, let us know! No experience necessary! We’d love to have as many people as we can! Contact us at: occuplay@googlegroups.com or Contact Bill at: (440) 628-4359

Occuplay Project 2012: Conceived by Joseph Zitt, Bill Himmelsbach, and Ellen Bauer from the words of the members of Occupy Cleveland, adapted from the interviews by Ellen Bauer.

Script

Occupy the Trees

A group called Occupy the Trees is asking communities to venerate the Earth during the week of April 22 (Earth Day). Here’s a suggested itinery:

*Apr. 22, Sunday; Opening Ceremonies

*Apr. 23, Monday; Casacadia Day (Local Name Option)

*Apr. 24, Tuesday; Animal Rights Day (World Day For Animals In Laboratories)

*Apr. 25, Wednesday; Kids’ Day

*Apr. 26, Thursday; Closing Ceremonies (Take Back The Night)

*Apr. 27 Friday; Cascadia Spring

For more details, visit occupythetrees.org.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• 4-12 - Occupywallst.org – Occupy Papua New Guinea Takes on Government, Wins
• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 4-22 – Cutting the Gordian Knot – First State to Defy the Federal Government, Virginia Nullifies NDAA
• 4-13 – Occupywallst.org – Chicago: #SaveOurClinics Occupies Mental Health Clinic Slated for Closure

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-17 – Plain Dealer – ACLU jumps in to oppose Medina County for barring anti-fracking group from Earth Day event
• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Wednesday

• Wed., April 25 @ 5 – Solidarity March for Bradley Manning
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“Recognizing our human nature as beings whose happiness is dependent on others, we learn to open our hearts, and in so doing we gain a sense of purpose and a sense of connection with those around us.”

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday April 11 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 4-11 CONCENSUS on mission statement for Occupy the Heart Festival April 28 – May 5
• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 4-11 PROPOSAL announcement – re funding warehouse & policies
• 4-9 PROPOSAL – “Plan of Action”
• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

New shift calendar!

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

What does Occupy do?

An activist recently came up with a nice summary: “Essentially we’re working on minimizing the influence of big corporations over our political system. Locally we’re working to strengthen our community through foreclosure prevention and strengthening our community’s social infrastructure.”

Many in the movement would like to help solve every issue but of course we are focusing on where we can be most effective, locally, nationally, and worldwide. But for those who aren’t yet familiar with the gist of the movement, the issue of wealth disparity/corporate influence has been a big one that we’ve been working on solving from the start. Many are also involved in the environmental, peace, and human rights movements in some form or another.

Concensus on adopting Chicago principles

On Friday Mar. 23 we adopted the Chicago Principles:

• Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.
• As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics.
• We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption, limiting our action to “free speech zones,” and violence, or attempts to divide our movement through the conscious creation of divisions regarding tactics, organization, strategies, and alliances.
• Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events.
• Friendly amendment: we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.

HeartFest in the works

We’ve had a number of meetings to help make HeartFest a success. People are taking on responsibilities to bottomline food vendors, cleanup, and many other activities. Donations are welcome! Stay tuned for info coming soon on our HeartFest page on the occupycleveland.com website.

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Wed., April 25 @ 5 – Solidarity March for Bradley Manning
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• April 28 – 30 – HEARTFEST
• Sat., May 5 @ 2 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• The Civic Commons – Forum for NE Ohio. Slogan: “turning talk into action.”
• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

Tweet

91e243f8f0b0d6903295ad8d5bb5c864

Happy 420 Day, Happy Earth Day * Chicago Bail Fund * Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest * Occupy the Trees * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * New shift calendar! * What does Occupy do? * Concensus on adopting Chicago principles * HeartFest in the works * Current needs * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

NEWER ARTICLES

Happy 420 Day, Happy Earth Day

In honor of the need to stop the criminalization of marijuana and promote its many therapeutic benefits including helping cure some kinds of cancer, I bid you Happy 420 Day today, Friday, April 20. What’s 420? Those not in the know can read this article on 420 & cannibis culture on Wikipedia.

Happy Earth Day to the Earth this Sunday, April 22. One option for local terrestrials is to visit the Earthfest at the Cleveland Zoo. Ride in from Public Square with RTA and get something free–either your bus fare or fare to the zoo. Kinda uncertain to me. But one thing that’s not uncertain is that revering the Earth and living more attuned to its needs is one of the most important things, and so that makes Earth Day a great holiday to celebrate. Wiccans might be interested in doing some kind of ritual on this day to tie in to the collective awareness.

