Activism,Deliberation,and Networked Public Screens

[To the audience.] October 15, 2011, is the day that the Occupation went global. ¹ Protestors had been occupying Zucotti Park near Wall Street for nearly a month. What began in New York spread throughout the world, from New York to Rome, Seattle to London. While these large metropolises drew most of the media attention, cities all over the map find themselves occupied, including here, in Lincoln, Nebraska—a locale known for its staunch conservatism and tepid political temperament. Yet, even here the movement strikes a chord. ² A crowd of protesters begins to gather before the State Capitol building, holding signs, beating drums, and starting to set up tents on the Centennial Mall. There is a palpable buzz. Is this the beginning of the revolution? Is this the moment social activists have been waiting for, where the 99% finally stand up and demand a truly equal society? ³

[To the audience.] It sure as hell feels like the moment I’ve been waiting for. We’ve witnessed a forty-year war on what made this country great and I’ve been on the front lines since Vietnam. We’re finally waking up from a deep slumber. The close of the Bush years—the darkest time of my life—brought us the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. The economy crashed because of the crimes of the 1% looking to line their wallets at the expense of working people. It’s time to reverse the trend: people over profits! I’m here because I’m interested in being involved in the big question: what next? ⁴

[To the audience.] While images of violence at other Occupy sites are circulating throughout the mass media, the beginning of the protest here in Lincoln is marked more by earnestness and hope.

[To Dajuan.] Excuse me, sir, could you step back a bit? We have to stay on the sidewalk according to our permit. I know, I know . . . but we need to keep the police on our side. The goal of the Occupation is to encourage people to recognize themselves as part of the 99%, and we’re not going to do that if we’re seen as lawbreakers. We want our message out, not pictures of us violating municipal ordinances or engaging in property destruction and fighting with the police. Remember what happened in Seattle—the news cameras came for the protests and stayed for the violence. We want them to come for the protests and stay for the conversation. We want them to stay for the General Assembly as we discuss: [Anda and John together] what next?

[To the audience.] The mix of people at the protest is remarkable, growing from about 50 at 11 am to 500 by 1pm, when the march begins through the downtown area. As people begin to gather, older citizens are heard reflecting on what has been lost; younger citizens ruminate on what might yet be found. I want to find a future. I want to be part of imagining a better world, but my prospects aren’t so hot right now. There’s few jobs—well, good jobs—right now. I’m going to have a mountain of debt when I graduate. I’ve seen friends struggle; I’ve seen families struggle. It’s not easy for my family to keep me in school right now. They blame themselves, but it’s the system that’s rigged. Another world is possible. We are the 99%. And we want to know: [Anda and John and Dajuan together] what next?

[The People’s Mic Chorus synthesizes the traditional Greek Chorus with the People’s Mic, which involves concentric circles of members repeating a speaker’s words, so that people on the outer rings can hear what is being said. The Chorus should encourage the audience to act as amplifiers in the People’s Mic by repeating the phrases as they are said.]

What next, what next, how to decide?

Strategy and tactics sit side by side

Get in people’s faces, risk turning them off

Invite them to talk, get a polite cough

What next, what next, how to decide?

Watch as these perspectives now collide!

Where the hell is everyone? ⁵

Excuse me?

It’s almost noon! We’re supposed to be marching now. Where is everybody? We need more people if this is gonna get noticed.

Well it’s still a few minutes until 12 so maybe more people are on the way. I’m sort of impressed with how many are already here. By the way, do you know if there is an assemb—[Anda enters.]

ANDA!

Oh hey. How’s everyone doing this beautiful Saturday? Feel like changing the world?

99% baby! It’s been years since I’ve felt this alive. I’m gonna hand out more flyers and round up the stragglers. Anda, this is my new friend . . .

John. [Woman exits.]

Hi. I’m Anda . . . . Well, John. Where’s your sign?

Sign? Oh . . . . Yeah, my third grade art teacher told me civilization would be better off if I retired from the art scene.

Wow. Tough love. Don’t worry, you can borrow one of mine. I made extras last night just in case. You know it’s not a protest without provocative posters. [Hands John a sign reading “The Human Race I$ Waking Up.”]

Um . . . ok. Hey, I’ve been trying to figure out if there is an . . .

WE ARE

. . . sembly later . . .

THE 99%

What?

WE ARE THE 99%.

Is there going to be an assembly later?

WE ARE THE 99%.

Assembly?

Yeah or some sort of meeting where we all can talk about the movement?

I think there’s one after the march.

Great, do you know wher—

[Approaches microphone set up on stairs of the Capitol.] Alright everyone, we are about to get started. First, thanks for coming today to join in solidarity with Occupy protesters across the country and across the entire world! Remember, the people, united, will never be defeated! We are going to march downtown throughout the business district and then turn back and regroup at the governor’s mansion. This is a peaceful protest so please don’t litter, block traffic, or engage counter-protestors at all. Be loud and be proud! Are you ready? LET’S GO!!!

Alright, John. Get excited. This is where the real work begins.

Oh jeez . . .

Hey. What’s your costume about?

I’m supposed to be a corporate devil.

Oh, that’s cool.

Yeah . . . not many people get it.

Well it makes for good discussion. ⁶ [Devil walks off.]

You don’t really think that do you?

What do you mean?

“Makes for good discussion”? That sort of stuff makes people think we should be laughed at, not listened to. You can’t have a meaningful dialogue with someone wearing a costume.

Come on, sure you can. Relax, John. It’s fun. It’s a conversation starter. Besides, he’s expressing himself in a creative way. He’s getting people to think about how they see things. He got our attention didn’t he?

Yeah, but not in a good way. Drunken streakers get attention. Masked anarchists throwing bricks through Starbucks’ windows get attention. But they don’t get taken seriously. He has the right to dress and act how he wants, but let’s be honest, that behavior only helps those who say this movement is just a bunch of crazy college kids with no message and nothing better to do. I mean what if a picture of that guy lands on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow?

I dunno, no more Catholic supporters?

My grandma already suspects that Satan is behind Occupy Wall Street.

Well, think about it this way: having diverse personalities gives us strength. It means we are flexible and inviting and then we can attract more people to our cause. That’s what made this thing global. If we are too controlling and restrictive then people will choose to do other stuff.

Maybe . . .

At the very least, it’s important given our society’s short attention span. Sometimes the only thing that gets the ball rolling is that spark that grabs the public’s attention. ⁷

Color me skeptical, but I don’t think weird leads to real discussion.

Well—

SHOW ME WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

SHOW ME WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

Come on, John. It’s ok.

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

You are shitting me.

Nope. Dead serious.

Margaret Thatcher.

Yep.

The Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Maiden said, “There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty.” ⁸

Cool right?

That’s interesting.

What are they talking about?

See those signs? They all have quotations from conservatives or people in industry. Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Henry Ford. Excuse me sir, I noticed your signs. Do you think it’s wise to use quotes from those people?

Why not? We have to show the world that this isn’t a liberal or conservative movement—it’s a people’s movement. And you have to love the irony of quoting Henry Ford at a protest about corporate greed.

Hmmm . . . maybe so. [Turns to Anda] Is the march close to being done yet?

[Dajuan runs up.] EVERYONE! PLEASE! SLOW DOWN. THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT ARE FALLING BEHIND. TAKE YOUR TIME. MARCH TOGETHER. WE ARE IN NO HURRY.

Hey, Dajuan. How are things going back there?

Good to see you Anda. Everything is great, but we all just need to slow down a bit. Some people are getting frustrated and are starting to feel left out.

You’re Dajuan?

Yep.

Hi, I’m John. I was the one who emailed you about setting up some educational workshops on deliberation, media relations, and consensus building.

Oh, cool. Nice to meet you. I forwarded your email to the listserv and posted it on our Facebook page. I know that a lot of other cities have been doing those types of workshops so I think it’s something we should definitely bring up later.

Thanks, I am glad to hear that. Dang, my throat is starting to hurt, but I have a few agenda items I’d like to propose—can we stop shouting for a bit?

But we haven’t finished the march yet!

Well I’m not in power to set the agenda or anything; that’s something we will do during the assembly. We are trying to avoid having too much of a predetermined agenda anyhow. But feel free to brainstorm some ideas while we are marching.

Yeah, ok. I’ve just really been looking forward to the bigger conversations about what we’re going to do . . .

Haven’t we been doing that?

Feeling, reason, carnivalesque

What kind of public face is the best?

Devil masks and puppet shows

That is what mass media knows

Can there be another way?

That is what we’ll see today!

[End Scene.]

This is the General Assembly, it’s the forum that we’re using for a meeting of ideas and sharing voices, trying to figure out where we’re going from here, because holy SHIT we have so much energy going on! [Crowd applauds wildly.]

We’re going to be sending around the contact list. Oh, and if you want to note whether or not you plan on occupying that would be great, thank you.

Again, the purpose of this gathering is to share ideas, share voices, and figure out where we want to go from here. Obviously, look around you, there’s a lot of voices, people coming from different backgrounds, different perspectives, so we need to establish that this is a conversation that is built on respect. If you have ideas to share, please raise your voice, please raise your hand.

