National Occupation of Washington
The National Occupation of Washington, DC Seeks to Lift Occupy to New Levels With Powerful Educational Programs
The National Occupation of Washington, DC which begins on March 30th and ends on April 30th will include protests, music and art but its anchor is education of the movement.
The major educational activities begin on April 2nd with the "Control the Corporation" conference at the Carnegie Institute of Washington. The conference organized by the Center for the Study of Responsive Law was designed for the Occupy and will include how people can work toward controlling corporations impact on elections, slow privatization, create better paying jobs and mobilize for the future. The full schedule is below or at http://nowdc.org/content/
Over two weeks the NOW DC Social Forum will hold more than 70 sessions where members of the Occupy and their allies will examine the first six months of the movement and discuss what worked, and what did not work. Also discussed will be how labor and Occupy can work together more effectively, what strategy and tactics are most effective, how the Occupy can work with the media, as well as create its own media. A range of economic issues including job creation, co-operatives, sustainable and local economies, health care, energy, biodiversity and food production will be examined as will issues of war and empire. Goals, strategies and tactics of the Occupy will be examined in multiple sessions. The full schedule can be seen below or at http://nowdc.org/content/
The major educational activities begin on April 2nd with the "Control the Corporation" conference at the Carnegie Institute of Washington. The conference organized by the Center for the Study of Responsive Law was designed for the Occupy and will include how people can work toward controlling corporations impact on elections, slow privatization, create better paying jobs and mobilize for the future. The full schedule is below or at http://nowdc.org/content/
Over two weeks the NOW DC Social Forum will hold more than 70 sessions where members of the Occupy and their allies will examine the first six months of the movement and discuss what worked, and what did not work. Also discussed will be how labor and Occupy can work together more effectively, what strategy and tactics are most effective, how the Occupy can work with the media, as well as create its own media. A range of economic issues including job creation, co-operatives, sustainable and local economies, health care, energy, biodiversity and food production will be examined as will issues of war and empire. Goals, strategies and tactics of the Occupy will be examined in multiple sessions. The full schedule can be seen below or at http://nowdc.org/content/
"We want occupiers to share information, network and learn so they can bring new information and skills back to their Occupation. This is an opportunity to lift the Occupy to a new level of strategy, activity and cohesion," said Margaret Flowers, MD, one of the organizers of NOW DC and one of the original organizers of the Occupation at Freedom Plaza, www.OccupyWashingtonDC.org.
"With twenty-six occupations voting solidarity with NOW DC and Occupiers from across the country organizing these events, this is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to learn from each other. And, the DC community is rich with advocacy talent that can add to the already impressive skills in Occupy," said Kevin Zeese, also an organizer of NOW DC and of Occupy Washington, DC.
"With twenty-six occupations voting solidarity with NOW DC and Occupiers from across the country organizing these events, this is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to learn from each other. And, the DC community is rich with advocacy talent that can add to the already impressive skills in Occupy," said Kevin Zeese, also an organizer of NOW DC and of Occupy Washington, DC.
For more information on the overall National Occupation see www.NOWDC.org. The calendar, which continues to grow, includes not only the educational activities but other actions, http://nowdc.org/
Control the Corporation
April 2, 2012 8am-6pmCarnegie Institute of Washington1530 P Street NWWashington, DC 20005
To register for Control the Corporation go here: http://csrl.org (this will help plan food and space for the day).The Agenda:
8:00 Registration & Breakfast
8:45 Welcome – Ralph Nader
9:00 Countering the impact of corporate control of the electoral process
Bob Edgar – President, Common Cause
Theresa Amato – Executive Director, Citizen Works
Rob Richie – Executive, Director Fair Vote
Lou Dubose – Editor, The Washington
Harvey Wasserman – Anti-Nuclear Activist
10:10 Holding corporations accountable for their crimes
Russell Mokhiber – Editor, Corporate Crime Reporter
Bill Black – Professor, University of
Patrick Burns – Director of Communications, Taxpayers Against Fraud
Kent Greenfield – Professor, Boston College Law
Carl Mayer– Mayer Law Group
11:15 Protecting the “Commons” from the insatiable advocates of privatization
Phineas Baxandall – Federal Tax and Budget Policy Analyst for US PIRG
David Morris – Vice President, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Wenonah Hauter – Executive Director, Food & Water Watch
Jamie Love – Director, Knowledge Ecology International
Margaret Flowers –Congressional Fellow and co-chair of the Maryland chapter of Physicians for a
National Health Program
12:15 LUNCH
1:00 Occupy the Future
Christopher Hedges – TruthDig columnist
Kevin Zeese – National Occupation of Washngton, DC
Robert Weissman – President, Public Citizen
Dean Baker – Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research
2:05 Creating economic models that provide jobs/Increasing minimum wage
Gar Alperovitz – Professor of Political Economy, UMD
Greg LeRoy – Executive Director, Good Jobs First
Dimitra Doukas – author of Worked Over
Gayle McLaughlin– Mayor, Richmond CA
Alexis Baden-Mayer –Political Director, Organic Consumers Association
3:15 Mobilizing for Action
Ralph Nader – Consumer advocate
Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman – Executive Director and Founder , SumOfUs
Tom O’Brien – United Steelworkers
Michael Gecan – Industrial Areas Foundation
David Freeman – former head of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Sacramento Municipal Utility District
(SMUD), Power Authority State of New York.
4:30 Reception
NOW-DC Social Forum
Friends Meeting of Washington, DC
2111 Florida Ave., NW (near DuPont Circle)
Please at rsvp@nowdc.org
Schedule of Workshops
April 3-5 & April 10-13
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
9 AM - 11 N
Workshop A3.1: PR and messaging: Re-shaping the occupy narrative Track 2 We will look at the current occupy narrative and mainstream view of the movement, and then give an overview of how mainstream media works and delve into tools and strategies that Occupy can utilize to craft and convey its own narrative to the public. Alex Pio, Occupy Portland
Workshop A3.2: BioDemocracy: Using the Tools of Direct Democracy – Ballot Initiatives, Local Laws and Direct Action -- to Throw the Bums Out & Heal the Planet Track 4 OCA explains use of grassroots tools of Direct Democracy – Ballot Initiatives, Referendums and Recalls – to effectively challenge the hegemony of the "one percent," with examples of historic successes and explanation of the process behind the ballot initiative in CA to require the labeling of GMO foods – a move that poses a direct, meaningful threat to the power of Monsanto and Big Food Inc. Alexis Baden-Mayer, Organic Consumers Association
Workshop A3.3: Occupy Trading Cards Track 4 This workshop will introduce and create "Occupy Trading Cards" as a reflection and self-assessment tool, as a well as a tangible way to share “lessons learned” with others from the Occupy Movement. Olivia Robinson, Jenny Graf Sheppard, Janelle Treibitz of the Occupy Trading Cards project
Workshop A3.4: Occupreneur Workshop: Creating an Employees Market Track 4 This workshop will discuss innovative strategies for employment, skill assessment, alternatives to corporate jobs, skills-building, and strategies for taking economic security back into our own hands. Roya Brown, Occupy Denver
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A3.5: Occupy and Electoral Politics Track 1 Panelists will discuss their experiences using electoral politics as an organizing tool, the relationship between social movements and electoral politics and the state of electoral politics at present in the US. They will seek to answer if the Occupy Movement and electoral politics fit together and if so, what form that relationship would take. Margaret Flowers (moderator), Mark Dudzic, Sam Jordan, Kevin Zeese and Ian Williams
Workshop A3.6: Horizontal Structure and AA: Using the 12 Traditions as a guide Track 4 This workshop will present the 12 Traditions of AA as a guide to understanding horizontal structure and group discussion of its implications for Occupy groups. Bernadene Zennie, Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Washington, DC
Workshop A3.7: Capitalism is Organized Crime & Socialism is the Alternative Track 1 This workshop will discuss what socialism looks like and how it would address some of the most pressing issues facing the working class today, including unemployment, homelessness, mass incarceration, police brutality and the rising costs of health care and education. Strategies for how workers can join the struggles to fight to shift power from the 1% ruling class to the 99% will be included. The workshop will discuss the question of whether a revolution is possible in the United States. Radhika Miller
Workshop A3.8: Robin Hood Tax USA: Banks Should Pay Their Fair Share Track 1 This workshop will introduce the rationale and plan of action for the Robin Hood Tax Campaign (aka Financial Transactions Tax) in the USA. Update will be given on global campaign, progress in the USA, and opportunities for occupy action during global week of action, May 18-25. This small microtax on the financial sector has the power to raise billions of dollars every year. These funds could give a vital boost to job creation, education, and the fight against poverty in the USA – as well as, tackling poverty, end HIV/AIDS, and combating climate change around the world. Donna Smith National Nurses United and Paul Zeitz, ACT V: The End of AIDS, and others
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A3.9: The Institutional Labor Movement: What It Is and What It Isn't Track 5 Three longtime veterans on labor struggles from inside and outside of the labor movement, will lead a wide-ranging presentation and discussion about the labor movement and the challenge and opportunity that labor is faced with as a result of the Occupy movement. Mark Dudzic, Gene Bruskin, Dennis Serette
Workshop A3.10: Left/Right Coalitions Against War and Empire Track 1 The workshop will explore the Right/Left coalition against war and empire as exemplified by ComeHomeAmerica and parts of the Ron Paul 2012 campaign. The Right/Left coalition may also extend into other areas, e.g. the effort to stop ObomneyCare which has been joined by the Right and by 50 physicians, favoring Single-Payer, who have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court. Civil liberties is another area where Left and Right can join forces. "Jacob Hornberger, The Future of Freedom Foundation. Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, The American Conservative magazine. John V. Walsh, University of Massachusetts Medical School. "
Workshop A3.11: Achieving Independence From Corporations: Why and a Little How Track 1 Rather than depending on faceless, distant corporations to supply your most basic needs, find ways to supply them yourself—whether as an individual, a family, a community or an occupation. This workshop will talk about why it’s worth investing time and money on independence—or interdependence—along with some first steps toward controlling your own supplies of water, heat and shade, electricity, and food. Mary Wildfire
Workshop A3.12: Strategy, Conflict, & Creativity - Tools for Harmonizing Grassroots Power Track 3 In the wake of a tumultuous Fall and in anticipation of a vibrant Spring how will the populist uprising manifest and draw new members to the cause? How can we build movement identity that is sympathetic and inviting? Overcoming obstacles, misconceptions, and confusion about the nature of conflict, the activist-organizer's role in building movement power, and understanding grand strategic principles are essential if we are to deliver meaningful victories. Bill Moyer The Backbone Campaign
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A4.1: Cooperatives and Community Wealth: Building Blocks for a People-Centered Economy Track 4 A facilitated discussion on cooperatives and community wealth building as tools for creating a people-centered economy Examples will include Evergreen Cooperatives in Cleveland, a network of "green" worker-owend cooperatives that supply needed services to area hopsitals and universities, providing jobs and building wealth in commuities that suffer from high unemployment. Additionally, this workshop will provide information on resources and technical assistance providers that can assist with cooperative development and community wealth building in communities across the US. Steve Dubb, Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland
Workshop A4.2: The inner workings of Occupy: A practical look into organizational cultures and structures that make activism work Track 2 Occupy is a broad-based, non-hierarchical, participatory decision-making movement, comprised of a multitude of autonomous acting and loose-knit affinity groups. A number of mechanisms have developed to facilitate these functions. This workshop will cover what works and what doesn’t in different activist groupings in terms of structure (or lack thereof), organizational culture, decision-making mechanisms, internal communication and barriers to participation. Alex Pio, Occupy Portland
Workshop A4.3:
Workshop A4.4:
11 AM to 1 PM
Workshop A4.5: The Mystic Activist: Navigating the similarities, tensions, and compliments between social activism and personal transformation Track 6 This workshop explores the relationship between activism, which seeks to change the external social world, and spirituality, which seeks to change within. How are these modes similar and different. Do they compete? Do they contradict one another? Can they complement each other? Christopher Mandel
Workshop A4.6: Organizing 99ers, the Un, Under & Not Yet Employed to actively & publicly support a public works program Track 5 The goal of this workshop is to equip you with message tools, steps to integrate us into your current campaigns and specific outreach targets that can actually be used on the ground Kian Frederick
Workshop A4.7: Self determination in the belly of beast:popular education and lessons from movement history Track 2 Participatory workshop using social history timeline & small groups to explore lessons of esp. labor & black freedom struggles of 20th century for today’s movement – changes in society and how movements have to be located within historical conditions. Some exploration of occupy within current moment will also be included. Walda Katz-Fishman & Virginia Leavell
Workshop A4.8: The Right Time for Reviving the ERA Track 1 Why we need the Equal Rights amendment NOW! Dorli Rainey, National Lawyers Guild
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A4.9: Narrative Praxis: History & Critique Track 2 It is said that history is written by those who win... history is also what we live ... the stories we tell ourselves frame our conceptual understanding, personally and collectively. How we "frame" our experiences as members of the occupy movement, will ultimately become the story of our movement. This workshop will address issues of personal narrative, as a collective history, as well as a means to constructively critique the movement. In this workshop we will discuss social movements, media, and occupy, as well as the means by which we can use our personal stories to reflect upon and frame our movement as we move forward with the American Spring. Chappell Howard
Workshop A4.10: Transforming Oppression: Confronting our History to Move Forward Track 2 Participatory workshop using social history timeline & small groups to explore reality of our history of oppression rooted in race/nationality, gender, and class in the US to move forward. some exploration of challenges of the oppression of larger society coming into occupy spaces and why we have to confront that reality within current moment of our movement is to win. Walda Katz-Fishman, Anne Luna & Rebecca Mintz
Workshop A4.11: BFF's 4evr? How Occupy and Labor can organize and win by giving up on love and strategically working on specific campaigns together Track 5 "Our goal is to equip you with a better understanding of why each organization functions as it does and to arm you with specific tools to to employ the strength of each group within your campaign " Kian Frederick
Workshop A4.12: Battle in the Pacific: The 99 Percent against the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (TPAA) Track 1 Now, after 18 years of offshoring jobs and growing public opposition to the same failed trade NAFTA model, U.S. trade officials are pushing a NAFTA with Asia that not only replicates the worst of the past, but champions outrageous new corporate proposals that would cost jobs, drive down wages, decrease access to medicine, worsen labor conditions and keep the same policies in place that caused the global economic crisis. Once again the 99 percent from the streets of Wall Street to Vietnam will pay the price. Join the movement and join those determined to fight corporate globalization and the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (TPAA). Brooke Harper, Global Trade Watch
Workshop A4.13: The Move to Amend strategy for winning real democracy in the U.S.A. Track 1 In October of 2009, a small group met in a living room to plan a response to the expected Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC. Just over two years later, Move to Amend is the nation's leading, largest, and most diverse campaign for progressive constitutional reform. What are the goals of the Move to Amend, and how does this campaign expect to achieve them? This workshop tackles the political and organizational challenges that face this movement for constitutional reform, ranging from issues of capacity building, attempts at co-optation, debates over collaboration with the Right, the question of constitutional convention versus congressional action, and more. Move to Amend is history in the making. Ben Manski
Thursday, April 5, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A5.1: Fitting Occupy into the existing Activist ecosystem: If and how occupy should interact with nonprofits, unions, political organizations and other grassroots activism organizations Occupy does not exist in a vacuum, there are many other groups and organizations out there that share interests and values with Occupy. Who should occupy interact with? How can mutually beneficial relationships form without the threat of co-option? Join the discussion and share your ideas Alex Pio, Occupy Portland
Workshop A5.2: Ending Wall Street Health Care and Seeking Health Justice Track 1 This workshop will describe the consequences of market-driven health care and what health justice looks like using a human rights framework. Margaret Flowers, MD Physicians for a National Health Program, Healthcare-Now
Workshop A5.3: Campaign to Break up Bank of America Track 3 With the economy finally on the upswing, the federal government should learn from the mistakes of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent a similar disaster from occurring. Specifically, it should prevent banks from becoming so large, complex and interconnected that their failure would tank the economy—creating “too big to fail” institutions. The solution is to break them up and reform them so they are simpler, smaller and safer. That is the argument Public Citizen made in a petition to financial regulators with regard to the financial behemoth, Bank of America. Micah Hauptman Public Citizen
Workshop A5.4
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A5.5: How to Take Power Track 3 Strategies and tactics for moving beyond protest, toward co-managing the new world that is happening. By Paul Glover, author of How to Take Power and other books, founder of more than a dozen community organizations and campaigns (including Ithaca HOURS local currency). Paul Glover
Workshop A5.6: Occupy and the Article V Constitutional Convention Track 1 To educate participants about the history of Article V, developments of the past few years, and what it all means for occupations today. John de Herrera
Workshop A5.7: Health Care for the 99%: Organizing for Health Justice Track 1 This will focus on the movement assembly process at the community assembly level and how that fits into the bigger picture of movement building connecting to the World/US Social Forum as well. HC99% has been really strong in connecting with the local issues to bring the bigger picture. We will talk about the different tactics we've used to do that. Katie Robbins and Josh Startcher
Workshop A5.8: Ethics of Live Streaming in Direct Action Track 3 To address the internal confusion and danger that live streaming presents in direct action situations. The concept of transparency vs solidarity will be addressed. This would be "most" benificial for those engaging in live streaming events but could also help participants determine if a particular live streamer is to be trusted. Flux Rostrum
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A5.9: Battle in the Pacific: The 99 Percent against the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement Track 1 Now, after 18 years of offshoring jobs and growing public opposition to the same failed trade NAFTA model, U.S. trade officials are pushing a NAFTA with Asia that not only replicates the worst of the past, but champions outrageous new corporate proposals that would cost jobs, drive down wages, decrease access to medicine, worsen labor conditions and keep the same policies in place that caused the global economic crisis. Once again the 99 percent from the streets of Wall Street to Vietnam will pay the price. Join the movement and join those determined to fight corporate globalization and the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (TPAA). Brooke Harper Patterson, Global Trade Watch
Workshop A5.10: Alternative Currencies: Creating a Community Time Bank Track 4 Shira Jones (Anacostia Time Bank)
Workshop A5.11: League of Uninsured Voters (LUV) Track 3 The tough love strategy for winning health care access. "We don't send our signatures to Congress; we send our medical bills." And more! Paul Glover, founder of health co-ops and author of Health Democracy
Workshop A5.12: Deep Politics and Deep Spirituality: Three Case Studies in Facing the Demonic: Healthcare, 9/11, and Banking Track 6 We can only birth a new world by first facing our own shadow—especially the collective shadow—and then reconnecting with our truest heart. Humanity’s shadow work is, quite simply, a political and cultural battle over control of planet earth as we face off with the demonic and regressive dimensions of national and global politics. Byron Belitos
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Evening Event A5: 13 The Path to Victory: Roundtable on the Move to Amend after Citizens United v. FEC Track 1 Ben Manski and others at the Josephine Butler Center
SAT APRIL 7
Workshop A7.1 Metanoia: A change of heart Track 6 "The term derives from the Ancient Greek words μετά (metá) (meaning ""beyond"" or ""after"") and νόος (noeō) (meaning ""perception"" or ""understanding"" or ""mind""), and takes on different meanings in different contexts.
In the context of this NOW DC workshop/discussion, we are using the term to mean a resulting ""change of heart"", brought on by experience. Join us for this workshop, discussion group and experiential delving into one of the most powerful aspects of human consciousness." Bernadene Zennie
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A10.1: PR and messaging: Re-shaping the occupy narrative Track 2 This workshop begins by taking a look at the current occupy narrative and mainstream view of the movement. It continues to give an overview of how mainstream media works and delves into the tools and strategies that Occupy can utilize to craft and convey its own narrative to the public. Alex Pio
Workshop A10.2: A Solution to Corporate GREED! Track 1 Corporations are the embodiment of what is wrong with out economic system. The Corporation is the repository of much of our nations wealth. It is hidden in “retained earnings,” and used to manipulate our political leaders and skew the tax system. I will present a direct and comprehensive solution for freeing up the capital needed for American Job growth. Jerome Pelloquin
Workshop A10.3: Occupy Movement: Vision, Grand Strategy and Tactics Track 2 So much is happening in the Occupy Movement. How will these activities lead to the end of corporate rule and create a participatory democracy so that the 99% has more control over and benefit from public policy? We will discuss the vision that unifies us, the rationale for a nonviolent grand strategy and the diversity of tactics which serve that grand strategy. Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese and Rich Rubenstein
Workshop A10.4: Common, Universal Strategic Plan for a Peaceful, Prosperous, Just World Track 1 "This workshop will describe and refine the proposed Common, Universal Strategic Plan for a Peaceful, Prosperous, Just World which is outlined on WeThePeopleNow.org. This Strategic Plan provides short and long term actions with clear goals and a grand strategy for occupiers and other individuals and organizations interested in progress, change and reform. Ron Fisher
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A10.5: How to Handle the Media Track 3 The mainstream media is looking for a story. How can you give them one? And how can you craft your message so they won't mess it up? (Well, no guarantees on that last one!) Join Lisa Simeone for a candid discussion on the media and how it works. Lisa Simeone
Workshop A10.6: Occupreneur Workshop: Creating an Employees Market Track 4 This workshop will discuss innovative strategies for employment, skill assessment, alternatives to corporate jobs, skills-building, and strategies for taking economic security back into our own hands. Roya Brown
Workshop A10.7: Whistleblowing Track 1 Marsha Coleman-Adebayo
Workshop A10.8:
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A10.9: The Mystic Activist: Navigating the similarities, tensions, and compliments between social activism and personal transformation Track 6 This workshop explores the relationship between activism, which seeks to change the external social world, and spirituality, which seeks to change within. How are these modes similar and different. Do they compete? Do they contradict one another? Can they complement each other? Christopher Mandel
Workshop A10.10: Occupy Our Stories-Workshop Writing Project Track 2 Life in the Liberated Zone’s approach for getting to the truth about our lives and experiences is the collective creative writing of our stories. This workshop will be offered for folks who want to go into depth with the Occupy Our Stories writing process. Julie Barnet
Workshop A10.11: Occupy and the Justice Department: End Mass Incarceration Track 3 This Teach-In on mass Incarceration and the repressive apparatus of the state will explore how we can build a united front to end mass incarceration and the criminalization of black and latino men, immigrants, muslims, whistle-blowers, and radicals. This panel will build for a civil disobedience action and demonstration already scheduled for April 24 in front of the Department of Justice on the birthday of former deathrow prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal's eloquent writing and defiant voice in the face of state repression has for the last 30 years taught us all something about courage and the human spirit's inclination toward freedom. His message articulates our highest aspirations as a society. On April 24, we will bring our fighting spirit to the DOJ and our desire to live in and create a decent and different world. Johanna Fernandez CUNY Educators for Mumia Abu-Jamal
Workshop A10.12: How to minimize the impact of Infiltration on the Occupy Movement Track 2 Throughout US history, social movements have been infiltrated. The Occupy Movement is challenging concentrated wealth and empire. We will discuss how to recognize infiltration and how to minimize the impact while maintaining the strengths of the Occupy Movement. Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers, OccupyWDC
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A11.1: The inner workings of occupy: A practical look into organizational cultures and structures that make activism work Track 2 Occupy is a broad-based, non-hierarchical, participatory decision-making movement, comprised of a multitude of autonomous acting and loose-knit affinity groups. A number of mechanisms have developed to facilitate these functions. This workshop will cover what works and what doesn’t in different activist groupings in terms of structure (or lack thereof), organizational culture, decision-making mechanisms, internal communication and barriers to participation. Alex Pio
Workshop A11.2: Building the Movement from the Ground Up: Local Communities Standing Up to Courts & Corporate Power The political strategy behind "rights-based" organizing and examples of where the strategy has resulted in towns passing laws encompassing the right to local self-governance, the rights of nature, and the denial of corporate constitutional rights. Ruth Caplan, Alliance for Democracy
Workshop A11.3:
Workshop A11.4:
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A11.5: Narrative Praxis: History & Critique Track 2 It is said that history is written by those who win... history is also what we live ... the stories we tell ourselves frame our conceptual understanding, personally and collectively. How we "frame" our experiences as members of the occupy movement, will ultimately become the story of our movement. This workshop will address issues of personal narrative, as a collective history, as well as a means to constructively critique the movement. In this workshop we will discuss social movements, media, and occupy, as well as the means by which we can use our personal stories to reflect upon and frame our movement as we move forward with the American Spring. Chappell Howard
Workshop A11.6: Transformational Strategies: Occupy Politics, Shifting Toward A New Society Track 1 "The Occupy Movement: Demonstrations of Discontent, Linking Goals and Strategies: Reopening the Dialogue: Why Vote? The Teach-In will include plenty of time for discussion, Q&A and productive debate on each of these areas." People For A New Society (PFANS)
Workshop A11.7: Robin Hood Tax USA: Banks Should Pay Their Fair Share Track 1 This workshop will introduce the rationale and plan of action for the Robin Hood Tax Campaign (aka Financial Transactions Tax) in the USA. Update will be given on global campaign, progress in the USA, and opportunities for occupy action during global week of action, May 18-25. This small microtax on the financial sector has the power to raise billions of dollars every year. These funds could give a vital boost to job creation, education, and the fight against poverty in the USA – as well as, tackling poverty, end HIV/AIDS, and combating climate change around the world. Donna Smith and Paul Zeitz
Workshop A11.8: US on the war path: Current and future acts of aggression Track 1 David Swanson and ??
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A11.9: Community-Based Accountability and Restorative Justice in the Occupy Movement Track 2 It's no secret that factionalism, oppression, and direct violence have threatened the Occupy movement from within while state force threatens it from without. This workshop is about addressing internal conflict in a constructive and nonviolent way that is non-reliant on state structures. We will focus on efforts that have thus far been made at Occupy D.C. as well as the potential to expand this work to other Occupy locations and to the broader progressive community. Matt Johnson, Jenn Polish, Makeda Crane & Walda Katz Fishman
Workshop A11.10: Re-Envisioning Our Future: Models & Values For A Cooperative New Society Track 4 "Understanding The Present: Economic/Cultural/Political Basis and The Meme of Capitalism
Envisioning An Alternative: Re-thinking Everything; Build A Meaningful Movement: Evolution Now!
Set the Goal: A New World To Win " People For A New Society (PFANS)
Workshop A11.11: Holding those who commit war crimes accountable Track 1 David Swanson, ??
Workshop A11.12:
Thursday, April 12, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A12.1: Fitting Occupy into the existing Activist ecosystem: If and how occupy should interact with nonprofits, unions, political organizations and other grassroots activism organizations Track 2 Occupy does not exist in a vacuum, there are many other groups and organizations out there that share interests and values with Occupy. Who should occupy interact with? How can mutually beneficial relationships form without the threat of co-option? Join the discussion and share your ideas Alex Pio
Workshop A12.2:
Workshop A12.3:
Workshop A12.4:
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A12.5: Battle in the Pacific: The 99 Percent against the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (TPAA) Track 1 Now, after 18 years of offshoring jobs and growing public opposition to the same failed trade NAFTA model, U.S. trade officials are pushing a NAFTA with Asia that not only replicates the worst of the past, but champions outrageous new corporate proposals that would cost jobs, drive down wages, decrease access to medicine, worsen labor conditions and keep the same policies in place that caused the global economic crisis. Once again the 99 percent from the streets of Wall Street to Vietnam will pay the price. Join the movement and join those determined to fight corporate globalization and the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (TPAA). Brooke Harper Patterson, Global Trade Watch
Workshop A12.6: Ethics of Live Streaming in Direct Action Track 3 To address the internal confusion and danger that live streaming presents in direct action situations. The concept of transparency vs solidarity will be addressed. This would be "most" benificial for those engaging in live streaming events but could also help participants determine if a particular live streamer is to be trusted. Flux Rostrum
Workshop A12.7: Transformational Strategies: Occupy Politics, Shifting Toward A New Society Track 1 "The Occupy Movement: Demonstrations of Discontent, Linking Goals and Strategies: Reopening the Dialogue: Why Vote?The Teach-In will include plenty of time for discussion, Q&A and productive debate on each of these areas." People For A New Society (PFANS)
Workshop A12.8:
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A12.9: Alternative Currencies: Time Banks Track 4 Shira Jones (Anacostia Time Bank)
Workshop A12.10: State, County and City-Owned Banks and How They Can Fund the Sustainable Economy Track 1 "How could local governments reduce their borrowing costs and insure against interest rate volatility without putting themselves at the mercy of this Wall Street culture of greed? One possibility is for them to own some banks. State and municipal governments could put their revenues in their own publicly-owned banks; leverage this money into credit as all banks are entitled to do; and use that credit either to fund their own projects or to buy municipal bonds at the market rate. It will include a review of the systemic peril of compound interest, the money creation powers of depository banks, and a review of the only public bank in the USA -- the Bank of North Dakota. " Marc Armstrong & Ruth Caplan Public Banking Institute
Workshop A12.11: Re-Envisioning Our Future: Models & Values For A Cooperative New Society Track 4 "Understanding The Present: Economic/Cultural/Political Basis and The Meme of Capitalism;
Envisioning An Alternative: Re-thinking Everything; Build A Meaningful Movement: Evolution Now!
Set the Goal: A New World To Win " People For A New Society (PFANS)
Workshop A12.12:
Friday, April 13, 2012
9 AM - 11 AM
Workshop A13.1: Campaign to Boycott Wells Fargo and End the Prison Industrial Complex - the Root of Mass Incarceration in the US Track 3 "The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s prison population.The private prison industry, financed by Wells Fargo and other Big Finance, wrote laws that keep 2.3 million people behind bars each day, nearly 60% people of color. Join the campaign to boycott Wells Fargo and end mass incarceration and abuse of people." Christopher Glenn, PEERS: Promoting Empowerment Education and Re-entry Solutions
Workshop A13.2:
Workshop A13.3:
Workshop A13.4:
11 AM - 1 PM
Workshop A13.5: Great Public Banking Debate: Should State & Local Governments Own Their Banks? Track 1 This debate will center on whether cities, counties and states should place public money (tax revenues, fees) into public institutions for the benefit of the public, or, if they should continue to use private bankers in this role. Some feel that the creation of credit has too long been delegated to a cadre of private middlemen who have flagrantly abused the privilege. Others feel that government cannot be trusted to run a bank. Let the debate begin! Marc Armstrong & Others
Workshop A13.6: Occupy Longview (WA) and the IWLU: How Occupy and Labor Can Help Each Other Track 5 "To establish and strengthen the link between Labor and Occupy, several issues will be discussed, including how to present your idea to your local GA, inter-Occupy communications, speaking to Union Officials and the rank and file, dealing with the media and realizing the strength of the Occupy movement.· Accepting and dealing with the politics of Unions
· Realizing the basic connection between Occupy and Organized Labor : We both want a better standard of living for the middle class.
· Understanding Unions, and the law, Taft-Hartley, and the importance of Occupy
· Picking the battle that we can all fight: goes back to messaging too.
· Public outreach, attending labor council meetings, flyer's, even door to door canvassing" Paul Nipper
Workshop A13.7: Creating an Impressive Banner Drop Track 3 We will create large banners and learn how to successfully create an impactful banner drop in the most unexpected places. Tarak Kauff
Workshop A13.8: From Tahrir Square to Liberty Square: Building a movement to end war for empire Track 1 This workshop will examine organizing strategies to build a mass movement within the United States that fights for equality and economic justice, and defends those struggling for independence around the world. Our organizing panel and discussion will explore common ties between the Occupy movement in the United States, and the struggle against U.S. imperialism. "Heather Benno ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)"
Lunch
2 PM - 4 PM
Workshop A13.9: Capitalism is Organized Crime & Socialism is the Alternative Track 1 This workshop will discuss what socialism looks like and how it would address some of the most pressing issues facing the working class today, including unemployment, homelessness, mass incarceration, police brutality and the rising costs of health care and education. Strategies for how workers can join the struggles to fight to shift power from the 1% ruling class to the 99% will be included. The workshop will discuss the question of whether a revolution is possible in the United States. Radhika Miller
Workshop A13.10: BioDemocracy: Using the Tools of Direct Democracy – Ballot Initiatives, Local Laws and Direct Action -- to Throw the Bums Out & Heal the Planet Track 4 OCA explains use of grassroots tools of Direct Democracy – Ballot Initiatives, Referendums and Recalls – to effectively challenge the hegemony of the "one percent," with examples of historic successes and explanation of the process behind the ballot initiative in CA to require the labeling of GMO foods – a move that poses a direct, meaningful threat to the power of Monsanto and Big Food Inc. Alexis Baden-Mayer Organic Consumers Association
Workshop A13.11: Occupy Food Justice Track 4 A discussion of the actions done by OWS Occupy Food Justice working group such as the Seed Exchange and how to create community gardens in the city, compost and more! Dee Dee Maucher
Workshop A13.12:
Panel: 7 pm to 9:30 pm at Luther Place The 99% Deficit Proposal: How to create jobs, reduce the wealth divide and build a peaceful, just and sustainable society Track 1 Bill Hartung of Project for Defense Alternatives, Gar Alperovitz of the Democracy Collaborative, Kevin Zeese of ItsOurEconomy and Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a National Health Program.
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