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Post by travis on Oct 10, 2011 0:43:02 GMT -5
We can modify the letter to law enforcement/government entities into a general press release. I am going to work on that letter and I would love some input/feedback/assistance from anyone. Just send me a message on here or email me at anydayisnow@gmail.com. --Ashley T. I, personally, trust your abilities; if you'd like to post your letter here when it's done I'm sure feedback will be given but doubt much modifying or editing will need to happen. -Travis |
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Post by travis on Oct 10, 2011 0:47:46 GMT -5
ashley-Fine by me, though I think there ought to be a discussion of what our specific goals are, as that point seems to be hazy for a lot of people (including myself!). Right now I think I could say that the group seeks to end corporate greed and exploitation of workers both here and in outsourced countries, and for the leaders of these companies to be held accountable for their actions. Right now the economic status quo is awful for most people, and we want those who control the state of things to know that we are sick of it. I would also say that we are not a partisan group. We're not a part of the left or right wings of the polarized partisan system. We are everyone, we are the heart of America and the world. We are the 99%, and we will be heard. Anything to add? Anything to take away? On an unrelated note from the media, but a related note to student support-I'm also the president of the USC chapter of the ISO (International Socialist Organization), and though we're struggling for membership, I think that could be another good outlet for spreading the word, as well as connections the secretary, Scott, has with the SC Green Party and other progressive groups around the state. My roommate and I both work on campus, and are definitely ready and willing to distribute materials and talk to as many students as possible about this. We discussed garnering support from like minded organizations so long as there is no conflict of interested with those groups and the Occupy Together movement. If you'd like to represent your group at the occupation I'm sure their support would be acceptable and appreciated. Glad you're taking action on campus; be sure to communicated with the graphics folks for fliers. -Travis |
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Post by Guest on Oct 10, 2011 9:28:48 GMT -5
I'm a member of the FMLA (Feminist Majority Leadership Association) at USC. I also would be stoked about talking to groups on campus or even to my classes and professors. I xould put up flyers too but, I think the flyers are more effective if you talk to the person or people first.
I'm definitely willing to work with you to figure out the best methods of spread the word and recruiting people.
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noah
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Post by noah on Oct 10, 2011 9:53:35 GMT -5
I'm a member of the FMLA (Feminist Majority Leadership Association) at USC. I also would be stoked about talking to groups on campus or even to my classes and professors. I xould put up flyers too but, I think the flyers are more effective if you talk to the person or people first. I'm definitely willing to work with you to figure out the best methods of spread the word and recruiting people. Awesome! I think the best thing you could do is to print the fliers, and talk about what we're all about with people as you hand them out. Make sure they understand that THEY are a part of the 99% too, and that their voice needs to be added to the rest of ours. I'm going to print off a bunch of fliers/cards and start handing them out and talking to everyone I know about it. I don't think there's much we can do to coordinate this, unless a few of us want to just stand together and hand them out so we can reach more people. Feel free to PM me and we can try and figure out a time to meet up if you're interested in that. Otherwise, just start spreading the word! |
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Post by keithm on Oct 10, 2011 12:00:11 GMT -5
Noah,
All good points. May I offer a bit of a condensed look.
Corporate Greed has a moral sound - vague and more difficult to identify / regulate.
I feel that one of the primary roots of all the problems you mention is Money in Politics. With the advent of the Swiftboat groups, and now Citizens United, the affect of lobbying and money in politics has become evident.
To simplify and condense - Get Money Out of Politics.
Just my view.
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Post by actually on Oct 10, 2011 16:58:02 GMT -5
I have worked on a draft letter to law enforcement and local government officials. I have gotten some feedback already but I would be happy to hear more. I hope to send it via fax or regular mail tomorrow. I was thinking of sending a copy to:
City of Columbia - police dept and Steve Benjamin
Richland County Sheriff
Highway Patrol
Any other suggestions?
Here is the draft:
To Whom it Concerns;
This letter is written on behalf of Occupy Columbia.
On October 15th 2011, Occupy Columbia will occupy the South Carolina State House grounds.
Occupy Columbia would like to invite you to participate with us and not against us. We are school teachers, we are students, we are the elderly, we are children, we are shopkeepers, we are police officers, and we are nearly every person you see in the grocery store or walking down the streets. We are your friends and we are strangers. We are all races and we are all creeds. We are the middle class and we are the homeless. We are the 99%. We stand united for the principals of democracy that we hold so dear, so that we, the majority, can be heard.
Occupy Columbia is a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that we are the 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.
