Ten Principles of the Occupation, a proposal
BishopZ
by BishopZ
1. Radical Inclusion
Anyone may be a part of the Occupation. We are the 99% and we occupy
together. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist
for participation in our community.
2. Gifting
The Occupation is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift
is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange
for something of equal value.
3. Decommodification
In our rejection of corporate imposed consumerism, the Occupation
seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial
sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect
our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of
consumption for participatory experience.
4. Radical Self-reliance
As a collection of free, aware humans we each encourage each other to
discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources. We believe
democracy empowers a human only so far as they are able to take their
ideas. Community activism relies on the self-reliance of its
constituents.
5. Radical Self-expression
Democracy is nothing without voices. The Occupation urges all humans
to tell their story. Together we are the stories of the 99%.
6. Community Effort
Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive
to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works
of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.
7. Civic Responsibility
We value civil society. Community members who organize events should
assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate
civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume
responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state
and federal laws.
8. Leaving No Trace
Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no
physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after
ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a
better state than when we found them.
9. Participation
Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We
believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in
society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal
participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to
work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through
actions that open the heart.
10. Immediacy
Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone
of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand
between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those
around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world
exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.
We live here now! Welcome home!
