WHEREAS, it is also known that Bunge, Ltd., a multinational conglomerate and majority shareholder of EGT, with direct ties to Wall Street, has used its power in the grain trade to manipulate global grain prices, to evade taxes in Argentina, to terrorize the people of the Amazon through deforestation, to force Brazilian workers into near slave conditions while their indigenous populations are starved out over soybean pricing, and to violate the Clean Air Act, among other offenses; and,

WHEREAS, Occupies Longview, Portland, and Oakland recognize the blatant union-busting tactics of EGT and its parent company Bunge, as well as its attack on the Longshore workers, who are powerful allies for workers around the world; and,

WHEREAS, according to Longshore workers the empty grain ship will be escorted by armed U.S. Coast Guard vessels and helicopters to the Port of Longview, Washington on the Columbia River; and,

WHEREAS, this is the first known use of the U.S. military to intervene in a labor dispute on the side of management in 40 years; and,

WHEREAS, the U.S. Armed Forces, which have been oppressing other nations for the interests of the 1%, is now being used against the same workers whose tax money sponsors those forces; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Occupies Longview, Portland, and Oakland call on EGT to immediately cease its attacks on our communities, our food supply and the jurisdiction of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union; and be it further

RESOLVED, that Occupies Longview, Portland, and Oakland call on all Occupy General Assemblies, the working class, and the “99%” everywhere to come to the aid of Longshore workers, and to support them in any way possible in their fight against the EGT and Bunge; and be it further

RESOLVED, that Occupies Longview, Portland, and Oakland request that anyone willing to participate in a community blockade of the first EGT grain ship in Longview, Washington, do so when alerted that the ship will arrive; and be it further

RESOLVED, that all General Assemblies, any group of their members, as well as workers around the world who cannot physically join the community blockade in Longview, Washington, mobilize in solidarity through direct action in their communities—especially those located in the Midwest, the Delta, Occupies along the Mississippi River, and all other international locations where Bunge’s growth and operations are located, and be it further

RESOLVED, that General Assemblies across the country and the mobilized 99% across the globe condem any state or private-sponsored efforts to arrest direct action against EGT, or workers participating in those actions; and be it further

RESOLVED, that General Assemblies challenge any charges brought against workers or comrades struggling for economic, social, and environmental justice; and finally be it

RESOLVED, that Occupies Longview, Portland, and Oakland forward this resolution to all Occupy General Assemblies, the working people of the 99% in their communities, and comrades in the Occupy Movement around the world.

In solidarity,

Occupy Longview, Occupy Portland, and Occupy Oakland

The following statement is from the Solutions Committee, supporting the General Assembly resolution stating that Occupy Portland wishes to help end corporate personhood. If you are familiar with the proposal, you can skip the background information and click here to sign this petition, now.

Background:

On January 21, 2010, with its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are people, entitled by the U.S. Constitution to spend unregulated and undisclosed sums of money on election campaigns. The Citizens United decision has led to unprecedented campaign spending on the part of multi-billion dollar corporations, drowning out the voices of We the People. When corporations have constitutional rights, peoples’ rights become meaningless. How can one human being’s power to speak compare to a massive corporation’s ability to speak?

Mayor Sam Adams has issued a proposed resolution of the Portland City Council supporting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that makes clear that corporations are not people and money is not speech.

We need to thank the Mayor for introducing the resolution and request two primary revisions:

1. make clear that corporations are not entitled to ANY constitutional rights (currently the resolution says corporations are not entitled to the SAME rights as people)
2. remove reference to the proposed amendments currently sponsored by Oregon’s Congressional representatives as these amendments deal only with the issue of money as speech and not the issue of corporate personhood (i.e. these proposals need to be strengthened)

Click here to sign this petition and send a strong message to Portland City officials and Congress that we need a U.S. constitutional amendment that makes clear that only people are entitled to the rights of the U.S. constitution and money is not speech! An email will be sent with your message to Mayor Adams and the City Commissioners.

