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Upcoming Proposals

December 28, 2011 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

To bring a new proposal to one of our decision-making bodies, follow the instructions here.

Date GA/SC Proposal Proposer Funding Status
04/03/2012 GA Article V Constitutional Amendment Convention Inter-Occupy Article V Work Group Draft
03/31/2012 GA Latest version of Vision and Goals statement Vision and Goals Draft
03/31/2012 GA No Dollar Left Behind 2 Sean McKeown Draft
04/05/2012 GA Voters Registration Drive Discussion Justin Samuels Draft
03/31/2012 GA Occupy National Gathering Proposal Nathan Kleinman & Larry Swetman (for the National Gathering Working Group, Occupy Philly) Draft
03/31/2012 GA Proposal to take part in the June 24 NYC Gay Pride parade Karim Walker Draft
03/29/2012 GA Move the NYCGA from Liberty Plaza (backup: 60 Wall) to Union Square Bill Livsey Draft
04/03/2012 GA Proposal to end Spokes and the GA Justin Samuels Draft
03/27/2012 GA Budget proposal for DAP MayDay poster DAP WG 1000 Draft
04/07/2012 GA Formation of the Meeting of the Minds WG Rayshaun Ratcliff Draft
03/29/2012 GA Formation of the Occupy Bank Working Group Charles Reinhardt Draft
03/31/2012 GA MayDay Discussion Direct Action Draft

To browse a list of past proposals and their outcomes, head over to the Past Proposals (https://www NULL.nycga NULL.net/category/assemblies/proposals-past/) section.

Note: The people posting proposals to this page are volunteers and do not dictate the content of the proposals.  All viewpoints expressed here belong solely to the individuals and working groups that put each proposal forward.

Revision History:

Proposal Instructions

November 5, 2011 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

How to get a proposal to the General Assembly or Spokes Council.

Read on for the policy for brining new proposals to our decision-making bodies.

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by Alia

Article V Constitutional Amendment Convention

April 1, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Contact Person:  Dan Marks
Working Group (if applicable) : Inter-Occupy Article V Work Group
Contact Email:   hardtruthpac@gmail.com (hardtruthpac null@null gmail NULL.com)
Contact Phone: 808-345-3990
This is a Proposal for:      General Assembly      
Proposal:
Emergency Proposal for General Assembly: Sign declaration demanding Congress’ call to assemble an Article V Constitutional Amendment Convention as 49 of 50 States have applied for. We still have time to elect delegates in the 2012 election.

We involved with Inter-Occupy Article V Work-group unanimously acknowledge the fact that the States have satisfied the required two-thirds numerical threshold to call for an Article V Convention under Article V of the US Constitution and Congress should call an Article V Convention to order.

We offer the attached data to support our agreement of fact.
http://foavc.org/file.php/1/Amendments (http://foavc NULL.org/file NULL.php/1/Amendments)

Corporations and wealthy individuals have crowded out voters from being heard by elected officials in the legislative process and as the primary resource of candidates in their campaigns. As a result, our government can no longer be considered truly a government of, by, and for the people.

The States have done their part in asking for a Convention to amend the United States Constitution. A Convention would give the people the ability to make the changes needed to fix what’s wrong with our political system. It is time for Congress to do its duty and call a Convention to amend the United States Constitution as required by Article V of the Constitution.

The record is clear, the reality that Congress is remiss in their duty is clear. If the power of Congress is to ignore, then Occupy and the States must acknowledge the record as fact. The truth is on our side. The States must begin the delegate selection process immediately. If we cannot wake the States up by the end of April we will not get another chance to elected delegates until 2013. We are ready now.  All we have to do is shame a Congress with a 9% approval rating that they will not call this convention to order.

The only option left is the public pressure we can create. This is a political choice as much as a legal choice now. We have the records to wave in their face. Once 20 Governors are waving the records, Congress will call the convention and we will be able to propose amendments. We are running out of time. We need to involve this message in national actions, this is our Constitution to amend.

