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.

The People's Convention Organizing Committee will meet 4:30pm Saturday at Café Flora in the Marigny section of New Orleans.  All who believe that there’s got to be a better way to organize a society than by putting the pursuit of profit ahead of human and environmental need are invited to attend. Additional information concerning the Peoples Convention project is presented below.


This is what democracy looks like in 2012:  THE PEOPLE'S CONVENTION

The People's Convention will be held on October 27, 2012 from 1-5pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans 5212 South Claiborne Avenue. New Orleans

The People's Convention 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 need, for example, low and moderate income housing, the right to organize ourselves into unions, living wage jobs,  public education, an end to imperialist war, and an end to the rampant discrimination against and brutalization of African Americans.  Given the 1%’s domination of  the leaders of  the Republicans and the Democrats the conventions of  America’s two ruling parties cannot help but sacrifice the interests of  the many to satisfy the seemingly boundless greed of the privileged few.   To allow the Republicans and Democrats, in this time of economic crisis, to continue to monopolize the setting of  the nation’s political agenda is a recipe for disaster for the 99 percent.

       So why hold a People's Convention before the November 4 Presidential Election? Because the Budget Control Act of 2011, passed by the standing U.S. Congress and signed into law by the current President, guarantees that draconian cuts in federal funding for public services that we need and regressive tax increases that we don’t need will be the focus of Congressional activity during the weeks and months following the November 4.  The People's Convention and the organizing for it will put the people in strong position to give a 99 percent to an attempt to shove a 1 percent budget down our throats.

What should  the People's Agenda include?

• A public works program open to all that pays a living wage?
• Democracy not  oligarchy?
• Respecting the right of everyone to safe and decent housing?
• And end to brutalization of and discrimination against African Americans?
• Immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan?
• Selection rather than election?
• Environmental justice rather than pillage of the environment?
• And….?

Help Decide the People's Agenda: Come meet with us Saturday Sept 15 or RSVP to THE PEOPLE’S CONVENTION Facebook Event!



 

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 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.

A Call to Action

Louisiana is facing roughly $859 million in federal Medicaid funding for this year.

Occupy NOLA invites you to protest at the home of State Representative and House majority leader Anthony (Tony) Ligi.


Ligi supports Jindal's legislation pushed by ALEC includes school vouchers, charter and virtual schools, public retirement reform, Medicaid reform, public employee health benefits reform and sweeping privatization—all part and parcel of Jindal’s legislative agenda. Ligi received $20,700 in contributions from ALEC.

Tell Ligi that Louisiana will not stand for this!

Meet Friday, July 27 at Occupy The Stage, 2735 c Toulouse and caravan to reign upon 5216 Senac Dr. Metairie! We'll have a route by Friday (trying to decide if we should take the interstate I-10 or Earhart expressway).

Key Demands

• No Cuts to Medicaid
• No Closure of Public Hospitals or Cuts
• No to School Vouchers and Yes to Public Schools

Please join us. You can RSVP to Occupy NOLA's Facebook event.


~ Occupy New Orleans General Assembly

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

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