Occupy Asheville News

On September 14, 2013, seventeen members of Occupy Asheville met for two hours at Wall Street Coffee to discuss disbursing all funds from the treasury. This has been an ongoing discussion for approximately the last year, which culminated in the group effort today. This does not mean that Occupy is over, it simply means that we are honoring our commitment to put "people over profit". We are no longer requiring funds as a safeguard against arrest or to engage in actions, but we ARE still participating in actions, and our participation is from a wide variety of Asheville occupiers. WE ARE STILL HERE. We are a community and have bonded during the time we spent together. Our fight is not over, we are just passing our financial support on to those that need it.

Here is a list of disbursement; some funds have been disbursed already, while others will be made in the next few days as available:

$48.90 reimbursed to NonViolent Direct Action Training Working Gfroup
$50.00 to an ongoing documentary project by Victor
$116.61 to Asheville Homeless Network
$116.61 to the campaign to elect Martin Ramsey
$155.48 to Veterans for Peace, Chapter 099
$155.48 to Beloved House
$38.87 to National Lawyers Guild

These totals were the result of much input and a vote based on percentages of the input. We believe in full transparency, so here it is folks. Social justice work continues. Keep fighting the good fight, everyone!

Occupy Asheville General Assembly May 2013

Occupy Asheville General Assembly

May 4, 2013

Kathryn Facilitating; Jonathan Notes

Treasury Report: John S reported that as of March there was $726 in the treasury.

Website: We’ve paid for another 6 months, which means we have about 5 months left. The cost

has been $39 for six months. Kathryn has paid for this the last two times. We agreed that we would

capture the information from the website for archival purpose and allow the website to expire at the

end of this 6 month period. Jonathan agreed to figure out how to capture the info from the website

and to approach the archives at the downtown library to see if they would be interested in holding that

information.

We also consensed on a proposal to disburse $39 from the Treasury to Kathryn to reimburse her for the

most recent website renewal cost.

Asheville Solidarity Network: After the May Day parade there was a meeting at the downtown library

about wages in Asheville. Jonathan reported that by the time he got there it had changed into

conversation about starting some kind of Solidarity Network for Asheville. The purpose of this network

would be for people to share information about actions, issues, and projects, so that others might show

up in solidarity. There seemed to be some strong feelings about having this Network not be a place for

trying to has out ideological unity but be open for all kinds of calls for solidarity. There was interesting

conversation about past efforts and alert systems, particularly Asheville Mutual Aid. Jonathan

mentioned seeing some familiar faces from Occupy Asheville’s past. At GA there was discussion about

whether to approach this forming network about if it would make sense to send out an email to the OA

list inviting people to join the “solidarity network, however no decision was made in this regard. It was

noted that we needed group consensus before using the OA email list for this purpose.

Sunsetting Occupy Asheville: We had a long conversation about whether we should and if so how we

should “put to rest,” “close down,” “sunset,” etc. Occupy Asheville. On the one hand there was strong

sentiment that we should not in any official way indicate that Occupy Asheville was finished or over.

There were concerns that doing this would prove people in power who believed they just needed to

wait out “occupy” as having been correct, that there are still efforts associated with Occupy Asheville

active and that gatekeepers/people in power or authority believe that Occupy Asheville is still in

existence and indicating otherwise would mean a loss of leverage or standing. There was concern about

the message that officially ending OA would send about the Occupy moment/movement in general and

concern about where doing so would leave individuals who are still active on issues that OA was

involved in and who are associated with OA. It seemed that folks with these concerns were OK with not

having regular meetings but would block any proposal to officially end Occupy Asheville. On the other

hand there were a number of people who were concerned that felt like there needed to be a clean and

clear break. They expressed concerns about efforts that might claim continuity with OA but might take

stand or actions that were not representative of Occupy Asheville as it is or has been; there were

concerns about the common assets of OA, including funds, contact lists, web presence etc, and decisions

being made about those by individuals after in effect there was no Occupy GA or Coordinating Council

meeting. There was also a concern about the loss of integrity that could come with continuing to

present OA as a vibrant active group, when that is not the reality, at least when it comes to people

meeting collectively as OA. It was noted that there are several groups two which predated OA: Asheville

Homeless Network and Veterans for Peace, as well as two groups that came out of OA: Nonviolent

Direct Action Training Working Group and Seniors and Friends that continue to meet and are active as

projects. Some felt that these groups were important reasons to not end OA others felt like it made

more sense for these groups to be able to continue as members of a larger effort: Occupy Asheville.

