The Occupy Puppet Theater has really taken off, and today Occupy The Stage participated in a Charivari against Austerity. The Puppet Theater was involved along with our latest "banker" puppet who printed his own money and denied several bystanders the opportunity to open an account.

Creative Props included a birdcage stuffed with  spray-painted orange dolls that represented the prison-industrial complex and over-crowded jails and some "Evict the Rich" punching balloons, along with creative signs and hand-made instruments. 


This action was part of  "Solidarity Against Austerity" planned in conjunction with The Gulf Coast People's Convention.

Four People were arrested today, in New Orleans, for protesting a meeting of the American Petroleum Institute. They are being charged with criminal trespassing, despite there being no signs stating that they were not allowed, the meeting was public, when asked to leave they complied. A Louisiana state police officer manhandled several people inside and blocked their vehicle outside, keeping them from leaving, before finally identifying himself as a police officer.

Donations for bond and legal fees can be made through:
https://www.wepay.com/donations/ots-jail-support

Livestreams of the arrests can be found here:
http://bambuser.com/v/3150179
http://bambuser.com/v/3150191
http://bambuser.com/v/3150220

WHAT: Deep democracy training with Dr. Riki Ott entitled ‘’Rethinking Democracy and Organizing for Change’’

 

WHEN: A two-day strategic training retreat on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, from noon to 6:00 PM and Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

 

WHERE: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5212 South Claiborne Avenue, Sanctuary

 

DEEP DEMOCRACY TRAINING: Participants learn how corporations captured our democracy; share and practice skills for campaign building and rights-based community organizing, and design campaigns for their community and state to reclaim (or create) local self-governance – rule by the people. As part of the local rights-based campaigns, Riki will introduce template municipal ordinances and resolutions for banning toxic chemicals, currently used in oil disaster response.

 

WHY ATTEND: The presidential election is behind us, and it wasn’t very satisfying. Two corporate candidates split the vote, and neither discussed the crucial issues we face: environmental degradation, climate change, infrastructure decline, over-militarization, exorbitant imprisonment, corporate control of politics, and so many more. In some counts, the popular vote went to one candidate and the electoral vote to the other.

 

The Gulf  States People’s Convention took place October 27 and organized itself around the principle of people’s needs, not around political parties (http://www.occupythestage.net/1/category/gulf%20coast%20peoples%20convention736c147e23/1.html

 ). Dr. Ott’s ‘’Rethinking Democracy and Organizing for Change’’ is her surprise offering to South Louisiana on this same subject, particularly as it applies to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. At the end of Dr. Ott’s training, she will present a new film about the disaster, ‘’Dirty Energy’’, hopefully with its director, who is stopping in New Orleans on his way to Amsterdam Film Festival (http://www.dirtyenergymovie.com/about.html ).  

Dr. Ott’s presence and the screening of the film were offered only this past week, so its late announcement may preclude your participation, but if you are able to attend you are welcome. Light snacks and coffee will be served.

We know the BP disaster isn’t over. BP has left a legacy of lies, leaking oil, injured workers, sick families, mounting debts, and collapsed fisheries. We would like to share information and skills so together, we can make it right. For real. Ourselves.

You are invited – on very short notice! – to a deep democracy training and strategic retreat. As part of the training, Riki Ott will share templates for municipal ordinances and resolutions to ban toxic chemicals, including Corexit, as part of a national action.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, from noon to 6:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Dirty Energy movie screening
Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM

Overnight accommodations are available at the church for out-of-town guests. $40 per night, including kitchen facilities for cooking meals. Contact Deanna Vandiver, director@celsjr.org
Cell: 504.333.2718

Office: 504.866.4170

For more information please contact Lisa Marie Jacobs at amend@rikiott.com

This is what democracy looks like in 2012.
THE FIRST PEOPLE’S CONVENTION in NEW ORLEANS


Join us at 1pm to 5pm-Saturday. October 27, 2012.

First Unitarian Universalist Church: 5212 South Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans
RSVP at this Facebook Event

The First People’s Convention in New Orleans is where the 99%, not the 1%, sets the political agenda.  We the people, as opposed to we the rich, have needs and interests that are in fundamental conflict with the 1%.

We, the people of several activist groups, wish to create a strong coalition. We seek to unite all like-minded peoples and organizations, so that all of our voices are amplified through a greater body. For all of those who understand that our grievances are connected, let us stop the plundering of our future.


Note: In this document, the network of activists that will emerge from the First People's Convention in New Orleans is being referred to as a "coalition." However, the organizers welcome proposals for different names, and hope attendees will suggest names, which will be put to a vote at the end of the convention.

Schedule

1pm - 1:30 pm: Meet and Greet Mixer and Potluck

This time allows people to get comfortable with the surroundings, allows people to get more familiar with each other, have time to eat, and gives organizers a chance to give participants a sense of direction. It also gives people a chance to show up NOLA TIME.

Preparation of Info Tables

Groups invited to the convention will be notified about availability of info tables if they would like to display leaflets or educational materials about the group they represent (this is not required). Tables will be pointed out when first groups arrive. The rest should follow suit.

1:30 - 1:50 ORIENTATION with 2 Speakers

Speaker 1 (Mike Howells) explains the theme of the convention, that all our grievances are connected and the Budget Act of 2011 and Fiscal Cliff. Reassures everyone that preserving group autonomy is as critical as working together. Explains the convention itself and democratic process. Emphasizes we are not here to support a candidate and that we are non-partisan.

1:50 to 2:00 – Speaker 2 (Tara Jill) explains the participatory workshops and process of the convention. The Convention and workshops will reach agreements based on a 2/3 Democratic rule. 

The workshops will be an opportunity to develop a demand or series of demands and a proposal for an action. At the convention, people will form break-out groups/workshops based on specific issue(s) (i.e. housing, student debt, etc) they'd like to focus on including:



·      Environmental Concerns

·      Workers Rights

·      Prison Industrial Complex

·      Healthcare

·      Military Industrial Complex

·      Education - student rights - student debt.

·      Civil Rights

·      Crooked two party system/Politics

·      Agriculture/Monsanto

·      Gentrification

·      Social Aid/Housing

·      SFUABS (shit’s fucked up and bull shit) Solidarity

Workshop participants will also spend time deciding on future meeting times, objectives, and choosing which month would be the best for group protest related to the issue they've chosen. If a group has a month or date for their action, they should include it in the group "report back". These groups will be set up to secure the longevity of this coalition/network of activist groups that will emerge.

Some groups may need to consolidate for the purpose of monthly protests. Ideally, each month will have a theme related to an issue on the list above (note: this list is not intended to be all inclusive or "set in stone;" groups and individuals are encouraged to add their specific grievances.

Proposals:

Proposals prepared in advance regarding the organization, name, structure of the network of activists groups will be presented at this time. These proposals will be considered/entertained in workshop groups and voted on later to give everyone enough time to consider them carefully.

When workshop groups meet, they will also have the opportunity to create proposals as to how the coalition should continue to organize,  which will be voted on at the end of the convention. Paper and pens will be provided so these proposals can be submitted in writing.

The organizers ask that each working group clearly write out any proposal to submit for archiving (so groups may need to write two copies).

When voting on proposals takes place, decisions will be reached by a 2/3 vote.

2:00 - 2:30 INTRODUCTIONS, GROUP RECOGNITION and Speakers

This time will be used to allow groups and individuals to introduce themselves and speak on their issues.

Slots for 5 minute speakers from individuals/groups attending. We ask that folks speak, if they like, on the issues that they are concerned with.

1. Speaker from Socialist Alternative will discuss Coal Miners' Strike.

2:30 - 2:45 Break/WORKSHOPS SIGN UP and CREATION

Convention attendees will create participatory workshops based on the issue they'd like to address. We have materials to make a sign for each workshop created. This is also time for a break while people organize into work groups.

Organizers of convention will keep track of a master list of workshops/groups and issues. We ask each group to select a representative that can report back to the larger group with the demands and proposals from their particular working group.

 

2:45 – 3:30 WORKSHOPS

Issues
Workshops will begin. If a group has a month or date for the action they are planning, the group can report it. Groups will spend time deciding on future meeting times, objectives, and choosing which month would be the best for group protest. For instance, a group working on Student Debt might choose to have its monthly protest in September. Many groups may have much of this in place already in which case they can check out other workshops or just mingle.



Proposals

Workshop groups can use this time to review proposals regarding how we will move forward as a coalition or alliance and continue to organize and grow. During workshops it is also a time to consider when we will hold our next convention.   Workshops might also discuss possible names for the coalition that will emerge from this network of activists. Workshop groups are encouraged to draft their own proposals regarding when and where future conventions will take place; groups are welcome to consider hosting future conventions/ planning meetings.

