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

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.

1.  President Obama, Congress: Return Bankruptcy protections to Student Loans
http://www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-congress-return-bankruptcy-protections-to-student-loans


2.  Support the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012
http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan?source=mo&id=44952-21832335-OtBeZ0x

3. Tell Sallie Mae: Stop the Unemployment Penalty
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-sallie-mae-stop-the-unemployment-penalty

Occupy Student Debt Campaign

Debtors’ Pledge http://www.occupystudentdebtcampaign.org/student-pledge/ 
Faculty Pledge of Support http://www.occupystudentdebtcampaign.org/faculty/ 

Occupy NOLA set up an info booth on the neutral ground between City Park and Delgado Community college as part of the Global Day of Action.

We encouraged people to share information about debt and petition for free public education for all, zero interest on loans at private schools, fair salaries for full-time instructors, more jobs for instructors, that the Federal Government eliminate student debt with a single act of relief.


Details on the General Education Strike and its call to action are available at http://ism-global.net/global_education_strike  and http://ism-global.net/call2action_GES , respectively.

The Occupy NOLA GA endorsed The International Student Movement   at the Tuesday September 18, 2012 G.A.

“The International Student Movement (ISM) is an independent communication platform for groups and activists around the world to exchange information, network and coordinate activities in our struggle against the increasing commercialisation of education and for free emancipatory education for all!”

GLOBAL EDUCATION STRIKE Oct.18th & Nov.14-22nd 2012

Here are some great links to All In The Red and other organizations that help students organize.
Sources:

International Student Movement
Occupy Student Debt Campaign
Aging with Student Debt
Edu Factory
Occupy Student Debt
EDU Debtors Union
Strike Debt
Free Education Montreal
#MicCheckWallSt
Student Debt Noise Brigade
Open Secrets
HR 4170
Debt Collectors Cashing In on Student Loans
Squarely In The Red
The Project on Student Debt
EDU Debtors Union

Strike Debt emerged from a series of Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Theory open assemblies that began in May 2012 in NYC. Strike Debt is spreading the word that debt is a global system of domination and exploitation of the 99% by the 1%. Strike Debt links diverse individuals and communities to resist the debt system.

from The Debt Resistors' Operations Manual

“We gave the banks the power to create money because they promised to use it to help us live healthier and more prosperous lives—not to turn us into frightened peons. They broke that promise. We are under no moral obligation to keep our promises to liars and thieves. In fact, we are morally obligated to find a way to stop this system rather than continuing to perpetuate it.

This collective act of resistance may be the only way of salvaging democracy because the campaign to plunge the world into debt is a calculated attack on the very possibility of democracy. It is an assault on our homes, our families, our communities and on the planet’s fragile ecosystems—all of which are being destroyed by endless production to pay back creditors who have done nothing to earn the wealth they demand we make for them.

To the financial establishment of the world, we have only one thing to say: We owe you nothing. To our friends, our families, our communities, to humanity and to the natural world that makes our lives possible, we owe you everything. Every dollar we take from a fraudulent subprime mortgage speculator, every dollar we withhold from the collection agency is a tiny piece of our own lives and freedom that we can give back to our communities, to those we love and we respect. These are acts of debt resistance, which come in many other forms as well: fighting for free education and healthcare, defending a foreclosed home, demanding higher wages and providing mutual aid.”

Spoken into a megaphone on October 18th.


Amount of loan: $111,892.53

This is not an attempt to collect a debt.

The total student debt now totals over 1 trillion dollars. The average price of tuition has increased over 900%. In 2011, the Department of Education spent over 1.4 billion to hire collection agencies. These agencies earned about 1 billion in commissions.

My generation is busy quoting philosophers artists and thinkers while we are shackled by debt.

The 1% will continue to cut budgets and eliminate humanities courses that foster the critical thinking skills needed to reflect upon and understand the power structures surrounding us. As you have with all aspects of our lives, you have turned education into a commodity. I come from a generation that believed our devotion to the humanities justified earning degrees in Philosophy, Writing, Art, and Education. 

I applied to a state university and earned a MFA believing these were healthy pursuits. They are healthy in every way except financially. Because of Governor Jindal's budget cuts, I am unable to work full-time as a college professor in Louisiana. The adjunct rate is not a living wage. I've been told to publish in order to get a full-time job teaching college students, and I've self-published a book and have written as much as I've had time to while teaching Freshmen Composition for online universities where I do not teach critical thinking. I am teaching students who have taken loans to attend a for profit university. I am not using my degree. Some of my friends from graduate school are able to write, but many are wage slaves to the global work machine. 

