Category Archives: GA Minutes

Occupy Atlanta General Assembly Minutes 11/8/2011

I. CALL TO ORDER

Positions: Meredith – Facilitator, Hayley – Moderator, Megan – Stack, Tripp -Minutes

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

David: By next Wednesday, we will have a bike shop

Misty: Need numbers for Demands meeting. I am also working on making a movie for OccupyAtlanta and want to have all voices included

Tyler: Beltiline discusssion at 5pm in the park tomorrow.

III. COMMITTEE REPORTBACKS

LOGISTICS, Will: Sent food to Occupy Snellville group.Sorting of laundry, will be distributed at GA tomorrow. Will Octavious, Siri, and Ryan and the new bottomliners.

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

Colin: Planning another bail/legal fundraiser at 7 stages this Friday. Also looking for new venues to help out.

Alexander: Want feedback on the best way to form strategies for new Occupations. Information – Radical Caucus has been considering strategies. Also check Facebook

Rob: Livestream class tomorrow at 6 PM.

Robert: March on banks 4pm on 11/11/11

Russell: Going to Vets’ Day Parade, looking for others to help represent Occupy Atlanta.

Shelby: Outreach meeting Thursday 5:30 pm in the park.

Avery: Phone number for the Occupation! 404 720 6060. Committees can get numbers and extensions too. Talk to IT about it.

Guidelines (7:02 pm)

Announcements (7:04 pm)

• Barbara – Jobs with Justice, on the 1st Friday of the month, November 4th at 10:30 am will be protesting, with an emphasis on inequality and unemployment.
• Sara – Samhain ritual tonight after the GA, starting about 9:30 pm.
• Daniel – Last night we reached consensus to reoccupy on 11/5.  We are hoping to get at least 100 people who are devoted enough to risk arrest should it come to that.  Please see me if you are willing to risk it for this movement!
• Lyndzy – Unity is the liaison between Task Force and OA — reiterating the rules stated by the Task Force at Peachtree and Pine (see last night’s GA for the rules of being at 4th floor of Peachtree and Pine.
• Lillie – getting word out about November 5th reoccupation and we need fridge boxes — donate if you have them. Trying to make the 4th floor of P&P more homely — looking for furniture and carpet donations too.
• Softie – Workshop – Peace and Nonviolence as a Tactic tomorrow 3:15 PM. It’ll be fun!
• Anna – Have a donation box here ifyou want to donate! Finance is researching credit unions and community banks andmakingpolicyprocedures.  Finance meetings are M/W/F at 5:30 pm
• Latron – Those getting arrested on Saturday, Legal is preparing but has limited resources at the moment. Prepare to stay til Monday possibly.  We will have Jail Support Training Thursdayor Friday.
• Tim – Excited about reoccupying, doesn’t care if jailnis for a few days or a week — this movement is worth it.  Bernice King of the King Center talked with me and is excited for what we’re doing.  They are sending a great nonviolent trainer, Charles, and we will publicize this and hope to get out 50-100 people to train.  It will be on Thursday at P&P around 4 pm.
• Sara – Joe Beasley at St. Philip’s tomorrow at 7 pm.  Also at 7 pm at St. Mark’s, Kasim Reed will be answering questions in the aftermath of the Eagle Raids, and Queer Justice League has invited us to come and attend.
• Jonah – Working on building bikes, resurrecting a collective effort between the Task Force for the Homeless and SoPo bike collective.
• Lillie — Outreach committee is working overtime andis extremely important this week. Meetings are Monday/Thursday 5:30 pm.

Report Back (7:39 pm)

Legal and Finance:  reported back during announcements.

Unity: Currently still has most of our peoplestill at Walton street, and are working to move them to P&P 4th floor. But we need more people! Security is EVERYONE’S job.  Please remember that.  And we need diversity. Women, please join up and represent!

Action: Rally at 9:15 am to march on the courthouse foreclosures tomorrow at 10 am.  Workshop on banks on foreclosures tomorrow at 4pm.

Media: March to courthouse at 10 am tomorrow where we will also have our press conference.  More stuff is being added to the website, such as stories by Sara.

Proposals (7:46 pm)

• Have voter registration down in the park.  PASSES!
• Businesses to offer food, but has logos all on it still.
• Concerns about corporate sponsorship and takeover
• Concerns that we already use products made by corporations and people give us food with corporate labels.
• Regardless, all these people who say what we should/not accept are not on the Food Committee and WE NEED HELP!  If you think we can’t accept this food, then step up to help feed everyone! TABLED so others will hopefully help out on Food Committee – talk to Will william.j.stamp@gmail.com
• Proposal to move the reoccupation to November 7th.
• Concerns that wheels are already in motion, many already told and mobilized. DOES NOT PASS
• Proposal to move next occupation to the front steps, or occupy the space of those corporations that are running the mayor and this city.
• Concerns that that is private land, where we have no rights.
• Concerns that we are already reoccupying this park for long-term, and it is off-point to consider that.  DOES NOT PASS

Other business

Sara:  Tomorrow night we have TWO events at 7 pm. So we should hold GA at 9 pm to allow people to return from these events.

NEXT GA – 9pm tomorrow at Woodruff park .  We are adjourned.

Guidelines (7:14 pm)

Announcements (7:18 pm)

• Sara – Samhain altar will be built tomorrow in Woodruff Park, starting at sundown.
• Russell – went to breast cancer walk yesterday to show our solidarity with their cause.
• Others went to the Kanye Jay Z concert and handed out 500 flyers, and got a few shout outs on local radio station V103
• Frankie – Tomorrow at 4:20 PM we are gathering at the park, with instruments if you have them, to work on a music project for Occupy Atlanta.  We have some studio spaces willing to dedicate time to O.A.
• Tim – Tomorrow 10AM on the 4th floor of Peachtree & Pine we are having an interactive and dynamic organizing seminar to coordinate and make sure we are doing things efficiently.
• Latron – Tuesday 7 PM at St. Philip’s Cathedral Joe Beasley is speaking to the congregration and encourages a delegation of Occupy Atlanta to be there to get the message out.
• Lyndzy – Unity is bottom-lined by myself and Hector, and we are liaisons between OA and the Task Force at Peachtree and Pine.  They want us to follow their rules, which include:

• Separate sleeping quarters for men and women.
• Smoke and walk –don’t take up the sidewalk.
• Designated shower times: Women 830 – 1030 AM/1045 PM – 1245 AM, Men 1115      AM -115 PM/115 – 245 AM
• Don’t open windows wide, it’s a hazard.
• ONLY active working people should be staying on 4th floor.  Those that are just looking for a place to sleep can go to the regular area of the shelter.
• Stay away from the side parking lot, as it’s still a rather shady area.