You can access the proposed city resolution here:
http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=377616

Where:
The National Monument in Washington DC

Why:
Since the end of the nineteenth century, May 1st (or May Day) has become synonymous with International Worker’s Day or Labour Day in many countries. Historically it has been known as a day of political demonstrations around the world. Just after the start of spring, when the weather begins warming up, we encourage the many that would be reluctant to brave the cold weather and snowy months that DC bares through the winter to Occupy Together through the summer and early fall to petition grievances against a corrupt system of government.

Who:
Members of Occupy Portland, local organizations, and any individual who wishes to voice their grievances relating to greed and corruption to our national government.

What:
Spread the word. Make, print and distribute fliers. Send invites via social media. Create independent media on the subject. Put up posters. Canvass your neighborhood. Endorse it at your local General Assembly. Make it work. Plan a kitchen. Donate Supplies. Donate Food. Transport. Get your local G.A. to raise money for a charter bus. Organize a carpool. Occupy Together.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyMayDay

Flier: Here

AGENDA PLAN:

6:00PM – 7:00PM: We will have an open forum and announcement. Crucial information about the bill is presented to everyone. We will clarify any questions, the purpose of this march, and what we can do to change things.

7:00PM – 10:00PM: We will be marching around downtown in protest against the NDAA bill. Our route will cover Pioneer Square area. There will be a meeting prior to the event to discuss about route we will take and what type of action is appropriate.

Note:
Please come prepared and have signs with you that show our opposition against the NDAA. We need more signs which calling out the unconstitutional, indefinite detainment of humans

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The National Defense Authorization Bill from the H.R. 1540 (Refer to Subtitle D—Detainee Matters, section 1031 to 1036):
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr1540rh/pdf/BILLS-112hr1540rh.pdf

The National Defense Authorization Bill from the S.1253 (Refer to Subtitle D—Detainee Matters, section 1031 and 1032):
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1253rs/pdf/BILLS-112s1253rs.pdf

The National Defense Authorization Bill from the S.1867 (Refer to Subtitle D—Detainee Matters, section 1031 and 1032):
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1867es/pdf/BILLS-112s1867es.pdf

The following is a message as we received it—verbatim—from Portland Public School (PPS) faculty in response to a panel from Occupy Portland being removed from Astor School.

I’ve circulated a statement drafted by Portland teachers today during my lunch hour. The more I think of it, the more ridiculous this is and I’m using PPS email now to send out this statement.

Time Magazine has selected the Protestor as the person of the year. I am reading through the profiles and planning on teaching more about it. I can’t believe the district admin is trying to restrict teachers from inviting the education panel from Occupy Portland, when even Time Magazine has selected Occupy protestors as part of the person of the year. What side are we on? If this were the 1960s, would we be restricting teachers from inviting MLK to speak to our students, because they practice nonviolent civil disobedience?

Please read the profiles of protestors and then learn about the profiles of our local protestors who have formed an education committee to volunteer their time to talk to students about the real issues that our society faces.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102138,00.html

Here is our letter. I have hard copies that I’ve already gather over 20 signatures on and other teachers are gathering signatures at other schools in and outside of PPS. Please continue to sign on by email and on my hard copies. It is time that teacher occupy our professions and not allow unelected billionaire philanthropes dominate education policy!
——————————————————————————

We, the undersigned educators, are dismayed by the recent incident at Astor School where members of the Occupy Portland Panel, an educational branch of the Occupy Portland movement, were thrown out of a classroom of sixth and seventh graders after they began talking to students about U.S. foreign wars and house foreclosures. After a school employee interrupted the discussion, the Occupy Portland guests were told by the teacher that, “the school district is not comfortable with us having this conversation,” and then escorted out of the building. The decision to end the panel came from Astor Principal Karl Newsome. Portland Public Schools spokesman Matt Shelby is quoted in the Portland Mercury backing the principal’s decision citing a district procedure that calls for principals to sign off when outside groups are brought in and asserting that the teacher should have let parents know before inviting the Occupy Portland Panel to Astor.