Obama, I reject your token gesture of debt reform. Income based repayments are not the answer. The more I work, the more I pay, and I will be paying Sallie Mae accumulated interest. All my payments have gone towards interest.

As long as I participate in the global work machine, I deny myself the chance to use my degree to contribute to a body of ideas because there are no jobs. I will not feed you my time and dreams to pay interest. 

I will not vote for any candidate who represents corporations. The system does not represent me.

The last thing the 1% wants is to give up one of their most powerful weapons - the idea that decent people always pay debts.

The Federal Reserve has been printing money for the banks who govern it. The government, which can declare student loan debt unenforceable, along with banking cartels, uses debt to funnel money from the 99% to the 1%. 

This ends now.

I will save every dollar from collection agencies. 

I will give nothing to banks. They are hoarding enough of it. 

I will not produce what you consider goods, and refuse to perpetuate the burden of working harder only to consume more. Instead, I will produce ideas that challenge your global capitalism. 

There is no place for me in your capitalistic machine. Mainstream media has indoctrinated us to accept debt. Budget cuts over higher education have turned universities into places that produce human capital, commodities, and competitors. 

To the collection agencies hired by ACS, as long as you earn commission, I will not answer the phone.

To the government, as long as you are legally entitled to garnish my wages, I will not work. 

To the bankers broke their promise, as long as you hoard money printed by The Federal Reserve, I will not feed you.

To the politicians who refuse to repeal bankruptcy laws, until you forgive all student debt, I will not vote for you and legitimize a system that perpetuates the illusion that you represent me or my peers. 

To the Department of Education - as long as you are collecting $1.22 for every dollar, I will not pay you. 

I was three years old when the Bankruptcy Reform Act passed in 1978.  I was two years old in 1977 when the American Bankers Association joined the conference of bankruptcy judges in lobbying - formally, anyway - against the cruel and unusual punishment of making student debt non-dischargeable. I didn't have a say.

I am personally answering the call from  Occupy / Real Democracy Now / 15M movement  for public and private debt resistance and refusal

To the financial institutions of the world, we have only one thing to say: we owe you NOTHING!

To our friends, families, our communities, to humanity and to the natural world that makes our lives possible, we owe you everything.

To the people of the world, we say: join the resistance, you have nothing to lose but your debts.

When: Tuesday, August 28 7pm

Where: Occupy The Stage 2735 C Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA

Activists from Less Wall More Street will be visiting New Orleans August 28- 30.

Occupy The Stage invites the 99% to join activists Jen Waller and Tom Hintze for brainstorming and training as part of “Less Wall, More Street: From Mass Arrests of OWS to Mass Incarceration” – a national campaign to raise awareness and build solidarity around issues of state targeting and social control.

This training will address the scope of the growing problem of political repression directed at the 99 percent. Jen Waller and Tom Hintze’s brainstorming and training session is part of “Less Wall, More Street: From Mass Arrests of OWS to Mass Incarceration” – a national campaign to raise awareness and build solidarity around issues of state targeting and social control. These two OWS activists have been driving across the country doing legal solidarity trainings and working to raise awareness and build solidarity around issues of state targeting and social control.  Please check out their website Less Wall More Street to learn more about how they are Building Solidarity to Fight Repression from Coast to Coast.

“Less Wall, More Street” seeks to build alliances between new activists who are just recently experiencing repression, more experienced activists who have long been subject to it and members of targeted and oppressed communities – to share experiences, build understanding and work in solidarity together.

After the arrest of more than 7,000 members of Occupy Movement engaging in peaceful acts of dissent, many of which are supposedly protected by the law of the land, state sanctioned repression remains a reality of life for the 99% in the United States.

Jen and Tom will also point out things that 99 percenters can to more effectively resist repression here. That political repression is a real and serious problem for 99 percenters in New Orleans is clear enough. Under the general direction of the local Homeland Security leadership, New Orleans police have arrested scores of 99 percenters for engaging in peaceful dissent in recent years. Targets of these arrests include members of the local public housing movement, Krewe of Eris revelers, anti austerity protesters at UNO, supporters of the Avery Alexander Occupy Encampment, and an organizer of Occupy the Stage. The time is long overdue for 99 percenters to give the problem of political repression in the US that it deserves.

Come to this free and timely discussion concerning a grim political reality in Barrack Obama’s America. This event is free and open to all.

Note: This training will occur during the regularly scheduled GA. The G.A. will meet after the training.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL MIKE AT 504-587-0080 or RSVP to this  Facebook Event.