Chicago Bail Fund

This fund will assist those arrested in Chicago while protesting the war-machine of NATO, economic injustice, and related issues. It has been set up by Occupy Chicago, who will administer the funds with the help of its fiscal sponsors, the Crossroads Fund and 8th Day Center for Justice. All donations are tax-deductible. Info

Occuplay Participants wanted for HeartFest

Hey Occupiers! If you’re interested in being part of this awesome play, let us know! No experience necessary! We’d love to have as many people as we can! Contact us at: occuplay@googlegroups.com or Contact Bill at: (440) 628-4359

Occuplay Project 2012: Conceived by Joseph Zitt, Bill Himmelsbach, and Ellen Bauer from the words of the members of Occupy Cleveland, adapted from the interviews by Ellen Bauer.

Script

Occupy the Trees

A group called Occupy the Trees is asking communities to venerate the Earth during the week of April 22 (Earth Day). Here’s a suggested itinery:

*Apr. 22, Sunday; Opening Ceremonies

*Apr. 23, Monday; Casacadia Day (Local Name Option)

*Apr. 24, Tuesday; Animal Rights Day (World Day For Animals In Laboratories)

*Apr. 25, Wednesday; Kids’ Day

*Apr. 26, Thursday; Closing Ceremonies (Take Back The Night)

*Apr. 27 Friday; Cascadia Spring

For more details, visit occupythetrees.org.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• 4-12 - Occupywallst.org – Occupy Papua New Guinea Takes on Government, Wins
• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 4-13 – Occupywallst.org – Chicago: #SaveOurClinics Occupies Mental Health Clinic Slated for Closure
• 3-29 – Youtube – Tea Party Meets Occupy Wall Street
• 3-29 – HuffingtonPost – Occupy Wall Street May Actually Be Changing Wall Street Firms

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-17 – Plain Dealer – ACLU jumps in to oppose Medina County for barring anti-fracking group from Earth Day event
• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Wednesday

• Sat., April 21 @ 8:30-6PM – Power Up! CWRU Social Justice Institute Youth Summit - Registration and Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 2-5 – Being at Peace in the Community – “Introducing Ourselves” – Poetry, discussion and potluck at 2555 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland (St. Alban Episcopal Church) – Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 6 PM - Occupy Boot Camp at Fortress
• Sun., April 22 – Earthfest @ Zoo - Ride RTA to EarthFest at Metroparks Zoo – Free Bus Fare – Info
• Sun., April 22 @ 10 AM – Rally & March – iMatter – The 30% Million Youth March – On Earth day, Youth and Adults will be Marching from Public Square through Downtown to City Hall Showing Cleveland that Youth Do Matter and we will stand up Against Climate Change. Join our fight. Please let others know about this so we can make headlines and a impact in Cleveland
• Sun., April 22 @ 1 – Accounting WAG
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.”

~ Frank Lloyd Wright

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?”

~ Willie Nelson

“The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. That’s where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.”

~ Gaylord Nelson

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday April 11 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 4-11 CONCENSUS on mission statement for Occupy the Heart Festival April 28 – May 5
• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 4-11 PROPOSAL announcement – re funding warehouse & policies
• 4-9 PROPOSAL – “Plan of Action”
• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

New shift calendar!

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

What does Occupy do?

An activist recently came up with a nice summary: “Essentially we’re working on minimizing the influence of big corporations over our political system. Locally we’re working to strengthen our community through foreclosure prevention and strengthening our community’s social infrastructure.”

Many in the movement would like to help solve every issue but of course we are focusing on where we can be most effective, locally, nationally, and worldwide. But for those who aren’t yet familiar with the gist of the movement, the issue of wealth disparity/corporate influence has been a big one that we’ve been working on solving from the start. Many are also involved in the environmental, peace, and human rights movements in some form or another.

Concensus on adopting Chicago principles

On Friday Mar. 23 we adopted the Chicago Principles:

• Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.
• As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics.
• We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption, limiting our action to “free speech zones,” and violence, or attempts to divide our movement through the conscious creation of divisions regarding tactics, organization, strategies, and alliances.
• Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events.
• Friendly amendment: we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.

HeartFest in the works

We’ve had a number of meetings to help make HeartFest a success. People are taking on responsibilities to bottomline food vendors, cleanup, and many other activities. Donations are welcome! Stay tuned for info coming soon on our HeartFest page on the occupycleveland.com website.

