The General Assembly is a gathering of people committed to making decisions based upon a collective agreement or “consensus.”
There is no single leader or governing body of the General Assembly – everyone’s voice is equal. Anyone is free to propose an idea or express an opinion as part of the General Assembly.
Each proposal follows the same basic format – an individual shares what is being proposed, why it is being proposed, and, if there is enough agreement, how it can be carried out.
The Assembly will express its opinion for each proposal through a series of hand gestures. If there is positive consensus for a proposal – meaning no outright opposition – then it is accepted and direct action begins.
If there is not consensus, the responsible group or individual is asked to revise the proposal and submit again at the following General Assembly until a majority consensus is achieved.
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General Assembly Minutes for 12/3/11
Report Back
News Conference Today at 12 had the following media present:
WDSU
WWL
ABC
Fox
We will be all over the media tonight
20 or 30 people were at the conference
Our two main points to the media were:
1. We have read the 1st amendment, and Landriue has not. Closing the park from 10:30 to 6 is unconstitutional
2. Take care of homeless before you kick out the campers
Anit-racist group
Tips on how to help the occupation:
1. Show up
2. Call Mayor
3. Create buddy system with those still camping/ stay in touch
4. Tomorrow 3:30 meeting on how to react to the police
Legal working group
1. Lawyers will be here tonight to talk to us
2. Everyone should pick up a flyer with the lawyers numbers
3. We need volunteers to call people in the event of an emergency
Occupy the Stage
Open mic show tomorrow night starting between 8:30 and 9pm
Stage will be moved off site after the show and we will be starting flash concerts and electric second lines
Announcements
Faciliation working group meeting Tues at 5pm
Jessica: Integrity has gotten a hold of possible place to occupy with homeless protestors
Patricia: last concensus meeting will be held tomorrow 12-3pm and there will be an introduction to permaculture meeting at 6pm on Monday
Delia: Latest notic—police assured us there will be no raid and they also handed out vouchers. BB was here and those who spoke to her should share those conversations freely
Library is being held safely. Those interested in helping to find a place for the library should contact alltheworldsastage12@gmail.com
There is a place to safely store backpacks
Working Group Proposals
December 12 will be a day of action around 12 pm –get back to the GA with a full proposal
Direct Action working group: Mon 4pm News Conference
Question: Why not earlier in the day?
Answer: Purpose of conference is for public to speak—not to give Mayor the opportunity to respond
Concern: Doing another conference might antagonize the public
Point of discussion: I think it is a very good idea to have press conferences. We should not elect representatives to speak—keep the open mic forum
Lets vote first on wether or not we should even have a press conference on Monday and work out the logistics later.
Delia: concern: only those who reside in the park should have a voice in the proposal because they are the ones affected
Reply: Occupy Nola is everyone at the gA not just those living here
This is for freedom of speech
Do we want the press conference on Monday? 90% consent
Tomorrow we will vote on time
Legal Working Group:
4 issues:
1. Tomorrow Civil Disobediance training—info on how to avoid getting arrested during a protest provided by the lawyers
2. Lawyers should request a meeting with the Mayor to ask when eviction will be enforced—whether people want to participate
3. Temporary restraining order to stop eviction—some people will have to give their personal information
4. Getting permit from park service to remain in the park
5. We need people to be legal liaisons to compile a list of those will to lose arrest and for emergencies
Votes on items after discussion: All 5 items were approved by consensus
If you would like your name to appear on a contact list for our legal team, please contact:
Derek Brazzell
504-230-5844
derikbrazzell@yahoo.com
Harry Saxon
504-230-7098
Gabriel Barough
301-919-5865
Gabe.barouh@gmail.com