The States have satisfied the required two-thirds numerical threshold to call for a National Constitutional Convention under Article 5 of the US Constitution. Seize the day!

Revision History:

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by Alia

Proposal from Vision and Goals

March 30, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Proposal from Vision and Goals to present the latest version of this statement (below)

A Vision of the People’s Movement of Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street assembles to protest the unjust laws and rules manufactured by
less than 1% of the Earth’s population.We come from everywhere in America and
abroad; our views are as diverse as our origins, but the one idea that has brought us
together is our shared wish to see a better world based on human dignity.

Although we do not always agree on the world we want to see, there are strands of
vision that unite us all. Many of them are listed below. We are working together with all
of humanity to refine and complete this beautiful vision.

Occupy Wall Street, by its existence, creates the possibility of a future where the world
emerges in continual transformation as People, Nature, and the Planet live in harmony;
each providing for the welfare of the other.

All that we need is already here.

Vision of the peoples General Assembly (February, 2012)

Occupy Wall Street, by its existence, creates the potential for a future where the world evolves in a continual transformation of Humanity and Nature thriving on our planet in a harmony where each element of the system provides for the welfare of the other elements.

All we need is already here.

Basic Human Needs as a top priority:

War is Obsolete;
Conflict resolution, rehabilitation, and support.
Basic Human Needs are a top priority
Systems favor mutual aid and collaboration to distribute resources
Healthy food.
Health care for everyone
Education is free and of the highest quality.

Human resources; we are the valued resource
A philosophy and practice of mutual aid.
Contribution is valued as work
All to benefit all people: The world’s resources are used for everyone’s well being.

Environmental care and respect

People  live harmoniously with nature and planet
Conservation of and sharing of resources
Shared resources,
Bioregionalism; locally based smaller communities all over the world.
A non-proprietary respect for Earth
Tubes in the ocean to harness the power of the currents.
A Sustainable environment where we work with the earth and not just take from it.
No more fossil-fueled polluting automobiles.

Beneficial Social Structures

Fulfilling and meaningful work.
Healthy lifestyles as the new normal.
Everyone has the freedom to go anywhere in the world without discrimination.
A Society that encourages inclusion instead of competition
A Society where Cooperatives thrive over exploitative systems.
Complete equality
3 parties, 4 parties, 5 parties…
Self-Governance through Direct Democracy

Priority of intellectual and religious harmony

Celebration of our Culture over profit margin
Emphasis of We culture that we appreciate
A Culture of Spirituality and a sense of humanity
Power from within instead of power to control others.
Freedom of religion

A new world ethic

No us/them – no more separation.
The practice of active listening in our communication
We have real relationships for a true human connection

In the future: A free and wonderful Life Paradigm

We have the freedom to go anywhere.
And live a balanced life.
With access to nature and city.
To Travel anywhere and have food from everywhere
In a world that  is stateless, borderless.
We live without discrimination and see truthfully that everyday justice prevails.
By Valuing and celebrating other cultures; the human experience is Dialectic,
Informative, Transforming and Becoming.

As Occupy Wall Street we are busy creating the potential for a future that finds ways to evolve positively with the continual transformation of Humanity and Nature on a Planet that lives in harmony;  each element providing for the welfare of the other elements.

All we need is already here.

All the contents of the main body of this document were created by a February General Assembly in an excercise where Occupiers shared their Vision for the future world they hoped to see. It is important to state that this is meant as the first version of a living document that is meant to improve itself as we learn together as an occupation and enhance our wisdom of the ideas and systems involved in this vision.

Revision History:

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by Alia

No Dollar Left Behind 2

March 30, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Proposers: Sean McKeown
Proposer Contact Information: s_mckeown@hotmail.com
Date of Proposal: 3/31/12 General Assembly

This proposal is intended as a proposal to improve OWS accounting and accountability methods
by drafting proper protocols for the movement as a whole to follow as we move revitalized into the
American Spring.

Part II: Accounting Standards Reform

Before even a single dollar of additional donations can be spent by Occupy Wall Street in good faith,
is an absolute necessity to achieve financial transparency moving forward. Both for our confidence in
each other as a Movement, and to enable us to say to the public at large that we are acting with radical
transparency to the best of our ability, any funds or materials we receive must being properly managed
and used to sufficiently high standards. For this purpose, this proposal is asking that we consent as a
body to the following:

Where possible and convenient, we will seek in-kind donations for supplies rather than
monetary donations, be they targeted needs (like bicycles for growing the Bike Coalition) or
general needs (like garbage bags for storing bags at an occupation site during wet weather).
Money is not needed for many of the needs of the Occupation, and should not be considered
the logistical answer to every problem.

Where money is being used, Occupy Wall Street will strive to follow Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles as well as radical transparency of accounting and book-keeping
records. These are already the principles by which members of our Accounting working
group must abide if they are to act properly within the law to the necessary high standard,
and we must as a whole stand in solidarity with the Accounting working group rather than
potentially expose them to state violence with the threat of arrest for their work on our behalf.
In asking Accounting to maintain these high standards, we must note that they can only do so
if we ourselves maintain these high standards. This requires receipts and a trail of information
for all financial disbursements, and by consenting to these principles as far as our use of
money is concerned we will be agreeing that no reimbursements will be made immediately
without a valid and well-documented receipt for any goods or services.

As these situations will still arise, and there is some flexibility within accounting protocols
for disbursement of funds without proper chains of information or receipts, the following
protocol shall be enabled for the disbursement of funds without meeting Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.

For any disbursal of funds without a receipt, after a one-week delay, if such a receipt
cannot be found or replaced for presenting to the Accounting working group, it can be
requested of the General Assembly or Spokes Council as a proposal to those bodies by
the individual seeking these funds in this way.

The Spokes Council is enabled by its design to hear such proposals of a strictly logistical
nature for intra-occupation budget items, while the General Assembly will remain the proper
body for all expenditures (logistical or otherwise) involving more than one General Assembly
working together or the NYCGA interacting with the outside world.

In keeping with the principle of radical transparency, we as a General Assembly will
authorize the Accounting working group to upload digital scans of bank statements and any
other such information, with account numbers redacted, as a general practice. Currently, the
only barrier to this radical transparency is the lack of GA direction in this capacity, and other
Occupations have used these standards of radical transparency to good effect. In addition to
making a weekly report to Spokes Council and General Assembly, as they have been, we
would be authorizing and requiring the Accounting Working Group to upload on a weekly
basis scans of this information for public scrutiny inside and outside of OWS. This consent to

publish financial information will be granted and back-dated, as far back as any records we
possess go, but not required by any particular timetable.

In addition to these weekly accounts summaries, in keeping with the principles of radical
transparency, we as a General Assembly will authorize our book-keepers, the Alliance
for Global Justice who are our fiscal sponsors for 501c3 purposes, to make reports of all
donations (including any cash received) public on a monthly-report basis. These reports
should likewise redact donor information and account numbers, but otherwise faithfully note
all donations into WePay, percentages taken as overhead by WePay or the Alliance for Global
Justice as our fiscal sponsors or any other outflows prior to budgetary tracking, and confirm
the transfer of funds to OWS accounts plus confirm that these accounts match those currently
tracked by the Accounting WG after any holding periods. The recipient of each disbursement
shall be provided in these monthly summaries going forward. For the purposes of masking
individual actions, monikers and/or Working Groups (where applicable) will be accepted (as
they presently are) for any who do not wish to publish their real name, but as with current
Accounting protocols and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, one’s real name and
similar information must be privately tracked internally (as it already is).

Additionally, the $100 per-day “petty cash” system, in place since the early weeks of the Occupation,
came into existence without direct GA consensus. The history of this system’s implementation came
about quite simply, as it was determined very early on (at a GA for which there do not appear to
be surviving records) that it was reasonable to require a $100 threshold for requiring the consent
of the body as a whole before making a financial expenditure on behalf of the Movement. By
logical inference, then, it became OWS practices not to require GA consent via a proposal for any
expenditure of up to $100. Likewise, to answer the questions of ‘by whom?’ and ‘how often?’ when
the Occupation was considerably smaller than it is today, the reasonable answers to these questions
were determined to be ‘by Working Groups’ and ‘on any given day,’ thus creating without an actual
proposal the system of petty cash as we have known it.