We reject the idea that teachers would need to notify parents or obtain principal approval before bringing Occupy speakers to their classrooms. This is a violation of the professional discretion and academic freedom of teachers. Obviously, the permission of parents and the school principal is not always required when guest speakers come to class. So why in this instance? Can the school district cite any occasion when a principal required a teacher to notify parents prior to a presentation from a representative of a Portland area business, a government agency, or the U.S. military? Are parents notified when teachers use Junior Achievement curriculum materials, funded by large corporations like UPS, ExxonMobil, and Goldman Sachs? Is it school district policy that only individuals who are engaged in social justice activism are so profoundly controversial and threatening that their presence in schools requires parental permission? And what message does this send to students, when one group is singled out as so potentially problematic? As educators, we object to this attack on academic freedom and the discriminatory enforcement of school district policies.

We believe that too often the standardized curriculum teaches a particular point of view and that it is important for educators to bring in groups like Occupy to offer our students greater curricular balance. For example, the Contemporary Economics textbook, adopted by PPS, teaches that income inequality is caused by differences in household sizes, that the best predictor of poverty is whether family members are employed, that welfare tends to create cycles of poverty, and that military spending has been decreasing while “income redistribution” has vastly increased. The global studies adoption, Modern World History, includes a single “critical writing” activity in its treatment of the war in Iraq: “Imagine you are a speechwriter for President Bush. Write the introductory paragraph of a speech to coalition forces after their victory in Iraq.” The text includes no critical perspectives from groups or individuals opposed to U.S. involvement in Iraq.The district should not place restrictions on teachers’ efforts to offer their students a rich and varied — and socially relevant — curriculum.

Lastly, the school district must live up to its commitment to equity. When one-fifth of PPS students live in poverty, one third in David Douglas and Parkrose live in poverty, and 55 percent of all American children live in families that are near poverty, we should be encouraging all teachers to invite Occupy activists into their classroom to discuss issues of inequality and social justice.

Signed,

1. Roy Amling, Portland Public Schools Substitute
2. Bill Bigelow, Portland Public Schools, retired; Curriculum Editor, Rethinking Schools magazine
3. George Bishop, Roosevelt High School
4. Gregory M. Burrill, Portland Public Schools Substitute
5. Andrew Butterfield, Davinci Middle School
6. Aaron G. Byer, Roosevelt High School
7. Margaret Byrne, Vestal Elementary School
8. Linda Campillo, Wilson High School
9. John Carolan, Wilson High School
10. Alice Chadd, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
11. Kerri L Cheney, Duniway Elementary School
12. David Child, Woodlawn School
13. Michael Cullerton, Jefferson High School
14. Diane Dean, Rosa Parks Elementary School
15. Jeremy Dickerson, Roosevelt High School
16. Heather Dolberg, Wilson High School
17. Sandy Donnely, Mary Rieke Elementary School
18. Kasuna Duffey, Astor School
19. Gail Duffy, Wilson High School
20. Margot Faegre, Scott School
21. Paula Fahey, Stephenson Elementary School
22. Amy Feller, Wilson High School
23. Hannah Flinn, Lee School
24. Lise Flores, Wilson High School
25. David Frankunas, Grout Elementary School
26. Del Gerber, Wilson High School
27. Tracy Groom, Wilson High School
28. Terri Harrington, Portland Association of Teachers Vice President, Maplewood School
29. Theresa Hawkins, Franklin High School
30. Keith Higbee, Wilson High School
31. Melia Hinatsu, Irvington School
32. Annete Holbrook, Marysville School
33. Michael Horrigan, James John Elementary School
34. Aurora M. Jimenez, King School
35. Kimberly Johnson, Markham Elementary School
36. Lisa Orcutt Kane, Abernethy Elementary School
37. Suzanna M. Keller, Cesar Chavez School
38. Jeff Kipilman, Portland Public Schools Substitute
39. Linea King, English as a Second Language, Teacher On Special Assignment
40. Joana Kirchhoff, Rigler School
41. Kathi Koeing, Portland Association of Teachers
42. Dan Kropp, James John Elementary School
43. Barbara Kutasz, Mt. Tabor School
44. Kali Landis, Lee School
45. Dianne Leahy, Jefferson High School
46. Dominic LeFave, Wilson High School
47. Danielle Liscia, Wilson High School
48. Tim Loveless, Wilson High School
49. Derek MacDicken, Wilson High School
50. Manuel Mateo, Wilson High School
51. Geri Ellen Matyiko, Pioneer Program at Holladay
52. Elizabeth Mayer, Roseway Heights School
53. Andrea J. McCarter, Creative Science School
54. Karen McEwan, Woodmere Elementary School
55. Tom McKenna, Portland Public Schools, retired
56. Rose Michels, Woodlawn School
57. Merrie Miller, Kelly Elementary School
58. Alex Montfort, King School
59. Molly Mullins, Harrison Park School
60. Hyung Nam, Wilson High School
61. Mike Nolan, Wilson High School
62. Jeanne O’Brien, Ainsworth Elementary School
63. Mary R.J. O’Hara, Creative Science School
64. Ric Oleksak, Sellwood School
65. Matthew Oleson, Beach School
66. Steve O’Neil, Wilson High School
67. Juliana O’Neill, Lincoln High School
68. Susan Parker, Wilson High School
69. Patty Patterson, Maplewood School
70. Katherine A. Paxton-Williams, Rigler School
71. George Penk, Wilson High School
72. Shyla Piper, Irvington School
73. Michelle Potesteo, Wilson High School
74. Leslie Quenell, Rigler School
75. Al Rabchuk, Wilson High School
76. Casey Rodhe, Chapman School
77. Robert Rodney, Stephenson Elementary School
78. Stephen B. Rosenfeld, Portland Public Schools Substitute
79. Adam Sanchez, Jefferson High School
80. Jeremy Shelter, Wilson High School
81. Debra Simmons, Portland Association of Teachers
82. Cathy Skach, Benson High School
83. Greg Smith, Lewis & Clark College, Teacher Education
84. Sarah Spella, Jefferson High School Motor Development Team
85. Patty Stanich, Maplewood School
86. Geoff Stonecipher, Woodmere Elementary School
87. Eric Alan Swehla, Mary Rieke Elementary School
88. Sherree Tatum, Bridger School
89. Marcia E. Thomason, Astor School
90. RaeAnn Thompson, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
91. Ailien Tran, Winterhaven School
92. Rose Wilde, George Middle School
93. Lisa Walker, Wilson High School
94. Margaret Ann Walter, Wilson High School
95. Anny Wood, Ockley Green School