What we want to do is come up with an agenda, kind of an order of how we want to share ideas so the floor’s going to open up for that, and if people have ideas of what they want to talk about, where we want to go with this movement. The idea of consensus is something where we all have equal voice here. If you haven’t shared your voice yet, think of something that you’d like to say, think of a way you can express your ideas, because we are all here with ideas to share and to learn from each other.

Also, along the lines of respect, no hate-speak. We have a lot of different opinions, and please just express respect. Also, after we establish some sort of agenda, we’re going to move through that and my job is to make sure that we’re doing that in an orderly fashion and we’re not getting totally off topic, so if I do happen to pause you, then just know that your conversation is important but it’s going to be parked on what I like to call the bike rack. We’ll get back to it.

We’ve been discussing a visual way for everyone to express how they’re feeling without having to raise their voice, so as Dajuan is demonstrating right now, if you’re down with the plan, if you’re down with what someone is saying, then raise your fingers, give them a shake. If you’re not comfortable with that, then give a thumbs up, whatever’s good for you. If you feel totally uncomfortable, if you hear something that you don’t like, an idea that you want to block [makes X with forearms crossing] this is a visual way to say you’re not down with the plan and I’ll make a note of that and try to get a general feel of how people are feeling up here. Are there any questions about the process before we start coming up with an agenda?

And one other point is the idea of not interrupting, so the things that we’re putting into practice are little, but make your momma proud and follow those ideas. Alright, so let’s start building an agenda, so we’re going to take hands . . . and if you can’t hear someone this is going to be our most difficult logistical thing. I can pass the bullhorn around, or we can use what is called the People’s Mic. The people’s mic is an idea that if one person needs to say something, then the other people around them will repeat it, so other people can hear it around them and then we get louder and louder so we hear.

So if I were to say something like “I think that’s a bad idea,” then the people that can hear that say [Points to people within 5 foot radius, who all chime in.] “I think that’s a bad idea.” That’s the people’s mic! [Laughter.] So, if you can’t hear someone, yell out “mic check” and we’ll use the people’s mic to make sure everyone can hear.

Cool, let’s move forward and go towards building our movement and building our agenda.

[Man raises hand and stands.] My name is Robert . . . and I’m an alcoholic. No, not really but I do like beer. I’m sure people can figure out there is no Wall Street here. But the governor invited Wall Street here. And he had closed door meetings with TransCanada. I think the Occupy Lincoln movement needs to have a focus and a target. If the Occupation is only symbolic, we lose an opportunity. Seizing on the TransCanada Pipeline issue opens the door to other issues. ⁹ [Happy fingers from the audience.]

[Woman raises hand and stands.] My name is Sarah. I think we should support our brothers and sisters fighting against the TransCanada Pipeline. But in terms of taking action we need to decide a schedule for the upcoming week. We should engage with as many people downtown and on campus daily. Does anyone have any ideas about what we should do?

[Anda raises hand and stands.] Hi, my name is Anda. If we want to get on the radar of as many people as possible, the best place to start would be Memorial Stadium. Before the football game on Saturday, let’s march to the Stadium. Lock Arms. And block the entrance. Then they’ll have to listen to us. [Block signs and murmuring among the crowd.]

[John raises hand and stands.] Hi, my name is John. It’s entirely reasonable to be both a sports fan and a part of the Occupy movement. A lot of people around here love football as much as Jesus. And if we block the stadium, we could lose support from the community. If we go to the game, we should set up some educational tables and wear Husker Red. This shouldn’t be the place for guerilla tactics. ¹⁰ [Happy fingers from the crowd.]

Okay, we have been at this for a while. Let’s get some updates about other occupations and then I propose we break into our separate committees for discussion. But, first, a lot of you have spoken to me and I think a top priority should be the formation of a Sanitation Committee. [Happy fingers from the crowd.]

Shall we agitate or just debate;

Will we militate, or bloviate?

This process won’t succeed

If many evenings it will need…

This agenda got filled by many hats

But gosh it felt like herding cats!

I’m just not sure. At first, it went so smooth, so . . . much like the old days. 12 o’clock and we were ready to go, signs in hand. There were nearly 500 people . . . damn . . . . What happened? Why did my optimism sour so quickly? [Behind Anda, Occupiers 11 and 12 toss a football. Occupier 11 yells “You’ve got quite the arm, Jimbo!”] Fucking football shit certainly doesn’t help. Why are they acting like this is a summer vacation? Occupiers should be locking arms on O Street right now . . . I can’t believe there was so much resistance to blocking the stadium. There’s more energy around getting Occupy Lincoln to 1,000 likes on Facebook than there is on marching and demonstrating. This obsession with the net, phones and gadgets is a distraction, not a strategy. ¹¹ Maybe I don’t belong here.