As part of its budgeting process discussions, the Spokes Council ratified with full consensus
the proposal to exclude petty cash expenditures without consensus and oversight as part of
our budgeting practices. As this proposal is seeking to conclude the spending freeze and put
into place best practices for the movement to follow going forward, the General Assembly
is being asked to consent that this system which was never brought into place via group
consensus shall not be used. In its place, if Working Groups, projects, or other proposal
items require flexible budgeting options as part of any budgets they seek approval for, they
can request such as part of their budgeting and such would be subjected to all appropriate
oversight within the guidelines of such budgeting structures.

With these requirements for transparency and accountability met, we can in good conscience lift the
spending freeze. Instead of simply concluding the spending freeze, however, by the passage of this
budget and its associated protocols, we would seek to modify the conclusion of the spending freeze.
For any given month, failure to complete a monthly report of our book-keeping and accounting
statements on the NYCGA.net website at accounting.nycga.net by the seventh day after the agreed-
upon deadline will result in an automatic and complete spending freeze. Presentation of such a
transparency report, for accountability purposes, either lifts or prevents such a freeze; unlike the
spending freeze proposed 1/14/12, this budgetary freeze shall have no exceptions based on category of
expenditure or the repeating nature of any budget.

Revision History:

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by Alia

Voters Registration Drive Discussion

March 30, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Proposal for Voters Registration Drive Discussion

Proposer: Justin Samuels

I propose that Occupy Wall Street has a voters registration drive.  Occupy Wall Street was originally about pointing out and fighting economic injustice.  This message has been lost due to nightly battles with the police officers at Union Square.  I propose that instead of focusing on trying to hold union square at night (something that occupy will lose) that occupy focus more on changing things within the framework of the system we have.  If the public thinks that the NYPD is too brutal, we can vote in a mayor who has different policing policies.

For any “anarchists” who say they don’t want to work with the system, I don’t think they mean that.  I notice when against the system occupiers get arrested, that they are more than happy to accept whatever bail money and representation that will get them out of jail.  That’s the epitome of working with the “system” to save your own skin.
Also, those of us who work or go to school cannot even attempt to occupy all day every day.  Occupy should focus on actions that’s easier for working people to do.  Voting is one action.  Another action is boycotting.   Remember the Bank Transfer Day in the fall that got large numbers of people to change their accounts to credit union accounts?  These were all positive actions that one could easily present to the general public and get good numbers of people to participate.  The fights against the policemen need to stop, its pointless and a waste of our time.  We’re here for economic injustice, not here to get our friends locked up in jail.
 This is intended for discussion.

Revision History:

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by Alia

Occupy National Gathering Proposal

March 30, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Occupy National Gathering Proposal

Proposers: Nathan Kleinman & Larry Swetman (for the National Gathering Working Group, Occupy Philly)

On January 7, 2012, the Philadelphia General Assembly came to consensus on a proposal from the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence to form a national working group dedicated to conceiving of, and implementing a strategy towards, a National Gathering of the Occupy Movement.1 This National Gathering Working Group (NGWG) has met seven times via conference call with people from across the country using the InterOccupy system to debate the merits and discuss the logistics of convening a mass convergence of the Movement in one place at one time.2 Participants have included Occupy activists from Sacramento, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Asheville, Missoula, Phoenix, Las Vegas, New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, Denver, DC, Oakland, Albany, Schenectady, Delaware, Alabama, Chicago, Tampa, San Francisco, Boston, New Hampshire, and Kalamazoo, as well as Canada.

