Occupy Nashville General Assembly Minutes, February 16, 2012
Facilitator: Elli
Stack: Jeremiah
Notes: Jeanne
ON welcomed two visitors, a Vandy student for non-Violence and Kim Lee, an Occupier from Atlanta.
Announcements;
Jane: Jane has a notebook in which she is maintaining a roster of volunteers for 24/7 vigil schedule of plaza. Persons taking shifts need to sign up to make certain there is continued presence. A sign-up schedule will also be placed on the ON table.
Bill: House passed Eviction bill 70-26, with one person voting present. A list of those voting in opposition will be posted on the website under “legislative issues – whose plaza?’ Those legislators who spoke eloquently on our behalf will also be identified. Everyone is encouraged to express thank you to these folks.
Everyone is also encouraged to continue lobbying Senators to build opposition. Bill is putting together a list of Senators to contact which he will place on the website. People are encouraged to use local ties to Senators.
The Senate completed its business prior to the House passing the bill and adjourned for the weekend. They will address the eviction bill next Thursday at 9AM. Governor Haslam has said he will sign the bill, but is consulting with the Attorney General about actual enforcement.
The Foreclosure Committee announced Janice Bailey is doing really well. She says thanks to ON for everything they have done. Another case, Mr. King is looking positive – his foreclosure sale has been postponed. He has not been to the plaza, but is also grateful for ON help.
Matt brought to ON attention the foreclosure story of Occupy LA. A family of six was thrown out of their home. Occupy went to Chase Bank and held a sit-in protest. Eventually one Occupier and the father were arrested. An impressive direct action.
Lindsay: Direct action meeting immediately following Saturday GA. Attend!
Proposal by Chris: Sustenance is needed for Occupiers for the next week. Proposal to allot $100. Passed unanimously.
Chris also updated status of $400 set aside for Occupier transition needs. $9.50 was spent obtaining an ID card, which will be necessary when arrested. Lindsay advised the Presbyterian Church downtown will provide IDs free of charge. (good to know)
Matt proposed, “If money is free speech, why not make a tent out of dollar bills?” Proposal was not officially passed….suggestion was made to measure bills and estimate how much was needed. Then, bring the proposal back on Saturday. Further discussion elicited ideas it could be a good fund raising opportunity. Three people wrote signatures on dollar bills and donated them for this purpose. Caution was expressed signing the bills that eventually make a tent could subject people to arrest.
Matt proposed: Bring the donation box back to the plaza. Unanimously passed with the friendly amendment the temporary bucket would be emptied into the donation box and the bucket would be used for signed dollar bills.
Ben announced that flowers had been brought to the plaza. He suggested Occupiers bring the flowers to Broadway and give then away. Great idea agreed the group and it will be done immediately following GA.
Andrew, Michael, Bill, Jane, Eli and Kim Lee participated in Soapbox.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Kling
