NYC General Assembly # Occupy Wall Street

RT @OccupyWallStNYC: OWS Stands in Solidarity with the #M15 Indignado Movement. Global Uprising Now. meet at 4pm Bryant Park Times Squa …

The #OWS #MayDay Popular Assembly is now convening at 55 Water Street in Manhattan’s Financial District! Read @OWSTranscripts for tweets!

RT @OWSTranscripts: We’ll actually be transcribing tonight’s #OWS community dialogue here: http://t.co/aUkNlFCZ cvqvGJ-43I4Ox4y9aixsXLH0 …

We’re getting started with the General Assembly here at 60 Wall Street! Yoni and Josh facilitating. #nycga #ows

We have 32 people here tonight. Starting with reportbacks. First is Mandolin: There will be a discussion on a Collective Council… #NYCGA

…This Thursday 6pm at Union Square. #nycga #ows

There will be a Coordinators Meeting this Thursday at 9am at Union Square. #nycga #ows

Reportback from yesterday’ Community-wide discussion: there were lots of people there, we discussed GA&Spokes,skill shares, & more. #nycga

Stairs is now reviewing the process. #nycga #ows

First proposal is from Direct Action Painters (@DAP). @lmnopie presenting. #nycga #ows

“I had a proposal to ask for $1,000 for printing for a poster I made for #MayDay, but I raised that money independently.” #nycga #ows

So there’s no need for this proposal! Applause. #nycga #ows

Next proposal is from Billy: Moving the GA to Union Square. “The energy & light that once poured into Liberty Square has now…”#nycga #ows

“has organically sprung up in Union Square” Proposal is to move General Assemblies to Union Square. #nycga #ows

This was brought as an emergency proposal-We’re taking a temp. check on whether this GA feels this qualifies as an emergency. #nycga #ows

Temp check was mixed. PoI: An emergency proposal is defined as addressing unforeseeable circumstances that made it impossible…#nycga #ows

…”to be submitted within the 24-hour deadline” #nycga #ows

After some discussion, we did not reach consensus that his is an emergency proposal. Movin on to Sean’s proposal for discussion. #nycga #ows

You can find the full text of the proposal here: http://t.co/fZMSF9uL #nycga #ows

Ravi PoI’s that @OWSAccounting made good faith efforts to reach out to the proposer,@smcke0wn, before he submitted this proposal.#nycga #ows

We are now breaking out to discuss this proposal. #nycga #ows

Now coming back with reportbacks: First group: “While we think this is a well thought-out proposal, it is redundant, and still..”#nycga #ows

..”doesn’t address some of the core issues of why problems are reoccurring” #nycga #ows

Next is Trish: “I’m very concerned about where we are fiscally. We need to get a neutral outside entity to look at principles of bookkeeping

..and at the model we plan to use and see if it’s and acceptable model. We should interact with Accounting and hold them accountable. #nycga

We have had a lot of problems by giving an entity power without informing the community. #nycga #ows

Trish finishes her rant. Someone PoI’s to clarify Trish’s false claim that Accounting is an autonomous group.It is a GA Working Group #nycga

Two gentlemen add in that we need to work with @OWSAccounting to make sure receipts get scanned & uploaded. #nycga #ows

We’ve reached the end of discussion on this topic, and there are no more agenda items. GA is over! #nycga #ows

Thanks for watching, this has been @shawncarrie for The @LibertySqGA LiveTweeting Team. Thanks fam! See ya next time! #OccupyWallStreet

Over at @OWSTranscripts, @DiceyTroop is livetweeting tonight’s Occupy Wall Street community meeting re: Spring 2012. #OWS

Hey fam, @CyMadD0x is livetweeting tonight’s #NYCGA! You can follow our directly democratic process over there tonight. Thanks Dallas! #OWS

No quorum at #NYCSC tonight– everyone is at the #MillionHoodiesMarch for #TrayvonMartin. #OWS

Hey fam! #NYCGA is starting in Liberty Square right now with about 13 people. Follow here for tweeets. #OWS

Corey is facilitating. Christine from accounting is starting with a discussion, about how we’re down to $12k. “Accounting doesn’t feel..”

Cont’d: “….comfortable just handing the money to whoever gets to us first,” would be making decisions beyond their empowerment. #OWS

Cont’d; “What I’d like to do is talk briefly about the 3 or 4 options,” pull a proposal out of what we’re hearing from the breakout groups.

Cont’d: “It seems like there are a few reasonable ways of dealing with this. One is to hand the $ to whoever gets there first; if…”

Cont’d: “…community was cool with that, we’d do it.” Could split up proportionally between WGs; there is a spending freeze but…

Cont’d: “…the things that the spending freeze” required can’t really happen now. Could spend on something else, or hold on to it. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Before we breakout,” re: transparency, Christine has a report about where the $ has gone, plus copies of bank statements. #OWS

Corey asks if anyone else has proposals tonight. Dicey has an emergency proposal to eliminate the 24-hour rule, so we won’t need to make..

Cont’d: ..emergency proposals to make changes. “We need to be flexible.” #NYCGA #OWS

emergency proposal from dicey: eliminate 24 hour waiting period for proposals

we need more flexibility, we dont know what will happen, ga is up in the air, need to be able to adjust quickly

do we feel this is an emergency proposal? mostly uptwinkles

Opening stack for clarifying questions. CQ: “I disagree with you in the respect, this park does have energy. Problem is we’re being divided”

Cont’d: “Let’s keep this park as an exchange for ideas and meeting and togetherness,” other park has different role. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: Suggests the reason folks aren’t here is “confusion” about where GA is going to be. #NYCGA #OWS

Corey asks if there’s a question in there. “That sounded more like a concern.” There are no CQs. Opening concerns stack. #NYCGA #OWS

Sean’s friendly amendment is that we don’t abolish it forever; just suspend it for two weeks. Temp check is good, Dicey accepts. #NYCGA #OWS

Concern: “Perception by people that this is a power grab — key word, perception — folks will say now we can do things without scrutiny..”

Cont’d: “…we used to have.” Next concern: “This is the first GA I’ve been to since the fall, so take that as it is — however my concern..

Cont’d: “..is that I was at a meeting in Crown Heights last week w/ 40 or 50 ppl there, and meetings in the Bronx have more people…”

Cont’d: Concern is that this small group has authority to make decisions about critical parts of #Occupy resources. #NYCCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I’m concerned we’re not building the connections we need to be building.” #NYCGA #OWS

Christine’s POI: “This is not a normal size for this group to be;” we’re “in sort of a weird place.” But, quorum has never passed GA. #NYCGA

POI: “There have been a # of times when proposals have been brought forward with small # GAs and the proposers tended to table…” #NYCGA

David’s 2 POIs: “#1, since the weather changed last week, we’ve been having hundreds at GAs and they’re all up at Union Square.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “#2, this proposal now is about simply doing away with the procedure for 2 weeks of having an advance posting of any proposals..”

Cont’d: “..there wouldn’t nd to be an emergency to develop proposals at GA.” Sean’s POI (POI: that’s the 4th POI): we’ve passed $ w/ less.

Camille’s concern: “We need people to come together for one GA to make a decision,” but we can’t do anything about that. “My FA is…”

Cont’d: “…that we get rid of the 24 hour rule, but establish that the LibertySqGA cannot make more decisions until folks who have…”

Cont’d: …been stakeholders are participating in that decision. #NYCGA #OWS

Trish asked if this was being streamed (no), minutes (me). Now she’s asking what the proposal is by stating it. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “That would be very detrimental to the GA. Why? There’s less than 24 people here; this would impact way future proposals…”

Cont’d: “…were dealt with.” Most important thing is to “realize we were at war.” We “need a strategy.” “We’ve been at war for nearly 4…”

Cont’d: “…days. We have people all over the city. They need metrocards and to get nourishment.” This proposal puts them at further risk..

Cont’d: “…she says.” “Nothing is more important than to stand on the foundation we’ve established in the last 6 months.” #NYCGA #OWS

Camille: “Just to clarify, we’ve been trying to talk w/ ppl in Union Square.” Conversations she’s heard, they’re not into right now…

Cont’d: “…moving the NYCGA there,” as long as we’re holding it here, it’s here. “If it wants to get moved, it’s up to individuals in…”

Cont’d: “…union square to come down and consense on that.” #NYCGA #OWS

Kathryn: “I do agree with the fact that it should be a temporary” change to discard the 24-hour rule. Otherwise would be an awesome thing.

Christine notes that this will help facilitate the Accounting proposal, but since breakouts + proposal were posted, maybe can do it anyway.

Dicey responds: “The worst thing we could do is continue to do what we’ve done like nothing’s changed.” “You all know from working groups..”

Cont’d: “…and from being in the middle of actions, that consensus is best built in the moment frm collective input.” We need to do it now.

Dicey restates the proposal: to deactivate the 24-hour rule for 2 weeks so we can have an active consensus process in the meantime. #NYCGA

Trish is very upset about this. “Do not do this.” Someone’s not sure what 24-hour rule has to do with the GA- why it’s needed. #NYCGA #OWS

She notes that the 24-hour rule is how folks decide whether to come to a GA. Corey notes it’s not a concern. #NYCGA #OWS

stack re-opened for concerns #nycga #ows

some back and forth arguing #nycga #ows

concern: “It is finance group that wants the 24hr limit lifted” #nycga #ows

@DIceyTroop responds: “FIrst of all, I had this proposal in mind before I came here.” #nycga #ows

“Second, in order for us to figure out what to do, we need to have a conversation. When that conversation ends, we have a proposal” #nycga

“That’s how consensus will work. That’s what the GA was originally like” #ows #nycga

“It’s important for us not to hold on to process that isnt working” #nycga #ows

“Over the next 5 days, people will be making decisions that affect the next phase” #nycga #Ows

Two concerns: “Under no circumstance, lets not have GA anywhere else” #nycga #ows

Second “We are in a state of confusion” lets not act hastily #nycga #ows

Stairs: This proposal has nothing to do with where the GA is #nycga #ows

Same concern, reiterated: “What is the advantage?” #nycga #ows

Dicey responds: “I feel no confusion.” Also, we need to relax the 24hr notice so we can develop proposals and address … #nycga #ows

… as they arise #nycga #ows

Concern: Breaking the 24hr rule might allow the flood of proposals to return #nycga #ows

We as a movement have not gotten the ability to see what is coming to work yet, we can’t give up on it #nycga #ows

… as someone who works, it’s hard not to be able to see what’s coming #nycga #ows

Dicey responds: “I agree but we need to be able to talk together and come up with ideas” #nycga #ows

Dicey cont: “.. our GA has been a very straiightjacketed version of consensus” #nycga #ows

Trish: “in the scheme of things, 24hrs is no time whatsoever. Nothing is so important that we need to make fast decisions” #nycga #ows

Trish: “… people are in union square because they are making money and don’t have to deal with NYPD oppression” #nycga #ows

[Ed. - uh, what?] #nycga #ows

Stairs: This proposal has nothing to do with Union Sq. Trish: My concern is this proposal is not including them #nycga #ows

Concern: Even before we got raided, this was chaos. Now, mob mentality. If people wanted to be here, they’d be here. #nycga #ows

Concern: It’s not an emergency they didn’t come here, they chose not to. So it’s not an emergency. #nycga #ows

Dicey: I’m a little confused by that, but I think this rule will remove chaos. #nycga #ows

Stack: Want to clarify that people _can_ still post 24hrs in advance? Dicey: yes #nycga #ows

Dicey responds: Maybe we should enable ourselves to develop proposals after a facilitated discussion UNLESS posted 24hrs #nycga #ows

[ps: Dicey is not livetweeting, I'm @corpounreal] #nycga #ows

Question: Can you clarify what this is proposing? #nycga #ows

Dicey: Yes, this is to develop proposals *within* GA, rahter than having to post 24hrs ahead of time. Consensus should allow us #nycga #ows

… to make collective decisions. They could close Union Sq tmrw, so our decisions would be different tmrw. #nycga #ows

Concern: … that doesn’t hold water. Same ppl here every day. #nycga #ows

Stairs: Closing stack. #nycga #ows

David: I put myself on stack, it may be answered in the current FA. I just feel we need to be able to organically develop … #nycga #ows

… proposals. So I was going to suggest that we have a discussion, and then the decision could come at the NEXT GA #nycga #ows

Dicey: I’m disinclined to accept that, because the proposal may have been developed in a very different context. #nycga #ows

In some groups, consensus means that when the proposal is developed, we don’t even need any friendly amendments. #nycga #ows

Trish has a PoI: If we do away with this would allow us to lift anything as a GA that the already passed? #nycga #ows

Dicey: That’s not a PoI, but I respond: This doesn’t mean that things will change willy-nilly. We have 90% consensus #nycga #ows

Sean: We’re doing this because we need to be dynamic. Currently by the rules, the earliest we could do this is Saturday. #nycga #ows

… we should really trust ourselves #nycga #ows

Apollo: Since this is an emergency proposal, why do we need to make a new category for this? #nycga #ows

Dicey: Because this precludes someone coming with a question and developing a proposal from it #nycga #ows

Previous concern now an FA: If everyone votes in favor of it, then it gets implemented tomorrow #nycga #ows

… so it doesn’t affect this GA #nycga #ows

FA Accepted. Next FA: Vote on whether something is an emergency proposal. PoI: We did. #nycga #ows

Lots of angry back and forth. RespectTheHouse signs aplenty. #nycga #ows

Darrell: I think we should table this. I don’t want to wait 45 minutes more. #nycga #ows

Moving to consensus process. Restating proposal with FA’s: 2 weeks, soonest can take effect tomorrow. #nycga #ows

Explaining standasides #nycga #ows

Sean explaining the definition of block, in context of standasides #nycga #ows

Standaside 1: Didn’t find examples compelling. SA2: If proposals not required to be posted, won’t be. SA3: Find it unclear. #nycga #ows

3 blocks. 1st block: “No one is here” that means YOUR ppl aren’t here. Dicey: Sorry I offended you, didn’t mean it that way. #nycga #ows

2nd block: Trish. Ethical block based on “solidarity with 99%”, 24hr gap is safety net. #nycga #ows

3rd block declined. #nycga #ows

Dicey discussing with 1st blocker concern over his block. Stairs asks for FAs to clear blocks. #nycga #ows

Trish offers as an FA a 72 hour time period. Declined. #nycga #ows

ppl complaining lots effort to clear blocks. Stairs: explaining that clearing of blocks is an important part of consensus. #nycga #ows

blocker offers 2 days to clear his block. Dicey accepts. #nycga #ows

Trish is up. Her FA is… that whatever the next proposal is, it’s not swindling. [Ed. - what?] #nycga #ows

Re-FA’d to two GA’s: Thurs & Sat. #nycga #ows

Restated proposal: 24hr rule set aside for Thurs & Sat. Soonest resulting proposals can take effect is following day. #nycga #ows

Proposal did not pass, it was 14 to 7. Moving onto the financial proopsal. Christine suggests she thinks we can create a proposal… #NYCGA

Cont’d: …because the idea that we would create a proposal is posted on the website. #NYCGA #OWS

POP: Dicey disagrees with Christine. “The 24-hour rule sets expectation that proposals are posted before consensus. We can’t consense on…

Cont’d: “…any proposal we might develop in this group unless it’s an emergency proposal, because of the 24-hour rule.” #NYCGA #OWS

Trish’s POI repeated exactly what Dicey just said. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Are we raising money?” A: “Yes, but it’s not nearly enough to meet our existing budgetary obligations.” #NYCGA #OWS

Trish’s CQ: “How much $ have you raised from the mailing list, apart from what is already posted?” A: “Those aren’t two separate things..”

Cont’d: “…we do not actively fundraise. We have not sent emails to our donor list except for once saying thank you.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “What is the size of the total reoccuring budget, and what day is it drawn one?” A: “The way it works now is point ppl email…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…accounting” and work out when the transaction occurs. “Every week, our reoccuring budgets amount to $1,709.” #NYCGA #OWS

We’re now in breakout groups, wherein high-profile disruptors are interrogating members of Accounting WG. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, reporting back breakouts. First one discussed setting aside $ for metrocards, printing specifically for MayDay, kitchen cap at $3500.

Someone adds a fourth from that group: the idea of cutting equally from all existing budgets. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: Sean is under impression Kitchen has been hoarding $ to keep it running a couple weeks beyond budget. Also, they’re raising $ at…

Cont’d: …union square.” “Also, people up there say it’s a dumpster diving mecca; they’re not worried about food.” Moves Kitchen get $0.

Cont’d: “Next, Medics;” they’re calling for in-kind donations and have stock. Also allocated them $0. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: Next, $ for Spokes; right now Monday is free and Wednesday is $40. Don’t think we need to pay for that. $0. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: And finally “we think it would be really great to have some money” set aside for the proposed bike coalition budget. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: Oh, and they also wanted to allocate 6k (half of remaining $) to Outreach’s printing budget. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: They wanted to give $3000 each to bikes and Metrocards. Next, Trish’s group wants to give Kitchen $0, Medics $0, give half to…

Trish’s group would also cut Facilitation’s budget, printing would be cut greatly she says. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone adds that folks are concerned that some groups will need Metrocards more than others as part of cutting card $. #NYCGA #OWS

Christine’s POI: “Printing doesn’t get $7000/week,” printout might have been confusing ” That was for #OccuCopy back in the day. #NYCGA #OWS

Cynthia chimes in to add that she liked Sean’s observations that folks in Union Square can get fed bt they can’t get Metrocards. #NYCGA #OWS

Camille recaps: “The first group… wanted to remove $ proportionally from each group so each got last little…” A: “We didn’t actually..”

Cont’d: “…agree on that.” “We’d rather be selective.” Also now that they know Kitchen has $, they might be OK with cutting to $0 budget.

Christine notes there’s no one here from Kitchen to speak to that, and no one has told them they have $20k, hearsay AFA Accounting Knows.

Sean: “I heard it from Dallas, who said he was putting together a proposal” originally slated for Thursday to announce they have backup.

Camille continues to summarize: Trish wanted half the Metrocard money, Outreach 1/3rd. #NYCGA #OWS

And the first group restates that they specifically want the printing budget to go only for MayDay. #NYCGA #OWS

Now we’re opening stack on broader discussion. Sean interrupts for an announcement: #OO just re-encamped! “Fuck yeah Oakland!” #NYCGA #OWS

First, Hermes suggests we freeze all the money, given the uncertainty of these days and our need for funding for MayDay and other stuff.

Next: “I don’t think we should get bikes; I think Metrocards are better,” we can travel all over the city on MTA vehicles. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …finally, Metrocards should be $15 on card a week instead of unlimited cards. #NYCGA #OWS

Trish gets up and repeats: printing 1/3rd, Metrocards, 1/2, and “everything else basically is locked down.” Doesn’t think “bikes are a…”

Cont’d: “…good idea, because we’d have to pay for bikes and then also licenses for bikes,” claims they’re needed. Heads shaking. #NYCGA

Trish also notes that “bikes would be liable to be seized by the #NYPD.” [I'm sure she is in fact an authority on this subject. -Ed.] #NYCGA

Camille: “There is no requirement in NY state for a license for a bicycle.” Next on stack: “I don’t think that amnt of expenditure is…”

Cont’d: “…necessary to form a bike coalition.” Someone clarifies it’s to build bikes ppl can use, which makes more sense to him now.#NYCGA

Gid suggests that we get bikes donated, thinks it would be easy. Cynthia is concerned that “people, I don’t want to say names…”

Cont’d: “..but this gentleman and this one” — “I don’t see people coming down to Wall Street from Brooklyn on a bike.” #NYCGA #OWS

Christine: “it sounds like ppl want to come together to make a budget for how to spend this last few thou,” not just cut proportionally.

She asks for a temperature check about that. Looks good. “Seems like what we should do is not just spend the $ but rather wait…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…for it to be put online and consensed upon.” Sean steps up to put the proopsal together, seek input. #NYCGA #OWS

Cynthia asks if we can see the budgets for the next few weeks, blowing everyone’s mind. We just read pages about this. #NYCGA #OWS

Working on timeline for meeting to discuss the proopsal and for the proposal itself. Sean asks if we want it for Saturday… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …and points out that if it would meet the 24-hour rule for Saturday, would need to be submitted by tomorrow. #NYCGA #OWS

So, financial assembly will convene immediately following GA to build the budget proposal. GA is over, thanks for reading fam. #NYCGA #OWS

Announcements: tomorrow at 6pm is the open spaces assembly, 235 West 23rd street until 10pm. #NYCGA #OWS

Ted reports from #OccupyUnionSquare, where they hope to experiment a little and keep roots nourished by fresh blood without… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…it being tainted by our funkiness b/c we do have a little funky culture down here.” Wants to make sure ppl don’t feel excluded.

So, we’re at 60 Wall, where we’ve been scheduled to have General Assembly tonight. Interesting situation: everyone’s at #OccupyUnionSq. #OWS

We’re having a facilitated conversation. Lauren: “Union Sq needs a GA; if everyone’s there, we need to move it there. There are things…”

Cont’d: “…that need to be consensed on there.” “The animal of Union Sq is very different than Zuccotti.” Last night they had a roundtable…

Cont’d: They talked about what the Union Sq occupation would look like. “I think GA’s the platform” to have discussions about it. #NYCGA

Libor’s POI: in Brussels, they agreed to have “certain levels of assembly from neighborhood assemblies to people’s assemblies.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…I think the minutes are on http://t.co/LfKLmZPd . I want to make a proposal to declare Union Sq to be a people’s assembly..”

Cont’d: “…to sort of give it the option of having a GA,” they can figure it out. #NYCGA #OWS

Zack feels like we should be having this conversation in Union Sq. Dicey asks if we’re going to split our community into two places. #NYCGA

Justin: “We need to remember that key line: don’t talk for us, speak with us.” The Union Square occupation is different from this. #NYCGA

Justin informs us they want to call WGs “unions” and have a different structure at Union Square. #NYCGA #OWS

Joanna: “If there’re going to be rules at Union Sq, I hope people follow them.” Notes that some folks didn’t follow agreements in other…

Next: “I’m actually trying to get a new working group for #NYCGA.” Does that happen here or in Union Square? #NYCGA #OWS

Lauren agrees with something Zack said about getting bogged down in practice. “Union Square is a cohesion of Union Sq kids, homeless ppl..”

Cont’d: “…that live there, and us.” “If we want to be successful, Union Square needs to have its own GA.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lauren assumes we’ll be in both places, wants to have this be a step towards “occupying everywhere,” suggests alternate dates for GAs…

Cont’d: …in each places, have marches to connect the two. “Marching from Union Square to Wall Street is really powerful.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “If we’re not going to be able to agree that this GA moves to Union Square, let’s just let Union Sq have its own GA.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We nd to be respectful to what’s already formed here.” Libor asks to clarify: keep this GA & acknowledge we have another assembly.

Zack: “Having spoken to a lot of ppl in Union Square, they still consider themselves part of #OWS.” Ppl were beaten, park barricaded.

Cont’d: “It’s not like we planned to have another occupation in NYC. Having this GA” without folks is a problem. #NYCGA #OWS

Justin: “People knew where GA would be, it’s on the website.” People are voting with their feet tonight. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “Your point about having different assemblies in different locations: it’s a good idea, but bad at the same time.” Could stretch thin.

Cont’d: Feels we need to have a major location. “Can’t spread too thin.” #NYCGA #OWS

Nick: “Most of the stuff that we’re talking about right now needs to take place with the people at Union Square.” Look at numbers. #NYCGA

Nick’s emergency proposal is to keep listing this GA, and to add whatever Union Square wants to do to the list. “If there’s zero ppl…”

Cont’d: “…here, it’s still listed, but doesn’t happen.” “This discussion should only be about moving this to union square right now.”

Carrie: “A bunch of us were in Union Square and came down here, I thought, with the intent that we’re going to consense that the #NYCGA…”

Cont’d: “…move to Union Square. Now i’m hearing folks in Union Square don’t want that or the general fund, which is interesting.”

Cont’d: “I’ve been occupying there all day,” finds whether or not you’re sleeping there not so much material to the thing. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d “I’m feeling that justin and lauren are right that we need to see what that group wants to do, and we can’t do anything…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…without that.” Suggests proposal be that we have a discussion at Union Square about what to do. #NYCGA #OWS

Trish: “Union Square is a very political site- anyone who’s NYC-based, you know that it’s long-term – the mayor, police claim that…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…the artist community were the last community forced out of that point because of merchants. So you’re constantly going to be…”

Cont’d: “…confronted by police, provocateurs,” established drug community. Says it’s more dangerous than Liberty “times 10.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It’s in our best interest to stay as close to Wall Street as we can, because that gives us a validity that we’ve fought hard for.”

