GENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES
9 PM on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23^RD

Facilitators: Jesse, Evan
Minutes: Gabriela

Jeremy speaks of how he needs rest and addresses the crowd with love and support. He then leaves.

I (Gabriela )spoke of needing an appointed minute taker for General Assemblies that I am unable to attend, then told those who take minutes at said meetings to give them to me so I can transcribe and post onto website.

Suggestion was made: If homeless are serious about the movement then is there the possibility of cleaning them up and giving them a chance?

Jesse: Everyone is a paycheck away from being homeless. Checked in with the group to see who had been homeless at one point in their lives.

Topic raised: Went to speak at Cal Poly, wore a collared shirt knowing he would be received better. People will not come down if they see those they perceive as homeless, or see how some people are dressed.

We cannot exclude anyone no matter what it is they put on their body or where they sleep at night. This movement is all inclusive.

Evan: Voices opinions about premature occupation.
Shutdown or become safe and sustainable

Someone says that good came from the un-organization, it allowed others to get involved.

Cooper: The bickering he had witnessed in an earlier general assembly meeting pained him. Living, sharing should be the focus. Anger should not, wondering why the “homeless” issue became so huge and dramatic.

Eric: As much as he wants to involve everyone there were some who created major issues and conflict arose. Do we include 2 people at the expense of 500 or grow to 600 at the expense of two people. Sometimes sacrifices must be made.

Gabriela : Suggestion regarding re-establishing the human element. Suggested that we speak our names one at a time and repeat the names being voiced as a group. Voice name before you head into your comment/question/etc.

Terry: No “Us against THEM”
Must deal the hand we’re dealt. What are we here for? Dignity. We’re being watched by many. It is time to make a stand. Project an image that we are proud to be free. No more BS about who wears what. Practice being accepting. Practice respect. Suits are coming in the morning – think love! Think inclusion, heart and soul.

Desire: If this ship doesn’t have a captain it will sink. She will cave. Realism is needed. We pushed the man with the most experience out, we made a grown man cry. We want it respectful, respectable and to make progress. Not everyone is altruistic, there are people out here who will take means to see us fail. “Man” needs to be listened to. Our ideals will not keep us safe. We need a leader.

Balam: The man created division and labels were used. Everyone should be captain. Just because someone has done it before doesn’t mean they know exactly how to do it now.

Someone speaks of image and eco-committee.
 A need to make a time to clean up somewhere, to go seed planting in a public space at night.

Eric: Wants a sustainable place, wants progression. The Earth needs this movement to grow. The occupation needs organization and needs the community to be safe. We want to welcome everyone but can’t always do so.

Jesse: It’s a conundrum. We are victims of being stepped on by people in the social ladder. By excluding or kicking others out we are doing the same. No labeling. Jesse had a better conversation with a drunk “homeless” man than he’s had with anyone throughout his entire time involved.

Outreach Committee is looking to put forth and bring people down. Those who are afraid of homeless? Need to be re-educated.

Terry: Differences and sameness need to be assessed. We need cohesiveness. BE THE WORD, BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE, THE RIPPLE EFFECT WILL CREATE CHANGE. People are watching, they want to be safe. We’re all GOOD people!

Eric: Those (trouble makers) who have been occupying have possibly been detrimental. He is an anarchist and believes in complete equality but is having to play by the rules in order to create awareness and reach others. He changed his principles to bring people together. We have to exclude some of those who have negative effects.

Need to act in a peaceful, pacifist, lawful nature. Act within their means and within the law. Some of the “trouble makers” would contribute, some wouldn’t.

Robert: Nurse for health, volunteer at fire department. Watches CSPAN and knows about congress and the way it’s conducted. 112^th Congress has destroyed our law making. He’s watched Occupy grow since its origin in Egypt. In Egypt they have full respect for each other. He left his wife to be present and apart of the meeting. She asked him not to go. Respect amongst the group is necessary. If some don’t respect then they do not belong here.

Jesse: Spent 3 days in Sacramento at the occupation. They were dealing with an issue where they vacate at 11 PM every night. He shared the process they go through every evening including arrests and the movement of the entire encampment for a night to be set up in the morning. The passion they have, the courage. He asked them “When you win, when you’re able to occupy the public space over night, what are you going to do?” We have the privilege of occupying over night on this space NOW! What are we as humans going to do with this opportunity? Talk needed, there is no fear her. The more emphasis we put on this issue will cause an even bigger issue. OUR JOB ISN’T TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE. We’re not here to be convenient.

Cooper: General Assembly, bulletins, action, no bickering. We need letters written, petitions. Humanity/citizen influx plan?

Balam: Instead of complaints and reiteration we need ideas, action needs to be taken!

Group: Everyone has something to say.

Suggestion: Someone who looks somewhat respectable compiling information and asking people about the 99%. What it means to them.

Engage people!

Cooper: Compile a list of grievances so that Evan can talk with those in the higher power seats.

Petitions needed.

Andrew: Change legislation. People don’t necessarily agree about these things that need to be changed. Creating $$ is deplorable and the Federal Reserve is one of our main problems.

Balam: Organization here is still important. Empowerment needed to fix the rest is necessary.

Suggestions and decisions:
Food Schedule needs to be printed out
Organization is inspired by action
Occupation needs task oriented people

Go to businesses to get donations! Cherilyn wrote a beautiful letter.

Donation jars at businesses with cards/info sheets accompanying the jar.

Facebook/Craigslist any means of social media to push out events

OccupySF has a bike that generates their wifi.

Eric: Has a friend in Davis that has a bike design that generates his smoothie maker. He will get in contact with him.

Educational materials are necessary.

Whitehouse.org, a great place to create petitions

Robert: For anyone that feels unsafe or unsure, call the police!
Citizens arrest needs to be known by all.

Ending words were spoken and shared. Positive and inspirational.

Meeting was adjourned.