Occupy Columbia’s intent is to stand in solidarity with the countless others that are also doing so across America. We stand together to fight against economic injustice in all forms, for the hundreds standing with us and for the thousand others who could not make it.
Occupy Columbia invites all member’s of the community to join with us. We hope to have the support of the community, including law enforcement and the local government. You are all part of the 99%.
Occupy Columbia has no desire for violence. We intend to voice our grievances collectively, and we intend to do so peaceably with our united voice. We subscribe to no political ideology.
The Occupy Wall Street protesters have summed up the movement well. We borrow from their statement of purpose and will share it with you.
As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.
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Post by derekg on Oct 10, 2011 17:40:49 GMT -5
If I might make a couple of suggestions. " Occupy Columbia is a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions......" Either remove "resistance" entirely or replace with advocacy, popular or grassroots. "We stand together to fight against economic injustice in all forms, for the hundreds standing with us and for the thousand others who could not make it........" Again, either remove "to fight" entirely or replace with to highlight, to spotlight, to bring attention to.(you'd have to remove "against" as well if you used any of those) " Occupy Columbia has no desire for violence......." Replace "violence" with confrontation. I'm not trying to water down the message, rather make it more accessible to those who might have an instinctive reaction against the Occupy movement and feel threatened by it. Otherwise, damn fine job old bean.  Maybe this should be an open letter, if we can get it published in The State, rather than a private communication. |
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Post by verbsverbs on Oct 10, 2011 17:58:22 GMT -5
Definitely looks great.
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Post by islandgirlstudio on Oct 10, 2011 19:30:19 GMT -5
Hello my name is Tam Hicks am 52 years old, retired art teacher. I would like to help with PR. I'm on Facebook and willing to post info on other pages for us if you like. email islandgirlstudio@gmail.com or just FB me. call or text 803-509-1604 Also have good contacts in local arts community. Feel sure I can enlist their help with painting signs, etc. LMK how I can best fill the needs of our group.
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Post by rachael on Oct 10, 2011 20:18:52 GMT -5
actually - overall, i think the letter looks great! i do agree with derek's suggestion for those slight changes, also - as well as his stated reasons.
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Post by derekg on Oct 10, 2011 20:31:00 GMT -5
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tonia
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Post by tonia on Oct 10, 2011 20:40:20 GMT -5
Hey guys great news Andre has a spot on, ON THE RADAR with Bill Frady 1230 am Thurs 9 am to talk about Occupy Columbia And invite people..Yay !! The collective will be heard We plan to call all locale radio talk shows in and effort to drum support. If there are pacific things you want covered on the air let us know. |
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Post by travis on Oct 10, 2011 20:41:01 GMT -5
Hello my name is Tam Hicks am 52 years old, retired art teacher. I would like to help with PR. I'm on Facebook and willing to post info on other pages for us if you like. email islandgirlstudio@gmail.com or just FB me. call or text 803-509-1604 Also have good contacts in local arts community. Feel sure I can enlist their help with painting signs, etc. LMK how I can best fill the needs of our group. There has yet to be a person to volunteer for making signs. Feel free to coordinate through this board with other folks as signage will be extremely important during the occupation. Any materials you might have would be appreciate. I'll be email you to coordinate better. -Travis |
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Post by actually on Oct 10, 2011 21:07:46 GMT -5
OK. I have made some adjustments. Unless someone tells me otherwise, I will start sending it out tomorrow. Feel free to use it however you see fit.
To Whom it Concerns;
This letter is written on behalf of Occupy Columbia.
On October 15th 2011, Occupy Columbia will occupy the South Carolina State House grounds.
Occupy Columbia would like to invite you to participate with us and not against us. We are school teachers, we are students, we are the elderly, we are children, we are shopkeepers, we are police officers, and we are nearly every person you see in the grocery store or walking down the streets. We are your friends and we are strangers. We are all races and we are all creeds. We are the middle class and we are the homeless. We are the 99%. We stand united for the principles of democracy that we hold so dear, so that we, the majority, can be heard.
Occupy Columbia is a leaderless grassroots movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that we are the 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.
Occupy Columbia’s intent is to stand in solidarity with the countless others that are also doing so across America. We stand together to eliminate economic injustice in all forms, for the hundreds standing with us and for the thousand others who could not make it.
Occupy Columbia invites all members of the community to join with us. We hope to have the support of our entire community, including law enforcement and the local government. You are all part of the 99%.
The Occupy Wall Street protesters have summed up the movement well. We borrow from their statement of purpose and will share it with you.
As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.
--The 99%
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Post by actually on Oct 10, 2011 21:19:50 GMT -5
Occupy Columbia will be in bold when it goes out (like the original).
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