There is also a march starting at 11:15 AM on Tuesday, a solemn march to remember the homeless men and women who die every year.  3 coffins will be carried by the procession and dropped off at locations.  Buses at 3 PM will take people to St. Philip’s

• Charlie – Revolution books in Little Five Points welcomes the occupiers to come and read at their space.
• Big Softie – Peace and Nonviolence as a Tactic workshop on Tuesday at 3:15 PM and on Saturday sometime.

Report Back (7:38 pm)

Action committee:  Organizing 101 seminar tomorrow at 10 am, tomorrow at 3 pm a march of zombie bankers.  Tuesday at 10 AM is the monthly foreclosures at the courthouse. We will rally at 9:30 at Woodruff Park and march there.
There is a bank and foreclosure workshop Tuesday at 4 pm.
Wednesday at 3 pm we are rallying at Piedmont Park near 10th and Monroe and marching on Wells Fargo bank HQ at 17th street near Atlantic Station.

Coordinating: If you are on a committee, please make sure you have gotten signed up on the website to keep in touch with other committee members.  Please remember to post regular meeting times for your committee.

Legal: Our meetings are at Mon/THursday at 6 PM, 3 PM on Saturday, whereever the General Assembly is held.

Proposals (7:43 pm)
Committee-Related
Graham – Has friends who helped instigate Occupy Miami and Occupy Wall Street. Saturday at 8 pm there’s a solidarity rally with communities across Atlanta, and from 11 pm on we want to reoccupy the park.
Concerns about how to train for mass arrests – we will have a seminar and training this week

Concerns about how to inform the community – Outreach is working on that all this week, and could use all available help. PASSES!

Big Softie – move GAs to an earlier time or make an earlier GA to supposedly get more families involved.
Concern that that will not be good for working people, Process committee doesn’t have the staff to do multiple daily GAs, and the earlier time conflicts.
AFTER DELIBERATION, this will not pass now.  But it is reworked so on weekends GA will meet at 3 PM.  PASSES.
Elijah – Suggests the color green to unite us visually, especially when outreaching to communities.
Various concerns about colors and their symbolism already.  Red hats we have already mentioned.  And the lime green that Legal Observers wear.  PASSES.
Martin – Suggests we change the park name from Troy Davis back to Woodruff, because other cities do not all change names, it has divided people here and confuses others. DOES NOT PASS.

Other Business

None.

NEXT GA – 7pm tomorrow at Woodruff park .  We are adjourned.

Guidelines (8:18 pm)

Announcements (8:20 pm)

• Several announcements about people’s personal missions, and wanting support and to sign petitions.
• Sally reiterates the point of our guidelines, and their necessity in making sure we include all types of people, and don’t alienate people with profanity and targeted speech.
• Steve reiterates that committees need to join up on the website as a tool for strong internal communication

Report Back (8:45 pm)

Coordinating and Quick Action committees:  We STILL need bottom liners of committees (at least 2) to give their contact info so we can contact them to know what’s going on, and to assemble the Quick Action committee in emergencies, such as arrests.  We also have occupyatlanta.org committee email addresses to give out.

Medical: We need more medics, and it’s not necessary that you are directly a medic, but have any sort of related skill or interest.

Action: Committee meeting after GA.

Outreach: Set meeting times are Monday/Thursday at 5:30 PM

Unity: No sleeping at AFSC! Need more diversity on our team, so sign up!

Proposals

No proposals tonight due to emergency situation and occupation!have access to 60 Walton.  Darkness seems to inject bad energy into the GA. Discussion on this proposal is delayed until tomorrow

Other business

Tim: We have a spot to occupy tonight!  We have passed the information around!

NEXT GA – 8pm tomorrow at Woodruff park .  We are adjourned.

Announcements

• Misty: There’s been a lot of disagreement & infighting.  We’re all here to change the world.  We might disagree on strategy or which issues are most important.  Remember to disagree in spirit of love & understanding!
• Sarah:  I’ve been talking to local disabilities groups who want to start camping with us this weekend; they have a huge amount of activism experience.  I’m excited!
• Tim:  This space (2nd floor of 60 Walton) belongs to AFSC Committee.  Going to be used as a gallery space; we need to be (mostly) out by the 28th.  We can use the 4th floor, but we’ll have to put some work into getting it ready.
• Zak: We have a lot of wet blankets/jackets, we’re trying to get them dried tonight.  Put wet things in plastic bags.
• Jason: Announcement about hypothermia – temperature has dropped dramatically.  Crucial you stay dry when outside.  If you feel disoriented, go find medical.  If you find someone unconscious, call 911 first then go get medical.
• Jose:  Talked with others yesterday after GA, working to develop a proposal to shift to a modified consensus model and make the process more streamlined.
• James:  Creating an growth/conservation (agriculture/dumpster) diving committee.
• Jack:  Town Hall Meeting Friday – Georgia Stand-Up , 12 pm @ IBEW Assembly Hall (to 2:30pm)  Mayor Reed & most of city council will be there and will be rated on how well they’re doing!   It’s a free meeting – $3 for lunch.
• Kalis:  There’s been a lot of theft up here.  Also, more aggression/arguing in past 2 days.  Those people you don’t usually hang around, try to understand them.  A house divided will not stand.  (Elijah follow up – true also on the park.  If you see people doing nothing, ask them to help out.)
• Margaret:  Problem of sexual harassment, we’ll have a teach-in later this week on radical feminism to discuss how patriarchy is coming through this group.

Report Back

Action:  We have a committee now, and we’re planning actions.

• Tomorrow @ noon – put duct tape over mouths, get on MARTA, make rich people @ Lenox mall uncomfortable, h
• Going to do a march on Thursday night to raise awareness of homelessness.
• This weekend is the hip-hop festival, we’ll have to move  tents!
• Monday – Visit to urban farm (Truly Living Well)
• Tuesday 5pm – Huge action, return Georgia Pacific Building to draw attention to fact Koch brothers have building overlooking Troy Davis Park.
• Wed – open for suggestions
• Thurs – solidarity action w/ Peachtree & Pine shelter (water might be turned off)
• NEXT MEETING IS THIS FRIDAY.

