The Rogue Valley General Assembly is a body which comes together in order to facilitate solidarity in action against the oppression of today's possessors of power. It's purpose and function is to create a large presence on important issues with representation from local Occupations and other active Community Groups. Power to the people, more power to more people. We are the 99%, we are legion, and we will prevail.

Video will be available soon.

Minutes from the 1st Rogue Valley General Assembly

1st Rogue Valley General Assembly

January, 20th, 2012

 

Open Forum:

 

·                      Going over definitions of hand signals. Beginning stating names and occupation affiliated with.  Announcement from Linda, passing around sign up sheet for Occupy Ashland.  

·                      Carter, in legal respects it has  been difficult defining what a corporation is. As stated in Citizens United, a corporation has the same rights as an individual, yet, corporations are not just one person but a whole group. Sen Merkley sponsors move to amend! Sen Wyden supports as well!  Thank you Senators! Remember not to throw anyone out, we have some fantastic representation in Oregon.  

·                     Election reform, making election process more democratic. Other aspects of election reform that could improve: create election process with some kind of funding that would even out election process among majority of constituents. Rather refinement of the process by which one gets elected, person who gets most votes means, if a candidate receives more than half the vote, he is elected. The question is, what does that mean for the  49% that did not vote for a particular candidate? Where does there voice go? 

·                   NWSA, a voice for the lowest paid since 1976, staying strong every day. Has provided much assistance to Occupy Medford. NWSA is offering assistance to other organizations/occupations, including training, legal advice, how to build a base of support. Thank you from all of us, NWSA! 

·                   OSPERG, released study exposing 30 fortune 500 companies who paid more in campaign finance last year than they paid in taxes! 

·                   Tea Party, was unable to make it today, giving a quick shout out. He has said that he supports us and hopes to work with us more in the future! 

·                   Occupy Medford, among many other occupations, has adopted the green arm band identifying brothers and sisters in the movement for democracy, allowing us to easily identify supporters. Green has been synonymous with the call for democracy in the middle east.    

·                   We often say, I will vote for the lesser of two evils. Do not follow this logic, if we voted for who we believed in, it would through everything off, in a good way.   

·                   Pay attention to local politics, county commissioner,council members. This is a very important election year. Lots of changes will be happening.  

·                   Facebook event has been started!  Protest vote for Steven Colbert so, if you would like, join.  

·                   What are we going to do in 2013? considering the legislature, create a spokes council. How can occupy make people on right feel more included? Continue to attend Tea Party Rallies and  discover our similarities.  

·                   Consider length of speeches. Suggest 3 – 5 minute allowance for rally speeches, what is essential? Energy drops during long speeches. Allowing longer speeches to occur at sit down events, lectures, education day etc.  

·                   Fact! 1 in 2 people in the country are living in poverty as of now! 

·                   Americans elect, 3^rd party, internet election process, on ballot in all 50 states. Open shot at presidency. considering creating an occupy or several occupy candidates. (Barry from Ashland) 

·                   Business should be co op owned, support local farmers and expound off this. In turn it will give us a  strong base, should things go south in any way. Plus, its more sustainable!  

·                   Linda has met several times with tea party and they are very supportive of occupy movements and tend to be many similarities.  

 

Occupy Reports:

 

Occupy Grants Pass: thankful to see how many people came over! Have been meeting every Thursday at 3pm. Numbers range from a steady 20 to almost 80 people. Once a month we meet to hold rally, on Saturdays. We are watching. Anyone who would like to come to GP GA at 1pm every Saturday. 15 people from GP. We have been collecting donations and have started a bank account with roughly 100, which went to reserve room for GA. Banking with Evergreen. Facebook: Occupy Grants Pass Oregon. OM will help them set up a basic website. 

 

Occupy Medford: We have accomplished a couple of fun events including flash mobs, a teach in, food drive, dozens of protest and move your money campaign. We can not forget to do those things that make people scratch their head. Rogue Valley Flash mob? yes! Planning to work with city to complete community projects. We about to begin canvassing, with help of NWSA, begin going door to door. Organize block parties? Yes, now just when and how? Any takers? occupymedfordoregon.org 

 

Ashland: Initially started as a 3 week long occupation in Lithia Plaza. After         many nights and pressure from the city we began focusing our energies in more effective ways. At that point we began focusing on campaigns, including homelessness. Right now we are petitioning for homelessness and plan to present it to city council. Created a move to amend group, worked on move your money. Also encouraging city to divest money from big banks. Creating ways of planning better together. Is the state bank up for discussion in legislature in feb? State bank bill got killed last year. Ted Wheeler has proposed a new bill called Invest Oregon (which we wont be able to see until around feb 1st). GA are Sunday at 2pm 543 S Mountain at  Peace House. Think tanks, open discussion allowing free flowing dialogue: Wed at 6pm at Creative Change 320 E Main. Meeting on Monday at 6pm at SOU Stevenson Union Rogue River room where we will focus on future events.  occupyashlandoregon.org 

 

 

Klamath Falls: Started initially by residents seeing in local paper that the city wanted to take library funds and use it for a jail pod. With the outrage, the next day 40 people had come out, so city postponed and the next day 30 people came out. Since then, we have been uniting and networking. We have about 10 to 15 in GA consistently. Just established work groups with members to help raise critical mass. we do have established groups working with us. We asked county commissioner to do a resolution to move to amend. City council, has asked citizens to come speak about citizens united. GAs are third wed everyone month. Facebook; Occupy Klamath Falls 

 

Proposals: 

Open Spokes Council: Meeting for each occupation to unite and brainstorm  and improve process. Spokes council for occupy movement. Building network,of occupies and reaching out. Creating stronger communication between occupations. Friday the 3rd, here at Medford Library. Simply facilitating communication between occupations. Will not be a decision making body and may create ideas for future actions to propose at GA.PASSED, unanimously.  

 

March Forth on March 4th: Would RV endorse march 4^th action move to amend. With speakers and action! Unanimous support from RV GA. PASSED

 

RV flash mob Idea: Either Mic check, dance, drop to the ground dead, something that keeps occupy in the mind. Makes people scratch their head. Position between 2 major national events. 16th and 29th. between these 2 events. PASSED, unanimous.  

 

Announcements:

Grants Pass GA: First GA in Grants Pass 1pm in Anne Basker. Everyone is welcome! Refer to Occupy Grants Pass on Facebook for further meeting times. 

 

Classes: SOPA and PIPA. 27^th 1:30 Gresham Room (library) Ashland. Internet and communications security. Going to explain current threats and throws to your anonymity online.  

 

Legalize Sleep: Homelessness campaign began last week. At this point we have gotten 236 signatures. Sat at 12pm 2pm on plaza, canvass on campus wed from 12 -2pm.  

 

Ricky Ott: We need help raising money, need hands on help. Announcement  

Bellview grange 11^th 9am Sat. 12^th 10am Sunday break from 12-130. Move to amend has agreed to come and do a class called ultimate , deep democracy. A opportunity to learn how we got where we are and how to get where we want to be.  

 

Democratic office, possible vote to officially endorse occupy movement. remember we are in an election year, very important time to be aware of elections, in local and state govt. 

 

Fam Jam: benefit for GGA. Once a month community benefit concert to raise money for non profits. Friday 27^th as Rossos 830pm.  

 

Occupy State Capital: Feb 1^st  hoping for huge turnout. Lectures included. 

 

Peace House: event Jan 23 more details and events at peacehouse.net 

 

Spring Awakening: 3 day 2 night event, in solidarity and action with Occupy Rogue Valley. Revive support and awareness of occupy movement. Needing space to keep items obtained for event. need kitchen equipment, tents, blankets, meals, etc etc. NWSA has offered some assistance.  

*if you would like to help with events, have items to donate or lend, or if you happen to have resources we can utilize, please email Nick at nwp918@live.com* 

 

Thank you so much everyone for coming out today for Occupy the Courts and the first ever Rogue Valley GA! In solidarity for democracy and all that good stuff!

Power to the People!