Anda! Great day, yeah? It’s so exciting to be actually doing something . . . by the way, sorry about earlier . . .

What about it?

Well, it is just you seemed really excited about protesting at the stadium. But perhaps you can continue to bring it up in a future assembly . . .

Well, don’t be sorry; it’s not your fault no one seems to want to engage in real activism.

Real activism?

Yeah, you know, as in occupying places where people go, like stadiums or banks . . . . Instead, people are occupied by their phones and Facebook!

I guess that means I shouldn’t bother with a friend request?

Oh, even I couldn’t resist joining Crackbook. It’s the only way to know what’s going on around here. But c’mon, at some point all people wanted to do was talk about Facebook this, Facebook that! I heard one couple behind me during the march, talking about how they want to log onto Facebook to post pictures. Another guy was just walking around asking people to “say hello to the internet.”

But Anda, this whole thing is networked and that’s part of what makes it really exciting. We can keep in touch with other occupations in New York, Los Angeles, and Rome. It increases our solidarity and power. ¹²

But how much is too much? I really think we need to remember the fact that this park is a common communal space and we’re reclaiming it. I don’t want this protest to devolve into clicktivism. It’s not the internet that we need to take back. ¹³

I understand what you’re saying—did you see how many people were taking photos throughout the whole protest? It can be a bit much. But the internet is just a tool—people are posting their pictures to Facebook and Twitter, and their friends and family are seeing democracy in action rather than reading pointless status updates. You can’t just dismiss the internet for social protest—look at how crucial it was during the Arab Spring . . .

It wasn’t a Twitter hashtag that toppled dictators over there, it was civil disobedience and physical presence. It shows how the state defends its power over public spaces. In order to prove that point, you have to be HERE. This is our message . . . not how many “likes” we’ve accumulated on our Facebook page!

Well . . .

The Arab Spring showed us one thing, and it’s a lesson we re-learn and re-learn . . . . The press will only focus on you if you fuck shit up a little bit. To do that you’ve gotta stop face-stalking your friends and get in the face of a few of your enemies. I mean, isn’t it the point of a protest to disturb the goings on of the establishment so a point can be made?

That depends.

I just don’t see the point of a protest that simply works with the police and asks for permission to exercise their right to protest. We need to seriously rethink what we’re doing.

Well, you know: the times, they are still a-changing. This isn’t about Seattle or the Democratic Convention or Vietnam. It’s about what has been happening in Wisconsin and Tunisia and Egypt and France and Greece and 950 other countries that are participating with us tonight . . . at this very moment . . . right now! This is about the global present, not the U.S. past. It seems kind of silly to say it, but I think seeing all this global protest has reminded Americans that social change is still possible. We aren’t stuck in this present. We too can work for a better world, but it’s going to take every tool at our disposal to get there!

Yeah, but . . .

Wait, one more thing. The value in being more connected with others is that we no longer need the mass media to circulate our words and pictures. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook . . . . The conventional wisdom has been that you have to break the law in order for the mass media to cover your protest. But who needs to break laws if you can cover your own protest and upload the video yourself? Images aren’t just controlled by corporations any more. We have some control over our own image. Plus . . . haven’t you noticed you are the only one without a camera-phone?

I noticed. But don’t you think you’re being a little naïve with all this “we-are-the- connected-world” stuff?

Maybe, but we’re getting attention just by being here, as a sustained presence, and making sure that our being here is always being noticed by others, and linking up with others through our Facebook page. Look at the guy this morning connecting us to Occupy Los Angeles. Now, how cool was that? This is protest for a 24/7 world.

But that is only useful if people are still willing to engage in protesting on the ground. We have to be willing to ruffle a few feathers. A sustained presence is good, yes, but we have to use that to capitalize on opportune moments for protesting . . .

You’re talking about earlier aren’t you?

When me and three others had to get up, grab signs, and sprint in order to stand next to the road as runners in the marathon passed? Yes. We missed a major opportunity there because we were in a four hour meeting trying to come to consensus on where we should poop. So, yes, it’s a bit ridiculous.

Okay, fine . . . you won’t let us live that one down will you? But think about it. We have to evolve with the times so that we aren’t trapped by tradition. Resistance isn’t futile, but resistance to the networked world might be! I say all of this to say: keep the faith, Anda. We need good souls like you on board with us.