Media:  hip hop festival Saturday and Sunday.  4 tents set up.  MC for Occupy Atlanta for the whole festival.  There will be small businesses w/ venders.  Tents have to be out by 10am on Saturday and Sunday morning.  The Spiegal in Germany wants to start putting articles in their paper.  Oliver is corresponding with them.  Also, we’ve created a soapbox where you can stand up outside of GA and express your feelings/concerns.

Arts & Lit:  Structure with bamboo and flowers is our new location on the park.  Art space @ Peachtree & Pine shelter.  We want to do a thriller dance.  Do you know the thriller dance?  Let us know.  It will be better with more people!

Logistics:  Logistics merged with finance today b/c people dropped off.  Currently $730 in bank, most tied up in Wi Account.  If you are going to buy things for Occupy Atlanta, see James & Anna.  We can always use more volunteers.

Childcare:  People weren’t looking after childcare tent during bad weather.  We need to take childcare seriously b/c we want single moms to be able to come here.  We need to take care of one another here!  Related to race/class…. Volunteer!

Demands:  We’re meeting today after GA to talk process.

Kitchen:  New subcommittee from Logistics.  Please be polite if someone back there tells you something or asks you not to go back there – people have been walking out w/ food.  Also there have been people accepting money for donations from the kitchen area in the park and putting it in their pocket.  This is not acceptable, please keep an eye out.

Medical:  Police brutality march tonight, please bring your own water, don’t get dehydrated.

Process:  Met today.  In process of revising process.  Going to change the way we accept proposal.  Proposal drop boxes – one in office, one in park.

Welcome/Info:  New committee, out by new tent.  Need volunteers very badly.  It’s an important place b/c it’s where people have been coming first to find out about the movement and get involved.  We’d like more interaction w/ other committees about what is going on so they can relay info to people who come by… it’s been hard to get in touch with listed bottom liners, so please come by in mornings to tell us about meetings or events.  Need to make sure there is specific info about workgroup meetings – where exactly will you be meeting etc – b/c people see meetings listed on website calendar and we need to know where to direct them.  We’re meeting tomorrow (Thurs) @ 11am at welcome desk.  This is also where we’re accepting donations.  Occatl.info@gmail.com

Tactical:  Rappers for hip hop festival will be here donating tents, etc.

Coordinating:  Contact info from all committees being collected.  You can fill out complaint form if you have a complaint you want directed to committee.  Our email is occatl.coordinating@gmail.com and we have google voice 678-304-8194.

Proposals

Committee proposals

Logistics:  We want to move money from WePay account (which was started by one person) to Finances/Logistics account so it’s all in one place and we can access it as needed.  No clarifying questions from the GA.  No concerns from the GA.  Do we have consensus?  Sparkly fingers, we have CONENSUS!

Non-committee proposals

Elijah:  It gets dark and cold now, and I think we should move our meetings up in the day when it’s daytime and warmer.  Our presence in park is important for occupation and we won’t always have access to 60 Walton.  Darkness seems to inject bad energy into the GA. Discussion on this proposal is delayed until tomorrow

Other business

Johnny:  Joining tactical unity.  Asking us to cooperate.  No matter what people come along, let’s make it a peaceful happy time.  We’re about peace.  Look at them and smile and say have a nice day.  Also thinking about having key card system for access to 60 Walton.
(Clarifications/direct response – we can’t do key card system, it’s a problem for AWSC. Discussion goes on about issues of theft/who should come up to headquarters.  Stack is closed – let’s bring this discussion to a more appropriate forum.

Thomas:  Forming new Committee.  Social forum public places, like park.  No blocking/direct responses/points of process.  The only structure from GA is stack.  Discussion topics voted on at very beginning of committee meeting, majority rules.  Stopwatch will be used to keep people under 4 minutes.  I think that it should be after GA every day.
That means people can’t go to other committee meetings after GA.
We’re open and thinking about it.

Lilly:  HipHop show this weekend Saturday/Sunday.  Lots of media attention/advertising.  Need volunteers – make recycling signs & recycling bins so we don’t have to depend on meeting.  Do you know anyone w/ experience facilitating events?  We’re trying to do as much of this as possible w/o depending on Atlanta police.  Expecting big turnout.

Che:  I’m a street fighter, I fight for fun.  We need to get kids of of Iraq.  I pay child support, 13 yr old twins.  ….  I got your all back

Little Five Points parade at same time as festival.  If you have action that you need taking care of, ask people to to throw up a hand so we can get stuff done.

NEXT GA – 7pm tomorrow at park  (probably pending weather).  We are adjourned.

Tuesday, October 18th
Convened: 7:00 PM

Due to rain and food arriving later than usual, the GA convened late with everyone needing to stand throughout the meeting’s entirety (wet ground).

Moderator: Isa (replaced an hour & fifteen minutes into the GA by Vincent)
Stack: Hollis Whitaker
Notes: Nina Roark (most of the time)
Recording: Mysty

Welcome (15m)

• Call to order.
• Process reminders. Explaining consensus.
• Call for new proposals.

Announcements:

• Request that the city clean the porta-potties more frequently- Anna (Proposal)
• Morgan is traveling to other Occupy Sites (such as New Orleans)—bring questions to her & she will ask and report back to us. Also, let her know if you have contact info of participants of other Occupations–Morgan
• Fidel needs help—Fidal (Referred to the medic tent by Isa)
• Wednesday at 9:00 PM a group will go between the … (?) Marta Station and Five Points
• Sat. at 5 points (?)
• Brandon & Devidyal Givens offer a “Petition of Reforms by Occupy Wall
  Street Protesters”—in consideration of the misconceptions of the Occupy Movement by many in the suburbs do to misrepresentation by the media (see the one page list).
• The Action Committee will meet daily at 4:30 PM—Sabrina (sp?)
• Starting Wednesday 10/19, movies will be shown to boost morale. First movie will be “On the Waterfront”—Lily
• Reminder to take care of ourselves (drink fluids, get rest, practice preventative care) especially as the weather becomes colder—Melissa

Committee Report-Backs:

• Donations are taken at the welcome table—Katin (sp?)
• More help is needed to provide food—Anna
• The Occupation is working with the Atlanta Hip Hop Festival.  They will be in the park both Saturday and Sunday, and are open to talking with us, etc. Tents must be moved during the festival.  This is an opportunity to spread our message to more people—Tim
• Much of our activity will be available to the public on live stream
  and he can use help—Jose
• We can reach out to the Latino community as long as not police are in our
  group—Jose
• Child Care Committee needs to have a meeting—Khaalis (sp?)
• Yesterday, Tactical Unity (TU) made an effort to get feedback from the GA about TU’s role. No one talked to them after the assembly to express their opinions. The request for feedback still stands—Jack
• Arts Committee needs help setting up the tent—(Who?)
• Action Committee needs help with clean up—William Marshall

Committee Related Proposals:

• None

Other Proposals:

• Concern about individual caucuses going off on their own and taking action that isn’t representative of Occupy Atlanta or the 99%. –Brit (This was sent to the Coordinating Committee)
• After the Hip Hop Festival we have to we rebuild our tent city, we “register” our tents in some logical order.
• [Some business was missed here]
• A proposal about caucuses reporting back to GA was with drawn.
• Tactical Unity requested a non-violence training session.
• Creation of a Race-Relations Committee—Anthony Hill & Annelle
• (Many questions and concerns were aired)
• They did not want to be a part of Tactical Unity and not a caucus. One suggestion was that it be called “diversity”  to include sexism etc.
• Marshall- other “Factions Committee” (?)
• Offered help finding places to meet as the weather gets colder.
• Specific Information at 7:00 PM on Wednesday the 19th (10/19) at the GA.
• She is concerned about safety if we have a crack-down.  It was also pointed out at other Occupation sites, participation has grown after a crack-down—Rhonda Willis from People Helping Strangers (404-832-5313)

Still Pending:
..…..………?

..…..……….?

• Need for a recycling committee and one for growing food—James and Anette

Monday, October 17th
Convened at 7:00 PM

Announcements. (15m)
Police Contingency plan-tim
Church peaceful protest 2pm next sunday-
Formal actions committee formation-carter
No smoking during GA-kylen
Teach in on financial crisis big tent right after GA-
Pride in the movement-Kahlees
Contact him for salvation-charles clayton
Marta shooting protest 9:30 @ 5 points stationpollerbuddy.
com rep, regarding website-roan
Printing info-tim
Press conference tomorrow, hiphop festival here this weekend, release of demands
without media consent-tim

Committee Report-backs. (10m)
Questions regarding safety, alcohol, drugs-tactical unitOpen mic, gazebo, art for the people station-arts and lit, saraAntioch donations, emergency donations, volunteers-logisticsAround $3000 in donations, welcome table 10am-10pm for donations-financeMet with attorneys, may form legal entity, “occupy atlanta llc”, -Legal

Committee-related Proposals. (20m)
None.

Committee breakouts. (20)
Not tonight.

Other Proposals. (30m)
Add religion to list of things not being treated with intolerance -steven (passes)
Sat at city council meeting, address misrepresentation, add statement to website, -jason
(moved to tomorrow)

Other Business. (10m)
Religious minorities discussion group-sara
Open discussion group-emerald

Final Reminders. (5m)
7pm tomorrow GA

Adjournment.

Sunday, October 16
Convened at 9:00 PM

Welcome. (15m)

Call to order.
Process reminders. Explaining consensus.
Reading of previous consensuses.
Reading of agenda.
Call for new proposals.

Announcements. (15m)

Committee Report-backs. (10m)

Committee-related Proposals. (20m)

* proposal for a process to allow tactical unity at HQ to deal with incidents of explicit emergency or duress, removal of and barring of further entry to individuals from HQ can only happen with the consensus [excluding those up for removal] of the current occupants of HQ at the time of the incident, 48 hr limit on bans and announce/report back
to provide accountability from tactical unity; tactical unity has to avoid or use as
little force as possible — temporary measure to ensure smooth operations until a policy
of conflict remediation policy can be implemented by the GA (workshop to be held to cover nonviolent conflict remediation; should be probationary period whose length is
based on severity of the offense) [passed!]
Other Proposals. (30m)

* support filing a discrimination/constitutional violation lawsuit in federal court against city of atlanta and central atlanta progress — for interrupting and using various tactics to arrest the homeless on spurious charges; sue the city (?) [tabled pending discussion with legal working group]
Other Business. (10m)

Final Reminders. (5m)

Adjournment.

(7:30pm – 8:30pm)

WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS (10 MINUTES) – ONLY THINGS HAPPENING WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS

- Medic Committee is doing a Health/Safety training at the table at 1:00pm – how to protect
oneself in event of an eviction

- Childcare Safety training at 60 Walton Street tomorrow

- Jewish holiday observance in the park at 1:00pm on Sunday

- The homeless playing chess in our park have been kicked out every night by security;
the occupation will lend its support and allow them to stay

- City of Atlanta wants to clean park by 10:00am – discussion on proposals postponed
until after the GA

- Tactical Unity is having security issues and needs more people on committee to avoid
people being burned out

COMMITTEE REPORT-BACKS (20 MINUTES)

- Media/Outreach/Arts + Literature

- Demands

- Logistics/Finance

- Tactical Unity

- Process

- No real report-backs; became a continuation of announcements.

BREAKOUT (15 MINUTES)

(GA discussed in small groups ways to possibly make faciliation/process run more smoothly)

BREAKOUT REPORTS (10 MINUTES)

(These are all suggestions, not necessarily proposals.)

- Make beginnings of GAs more welcoming – quick runthrough of hand-signals at each.

- There should be a compilation of minutes and recaps at the beginning of GAs so we do not have to repeat
the same rules/discussions over and over.

- Rotating speakers and facilitators to avoid both emerging “leaders” and to prevent
facilitators from being burned out.

CLOSING/DISCUSSION ON CITY OF ATLANTA CLEANING

(Proposals)

- Move to warehouse.
- Stay where we are and clean the park ourselves.
- Go into all tents and lock arms.
- “External cost” to include those maybe inadvertently harmed (?)
- Have demands (a just cause).
- Allow the city to clean the park; help them.
- strategic compromise
- clean the park because it is the peoples; do not pack everything up
- Do we know what the park maintenance procedure entails?
- What exactly about leaving is thinking tactically?
- What is important to the city?
- We have a right to ask about the schedule and what is involved; and to identify
legitimate needs with which we could cooperate
- Plan B for people who want to camp but don’t want to camp here.
- Leave the park for the capital; if we leave it has to be our choice.
- We don’t move to the capital; go to Hurt Park.
- March @ 11:00am work with cleaning crew one tent at a time.