On July 25 in New Orleans, we Chalkupied the Amphitheater near Jackson Square with messages to President Obama, whose  $250 Victory Reception  was nearby.  

We had to wait for the torrential downpour to stop before chalking, but we learned that chalk looks brighter when the pavers are wet.

The French Market Security and Manager told Occupy NOLA Chalk is "graffiti" and a felony, threatened to have everyone arrested if they didn't clean up the Chalkupy, and then had their employees clean up the Chalkupy.

Here is the video the livestreamer took of security telling Occupy The Stage chalk is graffiti. 
http://bambuser.com/v/2854777

Thank you to everyone who came out in the rain and supported this action!

On Wednesday President Obama will visit the French Quarter to attend a campaign fundraiser  Reception For the Obama Victory Fund (OVF) at the House of Blues. The  National Urban League Conference is billing Obama's visit as as “Occupy the Vote.” This suggests that the Occupy Movement is supporting a fundraiser for a holder of public office who has been the fervent supporter of a trillion dollar plus bailout of the banking giants at the expense of everyone else. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Here is what Occupy NOLA will be requesting from the President on his July 25th visit to New Orleans.

• Withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan now!

• Stop privatization of civil services
• Reverse NDAA Issue an executive order directing federal authorities to not implement the police state measures of the recently passed NDAA law
• Overturn the Bill H.R.347 
• Create a Massive Green Energy Infrastructure Project
• End drone killing and drone surveillance
• Stop the Keystone XL pipeline

• Issue an executive order preventing LA Governor Jindal and company from gutting medicaid and public hospital funding

• Stop the demolition of The Iberville Housing Development
• Create jobs for All
• Mass, direct-government employment program, now!
• Put all New Orleans teachers fired after Katrina back to work now! No more scabs for America's teachers
• End government support of for-profit education.
  
• Institute a Federal Public Works Program paid for by big oil companies including Shell and BP to clean up the Gulf of Mexico and restore the infrastructure of the Gulf.

Give President Obama a 99% UnWelcome: Meet 2pm Wednesday. June 25th to Chalkupy The Amphitheater across from Jackson Square  (near the corner of Decatur and St. Ann).

Bring chalk, signs, pots and pans, chants, friends, and, most importantly, yourself.

Hi, this is small affair, and this was one of my favorite days with Occupy The Stage. On On March 31, Occupy The Roads was visiting New Orleans, and Occupy The Stage brought an enormous banner to the Police Brutality protest which hundreds of people attended. This march, organized by United New Orleans Front, was in response to the NOPD killings of Wendell Allen and Justin Sipp.

That day was the first time my livestream was rebroadcast on Global Revolution TV. A brass band played "I'll fly away" as I caught up with the front of the march and Justin. "Please learn how to hold the camera," someone typed in the chat and I realized I'd been dancing.

Nola Anarcha wrote a terrific article about this event here:
400 March Against Police Violence, Racial and Class Oppression During The Final Four Tournament

Below is a clip of my interview with Justin where we discuss the March Against Police Violence and Occupy The Stage.

 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

This information was forwarded to Occupy The Stage from Occupy NOLA's 99% Direct Action Working Group.

Justin Warren, founding member of Occupy the Stage, sits in Orleans Parish Prison because authorities in Baton Rouge want him sent there to stand trial for the “crime” of speaking without a permit on the steps of the State Capitol building. The charges against Justin arise from his March 12th speech on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol building denouncing then proposed cuts to the state’s education budget.  Interestingly enough, the NOPD, not Baton Rouge police, arrested Justin early Wednesday morning, June 20th in New Orleans.  At the time of his arrest Justin was playing a lead role in helping organize the New Orleans stop of the national Occupy the Caravan.

At this time Occupy NOLA is urging all supporters of free speech and the right to dissent  to contact Sheriff Marlin Gusman to urge that the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office  not collaborate with any attempt to extradite Justin to Baton Rouge.  Remember Sheriff Gusman is an elected official who is susceptible to public pressure. What’s more is that the  Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office should not be in the business of  aiding attacks on free speech.

 

How to contact Sheriff Gusman:

The phone number of the East Bank Sheriff’s Office is 504-822-8000 EXT 6411. (The wrong one was included in email from DAWG and was tweeted and we REALLY apologize).

But there is no answer on Sunday. You can submit a comment on the Contact Us section of the website of  the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office provides for the sending of  emails to the Sheriff.  The address for the home page of this website is www.opcso.org