After several weeks discussing several locations, dates, and purposes we would like to submit the following proposal to General Assemblies across the Occupy Movement for general ratification:

We, the National Gathering Working Group (NGWG), propose a National Gathering of the Occupy Movement on July 4, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Independence Mall in order to collectively craft a Vision for a Democratic Future. We further propose that our convergence begin on June 30, 2012 for four days of community and Movement building exercises including speakers, teach-ins, and free-flowing open discussion at a location to be

determined by the Philadelphia General Assembly. To facilitate the visioning process we also propose the use of the attached

National Gathering Visioning Process Proposal” which utilizes a small network model of communication to organically produce a vision statement of all those in attendance. We also encourage the creation of local or national processes by which movement resources could be directed towards funding travel for active movement participants who otherwise would not be able to attend. We fully understand that no single gathering can be representative of our entire movement, but we cannot ignore the value derived from face-to-face contact. We recognize that attending in person will be challenging or impossible for many, so we also commit to pursuing an online component through which anyone can participate via the Internet.

In keeping with principles of the Occupy Movement, the NGWG will continue planning this gathering only if this proposal is ratified by a preponderance of General Assemblies from across the Movement. We are committed to operating in an open, inclusive, and transparent way. Therefore, all planning will be done via direct democratic conference calls through the InterOccupy system. We convene every Tuesday at 9PM EST/6 PM PST.3 All are welcome to participate. We endeavor to convene an historic gathering that will require a great deal of organization, so we invite participants from every Assembly to join us in the planning and facilitation of this effort.

We have included a copy of the process proposal that outlines how to effectively and efficiently produce a collectively written document. By utilizing this small network, consensus-based model, we will work together to produce a vision for the future. We will also prove, through the entire process leading up to July 4th, that our movement is capable of coordinating mass action and collaborating on a broad scale, while still holding fast to our principles. In many ways, the process is more important than the gathering itself.

This Movement will always live primarily at the local level, but every great Movement should have the chance to gather en masse as a demonstration of solidarity and strength. A National Gathering of the movement will provide such a demonstration. At this pivotal stage in human history, we feel we owe nothing less than a beautiful expression of our collective will to an anxious world grasping for reasons to hope again.

Once your Assembly has considered this proposal please email your decision to NationalGathering@gmail.com (NationalGathering null@null gmail NULL.com). For media purposes please feel free to utilize @OccupyNG and #NationalGathering for social media coordination. Updates will be posted to InterOccupy.org and OccupyNationalGathering.com.

Revision History:

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by Alia

Proposal to take part in the June 24 NYC Gay Pride parade

March 29, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

In keeping with the spirit of equality and social justice that is the
lifeblood of the Occupy movement, I want to have 25-75 LGBT occupiers
and straight allies take part in the June 24 NYC Gay Pride parade down
5th Avenue.

 

Proposer: Karim Walker

Revision History:

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by Alia

Move the NYCGA from Liberty Plaza (backup: 60 Wall) to Union Square

March 28, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Proposal to move the NYCGA officially from Liberty Plaza (backup: 60 Wall) to Union Square for the foreseeable future.

 

Proposer: Bill Livsey

Revision History:

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by Alia

Proposal to end Spokes and the GA

March 27, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Proposer: Justin Samuels

I propose that we end both spokes council and the GA for several reasons.

First and foremost, Occupy Wall Street claims to be a horizontal movement.  If it is a horizontal movement, then we don’t need a spokes council (with spokes/representatives) or a General Assembly making decisions for us.  We should be empowered to make decisions on whatever projects we want to.   Spokes and the General Assembly are a recreation of the US Congress, without the judicial and executive branches to check the legislative branches power.
Both spokes and the GA have completely screwed over the most vulnerable occupiers.  Spokes showed how at a whim it could just end a housing program for occupiers.  Essentially people were thrown to the wolves by this decision.  Both bodies have shown a complete disregard for marginalized voices such as the mentally ill or homeless.  Violence has broken out not just because disruptors are bad, but the total disregard of body itself for certain voices has triggered some conflicts.  Even the downtwinkles and hand rollings are totally rude and disrespectful, even more so for those who may have difficulty communicating.
Back when we had the park, when there was no spokes (we had working groups and the GA), much of the world in OWS was done by individuals who educated the public as the walked by.  It was done by activists who spoke to the media, sharing OWS with the world.  A secret organization like spokes does NOTHING for OWS in terms of public relations.  As neither body is functional, both OWS and Spokes are an embarrassment to the movement.   If the GA and Spokes were placed on CNN news regularly, we’d look like a bunch of barbarians who belong on television.
Ending spokes and the GA would not hamper the movement at all.  Individuals and working groups could still work on their projects.  In fact as both the spokes and GA absorb time from events or projects that occupiers could be working on, freeing up this time would help rejuvenate the movement.   Spokes council meetings in particular take people away from downtown Manhattan, and this divides the movement.
Also, both the spokes council and the general assembly foster dependence.  Activists who are fighting against the system and against laws they consider injustice shouldn’t submit to a new system with equally oppressive structures (out of control legislative process)