The author of this statement encourages interested parties to sign their petition at: http://www.change.org/petitions/portland-public-schools-change-policy-restricting-teachers-inviting-speakers-into-their-classrooms

Editor’s addition of signatures from petition – Dec 18th:

1. Hyung Nam,Portland,OR,97215-3127,United States,12/15/2011
2. Dominic Le Fave,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/15/2011
3. Bill Bigelow,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/15/2011
4. Hayley Nasman,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
5. Kris Alman,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/16/2011
6. Jennifer Schuberth,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
7. Anthony Cody,Oakland,CA,94619,United States,12/16/2011
8. Antonio Angel Barragan,Glen Allen,VA,23059,United States,12/16/2011
9. Karie Mize,Monmouth,OR,97361,United States,12/16/2011
10. Michael Charney,North Kingsville,OH,44068,United States,12/16/2011
11. Kevin Donahoe,Miamisburg,OH,45342,United States,12/16/2011
12. Deborah Menkart,”Washington, DC”,DC,20056,United States,12/16/2011
13. Jon Spinac,New York,NY,10010,United States,12/16/2011
14. Sara LaPlante,Olympia,WA,98502,United States,12/16/2011
15. yirusha Isreal,wheaton,MD,20902,United States,12/16/2011
16. Donna Mace,Green Cove Springs,FL,32043,United States,12/16/2011
17. Benjamin Burson,Gresham,OR,97030,United States,12/16/2011
18. Sandy Polishuk,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
19. Christine White,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
20. Nona Glazer,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
21. liam Doherty,Portland,OR,97213-3867,United States,12/16/2011
22. Mark Nerys,Brooklyn,NY,11204,United States,12/16/2011
23. Eric Gregory,Portland,OR,97201,United States,12/16/2011
24. Frann Michel,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/16/2011
25. Michelle Newsum,Coos Bay,OR,97420,United States,12/16/2011
26. Terry Anderson,Portland,OR,97210,United States,12/16/2011
27. David Lifton,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
28. chris peterson,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
29. Devin Post,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
30. Bob Peterson,Milwaukee,WI,53212,United States,12/16/2011
31. Joshua Weiner,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
32. Hugo du Coudray,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
33. CJ Mitchell,South Pasadena,CA,91030,United States,12/16/2011
34. Kurt Kessler,Ashland,OR,97520,United States,12/16/2011
35. Josh Barstow,Troutdale,OR,97060,United States,12/16/2011
36. E A,Lake Oswego,OR,97035,United States,12/16/2011
37. Joel Morgan,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
38. Laurie Sonnenfeld,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/16/2011
39. Rob Melton,Portland,OR,97239-1986,United States,12/16/2011
40. Alan Moore,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
41. Forrest Loder,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/16/2011
42. Alon Raab,Portland,OR,97210,United States,12/16/2011
43. Melissa Crenshaw,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
44. Sarah Morrigan,Portland,OR,97239,United States,12/16/2011
45. Sam Aley,Coos Bay,OR,97420,United States,12/16/2011
46. Sonja Somerville,Salem,OR,97304,United States,12/16/2011
47. Danielle Sanders,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
48. laurie&dave king,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/16/2011
49. Amy Warren,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
50. Chadderton Taggard,Portland,OR,97230,United States,12/16/2011
51. Gail Pearlman,Grants Pass,OR,97526,United States,12/16/2011
52. David Dugo,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
53. Isaac Ellis,Portland,OR,97216,United States,12/16/2011
54. Susan Barrett,Portland,OR,97232,United States,12/16/2011
55. Joel Sjerven,portland,OR,97205,United States,12/16/2011
56. Katrina Wilson,Salem,OR,97301,United States,12/16/2011
57. Juliet Ballard,Portland,OR,97233,United States,12/16/2011
58. Laura Guimond,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
59. liberty straney,portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
60. Kirk Caudle,Portland,OR,97236,United States,12/16/2011
61. Doug Sherman,Portland,OR,97293,United States,12/16/2011
62. Laura Lovett,97023,OR,97023,United States,12/16/2011
63. james m nordlund,Fargo,ND,58102,United States,12/16/2011
64. Audrey Dentith,San Antonio,TX,78229,United States,12/16/2011
65. Thelma Stone,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
66. Amani Al-holail,Carbondale,IL,62901,United States,12/16/2011
67. Harrison Delfin,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
68. Jess Brooks,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/16/2011
69. Kevin Finney,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/16/2011
70. Clayton Morgareidge,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
71. Roy Perez,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
72. Tina Burdsall,Vancouver,WA,98684,United States,12/16/2011
73. kim boylan,portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
74. Gaetano DeLeonibus,Portland,OR,97213,United States,12/16/2011
75. Joseph Carr,Portland,OR,97220,United States,12/16/2011
76. chuck reinhart,highland lakes,NJ,07422,United States,12/16/2011
77. mikeal slama,cornelius,OR,97113,United States,12/16/2011
78. Deborah Norton,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
79. Becky Lambert,Victoria,,v8n 3l3,Canada,12/16/2011
80. George Bishop,Ridgefield,WA,98642,United States,12/16/2011
81. bill resnick,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/16/2011
82. David Osborn,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/16/2011
83. Upgeya Pew,Vancouver,WA,98683,United States,12/16/2011
84. Alejandra Favela,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/16/2011
85. Barbara Henson,La Mesa,CA,91942,United States,12/16/2011
86. Theresa Fagin,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/16/2011
87. Lance Garland,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/16/2011
88. Christopher Z White,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/16/2011
89. Helen Clarke,Portland,OR,97217,United States,12/16/2011
90. Patrick Pinkerton,Monmouth,OR,97361-0012,United States,12/16/2011
91. Jeffrey Evans,Tucson,AZ,85716,United States,12/16/2011
92. Heather Macdonald,Jacksonville,OR,97530,United States,12/16/2011
93. Tom Kane,Hubbard,OR,97032,United States,12/17/2011
94. Laura Stirewalt,Portland,OR,97209,United States,12/17/2011
95. Elizabeth Lehr,Portland,OR,97206,United States,12/17/2011
96. Ryan Olson,Portland,OR,97266,United States,12/17/2011
97. Karen Bishop,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/17/2011
98. b Hoppe,portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
99. phyllis weih,portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
100. angella davis,Portland,OR,97231,United States,12/17/2011
101. Theodora Tsongas,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
102. Natasha Beck,Portland,OR,97214,United States,12/17/2011
103. Emily Crum,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/17/2011
104. Matthew Reeder,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/17/2011
105. Pam Hogeweide,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
106. Rose Hogeweide,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/17/2011
107. Mary-Jane Freemont,Portland,OR,97202,United States,12/17/2011
108. Adam Sanchez,Portland,OR,97215,United States,12/17/2011
109. Tim King,Portland,OR,97211,United States,12/17/2011
110. Danica Fierman,Portland,OR,97215-2466,United States,12/17/2011
111. John Gouvas,Athens,,11635,Greece,12/17/2011
112. Kathi Boyd,Chicago,IL,60614,United States,12/17/2011
113. S Perrault,Davis,CA,95616,United States,12/17/2011
114. Kathy Garrett,Portland,OR,97219,United States,12/17/2011
115. Mary Twombly,Cook,WA,98605,United States,12/18/2011
116. Rebecca Anshell Song,San Diego,CA,92126,United States,12/18/2011
117. Marsha Rakestraw,Portland,OR,97225,United States,12/18/2011
118. Lise Jones,Portland,OR,97213,United States,12/18/2011
119. Edward Laurson,Denver,CO,80235,United States,12/18/2011
120. Nancy Mueller,Milwaukee,WI,53211-3770,United States,12/18/2011
121. Aida Aranda,FOREST GROVE,OR,97116,United States,12/18/2011
122. Scott Ritchie,Atlanta,GA,30307,United States,12/18/2011
123. scott mahood,portland,OR,97214,United States,12/18/2011
124. Paul Dean,Portland,OR,97212,United States,12/18/2011
125. Andrea townsend,Portland,OR,97208,United States,12/18/2011
126. Carol Miille,Milwaukie,OR,97267,United States,12/18/2011
127. Malaina Guzman,Portland,OR,97220,United States,12/18/2011
128. Adela Aguilar,MONMOUTH,OR,97361,United States,12/18/2011
129. Rita Moore,Portland,OR,97203,United States,12/18/2011
130. Daryl Caggiano Boston, MA 12/18/2011
131. Kym Cooke Portland, OR 12/18/2011
132. Lyra Butler-Denman Portland, OR 12/19/2011
133. Alex Stegner Portland, OR 12/19/2011
134. Courtney Von Drehle Portland, OR 12/19/2011
135. Laurie Mercier portland, OR 12/19/2011
136. Pat Muller Wilsonville, OR 12/19/2011
137. Swapna Mukhopadhyay Portland, OR 12/19/2011
138. Jeff Jansen Portland, OR 12/19/2011
139. Laura Seeton Portland, OR 12/19/2011
140. Tom Conry Portland, OR 12/19/2011
141. Cari Coe Portland, OR 12/19/2011
142. Mark Oldani Portland, OR 12/19/2011
143. Bruce Bennett Pacifica, CA 12/19/2011
144. Sandy GENTILOTTI CHADDS FORD, PA 12/19/2011
145. kelly balderson Portland, OR 12/19/2011
146. Martin Hart-Landsberg Portland, OR 12/19/2011
147. Julia Sanders Portland, OR 12/19/2011
148. Jean Eilers Portland, OR 12/19/2011
149. Sheila Golden Portland, OR 12/19/2011
150. Patricia Conway Portland, OR 12/19/2011
151. bethany dierickx Portland, OR 12/20/2011
152. Nathan Goldbaum Chicago, IL 12/20/2011
153. Alan Haggard San Diego, CA 12/20/2011
154. Cassie Sorensen Portland, OR 12/20/2011
155. Ryan Coons Edinboro, PA 12/20/2011
156. Anne Morin Portland, OR 12/20/2011
157. Eileen Wende Portland, OR 12/20/2011
158. Kelly Allen Portland, OR 12/20/2011
159. Heather Mayer Portland, OR 12/20/2011
160. blair adornato portland, OR 12/20/2011
161. illona trogub Buffalo Grove, IL 12/20/2011
162. Kelly Longley Portland, OR 12/21/2011
163. Brady Bennon Portland, OR 12/21/2011
164. Leah Miller Portland, OR 12/21/2011
165. Amber Lane Corvallis, OR 12/21/2011
166. chevy pham bend, OR 12/21/2011
167. Kate McNulty Portland, OR 12/21/2011
168. Ken Rubin Seattle, WA 12/21/2011
169. Lianne Richland Lake Oswego, OR 12/21/2011
170. Sharon` Crocker San Jose, CA 12/21/2011
171. Ivan Evans La Jolla, CA 12/21/2011
172. ian golash seattle, WA 12/21/2011
173. JK Vickrey Coos Bay, OR 12/21/2011
174. Clemency Wings Albuquerque, NM 12/21/2011
175. Deb Greene Greensboro, NC 12/21/2011
176. Ann Veu Nakagawa Sacramento, CA 12/21/2011
177. Thomas Batley Santa Cruz, CA 12/21/2011
178. Michael Hureaux Seattle, WA 12/22/2011
179. Sandra Childs Portland, OR 12/22/2011

The following is a proposal to amend the Spokes Council and General Assembly format. Web-team does not usually post proposals, but as this proposal has already been passed through GA and SC (in part) we are announcing the proposals with the new schedule.

Tomorrow (Friday the 16th of December 2011) at the Spokes Council we will be discussing a couple of amendments to the proposal of a new meeting structure. If the proposed amendments do not pass, this new structure will still be implemented on Monday and we can continue to refine the proposal, modifying the mix of meeting types and styles to fit the needs of our movement. The two amendments previously discussed are:

1. Switching Saturday and Sunday’s planned meetings (i.e. General Assembly on Sunday, Feather Circle on Saturday)
2. Giving the General Assembly on Saturday the ability to call for an extra GA on Wednesday if needed to complete all the proposals on the table. And similarly, giving the Spokes Council on Thursday the ability to call for an extra SC on Monday (to happen before/after the Agenda Setting meeting) if needed to complete all the proposals on the table

The Facilitation Team would like to add the following:

Having a break from Friday 12/23 – Sunday 12/25 during which there would be no facilitated meetings. Many people will be absent for some of the holidays and there are both questions of whether there will be enough participants or facilitators to be present during this time.

Schedule:

• MON – Agenda Setting, Proposal Announcement and Discussion (proposals and agendas will then be posted online for the Thur and Sat meetings)
• TUE – Movement Building / Open Forum
• WED – Open
• THU – Spokes Council
• FRI – Cultural Events (Planned by TUPAC and B-Media)
• SAT – General Assembly
• SUN – Feather Circle (Facilitated by Rumorz)

Additions to the proposal:

1. Emergency GA meetings could replace any nights activities (emergency being defined as something that requires action within 48 hours). OPDX email list would be the place where this would be discussed, with facilitation team assisting and would be posted on the website
2. This revised schedule would be re-evaluated at the Spokes Council 4 weeks after it starts.

Rationale for the Proposal:

Making sure that our meeting structures and styles are truly meeting the needs of our new and growing movement is important and will require ongoing evolution. Many factors including: decreased participation, less dynamic discussions, facilitator capacity, weather and the holiday season leads us to believe that this is an appropriate time for some changes. Other occupations nationwide are having similar problems and are working to make changes that will facilitate more space for open discussion, connection and affinity building, instead of process heavy, decision making meetings that sometimes stifle new ideas that need a more open space to foster. In light of this the Process and Structure Committee proposes to change the mix of different meeting types and styles. This will not change the time and frequency of meetings. What will change is what happens during the meetings.

