Occupy Boston Update
Aria Littlhous
Greetings!
This issue of Occupy Boston Updates has three and only three very important updates!
1. Occupy Boston’s General Assembly is now meeting monthly. The next meeting is June 4. Check the website & calendar for more info.
2. There will be a major demonstration against agribusiness Big & Bad---MONSANTO! on 5/25/13 2pm, City Hall Plaza, details below.
3. The Occupy International Gathering will take place in Kalamazoo MI, 8/21-25/13, details below below.
FORWARD WILDLY!
A.
OCCUPY MONSANTO
May 25, 2013
2:00 PM
Gov’t Center T Stop/City Hall Plaza
#MarchAgainstMonsanto #MAMBoston #fairseeds
Mission Statement, Boston: http://on.fb.me/ZOkUmf
Current worldwide event list: http://bit.ly/ZTDsk8
Website: march-against-monsanto.com
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DAY OF MARCH
* We gather outside the Gov't Center T Stop/City Hall Plaza.
* Then, we process across the street from the State House through Boston Common and come out on the Newbury Street/Ritz Carlton entrance to the Common.
* We will have a brass band a la NOLA accompanying us as we are doing a 'funeral' for REAL FOOD.
* At the end-point location, speakers will engage in conversation in small-group gatherings (no podium or amp) with whomever is interested in the topic: the science behind GMOs, gardening, policy, etc.
* There will be a community theater interactive performance
* We end gathered as a community
WHAT TO DO NOW:
* Join us for a t-shirt/poster/banner session (Sun 5/19 or Wed 5/22, see post below)
* Print the flyer and post 5-10 in your neighborhood (see post below and write where you post)
* Print literature to share on the day of the march: Info flyer (two-sided) in Dropbox folder, for example (see https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6mstqfjnva72vqw/Ok30M4mIRv?lst)
* Bring an instrument to join the band (no amp)
BACKGROUND INFO:
What are GMOs? The DNA of Genetically Modified Organisms is mixed with that of other plants, animals, bacteria or viruses. These combinations do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding.
Companies that make GM (genetically modified) FOODS claim they achieve, among other things, longer-lasting products or crops resistant to pests. However, GMOs are linked to CANCER and other ILLNESSES.
What is MONSANTO? The largest manufacturer of GM seeds, this US-based corporation receives government subsidies and does not test its products long-term. It makes insecticides DDT and Agent Orange and herbicide Roundup, all highly toxic to humans, animals and the environment
* Fresh corn and papaya are likely GMO, and as much as 80 PERCENT of conventional processed foods (foods packaged in boxes, cans or bags – the longer the ingredient list, the more processed) contain GMOs.
* Over 60 countries ban, limit or label GMOs due to safety, economic and ecological concerns, but not the US.
* Policies and business models PRESSURE farmers to use patented GMO seeds that invade native crops and destroy their livelihoods.
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WHAT CAN WE DO?
Stay informed – Seek, question, and share information
• Research GMOs! Visit sites like the Non-GMO Project (nongmoproject.org).
• Watch documentaries and host screenings! Genetic Roulette by Jeffrey M. Smith; King Corn, by Aaron Wolf; Food, Inc. by Robert Kenner; and The World According to Monsanto by Marie-Monique Robin – all on YouTube as of April 2013.
Unite with Your Community & Use Your Money Wisely
• Organic (and local) food is best to ensure it is non-GMO. Avoid processed foods. Seenongmoshoppingguide.com.
• Join a community garden or start one at home with non-GMO seeds. Also join a CSA! Visit localharvest.org.
• Shop your local markets and encourage them to carry healthy, local foods
Influence Laws
• Demand GMO labeling and banning! wheredoivotema.com. MA legislature: signon.org/sign/require-labeling-of-all.
• Let your elected leaders know how you stand on GMOs. Visit marighttoknow.com. Contact your senators and representatives at the White House by calling (202) 456-1414.
(INTER) NATIONAL OCCUPY GATHERING AUGUST 21-25
KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN
Who/What
OCCUPY (Inter)National Gathering 2013
Attendance encouraged by all Occupiers and interested parties. Occupy Kalamazoo will be hosting the second round of Occupy National conferences, August 21-25, 2013, following the wildly successful National Gathering that took place in Philadelphia, PA, July 2012.
We, the National Gathering Working Group 2013 (NGWG2013), propose a National Gathering of the Occupy Movement, and peoples’ movements worldwide, in Kalamazoo Michigan, to collectively assemble and embrace our different ideologies and perspectives; to find our common visions; to share our strategies and actions; and to leave this gathering with steps we can all take in both agreement and diversity; for ourselves, our communities, our nations, and for all of us all over the world.
We further propose that our convergence begin on Aug. 21 and continue for five days of Community and Movement building exercises including speakers, teach-ins, and
free-flowing open discussion at a location to be determined by the Occupy Kalamazoo General Assembly. We believe it’s time the people of the world spoke to each other about how to make a better world. We ask you to converge with us, to bring your ideas, your struggles, and your voice and come to Kalamazoo!
Occupy National Gathering working group (NGWG2013) is a coalition of Occupy movements from cities around the world, uniting in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and the Occupy peoples' movements worldwide
Where/Housing
Kalamazoo Michigan, (the 6th meanest city to the homeless, and home of the Kalamazoo river which had "The Largest Inland oil spill, in U.S. history). We are going to be offering multiple housing and recreational spaces.
Why/Theme
The focus of the Occupy National Gathering will be leadership building and people powered training, education, and actions. To empower people with trainings to take back to their community and spread positive and effective change in their communities.
Aug 21st: Renew your community.
Aug 22nd: Making and Supporting Free, Unfettered Media
Aug 23rd: Fixing Fossil Fuels and Creating an Environmentally Sustainable Future.
Aug 24th: Economic and Trade Justice, Equal Access and Ending Corporate “Personhood”, Asserting the People’s Sovereignty.
Aug 25th: Ending War and Our Police State, Building Peace and Cooperation.
Each day will also have a global component and conversation based on the needs and issues of the global community, roughly parallelling, but by no means restricted to, the daily themes. The Global work, like NatGat12 itself, is a work in progress and will be developed by participating groups. Please join our global partner, Via22, for monthly mumble meetings 22nd of each month on the tomalplaza server, Via22 room, and further info on facebook and the Via22 website and Hub on InterOccupy. [links]
Tour of the Kalamazoo river
Home of the Enbridge Oil spill in 2010 "The Largest inland oil spill in U.S. History"
A global conversation
A multi-month building action which many countries may participate in, including a massive digital conference taking place August 22nd-24th.
Occupy Summer Tour
The Occupy Summer of Change tour will begin June 8th (in solidarity with UTW’s GLobal “UnFuck the World” Concerts happening in LA, Brisbane, London and others..As you folks know I am working with National gathering 2013 here in Kalamazoo.
Caravan this year is something we are hoping to LARGELY build on, and somewhat re-organize. This year we hope to make a unique summer experience, where people can join a traveling carnival of Change. This traveling change would be Highlighted by Strike Debt Concerts, Local community empowerment with media and training, holding teach-ins, art and education, potential direct actions, and also donation and fundraising for the Occupy Sandy relief effort. These events would planned in advance with local participation to provide support and necessity along the way with the point of empowering their own local groups being highlighted. Using Civi CRM we would contact and organize with local occupies and groups along the way.
Occupy National Gathering working group is a coalition of Occupy movements from cities around the world, uniting in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and the Occupy peoples' movements worldwide
Food
We are donating time on Co-op farms,and outreaching with local business and farmers gathering natural and healthy food to provide during the event.
Entertainment
There will be nightly entertainment, including featured artists, poets, musicians, and djs, as well as a campfire and drum circles. Also planning a benifit concert, and encourage artists of all mediums to inquire for space for expression
Watch the conference on Livestream: OccupyDetroitOfficialChannel, Occupykalamazoo@Ustream [links]
Conference Call
Every Wednesday at 8pm EDT until the Occupy (Inter)Nat Gat
Register here: