Occupy Los Angeles: Updates

[B0LSHEVIK]

Where you at!!!

I know for a fact that there are several comrades in the vicinity of the great city of LA, its time to occupy her! I'll be there this Saturday, all day. Lets make this grow, lets show the right wing idiots that indeed we AREN'T LIKE THE TEA PARTY, we are a true proletarian movement, lets unite!

No corporate sponsors, no gods, no masters!


WHERE: City Hall in downtown

WHEN: When ever you can

WHAT TO BRING: Yourself, friends, signs! Be creative!



http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308096_228684163852568_168879986499653_537753_1260 947844_n.jpg

[x359594]

Check this out comrade: http://unpermittedla.wordpress.com/

[DaringMehring]

Leaderlessness — Ultimately, the two preceding issues are related to the illusion of leaderlessness. While the movement as a whole, and Occupy LA in particular, claim to not have leaders, in reality power is concentrated in a few hands and decisions are largely made by them before the GA. These same “leaders” are the same people taking orders from the police and the city and imposing those orders on the movement. It may be natural for people to take on leadership roles in movements, but here it is completely opaque as to who is deciding and what their interests are. Transparency wouldn’t allow such a level of unilaterality. All of this is done under the banner of leaderlessness. When decisions-already-made were presented to the GA, we repeatedly asked, “Who made this decision?” It wasn’t consensed on at the GA, and no one could say who made the decision or how it was made. At least the RCP is up front about who their leader is. The following issues are directly tied to the desire of these “leaders” to maintain their firm grip on decision-making.

Hahahahahahaha! Great line.

[ellipsis]

Beware "activist" Clay Clairborne - active in occupyLA and on the internet. He appears intent on splitting our movement by isolating, snitching, and attacking anyone who articulates protest strategies that are less than 100% cooperative with police. Don't buy into the "agent provocateur" bullshit.

What did he do? Apparently he distributed a list of names and photos of long-time activists in LA with the intent of attacking them, labeling them as violent, and singling them out for repression.

Also you can see his work, and thought process here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/02/1022229/-Brave-Leaders,-Provocateurs,-or-Agents-Brooklyn-Bridge-Leadershttp://

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/49868_1536123757_5044_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/clayclai

[Chicano Shamrock]

But we are just like the Tea Party. They are just as angry about the same things but they don't understand that they are mad at Capitalism and not Obama. They don't read economics books so they don't know that a free market would be their undoing. They don't read political theory so they don't understand that Obama isn't a socialist.

They are just regular people too busy working to look into why they feel the way they do. Who can blame them?

As for Occupy LA does anyone have any info or tips for someone going?

[x359594]

But we are just like the Tea Party...

Not in any meaningful sense in my view. The Tea Party is not a spontaneous grassroots movement; it was carefully nurtured by the likes of Karl Rove from its inception, it received immediate media attention and was bank rolled by the Koch brothers, not to mention its ties with the Republican Party. These are all significant differences.

[Chicano Shamrock]

Not in any meaningful sense in my view. The Tea Party is not a spontaneous grassroots movement; it was carefully nurtured by the likes of Karl Rove from its inception, it received immediate media attention and was bank rolled by the Koch brothers, not to mention its ties with the Republican Party. These are all significant differences.
Yes the big similarity is that it is filled with people angry about how the system is working.

They are too dumb to know what is going on so they were easily manipulated into thinking it was the taxes and a free market would be a better solution. We are all the same worker getting fucked. It's just a shame that general mis-education and years of anti-communist/anarchist/socialist propaganda have steered them into the Tea Party on their journey for answers.

[x359594]

...It's just a shame that general mis-education and years of anti-communist/anarchist/socialist propaganda have steered them into the Tea Party on their journey for answers.

Ideological conformity is part of the American socialization process. The very words "socialist, anarchist, communist" produce a negative Pavlovian response in the indoctrinated. When I talk to the brainwashed I use terms like "self-managed cooperative commonwealth" instead of anarchist communism to reach them. This allows for at least an opening to discuss an alternative to the capitalist dictatorship.

[x359594]

Mayor Villarigosa is getting ready to drop the hammer on Occupy L.A.:http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2011/10/villaraigosa_city_hall_co.php

Let's see how nice the cops are now.

[R_P_A_S]

I believe that I'm experiencing first hand the frustration and growing pains of whenever there's a movement of the "masses for, the masses." I figured I sorta knew what happened and what "went wrong" with every single government that was created after some sort of revolution by reading about it. Ranging from the French Revolution, Soviet Union, China and Cuba.

Granted Occupy LA is no revolution and it's not a legit government of the people, BUT the similarities exist and even though it's of a tiny scale compared to revolutions I mention above, one can still see elements of dissent, frustration and stalling.

I mean, just by observing and listening to the General Assembly and the People's Assembly discuss issues, dealing with the multiple personalities and ideologies of the people present at the occupy LA encampment is really interesting to say the least.

I can totally see how communications can break down, alliances form, fuses running short, personal egos and sense of entitlement getting in the way an no one willing to compromise, mainly leading to some of the opposition having to go into exile, or end up imprisoned or executed. NOT that I'm implying that any type of "dissent " should be dealt with execution or expulsion at Occupy LA hahaha. I'm just pointing out that by seeing how much people disagree and throw temper tantrums it makes it easier for me to understand the immense challenges that come when people are attempting to form some sort of government that allows everyone to voice their views and concerns.

I've come to a few conclusions. People really need to get over themselves. The other night there was some guy who had his minute to voice his suggestion and he made the "mistake" of saying that we needed more GOD in the movement. Obviously the way he came across wasn't very humble, more like preaching and it did not sit well with the majority. How was he dealt with? He was immediately mocked, shut down and pretty much ridiculed. Then again he wasn't polite him self. Regardless there are better ways to deal with this. The problem is not "Jesus Freaks" advocating for more GOD... There's always gonna be a couple of those. So what? The majority of us should allow this person to speak and not come down on every little detail that we don't agree with.

There's this dude out there at Occupy LA... I guess he has been there since October 1st. Day one! Props to him. He seems very involved and on top of the occupy LA campaign. However I've seen this same guy act like he's above all. He throws temper tantrums and has walked off GA meetings if things are not going a certain way. Tonight there was this older gentlemen who brought up some good points during a prep meeting.

1. "I can't be out here every day and the 10 times I've been able to make it out things are always different. It's inconsistent and confusing." A lot of people agreed with him... What is he told by this dude who has been there since day one?

"Well you should be out here everyday, PERIOD!" Than he goes off on a rant about how he has sacrificed so much and pretty much make others feel like they should be just like him.

This to me is the type of attitude that sets any movement back. I'm not sure if there were new comers there when he said this stuff.. But this would turn people away who have never been to one of these occupy's or GA meetings.

I think tonight was probably one of the first nights when I left with a little more satisfaction than other nights. I think because I finally grasp the complexity of the situation. Before I just wanted answers and get the ball rolling on some action. There's hundreds of voices who have never really been heard. Have never experienced a democratic setting where people listen, debate and discuss the issues. The movement is in it's infancy. If the logistics and basics are barely getting worked out how can we push for serious demands and take action on the issues? This movements is barely getting ready to crawl.

I will be honest. To all of you. Every single one of you here who wants a better world, like I do. Free of capitalism, exploitation and injustice.. first of, you need to get with the times and make some compromises. This movement may not be the one. Perhaps it will lay a foundation but it's probably not "it". Be happy that the opportunity to educate people it's presenting its self. Take advantage. Learn to listen and accept others beliefs even if they sound "crazy" or "reactionary". Be fucking GLAD! that people are first of all. talking about this shit in city squares and public places when the fuck does that even happen? Now it's finally happening!:cool:

[x359594]

Report from a fellow worker (excerpt): ...there is a tension between the campers, and the original organizers regarding transparency, assumed leadership, and process. The tension reached a critical mass on Tuesday night [October 25] when the campers rallied a circle and SHUT DOWN the GA. Many of the campers feel the whole movement has already been co-opted and they are rebelling against that (There may be some truth to this...) The GA never happened and instead we had open mic. I agreed that the GA has become too structured and full of hot air, we will see how this whole thing pans out. I really look at it as Occupy LA evolving, where as a lot of the original organizers have already left because they see the campers as just wanting to party and do drugs. There are legit statements on both sides. In the end I think the campers are gong to institute many changes around Occupy LA. I saw very few faces of the original organizers Friday and Saturday [October 28 and 29]."

Last night at the GA the campers brought up a list of greveinces that they have with occupy LA. here are some examples:
"male dominated GA"
"GA not discussing things of relevence"
"unfriendly, unwelcoming attutides at many of the committees"
"lack of transperency with the committees"
"lack of transperency regarding relationships with police"

The campers are meeting today for the very first "campers meeting" where they will discuss changes that are "including, but not limited to, the GA"

Personally, I feel like this whole thing is exactly what you would get in a work place democracy situation. I think a month from now we will have a lot more solidarty and the occupation will have evolved for the better. I also think that many of the orginal organizers(most of whom go home at night and not camp out) lost touch with the attitudes of some of the campers.

[R_P_A_S]

Article on how some of the "protestors" just don't get it!.. Let's get with it people!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-occupy-farmers-20111031,0,3865505.story

[x359594]

Occupy update from yesterday 11/6/11:

-Meeting initiated by OccupyLA participants to discuss a General Strike in Los Angeles and/or shutting down the ports of San Pedro and/or Los Angeles. A proposed date was 11/17 which is the same date as the CSU system's one day strike by the California Faculty Association, although this is not decided and the planning is just beginning.
Meeting to discuss these proposals is Sunday 11/6 at 3:00p at OccupyLA at City Hall on the South side (along 1st street) by the fountain (currently enclosed in a large plywood box with murals on it).

-All unions were asked to establish a phone tree and or text message tree to mobilize their members to defend OccupyLA in the event of eviction from the occupation site.

-The next meeting of the Labor Solidarity Committee for the occupy movement is Thursday 11/10 at 5:30p at the Labor tent on the north side of city hall.

-The labor tent at OccupyLA needs volunteers to staff it. The duties are answering questions about the labor movement and having conversations with people who come by the tent. The shifts are for at least 2 people at a time and run from 6a-10a, 10a-2p, and 2p-6p every day. If you can coordinate a shift, please email Caroline O'Connor at [email protected]

[x359594]

There's a demonstration at the Australian Consulate protesting the firing of port
truckers at Toll who were organizing a union. (Toll is an Aus. company.)

The union doing the organizing is the Teamsters. So this is an opportunity
to meet the union involved in this situation. A delegation of people involved in this attempt to shut down the ports can go and network. Take 99% signs, etc. to represent.

The demo is Thursday 11/10/ at 1pm in Century City. Link to flyer:
http://launionaflcio.org/pdf/**111107-PORT-Toll-**
Demonstration-Flier-2-fed.pdf<http://launionaflcio.org/pdf/111107-PORT-Toll-Demonstration-Flier-2-fed.pdf>

That's the LA County Fed flyer. The people you want to get in touch with
are the Teamsters Port Campaign.

[x359594]

Proposal Adopted by Unanimous Consensus of the General Assembly of OccupyLA, Nov. 15, 2011

What:
Carry out a port action, "Occupy the Ports/A Day without Goldman Sachs," on December 12 as part of the Dec. 12 day of action, Boycott and March already adopted by the GA. The occupation will take place at at least one facility owned by SSA Marine, a shipping company belonging to Goldman Sachs, (coordinated with a possible port shut down by the port truck drivers) as a build up towards a General Strike on May 1, 2012.

How:
a) Establish a General Strike Preparation Committee of OccupyLA, which will work with the Dec. 12 Coalition, port truck drivers, longshore, warehouse and other port workers, community residents, unions, and OccupyLongBeach to plan and organize the Dec. 12 actions.
b) Develop alliances in the process with organized and unorganized labor, student and community groups to prepare for and build towards a General Strike on May 1, 2012, or at any moment that circumstances and conditions demand.
c) Call on other Occupations to act on Dec. 12 and May 1.

Why:
The 1% are depriving port truck drivers and other workers of decent pay, working conditions and the right to organize, even while the port of LA/LB is the largest in the US and a huge engine of profits for the 1%. The 1% have pursued a conscious policy of de-industrialization that has resulted in "trade" at the port meaning that there are 7 containers coming in for every one going out. The 1% have driven migrant workers into a "grey market" economy and repression. The 1% use police brutality and repression, jails and prisons to suppress, divide and try to silence the 99% and all who oppose their insatiable greed. To put an end to all that, we call on the 99% to march, boycott, occupy the ports, and STRIKE on December 12 for full legalization, good jobs for all, equality and justice. The port drivers and other workers have the power to push forward the kind of change we need. By building towards a General Strike, we can spread the Occupy movement and sink roots in the 99%.