There were feelings both that if OA ended we would lose the relationship we’d developed, and that OA

ending did not mean that we’d loose our relationships with each other but could carry those into future

projects and efforts. There was a third perspective that given that there are still groups meeting and

that there are still shared assets that OA does need to continue to meet, but that the first Saturday may

just be a bad time. And there were at least two people: Kathryn as a frequent facilitator and Susan as

the individual that the group had empowered to manage the email list who are no longer willing to play

those roles.

Sonny proposed: We hold a GA on June 15th at 2pm under the big tree at Pritchard Park and invite

people to bring proposals about what should be done with remaining OA funds. The proposal was

amended to include a reminder that all groups and individuals have and will continue to have the

ability to act autonomously but that they need to be clear that they are not acting for the totality of

OA and that at the GA in June we will provide information about how people can continue to support

these groups that have been associated with OA. The proposal passed with consensus. Jonathan

agreed to send out the email about the June GA. Susan will transfer the list to Jonathan.

While it was not explicitly stated in seemed implicit to the note taker that after the June GA, if all

common assets were dispensed of, there would not be another meeting OA scheduled unless those

gathered at the GA decided to do so.

Latest on Civil Liberties resolution from Cecil

Subject: Civil Liberties delayed again


I regret to inform you that the Civil Liberties resolution has been held up again due to concerns expressed by law enforcement agencies.
I'll be meeting with the agencies, with City legal, with an asst. City Mgr., in the next two weeks to iron out whatever wrinkle they've discovered.

It will now be on the agenda for the May Public Safety Committee meeting.

It will definitely pass through the PSC when it does come up, as I have Gordon Smith's affirmation that he wants it to go to the full Council.

Best to all,
-c

Occupy Asheville General Assembly Minutes April 2013

Occupy Asheville General Assembly

April 6 2012

 Jonathan announced OA was starting and read General Agreements

Announcements

NVDA Training Working Group Will be doing a training for 350.org next Saturday  from 9-12 at the Quaker meeting house.  The training is for 350.org but others are welcome.  $10 suggested donation.

There will be a GA in Mid April check back for the exact date.

Proposal

To offer Kathryn $40 as reimbursement for the website for the last 6 months.  Sonny asked if we knew how long Kathryn had been paying for the website, and if she needed to be reimbursed for more than the past 6 months.  Jerry suggested that we offer the reimbursement but give Kathryn the opportunity to donate the cost if she wants.

There was consensus to this proposal.

Note: Krysia said that her son (who is actually in San Francisco) would be willing to manage the website.

Discussion

Jerry brought up a topic of currency and its connection to (or disconnection from) morality and spirituality.

Sonny encouraged everyone to pay attention to what is happening at the State legislature.  He noted several issues that will impact Asheville and expressed concern about how these issues might result in loss of funds for valuable city services.

Update on Civil Liberties Resolution Meeting

From Cecil Bothwell:

Due to three reasons, I'm bumping the Civil Liberties resolution another month.

Chief Anderson has expressed a wish to talk to me about it in the context of the Citizens/Police Advisory Committee first.
Councilmember Gordon Smith is out of town due to a death in his family.
And the agenda for Monday is jammed with other routine stuff.

So we'll do it April 29.

Civil Liberties resolution meeting 3/25/13

THIS HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO THE APRIL AGENDA, due to several factors per Cecil Bothwell.

Heads up to those interested:  this is next Monday, March 25.  The newest draft of the resolution is below.

Message from Cecil Bothwell:

I will bring the Civil Liberties resolution forward at the 3/25/13 meeting of the Public Safety Committee. It would be great if you or any of your friends, followers, legions, minions, multitudes, hangers-on or unindicted co-conspirators can join us.

3:30 p.m. Upstairs in the downtown Fire Department/Police Station.

-c

 CITY OF ASHEVILLE
CIVIL LIBERTIES RESOLUTION
 
WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville has long aspired to protect civil liberties and provide equal protection under the law to all persons in the city which includes a diverse population of many races, religions, national and ethnic origin, including immigrants, tourists and students—whose contributions to the community’s economy, culture and civic character are vast and important, and affirms its strong support for the fundamental constitutional rights of every person and recognizes that the preservation of civil liberties is essential to the well-being of a democratic society; and
 
WHEREAS:  The Chief of Police of the City of Asheville has implemented new community policing practices that seek to reframe and improve the relationship between law enforcement officers and the public; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville opposes measures that single out individuals within our diverse population for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based on race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, religious or political opinion or activity,  immigration status; or homed or homeless status, and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville opposes any efforts to transfer federal immigration responsibility to state and local officials, since these proposals tax our already overburdened police department and damage relationships with immigrant communities; and
 
WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville believes that there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty but that Americans can be both safe and free; and
 
WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville wishes to play a leading role in the protection of civil liberties and to consistently promote tolerance and respect for all persons, and recognizes that a number of other jurisdictions in North Carolina and in the United States have enacted policies or laws to make clear their protection of the civil liberties of a diverse population.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE that:
 
Section 1.  The City of Asheville upholds the constitutional rights and civil liberties of any and all persons and it remains the policy of the City of Asheville to protect against discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability,  immigration status, religious or political opinion or activity, or homed or homeless status.
 
Section 2. City of Asheville officers and employees reject profiling of any group within our diverse population as a factor in selecting individuals, setting up check points or selecting areas of town to subject to investigatory activities.

Section 3.  City of Asheville officers shall not arrest persons or impound vehicles solely for failure to produce a driver's license in the course of motor vehicle stops in which the initiating infraction would not otherwise result in arrest, unless there is other evidence of criminal activity.

Section 4. The City of Asheville does not and will not maintain electronic, photographic or paper files on any person not under investigation for criminal activity.
 
Section 5.  City of Asheville officers and employees do not and shall not collect, maintain or disseminate information about the political, religious or social views, associations or activities of any individual, association, organization, corporation, business or partnership unless said information is directly related to an investigation of criminal conduct that is based on reasonable suspicion.
 
Section 6.  In the absence of interstate or international criminal or national security investigations, City of Asheville officers and employees shall refrain from participating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws or initiatives such as the Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS), that encourage members of the general public to spy on their neighbors, colleagues and customers, or programs run by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), that drive a wedge between the immigrant community and the local police who need to protect the welfare of all our residents; no department, agency, commission, officer or employee of the City of Asheville shall use City funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of Federal Immigration Law, or to gather, use or disseminate the immigration status information of individuals in the City of Asheville.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the provisions of this Resolution are not intended to protect criminal activity on the part of any person but are intended to encourage trust in the Asheville Police Department and to encourage reporting of criminal activity to that department by all members of the community.
 
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the provisions of this Resolution shall be severable, and if any provision of this Resolution is declared unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be forwarded to all City of Asheville law enforcement agencies and to every department, agency, commission, officer and employee of the City and to our local, state and federal legislative delegations on behalf of the residents of the City of Asheville.
 

Bothwell's Civil Liberties Resolution

Cecil Bothwell, Asheville City Councilman, says the resolution he's proposing will be introduced to the Safety Committee meeting on March 25th at 3:30 pm, in the room above the downtown fire dept.  

He says it will help to have folks show up and speak in favor of it.  Alternately, your opinion can be read if you send letters to Cecil, Jan Davis, and Gordon Smith.  But, letters should be sent a little closer time to the meeting.


We are posting it here because Occupy Asheville is considering writing a letter of support for this resolution. Please leave a comment if you have any thoughts on this course of action.

++++++++++

CITY OF ASHEVILLE
CIVIL LIBERTIES RESOLUTION

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville has long aspired to protect civil liberties and provide equal protection under the law to all persons in a city which includes a diverse population of many races, religions, and national and ethnic origins, including immigrants, tourists and students, whose contributions to the community’s economy, culture and civic character are vast and important, and affirms its strong support for the fundamental constitutional rights of every person and recognizes that the preservation of civil liberties is essential to the well-being of a democratic society; and

WHEREAS:  The Chief of Police of the City of Asheville has implemented new community policing practices that seek to reframe and improve the relationship between law enforcement officers and the public; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville opposes measures that single out individuals within our diverse population for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based on race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, religious or political opinion or activity, or immigration status; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville opposes any efforts to transfer federal immigration responsibility to state and local officials, since these proposals tax our already overburdened police department and damage relationships with immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville believes that there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty but that Americans can be both safe and free; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Asheville wishes to play a leading role in the protection of civil liberties and to consistently promote tolerance and respect for all persons, and recognizes that a number of other jurisdictions in North Carolina and in the United States have enacted policies or laws to make clear their protection of the civil liberties of a diverse population.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE that:

Section 1.  The City of Asheville upholds the constitutional rights and civil liberties of any and all persons and it remains the policy of the City of Asheville to protect against discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, religious or political opinion or activity, or immigration status.