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Sat., April 21 @ 8:30-6PM – Power Up! CWRU Social Justice Institute Youth Summit - Registration and Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 2-5 – Being at Peace in the Community – “Introducing Ourselves” – Poetry, discussion and potluck at 2555 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland (St. Alban Episcopal Church) – Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 6 PM - Occupy Boot Camp at Fortress
• Sun., April 22 – Earthfest @ Zoo - Ride RTA to EarthFest at Metroparks Zoo – Free Bus Fare – Info
• Sun., April 22 @ 10 AM – Rally & March – iMatter – The 30% Million Youth March – On Earth day, Youth and Adults will be Marching from Public Square through Downtown to City Hall Showing Cleveland that Youth Do Matter and we will stand up Against Climate Change. Join our fight. Please let others know about this so we can make headlines and a impact in Cleveland
• Sun., April 22 @ 1 – Accounting WAG
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• April 28 – May 5 – HEARTFEST
• Sat., May 5 NOON – 2:30 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

Tweet

7643bc7c5ae16b64e03954f45d2abce1

Occupy the Trees * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * New shift calendar! * What does Occupy do? * Concensus on adopting Chicago principles * HeartFest in the works * Current needs * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Typical Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

NEWER ARTICLES

Occupy the Trees

A group called Occupy the Trees is asking communities to venerate the Earth during the week of April 22 (Earth Day). Here’s a suggested itinery:

• Apr. 22, Sunday; Opening Ceremonies
• Apr. 23, Monday; Casacadia Day (Local Name Option)
• Apr. 24, Tuesday; Animal Rights Day (World Day For Animals In Laboratories)
• Apr. 25, Wednesday; Kids’ Day
• Apr. 26, Thursday; Closing Ceremonies (Take Back The Night)
• Apr. 27 Friday; Cascadia Spring

For more details, visit occupythetrees.org.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• 4-12 - Occupywallst.org – Occupy Papua New Guinea Takes on Government, Wins
• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 4-13 – Occupywallst.org – Chicago: #SaveOurClinics Occupies Mental Health Clinic Slated for Closure
• 3-29 – Youtube – Tea Party Meets Occupy Wall Street
• 3-29 – HuffingtonPost – Occupy Wall Street May Actually Be Changing Wall Street Firms

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Wednesday

• Mon., April 16 @ 4 –  Justice for Janitors Rally at Public Square
• Mon., April 16 @ 1 PM – Tax Protest (for Higher Taxes on Wealthy) @ Federal Building
• Tues., April 17 @ 4:00 – Make Taxation Fair! – Rally in 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) – Info
• Tues., April 17 @ 5 – Tax Day protest at Orange Avenue
• Tues., April 17 @ 7 PM – Heartfest planning & problem-solving meeting
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“The dream is real, my friends. The failure to realize it is the only unreality.”

~ Toni Cade Bambar

“Good plans shape good decisions. That’s why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true.”

~ Lester Robert Bittel

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday April 11 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 4-11 CONCENSUS on mission statement for Occupy the Heart Festival April 28 – May 5
• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 4-11 PROPOSAL announcement – re funding warehouse & policies
• 4-9 PROPOSAL – “Plan of Action”
• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

New shift calendar!

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

What does Occupy do?

An activist recently came up with a nice summary: “Essentially we’re working on minimizing the influence of big corporations over our political system. Locally we’re working to strengthen our community through foreclosure prevention and strengthening our community’s social infrastructure.”

Many in the movement would like to help solve every issue but of course we are focusing on where we can be most effective, locally, nationally, and worldwide. But for those who aren’t yet familiar with the gist of the movement, the issue of wealth disparity/corporate influence has been a big one that we’ve been working on solving from the start. Many are also involved in the environmental, peace, and human rights movements in some form or another.

Concensus on adopting Chicago principles

On Friday Mar. 23 we adopted the Chicago Principles:

• Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.
• As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics.
• We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption, limiting our action to “free speech zones,” and violence, or attempts to divide our movement through the conscious creation of divisions regarding tactics, organization, strategies, and alliances.
• Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events.
• Friendly amendment: we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.

HeartFest in the works

We’ve had a number of meetings to help make HeartFest a success. People are taking on responsibilities to bottomline food vendors, cleanup, and many other activities. Donations are welcome! Stay tuned for info coming soon on our HeartFest page on the occupycleveland.com website.

