Sara facilitating, switched off with C.J. for proposal
Hand signals, pledge
Announcements: Walkupy leaving for Chicago on Monday, hope to be there towards the end of April.
Committee report backs:
Legal (Shayna): People who were arrested Oct. 26 or Nov. 5 need to be in contact with Legal in preparation for their court date March 9. Everyone else please show up in court as as a show of support. We don’t intend any actions, the best plan is to be there in solidarity.
Media: Meeting directly after GA, we will go somewhere indoors because it’s cold. Probably Mamma Mia’s, but see us after GA.
Action: Rally Tuesday 11-2
No committee-related proposals. Other proposals:
Sara: We, the General Assembly of Occupy Atlanta, call for the repeal of Georgia statutes which suppress worker’s rights in favor of employer’s rights, including the ”at-will” employment law and all laws contravening or allowing for exceptions to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.
Explanation: Taft-Hartley exceptions to the National Labor Relations Act mean that someone can refuse to join a union or pay dues even if they are working in a unionized job and receive the benefits of having a union negotiate with the employer. This is what weakens unions in this state compared to other states.
Clarifying question: What does at-will mean?
Sara: It means that you can leave a job or be terminated with no notice. It also means that in Georgia you are only protected from discrimination if the company has more than fifteen employees, because those are the only ones covered by Federal law. If you work for a small business, they can fire you for any reason at all or no reason.
Call for consensus. No blocks, no stand asides. Consensus reached.
Other business:
Occupation Week coming up in March…keep tents in park then?
Discussion: We need to know more about what Occupation Week is and when.
CJ: Look around, everyone’s tent is nice, but mine is messed up. It won’t even close.
Copper: Some people have sabotaged the tents and broken the zippers.
Sara: I intend to get tent repair kits, I just haven’t gotten a chance yet.
Brandi: I am in touch with people at other Occupations, and I want to get 500-1000 people here by spring. They will bring donations with them and organize logistics. Can we claim the park based on squatter’s rights?
(Discussion, people expressing the opinion that it only applies to buildings that have been abandoned for a length of time but that there are many abandoned homes around the city that could be acquired through adverse claim.)
Anna: Accounting funds $3875.71. When we hit $3k, a spending freeze will kick in.
James: It’s fundraising time, people!
Ed: Mt. Bethel will be at Safe House at 89 Ellis St. to take people to the church for shelter tonight.
Comment: I don’t feel people should leave, it shows weakness.
Brandi: I can’t stay out here in the cold, my health won’t allow it.
Sara: Based on my own experience protesting…be safe, be self-aware, be smart. Don’t push people to do things, they know better than anyone else what they are capable of.
