Summary
Roughly 47 people in attendance.
We discussed possible locations for our “permanent” assembly.
We discussed our “one demand.”
We split into four different groups:
Logistics
Demands
Media/Art/AV/Tech
Legal
We came back together as a whole and each group shared their individual minutes, decided on next GA’s time/date/location.
Next General Assembly time/date/place
10/2 @ 5pm at Hurt Park
Detailed Minutes
—GA begins around 7:30—
(After hearing the concerns of a member of the GA on power plays and transphobia)
Consensus: Transphobia, Racism, and Homophobia have no place here.
- Carter: Oppression is played out in so many different ways. If someone says they feel marginalized it’s important to listen because we aim to avoid marginalization here.
- Sally suggests: Use Atlanta things. For example Fair Tax, Neal Boortz. Bring in people from various schools in the area like Ivan Allen College (GT) and Andrew Young (GSU). Teach-ins on non-violence perhaps associated with the King Center.
- Kevin: On the legality of occupations, was part of a pardon and parole board occupation success. The idea behind occupations is that we pay taxes, we own this stuff, we should be able to stay there.
- Hector: We should start wearing armbands as a solidarity statement and conversation piece to help spread the word. “99%” armbands for example.
- Jenny: Offered money to help with recruitment and possibly fund 5 iPad-like devices.
—Introductions took place—
Consensus: Stack to be kept on paper for practical reasons.
- Lyndsey:
Minutes from 9/26 GA:
- Work groups: Facilitation, Legal, Media, Tactical, Health, Food, Outreach, Demands.
- John talked about hand motions to be used in consensus based meetings.
- Possibility of facilitator training
- Possible locations: Piedmont, Woodruff, …
- Meeting spots must = MARTA accessible
- Getting legal backing: Natl Lawyers Guild at OWS
- Permits
- People want a set message out there.
- Kevin: Motion to occupy Woodruff park on October 6th. Motion declined.
- Jenny: Perhaps we can get with people that will already be occupying.
- Sally: Zuccoti park is a private park, that’s why they’ve been able to occupy.
- Stacy: Poor Peoples’ Campaign was on the mall in DC which is public property. Aside from that we need to tie all of our issues all to Wall Street.
- Angel: Cabbagetown park is neighborhood owned. Not Atlanta park. Perhaps the owners would allow an occupation.
-Male: Who can tell me the main demand of OWS?
- We need actionable points. Solidarity yes, but clear and actionable points too.
- Many people cited OWS’s demands for ending corporate personhood, restoring proper representation to the 99%.
-Other Male: In Mississippi there is a ballot referendum to repeal corporate personhood and to define exactly what corporate personhood means.
—Split into groups: Demands, Media, Legal, and Logistics—
GROUP SUMMARIES/CLOSING REMARKS:
Demands:
- Started to come to somewhat of a consensus on demands, but left it open for consideration in future GA. There was some consensus on tax related issues. Also consensus on ending corporate personhood, corruption, and malfeasance.
- Proposition to create informal research group to investigate possible means through which our demands could be achieved.
- Stated need for a YouTube channel to convey our demands.
Media:
- If street artists wish to support our cause they can create art referencing #occupyAtlanta
- Our main symbol/frontpiece/slogan is “99%” and/or “We Are the 99%” with a reference to www.occupyAtlanta.org
- People can wear armbands with our slogan to show solidarity and promote Occupy Atlanta.
- There should be outreach at local universities and colleges by students attending said schools. This can include armbands, posters, fliers, and perhaps even presentations.
- We should explore group based finances through WePay and possibly www.kickstarter.com in conjunction with the logistics crew.
- This group should be known as Occupy Atlanta Media (editors note: I think that should also be our goal)
- Google Groups should be made for more organized communications with in the groups.
- Website is being set up and held on a safe server by occupywallst.org
Legal:
- Decided on two main functions:
- resource for legal advice;
- disseminate info on what is legal a.k.a. know your rights type workshop and possible material from Copwatch.
- Concern about legalities and possible arrests.
- Stacy: Some people may want to get arrested for CIVIL disobedience (key word civil), others don’t or can’t. We need to have levels of action for everyone that wants to be involved. If someone wants to participate, there should be a level on which they can participate.
- The Legal Team concluded that unless we can find an area to set up our tents that is Private Property and does not belong to the City of Atlanta – we will be facing arrest.
Logistics:
- Before logistics can be sorted out, we must plan our tactics.
- Possible Locations: Beltline – set up and hangout and stay; Cabbagetown; Reynoldstown, Vacant field across from Fed – see who owns it? Possible activity near Masquerade.
- Food – Person from Le Cordon Bleu could possibly get local chefs to donate food, Einstein bagels donate bagels at end of day.
- Proposed creation of a protest pack of suggested items.
—General Discussion on where/when to meet next—
- Piedmont and Hurt Parks both proposed. Both have relatively straightforward MARTA access though car parking can be tricky.
- Kevin: Friday 9/30 at 5pm is a mock “Moratorium for the Death Penalty. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Consensus: NEXT MEETING Hurt Park @ 5PM Sunday October 2nd.
—GA closes around 10:30-40—
Groups/Organizations/Institutions with members present: Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Occupy Atlanta, We Are Change Atlanta, Afgh. Vet., Industrial Workers of the World, USUncut, Emory Public Health, Atlanta IndyMedia, Iraq war vet., former CNN employee, Georgia State and UGA students.