Welcome and Explanation
Hira: Consensus description: it’s not necessarily about debate; it’s about conforming your ideas to meet the needs of the people here. Also, there are many different hand gestures. General explanation of consensus and hand motions ensues. Done by Cailyn. Well done.

Sean: If you want to get on stack, don’t wiggle your fingers when you raise your hand.

Hira: We use mic check to get people in unison and listening.

Announcements
Hira: Specifically for upcoming events. News updates.

Rob: Press conference at 11AM. Meeting at 9PM for Media.

Anon: We have 5 days left in the park. We need to be active and get our things together.

Luke: Clarifying Q about the announcement: Where is the meeting? Under the tent.

Anon: I’m trying to get some events planned inside the park like political documentaries playing on a projector w/ a white sheet. And I’m also in conjunction with an education committee so I want a whiteboard. Also, poetry and art showing and I’d like everyone to write songs for OATL.

Jersey: Just so you know I’m willing to bring my drum kit down here for the musical events. But I need someone to go up to Kennesaw with me to pick it up.

Luke: idk if you’re aware but as a part of media committee and arts committee you should talk to them.

Hira: We have notebooks and paper so you can take notes to coordinate betwixt various committees

Jim: If anybody needs a ride anywhere, I live about 2 miles from here so I’m down for giving rides.

Anon: I want everybody to know that all of us as a collective it’s so crucial I’m glad to be here. It’s important.

Jersey recommendation by Hira: Since lots are new. We have several committees.

Hira: For those of you that are new here, please write your name on the yellow pad going around. Is everyone cool with that?

Proposals
Hira: I have a proposal on behalf of the demands committee. Also, raise your hand if you have a proposal and you will be put on stack. A proposal is something you’d like to put forward to the GA and is not specific to other committees. So recycling drive wouldn’t really be a proposal. You can just go ahead and take that responsibility. Is that clear as to what proposals are? If not you’ll get it bc we’ll mess up a lot.

Tim: For those of you that have been here all day, you already know that the whole world is watching. We have an outpour of support from all kinds of people in ATL. We had Yung Joc, will have more. Kasim Reed gave us 5 days he won’t mess with us in. But one thing people are upset about is the noise complaints. We have to do something about this. We are being torn apart in the media and we sorta deserve it. We have residents that live around here with jobs. People in tents with jobs. I propose a strict noise curfew for 11PM.

Luke: Last night the same proposal was put forward and amended about cops. It wasn’t enforced though. It’d be nice if people that wanted to make noise were at the GA.

Hira: Silent at 11?

Chris: Is there someone that can make sure people follow the curfew.

Hira: Everyone here has authority to ask them to shut up.

Roar: I have four separate proposals from logistics. 1) For clarity and transparency we propose that it be compulsory that all committee meeting times and locations be recorded on the central committee board which will be at the welcome center or in the tent.

Q: Can those be online too?

John: Should be up soon.

CONSENSUS

Roar: 2) Part of the large tent be dedicated to a central command post for info and material, a security outpost, and welcome when raining, and that this space may not be used for sleeping.

Anon: Who would man the command post?

Roar: Someone from tactical unity at all times, so if there is suspicious activity there will be someone with a walkie talkie.

Hira: So don’t come up for stack. Also, Clarifying questions now.

Mark: What is the security post exactly?

Roar: A place that tactical unity would have a person manning at all times.

Luke: Do you have outlined what space of the tent would be used?

Roar: We’d like the approx right half to 3/4. From about 1/2 way over.

Marlon: For the other half of the tent, the space would be public and could be slept in?

Roar: Correct.

Catherine: Concerns now? I have a concern about dedicating half of that space to be a space that is not for sleeping bc some people may not have a shelter when it is raining and may need to use that space to stay dry.

Roar: That was tricky. The main thing is we don’t want to keep anyone from shelter. But when we don’t have that area clear it makes it so that is unsure whether or not the space is being used for central command and gives the illusion that it isn’t a space for goods and info and is distraction.

Hira: My concern is that this will ultimately go to tactical unity and I don’t know how thin they’re being spread. So if there are enough volunteers I’m cool but I’d also like to make amendments.

Liz: this is in direct response. I think it’s possible to make that space clear for its function esp. if it’s very late, by signs and other means while allowing people to sleep in it.

Hira: Now friendly amendments.

James: My amendment would be that if it’s raining people would be able to sleep there otherwise we have many sleeping materials that could keep you warm.

Hira: Are there any more amendments to Roar’s 2nd proposal?

Roar: Restatement. Part of the large tent be dedicated to a central command post for information and dissemination of materials a sec outpost and space for the welcome table when it is raining. And that this space may only be used for sleeping if it is raining.

PoP Luke: For in the future it’s important to note that amendments have to come to consensus b4 added.

Marlon: You’re supposed to call for stand asides and then blocks. Are there stand asides?

Luke: Stand aside

Roar: 4pm everyday is a time for the entire community to clean the park.

Anon: Yesterday I spoke to a guard and he talked to his boss about arranging a time.

Sultan: Do you all have any restroom facilities available?

Hira: I was told by a park ambassador on Sat night that the public RR would be open all night. Also 60 Walton St is down the street.

Sean: any more questions or concerns.

John: What about donations?

Hira: You can donate, but we’re talking about the 4pm cleaning proposal. Stand asides? Blocks?

CONSENSUS

Roar: Yesterday it was brought to the attention of the GA that the save troy Davis bank account could be presented to us to contain the funds of the weshare account online. We currently have over 1k there that we have no access to. The only other option was for us to create some kind of legal entity in order to create a bank account in order to get these funds. We would like to propose to accept the offer of the save troy Davis account.

James: Just clarifying that creating our own nonprofit or pending nonprofit isn’t that difficult.

Matt: I’m concerned with whom, how many people, and how would it be decided who could access this? Transparency is important.

Roar: We haven’t discussed that yet. It would probably be that the members of the finance committee and log committee would designate certain people with access to that account. That’s all I can think of.

George: We talked a little about this. We think 3 should have access. Those 3 should post public information about themselves that makes them traceable and sueable if they do something stupid with the money. A modification would be that the GA nominates the 3 once the finance committee gives names. That people want this responsibility should meet with the finance committee after GA.