Dicey: “We need to acknowledge this conversation is complicated and we need to be patient with each other.” Likes Carrie’s proposal. #NYCGA

Lauren: “It doesn’t matter where you occupy; I could go occupy harlem, or green point, but I still think we’re considered #OWS.” #NYCGA

Freddie: “I just had a question, if we move GA to Union Square, it’s almost like we’re abandoning everything down here.” Ppl come here. #OWS

Cont’d: “If I find out I have to go all the way to Union Square, I might go home.” Not him, but others might. #NYCGA #OWS

Freddie notes the Union Square occupation makes us visible. Libor: “On Tuesday, there is supposed to be #NYCSC,” big march Saturday…

Cont’d: “…what’s the logistics? Are we marching down here?” Lauren’s not sure but has heard starting place might be Union Sq. #NYCGA #OWS

Justin: “One pressing issue #NYCGA needs to deal with: all budgets are now locked and we need to decide what to do w/ last 10k.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Hopefully, everyone will go to Spokes tomorrow so we can have this conversation.” Ravi notes Accounting will want to ask GA. #NYCGA

Trish’s POI: “Union Sq Park has a calendar posted on http://t.co/rOAmHNDm – every day, things are posted.” Events, markets, la la la. #OWS

Cont’d: “Those things will have priority in that park.” Suggests we look at calendar. #NYCGA #OWS

Joanna asks that people resist urge to differentiate based on whether you sleep overnight, have been arrested, or how long you’ve been here.

Libor notes we didn’t care about what was going on in this neighborhood; let’s protest, “shut it down and disrupt little bit of flow.”#NYCGA

Caitie: “I get the sense that we can’t really continue this conversation until we go to Union Sq, so can we table until we get to Union Sq.”

Stan notes we can move this GA right now to Union Square if we want to. #NYCGA #OWS

Stack’s closed: Zack, Lauren, Nick, Dicey, Carrie. Stan: after this stack is closed we’ll review proposals we’ve heard. #NYCGA #OWS

Zack responds to Dicey: “A lot of ppl at Union Square consider themselves #OWS – we’re all the same ppl, nothing changed when we set foot..”

Cont’d: “…to that space. So it wouldn’t be considered an invasion; nothing has changed. The other thing is that honestly, people have…”

Cont’d: “…made their own decisions. If they wanted to attend GA, they would. A very large majority aren’t here and didn’t know it was…”

Cont’d: “…happening.” Just by moving it there, “we can make the announcement, if ppl aren’t happy, they don’t have to attend, but…”

Cont’d: “…moving to Union Square for tonight — just tonight — to decide what to do, get a real consensus from the community.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “I think it’s a necessary move to include the whole community.” Someone asks what’s going on at Union Sq. #NYCGA #OWS

Lauren: “There’s been no establishment of structure or a GA at Union Square.” People are doing lots of rad things there tho. #NYCGA #OWS

Lauren; “I think it’s important as an occupation to be flexible, and to not become” paralyzed by process. DA on #M17 was planning… #OWS

Cont’d: “…on occupying a space, but it wasn’t going to be #LibertySquare necessarily.” Even tho yes we’re #OWS, “if we have…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…an opportunity to have an occupation again, which I think is what everyone wants… not so much to get caught up in the utopian..”

Cont’d: “…feeling of it, but the visibility.” Notes current press attention and visibility is great. “Today is the first day of…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…American Spring.” Occupation sprung up organically in Union Square. “Even tho it’s a really delicate situation…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…we’ve had our training, we’ve had a crash course, let’s come together.” Also doesn’t feel like it’s going to feel like an…

Cont’d: …invasion; what felt like an invasion was when “people showed up last night and just tried to take over,” instead of letting folks..

Cont’d: …figure out what to do. Dicey thanks her for the clarification and likes the idea of talking about what to do up there. #NYCGA #OWS

Dicey notes that it’s not so much that we’re all invading, but there are a bunch of new stakeholders in that park. #NYCGA #OWS

Libor likes what he’s hearing but wants to make a proposal that we’re visiting the GA there tonight to see how it feels. #NYCGA #OWS

Carrie thinks “we’re all talking in the same lines.” Loves the Union Sq occupation, but a little worried about ppl’s reactions to having…

Cont’d: …GA just move there. “My proposal would be that we decide we are open to #NYCGA moving to Union Sq,but first we want to have…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…a discussion about whether folks there want this GA to move there, or be a satellite, or what they want.” #NYCGA #OWS

Catie wants to know if we are going to talk about anything else at this GA tonight. “Probably not,” someone notes. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, so Carrie clarifies her proposal: “Let’s agree to discuss moving the GA there,” but not just move the GA there, ‘thinks that would…”

Cont’d: “…get messy.” Stan tries to clarify Libor’s proposal — it’s to move it anytime, but temporarily, and then once meeting there…#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…decide whether we’re moving there for good, or what.” Zack’s is that “we end GA here, continue it at Union Square, make an…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…announcement to everyone — which is us, there is no us and them, that’s part of my proposal – we explain what happened here…”

Cont’d: “…and that we want an inclusive discussion, in a GA format, about what to do with the GA.” Get folks there to continue the GA.#NYCGA

Nick notes that if we’re one group, the GA is naturally there. If not, there are different things. Zack says he’s here from Union Sq and…

Cont’d: …is proposing it. We’re going to straw poll these ideas. Libor proposes we set a date to move the #NYCGA to Union square. #OWS

Carrie’s proposal is to end this GA “here and now for tonight, but w/ decision we’re going to Union Sq to figure out what they want to do.”

Cont’d: “…but that this GA does not continue there tonight.” Zack’s proposal is similar but we wouldn’t end GA, just continue it there to…

Cont’d: …talk about that. “I know there’s no quorum needed for a GA, but I think it would be good to move where our occupiers are to find..”

Cont’d: “…consensus?” Libor asks what we do if Union Square doesn’t want to move GA there; consensus is it’d automatically be here Thurs.

So, we temp checked and it’s between Carrie’s and Zack’s. Straw poll next: Carrie is 6, Zack is 8 votes… Sean suggests we merge them…

Lauren: “Technically we’d be doing both, because we’d have to end the GA to do what Zack is proposing,” even if it restarts later. #NYCGA

Carrie: “To clarify, what would happen there wouldn’t affect #NYCGA,” would be a discussion to see what they want. #OWS

Lauren notes that since they seemed to not want the finances of the #NYCGA up in #UnionSq, maybe Carrie’s idea, to have discussion is…

Cont’d: …more appropriate. Zack’s POI: “There has not been a GA at Union Sq where consensus has been reached” on proposals. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So, you have people that may be leaning one way, and people that may be leaning the other day.” #NYCGA #OWS

(FTR, we temp checked whether to make this process an “emergency proposal”, and we did.. just to satisfy the 24-hour-notice rule.) #NYCGA

Tess notes that we all agree on going to Union Square. “Why don’t we get on the train and decide?” Folks note that we need to decide if…

Cont’d: …the GA closes though. Libor notes we can’t impose our decision on them. Tess: “We left there to came here since supposedly…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…this is where valid decisions are made.” Sean notes we’d have to ask consent of folks there to establish facilitators, could be…

Cont’d: ..a way to do it. Dicey makes a friendly amendment to join the 2 proposals: we pause GA, discuss at #UnionSq what to do, if there..

Cont’d: …is consensus at Union Square, we continue GA. If not, we continue GA Thursday at 60 Wall. #NYCGA #OWS

Cheers! We just did awesome things. I’ll livetweet the facilitated discussion at Union Square and then the GA if it continues there. #NYCGA

The discussion is happening, via people’s mic. Sean proposed we discuss having a GA across the park; ppl not huge on that b/c…

…right now everyone is just enjoying the occupation. Lauren’s POI: she spoke w/ some members of the #UnionSq community; they suggested…

Cont’d: …a morning community meeting to discuss this Occupation and what we’re doing here. Sage proposes we share info first…

Cont’d: …and take baby steps towards working together and using directly democratic processes. Lauren explains the GA discussion…

Cont’d: …from earlier at 60 Wall, notes we have a new situation here and we need to discuss what to do with it, reproposes community mtg..

Cont’d: …and tempchecks what to do. Lopi suggests we need to build community here and maybe bringing GA model isn’t necessarily the best..

Cont’d: …idea right now. Suggests we share ideas and why we’re here (soapbox-style, sounds like) before we make this decision.

Someone POIs: talked to #NLG; someone is supposed to come here to protect us, not seen yet. #OWS

Next: “I’m a Union Square kid. People have been here for years. All they want is to coexist with us.” Zack notes Lopi’s proposal had a lot..

Cont’d: …of twinkles, to put GA on hold at 60 Wall “until we’re through the healing process”. Many Uptwinkles still. #OWS #NYCGA

Lauren and Sage both propose we have breakout groups. Lauren notes we have a proposal, but there’s no agreement this is a decision-making..

Cont’d: …body. @blogdiva: I’m here to present an emergency proposal that has to do w/ a statement of solidarity with the family of…

Cont’d: …Treyvan Martin, a child who was “murdered by a vigilante in his town in Florida who has not been charged with anything.”

Cont’d: “Treyvan was murdered for wearing a hoodie and being black.” tomorrow a “million hoodie march” will go from here to the #UN. #nycga

Cont’d: “This is not a march organized by #OWS, but I propose we show solidarity” and make a statement we oppose racism, genocide…

Lauren’s POI: “I’ve had 2 discussions here about element of other rallies and meetings that happen here.” Says we are obligated to respect..

Cont’d: …that, don’t “need any kind of consensus to show solidarity with what this place was intended for.” #NYCGA #OWS

Liza thanks us for our Uptwinkles (unanimous) on her proposal, will tweet out that we’re in solidarity. #NYCGA #OWS

Lopi notes we just showed strong consensus for the proposal. “we don’t need to be so officious about this situation,” suggests we…

Cont’d: …temp check showing solidarity with the million hoodie march. #OwS #NYCGA

Evan asks: “Are we occupiers?” looks like we are. “Are we assembled?” same. “Then it doesn’t matter whether we’re the GA.” #NYCGa #OwS

Ritchie: “There’s no such thing as “the GA”, that shit has gotten way out of hand.” sage notes we need to listen to folks who…

Cont’d: ..might not agree with us. Example: whether we march, leave things here, might lose park. Need to discuss. #NYCGA #OWS

Lauren says that we should feel free to do anything we want. Someone says it might divide us if we suspend the #NYCGA. #OWS

Ok, we’re going to unofficially break out and discuss stuff– no decision on what to do with the GA tonight. According to earlier GA…

Cont’d: …consensus, we’ll reconvene at 60 Wall to discuss what to do with the GA. Hopefully folks will come down from Union Square. #NYCGA

& the Illuminator arrives!! Cheers! OK fam– here’s yr moment of Zen. Come #OccupyUnionSq w/ us! Spokes tmrw. #OWS http://t.co/x0oPW9Wj

@drgoddess sorry fam! Didn’t have a chance to look it up in the heat of the moment. Much love. #solidarity

RT @drgoddess: .@LibertySqGA Hey, you guys, the proper hashtag is #TrayvonMartin Still, we appreciate #Trayvon being discussed at Gener …

There’s a RIDICULOUS amount of police vehicles accompanying our motley crew of a march! #ows #m17

Just heard that @shawncarrie and @Occupymusician got arrested too. Also somebody had a seizure after arrest. #m17 #ows

Hey all, just got here. Emergency GA underway. #nycga #ows (@jopauca)

What we’re trying to do here is recreate what we’ve done in the park. After last night, we need your support #nycga #ows

“Yes, it’s true it’s illegal to evict someone from the sidewalk as long as theyre not taking up 1/2 of it”. #nycga #ows

“Then again, we are dealing with New York’s finest.” #nycga #ows

The proposal underway is to occupy Union Square. #nycga #ows

We are fighting a war. Know the legal rammifications. We cannot create our own rules. #nycga #ows

Stack: What bathroom facilities are there here? Response: There is a man & womans bathroom. #nycga #ows

PoI: There is also a McDonalds and Wholefoods mart. #nycga #ows

Stack: Is it legal to sleep here at UnionSq. A: Not sure, but we did it last night. #nycga #ows

Stairs: Are there are any friendly amendments? #nycga #ows

FA: Can the DA happen in the lawn? Response: This is an emergency proposal. I suggest going to nycga for updates #nycga #ows

PoI: All our problems we used to have were tarps & generators. We dont have those problems. #nycga #ows

PoI: The ppl in the back are cops. (Big undercovers). #nycga #ows

Stairs: We’re closing stack. If there are any other agenda items, bring them up. #nycga #ows

Stairs: We want to keep this GA short. Theres also an action at 8. We’d like some updates. #nycga #ows

Again, this proposal is for the Occupation of Union Square. #nycga #ows #occupyeverything

Stairs: We would like to do one more thing. Let’s end with a clap. #nycga #ows

(Everyone clapping and cheering) #nycga #ows

Just spoke with facilitation. The Occupation of Union Sq. was an idea. #nycga #ows

While consensus had not been reached, they hope Union Sq can be occupied in the future. #nycga #ows

Thank you for being here during this emergency, informative GA. We wish you all well. #nycga #ows

[Ed.: Oh yeah. And #fuckthenypd]

RT @DailyOcc: Today’s GA preview & live page just went up: http://t.co/75pyJPNd Tweets via @LibertySqGA. Check it out; starting soon …

Hi fam! The 6-month anniversary General Assembly of #OWS starts now. Follow here, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, @LibertySqGA4! #M17 #NYCGA

Stairs: “Welcome back! It’s our 6-month anniversary!” Cheers! There are like 500 people here right now. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “I know everyone here is really excited! I am too!” It’s Craig; asks permission to co-facilitate with Lady. Sounds good! #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “It looks like the crowd is very excited tonight, so we’re going to start with a chant: 1, we are the people…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…2: we are united! 3: This occupation is not leaving!” [Chills... electrifying chant commences. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

Aaand the chant segues into “A! Anti! Anticapitalista!” [Tweeting, on steps, next to @CarrieM213, like old times. Aww. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

We need 2 stages of the people’s Mic tonight! Recalibrating now. Stairs asking folks to get on stack for reportbacks. #NYCGA #OWS

First on stack for reportbacks: Amin and Nelini from DA: “We have 7pm Saturday trainings for +Brigades! They relate to clowning on..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…the streets, making the police look stupid, and breaking the binary between police and protesters. We moved the training here!”

Cont’d: “…and I want to announce that we’re training for Spring!” Big cheers. “Every Friday, 2:30PM, meet here in the park!” #NYCGA #OWS

Nelini: “And we’ll also have a clown training tonight on the west side of the park! Thank you!” #NYCGA #OWS

Amin comes back to clarify: “We forgot to mention when. Since we promised people and we didn’t know this beautiful gathering was going to..”

Cont’d: “…happen, w/ your permission, it will happen simultaneously with this GA. So, ppl have an option.” West side for +Brigades. #NYCGA

Lady: “Today’s our birthday! We’ve had 2 marches and also a lot of other events happening during the day. What’s going to happen…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…right now is that there is a teach-in at the same time as the GA. It’s up to ppl to decide for themselves what they’d like…”

Cont’d: “…to do.” Lady requests that folks in front sit down so everyone can hear and see. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “I need a volunteer to take stack tonight.” (Stack is our manner of organizing speaking order, weighted to empower traditionally…)

Cont’d: (…marginalized voices.) Stairs also assigning folks to assist with the second generation of the ppl’s mic. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “Now, we’d like to review process. A refresher course! Human mic helps us amplify our voices so that everyone can be heard.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “We need you to echo us. You don’t have to agree w/ what’s being said, but you’re allowing ppl to be heard!” #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “Really quickly, this is a 24-hour occupation! I’m gonna say it again: this is a 24-hour occupation!” Huge cheers! #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “If you know someone that’s not here right now, text them, Twitter ‘em, Facebook ‘em, Myspace them [laughs!], call: come here!” #NYCGA

Stairs: “Now we’ll review non-verbal communication!” Uptwinkles means “I lk that; I feel good.” Midtwinkles means “I’m on the fence.”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “Downtwinkles means, I don’t like that — respectfully, I don’t feel good.” A triangle w/ 2 hands means “we’ve gone off process..”

Cont’d: “…we need to get back on track. One finger up is a point of information. This means I have pertinent info that is factual…”

Cont’d: “…about what is currently being discussed.” Make a C with a finger to ask a clarifying question. “This is not an opportunity to..”

Cont’d: “…change a topic or assert a personal agenda!” Hero puts up a Point of Information: “We’ve had a little issue trying to get info..

Cont’d: “…about the #OWS text alert. If anyone has the information, can they please announce it through a mic check?” #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “I see a lot of points of process. What we’re going to do is check online for that info, Also, ComHub is down until April.” #NYCGA

Hand signals continued: “Rotating your hands means, move it along! Respectfully, we hear you! But we’re talking about something else.”#NYCGA

Stairs: “This is a block!” Arms crossed in front of you. “This means I have severe ethical or safety concerns w/ a proposal!” #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “There is also something called a standaside. You might feel that you are against the proposal, but don’t wish to block it.” #NYCGA

Stairs: “Now we’d like to move to the meat, and talk about the agenda.” Lady: “Tonight we have 3 items to talk about.” #NYCGA #OWS

First on the agenda: MayDay. Next, an emergency proposal to respond to NYPD surveillance of Muslims. Then, a new working group. #NYCGA #OWS

We’re moving to the emergency proposal first, actually. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “Welcome back! My name is Caroline. This proposal is to sign a letter asking for a Federal investigation into NYPD’s blanket..”

Cont’d: “..and unwarranted surveillance of Muslim communities. The letter has been written and circulated by Muslim advocates.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It has already been signed by dozens of civil rights, faith groups, and community groups. They have reached out to #OWS and asked..

Cont’d: “…us to sign in #solidarity!” Cheers and “solidarity forever” break out in the crowd. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “I’m going to open stack for clarifying questions.” First CQ: “Are you going to read the letter, so we know exactly what we’re…”

Cont’d: “…agreeing to?” A: “I”d be happy to read the letter. It is 3 pages long; it starts out by saying that local officials…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…have failed to act. It then goes on…” Speaker forgot about the second gen of the human mic; resetting. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs asks someone to ask the drum circle to move back. “This is just like the old days now,” @CarrieM213 observes next to me. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone invites the NYPD to help us with the human mic. Lady reminds us of one more hand-sign: Respect the house. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “What we’re going to do is have the proposer sum up the letter that we are agreeing on.” #NYCGA #OWS

Caroline: “As I was saying, the letter begins by describing that the NYPD has appeared to have targeted Muslims only for their faith.”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “It goes on to describe the reports that’ve been in the news, detailing different efforts of infiltration and surveillance..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…of student groups, mosques, cafes, community centers, etc. It goes on to say this casts suspicion on an entire faith community.”

Cont’d: “It describes the screening of a hateful film. It goes on to mention letters written by congressional representatives…”#NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…local leaders, and so forth. It goes on to say: state and local officials haven’t been successful in holding NYPD accountable.”

Cont’d: “It asks finally tht the Department of Justice ‘vindicate our society’s cmmitment to equal justice under the law, and the…’”#nycga

Cont’d: “…prohibition against” discriminating based on religion. “That’s pretty much the sum of it.” Craig asks for clarifying questions.

CQ: “Where can we read the letter in its entirety?” A: “I’m going to ask, but I was told that it is now on http://t.co/OzXDORvv .” #OWS

CQ: “Did you use the term ‘illegal surveillance’?” A: “I can check in the letter to see if it is there.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Jennifer. “My only concern is that we make sure that this is a request for individual investigation and not from the direct…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…accusations against the NYPD. I personally think that they’re guilty, but we can’t come to that conclusion until a…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…Federal investigation is done.” A: “I can answer both questions now. I do not find the word ‘illegal’ in this document.” #NYCGA

The questioner feels that word should be there; proposer apologizes for not being able to get prints — she did try, she says. #NYCGA #OWS

A, in response to second CQ: “I want to say that the letter is asking for the Federal Investigation that you want.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “My question is, who will be doing the investigation?” A: “The letter is addressed to the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder.”

Cont’d: “It asks him to direct the Department of Justice to conduct the investigation.” Next: Lee. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “My clarifying question is, who would be the official politician, if you can give us the name, who are not co-operating with…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “..our cause and the courage of our movement that once was born at this sacred location, September 17th.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lady notes that that question is not pertinent to this proposal, suggests he get on stack later during Soapbox. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ, Jason: “My clarifying question is on this petition, what will we actually be signing? As the #OWS movement, or all of our names…”

Cont’d: “…individually, or what?” A: “That is a good question. However, it is not a petition; all the signatories are groups.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I am open to some discussion about how this group would sign its name.” Suggests that it would say something like… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…Occupy Wall Street, consensed upon by the General Assembly in Zuccotti Park on today’s date.” “Liberty Square.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lorenzo’s POI: “This is the NYC General Assembly in Liberty Square, at Occupy Wall Street.” Station identification! #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for clarifying questions. Stairs: “We’d like to open stack about concerns to be addressed. Please get on stack.” #NYCGA #OWS

First concern: John. “While I agree with the sentiment, I think the power of #OWS is its attempt to create an alternative power structure.”

Cont’d: “Asking the Federal Government to help us runs counter to that.” #NYCGA #OWS

POI: “We’re not asking the Federal Government to help #OWS. This is not our petition, or our letter. They are asking for #solidarity…”

Cont’d: “…from us, not our intervention.” Next Concern: “I don’t believe that asking the attorney general means we are looking for…”

Cont’d: “..their help. I believe we are asking them to make sure the NYPD is following the laws that it claims to operate under.”#NYCGA #OWS

Next on stack: Paul. “Why doesn’t #OWS send its own letter?” A: “That’s a good question; I suppose we could. As it stands, we…”#NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…have been asked to sign along with many groups that have already signed this letter. If you wanted to do that, it would be…”

Cont’d: “…a separate proposal.” Stack is now closed on Concerns; Stairs says we’re moving forward to consensus, but… #NYCGA #OWS

….someone point of processes and reminds Stairs to ask for friendly amendments, so they do. Opening stack. #NYCGA #OWS

One friendly amendment. “Hi everyone! I’m in support of the letter; I think we should sign. I wonder if there’s any way to add in our…”

Cont’d: “…signature some kind of demand related to stopping stop and frisk as a related struggle.” Isn’t sure how. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d; “I’m going to check right now, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Stop and Frisk is mentioned in this letter already.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I know Muslim Advocates works on issues like that. Don’t know that we can change the letter given 100 groups already signed.”

FA: “I’m not suggesting we change the content of the main letter; I’m wondering if, in our signature, there can be some way of…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…indicating the ways in which #OWS connects the two struggles.” A: “I would suggest that perhaps we should release a..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…a press release when the letter does go public expressing our reasons for solidarity.” Will talk to folks interested.#NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Also, the letter does mention stop and frisk.” Stairs: “Are there any other friendly amendments?” No. “Awesome!” #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “Now, we’d like to attempt to build consensus about whether or not we’d like to sign in solidarity w/ this investigation.” #NYCGA

Stairs: “Are there any standasides?” No. “Apparently not!” Stairs: “Are there any blocks?” NO! “We have consensus!” CHEERS. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “Can I get a temperature check on moving to the next proposal?” Up-twinkles! #NYCGA #OWS

Marisa: “Hi! It’s good to see Zuccotti Park, full of all these wonderful people! I’ve been working to plan MayDay. May Day comes from…”

Cont’d: “…the Haymarket riots in 1886. It’s a time for the entire movement to show solidarity in the streets. Here in New York, we made..”

Cont’d: “…a call in support of a day without the 99%, in support of the call for a #GeneralStrike! So, on May 1st, we’re going to..”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…hit the streets! We’re going to take the fight directly to sites of injustice, sites of capital. We’ll hit the streets!” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “So if you want to help, please come to our planning meetings!” Wednesdays, 33 West 14th, 6:30!” #NYCGA #OWS

Marisa proposes we break out for 10 minutes to request. The plan is to have a pop-up occupation, and then meet with union and immigrant..

Cont’d: …groups, and then take “more militant action. So use your imagination, and break out, and talk about” what you want to do! #NYCGA

OK, so we’ll break out for 10 minutes and then we’ll report back to the larger GA. See you in a bit. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, we’re back! Stairs: “Please keep reportbacks under two minutes for respect of time.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lou’s group reports back first: “My grp discussed a few things; we discussed the tactic of the living room into the banks action…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…should be brought out into public parks and sites around NYC. We also discussed that everybody wear black. We discussed..”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “..more coordination w/ labor unions, more shutdown actions i.e. Occupy Oakland. We also discussed to reach out to the bankers…”

Cont’d: “…and financial workers to join us on that day (May Day). And we discussed gaining support of non-occupiers or..” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…people sympathetic to #OWS.” Next: “My group discussed the phrase, ‘a day without the 99%’. Some people found it…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…straight-to-the-point; others found it a little confusing. It was suggested that the message “a day without cooperation of…”

Cont’d: “…the 99%” could be added to messaging. It was also suggested that “people who’ve been subjected to police brutality..”

Cont’d: “..be invited to do a soapbox.” Also suggested that arrests be avoided early in the day to keep numbers for later, and to maintain..

Cont’d: …space for people who want to avoid arrest earlier in the day. “It was also discussed moving to march time from 5:30 to 6…”

Cont’d: “…I think we’ll probably leave at 6 anyway.” Next, @lmnopie’s group. “Our group had a very passionate and excited discussion.”

Cont’d: “Things that ppl wanted to see: empty workshops, empty stores, all the people in the streets. We want to see May Day as…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…the biggest day of action yet for #OWS, and the coalition w/ the unions and immigrant labor who have all been planning…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…this together; they’ve adopted a horizontal structure for their meetings. So, also, there’s a teach in Sunday night at…”

Cont’d: “…Judson Memorial at building affinity groups.” 7pm. “Also, more things ppl wanted to see: free subway for the day, truckers…”

Cont’d: “…shutting down bridges, and the Actor’s Equity Union to shut down Broadway, Hotel Workers’ Union to shut down the hotels…”

Cont’d: “…construction workers to shut down all construction sites in the city, such as the Freedom Tower!” Cheers. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “Our group was very creative, and had a lot of ideas, so we put them down in a couple of summarizing points. We should have…”

Cont’d: “…a lot of fun activities w/ educational value. We should do flash mobs, we can hand out flowers w/ info; we should get the…”

Cont’d: “…students to join us as well, like OccupyAlbany. We should pay attention to the spots that we’re going, value their history…”

Cont’d: “…and observe what happened there. We should take this as an opportunity for outreach and mass civil disobedience…”

Cont’d: “..and we should definitely take advantage of lunch breaks, and 5:00 when everyone gets out of work. And we hope that we can..”

Cont’d: “…make something that people can wear so those that aren’t participating in the strike can still participate by…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…wearing a badge or button.” Next: “My group talked about visual messaging and imagery. We talked about using imagery from..”

Cont’d: “…’30s workers’ movements and railroad workers’ movements, b/c Bryant Park was Andrew Carnegie’s home.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d; “One idea was the use of the fist drawn in ASCII characters w/ workers’ rights issues.” Also, depictions of John Henry…#NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…and railroad workers in general.” Next: “Our group, and maybe some of you, would also like to see the occupation of workplaces..

Cont’d: “… and universities on MayDay. We’d also like to see a shutdown of Midtown,” organized via affnity groups, with an AG spokes.

Cont’d: “We’d also like ppl from nearby towns to come here and participate in this action. We’d also like to emphasize that May Day should..

Cont’d: “…only be the beginning.” Also want to see mutual aid networks throughout city “so we can support each other and not…”

Cont’d: “…look to corporations or the state to provide for us.” Next: “We talked about having feeder marches addressing…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…a broad array of issues affecting New Yorkers and ppl around the world, including stop and frisk, austerity measures…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…student debt,” more. “Also, doing outreach to specific sectors that would hurt the 1%, like taxi drivers who move their asses.”

Cont’d: “There was also interest in reaching out to precarious workers like domestic workers, and other labor that’s generally not..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…valued, or organized, and help them organize.” “Also, there’s a lot of excitement for a dance party.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “There’s a 24-hour knit-in planned for the Monday before May Day, from 5pm til 5pm on May Day.” Here in Liberty Square. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “We’d like to get at least 1000 people to be knitting. Please contact the Fibre Arts working group if you have skills! We’ll be…”

Cont’d: “…teaching people how to knit and make their own clothing! I don’t know how to knit, so you don’t have to know how to knit.”#NYCGA

Stairs: “Are there any more reportbacks from the breakout groups?” No. Marisa: “Thank you everyone! I hope you see you on May Day!” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Please go to our website, http://t.co/GGFmUpmi!” Sign up for listserv, etc. Meetings Wednesdays, 6:30pm, at 33 West 14th Street.

Cont’d: “We hope to see you there! Also, if you’d like to form an affinity group w/ ppl you trust and have affinity w/ and want to do..”

Cont’d: “..an action with them, we have training tomorrow night at Judson Memorial Church.” #NYCGA #OWS

.@CLongenecker notes MayDay also meets on Saturdays, but it’s in flux so check listserv. “Sign up at http://t.co/GGFmUpmi.” #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “We have one more agenda item, which is to create a meeting of the minds. It’s not a working group; it’s a group…” #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “My name is Rayshawn, and here is my proposal. Meeting of the minds is a group intended to create mass action…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “..within #OWS. Meeting of the minds encourages groups to agree, so they can move forward on a massive scale.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Meeting of the minds has an objective to have mass action pushed through the GA to direct action at least once a month.” #NYCGA

Rayshawn’s reasons: “There are people that don’t get along in the GA, and a lot of ideas get blocked for that reason. Even tho differences..

Cont’d: “..of opinion are good, sometimes that can bring the movement to a complete halt.” MotM would “prevent that from happening.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Meeting of the minds is on the 31st of March, at 60 Wall Street.” POP: “Here at #OWS, we encourage ppl to organize themselves..”

Cont’d: “..among their communities.” No need for a proposal for this. OK, Rayshawn will “table it and work on it a little better.” #NYCGA

Stairs: “We’d like to move to announcements. If anyone has an announcement, please get on stack.” #NYCGA #OWS

Ted: “@OccupyFarms is gathering together over 2000 acres upstate. This is enough to feed 30,000 people, and we need yr help!” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We have a little coalition of people like me who are invested upstate, who’ve lived up there. It’s also our home…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…we want to treat it that way, while we invite #OWS to cultivate food for this movement.” Encourages we start growing seedlings.

Cont’d: “We’re going to plug that into the 2,000 acres, and if you want to help out, come find my, go to http://t.co/va8K2m1U, find on FB.”

Ted notes that “if you believe that #OWS doesn’t need money and can provide things we need, join Occupy Farms!” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Leo: “I want to announce an event called Open Space that we do every other Friday. At Open Space, we don’t make any decisions…”

Cont’d: “…there’s no agenda; you talk about what you want to talk about. If other ppl also want to talk about it, they come talk to you.”

Cont’d: “If this appeals to you, come this Friday from 6pm to 10pm at this address: 235 West 23rd St b/w 7th and 8th!” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We’re making a new commons; come join us!” Next, Danny: “Happy 6 Month anniversary, #OWS. We’ve all been thru…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…a lot in the past 6 months. For some of us, it feels like 6 years. I help run a website called http://t.co/wEG7ofY0.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Our goal is to archive and amplify ppl’s first-person experiences in the movement.” If you’ve a moving tale, go to the site! #NYCGA

Next, Scott, visiting from Vermont. “There’s a nuclear plant in Vermont called Vermont Yankee, run by a corp called Inter-G, from LA.”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…they don’t care about Vermont’s wants; they have trampled on states rights and eroded democratic process.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “On Thursday, March 22, we’ll be protesting at Entergy’s Brattleboro, VT headquarters, and hope you join us.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Shawn: “Glad to see you all! I just wanted to share with you a way to stay in touch and receive important announcements, like the..”

Cont’d: “…one that went out about an hour ago to 5000 people via text message, saying that Liberty Square has been reoccupied!” #NYCGA

Cont’d; “We have an alerts text loop called OccupyAlert, and you can get on it by texting @OccupyAlert to 23559.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It doesn’t text you very often, but when it does, it’s really important! So, once again, that’s @OccupyAlert to 23559.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Ty. “I’m from Occupy New Haven! We just challenged our eviction with an injunction and won!” In 2 weeks, face another… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…another potential eviction, and invite you to join us once again. It’s the 28th of March.” Folks being encouraged… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …to stay in the park. “Stay here,” folks chanting. Next, Billy: “There’s a march on the way to the park right now! Stay and…”

Cont’d: “…welcome the march! Also, as we move towards midnight, we’ll be passing out blankets! We’re asking you to spend the nite!”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “Call yr friends, Twitter yr friends, come down, this is a 24hr occupation. & FYI NYPD: Does this look like a mvment that’s done?”

Lady: “I have reports that Cornell West might be coming to the park. Also, Michael Moore might be coming to the park.” He’s here now! #NYCGA

Lady: “Thank you for a wonderful GA!” That’s it, fam! Back to the re-occupation! Hope to see you here tonight. <3 #NYCGA #OWS

RT @DailyOcc: We’ve also posted our preview of tonight’s Occupy Wall Street / NYC General Assembly: http://t.co/1xuNnOVZ Live coverage l …

Hey fam! #NYCGA is now starting at 60 Wall, after a great action. Everyone is really excitable right now. #OWS

The first announcement: someone will propose a week from today that we stop holding both the #NYCSC and the #NYCGA due to disruption. #OWS

Next, OWS en Español will be going to the Bronx to work w/ the community. Will spend more time in outer boroughs! #NYCGA #OWS

Ellis from Class War: “On the 31st of this month, we’re having an event in Union Sq entitled ‘How to Kill Capitalism’.” 3pm. #NYCGA #OWS

Also, they went to the GA “the other night to try to get hotspots,” for a benefit concert – was blocked, but they’ll do it anyway. #NYCGA

It’ll be a benefit show for the General Fund — talk to Ellis, Anthony, or Zak to help! #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Emanuel, from a Bay Area collective that produces cool “info cards on various topics.” “We did a whole bunch of research and wrote…”

Cont’d: “…really cool stuff on the back.” It’s online, free; they “suggest a union printer”, use as outreach cards. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “These really expose the criminal collusion between corporations and government.” Will pass many around. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Lauren! “I just want to say two things: one, if you guys were on the BoA action today, you know we had an awesome time!” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I just found out from the NLG that the people arrested today should be released in a few hours w/ desk appearance tickets.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Also, tomorrow at 2pm is our first Spring Training March!” Park at 2. Everyone starts singing Eye of the Tiger. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Mandolin reps the Bike Coalition! “The Bike Coalition’s going pretty good; we’re getting donations like crazy…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…but we don’t have any tools or space.” Asks for help — someone can help! Also, Tuesday noon to 2PM at Zuccotti, bike repairs.

Next, Tony reminds us that “COOLS is every day from 12-2,” asks that we all get out there 2 days a wk. Lunch, speakers, other stuff. #NYCGA

Next, Vision and Goals: “Maybe all of you guys have read the 1/24 vision statement,” didn’t get consensed on except the Liberty bullet pt.

Cont’d: “In the meantime, the working group decided whole GA would never consense,” will bring it for ‘theoretical consensus’ to see… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…how people would consense on it.” Will let them post “how #OWS feels about all these points.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, from the Anti-Repression Committee! “Everyone knows..we have the largest prison population in the entire world.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: Chepe: “It was the incarceration of political activists in black, Chicano, indigenous communities” that started race to incarcerate.

Cont’d: “In the last 2 years, there’s been tremendous resistance in prisons.” Notes that GA last year was largest prison strike ever. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “In California, there was the Pelican Bay hunger strike,” second phase overlapped with #OWS. They sent us a letter! #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: The anti-repression committee doesn’t feel comfortable responding without GA; want to send letter of receipt prior… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …to putting a response through our process. This is the first proposal tonight. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs opens stack on clarifying questions. First, Barbara. CQ: “Can you read the letter, at least? I don’t know how long your letter is.”

A: “It’s 5 or 6 paragraphs — it’s a solidarity letter, that lets them know we’re putting their letter through our process.” #NYCGA #OWS

The Pelican Bay folks apparently had some demands for us, hence the activist legal team’s reticence to respond directly. #NYCGA #OWS

Folks really want to hear the full letter. Check out @dailyocc’s pre-GA summary breakdown w/ links to proposals: http://t.co/x8SkzMq2 #NYCGA

OK, that’s it for clarifying questions. Opening concerns stack. First: “I know they’ve worked hard on this letter, but to my mind it’s…”

Cont’d: “…filled with a lot of jargon, not English.” Lots of folks in prison only have at best a high school education. “It feels too…”

Cont’d: “…class-different.” “I feel if you could change the letter to use different words that don’t sound so big…” #NYCGA #OWS

Chepe responds: “I’ve been doing prison solidarity stuff for 15 years, and my experience is that prisoners are just as varied in education..

Cont’d: “..levels as we are.” Notes there are radical book projects and that prisoners hv little time for things aside from reading, study.

Cont’d: “I think that to dumb it down risks being patronizing… we should kind of keep it at the level that respects their intelligence.”

Concern responds: “I hear you, but I’m just concerned it’s filled with a lot of jargon.” Doesn’t feel it’s up to her to change it… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…it’s just a critique.” Proposer Cari notes they’ve been dealing w/ this letter since January; been a long process; are concerned..

Cont’d: …that the prisoners “think we ignored their letter,” thinks that’s really bad. #NYCGA #OWS

Horatio has the opposite concern, notes the word “intelligence” in intro may come off as condescending. Proposers accept as FA. #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for concerns or friendly amendments. Stairs: “Can I get a temp check on moving to consensus?” Looks good! #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “Any standasides?” No. “Any blocks?” No. Anthony: “We have consensus! Woooo!” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, next proposal. “Basically, I’m here to ask the #OWS GA to endorse a festival in Seattle” in August called Everything for Everyone. #OWS

The festival is aimed as outreach for the #Occupy movement, they say. Now opening stack for clarifying questions. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Everything for Everyone” is “too general.” [Technically this belongs on the stack for Concerns. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

(Here’s the proposal we’re discussing: http://t.co/M2vjdR2w ) #NYCGA #OWS

OK, moving onto concerns / friendly amendments. C: “For those of us who don’t live in Seattle — most of us don’t — can’t we just be in..”

Cont’d: “…solidarity?” Proposer answers they hope we can help. “We have to pick *a* location;” would like everyone to be able to contribute.

CQ: “What can we do to help? Do you want money? Do you want ideas? What exactly are you asking us to help you with?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “As of right now, we’re looking mostly in terms of, we want to be able to approach talent, speakers, other GAs and develop interest…”

Cont’d: “…in the idea for this festival. When that comes along, we’d like to collaborate with other Occupies,” hopes occupiers present…

Cont’d: …ideas for events, panels, etc. Right now, though, they just want #OWS to endorse the idea. #NYCGA

CQ: “Can New York have a festival as well?” A: “I think if NY wants to organize a festival of this type, that’d be awesome. I think…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…bringing culture and politics together” is a great strategy. #NYCGA #OWS

C: We’re local to NYC — why ask us about this? A: “We did talk to Occupy Seattle first,” have “a couple of other endorsements.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We plan to get endorsements from #OWS in addition to planning endorsements from several other cities.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next C, @thejorobin: “I’m concerned that we really don’t have a lot of access to info about the organizing style or intention right now…”

Cont’d: “…and I’m always concerned as a member of this movement for endorsing events we weren’t around for the creation of…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…though personally I endorse this event.” Jo asks if they will charge — they’ll ask for donations. No one will be turned away.

Next C: “I’m not sure why we’re supposed to do this – just before this, we were asked to be in solidarity w/ an obvious struggle…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…giving our name for a political cause.” But to endorse a festival “is just marketing. We’re horizontal – we do what we do.” #NYCGA

A: “We want endorsement for a couple of reasons: 1, we do want GAs in other parts of the country to feel a part of this — it’s going on..”

Cont’d: “…for them.” Not meant for “particular organization,” hopes occupiers around country will come and engage discussion. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So, we want people from Occupy across the country to feel invested in this festival.” They’re serious, he says… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…it’s not a whim.” Next concern is about “everything for everyone” being too general, wants “everything for the 99%.” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “Everything for everyone means to me, more of a vision of the society we want… the culture we want to create… where we actually share…”

Cont’d: “…the means” to sustain ourselves. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, that’s it for concerns/FAs — Stairs asks if we want to move to consensus. “It’s good, some downtwinkles.” Any standasides? There are 2.

Stairs: “Is there anybody blocking this proposal?” 1 block, from the person who is upset that the name is “unclear,” lacks differentiation.

Someone explains he can’t change it. “He’s bringing this to us speaking for a whole group of planners;” he’s one spokesman. Block will hold.

Nick reminds us that “a block represents a moral, ethical, or safety concern so serious you’d leave the movement if it were passed.” #NYCGA

Anthony: “Since we have a block, the proposer’s going to go to modified consensus.” How many against? 1. How many for? 22. It passes! #NYCGA

OK, now David and Natasha will present their proposal: “We want the authority of the GA to send our newsletter to people…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…who have donated to Occupy Wall Street,” several thousand people. Accounting has those emails. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We think they’d appreciate knowing… that their money goes to good things.” Can opt-out, obvi. They want GA approval… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…for accounting to release the emails.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Does this compromise anything we promised in the past to maintain donors’ anonymity?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “I don’t think so — we’ve talked to Accounting and they’re cool w/ it if the GA approves,” would have mentioned that. #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for CQs. @thejorobin turns her CQ into a friendly amendment to find out whether it violates anonymity, and if so, don’t move fwd.

They accept that — someone else suggests that they go on case-by-case basis. The proposers accept that too, @thejorobin is cool w/ it.

OK, we’re moving onto consensus on this! Proposers restate, want to send weekly newsletter to ppl who’ve donated in the past and… #NYCGA

Cont’d: …the friendly amendment is that we determine if there are anonymity concerns and honor those. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs asks for standasides: none! Blocks? None! Consensus! #NYCGA #OWS

OK, now we’re moving onto Rabbi Chaim Gruber’s proposal for an Anti-Violence Pledge. [Uh-oh. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

Chaim: “This is a proposal to make a non-violent statement, as follows.” Here’s the text: http://t.co/nQOnukR3 #NYCGA #OWS

Chaim finishes. “Love is the answer.” Finn: “Any down twinkles for love?” Stairs opening stack on clarifying questions. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “You said any individual can be swayed by non-violence,” no matter what — asks what he’d argue should be done against rapists. #NYCGA

A: “This was the proposal that I read that was exactly as it appeared online yesterday,” but “this concern came up.” #NYCGA #OWS

Chaim suggests a small friendly amendment be made that states that it excludes “self-defense” or “defense of others,” noting that… #NYCGA

Cont’d: ..sometimes force is needed to prevent oppressors from “more oppressing.” Sometimes it’s a moral imperative, he says. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: Nathan asks what the intent is. A: “I think there’s not an understanding of this… if we want non-violence to cover world, we need to..”

Cont’d: “…include everyone’s interests, because otherwise it will devolve into oppression and conflict.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “I understand your approach to non-violent protesting, but as I’ve recently researched it, a lot of people disagree…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…with aggressive” tactics, and believe system should be stopped by any means. “When you try to put that to a whole…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…entire movement of many people with different beliefs… do you think we can use the word ‘respectful’?” #NYCGA #OWS

Jo throws up a point of process: “It’s a very valid idea, but it should be in the concerns & friendly amendments”, pt of the process. #NYCGA

Next CQ: “Is vandalizing of property included or excluded from non-violence?” A: “This is for something that is up for debate. But, if…”

Cont’d: “..we were having a debate, let’s say someone says ‘tanks will be used to kill people,’ does that make offense a defense?” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Going by the Declaration of Indepdence: “When evil becomes insufferable there’s an obligation to revolt.” As long as you can…”

Cont’d: “…make that case.” Next CQ: “I’m still not clear where you stand on self-defense.” Chaim re-reads his addition that addresses that.

CQ: “Why do you need consensus on this?” A: “I think it would be great for the movement – wonderful for the movement, especially because..”

Cont’d: “…so many people have said such things about ‘rabble’ activity.” Questioner clarifies, wonders if this leads to expulsion. #NYCGA

Chaim: “I cannot think of, and if I am mistaken, please someone say so, any justifiable use of physical force outside what was discussed.”

Cont’d: “So, if this is a nonviolent movement by the principles of solidarity and also all morality, what else is there to say?” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, we’ve run out of the allotted time, so Anthony temperature checks giving 10 more minutes. “It looks mixed. There’s a lot of down + up.”

Anthony: “We’re going to retake the temperature check on 5 mins.” Looks better, though he does “acknowledge there were some down twinkles.”

Concerns now: “This is the most violent society in history. This government murders millions daily; to do nothing is a form of violence.”

Cont’d: “We’ll never convince the 1% to give up their privilege.” “Any violence committed by poor against rich right now is a form of…”

Cont’d: “…self-defense, because they’re killing us.” And “I don’t like my ideas more than I like people. Non-violence is not a religion…”

Cont’d: “…to me. We need to get free.” “And, we’re not being violent.” “Why don’t we condemn the violence against us first?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “This applies, of course, also to the police. It doesn’t just apply to #OWS.” Folks aren’t quite sure how that works. #NYCGA

Jo’s concern: “First of all, I want to say that individually, I think this is a beautiful statement and I’m grateful to hear it. THank you..

Cont’d: “…for providing this.” Her blocking concern is that there hasn’t been time for people to read it, digest it, translate it, decide.

Cont’d: “I have concerns about a cult of non-violence; there’s lots of discussion b/w ppl about using the term, but we haven’t come…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…to an agreement about what that words means yet.” Jo suggests it be translated into several languages and we discuss it for…

Cont’d: “…a long period of time.” A: “This statement of course applies to police, so they recognize that when they repress people…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…it will eventually fail.” Next concern, Hydro… wants to know if he can make a “really really important announcement.” #NYCGA #OWS

We ran out of time on the proposal and declined to extend time. Proposal is tabled for tonight. We thank the Rabbi. #NYCGA #OWS

Hydro will mk his announcement now. “It’s a royal decree” from a King in the Carribean. “All native American people, or people…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “..being born in this land, like all the hispanic, black, minority people in the Americas,” should pass this story on… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Direct action is truly the secret of how things are made into reality here on Earth.” #NYCGA #OWS

Hydro is reading too fast for me to transcribe, but it is a call to action for oppressed peoples. #NYCGA #OWS

Google found the statement Hydro’s reading: http://t.co/KZOLuJtg #NYCGA #OWS

OK, next, Dallas and Owen are here to propose a direct action for April 1st! “No fooling!” #NYCGA #OWS

Dallas: “April 1st, 2012, marks the 6-month anniversary of the march across the Brooklyn Bridge, marked by the arrest of 700 occupiers…”

Cont’d: “…on the Brooklyn-Bound roadway.” Dallas pauses reading. “Anyone remember that?” Hahah. Jyeahh. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the full text: http://t.co/0ymSqZu2 Owen notes that on their way back to Manhattan, those who made it to Brooklyn noticed… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…even a few community affairs officers from the NYPD were spotted chanting along w/ us (w/ their heads down so the commanding..”

Cont’d: “…officer wouldn’t see.” They propose two marches converge and have an all-city GA in Brooklyn. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Why meet at Hanson Place tower?” A: “Because that’s where folks ended up after the Brooklyn Bridge march.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Will we take the roadway or the pedestrian bridge (across the BK Bridge?)” A: “Autonomous action; I recommend the pedestrian bridge.”

OK, that’s it for CQs. Opening stack for concerns… no concerns or friendly amendments. Now moving to consensus! #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “Any standasides?” None! “Any blocks?” NONE! “We have consensus!” Woohoo! Cheers. And now for the last proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Sean McKeown is here w/ his proposal called “Exclusion Principle.” Here’s the text: http://t.co/FbArpBD6 #NYCGA #OWS

Sean: “The basic idea here is, we may have an encampment or something someday! When we had it, there were a couple of people we kicked out..

Cont’d: “..in a very non-transparent way.” Sean wants us to “create a transparent process and stick to it” if someone should need… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…to be kicked out of our movement.” Again, the text: http://t.co/FbArpBD6 #NYCGA #OWS

Sean’s proposal enumerates “benefits” of participation in #OWS and asserts that when our agreements are violated, GA should be empowered…

Cont’d: …to revoke those benefits, w/ caveats that people should be obligated to make wrongs right if possible and that offenses must…

Cont’d: …be either egregious or repetitive. CQ: “Does bad blocking count?” A: “Up to the GA; I’m more concerned re: ppl hitting ea other.”

Next CQ asks what the process of excluding someone would look like. A: “It would have to be proposed to GA; follow normal proposal rules.”

CQ was the extent to which this applies to movement. A: “This only applies to #OWS GA,” he wouldn’t suggest anything else. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Can you clarify what agreements outside of Principles of Solidarity & Statement of Autonomy you’re referring to?” A: None. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone suggests that including blocking would create a “tyranny of the majority”, make unpopular blocks illegal. #NYCGA #OWS

Sean notes that that wasn’t his idea; it’s up to the GA. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “How will we distinguish false accusations?” A: “Hopefully we’ll have proof — hopefully a high standard. Hopefully we’re not doing…”

Cont’d: “…this very often.” “I don’t want a witch hunt; think there should be proof.” And that folks at issue must be present to speak. #OWS

OK, that’s it for CQs. Time for concerns. C: “I have a lot of concerns w/ this proposal; not going to talk about all of them right now…”

Cont’d: “…but some of us have been working on the transformative justice process you referenced — me and you included.” Concerned that he..

Cont’d: …is doing this outside of that group. “I understand you don’t see this in opposition to that, but I have a different understanding.”

Cont’d: “My concern is that ppl harmed are empowered themselves to decide what to do.” Suggests this would step on toes of that process.

Next C: “My biggest concern is I think the action of kicking someone out of the movement is enormous — that’s a very big thing. Can think..

Cont’d: …of hypothetical circumstances where it might be necessary, but it’s “very very big” and “putting this in front of a single GA…”

Contd: “…is empowering” not enough people to deal with it, making justice “not objective.” “Maybe working w/ transformative justice, I’d…”

Cont’d: “…love to find a way so the justice of this is bigger” than the 60 people at GA. #NYCGA #OWS

Sean: “I’d be happy to address this concern by suggesting that” any exclusion proposals require the same notice as the 1-week requirement…

Cont’d: …for dissolving spokescouncil. The concernee suggests it could be required that “three successive” GAs consense on exclusion. #NYCGA

Ooh hey, my councilman @Ydanis is out supporting us again! #ows #M14

#NYCGA is starting at Liberty Square! It’s a lively crowd on this beautiful night. Live tweets here, @LibertySqGA2 thru 4 as usual! #OWS

Stairs: “We have a large GA tonight, and many things on the list to get done, so let’s GSD!” Nelini has the first announcement. #NYCGA #OWS

Nelini; “On Thursday, we’re continuing to target the big, bad Bank of America! We’ll meet 3pm at Pumphouse Park on the waterfront behind…”

Cont’d: “…the World Financial Center! There’ll be furniture involved!” #M15 #FightBAC #OWS

Next, Steve! “Anthony was arrested earlier today, and we’re leaving at 9:30 to do jail support. Or, you can march after the GA. Come!”

Next, Ted: “Just wanted to do an announcement about” what some occupiers are doing upstate. “OccupyFarms, despite its good…”

Cont’d: “…intentions,” have had some problems w/ farms upstate, so folks like him w/ ties upstate are “ameliorating” the relationships.

Cont’d: Ted says they have 2,000 acres now they can “dedicate the feeding the movement.” http://t.co/BnMAMHWm. #nycga #OWS

Next, Joseph “is here to make an announcement that on Sunday, May 20th” all groups are invited to an AIDS Walk in Central Park. #NYCGA #OWS

Kara: “MayDay is going to be an awesome day! We have tons of flyers!” “Anyone can flier! I have a bunch, if you want to come help, find me!”

Yoni’s next. “#OWS can get confusing! I see a lot of new faces here, so I have a whole bunch of declarations and resources- if you want…”

Cont’d: “…one, come see me!” Justin asks if anyone has gotten their Metrocards today, lets us know Housing has had some confusion but are…

Cont’d: …working on getting the cards asap. “We apologize for our confusion. Please find Stan; he’ll have your Metrocards later tonight.”

Legal: “I know #HelloKitty got arrested earlier, is at 7th Precinct” will be transferred to 100 Precinct. Reminds action planners they…

Cont’d: …need to consider jail support as an essential part of an action. If your group plans an action “please be prepared to cover a…”

Cont’d: “…little bit of your jail support.” Will distribute some info on this stuff. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: Zak. “On March 31st, there has been a call for action against capitalism!” Class War Camp will try to bring everyone together to win!

Next: “I’m here on behalf of the Occupy Student Debt campaign. We will be having an event here April 25th.” #NYCGA #OWS

Proposal from a woman who proudly says she is 88. She is introducing the proposer. #ows #nycga

Proposal is to get solidarity for action on April 24th, in DC, Occupy the Justice Dept. #ows #nycga

Proposer: Subject is the oppression of the bottom 1% by the top 1%. That crisis is mass incarceration. #ows #nycga

Will also be standing up for the release of Mumia, who recently got off Death Row. #ows #nycga

Will be asking a lot of us to participate in civil disobedience. Danny Glover, among others, are ready to get arrested. #ows #nycga

Proposer: Will ask us to say that we want jobs, not jails. We should imprison the top 1%, not the bottom. #ows #nycga

One clarifying question: Is this asking for solidarity or support? A: Solidarity. #ows #nycga

One concern: With the wording of the proposal in relation to Bradley Manning, who revealed she is trans and we should respect her name …

… And she should be referred to as Brianna Manning. #ows #nycga

POI from the Queer Caucus: We are very well-versed on this issue, and please some talk to us about this. #ows #nycga

No friendly amendments to this proposal. Standasides? One. #ows #nycga

Proposal is to have #OWS stand in solidarity w/ April 24th occupation of the Justice Dept in DC.

Demands: Release Mumia, end mass incarceration, we want jobs, schools, healthcare, not jail. #ows #nycga

http://t.co/R65QtUZd for more info. #ows #nycga

FA: Since we can’t speak for the movement, don’t say #OWS supports this, but #NYCGA. Accepted.

No blocks! We have consensus on this solidarity proposal! #ows #nycga

Next proposal: The Queer Caucus wants to become a working group, “Queering #OWS.” Will work on education. #nycga

Queering OWS seeks to eradicate discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, using outreach. #ows #nycga

CQ: How long have been around? A: Just a couple weeks as a WG but a long time as a caucus. #ows #nycga

CQ: I thought we had a queer group already? A: Our history is we were originally a group called Queering OWS, we became a caucus. …

… Now we want to be a real working group. #ows #nycga

CQ fro Big Chris: I am not against anyone here. I am for anyone who supports the 99% getting rid of capitalism …

… But I am against individuals wanting to be recognized as their own people. We are all fighting together. #ows #nycga

A: The queer community has been oppressed for years. If you’ve been marginalized, start a group too! #ows #nycga

Temp check on moving forward. Good. Concerns? #ows #nycga

Concern (?): I see no problem having a gay working group and us having a unity at #OWS. #nycga

Standasides? No. Blocks? No! Whee!!! We have consensus on Queering OWS becoming a working group! #ows #nycga

We had a 3-minute meditation, then about to start Sean’s Exclusion proposal. #ows #nycga

Stairs is calling attention to the fact there are arguments about an emergency proposal regarding Metrocards and bike funds. #ows #nycga

Stairs: We are going to have Stan explain the issue that’s happening and we can discuss it. #ows #nycga

Stan: Today I woke up and decided not to buy a Metrocard. I know it goes against what #NYCSC and my WG wanted.

Suddenly a bunch of people from the back of the GA started yelling and running off past the red structure. Unclear what that was. #ows

Stan: So I want to propose to move money from Metrocards to a bike fund. #ows #nycga

POI from Chino: [Hard to synopsize. He is really angry.] #ows #nycga

PoI from Camille: This proposal does not come from the bike coalition, and as far as Accounting goes, we are almost out of money. #ows

Clarification: It appears Stan made a decision on his own to not use the money allocated for Metrocards for #OWS … #nycga

… Because he wanted the money to be used for bikes. A lot of people are calling this an unallowable unilateral action. #ows #nycga

Stairs: Please allow this team to facilitate. We have 6 ppl on stack to discuss this. #ows #nycga

CQ from Justin: How do you expect this to work? #ows #nycga

A: The Metrocard money would be moved from Housing to bikes. #ows #nycga

CQ: I just want to hear the proposal so the ppl can decide how to proceed, and we only have a few weeks of money left…

… And maybe ppl want to use money for something more sustainable, since we won’t have Metrocards much longer anyway. #ows #nycga

CQ from David: I want to thank Stan for being willing to take all this crap from everyone and he wants to give ppl in the GA the choice…

…to use the money for bikes that would last much longer than Metrocards. #ows #nycga

POI from Justin: Housing and the Bike Coalition have formed an alliance and the plan always was that for the next budget …

… We would ask for half the money to go to Metrocards and half to bikes. The Spokes Council suggested this. #ows #nycga

Some people asking how we go around this and get the Metrocards that were supposed to be given out tonight. #ows #nycga

Trish: This issue is inappropriate for the GA. It was addressed by #NYCSC, which is where we talk about WG expenditures. #ows #nycga

Trish: It is out of process for GA to be talking about this. #ows #nycga

A disruption while someone may or may not have pushed someone on the stairs and Facilitation asks for space. Much tension. #ows #nycga

CQ: What do you plan to do for transportation when you no longer have Metrocards? #nycga #ows

Answer is drowned out by many people shouting. #ows #nycga

There are repeated calls to have the loud people crowding Facilitation to move back or sit down. They ignore them, repeatedly. #ows #nycga

Stairs temp checks on if we want to keep talking about this. It looks pretty negative. #ows #nycga

More yelling and confusion. #ows #nycga

Stairs: I cannot decide for you what to do here. Someone else needs to bring forth something, eg, an emergency proposal. #ows #nycga

Nick may be bringing an emergency proposal. Lauren mic checks that everyone needs to sit down and respect Facilitation. #ows #nycga

Stairs reminds us what makes something an emergency proposal. #ows #nycga

Stan restates the proposal: To reallocate the $3480 a week for Metrocards to the Bike Coalition. #ows #nycga

Temp check on if this is an emergency proposal. Mostly negative. So we move on. #ows #nycga

Statement from the Bike Coalition: We have been trying to get money for bikes. GA told us we couldn’t do it. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: We want to get money for bikes in a consensed-upon fashion, but we keep hitting bureaucracy. #ows #nycga

Nick’s emergency proposal: That we as a GA consense upon removing Stan as financial point person from Housing and getting the money from him

Temp check on if this is an emergency proposal. Mostly negative. Both these proposals are tabled. #ows #nycga

POI from Lauren: I am ashamed of this GA. When Zak and I started the Metrocard program, it was supposed to be temporary. …

… And we told you we would work on other alternatives. After I left Housing, this GA made the Metrocards permanent. …

… We created a monster and it is tearing this GA apart! I am tired of us yelling at each other! #ows #nycga

Stairs: It has just come to our attention that Stan has Metrocards. We are going to have a 5-minute breakout to process all this. #ows

During the break, there are several verbal altercations happening in various parts of the crowd. #ows #nycga

Stairs tries to bring us back to the next (and last) proposal, but someone says wait till the Metrocards are given out. #ows #nycga

The proposer says she prefers to wait till the GA attention has come back. #ows #nycga

Announcement: Today and yesterday, many of us occupied the park, played games, talked to people, pissed off the cops …

… I think we should continue! (Chant of “All day, all week, Occupy Wall Street!”) #ows #nycga

Announcement from some dude from Newark that he has a place with running water, etc, and people are welcome. #ows #nycga

Stairs trying to bring GA back together. New proposal. #ows #nycga

Proposal for #OWS Fundraiser Benefit Show, to overturn the spending freeze and give money to this. #ows #nycga

Proposer: We have b/w $30K and $40K and will run out of funds in 3-5 weeks. [Ed: It's more like 2.] #ows #nycga

Cont’d: We need money and should hold a fundraiser, maybe here at the park. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: The event would involve food, music, performances, education. It would cost $4,000. #ows #nycga

CQ: To clarify, this is a GA-funded fundraiser, to lift the spending freeze, and give $4K to the event? #ows #nycga

A: I am open to how we get the money. We might not need all that money if we get a permit to hold it outside. #ows #nycga

CQ from Chris: At first I was against the spending freeze, but I still don’t want unnecessary $ going out to individuals. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: If you want a fundraiser, raise funds. We have talented ppl. We should not lift the spending freeze for this. #ows #nycga

A: This is not to lift the spending freeze across the board, but just for this. #ows #nycga

Continuation of previous concern, is that Chris said we can see what happens when we open the funding floodgates. #ows #nycga

Proposer: I am open to people offering help with this fundraiser or helping raise money or donate a space. #ows #nycga

CQ: How likely is it you think we can get a permit? #ows #nycga

A: We have celebs on our side and we have had events with no problem getting permits before. [Ed: Really?] #ows #nycga

CQ from Trish: What is the $4K for? A: If we need to pay for a space. #ows #nycga

CQ: Are we allowed to give donations right now? A: That’s great and maybe we could have TechOps e-mail our donors to ask for money. #ows

CQ: Why do you need money? Can’t people just donate their time? #ows #nycga

A: There are things that might cost money, like sound equipment, and money not used will go back to the general fund. #ows #nycga

CQ: Is there a fundraising WG at #OWS? A: Yes, FundHub, but I don’t think they can raise $ in 72 hours. #nycga

Stairs temp checks on giving this proposal more time. The temp check gets disrupted by some guys. #ows #nycga

CQ: Have you spoken to TechOps about sending a blast to our donors? Because I think we should contact them again, if only to give updates.

Stairs: That sounds like a friendly amendment and you should bring it up at that point in the process. #ows #nycga

Someone on stack is trying to talk. The drunk disruptor is stepping on me and yelling at women. #ows #nycga

Stairs mic checks that this is the third deescalation we have had at this GA and we need people to move back. #ows #nycga

Stairs: We are over time on this proposal but I would like to see a temp check on moving forward with this proposal. Positive. #ows #nycga

Stairs clarifies: This is not to stop the spending freeze, but to let $4K “leak out” to this event. #ows #nycga

FA: I would suggest that after we find out how much $ the artists and TechOps donors can raise, you come back and ask for how much …

… more you need. #ows #nycga

Proposer wants a temp check on that friendly amendment. Mostly negative. FA not accepted. #ows #nycga

FA from Trish: That you reach out to venues and ask them to donate space, equipment, etc then come back and tell us how much you need. #ows

Cont’d: Because $4K is not much to put on a high-profile event. #ows #nycga

FA from Yoni: As far as process, my FA is you would get the $4K but we would still keep the spending freeze locked. #ows #nycga

Proposer accepts the friendly amendment. #ows #nycga

Proposer restates the proposal with the friendly amendments. 4 standasides. #ows #nycga

One standaside says we shouldn’t be sending e-mails to our 9000 donors. #ows #nycga

Another standaside expresses that this proposal is WAY too vague, has not worked with existing WGs, refuses to community source.

Any blocks? There are 10! First block: I have too many concerns to even state. We don’t get permits, we are not about money, for starters.

Other blocks: It’s dangerous to break the precedent of our spending freeze. Money is the root of all evil.

Another blocker: This proposal is totally out of process. We have an agreement about a spending freeze and how it can be overturned.

Okay, there are so many blocks that it’s clear this does not pass. Stairs says this proposal does not have consensus.

Announcements: Occupy New Haven is being evicted and they are awesome. We should go there. See Yoni.

Announcement from Jail Support: They learned over the weekend how to create safer spaces. Can share this info.

Announcement from @diceytroop: Tomorrow we are launching the Daily Occupier, bringing citizen journalism together! http://t.co/qlu7qnp6!

Announcement: Three people were arrested in the park today, one may get out late tonight. We’ll need jail support in the morning.

Okay, that’s it for #NYCGA! This has been @CarrieM213 bringing you tweets from Liberty Square!

Spokes Council getting started here at OSA Hall! Corey&Nick co-facilitating, Mark taking stack, Margot on vibes, Bana on time #ows #nycsc

Nick is reading from the Community Agreements now. You can read them at http://t.co/dQWpnT8v #ows #nycsc

Corey is giving a quick intro to hand signals for some of the new people we have here tonight. #ows #nycsc

Going over the Spokes Council model, again for some of the new people. #ows #nycsc

We have no proposals tonight! There was one listed on http://t.co/OzXDORvv, but that presenter isn’t here. #ows #nycsc

Accounting Reportback: Total Funds remaining: $119,566.75 – Of that,$89,029.99 in the bail fund, General Fund has $30,536.76 #ows #nycsc

Archives: Totally unrelated to @OWSArchives, but 14 people were arrested at @OcupyAtlanta today, shutting down some banks! #ows #nycsc

Outreach: We’ve decided to replace our weekly meetings with Outreach Actions! 6:30 Wednesdays – meet at the Atrium! #ows #nycsc

Bike Coalition: Every Tuesday we have bike repair workshops 12-2 @LibertySq, then our meeting at Times Up, 99 S.6th St in BK #ows #nycsc

We’re also taking donations to get people bikes, and trying to allocate some of the housing budget to go to bikes! Help us! #ows #nycsc

@OWS_Shipping: We’re open daily from 10am-6pm, we have some tables to sign out to groups to use for different events. #ows #nycsc

There’s also some open space at SIS for groups who need a place to have meetings. #ows #nycsc

We’re also build a craft library! Bring us materials, signs, chalk! #ows #nycsc

Town Planning: Letting everyone know about an action against Mitt Romney, aka “Mr 1%” This Weds. 11am, 51st & Park #ows #nycsc

Media: The #TweetBoat meets every week, this week it’s Tuesday 9pm at Yipie Cafe! Everyone is free to join us! #ows #nycsc

Also, @OccupyTVNY is still putting out great content! Check out our Youtube, our Livestreams…

There’s a lot of actions coming up, if there’s an action going on and you want it to be livestreamed, let us know as early as possible..

..so we can make sure to get somebody there! #ows #nycsc

Library: We heard back today we heard back that we got a space for our next project – Operation Book Bomb, with Occupy Tucson! #ows #nycsc

Anybody who wants to get involved, come talk to Library! #ows #nycsc

Town Planning: So you may have heard, MRG is looking at buying a building for us.. We’re crafting a proposal for that & hoping.. #ows #nycsc

..to bring a proposal to GA by Thursday, so that they don’t decide for us! #ows #nycsc

Class War: We had a beautiful day in the park today! We built a house out of cardboard in @LibertySq today,had an improv march.. #ows #nycsc

..to Bank of America, where the cops asked us “What’s the problem?” and we said “you!” But everything was great! #ows #nycsc

Also, Everyone should be hanging out in the park! #ows #nycsc

Direct Action: @OWSMayDay meetings went through a little bit of restructuring, we’re now functioning in a Spokes model. #ows #nycsc

DA cont’d: We’ll also be proposing a discussion to GA about #MayDay every Saturday #ows #nycsc

Tomorrow, there will be a BBQ at 702 Vermont Street! Gardening, Cleaning, Sustainable cooking, Notebook making workshops x

Direct Action, again: Weekly Marches on Wall St-every friday before #MayDay! This week’s theme:Spring Training! 2:00 Friday @LibertySq #OWS

That’s it for reportbacks! We also have no proposals! Let’s hear suggestions for agenda points #ows #nycsc

Info suggests we talk about “marginalization through scheduling”. #ows #nycsc

Dwayne suggests we read the Declaration of the Occupation. #ows #nycsc

Bike Coalition suggests we talk about how do we divert funds to bikes! Bikes are sustainable! #ows #nycsc

Town Planning suggests we talk about our budget! We’ve been putting it off way too long! #ows #nycsc

Direct Action suggests we talk about #MayDay, because more groups should be participating! #ows #nycsc

Library suggests we talk about structuring and moderation of proposals on http://t.co/OzXDORvv #ows #nycsc

Disruptors be disruptin’. #ows #nycsc

#NYCSC was adjourned early tonight- a disruption presented itself; Stairs decided to close the meeting to prevent escalation. See you tmrw.

Hey fam, #NYCGA is happening 60 Wall. Follow here, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, and @LibertySqGA4 for tweets. #OWS

The first proposal was consented to very quickly — it was for an action in opposition to Romney’s appearance 3/14 at the Waldorf Astoria.

GA waived the concerns segment of the process, finding nothing wrong with it. It’s a mock “1%ers for Romney (or Obama)” protest. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, the next proposal is for the formation of a new working group whose sole task it is to reclaim Liberty Square. #NYCGA #OWS

They note that “when we had this 24/7 occupation, we had interaction with ppl passing by- occupiers and general public, so the…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…general public would be introduced to new ideas, things they’d never seen before, like fracking and sustainability.” #NYCGA

“So, we’ll be trying different tactics to get our park back, and that’s it.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Are you looking for a suitable public space, or are you insisting that Liberty Square is that space?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “Liberty Square is the symbol of #OWS, and there’s 11 subways connected to this area and the Staten Island ferry, meaning…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “….that everywhere can come to the park. So this park is really a priority, yeah.” #NYCGA #OWS

“I think what made Wall Street tremble is that we were right in their face. So, we’d like that back.” #NYCGA #OWS

POI: “It really rattles them going to work when they see that we’re still here. And for months now, we were permitted to bring a box of…”

Cont’d: “…food to the sidewalk, and bringing it into the park.” Had no opposition from NYPD or Brookfield. So they started bussing the…

Cont’d: …plates in. “Half an hour later, in this nice warm weather, we pretty much had a cocktail party going. This bugged the man. They..

Cont’d: …sent someone over who said, ‘You need a permit to distribute food.’ I know, it’s ridiculous… but the point is, that’s a very..”

Cont’d: “…effective place.” “I don’t want this movement to become about the Park; we’re bigger than the park. We subsumed the park.”#NYCGA

Sumumba: “So, you’re saying that we’re not trying to sleep there, right? So this is just an aspect of also inreach efforts, to get ppl…”

Cont’d: “…there, and to have our speakouts or whatever.” “Would the park be a place where we can mobilize, things like that, and are we..

Cont’d: “…thinking about legal ramifications?” A: “Yes, but we feel we can occupy with ideas.” “It was a great meeting place, our…”

Cont’d: “…first HQ — we still need that contact with the public and that confrontation going on.” They will try to get a table there.

CQ: “Are we allowed to have tables now?” A: “No, that’s the problem.” “One of the great messages of the movement was, exercise yuor rights..

Cont’d: “…occupy public space. We have less and less public space; one of the last ones is the Internet & they’re even taking that away.”

CQ: “I’m really confused about what the purpose of your WG is. Are you proposing we commit to re-occupy 24/7, suing Brookfield…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…engaging in civil disobedience and trying to bring a table in? So my Qs are, why does this need to be a working group, and..”

Cont’d: “…what are you planning to do?” Notes we already have the Cultural Occupation Of Liberty Square going on daily. #NYCGA

A: “We want people to know that the park is a place for political debate.” So folks will come down, talk, “seek productive resolutions.”

Cont’d: “We’re going to develop strategies to go out – it depends.” “We can all agree that the park was a public political platform, right?”

CQ: “The idea that the park was awesome is not in question here — my question is, what are you trying to do?” Anthony PoPs Ravi for…

Cont’d: …going back and forth. Proposers: “This isn’t something we want just for #OWS, but for the people at large.” Want Brookfield to..

Cont’d: …recognize park as a public access park, where everyone can come and bring a table for whatever they wish. #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi: “So, the short answer is you don’t know.” A: “We don’t know yet. We’re working to create a strategy.” Anthony PoPs Ravi again. #NYCGA

CQ: “I think this is a great idea.” “I’d love it; I so miss pre-raid..” She’d be willing to be in the park all day. Supports their… #NYCGA

Cont’d: …point about outreach, tells a story about taking pictures with tourists and cluing them in. #NYCGA #OWS

POI: “I have some inside info that Brookfield would love to get out of the park and give it back to the city, which is a nightmare…”

Cont’d: “…for the city, because once they took over there’d be a lot of civil rights issues.” Notes that sidewalks are most protected…

Cont’d: …by the Constitution. Notes that policemen have been really aggressive about Info tables on the sidewalk. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “The sidewalk is where you have your rights,” not the park, “and they’re coming up with all kinds of bullcrap that it’s limited.”

CQ: “I like the proposal, but you’d alluded to whether they want to give it back, but they had an agreement – a zone abatement that…”

Cont’d: “…is an agreement between the city and them.” Asks “what board monitors that” and suggests we go to them. #NYCGA #OWS

“We just want to be able to set up our tables, with our ideas and our topics and posters, so people can come in and discuss and debate…”

Cont’d: “…like they used to be.” @CyMadD0x tells him that the CB in question is Community Board 1, and it’s a good idea to work w/ them.

OK, so we’re out of time on the proposal, we’re temp-checking extending for 10 minutes — looks good. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Anyone around here remember Union Square when it used to be Union Square? Why not use Union Square? And I assume that you will…”

Cont’d: “..protect the right of any political group to use Liberty Square regardless of political position?” Yes. They want to avoid…

Cont’d: …discussion of religion for now, though. “That will come later.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, now opening up Concerns stack. C: “Sorry, I don’t know if this is a concern or an idea, but my concern is having livestream there…”

Cont’d: “…I’ve been telling the COOLS people to get the livestream back,” nothing stopping them. Suggests that. #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi: “My concern is this doesn’t have to be a working group; it can just be ppl together doing stuff.” Notes she worries we are too…

Cont’d: …attached to the working group structure, when folks can take autonomous action. A: “All that matters is we can get things done..”

Cont’d: “…and we can take advantage of the resources of the movement, then that’s fine.” Ravi asks what resources they think they’ll need.

A: “Legal, other stuff…” “It’s a big topic. This has to be a working group because there’s a lot of work to be done.” #NYCGA #OWS

C: “You said you didn’t want religion to be discussed in the park?” A: “Yeah, it’s a suggestion — we know what religion does when it…”

Cont’d: “…is mixed with politics.” “It’s not the center of what we’re trying to do.” #NYCGA #OWS

Someone’s FA: “That you become part of direct action, because you’re taking actions to take space.” #NYCGA #OWS

Someone suggests that Ravi is always telling people with good ideas to go to another group. Steve PoPs, pointing out we’ve lost thread…

Dicey’s concern is that folks at the GA are now being gatekeepers about whose ideas are good enough to have a WG “before they do any work..”

Cont’d: “…and I question this entire process of approving working groups.” But also notes that many of this group’s goals are duplicates..

Cont’d: …between the efforts of other working groups. “I suggest you go to those groups and find out how you can connect those efforts.”

A: “If as you say there are lots of groups doing this already, I think that makes it even more needed to have one to bring it together.”

OK, we’re moving to restate the proposal. “Our group is going to push for legislation so we can get tables, our posters, back into the…”

Cont’d: “…park. We don’t need a physical occupation, we need ideas.” FAs: getting livestream, and pushing on legal angles. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, we’re moving to consensus on this proposal for a working group to “centralize the efforts” to take the park back. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, checking for consensus. 7 standasides, who have option to explain why. “What you proposed was to start a working group that…”

Cont’d: “…is aligned with direct action, and my FA is that it needs to be rolled under the umbrella of direct action.” A: Want own WG.

Next standaside: “One of your amendments is for LiveStream to be there, but at this point we’re kind of limited in equipment and #…”

Cont’d: “…and us being there every day 9-5 isn’t realistic” right now. A: “We’re not going to force you to work there.” Allegra: “Most..”

Cont’d: “…of us don’t even have essential equipment at this point.” Proposers note that this is important too, $ was raised during park.

Yoni loves what they’re doing but “having a working group is going to make it more confusing for people.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…although all of the work you’re proposing to do is already being done by others.” Encourages them for efforts. #NYCGA #OWS

@raviahmad @jdegroot …like the focus of it. Do you think Class War WG would exist if it had to be approved this way? Or P&ER? V&G? I awno.

So, we had 6 standasides, and no blocks. Working group formed. #NYCGA #OWS

Next proposal: “I came here a couple of weeks ago w/ an idea for a fundraiser for mass action, but ppl came to me and said…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…it would be hard for the groups to work together, so I created a solution. Here we go.” #NYCGA #OWS

“Meeting of the minds is created for mass action. Meeting of the minds encourages groups to agree. #OWS can move forward at a large…”

Cont’d: “…scale w/ meeting of the minds. Meeting of the minds’ goal is to have mass action pushed through GA via Direct Action at least..”

Cont’d: “…once a month.” “There are ppl who don’t get along at GA; things are blocked for this reason.” Big ups discussion, but not…

Cont’d: …infighting, which he says could stop movement cold. “Meeting of the minds will prevent tht frm happening, will push mass action.”

CQ: “Would this be something like a Spokescouncil, or a WG?” A: “Yes, but whereas that deals with regs and rules, this only deals w/…”

Cont’d: “…mass action.” Sumumba asks what he means by “meeting of the minds — is there a political education piece where we can…”

Cont’d: “…actually get on the same page with some central things so we can actually move together?” A: “Yes, once a month.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “So like info and political edu will be part of that meeting?” A: “Yeah, of course. I want all the groups to attend.” #NYCGA #OWS

Yoni’s CQ: “I believe March 16th starts DA’s weekly marches.” A: “But meeting of the minds has all groups come in to develop a mass action..

Cont’d: “…if doesn’t hv to be a march, it could be anything.” Build a yoga studio, a hospital for medical, etc. Would build year-to-year.

Lauren’s CQ: “Have you considered a specific date once a month, considering all the things we already have planned, how you can…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…allow everybody to attend? Because it’s a serious undertaking.” A: “Once the GA passes it, I want to put it on the website…”

CQ: “Is this a working group, or a meeting?” A: “It’s like a super working group.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Would you pick 1 date a month where you’d have a mass action each day that month?” A: “I don’t know how it’s going to go.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, concerns now. “This is a great idea to coordinate the actions once a month: FA is to make it the 17th for each month, plan for month..”

Cont’d: “…after.” Next concern is that there’s already a DA spokescouncil, invites him to attend Sun 12-4. #NYCGA #OWS

Dallas notes he heard the word “representative” a few times, and asks if “everyone gets to show up and speak,” b/c he’s concerned. #NYCGA

A: “The rep would be coordinated by the group, and would find out what to say.” Dallas notes that’s a Spokescouncil. #NYCGA #OWS

The proposer notes Spokes is only for logistics, and this would only be for mass actions. [The action spokescouncil is about actions. -Ed.]

Concern: “Have you come to a Spokescouncil meeting?” A: “No.” C: “OK, because what you’re describing sounds like it, and I’d…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…like to see you table this until you attend and can see it.” Allegra also notes that w/ existing meetings, already spread thin.

Sumumba thanks him for bringing his idea. “We don’t say thank you enough.” His concern is that we can add education piece to GA to…

Cont’d: …add more coordination and knowledge about actions to process. But points out he doesn’t need our approval to do whatever…

Cont’d: …and suggests he works with others to make it happen. #NYCGA #OWS

Joseph: “I support this brothers’ proposal; I’ve never been to Spokes, and somehow I think that’s a plus. Because we get into our niches..”

Cont’d: “…and I’m a community organizer, and I’ve been working in the community. I support you on this.” #NYCGA #OWS

Joann says she thinks it’s a good idea “but I don’t want representatives. I think it should be an open meeting.” Proposer accepts that FA.

Next: “My only concern is that you mentioned avoiding spaces where we disagree; I think it’s important to acknowledge that…”

Cont’d: “…we are going to disagree.” “We are all on the same path, but with different ways to get there.” “Will you follow process?”

A: “Yeah, we’ll have facilitators, but we’re going to make it easy — focus on decisions they can agree with. And focus on mass action.”

Cont’d: “The movement was built on mass action, so we can all agree that mass actions and fundraisers are the way to go.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, proposer will restate the proposal, and we’ll move to consensus. Standasides? 10. Asking if they want to be heard. #NYCGA #OWS

Any blocks? Yeah, one. Dicey points out this is not a working group proposal, it’s an event, and GA doesn’t need to consent to events…

Cont’d: …so it should not. Also, GA doesn’t have the ability to compel participation, which this comes dangerously close to doing.

OK, we’re moving to modified consensus. Votes against? 9. Votes for? 20. It does not pass. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, moving onto announcements. First is a follow-up from the finance accountability discussion from last GA; he put notes online and…

Cont’d: …is getting a group together to work w/ outside orgs to have a collective movement accounting org. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba lets us know about Outreach, Monday at 6:30, and the OccuEvolve meetings 7pm Friday. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “As most people know, COOLS occurs every day at Liberty Square, noon to 2.” Ask folks to come a couple days a week. #NYCGA #OWS

(COOLS stands for Cultural Occupation of Liberty Square), it’s an effort to focus on programming in the park. #NYCGA #OWS

Stan reminds us about the March 17th 6-month anniversary of #OWS and the actions that day! Next is about May 20th, trying to get ppl in…

Cont’d: …Central Park. #NYCGA #OWS

Last announcement tells about a piece of the Stratfor leak where a former State Dept Deputy Chief of Counterterrorism revealed that the…

…the US Gov’t is applying “the same” techniques against WikiLeaks as against Al Qaeda: go after $ and structure, and suggests that…

Cont’d: “When someone comes to us and hones in on $ and structure, we should step back, ask who they are and why they care, and…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…avoid reacting emotionally. They target those things in part because they are often very emotional in any organization.” #NYCGA

Ok fam! That’s it for tonight’s GA. Have a great night. Much love. #NYCGA #OWS

RT @DiceyTroop: #NYCGA is in the park tonight! But I can’t livetweet unless someone has a hotspot b/c I can’t pay my phone bill. Arrr. #OWS

Hey fam! We’re starting #NYCGA at Liberty Square! Follow here, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, and @LibertySqGA4. #OWS

[Big ups to Patricia from TechOps for letting me tether to her phone tonight. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

First announcement: Sean: “Brookfield is effing w/ us tonite! I overheard their plan!” They’ll leave property in the park hoping we take it.

2nd announcement: Fri, 5-9pm, there’ll be a film screening & discussion: “Repression & Resistance, From the Panthers to #OWS”, Judson Church

Stairs (Corey and Lady) ask if we need to review hand signals – Anthony says we should. “First time back in the park in awhile!” #NYCGA #OWS

Lady: “These are our hand signals. If you like something, twinkle your fingers in the air! If you don’t like something, down twinkle.” #OWS

Cont’d: “If you’re not sure, twinkle somewhere in the middle.” Point of information is 1 finger in air, point of process: 2-handed triangle.

Stairs encourages us to use point of process to hold them accountable. “If we get out of process, put up a PoP.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We went to Finance and they essentially said, “We’re not going to give you the money.” Recently, they said, “We screwed up.”"#NYCGA

Cont’d: “The money is going to go to two things: expenses for OccuCopy that prints” most of #OWS’ prints, and the rest… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Will go into seed money to start other co-ops.” Some may be inside #OWS – Kitchen, Tech-Ops, etc – or outside #OWS. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “So, we’re gonna collect the $6,000.” Chepe notes he’s a member of OccuCopy, asks if there’s any displeasure. It’s all uptwinkles!

Sorry, Internet connection’s a little bit iffy. So, the first tweet of that didn’t make it up- Chepe was talking about $6k allocated for…

Cont’d: …the Worker’s Co-operatives seed fund in November, which they weren’t able to get until now, but will now receive. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, so we’re onto our first proposal. It’s a discussion about transportation alternatives from the Bike Coalition working group. #NYCGA #OWS

They’re suggesting that we set aside some of the Metrocard money for bikes, and sort of move folks from cards to bikes. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Who’s going to own these bicycles when you buy them, and do you have a budget of cost per bike + insurance?” #NYCGA #OWS

Notes that soon every bike rider in NYC will need to have bicycle insurance. #NYCGA #OWS

Mandolin, the proposer, says they plan to have a training program before giving out bikes. Found average wrking bike on craigslist was $123.

Cont’d: He notes that if they needed insurance they would factor that into the per-bike cost. #NYCGA #OWS

Next speaker says he’s been working with “Occupy a Truer Christianity”, and asks if we have enough bail money, food $, says that… #NYCGA

Cont’d: …should be a priority. Camille’s POI: “We absolutely have enough bail money and there’s a proposal re: that later.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ restates question about who owns the bikes, asks if there will be qualifications for receiving a bike. #NYCGA #OWS

A: “Essentially, since #OWS doesn’t, like, give ppl things, they’d be shared, communal bikes for working groups. So, say 1 has 5 bikes..”

Cont’d: “…they’d be shared by the people who’d been through the safety training class. So the qualifications for having access would be…”

Cont’d: “…having gone through the training class and being a member of a working group with bikes.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “How would the bikes be assigned to working groups?” POI: “The bikes would kind of replace Metrocards, so process would be the same.”

CQ: “What’s to prevent somebody from riding off with the bicycle?” A: “The prevention would be, you have to be in a working group and…”

Cont’d: “…provide a source of contact.” Also, may need a vouching/vetting process. #NYCGA #OWS

6 minutes left for this proposal. CQ: “Have you given any thought to tandem bikes, possibly cutting costs and labor?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “A little thought has been given to tandem bikes — but they’re super expensive.” Aww. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Has your group thought about doing a Critical Mass-type action for outreach purposes?” A: “Every week, Tues, 5pm!” #NYCGA #OWS

Now, concerns. Camille’s is that if we don’t do something like this, we’ll miss chance to be more sustainable before we run out of $. #NYCGA

Camille’s friendly amendment was to work with the workers’ co-op. Mandolin accepts the FA. #NYCGA #OWS

Anthony’s friendly amendment is that we ask for free bikes on Craigslist and try to save. “And, Fuck Monsanto!” Mandolin says he’s tried.

OK, that’s the end of stack. There’s no proposal, but we’re all pretty positive about the idea. Mandolin will bring a proposal to #NYCSC.

Next proposal is that we have “one GA for actions, and two GAs for everything else.” “I’m indebted to the campers, kitchen, facilitation.”

Cont’d: “We all have to choose what we’re doing. I’m here for American Spring, I’m here for action.” Is frustrated about GA focus on…

Cont’d: …organizational dialogue. Wants more action! POI: “You’re missing a big action planning meeting right now.” #NYCGA #OWS

[This gets at ongoing challenges to help ppl plug into the things they're interested in. It's happening, but she's new, doesn't know. -Ed.]

POI: “There’s a meeting going on right know about #M17; there’s DA meetings several times a week, sometimes more specific.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Have you joined direct action?” A: “Yes, I’m in the Political action group.” That’s not DA, folks note. “Point is we don’t spend…”

Cont’d: “…enough time on actions. We’re not here to socialize.” #NYCGA #OWS

POI: “Direct action has created an action spokescouncil,” fully dedicated to actions. Proposer: “OK, why don’t I make an amendment?” #nycga

Cont’d: “…let’s have one hour a week, at the same time every week, to talk about actions, so I don’t have to be here.” Hahah. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “As I understand it, you want to have 1 GA be for actions and 2 for everything else. Are you aware of the multitude of proposals that..”

Cont’d: “…have been brought to restructure GA?” She just knows she comes to GA and there’s no action talk, she says. #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi understands her predicament, but runs through our action meetings. “We’re doing so much. I think a logical proposal would be to do…”

Cont’d: “…reportbacks on actions, but if we did that for every action that happens here it would take hours a week.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “GA is about how we make decisions as a community, so my question is, are you talking about reportbacks? Discussions? We can’t…”

Cont’d: “..rearrange our entire GA schedule for you – many of us rearrange” our lives to be here. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “I do feel most of the discussions are about community and things like that, and the actions, the protests really are a small…”

Cont’d: “…part of the GAs.” Ravi: “But it’s a big part of the movement.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Why do you feel this conversation needs to happen at GA when Direct Action can hold autonomous actions?” #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi: “And so can everyone else.” Anthony: “Autonomous!” (Autonomous! We respond.) #NYCGA #OWS

She feels it should happen at GA. CQ: “GA is representative of we the people, and is our body of decision-making.” “If you want action…”

Cont’d: “…there’s plenty of action groups available. Please find one that suits you best.” She’s not impressed. #NYCGA #OWS

Aaron gets up. “I’ve done many direct actions through the GA. You can do that. My suggestion is you build a coalition of people. You know?”

Cont’d: “You approach people you want to make a team with, and you make it happen.” Proposer: “I guess what I’m really asking the group…”

Cont’d: “…is for you guys to be more sensitive about the people you don’t know. And be more sensitive, supportive of the action groups.”

[There's a big disconnect here. -Ed.] CQ: “1st, I think this is a really good proposal; I hope we don’t miss that due to hostility here.”

Cont’d: “The way we do things is DA talks about actions, decides if someone will be an affinity group or #OWS action – would this change…”

Cont’d: “…things so there’d be a GA proposal for every action? That would really be a problem.” #NYCGA #OWS

She wants DA to bring their actions to GA, at least for one hour a week. Notes that random people often have great action ideas. #NYCGA #OWS

She says she suggested a 24-hour occupation for the 6-month anniversary, and nothing happened. POI: “That’s what’s happening!” #NYCGA #OWS

Matthew notes: “This is about a communication problem we have in general in this movement.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next: James, from the People’s Library. He drops in to tell us they’ve almost finished their first public branch in the back of a bookstore!

Big laughs — totally out of process, but it broke the tension a little bit. Moving to concerns and friendly amendments. #NYCGA #OWS

C: “My concern is there’s a certain amount of hostility, and I don’t blame you for it.” “I’ve put in 30-50 hours a week while going to…”

Cont’d: “…school and” holding down life. Notes the POI was on point. “My concern is you’re feeling frustrated.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I’m concerned about the slight hostility that seems to be behind this proposal, and I just want you to feel comfortable in this..”

Cont’d: “…community.” Proposer: “You’re right, I’m a little frustrated. I’m here for American Spring.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I’m hoping we’re going to get this together for some action!” She sees the tweets, doesn’t see enough about actions. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “And I spent so much time with this, & I wonder if I’m the only one.” Everyone shakes their head sympathetically, “No, you’re not.”

OK, we’re out of time — temp-checking continuing the proposal / discussion for 10 minutes. #NYCGA #OWS

Continuing. “I like the idea of talking about our actions at GA — maybe an hour once a week, a recap, improving going fwd.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It would be a big help for a lot of us.” But “direct action is not the only group that organizes actions in this mvmnt.” #nycga

Cont’d: “There are other groups and other organizations that plan actions.” Shouts to Occupy the Faith’s actions the other day. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “This is a horizontal movement, and actions are horizontal, and we’re showing a presence in other movements.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “So, I just think we need to open up the idea that actions are a lot more than things we create ourselves and come from DA.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “We’re pretty active, actually. There’ve been actions the last 3 days.” #NYCGA #OWS

Anthony: “Our GA was built for us to have discussions on whatever we want; you could easily post a proposal once a week for an hour of…”

Cont’d: “…discussion about actions.” Proposer says Lady gave her the same idea. Hopes we talk more about actions in general. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone lets proposer know know that they were interested in her anti-Monsanto action, but was going to talk to her after GA. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “I sympathize w/ yr frustration, but most of us are saying we’re willing to help you. I think it’s a lack of communication about…”

Cont’d: “…where you need to be.” But “let’s not mess with the GA as it is.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Don’t get frustrated. It’s a lack of communication, but you’ll learn where you need to be” to do actions. #NYCGA #OWS

Aaron: “i don’t want to just limit the discussion to 1 hour a week. We’re going to be busy this spring/summer. We need to be open…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…about discussing this any time, really. Any actions, any time.” #NYCGA #OWS

Anthony tells her about the Friday open spaces, 6-10pm, when you can talk about any topic of interest for some time. #NYCGA #OWS

Aaron notes that he’ll bring an action proposal Saturday to the GA, and he wants to be able to do that any time, not 1 hour a week. #NYCGA

Proposer’s concern is she’ll come to GA and sit for “1 hour or 2 hours” of things she’s not interested in. [Head exploding. -Ed.] #NYCGA

C: “My concern is that a couple different vague things have been said; it’s a cool proposal and I share the proposer’s concern that we…”

Cont’d: “..should be able to discuss actions any time,” but most ppl planning actions can’t be at GA all the time, doing other work. #NYCGA

So, she makes a friendly amendment that actions can be discussed any time, but to have the first hour of every Tuesday GA be about actions.

OK, so we’ll move to consensus on that version of the proposer: action discussion the first hour every Thursday GA. (She liked Thursday.)

Cont’d; “And if there’s not any action, we can move on to other things.” Moving to consensus process now. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs temp-checking moving to consensus; we’re a go. Any standasides? Anthony is standing aside b/c feels this is unnecessary, we can…

Cont’d: …discuss anything whenever. There are actually 22 standasides. “Any blocks?” Aaron is blocking. #NYCGA #OWS

Aaron: “I don’t want to show up on Wednesday and be told we already had this discussion on Tuesday.” “What?” several ppl say. #NYCGA #OWS

POP: “Aaron, a block should be a moral, ethical, or safety concern about the movement as a whole. I’d ask you to consider whether that…”

Cont’d: “…is an appropriate block, and not a personal preference.” Aaron says he’ll remove his block if there’s a FA that DA can be….

Cont’d: …discussed at any time. “That was already made clear in the friendly amendment accepted before.” #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi’s POP is that in our process, when there are so many standasides compared to # here, even w/ no blocks, it’s not consensus. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone suggests we temperature check that, because many of the standasides were more about ambivalence than opposition. #NYCGA #OWS

Anthony suggests that the proposal should go through. Evan notes that “the General Assembly is a general assembly”- it should be flexible.

We’re recounting standasides to make sure we have the number right. 22 standasides. Stairs invite more standasides to speak. #NYCGA #OWS

Sean notes that the proposal doesn’t change anything unless DA is here. “Your point is that sometimes you’re not interested in…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…what’s being discussed; that’s listed on http://t.co/OzXDORvv.” Proposer says she’s used it, but is bugged by order of proposals.

OK, moving to consensus again. Any blocks? There are 5 blocks this time. Folks will speak to them. #NYCGA #OWS

Evan says he’ll explain his block and then throw up a PoP: “The ethical concern is we’re making the GA not a ‘general’ assembly.” #NYCGA

Also notes 22 is too many standasides, and we should move on. Ravi’s block is based on the same principle. “The community’s clearly not..”

Cont’d: “…OK with the proposal, and it should be tabled.” OK, Stairs will temp-check tabling the proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Yup, tabling it. OK, moving on to the next proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Announcement: “Today was a really warm day! When it’s warm, try to have WG meetings in the park to have a presence here!” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, the next proposal is Christine’s proposal to “move the rest of the general fund into the bail fund.” “There’s been a lot of talk…”

Cont’d: “..about how to use the money; folks proposed using it for actions, and that didn’t happen.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We’re going into MayDay and I want to make sure there’s as much money in the bail fund as possible.” #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs opens stack for clarifying questions. CQ: “Have we received any of the bail $ back that we’ve paid out, and if so, is that…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…$ going to go back into the existing bail fund?” A: “It is, and we are getting $ back.” #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi’s CQ: “In terms of all the $ and stuff like that, do you have a date envisioned, that we’d do recurring budgets through a certain…”

Cont’d: “…date, and then it would be over? Like they’d go through Saturday or something.” Kitchen, Metrocards, etc. #NYCGA #OWS

A: “OK, we could do Saturday, or a week from today.” They’re going with a week. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “There was a proposal in January to put $100k in the bail fund.” What happened with that? A: “It did go through,” it’s at abt $89k now.

Cont’d: “But the more in there, the better.” Accounting clarifies the general fund has between $30-40k, which is about 2 more weeks. #NYCGA

Accounting asks if new donations’d go into the bail fund, or if it would restart the general fund. A: “I’d prefer we restart the gen fund.”

CQ: “How much would it cost us for arrest and related bailout?” For 1 arrest. POI: “The average bails have been about $2k, but depending…”

Cont’d: “…on yr charges, could be more serious.” I.e., if you have past arrests, and you get a misdemeanor, single-digit thou… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…if you get charged w/ a felony, it might be double-digit thousands.” Only super big ones were paid by independent donors…#NYCGA

Cont’d: …due to contention in the community about the specific circumstances of those arrests / charges. Moving now to concerns, amendments.

C: “I’m concerned about misuse of $ in this movement- theft, negligence, so on. $ has caused disruption in this mvmnt.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But re: idea that we should just get rid of the $: I came here to protest corruption on Wall Street. I adamantly feel that we…”

Cont’d: “…as a community are ducking the challenge of responsibly dealing w/ monetary resources if we

Cont’d: “…burn the $.” “The bail fund has much more than the general fund, we use it much more slowly, and bail will come back.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d; “I believe there are other important things to spend $ on in this movement. TechOps, etc.” Not into social services. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d; “If we put the $ into the bail fund, we’ll lose other services, not b/c need more for bail but b/c we’re intimidated about…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…how we’re using the $.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next concern agrees “100% w/ Jeff, whatever his statement was.” He suggests we “run away” instead of getting arrested. #NYCGA #OWS

Evan: “We’re not going to have a sit-in, we’re going to have a run-away.” #LULZ #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi: “I agree there are issues w/ how we’ve spent $ in the past, and I’ve been vocally disappointed by disinterest in budgeting…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…but at this moment, the least irresponsible thing we could possibly do would be to put the $ in the bail fund.” #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi’s friendly amendment: “Any $ coming in going forward remains frozen until we have a movement-wide budget in line with spending freeze.”

Stairs temp-checking the popularity of that amendment w/ the crowd. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs feels it looked mostly negative for that friendly amendment — we’re moving on. #NYCGA #OWS

Accounting is concerned that without clarity on what happens w/ new funds, they won’t know what to do with them. #NYCGA #OWS

Camille’s concern is with us not spending the $ on sustainability, but addresses idea that bail $ is unnecessary. #NYCGA #OWS

“No amount of bail $ is unnecessary; there could be more serious repression and charges.” #NYCGA #OWS

Camille also reminds us that the bail fund now covers court fees and commissary for any stay longer than 7 days. “That’s not well-known.”

Camille: “When $ comes back from previously-paid bail (prior to establishment of bail fund), it goes back into the general fund.” #NYCGA

Joseph suggests that we should be suing the NYPD for “human rights violations” at the UN, to get $. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, so we’re moving to consensus on this proposal: to move $ remaining in general fund to bail fund 1 week from today. #NYCGA #OWS

Any standasides? 2. How many blocks? 6 blocks. Blockers will speak to their blocks. #NYCGA #OWS

Darryl’s block: “I feel like this is the other side of the national debate about austerity. Yes, $ is low, but easy come, easy go.” #NYCGA

Darryl suggests that we’ll get more $ soon. “It’s a part of life — you know, right now, as much as we want to change the overall system…”

Cont’d: “…we still nd the $ day-to-day.” “Just keep moving, fundraise.” “It can very easily be done, we can start turning the tides.” #NYCGA

Next block: “The bottom line is that the greater portion of #OWS’ $ right now is in the bail fund, and it does get repaid, and…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “..we have a little portion to fund our future actions. Why do we want to take that $ and put it in a fund w/ double or triple.”

Cont’d: “It doesn’t make sense to me, it’s illogical, the $ would be better put towards a fundraising effort.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next block is for “similar concerns,” shouldn’t cut those services, only 2 weeks left anyway. #NYCGA #OWS

Jeff’s block: “There are other fixes to this issue;” stop spending $. “We’re not using the bail fund nearly as quickly as the GF…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “I’m all for action, but the messaging needs to match the protests.” Believes in flyering, outreach campaigns, techops. #NYCGA #OWS

Next block: “I don’t see how you can expect ppl to show up at actions when we can’t even keep ppl fed or give ‘em clean socks.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “This $ is not supposed to be hoarded, it’s meant to be spent on the occupation.” A: “I’m concerned that folks get bail.”#NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “You can’t dumpster for bail.” Blocker said he was “offended that someone w/ a MacBook Pro would say I can’t eat now.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next block is because she declined friendly amendment “to educate to avoid unnecessary arrests.” She accepts, block stands aside. #NYCGA

OK, we’re moving forward, falling back to a 90% vote since we couldn’t achieve full consensus. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs: “if you’re in favor of this proposal, raise your hand.” 11 ppl in favor. “If you’re not in favor, raise your hand.” 14 not in favor.

OK, so it doesn’t pass. Next proposal now is about improving accounting transparency. http://t.co/kjrm9FJl #NYCGA #OWS

It’s a discussion; he wants “to throw out some ideas, and the discussions can be had at a subsequent meeting.” #NYCGA #OWS

“My understanding is that in all the Occupys out west, working groups can fundraise money.” Says that’s good – go out and do it, but… #NYCGA

Cont’d: …in #OWS, that’s usually not allowed; he says this seems to be changing, shouts out FundHub. #NYCGA #OWS

“We have these sheets going online; we have #s, but what are they? We need scans of vouchers and receipts, have them linked to #s, so…”

Cont’d: “…you can do verification of the #s.” “We need to document everything obviously; a major issue is that folks think we won’t…”

Cont’d; “…be able to raise money again,” but he says it’s up to us. “If we don’t do innovative actions we won’t get $ again.” #NYCGA #OWS

Accounting: “We’re trying to scan the receipts, get them online, but the problem is not everyone’s returned their receipts.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But we are in the process of making those receipts tangible so we can see how it all lines up.” #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “Thank you, and while we actually have to clean up the old books,” hopes we can agree to set a date from which point forward…

Cont’d: “…we’ll use the new procedure.” Notes we seem to be hung up on getting old records together instead of keeping new ones correct.

Cont’d: “If you get innovative actions, you will get $ again,” but suggests we need to “have an agreement that our donations come from…”

Cont’d: “…individuals, not political organizations, and that we cap the $ from a single individual” to prevent “allegations that…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…so-and-so is driving the movement.”

He feels that if we’d gotten $100k instead of half a million, ppl would have taken us more seriously and we’d have been more careful. #NYCGA

He also suggests that Accounting staff would rotate, but acknowledges that that has begun already, proposes a regular term for Accounting.

Cont’d; “I think the main contention would be capping amounts you can donate, b/c that keeps you honest.” #NYCGA #OWS

He essentially just wanted to explain his ideas; but asks for feedback. Camille: “I agree, it was weird we weren’t doing independent…”

Cont’d: “…fundraising in the park, but” notes some ppl did raise funds and weren’t transparent, which caused issues. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But we now have independent fundraising being done in WGs and affinity groups,” but if you do outside funding, you should know…

Cont’d: “…that if you have someone suing you about that $, you can’t say ‘oh, you need to sue #OWS,” b/c it doesn’t work like that. #NYCGA

Cont’d: She also notes that the bit about political organizations is covered in the statement of autonomy, but proposer wants a click-thru.

Proposer: “The most important thing, I almost forgot — it’s the crux of the thing.” RE: working groups raising funds, we should have a…

Cont’d: …framework for how that is done. Feels Accounting should set the example. Accounting notes: “We literally just do the bookkeeping.”

They’re into having “community agreements for fundraising, but that is not what Accounting does.” #NYCGA #OWS

He notes that FireDogLake has raised more $ than #NYCGA, and suggested to Haywood that we work together instead of cannibalizing each….

Cont’d: …other, and Haywood said, “It’s run by Jane Hamshire (sp) and she’s a political animal.” He suggests we go to her to propose an…

Cont’d: …agreement, or form a new organization with the accountability and transparency of FireDogLake and best traits of #OWS. #NYCGA

“We could make this merged group raise $ nationally and, dare I say it, globally.” Working w/ Firedoglake. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Since there seem to be philosophical issues w/ Firedoglake, who would be the pt person to talk to them?” #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer will start the discussion on http://t.co/JH6L91qC, needs more concerns and issues with the idea of working with FDL, then will…

Cont’d: …”roll up those concerns and refine the proposal at http://t.co/JH6L91qC” re: working with FDL on exploratory dialogue, whatever.

He feels FDL will be receptive, “might show up to a GA and explain” what they can do. #NYCGA #OWS

Dallas asks if raising money via FDL would mean the Alliance for Global Justice would no longer be our conduit, proposer isn’t sure. #NYCGA

Next concern is that he’s pushing FDL hard, that “no one’s cannibalizing, we don’t have to work with anybody.” Proposer: “I would…”

Cont’d: “…respectfully disagree.” Next, Dimitri: “RE: limits, ppl say George Soros is our leader anyway. I don’t see what it would change..”

Cont’d: “…to take a million dollars from him.” A: “Morons are buying the argument, but intelligent ppl aren’t. We have facts to back us up.”

CQ: “Have [FDL] tried to contact us?” A: “I wouldn’t know – vry poss. It’s not my authority to try to [make contact], just put ideas out.”

Proposer notes that telling ppl we don’t follow anyone’s agenda will be undermined by big donations, despite our conviction. #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for stack. Proposer: “So, I’ll post it online, and thank you all.” Stairs: “That’s the end of our proposals & discussions tonite!”

OK, that’s the end of GA for tonight. Thanks for reading fam! [Any questions, comments, concerns, or spare change: @diceytroop.] #NYCGA #OWS

Someone announces: “@thejorobin and Emily Reynolds from Burlington are still at MCP a few blocks away after “chalk-upying” the hell out of..

Cont’d: “…this park this morning.” Should be arraigned in a few hours, invites us to roll down to MCB by 10:15 or 10:30 to support! #NYCGA

Tonight’s #NYCSC didn’t make quorum due to massive energy at the #M1 (#MayDay) meeting, so we’re just having discussion tonight. #OWS

Heavy convo at #NYCSC — talking about how the movement’s changed. “Winter hit, & it hit really hard. People went indoors, got discouraged.”

“And now it’s Spring,” folks are getting excited, and things are coming back to life. [300 people at #M1 meeting tonight. That's huge. -Ed.]

Some folx laughing off winter. “This wasn’t a cold winter.” A response: “When you’re sleeping outside, & you’re hungry, it’s a cold winter.”

.@OccupySteve notes that we’ve let the mainstream media tell our story for us too much. “It’s important we tell our story again.” #OWS

.@sabokitty: “There’s a quote — the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” There’s hundreds at MayDay, we had over 1k over…

Cont’d: ..course of the day at Occupy Town Square, Tompkins Square Park. And he tells about the action at Chase, which was amazing. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “People are planning all kinds of creative, positive actions striking at the heart of capitalism.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “I see a lot of energy, I think it’s diffuse.” “Just like in the park, we didn’t all know each other.” Still true, exciting. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “There’s a lot of good energy, lots of minds being creative, lots of hands working. I don’t want to exaggerate our importance ever..

Cont’d: “..but I feel some things are very beautiful” in the movement right now. #NYCSC #OWS

Ravi says, “Maybe we just shouldn’t take any money, when people want to give us money. Maybe there’s other places they could put it.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “People want to give us money, even if we don’t believe in it, so we need to be mature and have discussions about what we do…”

Cont’d: “…with it next time.” There’ll be discussion of #MRG on Monday, it sounds like. #NYCSC #OWS

Hey fam! We’re about to start the #OWS General Assembly here at 60 Wall St. Follow here, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, @LibertySqGA4. #NYCGA

Mark and Leah are our facilitators tonight — we affectionately call them Stairs even tho we’re not in Liberty Square. #NYCGA #OWS

Mark reads the “Statement of Intention on entering the space,” from the Community Agreements passed by Spokescouncil. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the text of the Community Agreement: http://t.co/sXzjTHrt #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs will review hand signals. “If you like what’s being said, up twinkle! If you’re not sure, somewhere in the middle.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “When you don’t like it, down twinkle.” Be sure to use this respectfully instead of non-verbally “sneering at people.” #NYCGA #OWS

Put one finger up to give a factual “point of information” that corrects a misstatement or adds info relevant to the proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

Leah: “If things seem to be getting out of hand, [putting two hands over your head] means ‘bring it back to the house’,” look to Stairs.

Mark: “There was a request to do reportbacks and announcements together, b/c more ppl are here at start than end.” #NYCGA #OWS

Mark temperature checks doing that — we’re a go! Now opening stack for announcements and working group reportbacks. #NYCGA #OWS

CT Butler will do consensus workshops Saturday and Sunday at WBAI (120 Wall). Need to register to attend. #NYCGA #OWS

Chris: “Dane Rossman, an activist in Tucson AZ, was arrested in November 2010 in an action against a Nazi rally in Tucson.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “He was arrested and is looking at over 20 years in prison.” Good friend of Chris’. “If you think you can help or are interested…”

Cont’d: “…in fundraising, supporting this individual, please see me later.” Arrest was during blocking of Nazi rally marching to courthouse.

Cont’d: “Also, the police responded with pepper spray, teargas, and pepper spray-filled paintballs.” There’s video online. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Shawn! “Today, Direct Action Working Group consensed on a call for weekly marches on Wall Street!” Starts Friday, March 18th. #NYCGA

Shawn says there’ll be weekly marches every Friday leading up to MayDay. #NYCGA #OWS #M1

Jen: “This coming Friday, an event called Repression and Resistance: the Panthers to #OWS.” Starts with anti-repression training. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Then, we’ll have dinner and Cointelpro 101, documentary about repression in ’60s, then panel discussion.” Judson Memorial, 5pm Fri.

Phoebe: “I’m here to tell you guys that ComHub is taking a break, but we’re not going away forever.” Want feedback about “whether…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…you guys find ComHub useful?” Seems like people here do! She asks about events and GA/Spokes coverage. Seems surprised at response

Cont’d: “We’re trying to build our team and will be back in April. But since I can report back all the loving twinkles, it may be sooner.”

Cont’d: “We’ll draft letters and send them out, but I’m really happy I can tell folks that ppl love ComHub and find it useful.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sage reminds us to expect safe spaces from each other, and to be understanding and respectful of facilitators. #NYCGA #OWS

@wookietv heyo hit me with that announcement again?

This guy Corey who usually disrupts gets up and says he had a meeting with Dick Cheney today and says ppl like us in Syria are being killed.

Mark: “Tomorrow, there’s an action by OccupyFaith community leaders,” at NW Corner of 30th and 3rd, near Cuomo’s office. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Cuomo is cutting 20 million dollars from services,” but we have the money if only corporations paid taxes. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “OccupyFaith is asking Cuomo to close those loopholes rather than cut social services.” OccupyFaith will set up beds and pray.#NYCGA

Next, Occupalooza! “The Kitchen group came up with this idea for an informational festival” while chopping veggies. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We really think it’s important to do outreach outside the movement” to get folks who can’t always participate. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “People out there, they want to join us, but they don’t know how. It feels inaccessible to a lot of people.” #NYCGA #OWS

Apparently the city wants $1.4Million in fees to hold the event, but we’re still allowed to picnic.” #NYCGA #OWS

They want to have a 1% dunk tank, and many other fun and informative events. This, the first proposal, is to create a working group to plan.

CQ asks if it’s so costly just because of the location; answer is yes, but other locations are booked. #NYCGA #OWS

Jack asks if they can have a Woodstock themed component. “It’s the Yes Festival, so yes, it’s going on the list,” is the answer. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer notes that it’s important that folks who come and participate understand this is an #OWS event, regardless of orgs involved. #NYCGA

CQ: “How is this related to or in parallel with the pop-up occupations?” A: She doesn’t know about them, invites to dialogue. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “If you believe in our vision and goals, and our declaration of solidarity, then come to our party.” Will be “a love festival.”

“I’m hoping we can have a day of Occupy where we all just try our hardest to come from good, from light, from peace.” #NYCGA #OWS

Mark: “We’re going to move on and open stack for concerns.” Will combine concerns and friendly amendments into one stack. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Why don’t we put info and lit at our food table?” A: “Yes, that’s a very good idea,” invites him to contribute some lit to it. #NYCGA

OK, that’s it — no concerns, no amendments — Stairs now asking for Standasides and Blocks.

Stairs: “Looks like there are no standasides! Are there any blocks?” No blocks! Consensus! #NYCGA #OWS

The proposer cheers. “Wooo, Occupalooza! All day, after dark, Occupy Central Park!” We chant for a minute, because fuck yeah. #NYCGA #OWS

Next proposal comes from Shazz. “I’ve done a few things, started Occupy Farms,” other things, collected notes and stories. #NYCGA #OWS

Shazz wants to write about #OWS. “I want to ask for solidarity in writing that book; it’s a little odd, uncharted territory.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sounds like Shazz wants folks w/ Twitter and Facebook platforms to link to his Kickstarter for writing the book. #NYCGA #OWS

Shazz notes he hasn’t written it yet, so our support would be good faith. Tells about something he did today, documenting someone. #NYCGA

Shazz also nods at ideological discussions about political theory, principles and tactics, privilege and sustainability. #NYCGA #OWS

“I also wanted to do outreach so it’s not just my opinion, b/c sometimes when I state my opinion I put my foot in my mouth.” #NYCGA #OWS

So Shazz asks us for some idea of how it looks to us, “for someone in the community to write a book.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “From little I know you, you proposed that we divide all the donated $ among occupiers, and then asked for help going to Geneva.” #NYCGA

The questioner suggests that it’s a volunteer movement, and folks need to do things to prove their value rather than ask for money again.

Cont’d: “What’s your qualifications in representing us via a book?” A: “A point of clarification, that’s not all I’ve done here, but I…”

Cont’d: “…have done those things;” notes the Davos (sorry, not Geneva) thing was for support to raise independent funds, not $ from #OWS.

Cont’d; “RE: dividing the money among all occupiers, I did think that was the thing to do at the time.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “RE: my qualifications, I’ve been here since before the raid, and I have a lot to share. Been collecting notes and stories.” #NYCGA

CQ: “In a movement this big, why are you opting to write this book yourself and not more of a collaborative effort w/ ppl in the movement?”

A: “I hope this isn’t the end, but a good example of a model others should follow – there should be more writing on #Occupy from occupiers.”

Cont’d: “Hopefully mine is the first of many, but I have a personal story and all these notes from ppl I’ve talked to.” #NYCGA #OWS

Shazz wants to tell the stories from the squats and the churches. “I like the work of Studs Terkel”. Next on stack: Evan. #NYCGA #OWS

Evan: “So, just to be clear, you want to do a Kickstarter campaign, and you want to have GA’s blessing, as it were.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “And I imagine you’ll say that on the Kickstarter?” A: “Yeah, I’m gonna go through with it w or w/o the blessing of the community…”

Cont’d: “…but in the interests of transparency,” wanted to bring a discussion to the community about how we deal with this sort of thing.

CQ: “What is the point of the book, and do you have a skeleton or an outline of things you’d like to achieve with the book?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “It’s called Occupy KISS: Anarchist Blog W/in #OWS.” Nods to anarchist identity of many organizers and “keep it simple stupid,” basics.

Cont’d: “What I hope is that the layman can sort of see where #Occupy came from, and then in my experience, how it developed, and then..”

Cont’d: “…where I think it’s going.” He’ll try to be as far as possible but “definitely it’s going to be from a personal point of view.”

OK, we’re going to move to concerns and friendly amendments, but in 5-minute breakout groups instead of stacks. #NYCGA #OWS

Leah: “The idea would be that everyone gets to talk to each other and maybe resolve each others’ concerns,” might streamline stacks. #NYCGA

GA didn’t like it, so we’re going to move to stacks. First concern: “It looks like you’re looking for an endorsement on your book, and…”

Cont’d: “… it may be the greatest work of art ever, or it may be crap.” Notes we can’t endorse something w/o knowing what it is. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But I propose that once you have written it, or written some chapters, and we can look it over, you could come back.” #NYCGA #OWS

Shazz interprets as editorial power for #OWS. “As an artist, i can’t accept the FA; I sort of have to have liberty to write as I see fit.”

Shawn’s POI: “There are new websites coming out that you can plug into if you’d like to write content as an occupier and with #OWS.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “They’re http://t.co/uWdZ6Sz9 and The Daily Occupier (@DailyOcc)!” But notes we have a statement of autonomy that… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…says, speak with us, not for us.” Says he has blocking concerns based on his past behavior and the topics he mentioned. #NYCGA

Cont’d; Shawn also has issues w/ the dichotomy between “violence and non-violence,” which he says is false and dangerous, & w/ endorsements.

C: “I’ve seen some of your writing re: Accounting; I’ve seen you make facts up and run with them. Concerned you’ll do same w/ this book.”

C: “Through a statement of solidarity, you’d be getting somewhat of an endorsement, and could capitalize on our movement.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d; “I’m not cool with that, so I amend that 50% of the revenue go to the General Fund.” #NYCGA #OWS

Shazz “was thinking about that; I think the living costs of writing the book are about $3000, so if you are giving me $1500, I’d give you..”

Cont’d: “…half of the proceeds of the book.” Shawn: “And he says he’s an anarchist.” #NYCGA #OWS

Nick’s friendly amendment is that rather than endorsing his book, we could endorse writing books in general. #NYCGA #OWS

A: “If this doesn’t pass, I’d accept that as a last resort,” but otherwise no. #NYCGA #OWS

C: “I want to hear your opinion first before you start writing anything” re: the NDAA and the global war coming. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “In these two regards, let’s hear your opinions.” A: “I think they are both bad.” Hahah. #NYCGA #OWS

We ran out of time on the proposal, so we have to temp-check whether to give it more. Nope! Moving onto next proposal… #NYCGA #OWS

Next proposal: from the “Labor Outreach Committee rank-and-file, about trying to choose an Occupy logo. #NYCGA #OWS

The idea is “to have a contest on Facebook worldwide, so we’d get people in other countries” involved around the world, invested. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “So it’s not just ‘I have a logo,’ or ‘he has a logo,’” but we make the logo together via that contest “and it stays in the news.”

Opening CQ stack. CQ: “If it’s a contest, will there be a winner? And if there’s a winner, how will it be chosen?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “We’ll have to narrow it down; someone online said, there could be 9,000 submissions, and it’s cool.” Proposes series of contests… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…with online votes.” “But the idea is to get reactions from Paris, London, Istanbul.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “So winner-take-all, then? There will be one in the end?” A: “Sort of, yes, haven’t gotten that far.” Doesn’t want to mandate it. #NYCGA

Next CQ: “Logo is the most important symbol for the movement, and definitely we should have some to rep us — do you have any to show us?”

A: “I don’t have one. I want to make a contest; we can bring the contest back here, the results. But no, I’m not pushing a singe one.”#NYCGA

CQ: “I think it’s a great idea, but I’m concerned about this whole movement of branding.” Nods to a “ben and jerry’s” proposal… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…which is ‘hippie capitalism,’ no messing around.” “That vibe is disturbing, awkward, not saying you’re in that vein,” concerned.

A: “I’m sorry, but I don’t see the connection.” Stairs notes that’s more of a concern, but the question I guess was whether that’s a thing.

CQ: “I was commenting online about this- have you thought about what process will happen after you collect submissions?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “There is not an answer to the question beyond what I already said, which is collect, and then decide.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Is this contest online-only, and who decides the winner?” A: “There’ll be online voting.” Wants folks online to sift it down. “The…”

Cont’d: “…whole point is to get people involved. There’s no money involved.” #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Have you talked to the design group here about this? B/c I know that they may want to be involved in this process.” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “I’d be glad to work with any group that exists, and I know there’s some logos out.” #NYCGA #OWS

Patricia’s second CQ notes that http://t.co/ro8M9QWV had a contest about logos, “& a lot of concerns were raised on the part of designers..”

Cont’d: “…and competition, and getting free work,” and wants to know if they were aware. Patricia points them to Evan, who works w/ them.

CQ: Jack pulls out his buttons. “Born and made in Zuccotti Park.” “This logo says ’99% for peace,’” shows his tshirts. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs gently prods Jack: “Is there a question in here?” Mark: “Jack, ladies and gentlemen, he’ll be here all night.” Laffs. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, moving to concerns: “This movement has sort of organically branded itself; this might confuse people b/c ppl have already seen….” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…you know, the fist, and this sort of common typeface.” A: “Which is the standard?” There’s none, but some common ones. #NYCGA #OWS

“The branding and the logo have emerged organically,” worried people might be confused if they start to do other ones. #NYCGA #OWS

There’s 10 people on Concerns stack, which Stairs are closing now. Hermes is next. #NYCGA #OWS

Hermes passes. Dylan: “My concern is that the movement already has so many beautiful logos, why marginalize them for one?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “And how would you get this one logo to be the official logo,” copyright, etc? A: “I’m not locked into one; i’m locked into the…”

Cont’d: “…contest part of it, involving people in it.” Next concern: Emily. “I expressed my concerns online; i think there…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…are already many artists involved,” many logos and designs. “I don’t find it necessary to have an official logo; I know that’s..”

Cont’d: “…how other organizations work, but #OWS isn’t like other organizations.” Doesn’t think we should ever have an official logo. #NYCGA

She suggests “choosing a logo for this movement is choosing a visual ‘representative’ for this movement, which to me violates the..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…Statement of Autonomy.” Stairs notes there’s 5 minutes or less on the clock for this proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “What’s this logo for, #Occupy or #OWS?” A: “The #Occupy movement.” OK, so the concern that follows is in agreement with everything…

Cont’d: …stated, “but also, we’re not empowered to design a process for choosing anything for the whole movement.” If GA wanted a logo…

Cont’d: …that would be different, though “I’d still have concerns with the mechanism,” but at least it’s “within our scope.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “But, I respect the powerfully awesome impulse to get people involved,” hope that we can find another mechanism like that. #NYCGA

Someone proposes that we start with a logo for GA. I think he passed. #NYCGA #OWS

Next concern likes the contest, but notes that “one official” logo will turn people off. But a contest to bring new designs, he likes.#NYCGA

Evan suggests that the process should be not as much picking a winner, but narrowing down votes. “I might want to call it not a contest…”

Cont’d: “…but a crowd-sourced event.” OK, he accepts. Will restate the proposal and any friendly amendments. #NYCGA #OWS

So friendly amendments were to keep the output in the commons, and to call it a crowdsourced event. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposal: “To start a worldwide Facebook contest to design a logo.” Folks chafe at Facebook – he didn’t explicitly mention it before. #NYCGA

Stairs: “OK, any standasides? Means you don’t like the proposal and will let it go through.” #NYCGA #OWS

Standaside #1: “I just don’t support having any official logo.” #2: “I think it’s a great idea, but the issue I raised earlier about…”

Cont’d: “…the move of capitalism to take everything over,” that’s why he opposes it. #NYCGA #OWS

Standaside #3: “I just don’t feel comfortable with it.” Standaside #4: Jack: “You’ve got to remember that Liberty Square is the holy land..”

Cont’d: “…of #OWS. We have logos born in Zuccotti, made in Zuccotti.” Shows a few off. “We can’t just have one.” 13 Standasides. #NYCGA #OWS

A few more want to speak to theirs. “I stand aside b/c I think it should be an individual choice what a person’s feeling towards…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…the movement is and their expression of that.” Next: “I think it’s ridiculous to have this contest only on Facebook…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…there are millions who don’t have the Internet.” Proposer takes Facebook out, so two fewer stand aside. #NYCGA #OWS

Now moving onto blocks. “Blocks are serious moral, ethical, safety concerns such that this proposal compromises the integrity of the mvmnt..

Cont’d: “Are there any blocks?” 8 blocks. Stairs: “At this point, even if we move forward to modified consensus, it won’t pass.” #NYCGA #OWS

Some blocks will be spoken to, but the proposer sits down. Anthony: “We’re a movement that’s ever-changing, ever-evolving; why put a brand..

Cont’d: “…on it? I think it sort of limits us. We shouldn’t have one thing; we should have a competition, but not an #OWS logo.” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Because we’re a free fucking movement, and what if the next day, we say we don’t like it anymore? So why waste time with that?”

Cont’d: “Oh, and fuck Monsanto!” #NYCGA #OWS

.@diceytroop big ups the idea of getting folks involved but notes that “if we don’t respect where our empowerment ends and others’…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…autonomy begins,” it’s a slippery slope that can devolve quickly and split us apart. “I don’t think we have the right to design..”

Cont’d: “…a process for others’ voices, not by consent of this body anyway.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, that’s it for the General Assembly, fam! Thanks for reading. [Questions, comments, concerns, hit me up @diceytroop. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

Hi fam, #NYCSC is getting rolling… follow here, @LibertySqGA, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3. Livestream: owsnyc.tv. #OWS

The folks who’ve been working on the “grievance process” are reporting back, explaining that they need more ppl involved. #NYCSC #OWS

Someone suggests they keep folks working on outward-facing sites abreast of this process & to help folks deal w/ issues in other projects.

“So, you’re just asking us to keep in mind things on the Internet?” as they work through community agreements. Ravi says they’re working…

Cont’d: …on terms-of-use for sites and community agreements for websites, like http://t.co/OzXDORvv, etc. #NYCSC #OWS

“It’s like, online violence. That’s what I’m talking about.” “Well, the community agreements are available for use anywhere.” #NYCSC #OWS

Our two agenda items tonight are discussion-based: one about power and hierarchy, and the second one is about budgeting. #NYCSC #OWS

Justin wants to “bring up this conversation; it’s my belief that #Spoekscouncil take the lead in this violence conversation.” #NYCSC #OWS

He’s referring to an incident when he was attacked as a facilitator. “Every time I bring this conversation, the buck gets passed.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “I really want to talk about this; I have some ideas. Let’s get this over with. Thank you.” #NYCSC #OWS

Nicole: “So, we’ve been having ongoing conversations about power and resources in the movement. Tonight, we want to really…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…focus on working groups, and what skills you bring and needs you have, and how we an address them in Spokes and in #OWS.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “First, we want to popcorn a bit about resources.” Tashi adds: “We had a series of dialogues – we called them community dialogues.”

Cont’d: “They took place at 16 Beaver and other spaces; last Friday they were facilitated w/ an open spaces model at Unity Hall.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “One was specifically about Internet resources… last time we talked about concrete steps to address these challenges.” #NYCSC #OWS

They’ll bring it to the GA Thursday. “We’ve tried to establish some point of unity, and if you’re interested in being part of this, give..”

Cont’d: “…us your email address, and we also collect all information produced in these discussions and send them to whoever’s interested.”

They want to have this conversation in a continuous form. “Now, we’d like to take some time to think about — pop corning how we feel…”

Cont’d: “..about resources.” Will break out into spokes groups for 5 minutes to discuss, and then we’ll report back. #NYCSC #OWS

OK, we’re reporting back. First: “Time, people, past experiences people bring here, people being able to be present w/ one another.” #nycsc

Cont’d: “Then we talked about money; it’s a way we buy things; others felt it’s not a resource but rather contains and controls resources.”

Cont’d: “..and it’s problematic to think of it as a resource.” Next: “We talked about privilege, access to resources like higher education..

Cont’d: “..and technology — computers, resources. Popularity is a resource to get things done; one of the things we talked about in the..”

Cont’d: “..community meeting, if you’ve been in this movement since the beginning you might not have to go to WG meetings and GAs and..”

Cont’d: “…Spokes in order to get stuff done. So that’s a resource in our eyes.” Next: “Knowledge, past experience and stuff.” #NYCSC #OWS

Next, contacts; being able to get in touch w/ ppl inside and outside the movement. “We came up with the idea that resources are everything.”

Cont’d: “And then other people reconfigured and… we talked about triggers.” “Triggers happen; we all come to this group equally…” #nycsc

Cont’d: “We can’t control what happens in the outside world, but here, we’re all on the same footing.” Someone clarifies talking about…

Cont’d: …preconceptions based on visual triggers. Next: it’s harder to share resources now than it was during the occupation. #NYCSC #OWS

Next: “Our principles, values, brainpower.” “Trust.” Nicole says it’s a great list, reads it back. #NYCSC #OWS

Nicole: “As a working group, what are resources that you as a working group has access to? And what are resources yr WG needs to function?”

We’ll break out for a few minutes again then report back. #NYCSC #OWS

OK, we’re coming back. “Hopefully this was helpful and you now have a better understanding of the kind of work we’re doing.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “We’re going to report back resources and needs we have as working groups.” #NYCSC #OWS

First, Accounting, Translation, DA, Solidarity worked together: “We had a really good discussion.” Most of the projects Ravi is… #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…involved in need more people. Intelligent, reliable people.” Segued into “this extended discussion about” reason getting that…

Cont’d: ..is a challenge. “One of the projects I’ve been involved in is orientation; noon, Saturday, 60 wall every week.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “It’s really fun, except we send people to projects and working groups, and not to GA.” Unfair to send ppl to GA. “They’d never…”

Cont’d: “…come back.” Ravi’s Mom wants to come, but can’t do that. “One of the resources we’ve squandered is our community,” taking care…

Cont’d: “…of one another.” How do we bring that back? It’s hard when you don’t have “somewhere can go where something’s always happening.”

Cont’d: “We don’t really know one another, so we end up getting siloed into working groups” — they’re “functional, useful, but they’re..”

Cont’d: “…like a transition between old way of thinking and new way of thinking.” “The difficulty w/o a 24-hour physical occupation is…”

Cont’d: “..how do you find those resources?” “They’re really human… that’s the resource we lack right now, that social cohesion.” #NYCSC

Occupy Info: “Info, obviously, is our biggest resource, but it’s the biggest thing we need. Communication is one of the biggest…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…resources we have as a group, but we need more of it.” Next: DA notes that the “affinity” they have is both an asset and… #NYCSC

Cont’d: …a challenge. “People trust it, but it’s also very exclusive.” Hard to plug ppl directly into action spokes or DA meetings. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “Everyone thinks they’re an undercover cop, right? And you don’ want to be that guy bringing the undercover cop.” #NYCSC #OWS

Note that DA has the ability to run OWS’ actions without going through GA, which was a resource, and also causes folks to flood DA w/ ideas.

Cont’d: “All the working groups are direct action, right? The movement itself is a DA. But since it’s a working group, it kind of — like..”

Cont’d: “…Kitchen sometimes feels like they can’t do their own action and come to DA to get permission.” Need more inclusivity. #NYCSC #OWS

Media: “We touched on resources like livestream, twitter, we have a twitter account w/ the Tweetboat w/ 100-something-thousand followers…”

Cont’d: “…cameras, the ability to document actions and police brutality, the ability to reach large audiences in short amount of time…”

Cont’d: “…through livestream, twitter, YouTube, etc.” “We have the ability to be narratives and counter narratives to mainstream media…”

Cont’d: “Sometimes you have the ability to de-escalate police due to large amount of media presence; have ability to teach ppl to use same..

Cont’d: “…resources.” “We need more collaboration and info from other working groups, b/c w/o other WGs and actions and knowledge of…”

Cont’d: “…actions, media can’t really produce anything.” Press: “Press has contacts to media outlets and journalists, and networks to..”

Cont’d: “…disseminate press releases and stuff, we have experience writing press releases and media work and need help w/ emails…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…and menial tasks, like everyone else.” Fiber Arts says one resource “was our positive presence in that park.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “I’d get up to 7 ppl knitting or sewing,” “we drew the public to us — people would come and say, you look welcoming, I want to…”

Cont’d: “…talk to you. We were doing great outreach, just sitting and knitting. That’s one of our biggest resources.” #NYCSC #OWS

PtH drops science about resources relating to “internalized racial superiority, internalized racial inferiority,” want to get that out.

Cont’d: And they need more active support. De-escalation says they need “women on this de-escalation team,” for various situations… #NYCSC

Cont’d: “We have some skilled people… but we need women on the team.” Already doing main actions, but “if and when we pass the meeting..”

Cont’d: “…agreements about how we conduct ourselves within Spoke,” and if de-escalation is a part of that, they’ll have at least a… #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…couple of people at each Spokes.” Next, Empowerment and Education: “Access to space, mostly at unis, we have…” #nyCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…a pretty solid contact group with students, academic, students groups, have pretty good cohesion, commitment, ideas…” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “…protocols, ideas for improving education, resources, copying, printing, hospitality.” The name “occupy” is a huge resource.

Cont’d: “I think what we need is time; if we didn’t have jobs, most of us, that would be really good. We’d be set to go.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “Collaboration, and probably another resource we need is perspective.” #NYCSC #OWs

Facilitation “will start with what we feel like we have access to”; “we don’t think it’s always tangible what Facilitation brings to the…”

Cont’d: “…table; we don’t have physical resources as other groups do.” Have people who are trained in process of helping all voices to..

Cont’d: …be heard and function better, training, direct democracy training, presentation of process, emotional equilibrium, and space.

Cont’d: “And needs, we need space (when we can’t find one), support, cooperation, compassion from the community, internal…”

Cont’d: “…organization in our group, a diversity of trainings — de-escalation, others. We need constructive feedback from the community.”

Town Planning: “Town Planning’s the polar opposite of facilitation in a lot of ways, as far as their intangible resources.” #NYCSC #OWs

Cont’d: “TP developed out of Liberty Square in efforts to ensure that there weren’t conflicts for physical resources in the park.” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “And it continues, though that definition” has changed; notes there are still many common resources in SIS. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “So, not materials that are meant to be consumed by individuals; more materials meant to be dispensed to individuals, like…” #NYCSC

Cont’D: “…clothing or medical supply — stuff that is meant to be consumed or used as durable goods by the group” — tents, rope, lumber…

Cont’d: …nails. “What we need? A better accountability process; we’re sort of working on that.” Say it’s all TP talks about. #NYCSC #OWs

Robert (TP) also says we need more indignation “at a common target.” #NYCSC #OWS

Nicole: “We all heard what we do and don’t have access to;” notes a lot of what was needed, others have. #NYCSC #OWS

Tashi: “We all are resources to each other, so it’s a question of how we exchange resources, and connect.” #NYCSC #OWS

Tashi: “We asked a similar question at the GA Thursday: what are good ways for you to distribute resources?” Generate, access, or distro.

Cont’d: “And I would like to just read from the paper, as an inspiration from what the GA folks came up with. There was a lot about…” #nycsc

Cont’d: “…skill-sharing, skill-building, a lot about the challenge of becoming more outward facing, working groups becoming…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: …more productive, “rotating positions, ways of using resources or assigning resources like money growing other resources (instead..

Cont’D: “…of weakening them.)” Shouts out Permabank. “Accountability, info before actions, MRG comes at a cost and might not be worth it.”

Nicole says some more: “Transparency, balance distribution, skill-shares, education, kind of balancing out. It’s interesting to note…”

Cont’d: “…that folks at GA not in WGs are wanting to be skilled, and I heard here a lot of ppl needing skilled people.” #NYCSC #OWs

Marisa explains that the purpose of these convos is to solve collective problems, so we’ll break out and pick each others’ brains about…

Cont’d: …ways to distribute and generate more resources. “We’ll break up and talk about [that], across WGs and from movement…” #NYCSC

Cont’D: “…how we can share resources in a way that can create more resources.” Tashi notes that resources are a continuum. “Not just money..

Cont’d: “…it’s so much more.” Marisa notes that over last 2-3wks, asking about resources, money rarely comes up. People, space more common.

OK, we’re back. First: “I don’t think anyone’s going to like what I have to say — we’re a leaderless movement, and we don’t have…”

Cont’d: “…like, a hierarchy, a tree structure — we’re a loose confederation of different ideas and people, w/ a message we’re trying to…”

Cont’d: “…get across, and now we’re talking about resources. How you get, acquire, use resources generally takes a very good operation..”

Cont’d: “…and organization, which eventually would require us to adopt some type of leadership.” Notes many don’t like this… #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: …but he feels we’ll hafta “adapt sm fragments of those things” we don’t lk. Facetiously ask anarchists not to stone him. #NYCSC #OWS

Marisa feels that we can “tighten in a horizontal fashion,” “it’s possible, but very different from how we’re taught to think.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “We want to allocate resources in a way that is most beneficial to everyone.” Sorry, that’s Nicole actually. #NYCSC #OWS

TechOps notes that “one of the things we’re doing right now at http://t.co/Ges8GuDi is finding tools for ppl to use for various things..”

Cont’d: “…including Permabank,” which she says has really enormous benefits. Suggests we check out http://t.co/C4yjiR49 . #NYCSC #OWS

Ravi says http://t.co/C4yjiR49 has a lot of tools in the same areas and are trying to figure out what the best ones are. #NYCSC #OWS

Ravi notes that we’re also starting to see resource sharing of time and people in TechOps, from places where there’s extra help available.

Cont’d: “We really need as much input from the community as possible; meet 6pm at 60 Wall, Weds and Sun.” Says TechOps have great meetings.

Cont’d: “It’s shocking and amazing, and you should go because it’ll make you feel better about” the movement. #NYCSC #OWS

Robert: “Our job is to Occupy Wall Street. All the resources come from that;” nowhere else except for folks who “primed the pump.” #NYCSC

Facilitation suggests that Spokescouncil become a place to bring ideas, that we need a “registry of needs,” Press says could do trainings…

Cont’d: …if they had more people, quite a catch 22. “Occupy University” is an idea lifted up as “one way to share skills.” #NYCSC #OWS

“It’s surprising how much overlap there is,” between peoples’ needs in the movement. They have lots of info to synthesize. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “We’ll be at Occupy University / Open Space” Friday. And they’ll be at GA Thursday, sharing w/ them what Spokes said tonight.

Cont’d: “And Friday, that’s 6:00 at 235 West 23rd street — Unity Hall.” #NYCSC #OWS

OK, moving onto Sean’s proposal. “We’ve talked a lot about how we need to make a budget,” should do it now before we’re just broke. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “There’s this thing called the Movement Resource Group that might be providing the money instead of us.” Suggests that “if you…”

Cont’d: “…want to be optimistic about this thing,” if we make a budget, maybe they’ll put the money into the general fund. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “Or we can use it to reoccupy,” even if we don’t sleep there. Suggests we discuss items exempt from spending freeze, and then…

Cont’d: …on Wednesday, we’d talk about the money that’s been frozen. “We’d all consense on a budget then take it from GA.” #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: Feels we should talk about what we “want” to spend, instead of starting with what we have, and then looking for $ we need. #nycsc

Stairs notes that “there’s a little desire” to open a short stack just to talk about the idea of this proposal in general. #NYCSC #OWS

Ravi: “First, unless we’re trying to present a budget to GA Thursday, it’s a moot point.” We’ll be out of $. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “This $ was given to us in trust, and we haven’t been the best stewards of it. At the same time, I think if we’re going to have..”

Cont’d: “..a larger discussion, one of the things we’ve talked about in Accounting,” it functions in a vacuum. Not many guidelines.#NYCSC

Cont’d: “If we question a receipt that’s brought to us, what do we do? Like, what do we do? Seriously. Bring them to GA or Spokes?” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “Are we empowered to be the ones — are we the bad cops?” Psychologically very difficult for folks to confront malfeasance. #NYCSC

Cont’d: “I think this discussion needs to happen before the AWG” — “I don’t feel comfortable w/ us taking in any $ until we figure it out.”

Someone: “I don’t think this is realistic; the idea of having a budget for every group that needs one; I don’t think it’s going to happen..”

Cont’d: “…in time.” “Later on, it might be good.” Next: “It’s going to be horribly bad when we run out of money; they’ll say, look at…”

Cont’d: “…these people; they’re hypocrites” complaining about bank irresponsibility, yet we spent half a mil. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “No one likes to talk about $. It’s a hard, bitter discussion.” “There’s really no excuse why we don’t have a budget now” except…

Cont’d: …we don’t want to talk about it. Sustainability: “We have this idea that we don’t use money if as a movement we want to get rid of..

Cont’d: “…corruption.” Says another Occupation stopped using money. “I know I haven’t slept in a church in 3 months and that…” #NYCSC

Cont’d: “…I’m homeless.” Knows there are ways for people to find anything they need in this wacky town. Proposes we burn $ on Wall Street.

Stairs temp checks whether folks want to do breakout groups or a general discussion; looks like about 15 minutes of general stack. #NYCSC

Someone points out that “as someone who has thousands of dollars of debt”, it perturbs her when ppl talk about just burning $. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: “It’s really insulting.” #NYCSC #OWS

Nicole: “We’re gonna run out of money — fine. But we’re probably going to get more again someday,” need to solve this problem. #NYCSC #OWS

Cont’d: Nicole optimistically states that if we take care of this now, then later on, everyone will be happy! #NYCSC #OWS

Shawn suggests we have a Spokescouncil Friday just to continue this discussion. #NYCSC #OWS

Sean suggests that something easier might be just to get everyone to the meetings on time. Facilitation notes that we didn’t get quorum…

Cont’d: …til about 8. Nicole notes that that’s a huge issue, suggests we need Outreach to make sure “this is a meeting ppl come to.” #NYCSC

Stairs brings us towards closing w/ announcements! “The new Tidal dropped today!” (Tidal is a rad #Occupy journal of theory, not to miss.)

Cont’d: “There will be an action Times Square, March 19th, 5pm,” re: Iraq. “Tomorrow at 10am” will be orientation for Occupy the Faith…

Cont’d: …action, which will happen on March 7th, about Governor Cuomo’s budget cuts to social services. Will be arrestable. #NYCSC #OWS

Steve: “Anyone interested in live streaming, livetweeting, citizen journalism, come talk to me” about @DailyOcc! #NYCSC #OWS

Next, PoCC and Labor Outreach “are having a workers of color and labor forum/panel,” Wednesday, 6-8:30, then Friday, a teach-in 5-9, Judson.

They’ll have a panel w/ a former Black Panther and others who’ve been arrested by government for political activity. #NYCSC #OWs

Marisa tells us she’s being flown to London Friday, will be there for a week, and will work w/ Occupy London and others! #NYCSC #OWS

Also, tomorrow, at 8am, there’s an unemployment line that’ll run from the Bull to Union Square. #NYCSC #OWS

And we close with a unity clap! Thanks fam. Have a good night. #NYCSC #OWS

Hi fam! We’re about to start the #OWS General Assembly at 60 Wall. Follow here, @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, @LibertySqGA4, as ever! #NYCGA

Anthony and Yoni are our co-facilitators (Stairs for short). They’re explaining the process we use, which is a modified form of consensus.

Anthony reminds us about our hand signals, starting with the flutter-fingers, or “twinkles” we use to indicate feeling- up, middle, or down.

They remind us to use hand signals facing the facilitators, rather than each other. That goes also for points or process or information…

Point of process tells facilitators you’ve noticed we’ve deviated from the process and have a way to get back. Make a triangle w/ 2 hands.

Point of information is 1 finger in the air. Ravi is going to start w/ the Accounting Working Group reportback. #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi: “We’re doing weekly reportbacks at GA. If there’s stuff you’d like to know, we’ll bring it to you.” Account: $122,376,71.” CoH: $10k.

Total: $134k. Bail fund is at $89k, which means the general fund is down to $44, and we raised $1.5k today. 3 weeks til $0-day. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Justin notes Charlotte’s Place is going through a transformation, is closed through April 8th, will seek to support #Occupy better.

There’s a silent unemployment line action that’s going to stretch from the Wall Street Bull to Union Sq, 8:14 to 8:28 AM, March 6th. #OWS

Before we start the proposals component of our agenda, Stairs reminds us of the “wrap it up” signal (rotate hands) & the block. #NYCGA #OWS

Yoni: “The process has 3 parts we go through; first we open a stack (queue) for clarifying questions” to make proposal more clear. #NYCGA

Cont’d: Next, we stack up Concerns, for folks’ issues w/ the proposal, and then we stack friendly amendments that can resolve concerns. #OWS

Finally, we check for consensus. If someone has a moral, ethical, or safety concern that’d force thm to leave the mvment, they can block.

If they block, they have a chance to suggest a modification to resolve their block. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, Zak and Sandy are the first proposers. “This proposal is basically to convert 1 GA per week to focus solely on discussion..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…substantive political discourse, and just change the process a little bit so that ppl can propose a relevant topic for…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…discussion, and do some breakout groups” so people “can get a little face-time,” and to “loosen” general contentiousness. #NYCGA

Sandy notes at the end, someone could suggest a topic for Saturday’s GA. You wouldn’t just “propose X, you’d have thought about how…”

Cont’d: “…it’d be structured and you could suggest some” ways to facilitate that conversation. At the end, “wouldn’t have arrived at..”

Cont’d: “…a decision, but we’d feel like we’d know each other a little better” and have some chance for dialogue as the park once offered.

Zak: “If the proposal was accepted, Sandy and I would suggest the first topic for the next Saturday GA,” would dedicate entire GA to that.

Cont’d: “There’s 2.5 hours allotted for 3 different breakout groups, and at the end of that, anyone could come and read their…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…proposal for the next week’s discussion,” and only requirement would be to sort of outline how long each section might need.

Zak: “So, next Saturday, the topic would be ‘Occupation as a Tactic for Social change,’” chosen to relate to #March17 day-long occupation…

Cont’d: …and the 6-month birthday of #OWS. Would discuss history of occupation, successes, challenges, 15-20min for setting next week.

CQ: “This sounds like an excellent idea; I don’t quite understand why it has to replace what we currently do for Saturday GA. Why not Sun?”

(Proposers will hear all questions and then answer.) Sage’s CQ is that this is why the spending freeze happened, to return the GA to convos.

Sage wants to know if they’re aware of Open Spaces and what SC seems to be transforming into. “Do you really think we can afford to give..”

Cont’d: “…another General Assembly on another night to this when we already have Open Spaces and Spokescouncil”, ongoing brunches. #NYCGA

CQ: “In the event of any kind of crisis, would this preclude the GA from bringing forth proposals?” Like an emergency proposal? #NYCGA #OWS

GA: “I was a little confused about how time would play out; would there be any room for other discussions at the same time?” #NYCGA #OWS

That was Darryl; he notes he likes the idea but wants it to happen even more than once a week. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “Tell more about breakout sessions?” OK, answers: “Why Saturday?” Lets it be an outreach tool. “RE: open spaces and spokes, that was…”

Cont’d: “…created as a reaction to inability of GA” to be a space for those conversations. Next, “Can we give another GA to this?” #NYCGA

As, cont’d: “There’d be no money proposals at Saturday GAs; in terms of emergencies, we’d be open to talking about that. And breakout…”

Cont’d: “…groups allow people to talk about things in small groups rather than in large groups,” used in GAs all the time. #NYCGA #OWS

Zak: “We chose not to read from the proopsal itself, but on http://t.co/OzXDORvv is the actual proposal, states specifically that if an…”

Cont’d: “…emergency proposal should arise, they can bring it to Facilitation,” & the body can decide whether it should replace discussion.

Cont’d: “RE: using other forums- the fact of the matter is the GA is the foundation of this movement, recognized as legit body…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…and people who are interested” can see it and see the values we’re concerned with and how we work. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Plus, if we use breakouts, people can come in and have their voices heard” immediately. #NYCGA #OWS

This guy Corey, who disrupted a couple GAs ago, is here, standing in front of the proposers, talking over them. Sandy, Zak being very calm.

More CQs; Sandy and Zak modeling how to ignore a disrupter, continue the conversation. “How many ppl bottomline the discussions?” #NYCGA

Zak explains it depends on who proposes the discussion. Sandy: “Any group can come with a proposal about what they want to talk about.” #OWS

Zak: “We’ve noticed a lot of groups like PoCC have brought proposals to the GA for discussion as of late, such as the discussion about..”

Cont’d: “..hierarchy and resources.” That dude Corey is yelling, but walking away. Really, Sandy and Zak, cool as cucumbers. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…perception is that the actual need is for discussion of proposals,” so buy-in happens prior to introduction to GA. #NYCGA #OWS

CQ: “I’m a facilitator for Think Tank, been trying to hold discussion space in movement; was 6 hours daily, now it’s M & F. My general…”

Cont’d: “Think Tank is already making a huge effort to provide that space and discussion tools.” A concern, I guess. #NYCGA #OWS

Sage: “It sounds like you’re advocating for a process,” suggests we use their process to discuss this proposal, bring it back next week.

Dalls’ Concern: “Think Tank’s been trying to do this; why don’t ppl just go to Think Tank?” And also, “you make a good pt about ppl having..

Cont’d: “..to work during the week. Only day I can come here and make the proposal is Saturday; why not do this on Sunday?” #NYCGA #OWS

Sandy: “I think a lot of groups are holding conversations; that’s great. I think a lot of serious convos could happen w/ ppl..” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…who don’t have time to go to other meetings or aren’t in working groups.” Sandy: “As we move forward to Spring, we may get…”

Cont’d: “…more ppl; we need to make GA functional again and able to have these larger conversations in order to absorb it.” #NYCGA #OWS

This way, she says, folks can refer new ppl to the Saturday GA, where they can participate without having existing stake in #OWS. #NYCGA

Concern: “I’d like to see a time scheduled for ppl to bring proposals” who have to work and may not have other access to GA agenda. #NYCGA

He suggests setting aside an hour so people can put forth proposals. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “I’m not sure Saturday is the day for discussion,” but speaks to benefits of breakouts re: one-on-one interaction. #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ/FA: “Have you talked to Vision/Goals, or other working groups that are discussion centric?” Suggests buy-in from them. #NYCGA #OWS

Next FA: “That you have a kind of follow-up after those proposals,” space for something more concrete can come out of it. #NYCG A#OWS

Stan’s 2 friendly amendments: “I think the GA has the ability to decide if it wants to hear a proposal or not on any given day,” would…

Cont’d: …like to have some kind of projectors or signs or writing. Someone notes that that’s against rules in 60 Wall. #NYCGA #OWS

Bob’s cncrn: “My cncrn is simple; we have trouble controlling the GA,” nods at Corey’s disruption. “We’re talking about a discussionary…”

Cont’d: “….GA where people are going to bring up a lot more topics,” might need more de-escalation help. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, responses to FA: Sandy notes that someone found 55% of all proposals were money; there’s still 2 GAs for proposals. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Also, the precedent set is that emergency proposals would be accepted by the facilitation WG as they see appropriate.” #NYCGA #OWS

Zak notes that tho they had a plan for next week’s discussion, they’d be happy to cede it to Think Tank, if they’d like it. #NYCGA #OWS

Ravi notes that the concern isn’t about whether there’s enough GA time, but about access to proposal-eligible GA time. Sandy says any…

Cont’d: …proposal at this discussion-GA would need to be a very short period of time, like half an hour. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “And I don’t think there’s any cross-purposes happening from having conversations happening both outside and inside of GA.” #NYCGA

Yoni asks them to re-read the proposal w/ all FAs. “For Saturday to be a discussion-based GA, with topics also proposed for the next GA…”

Cont’d: “…and that there’s a space at the beginning for e-proposals that the body’d decide” to allow or not. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, moving forward to consensus. Stairs: “Are there any standasides?” 15. Sean: “We used to have 7 GAs; we’d have 2 now.” #NYCGA #OWS

Courtney will also speak to her standaside. “My feeling is this makes the other discussion spaces that exist somewhat redundant,” thinks…

Cont’d: “…we need to make proposal discussion” spaces, not for general discussions. And she says we’re filling our proposal time already.

Bob: “I think we need to take a good look at what situation this can cause;” what kind of interruptions to discussion will happen b/c of…

Stairs asks for blocks… there aren’t any. Anthony announces we just consensed w/ 15 standasides, which generates some consternation…

Marisa: “I would say if there are 15 standasides, that’s not a very meaningful consensus, even if no blocks.” Should revise proposal. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Even tho technically it’s consensus, it’s not a meaningful one b/c ppl haven’t resolved their concerns.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sandy responds to some of the concerns, notes that she has talked to more than 30 ppl in diff WGs who feel discussions should happen in GA.

Zak notes that meaningful discussion tends to happen in small groups, and this would be hugely beneficial to that. Sandy notes GA can…

Cont’d: “…always try it, and if it doesn’t go back, we can try it.” Never tried it. “Might just be something worth trying.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, Stairs rechecked again; 11 standasides and now 6 blocks, at least one due to high number of standasides. #NYCGA #OWS

Sage: “There are a lot of ppl working to make the GAs better,” encourages Facilitation to do more breakout groups and the GA to understand..

Cont’d: “…that at GA, we don’t necessarily have to come to decisions,” it’s “still a meaningful discussion.” Suggests a less direct…

Cont’d: …approach, by doing it on the fly, rather than set a “soft mandate.” Says tradition transitions towards “law” right now in #OWS.

Nick makes a friendly amendment that GA start at 5:00 for discussion, and then the proposals start at 7. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposers accepted an amendment to make it the Thursday GA that is discussion-based, instead of Saturday. #NYCGA #OWS

But we’re still looking at 2 blocks, moving to a 90% majority vote. 14 for, 9 against. No consensus. #NYCGA #OWS

Next proposal is about the Council of Elders and Tibet. “Tibet was invaded by China in 1950;” 1.5 mil have died since. “You cannot protest..

Cont’d: “…no one has any rights, and the whole country looks like Zuccotti Park did but on steroids.” A police state. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “The really inspiring thing is that people there are actually rising up,” using same tactics as Arab Spring. “The resistance in…”

Cont’d: “…Tibet is something we should support; it’s a worldwide revolution.” Justin notes it’s called the #TsampaRevolution. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the proposal, for a stment of solidarity for Tibetan uprising, the #TsampaRevolution & their March 10th actions: http://t.co/uMs1yhww

Bana’s CQ: “I like this, but what’s the point of saying “The Tibetan 99%”?” Justin notes that at this point, there’s more Chinese than…

Cont’d: …Tibetans in some places. “You have to speak Chinese and have certain background to get certain jobs.” Someone notes they… #OWS

Cont’d: “…re-educate the Tibetan people.” Bana hears where they’re coming from, still wants to take out 99% language so as not to co-opt..

Justin: “Hold on, let me check with the Tibetans in the room.” Quick conference, and then he says they accept the amendment. #NYCGA #OWS

Next concern is with shouting out the Dalai Lama, because it’s off-message with our no-leader status. Amendment accepted. #NYCGA #OWS

Stairs temp-checks moving to consensus. Looks very good! Any standasides? No. Blocks? No. Consensus! #OWS #NYCGA #TsampaRevolution

The Tibetan activist in attendance thanks us for being here, for supporting their freedom and fighting for ours. #NYCGA #OWS

OK, next proposal! Proposer: “I’m sorry for bringing this; I really consider this minutiae.” Wants to translate the Statement of Autonomy..

Cont’d: “There are 2 things that really need to be addressed, and I’d like them to be just done. B/c this is a really important document.”

Cont’d: “Basically, I would like what’s online to also state the date it was consensed upon!” It’s not there, “it’s a little thing.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Secondly, the first sentence…” wants to make a change. Yoni will read it. #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “The way it reads now: “We provide a forum for peaceful assembly of individuals to engage in participatory as opposed to…”

Cont’d: “…partisan debate, and democracy.” Doesn’t make sense to him; can’t translate it. “What I’d like to write is, ‘we provide a…”

Cont’d: “…forum for peaceful assembly of individuals to engage in participatory democracy, as opposed to partisan debate.” #NYCGA #OWS

No CQs, really, or concerns. Friendly amendment is to stop at “participatory democracy,” proposer accepts if there’s no objections. #NYCGA

Someone objects, suggests it would be best to fix grammar without re-workshopping meaning. “We’re drawing a contrast between what we do..”

Cont’d: “…and what happens in the wider system.” Suggests we keep it simple, don’t change meaning. #NYCGA #OWS

We straw-polled changing just the grammar, or also getting rid of “as opposed to partisan debate,” and the later got more. #NYCGA #OWS

So, the proposal will reword it as “We provide a forum for peaceful assembly of individuals to engage in participatory democracy.” #NYCGA

Three standasides; Tim says this is silly, we’re not taking the document in context and the statement is in regards to not being tied up…

Cont’d: …in partisan debate. “I don’t see why we’re making this change against the previous GA, seemingly on a whim.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sean says “I trust that GA; it was a big one.” Anthony checks for blocks… “There are no blocks; this proposal passes with 6 standasides.”

OK, the last proposal tonight: @missarahnicole presents the “Proposal to participate in a Nationwide United GA on March 17th.” #NYCGA #OWS

Proposer: “This proposal is being brought by Lucid Wilcox (@SynchronizeOWS). If you have any questions I can’t answer, he can.” #NYCGA #OWS

She reads the proposal, which begins: “This is a proposal for the #NYCGA requesting that they participate in a Nationwide UnitedGA…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…on March 17th, w/ the possibility of holding a Nationwide GA every 17th.” It’d work essentially through syncing up each GA.#OWS

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

Justin’s CQ: “So, you brought this proposal earlier in the week, and it says here it was brought by Lucid Wilcox. Is that Lucas Wilcox?”#OWS

A: “Yes.” Justin clarifies so she’s bringing the proposal for him, she says yes. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady asks if they could consider changing the name; she says it could definitely be discussed at the first GA. #NYCGA #OWS

.@bana_be: “Why the 17th?” A: “Because it’s the anniversary date.” CQ: “Why national?” A: Want to provide platform for national issues…

Cont’d: …like port shutdowns, issues (the Tar sands is an example given in the proposal). #NYCGA #OWS

Next CQ asks if they’re working with #Interocc or Movement Building; shes says no, and the questioner suggests that would be best. #NYCGA

CQ: “How many GAs have been contacted, and how many have responded favorably to date?” A: “3: Nashville, Albany, and San Diego.” #NYCGA

CQ: “And how many have rejected it?” A: “I don’t know.” Justin: “You seem to have reason beyond what seems apparent to bring this…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…are you receiving benefits” for bringing this? “Why do you keep bringing this back?” A: “I’ve been doing this as a favor…”

Cont’d: “…& I really think we do need a national platform. It’s something I’ve felt was needed for awhile, & it seems like a good start.”

Nathan’s POI: “#interocc, DA, Movement Building all working on national structures,” notes that since March 17th is a day of action…#NYCGA

Cont’d: …the GA is likely to be poorly attended, as is usual on days of action. Next Concern notes that 17th isn’t always scheduled GA.

A: “This is only for March 17th, not for future months.” Next concern is about a system, process for getting issues to national GA. #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Also, how would process work? Would people block?” Sarah: “There’s no structure; would be figured out by all involved.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, opening friendly amendment stack. Bana says she feels the idea of a nat’l GA is great, but doesn’t think it needs to be on 17th. #NYCGA

Cont’d: Bana’s friendly amendment is to change the date. But other #Occupys have agreed to do it on the 17th, so she can’t accept now. #OWS

Next FA is to make it any day “after” the 17th. She really can’t accept any amendments for Lucid tho, I think. #NYCGA #OWS

Hermes’ FA is to work together with #Occupy; next suggests it go forward w/ 1st 4 or 5 occupations to agree to test the concept. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “You just can’t do this overnight; I don’t see it happening. It’s too complicated.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sean’s FA is “hopefully a way to fix the fact we’re tripping on busy 17th.” “Perhaps this should be earlier in the day, 2pm, when lots..”

Cont’d: “…of ppl will be in the Park.” Someone notes that actually action will be away from the park until after 5. #NYCGA #OWS

Someone else suggests it happen earlier in the day, in order to avoid conflicting w/ our GA, but not too early, so Califolk can zzz. #NYCGA

.@missarahnicole responds: “I hear a lot of issues w/ the date, but I can’t change it b/c other occupys have agreed to do the 17th…”#NYCGA

Cont’d: “…but what I can do is hear your other thoughts for consideration,” could just be that #OWS doesn’t participate at 1st… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…especially considering how busy your calendar is on that day.” OK, she’ll table the proposal. #NYCGA #OWS

We have one more proposal, but we’re gonna move to the park to finish it up. #NYCGA #OWS

The proposer didn’t make it to the park, so we’re closing w/ announcements. Sage big-ups Open Spaces and encourages ppl to go. #NYCGa

Courtney: We’re having a Think Tank discussion Monday at 6:30 at 60 Wall to discuss successes and challenges of #OWS. #NYCGA

Sean notes #NYCSC will be discussing budgeting this week, “so please come if you care about budgets.” #OWS

Dallas notes that Wylie, the lawyer, is looking for ppl who were arrested at 13th & 2nd on New Year’s for a possible civil suit. #NYCGA #OWS

And finally, two MayDay breakout groups are meeting in Tompkins square park tomorrow: Mutual Aid at 4 and Propaganda at 4:30. #OWS #NYCGA

OK, that’s it for GA tonight! Thanks for reading, fam. [Questions, comments, concerns, hit me up @DiceyTroop. -Ed.] #love #solidarity #OWS

Hey kids! We are starting GA at 60 Wall! #nycga

Working group reportbacks!

Reportback from Minutes: We are bleeding members and not seeing the community step up to help. #ows #nycga

Minutes: To volunteer, e-mail minutes@nycga.net. We are at the point where we can no longer assure transparency of this movement…

… By providing minutes for GA and Spokes. So ppl attending might have to take them. #ows #nycga

First agenda item: To have a group discussion about what “resources” mean in this community. #ows #nycga

Marisa (proposer): We want to popcorn for 10 mins then have breakout groups. #ows #nycga

Marisa: The urgency for this comes from the #MRG panel earlier this week, where corps would control a pool of resources…

… And funnel them to #OWS through a small committee. Marisa believes this is counter to our values. #ows #nycga

Tashy (proposer): This is just the first part of this conversation. #ows #nycga

We are starting a non-stack, “popcorn” discussion of what we think “resources” are. #ows #nycga

Lots of brief answers: “us!” “reputation” “education” “space” “networking” “basic necessities” “skillsets” “time”and many more. #ows #nycga

Now starting a breakout about what our needs are as individuals around these resources. #ows #nycga

One more reportback: There’s an action 11:30am Sat. 55 Wall St. Ray Kelly is being honored by Fordham Law School. Muslim Student Assoc …

… is protesting and would love our support. They are calling for his resignation. #ows #nycga

Another reportback: Think Tank is doing facilitator training Mon 5pm 60 Wall. To give ideas or connect, e-mail: owsthinktank@gmail.com.

Breakout report on individual needs of “resources”: Food and shelter, but also the need to share our skills and train ppl. #ows #nycga

RT @TesselizaTC: tonites NYCGA can be watched live NOW at http://t.co/dFwLulFp via @OccupySteve. @LibertySqGA @OccupyWallStNYC @OWSFacil …

Next report: To remain clear on why we showed up in the first place, remember our foundations, and conserve our resources. #ows #nycga

Next report: Resources are tools and are useful when they are used. How do we participate in the finances of #OWS? #nycga

Cont’d: We should take the money from #MRG, and we should take donated buildings. #ows #nycga

Next report: Identfying categories of needs and resources. The needs of media, to capture the attention of global media. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: To get the message out to the 99% to get them involved. How diversity of viewpoints is a resource. #ows #nycga

Next report: How do we prioritize needs? Food, housing, space? Also ppl and our brains are our most important resources. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: In terms of using our capital, we should have ppl scout around for most affordable goods. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: Maybe we could get CT Butler to do workshops on consensus, or think about if we should modify our process. #ows #nycga

New breakout for 10 mins: How could we share, multiply, or redistribute these resources? #ows #nycga

First reportback from breakout groups: Focus on skill-sharing, going to different working groups. #ows #nycga

Next report: Also skill sharing and working groups being more outward-facing, e.g. Minutes and them letting us know how to help out. #nycga

Next report: Rotating positions so power doesn’t accumulate, have ppl participate in an equal way, realizing we are the resource…

… not having two groups fighting over resources. #ows #nycga

Next report: Having a time bank to distinguish “part-time occupiers” from “full-time”… ensuring accountability …

… Having more accountability and transparency and better distribution of resources, restructuring the internal model. #ows #nycga

Next report: Act and think more globally, avoiding the top-down advantage of some people being in charge of finances. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: Teach ppl how to fish instead of giving them fish. #ows #nycga

Proposers: Tomorrow at 6pm, 235 W 23rd St., there will be a further conversation on this. #ows #nycga

Okay! That discussion is over. Moving on to #M17 Postal Service Solidarity proposal. #ows #nycga

Proposer: A rally at Union Sq at noon then a march. #ows #nycga http://t.co/ToX4dvPW

This proposer is looking for solidarity from #OWS for this action. #nycga

CQ: Why should we care abt privatizing the USPS? A: It opens the door to privatizing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. #ows #nycga

Moving to concerns on this proposal. First: We are getting involved in something we can’t manage right now. …

… Occupy Wall St needs to remain Occupy Wall St. #ows #nycga

Stairs: Just a reminder, this proposal is just looking for solidarity, not funds. #ows #nycga

Concern: The timing of this. We already have a lot of other events that day. #ows #nycga

Now looking for friendly amendments to this rally/march against privatizing the USPS. #ows #nycga

FA: To announce the #OWS events going on that day at the USPS action. Proposer: Accepted. #ows #nycga

Stairs explains what a stand-aside is before we move forth with consensus. #ows #nycga

2 standasides. Blocks? No. We have consensus! #ows #nycga

Now, Visions & Goals! Want us to picture a time in the future when the world is 100%. What do you want to see? #ows #nycga

Now moving into breakout groups to discuss this concept. #ows #nycga

Getting reportbacks from breakout groups about their ideas of a “100% world.” #ows #nycga

Many ideas of adequate food, shelter, healthcare; no war or WMDs; a repaired and sustainable environment. #ows #nycga

Now! Activist Legal WG is asking for $200 to travel to protest AIPAC in DC. #ows #nycga

Stairs: We think we can’t bring funding proposals due to the spending freeze. #ows #nycga

POP: Zach: Thinks stairs is expressing an opinion here and it’s not fair.

The proposer from Legal steps in to ask if the proposal can at least be heard. #ows #nycga

Stairs: We don’t have a problem with any proposal being brought forth, but the spending freeze only ends when a budget passes. #ows #nycga

Proposer asks if we can talk about the proposal and not be censored by Facilitation. #ows #nycga

Sage keeps repeatedly yelling at the proposer. #ows #nycga

POI from Marisa: This body passed a spending freeze and we have to respect this. #ows #nycga

Someone says this proposal necessitates us talking about the spending freeze. #nycga

Someone else says no, this is about AIPAC and let’s talk about it! #ows #nycga

Lots of POIs and some crosstalk. Sage says the spending freeze as passed would end with a budget or at 1 month and we should look it up.

Proposer: You are the GA and you have the power to make your own decisions. #ows #nycga

Zach: Seems like a lot of people here want to talk about this proposal and the idea of us passing a proposal that spends money.

Lots of discussion of how to move forward, and points of process. #ows #nycga

Tashy: I think we should talk about brainstorming other ideas of how to get people to Occupy AIPAC and then talk abt the spending freeze.

Proposer: Legal is taking a couple ppl to protest AIPAC and we are paying hotels, food, etc out of pocket. We are just asking for …

… $200 for transportation in solidarity with this cause. #ows #nycga

CQ: To get more background on this and the issue with Iran. #ows #nycga

Proposer from Legal gives background on how AIPAC is a gigantic, very problematic lobbying group. #ows #nycga

CQ: Have you been in touch with anyone from Occupy DC?

A: Yes, we are in touch with Medea Benjamin, Lisa Fithian, and others involved with this. #ows #nycga

Lots of people are expressing support for this trip and protesting AIPAC. “We should all go!” someone says. #ows #nycga

Someone suggests he is in favor of this but knows ppl will block it out of respect for the spending freeze, so we should pass a hat. #nycga

CQ: This proposal should pass and we shouldn’t be beholden to rigid GA rules! #ows #nycga

Proposer clarifies to someone that AIPAC is the most powerful Israel lobbying group in the U.S. #nycga #ows

Someone else: If you were against the Iraq war, you should be for this, and $200 is not much! #ows #nycga

CQ: If anyone wants to have a convo about money, they should bring a proposal to GA from their working group. #ows #nycga

Cont’d: And you should start a kickstarter to raise funds. #ows #nycga

Report from the hat going around: People at GA have already kicked in $120! #ows #nycga

Proposer: You are going to make me cry! We just want to take your hearts with us #ows #nycga

Proposer wants us to get to consensus on this, but Stairs is saying we are out of time in this space. #ows #nycga

Many people want to take the GA to the park to continue this discussion. #ows #nycga

Some members of Facilitation are calling the GA over. At least one person says Facilitation is again acting like dictators. #ows #nycga

Many people here unhappy that Facilitation is declaring GA over when the community still wants to discuss this. #ows #nycga

Christina from Facilitation: The Facilitation team is stepping down. GA is over. #ows #nycga

Much yelling and cross-talk. Zach from Facilitation says we are continuing this at the park. Many ppl cheer. #ows #nycga

GA (or not?) has devolved into a huge fight over whether we can have a GA without Facilitation. http://t.co/XlgkwCxx

Much yelling back and forth about if Facilitation has the power to declare a GA over if the GA wants to continue. #ows #nycga

Some facilitation people seem very upset. Others are moving to the park to continue the discussion. #ows #nycga

We have moved to Liberty Park. New facilitators: Sean and Tess. #ows #nycga

Christina from Facilitation claims there were threats against Facilitation and this doesn’t seem like a safe space. #ows #nycga

Echo suggests we all go to vibe check training to learn to how to deal with environments like this. #ows #nycga

Some guy starts yelling at Tess about how Ben & Jerrys is behind #OWS. @OccupySteve and another step in to deescalate. #ows #nycga

Stairs tries to get us back on process. Marisa says Facilitation is empowered to end the GA. Many boos and downtwinkles. #ows #nycga

Tess takes a break and Hello Kitty Anthony steps in to facilitate with Sean. #ows #nycga

Stairs asks for temp check to have proposer restate the proposal. #ows #nycga

Libor from Legal, the proposer, says seeing the violent atmosphere here, and not wanting anyone to get arrested, has reformed the proposal.

Proposer: I have decided we are taking out the budget and are just asking for #OWS to stand in solidarity with Occupy AIPAC. #nycga

Concern: This is the first I am hearing about this and just hope you can document your trip b/c I support it. #nycga

Comment from Lady: I support the fact that we are letting GA be more organic and not relying on “Facilitation” …

[Ed: The 3 new facilitators are from Facilitation and are experienced.] #ows #nycga

Couple concerns expressed about the energy the proposer brought in presenting this proposal. #ows #nycga

FA: That this proposal could also express it’s not anti-Semitic. #ows #nycga

Proposer: Yes! That we are standing in solidarity with the Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jewish people, and nonbelievers…

… But that we stand in solidarity against AIPAC. #ows #nycga

A few standasides, mostly about the proposer personally. #ows #nycga

Any blocks? No! We have consensus about standing in solidarity against AIPAC. #ows #nycga

Now, a proposal to discuss how some proposals have more weight than others. People are cold, though, and want to go to #leisurecaucus. #ows

Announcement from Yoni about leaving for Saturday for Occupy the Primaries. Meeting tomorrow 6pm 60 Wall. #nycga #ows

Announcement from Hello Kitty Anthony: Everyone has been a newbie facilitator at one point and they should all be respected. Solidarity!

Anouncement: The formation of a new #OWS men’s circle to help smash the patriarchy. We are in solidarity with women everywhere. #ows #nycga

Announcement: Recruiting to help chart Bilderberg and its relationship to the Fortune 500. #ows #nycga

Hey fam! That’s GA for tonight! This has been @CarrieM213 livetweeting for ya! Thanks for reading! #ows #nycga

RT @TesselizaTC: ARRESTS, LIBERTY SQ, MESIAH LIVE NOW http://t.co/ikVttOOE RT! @OccupyWallStNYC @owsnycLIVE @libertysqga @OccupySteve @D …

RT @OWSTactical: There’s strength in #solidarity-here’s a (partial) list of all the cities planning to #ShutDownTheCorporations on #F29 …

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