1/14/12: Winter Incubator II: Learning and Envisioning New Directions for Occupy
Chris Mason
Held at United Steelworkers Building, Stanwix & Blvd of the Allies, downtown
1/14/12: 10 am - 1 pm
The Occupy Pittsburgh legal team is preparing to present the case for our free assembly in the urban open space of People's Park at the hearing scheduled for January 10th. As we prepare for various possible outcomes, we propose this meeting to review the ideas, projects, actions, and creative solutions realized by various Occupy groups across the country and the world, and then brainstorm new directions for Occupy Pittsburgh.
We will look at ways Occupy communities both here in Pittsburgh and across the nation are carrying forward the momentous challenge to systemic economic corruption begun in the fall of 2011. How might we – ever more effectively -- speak truth to power? At the same time, we will consider the ongoing needs of the 99%. What creative practices for sustainable cooperative life support has Occupy generated and put into practice? Working collaboratively through actions and community service with local leaders, activists, other organizations that share our mission, and with other Occupy communities, how will Occupy Pittsburgh continue their momentum and expand the critical mass of our movement?
Refreshments: Cookies, bagels, coffee, tea
First half: Roundtable of 1 or 2 (or more) members of Occupy Pittsburgh Work Groups to discuss ideas, issues, and updates.
Second half: brainstorm concerns and creative ideas for new actions and strategies in our current circumstances for the upcoming year.
Moderator will set ground rules for both parts of the evening so as to keep time well and engage everyone.
Prior to the Incubator and as a follow-up, if you have visited, communicated with or researched other Occupy communities, please contribute your observations and ideas on this wiki page: http://occupypittsburgh.wikispaces.com/Winter+Incubator+-+Learning+and+E... . How do you think we might we learn from the larger movement and adapt models of success to our own particular community and circumstances?
Participants and supporters of Occupy Pittsburgh will be notified of this research activity through Facebook, the website, and various working group Google Groups. Please coordinate with Rosemary McMullen or Helen Gerhardt prior to 1/14 so the round table structure can be inclusive and use time well. Some of this material will be used for the plenary session of the February teach-in focusing on the “ State of the Occupy Movement.”