Consolidation of Contact Info

Groups should collect contact info within workshops and make sure everyone has all contact info within workshops. Since each group will have a "Representative", these "Reps" can compile contact lists to help create a master contact list. Each group will give one copy to the convention organizers and keep one for themselves.

3:30 - 4:00 "Report Backs" from Workshops

Working groups will share their plans including:

·      Future meeting times for the group

·      Objectives (actions/demands)

·      Potential date for action/protest

·      Proposals (for the group and for the convention)

4:00 - 4:20 Calendar

Date of our first action, and plan for organizing for that action. Synching of calendar and month allotment for protest themes and planning

4:20- 4:40 Voting and Proposals

Proposals presented earlier will be voted upon. Any working groups that created proposals will present them for a vote.

4:40 - 5:00 Closing speeches and announcement of future conventions based on proposals. We can ask for closing comments from attendees.

Hello All,

Occupy The Stage warehouse did not flood. Below are some Friday resources for food, water, and medical needs. We love you and stay safe.

~ Occupy The Stage

Friday Common Ground Health Clinic Update

All,

All of our providers are back in the office so we are open to seeing patients today. We are operating on a skeleton support crew, but making it work.   We don't normally see patients on Friday so we are taking walk ins. If you live or work in the area please spread the word.

--
Meshawn Tarver
Executive Director
Common Ground Health Clinic
1400 Teche Street
New Orleans, LA 70114 Clinic: 504-361-9800 Office: 504-365-8800 Cell: 504-717-7329 fax: 504-368-9836

Friday Emergency Food Co-op at Buffa's!

EMERGENCY FOOD CO-OP
OK, folks, you have food, but no electricity. We have people to feed and hardly any food left!
Let's use your food to feed people instead of throwing it out!


Here is how our emergency food co-op works:

IF YOU HAVE FOOD THAT NEEDS TO GET USED:

1). Bring it in.

2). Tell us how much you want for yourself or your family, and our cooks will cook it for you.

3). You give our server some cash for our cook (and they will see our cooks get ALL of it.)

4). We will share what's left with others.


IF YOU HAVE NO FOOD TO SHARE:

1). Find out what we have. Be patient. It's crowded and the list will always be changing.

2). Tell the server what you want.

3). Give the server some cash for the cook. They will make sure the cook gets ALL of it.


Locations of Emergency #POD sites for #NOLA #Ice #MRE #H20 Emergency Point of Distribution (POD) sites 

The National Guard has opened three emergency Point of Distribution (POD) sites where citizens can pick up critical supplies including ice, water, and MREs in New Orleans East, Lower Ninth Ward and on the West Bank.:

•         5501 Read Blvd in New Orleans East near Methodist Hospital
•         2730 Vespasian Blvd on the West Bank
•         700 Poland Ave., the Port of Embarkation in the Bywater

Sites are open 6am to 8pm, or when it is too dark to distribute supplies, until further notice. Sites will distribute water, ice, and MREs.  They will not distribute tarps.

From http://new.nola.gov/ready

All PODs are open until 8 pm tonight for MREs, ice and water. In District C there's a pod at 4400 Dauphine at the Naval Support Facility East Bank and at Skelly Rupp Park in Algiers (2200 Vespasian Blvd near Shirley Drive off of General DeGaulle). They will be open tomorrow from 6 pm - 8 pm.

Louisiana Locations Providing Supplies (ice, water, MRE's, varies by location) -
Jefferson Parish
Alario Center, 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego
Butch Duhe Playground, 1710 10th St., Kenner
Harahan City Hall, 6437 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan
Helen Cox High School, 2200 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey
First Parish Court, 920 David Dr., Metairie
FOR LAFITTE RESIDENTS ONLY: Lafitte Town Hall, 2654 Jean Lafitte Boulevard, Lafitte
FOR GRAND ISLE RESIDENTS ONLY: Grand Isle Fire Department, 2757 LA Hwy 1, Grand Isle
Orleans Parish
5501 Read Blvd in New Orleans East near the intersection of Read and Lake Forrest Blvd;·
2730 Vespasian Blvd on the West Bank
700 Poland Avenue in the Bywater
St. John the Baptist Parish
East St. John Elementary, 400 Ory Drive, LaPlace
Emily C. Watkins, 938 LA Hwy 628, LaPlace
Fifth Ward Elementary, 158 Panther Drive, Reserve
Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet
240 LA Hwy 54, Mount Airy
Leon Godchaux School, 1880 Hwy 44, Reserve
St. John the Baptist Courthouse, 2393 Hwy 18, Edgard

A Call to Action: Give Governors Jindal and Walker a 99 Percent Unwelcome to New Orleans Friday, August 17 4pm Protest against Jindal, Walker, & Austerity: 4pm Friday, August 17th.

Meet on neutral ground at Tchoupitoulas & Andrew Higgins (2 blocks from Morial Convention Center in the CBD).



WE DEMAND

• Louisiana opt in to federal Medicaid expansion.
• Keep Southeast Hospital open.
• Jindal and company restore recent funding cuts to higher education including UNO, SUNO, and Delgado budgets.
• Jindal and company restore recent funding cuts to public education and public healthcare.
• Jindal and company repeal the Louisiana Right to Work Law.
• Walker keep hands off workers’ rights to organize

Bring signs, chants, megaphones, chalk, friends, Family, and most importantly yourself.

Wherever the 1% is plotting the plunder of Louisiana’s 99%, you can bet Governor Bobby Jindal is nearby!  So it should come as no surprise that Jindal will be pimping himself out to the super-rich at Friday’s $25,000 a plate fundraiser for the Louisiana GOP at Calcasieu Ball Room  in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. Governor Jindal is the chief architect of the 1 percent’s historically unprecedented plunder of public hospitals, public healthcare, and public education in Louisiana. This plunder, unfortunately, is still underway.  Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is a natural match for sharing the stage with Jindal.  He is the nation’s best known gubernatorial union buster. Join us to voice your demands.



Flier for protest is below!

Thursday, July 12 and July 19: Let The People Speak! Time to Expose HANO’s and Kabacoff’s Lies!


Tuesday, July 17. 10 am:  “Come to Defend Our Community From the Real Estate Sharks at the HANO Board Meeting”
10:30 am Speak Out at Board Meeting
4100 Touro Street


Thursday, July 19. 7pm: “Iberville Town Hall Meeting”
St Jude Hall, 410 Basin Street
C3/Hands off Iberville
Let the People Speak!

The C3/Hands Off Iberville PLAN: 

• The people united can beat Kabacoff and company’s plan to demolish, displace, and raise rents for all working class people!
• C3/Hands Off Iberville says NO WAY to demolition and gentrification. 
• We demand that ALL the public housing units at Iberville be rebuilt. Furthermore, we demand the federal government create a new mass , direct-government employment public works program, at good union wages,  to rebuild housing, schools, hospitals and everything else the people need. JOBS
  

For more info call 504-520-9521

July 25: President Obama To Visit New Orleans

Obama is coming to New Orleans for the 2012 National Urban League Conference, which will include a Reception For the Obama Victory Fund (OVF) at the House of Blues.

For three and a half days the National Urban League will be presenting Occupy the Vote: Employment & Education Empower the Nation, the clarion call for all conference participants to be informed and deeply engaged in the various elements of economic empowerment.

To buy a ticket to the House of Blues Reception, visit https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/o2012-NewOrleansJuly25Reception and note the message “Please join President Obama for a reception with supporters like you in New Orleans” and well as the ticket prices ranging from 100 to 5,000 dollars.

This is obviously not an event for the 99% despite the co-opting of the "Occupy" name.

This conference is sponsored by Shell Oil.

July 25 - 27 Activist and filmmaker Kathleen Russell visits New Orleans.

Russell, who has been involved as an organizer with Occupy Wall Street since last fall, is embarking on a video project, touring the United States and interviewing activists, people participating in direct actions, and people working create a dual power model. She and another Occupy organizer, Amelia will visit New Orleans and Occupy The Stage will host them. They are interested in how Occupy has developed in New Orleans and what local issues Occupy NOLA has been fighting.  Check the following link to view a call to action video Kathleen edited for Organizing for Occupation http://www.o4onyc.org/

Both Amelia and Kathleen are active in New York's O4P foreclosure auction blockades. O4O is a radical housing rights group that does eviction defense, moves people into empty homes, and organizes foreclosure auction blockades, which are what this video is promoting. O4O is not an OWS working group, but a lot of occupiers are involved. Here's the video: http://hockymickle.tumblr.com/post/21213946162/i-edited-this-call-to-action-video-for-the-amazing

July 26 (Thurs) - Occupy The Stage Live Performances!
Doors open at 9 & show starts at 10. Bands TBA!

August 7 (Tues). 7pm: “The Election and The 99%: Which Way for Workers and Students?”
Unitarian Universalist Church 5212 S. Claiborne

Speakers include:

• Elizabeth Cook: Committee to Stop Oil Disaster
• Mike Russell: Socialist Alternative
• Andy Washington: Civil Rights Activist
• W.C. Johnson: United Front of New Orleans
• Mike Howells: Occupy NOLA
• And others.

For more info call 587-0080

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters,

We the free peoples of the world stand before the crossroads of humanity's future. To continue down the same path would mean our certain annihilation. The only other paths seem as though they simply have yet to be blazed, and that's where we come in.
The knowledge that things are fundamentally wrong in our society is prevalent in almost every rational mind. What's lacking is a clear directive for a replacement to our very flawed system. This lack of direction, or perceived lack of direction, has been our greatest hinderance. The media has skewed the public perception of what The Occupy Movement represents.

I see this movement as the global adhesive by which all other groups of disgruntled citizens come together. We are the all inclusive. We are the 99%.

We have made great progress networking nationally and indeed globally. This progress must continue. We must be willing to overlook the internal strife as well as each other's small transgressions and understand that the job we have set out to do is of far greater importance than any of of us.

We are here to save the world, and only a fool would think that a quick or easy job.

If there are only seven degrees of separation between us, then all we have to do is networking and outreaching, and we will reach the entire world. Right now, people everywhere are turning off the news and are seeking alternatives for their information for this reason: when you can't trust everyone you know, you must put your faith in strangers.

Be that alternative source. When you hear someone griping about our social ills,  get in on the conversation. You will find that you get a lot of positive feedback. You will also get a lot of new contacts. Our support base is everywhere; it's in the faces you see everyday. As I stated, there are but a few who don't realize shit has to change. We must be the ones who get everyone involved, and by involved, I mean start simple. All a preson really needs to back you is their John Hancock. That is the foot in the door. Once they see the light, they will at that point want to get physically involved, planning, working, networking.

Keep them busy. If someone has left this movement it's because they felt they were no longer useful.

Build community projects. Once your group has proprietary sense over physical space and projects, the momentum will grow exponentially.

Lastly, but of most importance, we must at this point give birth to the new global citizens party. Now is the time. We have the network. The people are ready.

Thank you and good luck.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26,  2012

Occupy The Stage founder, Justin Warren was held at Orleans Parish Prison from June 20 - June 26 and transferred to Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a warrant he didn't know existed. His bond in Eastern Baton Rouge for charges of disturbing the peace and resisting arrest totaled 1,000.

Justin Warren has a voice that can carry and be heard over the din of city streets. His key voice at assemblies and protests in the occupy community has demonstrated his dedication as an advocate of freedom of speech. The charges he is facing are for allegedly disturbing the peace on the steps of the capitol building in Baton Rouge. On the 12th of March, he was in Baton Rouge with Occupy The Stage, Occupy NOLA and Occupy Baton Rouge for the opening of the 2012 session of the Louisiana Legislature that included a protest against budget cuts in education.

He was making a speech when an officer approached him and attempted to silence him. He continued exercising his First Amendment rights and was then approached by several officers who attempted to grab him from behind.
However, he slipped out of his jacket and left the steps of the State Capitol.

After he departed, Officer Holman (badge # 6071) said on camera that Justin was no longer disturbing the peace and would not be arrested. (see min 1:40 here: http://youtu.be/86OSs6YmM8s)

When questioned as to why Louisiana State Police were interfering with Justin's First Amendment rights, Officer Holman replied that he was speaking without a permit. Apparently, The Tea Party had scheduled a separate event in
the same area, and they were not approached by the police because they had obtained said permit. The New Orleans protesters did not have a permit, nor did they need one according to The Bill of Rights. Occupy movements across the country continue to battle relentless attacks on free speech and assembly, which are assured to all citizens by our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The warrant and the ensuing transfer to Baton Rouge are obviously a ridiculous waste of taxpayers' money. No citizen should need a permit to exercise freedom of speech in the State of
Louisiana. Public spaces, including the steps of the capitol building, are protest points where free speech has been exercised for decades.

Justin Warren was released after spending 6 days in Orleans Parish Prison and 1 day in Eastern Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He needs to be compensated for his loss of income while being held for no justifiable reason.

In Solidarity,

Occupy NOLA