M1 meeting- Report Back

[mario cardenas]

Hello Occupiers, 

along with others, I attended tonight's planning meeting for the Mayday march.  This is a brief report of what happened, feel free to add on if you were there.   

The meeting was well attended, about 30- 35 people.  There was an initial report-back on the progress of the march, logistics about permits, fundraising, outreach and other aspects where brought up.  There were several points that the organizers are trying to tighten up on;  Outreach and Fundraising.  This Saturday at noon there will be a small conference to gather different organizations Uinions and other groups to discuss the history of Mayday but also the politics behind the march this year.  I would encourage everyone to attend, this would be a great place to raise concerns or questions that we may have about the significance of a march on mayday.  

I volunteered to head up some of the flyering around the city. I will post that tomorrow.  

After the Reports there was a break out session of different committees to discuss the final two weeks of preparation. There was a discussion about having a direct action at either or both the Federal ICE Courthouse and the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown.  The action was presented as a way to "step-up" the level of struggle or also to "gain material" results from it.  This action is still to be concretized, however there were concerns about spliting the march, and or police involvement with the direct action.  For now, it seems like those interested in persuing this small direct action will continue to try and develop it.  

Some of us met as Occupy el Barrio after the meeting to discuss Dylan's Proposal for the fare strike.  There are concerns about how strategically sound this action is, and about the CTA workers' relationship to the action.  Also, the idea of doing  an action at Bank of America was tossed around.  For now we agreed to meet this Friday at 5:30 pm at efebinas to discuss this and other matters.  Please plan to attend. 

Please respond with questions and or comments.  

Thanks.  

Mario Cardenas.  

[Mackel]

Thank you, Mario. ~ mackel