Occupy Pittsburgh 2.0 Proposal and Planning
Chris Mason
camp, also includes an emphasis on a 'spiritual rebirth' and to plan
the camp space while considering the needs of marginalized communities
and inclusivity. Please comment on the proposal (which passed last
night) and please attend the Planning Session this Sunday from 12-4 pm
at USW Building downtown:
Event invite: http://www.facebook.com/events/281445945224077/
Proposal: http://www.facebook.com/groups/occupypittsburgh2/doc/181539241939009/
Full text of proposal here:
Proposal for Occupy Pittsburgh 2.0
Occupy Pittsburgh has emerged as one of the most stable and
productive occupations in the U.S. Yet we rushed into Mellon Green
without planning. We made use of the space haphazardly. We overlooked
the need for clear principles to safeguard inclusivity, nurture civic
responsibility, and protect the health and safety of the occupation.
[1]
Many other occupations face a similar blight. Our space is disheveled
and many people have left. The combination of demoralization,
attrition and an unhealthy space makes it easier for the police to
step in and clear us out.
Meanwhile, our winterization efforts require a substantial overhaul of
the space. Dismantling of crippled structures and abandoned tents is
underway, but we need a large number of people to step up to help the
occupation weather the winter.
Amidst these challenges lies a wonderful opportunity.
Occupy Pittsburgh 2.0 is a call for a physical and spiritual
deconstruction & reconstruction of Occupy Pittsburgh. This is a chance
to refresh everything at once, upgrade our physical infrastructure, re-
distribute space more equitably and efficiently, bring old people back
and new people in. Let’s reclaim our mission and put the “intention”
back in our intentional community.
If you are demoralized, this is your chance to re-occupy and to re-
create a community from the ground up.
Sunday, December 4, 12-4pm: PLANNING
Using a model similar to the recent Occupy Pittsburgh teach-in
featuring plenaries and break outs, we will:
Formulate clear principles for the occupation (rediscover the
"intention" in our "intentional community").
Create an occupation site plan.
Cultivate an inclusive, creative and participatory democratic
process.
Sunday, December 11, 10am-10pm: REBIRTH
Invite all supporters of Occupy Pittsburgh to join us in a day of
action in which we will:
Dismantle - finish removing existing structures & garbage.
Clear - clean the slate, both physical and spiritual.
Rebuild - put up new structures and common space. [2]
Celebrate - conclude with a feast, a party and a spiritual
ceremony celebrating renewal.
Media - invite the mainstream media and livestream everything.
Let’s make this an uplifting and inspiring story for Pittsburgh and
the rest of the U.S.
[1] For example, see Burning Man's Ten Principles
http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/about_burningman/principles.html
[2] These include yurts, winterized tents and more.