Occupy San Luis Obispo, CA — OccupySLO

After reading another forum post on the degrading condition at the SLO courthouse, I felt that I could no longer stay silent on the matter, so here it goes:

About a week ago (11/9-ish), we had one of several frost warnings issued for the PM hours, and I decided to head to Starbucks and grab 2 travel totes of coffee for the Occupiers. As I arrived at about 8PM, there was a noticeable smell of marijuana in the air, and even though I advocate medicinal usage, public usage (in this case) gave me an immediate "red light." After dropping off the coffee, I got (maybe) 2 people that said "thanks", and of the 30+ people there, I only recognized about 3 individuals from the first few days of the occupation. About 6 or 7 of those present were involved in a discussion, the remaining group was huddled on the grass seemingly oblivious to everything around them (several people approached the encampment during this time, and not one occupier went to engage these people in what OSLO was about). One of the posts I referenced above mentioned drug usage at the courthouse, and whether or not it was the case here, I was left feeling that I was just taken advantage of.

I might as well come right out and say it: it seems to me that we've done nothing more than set up an outdoor shelter & food table for the homeless who have been turned away from local shelters. The demographic present at the courthouse has almost completely cycled through. The atmosphere has changed from that of positive discussion regarding important political, economic and social justice issues to one of "help us survive," and it completely sickens me. I understand what it means to be homeless, because I've been in such situations myself, but I also know what happens when generosity becomes an expectation, and it certainly has in this case.

I will continue to make myself available for medical issues regardless of the demographic present at the occupation or during marches/meetings; however, I will be distancing myself from the daily activities of OSLO until this issue is resolved and we cease to ignore such a blatant misrepresentation of the movement. I will keep active on the forum here, and I will also keep an eye on the OSLO Facebook page for any updates. Public opinion of Occupy SLO has crumbled in recent weeks, and while emphasizing the spike in homelessness is one of our core issues, being used as a crutch for homeless people simply because they associate themselves with OSLO is a completely different ballgame, and I refuse to be a part of it.

-Geoff

Geoff,

You have addressed many of the concerns I have developed because of a series of events that I have observed over the last few weeks. You can't go to the encampment without smelling marijuana. There are about 30-40 people there but few if any can be bothered to walk 50 feet to attend the GA meetings. Some of the folks there seem to think that the only goal of occupy slo is to take over the courthouse & put up their flag. There seems to be a sense of entitlement among some of the folks there. And, finally, many of the people there aren't observing the “Good Neighbor” policy that was established when the occupation started.

For these reasons, I suggest that we, at least temporarily, divorce ourselves from the encampment. This would involve (at least) removing all signs, moving the GA meeting & all other meetings off site, & informing the residents that we are withdrawing our support from them & that we no longer are associated with them until the entire encampment agrees to follow & self enforce the rules.

I think it is very important to have a 24/7 presence in SLO, but it needs to follow the rules. If we end up with a 4 person encampment, so be it. But the current situation will kill the movement.

I personally will not be attending any more meetings there. And I suggest we immediately move Saturday's GA to Mitchell Park.

By the time you read this, I will have created a separate post for an agenda for the Saturday meeting.

Tom (The Other) Roberts

I'm sad at what has happened recently to the encampment. I thought that we were really getting on track, but we have been overwhelmed by the influx of transients not committed to the cause. Last week it was a safe place to take my daughter to hang out - this week I don't want her to be there.

I don't know what the solution is. I think the 24/7 presence is a large part of what we are doing, and I have a deep concern for the issue of homelessness, but right now the violence and disruption being caused at the courthouse and in the neighborhood is not helpful to anyone.

Michelle

I too have distanced myself from OSLO - I have been against an encampment from the start, not because of homeless, etc but because it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth and others I have talked to.I've even stopped going to the GA's due to the strong feelings against the encampment What is the real point of it? Just because other cities are doing it ? Has the symbol of OWS become a tent? I hope not, but it seems like it, the movement is more than that. How is OSLO benefiting from the encampment?

I urge OSLO to reconsider supporting the encampment.

As I said once before-if the majority of the OSLO people saw tents set up in one of the parks they would probably be the first to bitch about it-what makes the encampment different?

The situation is disappointing to say the least, and regardless of what we decide, any conclusion we come to can't possibly satisfy everyone involved. With that said, the needs of the movement come first, and from what I've seen and read, there are many individuals at the courthouse who do not share that belief. Whatever comes about, I'll be keeping OSLO in my thoughts and I'll be hoping we can get back to being a productive movement once again.

biketom wrote:


Tom-

For starters, we're probably related somehow. Any relation to Beth, Ernie, Mel, etc.? (Loren is my second cousin, by the way!)

Secondly, I completely agree that a "divorce" from the encampment needs to happen ASAP. I'm not available for the GA meeting this week, but I sincerely hope that someone brings up these issues.

I just spent four days and nights down there at the camp, and much of what you say here is true. I rarely smelled pot though - but it is obvious from the number of zombies that a lot of drug use is going on. BTW, I was the one who put the flag up on the main canopy, and I am not one of THEY as you stereotype. It was my fathers. There are some very well behaved respectful homeless people there who need our help. The first withdrawal that occurred at the camp on the first or second day turned that camp over to these people who became then the majority. Bad things happen when enough good people do nothing. So, I had to work through the grunge and debris. I have suggested that social services be called for the 3-5 people who are clearly mentally ill and highly hostile. This is an issue people are dealing with all over the world, but not through abandonment of the camps necessarily. See article posted on Facebook at OSLO. at this point they outnumber us, at least those of us who are trying to turn the camp around, while you, the armchairs, are asking for greater withdrawal. If there is enough of us who ask ones to leave who are violating our rules, then they might, and if not, tell them that social services or the police will be called in for various reasons. I have been told a permit is about to be issued due to efforts that i witnessed of Mike, Robert, Tony and to much lessor degree me. We are going to have to work with police and institutions more closely and get more normal people participating who are on same page. Mike has setup events area that will be permitted, and the camping area was moved and somewhat segregated.

Geoff said: I will be distancing myself from the daily activities of OSLO until this issue is resolved and we cease to ignore such a blatant misrepresentation of the movement. I will keep active on the forum here, and I will also keep an eye on the OSLO Facebook page for any updates. Public opinion of Occupy SLO has crumbled in recent weeks, and while emphasizing the spike in homelessness is one of our core issues, being used as a crutch for homeless people simply because they associate themselves with OSLO is a completely different ballgame, and I refuse to be a part of it.

I will try to separate myth from fiction. First of all, the camp was abandoned by our group within a day or two, and left deliberately in the hands of the mentally ill, drug damaged, homeless, hungry. you and OSLO gave them the majority. Bad things happen when enough good people do nothing. Second, this is issue being addressed by all occupy groups. Mental health and homelessness. We should not pretend we can deal with all of it, in that case, we need advocates that work with county mental health, social services, drug rehab, and the police. this was one way to get on good side of public and police. for instance, i used to work for a welfare rights organization, and we often would have to work with county health programs. there are organizations in the more marginal aspects of homelessness. 3rd, how many times have a screamed that we can prepare and serve food at Mitchell Park, and deliver some to the courthouse for legit workers only if necessary. this is NOT rocket science.

when the group decided in day one or two to run and abandoned the camp, they empowered those who should never have been, and failed to created solutions necessary to facilitate a better more meaningful camp environment. Many of those homeless and hungry are the worst of the worst, and are not allowed in the food kitchens or shelters.

please read my current writings in recent section, and possible solutions. who are you?

We need as many people as possible to assist ROBERT and TONY at night, and MIKE during the day, Warning. I know Jeremy is one of the originating members, but he, and all his friends are a huge nightmare and lots of drug use is going on in that group, and rudeness and hostility. i was treated with contempt and like dog shit while working nonstop four days straight facilitating and managing and sterilizing food tent. I have suggested for weeks that food be prepared and/or served at the park, where some is shuttled back for only those serious organizers. i also have proposed many other solutions here, and i am disheartened that so few are involved in creating solutions. ROBERT, TONY and MIKE are trying to salvage the camp and turn it around. PLEASE HELP THEM, then we must surgically target about 10 members for removal and to facilities that can help their serious conditions. do not trust jeremy or his young buddies... they are abusers and are insulting worker bees like me, and only seem to be parasites and drug users.

Sandi-

You have several valid points, but the way I see this situation is if SLOPD truly is bringing evicted homeless into the camp, then it is much more complicated than I believe you realize. Whatever the reasoning behind their actions may be, it either requires action on OSLO's behalf to distance ourselves from those who do not share our goal(s), or risk losing credibility (of which we basically have none in the community at this point).

Also, your "who are you" comment leads me to believe that you question my participation in the movement, but I'm the EMT that has been keeping an eye on everyone involved for the last month. I've made my presence known on several fronts, so please don't become dismissive (provided that was the intention of your comment--I can only go by contextual meaning over the net, after all). We all have valid reasons for being involved here, and although I don't specifically get involved in the main groups, medical attention must be present when large groups such as ours undertake any sort of action (i.e. marches, the occupation itself, etc.)

I talked for a couple of hours to the Occupiers today. The camp seems reasonably clean. And they seem to want to stay and are dedicated to the cause. I hope everyone comes to the meeting tonight so we can talk more about all this.

Sandi -

I wasn't criticizing the flag. I didn't even know there was one. I was trying to emphasize that the main purpose of the “Occupy” movement was not to militarily capture ground & then raise the flag. This is appropriate in military operations, but we are not one of them. I'm not clear on what you thought I was stereotyping. I think my use of the words “some” & “many” in the following sentences make it clear that I am not including “all” people in any comment. <<<There seems to be a sense of entitlement among some of the folks there. And, finally, many of the people there aren't observing the “Good Neighbor” policy that was established when the occupation started.>>>

I was perhaps not as clear in the next paragraph. My MEANING” was to remove “official” support by Occupyslo. Geoff has indicated, for example, that he will continue to support all people there medically. And I have said elsewhere that we should embrace people like the police & the Tea party. This does not mean we support their actions, only that we recognize that they are part of the 99%. Jeremy & his buddies are too, and Occupyslo members can try to help them individually, but not as Occupyslo members.

Everyone that can, please come to the meeting tonight, 5:30 at the graduate, 990 Industrial, SLO
slograd.com/directions.php

Just a quick reply to one mistake being circulated here.

The camp was up and fully supported by OSLO for FIVE full days before we decided to "pull out". And it was only after a man had been arrested, another man broke his arm, a knife was pulled, a tent with children in it was peed on, the lockbox for donations and a $700 iPad went missing (only one of which was ever eventually found). In that time many of us spent every waking moment nursing the camp along to life. In the end the decision was made, in my mind, when no one could suggest even one fully responsible party who could continue to oversee the operation. I'd run myself into the ground tending to that child as well as the two I have at home and there was no one willing to take on what I had been doing. And so the camp seemed stillborn... But not because every available nurse on the Steering Committee did not give their all to support it.