Section 2. City of Asheville officers and employees will reject profiling of any group within our diverse population as a factor in selecting individuals, setting up check points or selecting areas of town to subject to investigatory activities.

Section 3.  City of Asheville officers shall not arrest persons or impound vehicles solely for failure to produce a driver's license in the course of motor vehicle stops in which the initiating infraction would not otherwise result in arrest, unless there is other evidence of criminal activity.

Section 4. The City of Asheville does not and will not maintain electronic, photographic or paper files on any person not under investigation for criminal activity.

Section 5.  City of Asheville officers and employees do not and shall not collect, maintain or dissemintate information about the political, religious or social views, associations or activities of any individual, association, organization, corporation, business or partnership unless said information is directly related to an investigation of criminal conduct that is based on reasonable suspicion.

Section 6.  In the absence of interstate or international criminal investigations, City of Asheville officers and employees shall refrain from participating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws or initiatives such as the Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS), that encourage members of the general public to spy on their neighbors, colleagues and customers, or programs run by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), that drive a wedge between the immigrant community and the local police who need to protect the welfare of all our residents; no department, agency, commission, officer or employee of the City of Asheville shall use City funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of Federal Immigration Law, or to gather, use or disseminate the immigration status information of individuals in the City of Asheville.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the provisions of this Resolution are not intended to protect criminal activity on the part of any person but are intended to encourage trust in the Asheville Police Department and to encourage reporting of criminal activity to that department by all members of the community.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the provisions of this Resolution shall be severable, and if any provision of this Resolution is declared unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be forwarded to all City of Asheville law enforcement agencies and to every department, agency, commission, officer and employee of the City and to our local, state and federal legislative delegations on behalf of the residents of the City of Asheville.

General Assembly Notes March 2 2013

General Assembly notes March 2, 2013

Jonathan facilitated, Meggen took notes

[Read Occupy Asheville General Agreements]

Reminder:  Meetings on Mondays are on hiatus until further notice
    (NVDAT is still meeting Tuesdays at 5PM at Battery Park Book Exchange)


Finance:
OA still has several hundred in the account--what should we do with it?
Suggestion to think this over and try to make a decision at April or May GA.
Possibilities:

•     divide among existing working groups
•     hold onto for legal defense
•     donate to charities (such as Beloved House)
•     AHN and VFP are good candidates since they are stand-alone organizations
•     VFP could hold onto it and keep it for legal defense
•     give more to Ben Scales

[Discussion about Tuesday’s protest at Buncombe County building re: energy rate hikes.  Consensus to make treasury funds available for arrestees who meet criteria.  Sorry these notes were not posted until after this event.]


Cecil Bothwell’s Civil Liberties Resolution
    Cecil has been getting feedback from various folks including Occupy members
    March 25th public safety meeting will be next public discussion
        -he is expecting support from Hunt and Pelly, maybe Smith
    He would like a letter of endorsement from Occupy Asheville and for OA folks to     submit public comments to City Council
    NVDAT will work on drafting a letter, and OA can do consensus process online     (post on blog, email chains, etc.)

    Question raised about the value of OA’s endorsement, especially given our small numbers these days
    Comment:  we should give Cecil our support if he’s asking for it

Consensus:  support NVDAT in drafting letter, put it on blog/email for discussion
    if not blocks/dissent after a reasonable amount of time, OA will endorse

About the upcoming Public Safety Meeting

There has been discussion of Cecil Bothwell's resolution concerning civil liberties at Occupy Asheville meetings on Monday evenings. Exact wording of the resolution has not been shared. Some members have promoted the idea of people coming to the Public Safety Meeting to support this, which was rumored to be introduced in the January meeting and again in the February meeting. This is not going to happen in the February meeting, and the latest word is that the resolution will be introduced in the March meeting of the Public Safety committee. However, I would check an make sure that this will actually happen, if you are interested in this issue.

Suspension of Monday evening meetings

At tonight's meeting, we decided to suspend Monday evenings meetings of Occupy Asheville. We will resume if there is a new project to work on, or if there is interest.

We will still hold monthly General Assembly at 2 PM at Pritchard Park on the first Saturday of the month.