Loss Accountability

[Stephen Marshall]

Application by Sydney Stieler, on behalf of her friends, for up to $400
worth of camping gear, has prompted the finance working group to
consider whether Occupy Burlington can or should be held accountable for
the loss of equipment from the encampment of November 2011, in City Hall
Park, Burlington Vermont.

We have concluded that our Occupy is not responsible.

Emotions have played a role in this decision, as have objective
considerations.

Emotionally, the thought of paying out anything in the range of one
third of our funds, for something that has no movement building
potential, was frightening.

Emotionally, we also empathized with the party which lost the property.
This empathy compelled us to examine carefully why we might or might not
be responsible.

Emotionally, we were concerned about how any refusal to pay might impact
our credibility.

Objectively, The encampment was an unruly and insecure environment. In
the absence of a well-regulated security detail, no promise to protect
the property, that might have been made, could have been kept.

Objectively, No person had the authority to make a promise of
protection. If such a promise had been made, that one person was the
responsible person who must answer for the loss of this property.

Objectively, if no promises were made, there is no responsibility.

Objectively, granting funds for the purpose of replacing someone's lost
or stolen property does not build our movement, which is the guiding
principle of the finance group.

Weighing against our reluctance to grant funds was our compassion and
desire to maintain a positive relationship with the aggrieved party. We
are very sorry for this loss, but feel we would be irresponsible to the
greater community of Occupy Burlington if we were to grant any
significant amount of money for this purpose.

After the initial application, Sydney found a number of persons willing
to help replace the property. We hope Sydney is able to make her friends
whole in this manner. If she cannot, she is welcome to apply again for a
smaller sum of money.

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This reply email has been edited to reduce volume and to simplify reading it.

Stephen Marshall
11 Hungerford Terrace (out back)
Burlington Vermont 05401
Dispolemic.Blogspot.Com
802-861-2316 Landline
802-922-1446 Cell

[Andrew Sullivan]

Hi Stephen,

Thank you very much for drafting this earnest and straightforward notice regarding the request and the considerations of policies that the request inspired.

Peace,
Andrew

[Emily Reynolds]

This was a great statement.