Revision History:

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by Alia

Proposal for Printing May Day Poster

March 23, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Budget Proposal for

DAP

This proposal is for Printing for a May Day Poster to be distributed widely throughout NYC.

The print shop we will be using is union run and the paper is recycled newsprint.

We are looking to print 1000 copies on recycled newsprint, 2′x2′

We will wheatpaste the posters all across the 5 burroughs to raise awareness about MAY DAY

Occupy LA and Occupy Oakland are also printing this poster for their MAY DAY General Strike.

The cost for printing is $750. Shipping is $50.

An additional $200 would go to cover cost of paint, canvas, grommets and wheatpaste.

Total budget is $1000

There is a time pressure to get this printed asap.

Contact Person: Lopi

Revision History:

Formation of the Meeting of the Minds WG

March 19, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

Meeting of the minds 2

Is a group intend to create mass action with in OWS.Meeting of the minds encourage groups to agree so OWS can move forward on a larger scale.Meeting of the mind objective is to have mass action push through GA to direct action at least ones a month.

 

Reason for meeting of the minds

There are people that don’t get along and at GA a lot of good ideas are block for this reason.I feel it’s good to have different opinions and debates that how everyone get a say ,I don’t want to take that away from GA.I also feel sometime the fighting and different opinion can bring the process of the movement to a complete stop.Meeting of the mind will serves as a mechanism to insure that this will not happen.Even if people can’t get along the super group will still be moving on a large scale.

 

I need people to come to saturday GA to make sure it pass.I would also like people to go the web site to look at a live stream of the GA that took place on the 10th of March and the 25th of february.that way you can know what i want.

 

Meeting date on March 31 Saturday 2:00

Revision History:

Formation of the Occupy Bank Working Group

March 19, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

We would like to request to have ratification of our Working Group status placed on the agenda for tomorrow’s GA.

The Occupy Bank is a sub-group of the existing Alternative Banking Working Group, facilitated by Cathy O’Neill. We have been working since early October on conceiving and establishing a democratic, transparent financial institution for the 99% that would be plausibly competitive with the existing banking system, with the long term goal of replacing the current banking system altogether.

We work closely with the Alternative Banking Working group, but the Occupy Bank group wishes to be recognized as a formally separate working group so that it is easier to publicize our meetings on the NYCGA website. Many people are interested in our work, but have to go indirectly through the Alternative Banking Working Group first.

We meet at 7:00 PM every Wednesday either at 45 East 20th street, or at 9 Bleecker Street, depending on availability. With a central NYCGA website, we will be able to publicize information like this more easily for interested participants.

We have made serious concrete progress over the last six months and believe that recognition as a separate working group will help us in our mission to create a new institution to replace the existing banking system for the 99%.

Revision History:

MayDay Discussion

March 12, 2012 in Assemblies, Future Proposals

MayDay 2012 - No Work, No School, No Housework, No Shopping, No Banking! TAKE THE STREETS!

Direct Action & its allies coordinating events for MayDay 2012 would like to spend 1-hour at each Saturday General Assembly leading up to May 1st discussing MayDay.

Topics can include..

the history and legacy of MayDay,

the role of labor, immigrants, students, etc in MayDay,

possible actions and events for the day

Outreach and base-building.

Revision History: