NYC General Assembly # Occupy Wall Street

Hi fam! We’re here at 60 Wall, and our first proposal of GA is about to start. Follow here and @LibertySqGA2 and @LibertySqGA3. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the “Proposal to participate in a Nationwide United GA on March 17th”! http://t.co/MDZ2xYMN #NYCGA #OWS

Opening stack on clarifying questions. CQ: “We’d normally have a GA on that day; would we not have our GA that day?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “That’s up to you; there’s no set rules. It’s just to see if we can get a united GA going.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Could you clarify more how it’s actually going to take place? Will it be on webcams, or on twitter?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: Not sure, hasn’t been worked out yet. CQ: “So there’s no consensus now on how that works?” A: “Yeah, we didn’t want to make a..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…website, as that might lead to power, or leadership, and we didn’t want that.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “How does the process work?” A: “Each GA would happen individually, and we’d see how each GA feels about an issue and take consensus..”

Cont’d: “…from there.” CQ: “But how would it be back and forth nationally?” A: It wouldn’t, it’d only be back-and-forth in each GA. #NYCGA

CQ: “Who started this idea?” A: “His name is Lucid Wilcox, but he’s just someone who had the idea, but I’ve heard others w/ similar ones.”

Cont’d: “It’s just to get the ball rolling, and get conversation about it.” #NyCGA #OWS

CQ: “Would this include American Sign Language?” A: “That’s up to this GA.” CQ: “Then I’m not quite sure how this is playing out.” #NYCGA

A: “It’s not just one GA in one location, it’s happening in each location.” CQ: “So, online?” A: “Yeah, people, like live tweeters, might..”

Cont’d: “…relay the information that comes from each GA.” CQ: “Which Occupy does this come from, and is this from 99 D group?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “He’s not associated with any Occupy; he’s kind of surfed Occupys.” CQ: “Would you consider this the first step in becoming a political..

Cont’d: “…movement?” A: “I don’t know. We don’t really have a nationwide scale for all of our GAs.” CQ: “So you’re looking for an umbrella?”

A: “No, just opening communication between each GA on nationwide and global issues.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “So you do a tally, and you mean to say the NY GA would have the same weight as the Peoria GA?” A: “No specifics have been decided..”

Cont’d: “…this is just to get the conversation going, and to see who would want to participate in the united GA.” #NYCGA #OWS

Justin’s POI: “We originally encountered this idea via Michael Pollak and the 99% Declaration.” How similar is it? #NYCGA #OWS

A: “It’s not associated with him or the 99% Declaration. We didn’t realize it was similar until way after.” No specifics, just to get…

Cont’d: “…ball rolling.” Justin’s not satisfied, “where did the idea come from?” A: “Free thought.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “I’m not sure what we’re consensing on. Who’s bringing proposals, who’s running the GA?” A: “No answers yet; we want to stay away…”

Cont’d: “…from having a structured leader.” Needs to be determined by GAs, will be planned jointly. Just want to know if #OWS is in. #NYCGA

CQ: “You’re just here as a reader of the proposal, right?” A: “Yes.” CQ: “Who is behind it and why isn’t he here?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “He lives in Alaska, but I have his contact info, his phone, email, y’all can go to town.” Just interested in building movement. #NYCGA

CQ: “So, as I understand it, you’re just trying to see if we’re interested in participating? But what I don’t understand is what you’re…”

Cont’d: “…hoping to gain from this.” Sounds to him like a “nationwide social hour for GAs,” since we won’t decide anything. #NYCGA #OWS

A: “No, we’re hoping that the same topics will be discussed at those GAs across the nation.” CQ: “OK, I’m all for opening up the convo..”

Cont’d: “…but how is this going to do that?” Some guy shows up to drunkenly claim he’s in the 1% and his dad owns a Fortune 500 company. #OK

Concerns now. First one is about why it’s not more concrete; answer is that they tried, but ppl are wary of planning w/ a central grp. #OWS

The concern becomes a FA, to have an opening body — have each city take responsibility for one GA in rotation. #NYCGA #OWS

She likes the suggestion. “We’ll have to figure out how it’s going to work.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next Concern / FA: “You’re calling it a General Assembly, but it seems like more of a Spokescouncil.” #NYCGA #OWS

She’s open to calling it “whatever you guys want,” but the structure is pretty clear already. #NYCGA #OWS

Next concern suggests that she hasn’t been able to explain how this directly benefits us, feels it might be a lot of trouble. #NYCGA #OWS

A: “I agree; that’s why we’re bringing it to local GAs first, to see if they can or want to participate.” She suggests it would be great…

Cont’d: …to set up national direct actions, etc. He’s not mollified. #NYCGA #OWS

Next concern is that this would be a decision-making body that doesn’t follow the consensus process, concerned w/ that. #NYCGA #OWS

Time ran out. We temp-checked extending the proposal, and folks were mixed-to-negative, so it’ll be tabled and hopefully brought back.#NYCGA

OK, we had a little disruption, but the GA weathered it pretty well. Stairs (facilitation) are going to do a little grounding exercise. #OWS

Stairs: “Just recenter on why you’re here right now, taking time out of your busy life. Take a deep breath… take one more.” #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “And now, somebody shout out why you’re here.” ‘Justice,’ ‘comedy’, ‘community responsibility,’ ‘the world,’ ‘life.’ #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “I already feel better. So, let’s get back to the business of why we’re here.” Haywood is next with his proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood: “Hey. So, before we do this, I’m also a little frazzled from that dude; some from the park may remember him.” “He clocked me…”

Cont’d: “…in the jaw one night doing security.” Wants to bring some levity. “So, if anyone knows an Occupy-related joke, please let’s do 1.”

.@HelloFrances: “How do you know you have a hippie staying at your house?” Haywood: “I don’t know!” Frances: “They’re still there!” #NYCGA

Someone: “What did the occupier say to the occupier?” Haywood: “What?” “Hey bro, got an extra cigarette?” #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood tells us about his time at “the revolution”; he left Accounting recently because he didn’t come to deal w/ receipts. #NYCGA #OWS

People in Accounting can’t “take positions on spending,” so now that he’s left Accounting, he can and wants to tonight. #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood: “This is about how we spend our money.” We’re running out, donations tapered off, “and frankly we’re spending a lot.” #NYCGA #OWS

“As it stands right now, we have about $160k on hand, & about $87k is directly for bail.” “We essentially have 3, 5 at the most, weeks..”

Cont’d: “…before we go broke. So I wanted to bring a discussion to the GA about how we go broke, since we are.” #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood says the proposal is short and sweet, hoping we can break out into groups, talk about it, and come back w/ something we all like.

“Occupy Wall St is not about money, it’s about action. So, let’s spend our money on action. This proposal, if it is passed, will mandate…”

Cont’d: “..that every $ we have left outside of our bail fund in NYCGA’s bank account will be spent on actions.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “What an action is, in terms of expenditures, will be determined by the General Assembly.” That’s the proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs suggests we give it 45 minutes, start with clarifying questions, and then break out into groups before moving on. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady’s first on CQ stack: “When you came up with this financial defrost, were you thinking about certain working groups?” #NYCGA #OWS

RT @TesselizaTC: #nycga LIVE on http://t.co/dFwLulFp @OccupyWallStNYC @libertysqga @owsnyclive @OWSFacilitation

Haywood: “I love defrost, by the way.” Lady clarifies she was thinking Kitchen, for example. Haywood says he has considered them. #NYCGA

Christine’s POI: “I wanted to do a little pt of info frm Accounting, b/c I understand that wasn’t exactly the specific #s. We’ve $149,264…”

Cont’d: “..in our account,” including bail fund. About $61k is non-bail, and we spent $19k last week. Gives 3-4 week estimate at current #s.

Yuri: “I like this, I really do, but FundHub has been trying to get set up to help individual projects raise $ instead of going to GA.”

Haywood: “Yeah! Autonomy. Horizontalism.” Sumumba asks the rate of fundraising. Christine: “Not much, about $1500 in past week.” #NYCGA

Haywood notes that peaks in donations coming in “track directly to our largest actions.” I.e. Brooklyn Bridge. “They don’t give us $…”

Cont’d: “…because they like us, they give it to us because we’re standing up for what’s right. They give it to us because we do action.”

CQ: “Of $19k, what non-action items have been made? What will be cut? Kitchen, Metrocards?” #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood: “I think this is crux of the proposal & what ppl are here to figure out; I didn’t want to define it coming in. What is an action?”

Cont’d: “I think actions are so much more than DA working group, though many of them come out of DA. I believe the pop-up occupation is…”

Cont’d: “…an action; I think teaching HS students about GAs and doing direct democracy is an action, I think the SOPA blackout was…”

Cont’d: “…an action, I think going to leaflet about our economic situation in the subway is an action.” That’s just him, but the idea is…

Cont’d: …everything we get $ for needs to be related to an action, or otherwise, “get it donated. We used to do this in the park; there’s..”

Cont’d: “…still a wealth of individuals willing to donate to us.” Closing CQ stack now. #NYCGA #OWS

Bonnie’s CQ: “I’m in Kitchen, and my ? is, do you consider the food tht we prepare for the WGs to be an asset for them to continue working?”

Cont’d: “…and do you consider feeding those at 60 Walls an action, for those meals we prepare and serve here?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “This proposal’s not about me; it’s about us. Bt my personal opinion; I think we should feed everybody.” But, “that’s not the ? at hand.”

Cont’d: “The ? at hand is: how do you want to go broke?” Bonnie thinks we need to adjust budget proportionately so Kitchen can continue.

Bonnie continues: “And I think that, we could do during breakout groups.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ: “I understand your concerns; I share them. But what if, instead of saying, ‘how do we go broke?”, what if we ask everyone…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…here, how do we not go broke? How do we keep the money coming in?” A: “$ is really contentious around here; I think that’s..”

Cont’d: “…out of the purview of this conversation.” Nods at Yuri’s idea. “I think we need to address spending issues.” #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood notes he conveniently didn’t propose that new money coming in has to be spent on actions, just that the current amount. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Does this sunset, or is it a permanent policy? And are you suggesting $ on hand be sequestered from new funds?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “You’re talking about the expenditure of $63k and how it would be.” We hope there’ll be more soon, but this is about this? #NYCGA

A: “That’s up to us, we’ll have to talk about that.” CQ: “So, when you started proposal, you said, #OWS is not about $.” But notes that…

Cont’d: …we act as if we need $ to function. “So can we all agree, fuck money?? Let’s get back to our grassroots organizing. God dammit.”

Trish’s CQ: “We need $. As a movement, we need $ to do what has to be done. You need to eat to get to an action, you need transportation..”

Cont’d: “…to get to an action. So now are you saying, when we hv an action we will what, put a msg in a pigeon & let it fly over the city?”

Trish suggests that we “let the GA decide” on each budget request. In other words, unfreeze the budget, and do what we were doing before.

Next CQ: “The $ came in w/ the big actions, right? Now there’s been actions since the park; has it come in or not?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So, the problem there is the actions may not bring in the money.” Are we putting all eggs in wrong basket? #NYCGA #OWS

Danielle from Accounting chimes in. “$ tended to spike after mass actions” w/ “upwards of a couple thou ppl.” BK bridge, #N17, etc. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “And I personally suspect that a lot of the early donations were when #OWS was the only #Occupy and ppl are now donating locally.”

Danielle notes she doesn’t have any data to support this, but it’s her personal suspicion. #NYCGA #OWS

.@gomelanie’s CQ is whether this would give working groups the ability to use #OWS banner w/o GA. Haywood notes we believe in WG autonomy.

Haywood: “This is a horizontal movement. You want to make a Ron Paul working group? Great!” Won’t get much support prolly, but sure. #NYCGA

Haywood notes that WGs cannot speak as #OWS without getting consensus from the #NYCGA. They can speak as their WGs, tho. #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ, Felix: “I believe #OWS’ greatest action was #occupying. That’s what we stand for. A bunch of you have homes; some of us are still..

Cont’d: “…occupying.” Hard to get by, no food, have to dumpster, sometimes get sick. Then there’s a yoga class… “on an empty stomach?”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “Fine, you’ve got a job. But I don’t, and I have to go spange or paint faces in the park to make $.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I’m going to tell you: if you don’t feed us, and get us in some park, any park, so ppl can see us, I’m not going to a march to…”

Cont’d: “…get the crap beaten out of me.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ: “I know as an organization we tend to do passive fundraising.” What steps have we taken to make it more active? #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Have you considered a coordinated money bomb?” Suggests a 4-day money bomb leading up to #MAY1. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So that means the $ won’t peter out, and we can keep the money going.” Haywood likes the idea, “and ppl should do it. We should..”

Cont’d: “…be raising money. It’s insane that we don’t. But GA doesn’t want to, so someone has to make that proposal.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sage’s POP: “There’s 9 ppl on stack. When a stack gets really really long, that expresses that the grp has a lot of concerns and questions..

Sage suggests we shouldn’t work our way through stack, but instead do a breakout group or some other change of direction. #NYCGA #OWS

We’re continuing through stack. CQ: “Say an action gets approved for, like, a grand. What does that $ usually go towards?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “Historically, it’s up to the proposer,” and they list line items for that specific actions. CQ: “But is food on it?” A: “Sometimes.”

CQ: “Why do you need $ for an action?” Suggests it doesn’t take money, just to get donated supplies. “$ just gets us arguing over $.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “I want us to move on from $.” Doesn’t find value in $. “It doesn’t do anything for me and I don’t know why this movement wants…”

Cont’d: “…to support anything that involves money.” Asks Haywood to explain why he wants $, which confuses Haywood. #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood: “I think $ is tearing our movement apart! And it’s not that no one ever needs $, but I think it’s really hurt our movement.”

Cont’d: “And all I want to do w/ this is have an adult conversation about how we spend what we have left.” Breakouts will be for whole grp.

CQ: “First of all, to piggyback on what ppl were saying about fundraising, I suggest a telethon.” Also, “a lot of working ppl…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “..they need jobs and homes and things like that, #OWS can help a lot w/ that in terms of supporting. And then, what about the…”

Cont’d: “..disabled? There’s a lot of ppl who are disabled and they are also part of #OWS.” “We need to support everybody.” #NYCGA #OWS

Nan’s CQ. Notes she and Haywood have “a love and hate relationship, but I want to thank you for having the balls to bring this proposal.”

Nan: “Nan is back, she had some problems she had to take care of, but she is back and bitchier than ever.” #NYCGA #OWS

Nan doesn’t like DA, she says. “What about kitchen? We have an occupation were ppl are being fed?” #NYCGA #OWS

Someone across the room screams “FUCK MONSANTO!” and the GA takes a moment to erupt in matching response. #NYCGA #OWS

Haywood answer’s Nan’s ?. “I think actions are about much more than DA. This money doesn’t go to DA.” Supports “anything so long…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…as you’re doing something for the movement.” “What’s not an action? Renting an office is not an action.” #NYCGA #OWS

Nan’s 2nd CQ: “We’ve a WG that raised 1.8 million.” Affinity grp, Trish corrects. “Why don’t they fund actions instead of taking it frm GA?”

Haywood notes she’s talking about Ben and Jerry’s group, #MRG, and that they’ll fund actions they like instead of giving $ to GA. #NYCGA

Haywood wants to make sure we can propose and fund our own actions, not just those that #MRG supports. #NYCGA #OWS

Kyle gets up, notes he worked in Kitchen for long time, loves Kitchen. But if we keep spending this $, “there won’t be any food anyway.”

Cont’d: “So why don’t you guys think of the big picture? If we spend it on these actions, maybe we’ll get more money.” #NYCGA #OWS

Kyle notes he’s “been broke, I’ve lived on the streets, and guess what? Now i’m here, with a home.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ gets up, says “all of you guys are inspiring me.” His name is Jonathan McClellan, is a part of the infamous ground zero mosque.

He’s been doing grassroots fundraising for years. “I have a few questions I want to address. First: why do we need money? Now, this…”

Cont’d: “…actually started off as a movement, without money, unless i’m mistaken.” Ppl came b/c they were inspired by action.

Cont’d: “Even tho this mvmnt started w/o $, ppl do need to eat, they need places to stay.” Question is “how do we get more $?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So far, the greatest action that’s happened is occupying,” and the education that spread. He suggests we focus on “telling ppl..”

Cont’d: “…why you’re doing what you’re doing.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ: “I think you raise a lot of valid points, Haywood, but let’s just say on a whim, hell freezes over tonight and this passes.”

Cont’d: “What happens when ppl need to be fed tomorrow? Occupiers who are going to go hungry tomorrow instead of spending # for 3 wks?”

He notes a lot of Occupiers are spanging for money, “which doesn’t always work all that well.” Otherwise, art, or whatever they can find.

He feels strongly that we need to help ppl eat. “What fundraising is going to be done between tonight and tomorrow to raise $ for food?”

A: “That’s a really, really, really good question. I put together the most basic proposal, so we could modify it together.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But the whole point is that we redirect the conversation towards action, which is what we came here for.” #NYCGA #OWS

Guy gets up to try to make a statement. “Direct action is noncompliance.” Money not required, otherwise are legitimizing the state. #NYCGA

That’s it for CQ stack, so we’ll break out. GA is very large due to warm weather and day of action today; that’s tough dynamic indoors.

Stairs: “We’ve been told there’s a large grp at Zuccotti Park.” Asks that we break out in groups, then come back and see if we want to move.

Oh, nope. Stairs: “We’re going to the park NOW!” YAY, everyone cheers. #NYCGA #OWS

Rather than continue w/ the last proposal, GA Is concluding w/ announcements. #NYCGA #OWS

Direct Action reminds us to come to “Bryant Park tomorrow at 9am” for #F29 and our pop-up occupation! Crowd cheers! #NYCGA #OWS

And that’s it for tonight’s GA! Thanks fam. See you tomorrow for #F29! It’s gonna be great. #OWS #NYCGA

She’ll read just the first part. “Statement of intention on entering the space: we enter each #OWS space with a commitment to…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…mutual respect and support, anti-oppression, conflict resolution, nonviolence towards each other, and direct democracy.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “We support the empowerment of each person to challenge the history and structure of oppression… including ageism, classism…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…heterosexism, religious discrimination, sexism, homophobia, and others.” “We understand individual freedoms are not above…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…our collective safety, well-being and ability to cooperate effectively.” It goes on: http://t.co/fL6tTKrA #NYCSC #OWS

Melanie reminds us of one more signal: hands overhead, like making a roof over your head. It means “respect the house.” “I’d like to use…”

Cont’d: “…this to bring the room back tonight.” So, if we get too energetic, folks will silently mk this signal until everyone settles down.

Melanie: “Should we give this a try and see how it works? Everyone talk!” We all mumble incoherently as “respect the house” symbols go up…

Cont’d: …and then, after a few seconds, we’re all silent. Awesome. #NYCSC #OWS

RT @TesselizaTC: #nycsc live on http://t.co/dFwLulFp – come watch & chat @OWSFacilitation @owsnyclive @libertysqga @OWSLivestream

Women Occupying Wall Street reports back! On March 8th, they’re doing an action for National Women’s Day, and they’re going… #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: …to participate in the first feminist GA in the Spring! Woohoo! #NYCSC #OWS

Next report back: Outreach! “We did something awesome today; we did this impromptu march from Liberty Square to the garden…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…we passed out fliers, had big banners.” Was really fun. “If anyone wants to do that, every Weds at 1, I go out and do that…”#NYCSC

Cont’d: “…kind of shit.” “We started the day with a seed exchange near the Stock Exchange, then the march happened to the LES, and there…”

Cont’d: “..was a bike ride, and we biked around with music blasting,” went to 7 community gardens, including some that are facing eviction.

Cont’d: “It was an awesome day, connecting with the communities, and gardens, and.. yeah!” #NYCSC #OWS

Someone reports back from #leisurecaucus: “A few concerns: there’s no good bars in this area, and I’m spending all my money..”

Cont’d: “…and I think we need to get back to the communal throw-downs, where everyone throws down to get a pitcher.” #NYCSC

Someone shouts out Rudy’s for #leisurecaucus, and we all laugh a lot. Community! #NYCSC #OWS

Next: Marisa tells us about http://t.co/dM2ngURk. “We’re making content, an introductory video, and encouraging ppl to…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…submit content — tweets, photos, videos, whatever — to the map so we can have our own participatory stream of the mvmnt.” #NYCSC

.@TesselizaTC reports for Media: “Anyone going to be streaming for #F28 or #F29, come talk to me tonight after Spokes so we can…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…get you set up with equipment and such.” Justin from Info: “You may have gotten strange message from ComHub; we’re still…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…trying to figure out what’s happened with the other side of our group,” but they’ll still post info for folks. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “We have info meet ups at Charlotte’s place MWF at 3.” Want to encourage all WGs and occupiers to use http://t.co/OzXDORvv #NYCSC

Next, Accounting. “One of the things that we’re doing is we’re going back to giving weekly reports to GA / Spokes.” GA reports Sat, SC Mon.

They’ll be posting those online. And there may be some backlogged record-keeping they may need help solving problems with. #NYCSC #OWS

“We will probably come to you with requests for support and guidance on controversial issues.” #NYCSC #OWS

The total we have is $149,264. $87k is in bail fund. “At our current rate of expenditure, we’ll be out of money in 3 weeks.” Some cheers.

Cont’d: “In terms of our current expenditures,” kitchen spent 7k of 10k allocated last week. Lots of #s, will try to get whole breakdown.

Sage’s POI: “At the SC where your budget proposal went thru, one of the Spokes reforms was not legitimate, so it should have passed…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…also, the OccupyFarms person shouldn’t have been in room” due to past misdeeds, he said. “So if there’s any way that I…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…as an individual can help to support that proposal that should have passed, rather than accept defeat, that’d be great.” #NYCSC

Next, Direct Action: “If you’re not arrested in the #f29 actions, you should come to our MayDay planning meeting Wednesday night!” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “Also, I’m in the Mutual aid cluster within subgroup of MayDay within Direct Action.” Will discuss providing mutual aid on MayDay.

So, Weds is MayDay Planning, 6:30pm, 33 West 14th. Mutual Aid meeting will be Sunday in Tompkins Square Park. #NYCSC #OWS

Next, Alternative Economies notes that they’re not always here, but Margaret Adler from NPR is here, working on a project about them. #NYCSC

They want to tell us “about something important [they're] about to do.” “We’ve made quite a lot of progress in designing a bank that would..

Cont’d: “…fulfill the ideals of #OWS, would be democratic, owned by depositors, available to poor who are so often excluded, transparent..”

Cont’d: “…and would use practices that didn’t expose broader economy to risk,” and other things. “We’re looking to make a press…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…announcement” that we’re interested in working or partnering with another institution to build this bank. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont;d: “This is an exciting time for the group and for the Occupy Bank endeavor.” Hope it will “have a transformative effect, not…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…just on the banking system, but on the global economy.” Melanie notes that some folks have questions. #NYCSC #OWS

Melanie: “Is the room OK w/ pausing for a moment to take some questions?” Yup. CQ: “I remember like many 2 months ago, OccupyLA set…”

Cont’d: “…up their own credit union. Have you talked to them at all?” A: “Yeah, we’re aware of that, and we’re trying to get in touch…”

Cont’d: “..with them. Our effort is a little different from a credit union; if you like, it’s a CU writ large with some other aspects.”

Cont’d: “A credit union can’t be national (by law), and we’ll have the option to be national,” as an alternative to for-profit banks. #NYCSC

CQ: “What WG is it? When/where do you meet?” A: “It varies;” check website. “It’s called the OccupyBank WG; used to be called…”

y’all can check in w tonite’s #nycsc on http://t.co/MhwGHRiL via @TesselizaTC @owsnycLIVE

Cont’d: “…Alternative Banking WG.” They split into two, with Occupy Bank working on new bank, and ABWG working on reform. #NYCSC

Robert notes he’s really glad they’re here. “What can be done at this stage of the game, as naming is difficult and important, to keep…”

Cont’d: “…the name of the bank as Occupy Bank going forward?” Worried it would be diluted, or watered-down. #NYCSC #OWS

A: “I think we wholeheartedly agree. We’ve been working on this 4 months now, and none of us want to see the ideals diluted in any way.”

Cont’d: “We don’t want to set up a marginalized bank that nibbles at edges of problem,” have big hopes for this, “not entirely implausible.”

Cont’d: “The Occupy name brings a lot of meaning” and “very clear” democratic values. #NYCSC #OWS

There’s still a lot of discussions, so someone POPs and suggests that we make it an agenda item. Mel asks the room; looks good. #NYCSC #OWS

Brett, Facilitation: “This Weds, during day of action in Bryant Park, we’ll be doing Direct Democracy training from 11-5.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “Also, this Friday at the Quaker House, 6:00 to 9,” a continuation of grievance council discussion. “We need as much input as poss.”

Next, Stop Stop and Frisk calls for “volunteers for #F28 action tomorrow, ‘stand with the occupy movement, stop the repression of #OWS.’”

Cont’d: “It’s shaping up pretty well; we have some posters, get out tonight, get out tomorrow.” Rally at Union Square at 4pm. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “It’s really important that no one sit on the sidelines in this action, b/c this is how movements group.” Calling on supporters to..

Cont’d: “It’s really important that no one sit on the sidelines in this action, b/c this is how movements grp.” Calling on supporters to..

Cont’d: …come out and stand against this. “People aren’t fully” grasping that this movement is being repressed. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “There’s also been sectarian push-back” against this action, because some communists were involved in the early planning. #NYCSC

So, 11am in Union Square, there’ll be a volunteer coordinator to point people towards outreach, setup. Will be lots of speakers. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “So, if you know you can be there tomorrow to volunteer, sign up.” Starts 11am, rally is at 4. Also need help w/ a banner. #NYCSC

Sage’s CQ: “As someone who had a block at the GA where this was consensed on, and as someone who tried to involve…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…themselves in the GA and functioning processes of this #Occupy, how open are you to changing your mind on anything at all?” #NYCSC

A: “I’m not sure I can… that doesn’t have anything to do with the mass action against the suppression of the #Occupy movement.” #NYCSC #OWS

She’s not sure who “you guys” is, says she can’t speak for all the ppl who put together the action. Melanie asks if there’s a CQ… #NYCSC

A: “What this is is what’s in this call for mass action,” there’ve been meetings every week, everyone’s had “opportunity to be involved.”

She doesn’t know because she wasn’t involved in making the buttons. OK, one more person on announcement stack. #NYCSC #OWS

“Brainstorming, Ravi & I came up with a page where ppl can post Kickstarter or Indie-go-go projects, for quicker access to project funding.”

CQ: “When we consensed on buying all the buttons for SS&F, there was a FA that #OWS would be mentioned on buttons. Didn’t happen- why?”

It’s called the #OWS Project List. “Secondly, tomorrow is a general strike in India.” Tomorrow they’ll hand out fliers at 8am to support.

Melanie tells us “it’s been reported that London is being evicted right now.” Ooooh… #SOLIDARITY #OCCUPYFOREVER #LOVELOVELOVE #OWS

Frances reminds us of the new guidelines for how folks get to Spoke. “In order to be a spoke at these meetings, you need to follow these…”

Frances will read groups who are eligible based on rules to have spokes here. “Town Planning, Occupy the Youth, Minutes, Facilitation…”

Cont’d: “..Occupy Bank, Outreach, MEdia, Housing, OWS en Español, Class War, Sustainability, FundHub, AR Allies, Structure, WoW, Info.”

Sage asks about the Occupiers WG, Marisa feels it’s a gray area, since it’s not part of new rules. Thinks we should let it happen for now.

OK, so our agenda at this point is “to hear from Occupy Bank and to hear the Metrocards proposal from Housing.” #NYCSC #OWS

Justin wants to make a discussion proposal for “dealing with violence at Spokescouncils and GAs.” #NYCSC #OWS

Melanie temp-checks adding that to the agenda. WGs seem to need to discuss briefly before Spokes feel comfortable responding. #NYCSC #OWS

Now temp-checking Justin’s proposal for “a discussion that will lead to a proposal” about physical violence at GA and Spokes… #NYCSC #OWS

It’s mixed, so Melanie temp-checks putting it last and temp-checking again when we get to it… Looks good. But Justin takes it off, then.

OK, so back to CQs for Occupy Bank. CQ: “How will this benefit the community?” RE: use of Occupy name. #NYCSC #OWS

A: “We think it’ll be embodied in design of the bank. It’ll be owned by customers and employees; fundamentally democratic.” #NYCSC

Cont’d; “It would be accessible to everybody; there’s a large part of pop today that can’t access banking resources. This bank…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…would be as available to them as to everyone else. Thirdly, it’d be transparent;” since opacity of banking industry has led to…

Cont’d: …the massive economic issues “we’ve had in recent years.” For these and other reasons they think it’ll embody principles of #Occupy.

Cont’d: “That doesn’t meant it won’t be a plausible thing for mainstream customers” to use the bank. “As a non-profit, it may have…”

Cont’d: “…a competitive advantage against for-profit banks,” and think it’ll be better for everyone involved. #NYCSC #OWS

CQ: “First of all, I’m wondering about the designation of “a bank,” and how it’s structurally different from other banks?” #NYCSC #OWS

CQ cont’d; “And also, what do you want from #OWS? Are you looking for support, solidarity, working group buy-in? B/c you’re doing the…”

Cont’d; “..press conference tomorrow, so we’re wondering what you want.” A: “It’s not a conference, it’s a release…” #NYCSC #OWS

A cont’d; “RE: structure; we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that.” Haven’t made any final decisions, but question about whether…

Cont’d: …”it’s a bank or something else” is “really to the point.” “The truth is there are legal obstacles to providing banking services..”

Cont’d: “…as that kind of entity.. to provide the services banks provide, you have to be a bank.” Could take many years of full-time work…

Cont’d: …to get a “new bank” to have FDIC insurance, “which is essentially to be accepted and legally operable as a bank.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “And FDIC insurance means that if your bank goes south, your customers won’t lose all their deposits.” “We spent a lot of time…”

Cont’d: “..talking to community banks and credit unions who’ve been through this,” including lessons learned frm one that failed in Chicago.

Cont’d; “It’s a long road; it’s by no means over.” Want help, want to engage in the discussion. “It’s about 22 ppl at the moment.” #NYCSC

Cont’d; “We really, really welcome new members.” From #OWS, “I don’t think we want anything specific besides solidarity. We all feel very..”

Cont’d: “…strongly that this is a way to make concrete some of the ideals of #Occupy.” Came to tell #SC about it and hope we’re on board.

Cont’d: “We have told folks at GA several times and had no objections, but at the same time there hasn’t bn a place for a real discussion.”

They’re open to discussion, and Marisa thinks that would be great. That’s the end of stack, so we’ll move on to the next agenda item. #NYCSC

RT @TesselizaTC: #f27 #NYCSC live on http://t.co/dFwLulFp RT! @occupywallstnyc @occupywallst @OWSFacilitation @libertysqga @owsnyclive

Facilitation encourages OccupyBank “to bring forth the discussion,” b/c “it would need to come from yr grp.” OB seems really into it. #NYCSC

Mel: “This is a proposal for Metrocards; last time we passed one, we said we’d revisit the issue.” The time has come! #NYCSC #OWS

Katherine will propose! Mel asks if we’re cool with giving this proposal 30 minutes. Sounds good. #NYCSC #OWS

They’re requesting $ for 120 Metrocards in a week. (Metrocards are among the short list of financial proposals exempt from spending freeze.)

Here’s the Metrocard budget proposal in detail: http://t.co/F0CebOGj #NYCSC #OWS

OK, so we’ll open stack for Clarifying Questions. CQ: “What days do you provide the cards?” A: “Recently, been Tuesday, Weds, Thurs…”

Cont’d: “Tues and Thurs during GA, 6-9pm at 60 Wall,” Wednesday wherever Spokescouncil is. #NYCSC #OWS

Next CQ is about the office supplies budget, which includes scanning. They want to be able to scan card slips submitted by Occupiers…

Cont’d: …for transparency purposes. CQ: “Have you looked into discount cards?” A: “I don’t think it’s possible due to buying in bulk.”#NYCSC

Justin’s POI: “Stan and I have done a bunch of research into cheaper ways to get them,” but it wouldn’t be much of a discount yet. #NYCSC

Facilitation: “We had 2 questions; if we aren’t providing Housing anymore, what is the Housing line being used for?” #NYCSC #OWS

A: “People are still calling the Housing line and Stan is still working on housing those ppl,” regardless of official #OWS $ for it. #NYCSC

Facilitation’s second CQ: “There are 2 phone lines,” what are they used for? A: “It’s my phone and one other used for coordination.” #NYCSC

Cont’d; “Can we sort out a # of cards that go out for each group, and then cap it at that?” #NYCSC #OWS

Next, Arts and Culture’s CQ: “At A&C, the Metrocards are a really amazing resource for us to have,” puppeteers, others w/ studios elsewhere…

A: “That’s one of the FAs I was hoping to bring up; want WGs to take more responsibility for handling passing out the Metrocards.” #NYCSC

OK, that’s it for CQs, so we’ll move to Concerns and Friendly Amendments, after working groups confer. #NYCSC #OWS

OK, so we’re back; stack is now open for concerns and proposed amendments to the proposal. #NYCSC #OWS

Minutes: “I have a very strong blocking concern to the distribution method used,” suggests we allot cards to WGs and let WGs use… #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…the group consensus process” to disperse them. “We know who in our groups needs cards.” Proposer accepts amendment. #NYCSC #OWS

She accepts the amendment enthusiastically, at that. “Some WGs have felt a little unable to get to me, as far as getting them..” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…to their people, b/c their ppl are doing work — that’s why they’re in WGs.” So she wants to have a sheet that states WG name..

Cont’d: …a “list of their ppl”… budget request would stay same, but it’d be 5 per WG except DA and Kitchen that get 7 due to size. #NYCSC

She suggests the pt ppl be responsible for providing a form w/ that info, and then they’ll give it to her, and Weds she’d give cards out.

Minutes: “So you’re basically going to come to Spokes on Wednesday” to give to point person? Notes their PP isn’t always at Spokes. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “Can we just give it to the spokes, then?” Melanie notes they should be able to work this out. #NYCSC #OWS

Next, Town Planning’s concern/FA was covered already by Minutes, “but I’d like to tack something else on, that Metrocards not be distrod..”

Cont’d: “..in the same room as the #SC meeting” during the meeting. A: “I’m going to have to say that I think it depends on the space..”

Cont’d: “..we’re using, b/c at Quaker House, we have an outside space, and here not sure…” Mel notes there’s a hallway. #NYCSC #OWS

A: “Well, we’re starting at 6, so I’m hoping if we shorten the hours it won’t happen during the meeting.” Proposes 6:00 to 7:30 Tues/Thurs..

Cont’d: “…to meet with those financial point people to give them the Metrocards.” #NYCSC #OWS

Structure: “We’re running out of $, and we’re not getting as much in as we’re spending.” Almost $4k/week on Metrocards, he says, is…

Cont’d: …questionable. “It’s important to be careful with your resources; not sure how careful we are now with limited funds.” #NYCSC #OWS

So, Structure proposes a friendly amendment to cut budget in half from 120 cards to 60. Some whistles frm group. #NYCSC #OWS

Structure essentially wants to have a vetting process to make sure ppl who get them, need them. #nycsc #OWS

A: “Vetting could be problematic; sometimes things are used improperly, and we can’t stop the process” of helping w/ transport… #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…just b/c we’re afraid of the money running out.” Would be open to cutting to 110, maybe 100. FA of 60 not accepted. #NYCSC #OWS

Info: “I have 2 concerns. 1, a large portion of the community relies on these, and most of the dissent comes from those who haven’t…”

Cont’d: “…gotten the benefits of it.” Sees this happening at multiple levels. “Some of us rely on this,” $29/pp is a small price to pay.

Cont’d: “Also, I see a lack of participation” unless the proposal comes up. Would like folks to come to Housing mtgs, help. #NYCSC #OWS

Next FA: “I’m wondering if you’d consider just focusing on the cards right now, and take the phone off of it.” “Just b/c we all have phone..

Cont’d: “…bills here. Or no phone.” A: “That’s fine; mine doesn’t have to be on here; Dan’s… I’d have to ask Dan.” Must confer. #NYCSC #OWS

OK, so she won’t “be able to accept the amendment at this time.” Notes that other WGs currently funded get similar budget lines. #NYCSC

FundHub: “Is there a difference b/w Spokescouncil working groups and Metrocard-eligible working groups?” A: No. #NYCSC #OWS

Concern: “It’s supposed to be a renewal of an ongoing budget,” concerned about change of $. Freeze only allows for renewal. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “Secondly, there shouldn’t be any confusion about which grps get cards;” wants non-GA/SC time/place for distro… #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: …in part to avoid conflicts. Suggests doing it at 60 Wall, but not while Spokes or GA are happening. #NYCSC #OWS

The answer is that she wants to start at 6, but Marisa is concerned that sometimes there’s no space at 6. A: “OK, I could do 60 Wall…”

Cont’d: “…same time, Tuesday and Thursday,” giving cards to WG pt ppl. So, no Wednesday distro. #NYCSC #OWS

Next, Arts and Culture. “This weekend is a great example; the puppet guild expanded to 10 ppl. We don’t use all of our MCs every wk….”

Cont’d: “…I want to see a system put in where Metrocards can get banked, or shelved.” A: “Basically, what I’d like to see is the WGs take..”

Cont’d: “…more personal responsibility” for distroing cards to group; folks come to her asking for more cards. She explains new form again.

C: “But as it contracts and expands, we want the budget to contract and expand as it goes along.” A: “This can only be a renewal.” #nycsc

Marisa: “We’re mid-spending freeze; we can’t end it until we come up with a budgeting process.” Card budget can be renewed, but not changed.

Next, Accounting. “Hi; my friendly amendment is that in addition to WGs taking responsibility for Metrocards, the group has to…”

Cont’d: “…consense in its minutes on who gets the cards” so we don’t have nepotism, cards wandering off. Must be in minutes. #NYCSC #OWS

A: Amendment accepted. A&C has some implementation issues based on how they meet; we’ll confer for a few minutes to clarify. #NYCSC #OWS

OK, we’re back; we’ll have a quick stack of clarifying questions before we move to consensus since there have been so many amendments.

Marisa suggests we don’t really need to go through CQs again; someone points out that we should just restate proposal w/ amendments. #NYCSC

Restated: “Proposal is for a weekly budget for metro cards in total amount of $3,480, which purchases 120 Metrocards. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d; “Friendly amendment that working groups take responsibility for distributing cards, and that list of ppl is in their minutes.”

Cont’d: “Also, I would request in this budget the $85/week for the office supplies, b/c this is a renewal of budget- office, printing…”

Cont’d: “…scanning, and phones, one for the housing line and one for the financial pt person to coordinate purchasing of cards.” #NYCSC #OWS

Also, Metrocard “distribution will be at 60 Wall, 6pm to 7:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.” #NYCSC #OWS

Mel: “So, do we have any clarifying questions before we move on?” Someone has a concern with “how much bureaucracy we just…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…added to the process of getting Metrocards.” Someone points out it already had a lot; person feels this added more. #NYCSC #OWS

A: “The reason why — here’s been my concern w/ the whole process of the MCs as it stands now. There has been cases of ppl just…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…forging signatures; other ppl complained that ppl just signed for anybody for Metrocards.” Want to make it easier for WGs w/…

Cont’d: …actual ppl in their groups to give cards out. “That’s why I opened it up to FAs in order to make it a better process and for…”

Cont’d: “…ppl to be wiling to continue rather than block” any Metrocard distribution altogether. #NYCSC #OWS

Accounting’s CQ: “How many weeks is this budget for? When will you be coming back for renewal?” A: “I was told by Christine it was 4 weeks.”

Mel: “Do you need to confer with yr groups?” No. “Are we ready to move on to consensus?” Sage wants to speak, but isn’t a Spoke. #NYCSC #OWS

Marisa PoPs: “I don’t think we should make exceptions. We said at the beginning only Spokes from WGs could speak… we should stick to it.”

Melanie temp-checks, and I think we want to stick to the rules and not make an exception for Sage. Marisa notes that question at beginning..

Cont’d: …that Sage asked was about whether or not occupiers got a spoke. “If Sage was Spoke for the occupiers, I could understand how..”

Cont’d: “…this could be an issue. But you’re not, are you?” So we should stick to the rules. We’re moving to consensus. #NYCSC #OWS

Stairs asks for standasides: Arts and Culture and Anti-Racism Allies are standing aside. ARA’s concern is about “accessibility and…”

Cont’d: “…increased bureaucracy in process,” but thinks we can work it out so is standing aside instead of blocking. #NYCSC #OWS

Arts and Culture’s stand aside is roughly in agreement with ARA’s, worried about logistical accessibility. #NYCSC #OWS

Now asking for blocks. One, from Structure. “I don’t think we’re being very responsible with the $ we have left,” would remove if could…

Cont’d: …get a 30% reduction in number of Metrocards. Marisa PoPs again, notes again, we cannot reduce b/c we’re extending previous earmark.

Structure removes their block. Melanie: “We have consensus! And not only that, but the bonus is we have this room til 10:00!” #NYCSC #OWS

OK, so we’ll have a couple more announcements. First: “The Fibre Arts WG is going to be discussing this tomorrow at our…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…weekly meeting at Charlotte’s Place, which is usually at 2pm,” tho she wants to move it to avoid conflicting with Union Sq action.

But yeah, they’re going to try to get a 24-hour knitting occupation put together! “We’re going to completely yarn-bomb Zuccotti Park!”

They’ll also be training us in knitting before then so that we can all participate. Meet tomorrow at 1, Charlotte’s Place. #NYCSC #OWS

Next Announcement, Class War: “Meetings are Weds, Charlotte’s Place, at 5.” Reminds us of actions tomorrow, Weds! #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “Union Square tomorrow, Bryant Park the day after! Everyone should bring their friends, if they have any friends!” #NYCSC #OWS

Class War (Anthony) finishes: “And fuck Monsanto!” (“Fuck Monsanto!” ppl reply.) #NYCSC #OWS

Next: “Every day in March, 11:30-2, there’ll be a cultural occupation in Liberty Square. Arts, culture, come livestream, crafts, writing..”

Cont’d: “…come down and talk about it and get it on film!” #NYCSC #OWS

“Thank you everyone!” And that’s tonight’s #OWS Spokescouncil! Thanks for reading, fam. [Comments, concerns, ?s: @diceytroop. -Ed.] #NYCSC

Hi fam! #NYCGA is about to start at 60 Wall; we’ll livetweet here and @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, @LibertySqGA4. #NYCGA #OWS

Andy and @bana_be are facilitating; Andy is telling us about his facilitation style, which he describes as “active.” #NYCGA #OWS

.@bana_be tells us the plan for tonight: working group reportbacks, a discussion on Vision and Goals’ Vision stment, & a discussion frm DA.

Andy: “We’re going to do the DA conversation first; this will be a discussion-based GA. We won’t come to consensus on anything…”

Cont’d: “…so it should be a different feel.” Andy reviews our process. “If you’d like to speak, here’s our stack taker; put a hand up…”

Cont’d: “…and she’ll see you, and you can get on stack.” Sparkle fingers up = you like, sparkle flat = not sure, sparkle down = not a fan.

Andy cautious us about how we use down-twinkles, because sometimes it’s disrespectful to express negativity while someone is talking. #NYCGA

Andy also reminds us that a point of information – one finger up – isn’t an opinion. “You’re helping someone to create a more formed idea..”

Cont’d: “…with a very relevant piece of information.” Also nods to clarifying questions (mk a C w/ yr hand), bt we likely won’t use tonight.

Working group reportbacks! Christine from Accounting starts, tells us they’ll begin to report on our finances each Saturday GA going fwd.

Expenses and donations are published at http://t.co/YrZWLbTS. (I’ll get specific numbers later.) #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Class War WG. “Free Ellis!” Also, they’re working on getting Class War Radio going, and on a “Smash Capitalism” march for May 31st.

Class War WG meets Wednesdays at 5pm at Charlotte’s Place. “Fuck Monsanto,” Anthony finishes. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba from Outreach reminds us about Occupy Town Square, a pop-up occupation in Tompkins Square Park all day tomorrow! #NYCGA #OWS

Outreach also reminds us about the City-wide GA scheduled for April 14th. #NYCGA #OWS

SIS notes that since the office closed, they’ll move equipment to SIS, where working groups can borrow things lk netbooks, etc. #NYCGA #OWS

The process for borrowing netbooks is on a daily basis, you leave your ID as collateral and need to return it by 7pm same-day. #NYCGA #OWS

Casper (SIS) hopes that folks will take advantage of “the netbooks not sitting gathering dust somewhere,” like using them to take minutes.

Next, Facilitation reports back. “Our Spokescouncil will be making a 1-night-only appearance at 56 Walker, 7pm, Monday.” #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “on February 29th,” Facilitation will offer direct democracy training during the pop-up occupation in Bryant Park! #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Direct Action is really excited about #F29. “There’ll be some fun actions, including having the Plus Brigade come out, so we can…”

Cont’d: “…show the world we’re not super serious all the time!” Plus brigades are fun “blocs”, i.e. a clown bloc, a dancing bloc, etc.#NYCGA

Also, “May Day is where we’re going to shut down- no school, no work, no shopping, non-compliance w/ this capitalist system!” #NYCGA

Ah, apparently direct action won’t be presenting their proposal tonight, so we’ll have most of GA to discuss the Vision and Goals proposal.

Andy: “They’ve got a set of 3 questions they’d like to give; I’d like to discuss them in breakout groups and then come back,” report back.

Andy: “With breakout groups, you’ll get a really awesome representation of the overall thoughts on these questions from the whole group.”

Andy suggests we give 30 minutes for the breakout groups. Vision and Goals will introduce the discussions. #NYCGA #OWS

.@shushugah : “Right now, we don’t feel the crowd sourcing process is working, so we’d like you all to discuss other ways we can..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “..develop our vision and goals.” Sumumba also wants to talk about whether #OWS is “a mass movement or something else.” #NYCGA

Sumumba: “Are we just talking about what we feel about it, or are we trying to mobilize the whole city?” Preserve radical identity or not?

Yoni: “And can we have a vision and goals document that represents all of #OWS? Is that concept viable or not?” #NYCGA

Sumumba asks folks to mix it up, try to sit with folks they don’t know as they form their breakout grps. “We should all be friends!” #NYCGA

So, we’ll count off into breakout groups, discuss the ?s, and then return w/ reportbacks in about 30 minutes. See you in a bit! #NYCGA #OWS

OK, GA is starting up again! We’ll hear reportbacks from the breakout groups first. #NYCGA #OWS

First: “I’m from Charlotte, just got here last night, was here the first week. One person is not happy b/c on this thing it doesn’t…”

Cont’d: “…address the new laws that have gone through, like NDAA, or aggression towards Iran, and other things that have happened…”

Cont’d:”…and we need to all agree, so one idea was to put something in here to address all the things that have popped up since the start.”

Next: “Can we make a vision statement? We think it’ll be difficult, but if we try to keep it simple and broaden our image, we can keep…”

Cont’d: “…everyone happy.” They believe we’re a mass movement already, should stay that way. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “First, is it possible to have a statement for 99%? And… ppl weren’t quite sure, in the onset, before discussion. Ppl…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…also said they were interested in a mass movement, and how do we communicate with a larger audience?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It was also felt ppl really need to check their hubris; OWS began as an action and some ppl feel is still an action…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: And, “we must go to the original source” of what made the movement happen. “Visions are important for the world; this is…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…a mass movement, and the vision is for #OWS, as all occupations are autonomous. But know that ppl do look to #OWS.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Do not let labels and things get in the way;” think of each other not ideologically but as human beings. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We can’t let it fade away. What’s happened is it’s started as an action, but galvanized a lot of ppl who didn’t know what…”

Cont’d: “…was behind the action.” Labels are divisive, think of things as human beings and “of a time beyond the horizon, 5 years from now..

Cont’d: “…what’s that going to look like?” Next: “We believe that #OWS reps itself on any proposal, don’t represent other occupys.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “We shouldn’t be presumptuous to think we represent anything outside of our working groups” and GA. “How do we represent a grp…”

Cont’d: “…one way to do it is to produce it in a working group, then show overlay of how it relates to GA.” Suggests we split it, go…

Cont’d: …point by point, and then “present the overlay” to the document and then you can “see how this document represents OWS.” #NYCGA

Next, question, to whom is the Vision statement addressed? “I think it’s addressed to ourselves and we invite the world to ‘eavesdrop’ on..”

Cont’d: “…our conversation about the values we share.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, feel like maybe now isn’t the time for this, should put on back burner. “Actions are a good representation of who we are.” #NYCGA

They also questioned the idea that we need a Vision statement, since one was not needed “for us to show up here.” #NYCGA #OWS

They also talked about an idea for each working group to have its own vision statement. RE: radical vs reform, “some of us felt like…”

Cont’d: “…if we’re a radical movement, maybe we shouldn’t have to become more moderate; how do we deal w/ disagreements between radicals…”

Cont’d: “…and reformists?” Suggests we take opportunities to learn about each other, find some common ground. #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “we’re not a representative body of the 99%, and not of the most marginalized and oppressed.” Maybe not focus on vision, but… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…outreach, and organizing from the margins, and seeing where other communities are and what their goals are and work with them.”

OK, that’s it. There is actually one other proposal! And then announcements, and a bit of debrief to close. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba closes by mentioning that he’s hosting conversations about our strategies at 7pm every Friday. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the proposal, from Rayshaun Ratcliff. http://t.co/GuG30uY6 #NYCGA #OWS

Rayshaun: “In business, you have to convince ppl that the sky is red when it’s really blue, but in this situation we don’t have to do that.”

“It’s a Marketing strategy. So, we’re targeting people who don’t believe in magic.” Ppl who you ask to join an organization, and they…

Cont’d: “…don’t have time for it.” So he wants to design a poster that targets different folks’ issues, like better schools, better jobs…

Cont’d: …”like, universal issues that everybody can relate to.” Post them around the city; at the same time, go on trains, start feeding…

Cont’d: …everybody in the city, with a t-shirt on that says OWS and our website.” This would get folks involved, he says. #NYCGA #OWS

“We take the posters, we put em out for issues that everybody likes,” wants to tape it all, make commercials, posters, any media they want.

Andy notes it sounds like an idea for a campaign, which is great, and we can talk about and develop it more now. #NYCGA #OWS

Daryl: “What you’re really talking about is branding, which has kind of a dirty connotation, but it’s about making a name for yourself…”

Cont’d: “…so that ppl know who exactly you are,” and then ppl have an image of you they recognize. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “One of the things I thought of, too, was like, the signs off of bridges? You get like thousands of ppl seeing message every day.”

Cont’d; “So, yeah, man. I like where you’re going with that; I think we need to get on some outreach and get rock and rolling.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba notes that Outreach is already doing some of it, and invites Rayshaun to their meeting, 6:30pm on Mondays. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “That’s great; I hope the stuff you’re organizing achieves what it means to do.” Takes issue w/ calling #OWS an organization… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…it’s a collective.” And thus there’s no “membership or anything like that.” Says it makes it sound like a political party. #NYCGA

Cont’d; “It’s more about participation. I hope that makes sense.” #NYCGA #OWS

.@Shushugah says it’s a great idea; hopes he’ll work with others doing similar things. He does take issue with charity, “it’s like a…”

Cont’d: “…bandage solution” to a deeper wound, “or something.” Also feels that it’s more than a brand that needs to spread… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…#OWS is an entire process,” not something that can be expressed “in one message or on a tshirt.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lopi says his strategy reminds her of Black Panthers, doesn’t sound lk charity, “it’s abt taking actual actions to create positive imagery.”

Lopi notes that Outreach, Kitchen, Screenprinters could be involved, asks if we’re going to collaborate b/w working grps for things lk this.

Cont’d: “I encourage you to go to those three working groups I mentioned and getting them inspired about it, and then using an action…”

Cont’d: “…committee or something to make it happen.” [Oooh, awesome point and idea… -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

I think next comment is about being careful that large-scale messaging doesn’t offend people who don’t agree with it. #NYCGA #OWS

Steve points out that getting everybody working together to do something is a great idea. “That said, I also think doing outreach through…”

Cont’d: “…community service is absolutely essential to this movement, b/c if we want to grow,” but aren’t doing work w/in communities…

Cont’d: …that would be bad, basically. He loves the idea. #NYCGA #OWS

Dallas: “Not to be a wet blanket, just for liability issues,” maybe not giving out food, but certificates, due to safety issues. #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “we’re trying to empower the working class and the unemployed,” mentions there’s a guy on the D train who hands stuff out… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …but “he’s not doing anything else.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, “I like the idea;” willing to help work w/ it. Thinks it would have been beneficial to have it in writing. Lks idea of service. #NYCGA

Cont’d; “You know, we need to do more things.” Will propose we run in a “race” together to raise money for a cause. #NYCGA #OWS

And last: “What I understood is that your audience is going to be relevant ppl… is that what you were saying?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “That’s a bad choice of words.” CQ: “But, relevant persons?” Suggests he gets rid of 99%, feels that is divisive. “All humans…”

Cont’d: …she feels is who we should include. “No difference, we’re humans.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, that’s it for stack, interesting little messaging discussion. Finally, announcements. #NYCGA #OWS

Sam: Feb 28, Union Square, “all #Occupy movements have been beaten down, it’s time to stand up.” 2pm! Rally and march. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, “I just wanted to make a quick save-the-date for March 17th, which is #OWS’ 6-month anniversary!” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I think the theme is going to be 6 month anniversary, 24-hour occupation,” someone also suggested a party. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba announces the location of #leisurecaucus, and reminds folks that MRG are having an informational meeting at West Park, tmrw, 7pm.

Cont’d: “Come and meet the people that are trying to support us,” with funding for projects raised from outside. #NYCGA #OWS

There’s going to be a meeting of Accountability and Transparency at 1pm, at Occupy Town Squares tomorrow in Tompkins Square. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Some ppl who read on website may be under impression we’re about hounding accounting — no!” Want to get info spread. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady invites everyone to “occupy Zuccotti Park” at all times! “There’s a guy who stays out there all the time; he’s there frm 12pm to 8am..”

Cont’d: Lady suggests we go out there and support and Occupy, she recently did with four people. “It was awesome!” #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for announcements. Andy: “I’m going to try to suck the last bit of energy for you guys,” asks ppl to yell out opinions about…

Cont’d: ..how having a discussion makes you feel.” “Warm, fuzzy, empowered,” “lifted,” “happy,” “mellower, more connected,” “let’s go,”…

Cont’d: “…organic,” “refreshed, “super-sexy!” Woohoo! “Super sexy! Everybody have a good night!” [Thx fam! See you Monday. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

Hi everyone! The GA is now beginning! Sully and Marissa will be facilitating tonight #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Is there anyone facilitating this for the first time? (someone raises hand) Yay! (we all applaud) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Does anyone have a problem with us facilitating? POP: I have a problem because of a proposal (Marissa) brought up #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So, let’s take consensus. (consensus taken) Everyone is comfortable with Marissa facilitating. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So, let’s continue (facilitation is now reviewing the process which can be viewed here http://t.co/LdZVMYaS #nycga #ows

Working group report backs are now beginning. #nycga #ows

Legal: We meet everyday at 3pm at Charlotte’s place. Please come out for legal information on preventing federal detention. #nycga #ows

StrongWomen: We have an NDAA discussion on March 3rd. I’ll be around see me or go to the site. #nycga #ows

WG: We’re meeting this Sunday and there will be an event called Glitterbomb Your Pussy. It’s also a camp food drive #nycga #ows

OpenSpaces: Tomorrow at 6 pm 235 W 23rd st. Come tomorrow and just talk about whatever you want. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: We have two items on the agenda for tonight. Afterwards, we’ll have announcements. #nycga #ows

Vision&Goals: I just want to make sure everyone has their voices represented in this. #nycga #ows

(btw, their proposal can be viewed here http://t.co/BDoXhbcm) #nycga #ows

VisionGoals: We’ve handed out a draft for the Occupy Wall Street Vision Statement & we’d like to ask everyone to examine … #nycga #ows

VisionGoals: ..the ‘people power’ bullet. Then, to break out in groups to discuss. #nycga #ows

Concern: This person shouldn’t be allowed to do this. She called the police on me for no reason. I originally came up with this #nycga #ows

Facilitation: This concern goes beyond the scope of this meeting. I’m sorry, but this is an outside issue. #nycga #ows

(We’re now in breakout groups discussing the People Power bullet) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So, we’re back. Let’s begin. #nycga #ows

Stack: My biggest concern is this never passed as a full document. I think the intent is good, but it’s difficult to analyze. #nycga #ows

Stack: There is no mention of economic equality. There is mention of democracy, but no direct democracy. #nycga #ows

Stack: There is no mention of self-determination of communities. If this is what is meant by ppl power, it’s poorly misguided. #nycga #ows

DirectResponse: We think you are here so you can give us your feedback. This is an open document. Do u have any FA’s? #nycga #ows

Stack: Well, if this is an open document, why not revise it together instead of bringing back FA’s, then having them thrown out? #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So it seems like there are several FA’s. Please go thru them. #nycga #ows

FA 1: That “no one is marginalized” replace one with ‘individual’ or ‘group.’ #nycga #ows

FA2: amend “where decision-making, in every form and at every level…” (trails off) downtwinkles #nycga #ows

FA3: add semi colon after… (inaudible) but many uptwinkles. FA1 and FA3 passed. #nycga #ows

FA4: add another section that states we accept and affirm the basic humanity of all people. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So, everyone heard. Temp check. #nycga #ows

(majority uptwinkles) Facilitation: Great, accepted. #nycga #ows

FA5: delete the word ‘alone’ #nycga #ows Facilitation: temp check on that? (uptwinkles) Good. Passed. #nycga #ows

Stack: i dont think the document is radical enough. people power is radical. also, we have someone here from Spain…#nycga #ows

Stack:.. who’s been working on this enough. it needs to be reworked. #nycga #ows

Stack: Also, by bringing possible revisions back to the small group, you’re kinda being the gatekeepers. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Ok, so we can either continue going around the room or directly address this issue. #nycga #ows

Patrick: We don’t desire to be the gatekeepers. there’s nothing we can do if we’re following the consensus process. #nycga #ows

Patrick: That’s why we bring it to you. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: I think we should take a straw poll on whether we should discuss the process itself or move on with the proposal. #nycga #ows

POI: The FA i made was approved by the GA, but then removed. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Let’s take a straw poll on the process itself — about how we’re going about this. #nycga #ows

(more uptwinkles to hear more report backs). #nycga #ows

FA6: remove the words “in every form and at every level” Facilitation: Let’s take a temp check (downtwinkles) #nycga #ows

FA7: add “promote apathy and greed” at the end of People Power. Facilitation: Temp check? (downtwinkles) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Okay, so neither of those were accepted. #nycga #ows

Stack: I propose we make a book on comments — that everyone can be included in this book. #nycga #ows

Stack: All I’m saying is a book is the only solution. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So it seems like you’re offering an alternative proposal, is that correct? Stack: Yes. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Okay, you’re going to have to bring that back as a new proposal for another day. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Okay, are there any standasides? (One) And any blocks (two) #nycga #ows

Block: The way this is passed is my concern. It’s not really a living document. #nycga #ows

Block2: Claiming as something as a living doc is false. Many people across the globe read this & it’s done as piecemail. #nycga #ows

Block2: Itll be translated long before these changes take place and it seems this isnt a thorough transparent process. #nycga #ows

Block3: I’m against the bullet point format. Also, is any1 moved by this? It’s just a general list pulled out of someone’s ass #nycga #ows

Block3: I don’t mean any disrespect, but this is my interpretation of it. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Alright, we’re going to move to modified consensus. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Please raise your hand if you are in support of this proposal despite the blocks. #nycga #ows

(counting begins) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Okay, now raise your hand if you are not in support. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Ok, so we did not reach modified consensus on that so it did not pass. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: At this point, we’re going to move on to our next agenda item. #nycga #ows

OccupyCaravan: We’re shifting the tone a bit. This is the 100th birth of American folk singer Woody Guthrie. #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: So, we want to stimulate a travel that brings awareness to economic justice. We hope it’s the first of several. #nycga #ows

(btw, the Occupy Caravan proposal can be viewed here http://t.co/7lwXpIfl) #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: We want to bring all the people participating in this across the country to Wall St to have a mass protest #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: Primarily, it’s designed for high visibility, outreach, and mass protest. Today, we ask for your support #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: We ask you to stand in solidarity with us. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: So the proposal is for OWS to stand in solidarity with OccCaravan. At this point, we ask you for questions. #nycga #ows

CQ: Sounds great. I just want to know if this will be an anti- or pro- Obama campaign… #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: No, it is not. #nycga #ows

CQ: If we pass your proposal, is OWS going to receive some percentage of the donations you receive? #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: This is a self driven issue. We ask you to join us and be part of those decisions. We ARE ows. #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: We are you & we have the same exact concerns. $ are concern, but we haven’t asked for any at this time. #nycga #ows

CQ: What vehicles would you like to use? OccCaravan: We have a green machine, but welcome any vehicles. #ows #nycga

Stack: How do u figure out what messages go out? OccCaravan: simple, we’ll stick with ows messages. #ows #nycga

Stack: what about gasoline? OccCaravan: great question. We arent asking for donations. Ppl will have to provide their own #ows #nycga

CQ: so youre not asking for $ from the GA? OccCaravan: No, we are not. We’re just asking for solidarity. #nycga #ows

CQ: what about a day of convergence? Facilitation: sounds like a FA which is up next #nycga #ows

Facilitation: How do folks feel about extending 10 min for concerns/FAs? (Uprwinkles) #nycga #ows

*uptwinkles #nycga #ows

Stack: We are not a centralized governing body. So, why is our support important? #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: bc we are ows, we believe in the process, and it will help us increase our visibility #nycga #ows

Stack: Can we tie this in with mayday? OccCaravan: In a way, this is part of it so we can add more ppl by spring & summer #nycga #ows

Stack: i’m concerned that this will be peaceful & nonviolent. OccCaravan: Yes, we dont want guns or drugs involved. #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: We want this to be a positive action. #nycga #ows

Stack: i’m concerned that some dumbass or that one idiot will jeopardize the movement. My FA is to take pics & post vids #nycga #ows

OccCaravan: FA accepted. #nycga #ows

Stack: What about mayday to be the end, the convergence? OccCaravan: We’ve decided on the dates, but we will bring it back l #nycga #ows

PoI: Solidarity will get you advertising. For example, @occupywallstnyc reaches hundreds of thousands. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: At this point, I want to see a tempcheck (uptwinkles). Ok, standasides (two) #nycga #ows

StandAside: just concerned. I dont want u to get hijacked by the tea party. #nycga #ows

StandAside2: I know u have a website but can u work with ows media? OccCaravan: Yes. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Are there any blocks? (None) Alright! The proposal passes! (Cheers) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: We now have an addl proposal but we must consensus on whether it’s an emergency proposal. #nycga #ows

ER Proposal: I want to ask the GA for a generator being held in SIS or wherever. Im an occupier. I need help #nycga #ows

Facilitation: I need a temp check on whether this is an emergency proposal. (Uptwinkles) ok, lets move forward with stack. #nycga #ows

Stack: Is there anyone here with info on functional generators? #nycga #ows

Facilitation: I do believe there are some that are working. nycga #ows

Stack: How long do you need them? A: about a month and a half. #nycga #ows

Stack: What about a sustainable generator, is that enough? A: Not at this time, but maybe in the future. #nycga #ows

Stack: Who does it belong to? Facilitation: It is ows property. #nycga #ows

Stack: Have u tried thru sanitation? A: if i receive the generator, it can help house 10 other ppl & move forward the process #nycga #ows

Stack: you say u were arrested 3 months ago, what have u been doing? A: i was in jail for 2 months & the bank took… #nycga #ows

A: the money i owed them. CQ: Jail for 2 mo.? A: Yes and also a psychiatric unit. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: whats the legal status of the generator? A: it belongs to my mom. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: why is it a 24 hr emergency proposal if it’s been 2 mo. ?

A: Because people are coming in tomorrow for a kickstarter proj and wont be able to plug in #nycga #ows

A: The project is extensive and just need the generator to help. CQ: How will u transport it? #nycga #ows

A (an occupier): I have transportation and can help her.

Stack: What are the logistics of the house? A: 2 floors, 12 rooms, garage, but it has to go thru the landlord who is my mom. #nycga #ows

Stack: I dont think this is an emergency proposal & no external factor changing the timeline. #nycga #ows

A: I was going to fix it on my own, but the bank took all the $ i had. Thats why Im at the GA #nycga #ows

PoI: We decided, as a GA, this is an emergency proposal. (Uptwinkles) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Lets move forward with consensus. Tempcheck? (Uptwinkles). Ok, standasides (two) #nycga #ows

StandAside: What if your mom says no? A: As it stands, it’s just to get me thru the winter. #nycga #ows

StandAside2: I would just like someone to go to the house to make sure it’s safe. #nycga #ows

Facilitation: Are there any blocks? (One) #nycga #ows

Block: I believe in our process & believe there is no external factor demanding that this is an emergency proposal. #nycga #ows

FA: Can we put it on the site? A: whats the earliest it will be posted? FA: saturday. A: I decline the FA. #nycga #ows

Facilitaton: At this point, we move to modified consensus. All those in favor raise your hand (now counting) #nycga #ows

Facilitation: 31. Okay, now against. (3). Ok, modified consensus passes! #nycga #ows

Announcements: On wed 29th, mar 1st and 5th are natl days of direct actions. #nycga #ows

Annc: Tomorrow ill be holding DA training at Columbia University at hamilton hall 3-6pm. #nycga #ows

Annc: I would like to see more faces at the park. Bring your guitar, bring yourselves! #nycga #ows

Okay, the GA has ended! Thanks for sticking with us! Rest well, everyone. #nycga #ows

Many people are at #NYCSC discussing the Safer Spaces Community Agreements proposal! Text here: http://t.co/fL6tTKrA #NYCGA #OWS

Right now, working groups are discussing the proposal and coming up with questions, concerns, possible friendly amendments. #NYCSC #OWS

Matthew from De-Escalation suggests we talk about the sections separately. Stairs shoots him down. #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces is now reading aloud the text of the proposed Community Agreement. #ows #nycsc

Clarifying question: What would make a situation “important enough” to stop a meeting? #ows #nycsc

A: Any instance of physical violence, or like when someone held the Aryan Brotherhood sign.

Cont’d: Or it could be when anyone feels unsafe — a caucus or individual. #ows #nycsc

CQ: About making spaces handicapped accessible. #ows #nycsc

A: This Quaker house IS accessible, but POI, these agreements are just for Spokes Council. #ows #nycsc

CQ from FunHub: About a section that mentions ppl committing harm inside or outside #OWS. Will accused be able to speak for themselves?

A: Yes, there is a grievance/ justice process in the works. #ows #nycsc

CQ from Structure: What changes the minute we pass these? #ows #nycsc

A: It allows us to move to the next step for creating structures for addressing abuses. #ows #nycsc

CQ from WOW: Says we’ll provide physical and language access. Does this mean we’ll provide translation? #ows #nycsc

Cont’d: Says we will show compassion for those who’ve experienced trauma. How do we identify those people? #ows #nycsc

Cont’d: What qualifies as evidence of a police informant? And will we really read these at every meeting?

A: We are working with Translation to get services.

A: We don’t want to point out ppl who have experienced trauma, but just be compassionate to them. #ows #nycsc

A: As far as evidence of police informants, there are no steps to answer any of these. #ows #nycsc

A: We will leave it up to facilitation if they will read the agreements or post them. #ows #nycsc

CQ from Legal: Please clarify why in some sections it says “will” remove abusive people and other parts says “may.” #ows #nycsc

A: The part that says “will remove” is specifically about someone who has committed sexual violence. #ows #nycsc

CQ from Structure: What is considered an #OWS space? #nycsc

Cont’d: Does this mean just our meeting spaces or actions, as well? A: “Yes, all.”

Spokes talk over concerns. Safer Spaces reminds us this isn’t legally binding document, and we should think outside that framework. #nycsc

Concern from Housing: That without a grievance process we’ll be removing ppl and throwing them into an abyss. #ows #nycsc

A: That’s kind of what we are doing now, and we are trying to come up with something. #ows #nycsc

Concern from Facilitation: That we are already having a hard time finding spaces, so if what we can’t find accessible space? #nycsc

A: Accepts friendly amendment that we will TRY to find accessible spaces. #ows #nycsc

Friendly amendment: “Can we alphabetize the list of ‘isms’ so it doesn’t look like one has priority over others?” Accepted. #nycsc #ows

FA from WOW: In the part about police informants, can we say that if someone has evidence of one, they tell everyone? #ows #nycsc

A: That falls under the fact that this is a process and we’ll have to figure out how to address that if it comes up. #ows #nycsc

WOW expresses a concern that people are taking photos right now at Spokes. POI: They are all livestreamers. #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces: The informant concern is valid, but is larger than this document. #ows #nycsc

FA from WOW: Could we add “transparency” to bullet points under “enter each space w/ a commitment to:” #ows #nycsc

Temp check on that FA. Pretty negative. FA not accepted. #ows #nycsc

FA from WOW: That at each Spokes Council we read only the first part because reading the whole thing would take too long.

A: Reading the first part is one way to go about it, but we trust Facilitation to decide what parts to read or not. #ows #nycsc

Library (@hellofrances): “My concern is we’ve been here 5 months and don’t have something that says ‘don’t hit people!’” [Laughter]

Library, cont’d: “My friendly amendment is please please pass this!” [Uptwinkles] #ows #nycsc

Concern from Direct Action: We think it should say “meeting space or housing space” not just #OWS space. Worried how could apply to actions.

Cont’d: DA doesn’t think it would be feasible to hold ppl to these on actions, b/c sometimes there are outside affinity groups involved.

@FredMagovern did earlier: http://t.co/fL6tTKrA

Safer Spaces: “So basically at actions, it would be a free-for-all?” #ows #nycsc

POI from OccuCopy (@sabokitty): The proposers have already stated this is just about Spokes Council for now, and will take broader later.

Temp check on accepting amendment to have it say that this document is applicable only to Spokes Council. Negative. #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces say they will address this if it becomes a blocking concern. #ows #nycsc

FA: To change a part that references “comrades” to “neighbors,” b/c of connotations. #ows #nycsc

There are some boos and downtwinkles. Safer Spaces says will change from respect to “our comrades” to “each other.” #ows #nycsc

Concern about semantics of a part that says we won’t make assumptions about people’s race, ethnicity, gender, etc. [Ed: Concern not clear.]

FA from Structure: To make a small change to wording about putting in place a de-escalation process. Accepted. #ows #nycsc

FA from POC: Wants to not compromise on making spaces accessible. #ows #nycsc

FA is not accepted and POC backs down on it. Safer Spaces: This is just the start of a dialogue. #ows #nycsc

FA from Translation: That we put the part that lists “isms” in a footnote. To break another part into bullets. To simplify sentences #nycsc

A: We want to make language accessible, but part of work of anti-oppression is to name the forms of oppression we face …

Cont’d: … And putting these forms of oppression into a footnote would marginalize marginalization. [Many uptwinkles] #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces: We list some forms of oppression and do say “among others.” Temp check on the FA. Negative. FA declined. #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces: As far as the third FA from Translation, we don’t know how to condense it. #ows #nycsc

Stairs: I am concerned that we are getting into specifics of language and this has already been workshopped at many meetings. We move on.

New concern: That the document asks ppl to “not use substances that may attract police.” What about medicinal marijuana users? #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces: We just ask people to not bring police attention. FA declined. #ows #nycsc

FA from Photo to add language about keeping each other informed about safety issues in the community. FA accepted. #ows #nycsc

FA from Outreach: To add “allegedly” before “committed sexual violence.” A: This is not a legal document. FA declined. #ows #nycsc

Comment from DAP: The part about accessibility, we are a DIY movement and we can carry people up stairs. #ows #nycsc

[We only have 12 minutes left in this space and people are very eager to get through the consensus process.] #ows #nycsc

Safer Spaces reads all the accepted friendly amendments. #ows #nycsc

Stairs asks for standasides. There are 3: Outreach, Legal, Translation. #ows #nycsc

Oh, actually, there is one more standaside: From Direct Action. #ows #nycsc

Stairs asks if there are any blocks. There is one: From the Women Occupying Wall Street (WOW) caucus. #ows #nycsc

WOW is worried that the bullet that says “nonviolence toward each other” opens it up for violence against other people and property. #ows

[Ed: The room is getting angrier. Many people want to pass this and are unhappy with WOW for blocking.] #ows #nycsc

Someone from the space just told us we have to leave now. #ows #nycsc

We are moving to modified consensus. #ows #nycsc

28 yes votes. 1 no vote (WOW). We have consensus! We have Community Agreements for Spokes Council! [Cheers and hugs] #ows #nycsc

Okay, fam! That’s it for Spokes! You don’t have to go home but we can’t stay here! #ows #nycsc

Thanks for reading the tweets. This has been @CarrieM213 live tweeting #OWS Spokes Council. Love, peace and solidarity to all!

A quick note on the @LibertySqGA schedule: #NYCGA meets Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday #NYCSC meets Monday and Wednesday. Thanks for reading!