John: I’ve been in this discussion because I have sole access right now. It’s uncomfortable. I want it changed ASAP. I also want completely transparent record of every cent spent through docs@occupyatlanta.org. I’d like to add that it be transparent and public.

Tron: My name is LaTron Price. I’m president of the Jo Beasley foundation and he is an individual based here in ATL who has been influential in fighting against the corporations. He also is a very resourceful person in the ATL community. I ask that we consider utilizing the JB Found to help with this cause of a nonprofit.

Dianne: For issues of transparency unless there is a sig downside to creating your own nonprofit that that would be the clearest way to do it w/o concern for other parties interfering or finding out something happened later.

Tron: Give you tools for foundation. That’s what I meant so you can create a 501c3.

Hira: I feel like we’re veering off. George made a friendly amendment to have 3 people voted on here. Now we’re evolving into a discussion about forming a nonprofit.

Roar: Restate. We accept the use of the Save Troy Davis acct for the weshare and admin of the account should be 3 people reviewed by fin committee and presented to GA and that all transactions made from acct are given full transparency.

Dianne: I was addressing issue of using account.

Tim: I feel there should be some clarification bc I think there’s some confusion. There is no troy Davis fund. GPJC has a statewide acct that is a state recognized nonprofit. We started civil disobedience fund around Troy Davis case. At this point there are 2 with access. Wanted to clarify. It might be that a committee could weigh the options and we trust them.

Anthony: I propose that if you know how to set it up you could educate fin on how to do so.

Tron: Would be happy to.

Anon: If you want legal protection Registering as a doing business as

Earthworm: What if we just use TDA until we have time to make an entity?

Marlon: This discussion is moving away from GA discussion topic.

Anon: Take a temp check on original proposal. Doesn’t pass send it back.

Hira: Sounds like we need a dialogue between logistics legal and finance. George also made a friendly amendment to have 3 in charge. I propose that the diff committees meet and discuss and next GA we have conclusive decision.

Roar: Basically, we need this money ASAP. I want access to this money. ASAP. I propose that we accept the TDA temporarily until we can come up with a better solution so we have access to the money.

Sean: Blocks?

John: CQ? Any type of group consensus on how funds are spent or left up to log and finance?

Roar: I don’t want the money going anywhere right now, just available until we figure out a discussion on a process.

Hira:

Anon: hearing that temp time, will it be transparent?

Roar:

John: Maybe meetings can be scheduled in public so they can be videoed or whatevs, visited.

Hira: Any blocks or opposition?

Roar: The proposal now as follows> We propose that the Troy Davis account be approved as a temp way to retrieve the funds from the wepay account. That all meetings about spending these funds be done in public in a known and shared place and time.

Anon: If you want his name on things, Troy Davis, to who approve?

Anthony: He wants a foundation.

Hira: We’re addressing the proposal now.

Juan: We aren’t properly using the mic check and we need to use it so we can hear.

James: I have to block only bc I don’t feel there’s enough info about this acct made public to us.

Sean: Any more blocks.

Anon: Bc management of this acct hasn’t been worked out yet, and understanding urgency, I want log to better work the proposal and bring it back tomorrow.

Anthony: I would like to propose that we find qualified individual to handle this account. Who will make informed decisions and keep total records of everything going in and out of the account.

Hira: I’m going to interject bc this is taking a while. Final proposal. Log team revisit 4th proposal and bring it back.

Roar: The people involved have a time and place they can meet right now. Is there a time n place tomorrow that could be dedicated to discussing this?

Hira: Anyone concerned work out a time with Roar, is that ok? And then at next GA we have more conclusive proposal. Can we move on?

Rob: My proposal is that we don’t schedule committee meetings that go on during the meetings but that they have to end meetings for the GA. If they don’t close meeting on time they can’t air proposals this evening.

Paul: Discretion of moderators to decide such I believe was addressed in an earlier GA.

Sean: The people that are on these committees are making decisions to bring for discussion in GA. The people making those proposals need to be here to discuss them. If they talk in a meeting and don’t know what we’re talking about at the GA. How can they make acceptable proposals?

Hira: Can you restate the proposal?

Rob: That committees don’t schedule meetings that conflict with GA. If conflict, end before GA.

Earthworm: How late could we schedule a meeting?

Anon: Where’s consensus and peoples mic? Makes it hard for people like me who just got here to have any idea what’s going on.

Jersey: Yesterday I believe we decided that we didn’t have to use the people’s mic if people were uncomfortable with it.

Paul: Can everyone hear me? I’d like to restate his proposal. I propose that any committee meeting that is about to conflict with the general assembly is the responsibility of the moderators and those in attendance to 10 b4 start of GA, regardless of what’s happening, end meeting, table discussion, and come to the fucking GA.

Hira: Any opposition to final proposal.

Earthworm: What’s the earliest time you could start a meeting after GA has begun?

Paul: The demands committee meeting that the guy was referring to started at 5, the GA was at 7. They had 2 hours, which sounds like a lot.

Matt: So earthworm’s concern is that based on the assumption that the meeting was planned b4 the general assembly but was to occur after 7 what time is appropriate to plan for that bc what if the GA just keeps going? Is 9 ok? That’s when medic meeting is and we don’t want conflict.

Rob: What about after GA.

Earthworm: How about 9.

Hira: To restate proposal end committee meetings by 7. GA by 9.

Luke: If this rule had been in place the first night we wouldn’t be here now. I think the GA should go on as long as it has to and if different groups need to have meetings during but starting after they can break off and go do that.

Earthworm: That.

Daniel: I think that GAs address everybody and no one should have to not be a part of any of it. I propose we keep them ending at 9.

Matt: If committees are permitted to begin after the assembly starts, I think they must be forced to give a report back b4 being allowed to leave. Also, no committee that doesn’t do report backs should be legit.

Misty: Friendly amendment: We try to end at 9. We go on longer if we have to. Committees are allowed to leave at 9 if they have to maybe after a report back.

Consensus.

Hira: Everyone with a proposal that you feel isn’t well thought out I encourage to think it out.

George: I will stand next to Hira. What I’d like to do in part to refute concerns from outside that we all have this one idea that we are all anti capitalist. There are anticapitalists here. Its good, necessary. But doesn’t necessarily reflect all our views. Such broad a brush makes us dismissible. I would like to form a few small teams to put a very fast start up thing together to generate money to put in the account so we can establish a long term nonprofit charitable something. So we can leave something lasting. I want shirts or buttons we can get out fast w/in 24 hours. So we can do something permanent and tell Neal Boortz to shove it. I propose that we start startups in the name of Occupy Atlanta to create a permanent charitable thing.

Matt: So I assume that you made the proposal bc everyone is forced to be in the startup; otherwise it would have been an announcement where people who wanted to be involved would meet up outside of the GA.

George: I didn’t want to put something online selling shirts with the name occupy Atlanta w/o asking occupy Atlanta for its permission.

Will: I wonder who will provide the start up funds, how the revenue will be proportioned, and if this will be officially linked with the OATL movement.

Kevin: I’m a little concerned about what the money would be used for.

Seth: I would like us to empower a start up working group to form and come back to the GA when they’ve reached a specific proposal.

Misty: I second that and idk if you know. There are shirts online.

Dianne: First. Design of the shirts or whatever you sell. Does that go b4 the art committee? Proceeds from those sales for now, will they support OATL. If there is money after, that could go for further donation.

Hira: One DR, 2 on stack, then moving proposal.

Sara: he has already elicited the support of A&L committee

John: I honestly can’t believe we’re sitting around here discussing the possibility of creating goods to sell when we should be talking about our governing body or econ system. We don’t need to generate income off of charging people. If you want to leave a lasting impression, we can do so with ideas and actions.

Matt: As an ardent anticapitalist. I will block until I’m dead, any proposal that doesn’t include the self management and empowerment of industrial proletariat around the world.

Hira: I will ask George to restate proposal, or consider amending knowing you’ll have blocks, or consider tabling. So far George has considered altering the proposal and bringing it back tomorrow.

Kevin: I think someone has to propose it’s tabled.

Hira: If any of you had particular questions to ask George. Please see him after the GA. Is everyone ok with that? Great.

Chris: I wrote this down bc it’s a little complex and I’ve included points that will preclude concerns and questions. The GA begin with announcements and if necessary a brief summary of the topics that will be discussed during the current GA. Then the GA will split into breakout session by committee for discussions on issues and proposals that should go through that committee before being brought to GA. These will last 40 minutes. Regular committee meetings would continue with the understanding that they would bring info to the breakout sessions. Each break out session would vote by majority not consensus to present things to GA. Which will then do consensus. Each session would have bottom liner or liners. Justifications 1) to render GAs more productive and efficient bc proposals that need to go through the committees can do so within the space of single GA. 2) To lift the spirits of participants who want to see action and participate in decision making process of spec issues. 3) To render the decision making process more transparent and accessible and democratic. 4) More directly involve the actual occupiers in decision making. 5) Show more consideration for working people who cannot attend committee meetings during the day and who would like to not only have their ideas heard but also actively discuss with others and hear responses first hand. I’m one of those working people so please consider that.

Liz: So does that mean that all committee meetings will be after the committee meetings will be after 7 during the GA.

Chris: I did say regular meetings will continue but. I do think concerns have been expressed in lots of times and places about being involved in committees and transparency.

Hira: Has this proposal been brought to the faci/process committee to formalize this entire set up?

Chris: No bc I feel like the point of the proposal is to make the GAs more effective and more directly empower the people meeting and sleeping here.

LaTron: I would like to get a summary of what you’re saying clearly.

Chris: Since committees currently meet totally separate from GAs we will have breakout sessions after announcements during GAs which will last 40 minutes and will report back after that time when GA reconvenes.

Matt: I kind of have one but I think it’s another part of the proposal that makes it easier to understand. A list of proposals will be read off and then accordingly funneled into the breakout sessions so they can be discussed b4 entire assembly can be blindsided by opinions.

Juan: My concern is for those that would like to attend more than one.

Chris: Currently most people can’t attend any bc they don’t exist and bc the meetings can’t be attended simultaneously either.

Earthworm: Did you say they’d vote in breakout and bring it to GA and go by consensus?

Chris: MY reason for suggesting this is that to go by consensus in breakout sessions would be inefficient when consensus afterward.

Earthworm: If I’m going to block it? Why wouldn’t I in the GA if I did in breakout.

Matt: I think that the idea is more people would be able to offer insight which could possibly sway blocks, but the idea would still be put forth to GA and there would be broader more direct participation in breakout groups and even if this isn’t perfect the real question is might it be better?

CONSENSUS

Hira: Can we cut down on any of the 6 proposals left?

Sara: First I would like to say that there is a resident community here that is the center of OATL, but surrounding you, you have a support community. When the shit hits the fan your support community goes into action. What happened the other night after the popo came in and we thought the mayor was going to talk to us lead to a discussion of demands? I would suggest to you that things going on in this park are probably only concern of people that live here. My proposal is that if you discuss thing s like demands that effect all of us you give sufficient notice that that will happen bc otherwise support people must choose between participating in that convo and your safety. As much as I love to talk, given that choice I’d have to walk away.

Restated: Don’t carry on conversations about demands or other matters which concern the entire community during crisis. Please wait 24 hours.

Anon: Did we not have media training for that exact purpose?

K: Many of us are new and don’t know what that means. Can you clarify what we would do in a crisis?

Anon: I wasn’t there for that media training. They did hand out flyers concerning what can and can’t be said along with guidelines

Matt: I’m confused. But I think Sara means that

Hira: I feel like the proposal is good, I feel like when we are in a situation of urgency and timeliness we shouldn’t talk about stuff a committee has been discussing.

Sara: My main concern is that your support community be allowed to participate in discussions that include them as well and not have to choose between support and being here.

Marlon: I don’t know what phase of the meeting we’re in the meeting but I have a proposal that might address your concern. Process committee is kind of defunct but will hopefully reconstitute soon. One of its duties is to compose an agenda in advance of GA. Perhaps we could also publicize that in a way the support community could access.

LaTron: I wanted to get a clear understanding. For people that aren’t sleeping in the park you want them to have a voice in the function of OATL.

Will: So is your concern about the impromptu GA and we thought the mayor would come speak and that the GA was discussing demands in a GA that had not been scheduled in advance, is that your concern?

Mallory: I’m just trying to figure out exactly what we’re doing? What is the goal? How are we including new people and broadening our entity?

Hira: Sara made a proposal about how we use meeting time in a …nope.

Sara: What I ask is that bc demands affect everyone that everyone get a chance to discuss them and that in participation of some questions I actually think that the convo that happened shouldn’t have been made as demands bc we were talking about someone participating in the GA. We don’t make demands of each other. We make proposals. If anyone comes to a GA they could make proposals. Those aren’t demands.