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Mon., April 16 @ 4 –  Justice for Janitors Rally at Public Square
• Mon., April 16 @ 1 PM – Tax Protest (for Higher Taxes on Wealthy) @ Federal Building
• Tues., April 17 @ 4:00 – Make Taxation Fair! – Rally in 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) – Info
• Tues., April 17 @ 5 – Tax Day protest at Orange Avenue
• Tues., April 17 @ 7 PM – Heartfest planning & problem-solving meeting
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• Sat., April 21 @ 8:30-6PM – Power Up! CWRU Social Justice Institute Youth Summit - Registration and Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 2-5 – Being at Peace in the Community – “Introducing Ourselves” – Poetry, discussion and potluck at 2555 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland (St. Alban Episcopal Church) – Info
• April 28 – May 5 – HEARTFEST
• Sat., May 5 NOON – 2:30 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

Tweet

68abe8faf7d71b27d1c10d7c6d98ded0

One for All at the Union Hall * Buckets of events for the 99 Percent * New shift calendar! * Friendly reminder * Current needs * International, national, state news * Upcoming events * Today’s quote * GA recap links * What does Occupy do? * Concensus on adopting Chicago principles * HeartFest in the works * More upcoming events *  More reading / links

Typical Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Typical Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

NEWER ARTICLES

One for All at the Union Hall

Tuesday, April 10 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 Occupy Cleveland 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, all identifying with the Occupy Movement.

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?

A rather interesting part of the gathering was that for one activity 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.

~ Lady

Buckets of events for the 99 Percent

Check out the event list below through next week. On Saturday, there’s a community forum with 10 slots reserved for Occupy Cleveland peeps from 9-3, and then a dinner from 5-8. Sunday, we’ve got a Justice for Trayvon gathering at New Hope Baptist Church @ 3:30, Monday a Justice for Janitors Rally in Public Square @ 4, and then a biggie: Tuesday, April 17 at 4:15, gather in the northwest quadrant of Public Square for a Tax Day Protest oriented around redirecting war funds towards saving our communities and the Buffet rule.

New shift calendar!

We’ve set up a new Google calendar to manage shifts – it is available here and here. To get on the calendar, you can email occupycle.baseoperations@gmail.com or call the info tent phone at 216-202-4999. Thank you!

Friendly reminder

Please post GA minutes in the forums so that the temporary editor can get the info to post meetings and consensus items in this Digest. We haven’t posted minutes since March 28, even though lots of stuff is happening.

International, National, State News & Opinion

International:

• The Guardian – The itinerant US left has found its home in the Occupy movement

National:

• 3-29 – Youtube – Tea Party Meets Occupy Wall Street
• 3-29 – HuffingtonPost – Occupy Wall Street May Actually Be Changing Wall Street Firms

Ohio & Cleveland:

• 4-1 – Plain Dealer – Native Americans to mark Cleveland Indians 1st games with annual protest of Chief Wahoo logo

Upcoming 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…

Special Events Through Friday

• Fri., April 13 – Sun., April 15 – Fracking Prevention Action Camp by Ohio Fraction – Cleveland – Info
• Sat., April 14 @ 9-3 & 5-8 – Second Annual Save Our Communities Forum – 10 slots for Occupy Cleveland Members – Info
• Sat., April 14 @ 6 PM – Occupy Boot Camp at Info Tent or Fortress
• Sun., April 15 @ 1 PM – Accounting WAG at Tower 230
• Sun., April 15 @ 3:30 – Justice for Trayvon Gathering at 2917 E. 116 & Buckeye at Second New Hope Baptist Church
• Sun., April 15 @ 2-4 PM – Trinity meeting
• Mon., April 16 @ 4 –  Justice for Janitors Rally at Public Square
• Tues., April 17 @ 4:15 – Make Taxation Fair! – Rally in 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) – Info
• More Events

Upcoming GA Votes - see Proposals section

Regular Daily Events

• 6 PM General Assembly on M-W-F, Open Forum T-Th- GAs are formal assemblies at the 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 GA. Recent GA recaps
• Community Chat Following GA Today & Tomorrow – Informal assembly
• Today & Tomorrow – 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.

Working Group Meetings

• Check for Meetings Here

“Those people blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with follow-through who excel.”

~ Mary Kay Ash

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

~ Henry Ford

Please send poetry submissions/thoughts/quotes to occupyclevelandpoetry (_at symbol_) gmail.com. If you agree, let’s work on keeping things positive and promoting positive perspectives in this space…

GA recap links

Thanks to all who help with the movement, and thanks to notekeepers and videographers! Please post written GA minutes in the GA portion of forums in written format: http://unju.st/forum.

Wednesday Mar. 28 Minutes | Monday March 26 Minutes | Archived Minutes and Videos

Recent Concensus Items

• 3-28 CONCENSUS on proposal to show solidarity for Now DC (nowDC.org). The proposal was to list Occupy Cleveland on their site as a supporter of Occupy actions/learning/festivals in DC, beginning on Friday, March 30th.
• 3-25 CONCENSUS on proposal to adopt Chicago principles with the caveat that “we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.”
• 3-21 CONCENSUS on proposal for dedicated funds including setting up WePay options for various funds.
• 3-12 CONCENSUS on proposal for legal fund with friendly amendment.