Please keep in mind that this will be an ongoing process. The Process and Structure Committee was recently formed and is open to all. It will continue to look at the big picture questions about how to meet the needs of our movement through process. This proposal is designed to meet the immediate needs that have come up, in a timely fashion, with more to come as both our process and our movement evolves.

This proposal was announced at the General Assembly on 12/5 and the Spokes Council on 12/4. It was brought for a decision to the Spokes Council on 12/6 and tabled for further discussion. All were invited to the 12/11 Process and Structure Committee meeting where the proposal was further evolved. The proposal was passed by the Spokes Council on 12/13 and by the General Assembly on 12/14.

Say Hi to Occupy

Bring love.
Bring tents.
Bring sleeping bags.
Bring snacks.

On December 3rd, Occupy Portland will once again occupy a public space. We have decided to do this after carefully considering many of the concerns expressed about our previous encampment, the sustainability of the space and the occupation, the environmental impact of our stay, the security concerns some have voiced, and the disruptions that may be caused to those around the park.

We do this in solidarity with Occupy movements around this country and this planet because we have the right to peacefully assemble on public property and because we have grievances with a variety of injustices in our society that have not been redressed. The proposal of this occupation is simple:

We will only occupy this park for two weeks;

We will clean up, for as long as it is necessary, to remove all litter, rake and till the ground, and replant any of the park’s plant life that requires such action under the direction of the Parks Commissioner and Portland Parks & Recreation;

We will have a group of volunteers ready to do this and will dedicate a portion (at our discretion) of any donations received by Occupy Portland toward the materials necessary to accomplish this end;

We will constantly ensure that our actions are having the smallest impact possible upon the public space, for example by using mesh tubing to ensure no damage is done to trees by any ropes which are fixed, using canopy tents instead of tarps where possible, and trying to contain much of the camp to brick or paved areas where available;

Although we attempt to make the space and the community as inclusive as possible, we will encourage a security culture in the space by rigorously keeping our protest in compliance with the established Code of Conduct which was passed by the Occupy Portland General Assembly earlier this fall, and employing an idea promoted by Gandhi known as “Shanti Sena”, or “Peace Army”, where anyone that hears this call is directed to immediately assist the person making the call with whatever issue has arisen.

Occupy Portland would like to create a space that works for all, and learning from the experiences of our first camp, we hope to see in what ways the City believes these things can best be accomplished. While we are hoping to address concerns the City may have, we categorically reject the idea that the dissolution of our encampment is an answer to any of these issues, and implore both the City of Portland and the Portland Police to be forthright, honest and measured in their interactions and expression with the public.

The ideas which the City is concerned about are solvable, and we hope to see our public officials engage in actions which attempt to solve them instead of simply shoving them aside.

Signed,
Occupy Portland

This action coincides with the 1:00 pm court appearance of the Jamison Square Protestors.

Please bring signs that send the message that it is our first amendment right of the people peaceably to assemble and to address the government for redress of grievances.

The First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

See the events wiki…

This message is not endorsed by the general assembly

Calling all artists!

Occupy Portland is looking for fliers and films for this Black Friday (November 25th). A series of direct actions will be aided by a media rich campaign of independent fliers and super-short films.

What we’re looking for

Material that will make people smile and make impressions. We want solid information about where products come from, what specific big corporations support with the money you spend on them, and all other information that might be important for consumers to know this holiday shopping season.

Fliers:
While PDF files are handy, printed fliers are best. We’re looking for spoofs on ads with coupons for free classes. We’re looking for satire and parody. Full color gets the most attention, but black and white is significantly better than not getting the message out. Leaflets can be handed out and fliers can be posted throughout the city. Please contact the street team for distribution: occupyportlandstreetteam@gmail.com

Short films:
We’re looking for entertaining and educational videos that are less than a minute. Fake commercials, short skits, and cartoons about Santa and his Elves are welcome. Again, we’re not looking to wage war on Christmas, but rather show people how to be a better consumer.

Send an email at pdx99library@googlegroups.com with a title telling us you have a Black Friday flier or film.