Cailyn: It was an emergency situation. Should we be discussing protocol for the next one?

Will: Did you see in the AJC that the Mayor was presented with a list of demands. Is that where your concern comes from?

Sara: Not really, but I know about it.

Hira: Can Sara restate her proposal?

Luke: I think a lot of people need a little bit of history to understand the proposal. A history is given.

Sara: Refer this to process.

Referred to process.

Announcement
Allison: I would like to inform all that outreach now has a task force. We are called the student outreach task force and our goal is to go to every uni in and around Atlanta and flyer and inform. Anyone who would like to join should meet me after the assembly. Or call me at 678 849 2882. The colleges we esp need help for are as follows: Oglethorpe, SCAD, Perimeter, Cordon Bleu, GSU Alpharetta, Art Inst, Morehouse, Spelman, Agnes, Berry, and Bowder.

Kevin: DR It’s already been called independently of us of people in solidarity with us that tomorrow at 430 pm there will be a walkout at GSU and they’re going to come here and join us.

Sara: A&L Committee needs some creative people with interest in knowledge of hip hop bc that’s not my expertise. Email me at deadmadpoet@gmail.com Thanks.

Proposal
Earthworm: AFSC office needs an art show at beginning of November. Concerned we’re marking up walls by leaving bikes against them. Need people to help fix the space before the show. Make a team or something to do that.

Matt: Is that an announcement?

Liz: Let’s pass around paper and those that will help sign.

Dev: I propose that during the GA meeting there be a poster with flow diagram of what the meeting and proposal process from clarifying questions, concerns, to amendments so new people can understand upon walking up. And they can participate and not be left out feeling totally new.

Marlon: That’s a sweet idea and it’s good that people have ideas for process to work better. I would encourage people to get involved with process working group. If you want to do that. Talk to me after the GA.

Daren: I propose we get together a quick guide including flow chart that would be passed out.

Anon: My only concern, there have been people who have walked up off the streets and not been able to participate.

Hira: This needs to happen so there is some way to get people plugged in. How can we better involve everyone?

Luke: My concern is that I don’t think this proposal is complete bc it doesn’t propose a means for making that flow chart. I think proposals need to have in their proposals the means to enacting their proposals.

Sam: Regarding that perhaps the art committee should break off after the session and nominate amongst selves 2-3 people to do flow chart.

Cailyn: That seems like a job that the writing as well as the process could do together.

Hira: To clarify, not a proposal. Move forward.

Kalis: Last night some people were homeless were very inebriated were being disruptive. We need a procedure other than yelling and screaming to not belittle people. Some people sometimes can say things that irk you. Just take a deep breath. Step aside. Think about what you’re going to say. And go back in head strong bc if you don’t you’ll wind up just like them.

LaTron: I would like to see a man-at-arms that the GA can help manage interruptions when someone is inebriated.

Luke: That’s what tactical unity is supposed to be doing.

Matt: Tactical Unity is supposed to be handling things like that but I want to say preemptively

Kalis: I wanted to say it was actually after 2:00 when this incident occurred. My concern is that we should better handle ourselves when there is a person that are disrupting our cause or not down with our cause.

Chris: We should instead format meetings to learn how to handle ourselves better in these situations. Bc people like me sometimes react emotionally instead of rationally.

Luke: I don’t think either of these are proposals.

Hira: To summarize: While we see that disruptions, and their handling, is a problem, we would like to refer these to committees.

Kalis: I would like to propose that if someone else hasn’t talked that they have a chance to talk while other people are talking on the same topic more than once. Because that makes it too long for everybody.

Luke: To clarify, does that mean you’re proposing the facis/stack taker give priority to people who haven’t spoken yet?

CONSENSUS

Sam: I propose formation of official orientation committee which will have a few guys at the welcome desk at all time who know what all committees are and can direct new people to the committees to their skills can be properly utilized.

Anon: In regards to that does this mean that each committee should have an assigned person to receive people directed to them that can be found so that committee is not just wandering around?

Matt: This PoP is an important concern. idk if this GA has retained quorum and should continue making decisions. We should at least take note that this is becoming elite for those that don’t have other commitments. Also kind of a proposal to adjourn committee.

Daren: We talked about forming a list with 2 people from each group we can contact that we can send people to upon entering park. Something logistics is working on.

Misty: I was going to ask if you would be willing to bottom-line that.

Sam: Absolutely

Luke: Basically what Misty said. If you want a committee, start one and get it approved. More of an announcement.

Hira: Are there more proposals?

Luke: Nope.

Hira: Now last minute announcements.

Sean: Roger then Kenly.

Roger: 1) On Friday we’re organizing a march bc at Ptree and Pine there is a shelter that holds about 600 a night, when cold 1000 a night. They just filed a lawsuit against Emory University bc Emory trying to shut them down. The folks that live there are going to meet us here and lead the march at 5:00PM 2) I was at the ATL NGA Labor meeting tonight. 10s of thousands of workers. Tonight they discussed occupy ATL, unanimously voted to mobilize and help us on Monday. If we want we will set up a barricade. If we want we can surround you.

Anon: I and my friends witnessed 2 sketchy things in 2 hours. If you want to discuss them talk to me. Go either 2 or 3 at a time. Don’t go alone especially girls.

Derek: This thing is only 6 days old and I think you’re doing a great job. My first GA here.

Matt: For Saturday I want a really really free market here. People show up with stuff they would use but they don’t. Everything totally free. Gifting economy.

Chris: Please take your keepworthy belongings with you. 2) If you are on a committee and your contact info isn’t up please get it down.

Emory: 1) I checked out 15 October. Net. On Saturday I noticed a global day of action, just wanted to put it in peoples’ minds. 2) Help grass by not walking in muddy areas.

LaTron: This Saturday the Joe Beasley foundation is doing an unveiling of the MLK monument on the Mall. Anyone that wants to log on or go to the MLK library in DC which is the HQ. We will make sure we announce about what the movement is at this thing. Need it BEFORE SATURDAY. EMAIL BY FRIDAY.

Tommy Muhammad: Will be like a town hall meeting with interesting panelists. I will try to link with OWSATlanta for questions and it will be co hosted with Pacifica.

LaTron: On panel will be students. Congressman Hank Johnson, Naim Akbar Muhammad, Joe Beesley. They will discuss capitalism, econ dev, justice, etc.