Recent proposals

• 3-28 PROPOSAL start an Occupy baseball team and form an Occupy Baseball working group.
• 3-21 PROPOSAL announcements from Occupy Midwest
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for Occupy the Heart Fest funding
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement for May 1 General Strike solidarity
• 3-12 PROPOSAL announcement regarding how to focus message on strategies that emphasize compassion and joy
• 3-9 PROPOSAL – Legal fund

OLDER ARTICLES

What does Occupy do?

An activist recently came up with a nice summary: “Essentially we’re working on minimizing the influence of big corporations over our political system. Locally we’re working to strengthen our community through foreclosure prevention and strengthening our community’s social infrastructure.”

Many in the movement would like to help solve every issue but of course we are focusing on where we can be most effective, locally, nationally, and worldwide. But for those who aren’t yet familiar with the gist of the movement, the issue of wealth disparity/corporate influence has been a big one that we’ve been working on solving from the start. Many are also involved in the environmental, peace, and human rights movements in some form or another.

Concensus on adopting Chicago principles

On Friday Mar. 23 we adopted the Chicago Principles:

• Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.
• As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics.
• We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption, limiting our action to “free speech zones,” and violence, or attempts to divide our movement through the conscious creation of divisions regarding tactics, organization, strategies, and alliances.
• Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events.
• Friendly amendment: we understand that it does not override any principles on which we had previously achieved consensus. The proposer specified that this means that Occupy Cleveland is still a strictly non-violent movement.

HeartFest in the works

We’ve had a number of meetings to help make HeartFest a success. People are taking on responsibilities to bottomline food vendors, cleanup, and many other activities. Donations are welcome! Stay tuned for info coming soon on our HeartFest page on the occupycleveland.com website.

Current needs & haves

• Help for info tent regulars covering shifts.
• Respect, tolerance, peace, love, patience, endurance, mutual respect, healthy environment, kindness, community.
• Still need consistent food donations of prepared meals at the tent.
• Donations

More upcoming events

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

• Fri., April 13 – Sun., April 15 – Fracking Prevention Action Camp by Ohio Fraction – Cleveland – Info
• Sat., April 14 @ 9-3 & 5-8 – Second Annual Save Our Communities Forum – 10 slots for Occupy Cleveland Members – Info
• Sat., April 14 @ 6 PM – Occupy Boot Camp at Info Tent or Fortress
• Sun., April 15 @ 1 PM – Accounting WAG at Tower 230
• Sun., April 15 @ 3:30 – Justice for Trayvon Gathering at 2917 E. 116 & Buckeye at Second New Hope Baptist Church
• Sun., April 15 @ 2-4 PM – Trinity meeting
• Mon., April 16 @ 4 –  Justice for Janitors Rally at Public Square
• Tues., April 17 @ 4:15 – Make Taxation Fair! – Rally in 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) – Info
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Drum Circle at Info Tent
• Wednesdays @ 8 PM – Womens meeting
• Sat., April 21 @ 8:30-6PM – Power Up! CWRU Social Justice Institute Youth Summit - Registration and Info
• Sat., April 21 @ 2-5 – Being at Peace in the Community – “Introducing Ourselves” – Poetry, discussion and potluck at 2555 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland (St. Alban Episcopal Church) – Info
• April 28 – May 5 – HEARTFEST
• Sat., May 5 NOON – 2:30 PM – Immigrants Are Us Freedom March – at Market Square, Cleveland – Info
• Sat., May 5 @ 7:30 – IWW meeting @ Gypsy Bean Coffee, back room.

Events for next month and the future can now be found on the Events page of the Occupy Site.

Interesting Links

• Occutrip.com – a chronicle of the travels of a person surveying the Occupy movement in Europe to report back to the U.S.
• The Occupied Wall Street Journal
• Occupy First, Inc. – Banking for the 99%
• OCCUPY CLEVELAND T-shirts

Recurring info

Weekday Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  6-7 PM GA M-W-F, OPEN FORUM T-Th; 7 PM Community Chat; 8-10 PM Entertainment; 10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

Weekend Schedule: Today and Tomorrow’s Special Events;  10 PM-2 AM Night Shift #1; 2-6 AM Night Shift #2; Upcoming Events; We are continuously in the NW Quadrant of Public Square 24/7 at the Info Tent

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

Wiki: http://wiki.occupycleveland.com

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