Yeah . . . good souls . . .

Now what’s the real reason you hate Facebook?

I hate pictures of cats . . .

Goodnight, Anda. I’m gonna grab some coffee at the Really, Really Free Market. [Dajuan exists.]

Isn’t activism more than just “sharing” messages? Won’t the public ignore our messages pretty easily if we don’t throw a wrench in everyday life? Does posting a video on YouTube disrupt everyday life? You can’t ignore people chanting on your streets . . . . The others aren’t going to like this . . .

Through public screens and public spaces,

This is how you Occupy people’s faces.

Must you work with the networked flow

To be on the screens where the people go?

But don’t forget there’s a flow to place

Old techniques you should not erase!

[Status update.] Brothers and sisters! Have you shared this Occupy Lincoln page, yet? Do you have video of the occupation? How about the marching or the picketing? Quit delaying and upload that footage to YouTube and link us here! We want to see what you’re seeing! ¹⁴

[Private message to Dajuan.] This fucking Facebook page is a disaster. There’s 19 administrators and everyone’s posting everything everywhere. I don’t mean to be “The Man,” but where’s our message discipline?

[Private message to Anda.] I know, I know. We discussed this in the media committee the other day, and I’m about to post an update on our page that will hopefully streamline things. Stay tuned.

[Posting as Occupy Lincoln.] As stated at General Assembly of Occupy Lincoln, (10/26/11) by the media committee liaison. If you have anything you would like posted on the Facebook, Twitter, the website, or mentioned in the weekly newsletter, please consult a media committee member. Please do not directly post things. This has nothing to do with censorship and this policy is only being implemented to allow the Occupy Lincoln media committee to use social media to provide important information for those that rely solely on such sites for updates. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Now there is no visible community and learning from what other people post. These are the very principles we are standing against.

Will post to my page as I see pertinent news. Sorry mods couldn’t keep up with trolls & spammers, but I understand.

While you are at it you need to ban a couple of low-life spammers

Please Repost my GOOD MORNING . . . SONG DAILY for me as my phone can’t, someone? Thank You! LOVE & PEACE jack & Knuckles

Just keep an eye out for advertisements, and if someone tries to sell stuff using your page, simply block them. But be careful not to block a person for simply having an opposing view. I’m an occupier of Toronto and the world and I cannot stand the people who ignorantly say that revolution is useless and resistance is futile. But it would be worse to not let them speak as well. Everyone has a right to form and share an opinion, but advertising is not covered by the constitution.

Well, not thoroughly.

What about admins? I am an admin on this page, you saying I cannot post?

I do not like this, this isn’t what I made this page for. I propose this be brought up in a larger meeting, I am very pissed off. What’s the point of having admins on this page? The posts I put up are news articles and pertinent information for OL. I won’t ask a committee’s permission to post on my own page!

I demand a contact from the media committee.

This is censorship in the worst degree and I won’t stand for it.

Doing it this way, makes it impossible for new people to ask questions and get involved.

bullshit. total bullshit.

Well, I deleted all the other admins. Until a REAL group consensus is taken, I will be the acting admin on this page. The filter is off, feel free to post.

I think it’s all been resolved now. So sorry I had to delete admins to get attention to the problem. Hopefully things will run smoother as soon as Leroy gets our even better page up and running. Thanks for your patience and for putting up with my “passion.” Didn’t mean to sound, well mean . . .

Love that you all are out there! Please come visit Occupy Toronto and maybe we can come visit you!

I don’t see anything in the GA minutes about this being discussed. It is stated in this thread that a Media Committee liaison stated something but there is no mention of a proposal made or consensus reached. I don’t agree with the action that was taken. Do we know who was deleting posts or is it another FB glitch. All of these things need to be decided by the media committee or in GA. A large number of my posts have been deleted.

Okay, here is what was decided at GA. Only official Occupy Lincoln business will be posted on the Occupy Lincoln tab. However, anybody may post to this page by clicking on the Everyone (Most Recent) tab first. That way the first page you see will be Occupy Lincoln business, and on the other tab, all other links. You do not need media permission to post on the Everyone (Most Recent) tab. No posts, other than spam, will be deleted on the Everyone (Most Recent) tab. If you post on the Occupy Lincoln tab it may be deleted, as there is no way to filter both tabs separately. At least that I know of.

W00T!

There were posts being deleted even on the EVERYONE tab. Hopefully this is resolved. I was very upset to see all my posts had been removed.

It’s a good thing to see that the temporary “censorship” is all figured out. IMO, there are a number of folks who visit this page frequently to not only see “official” posts but what others are saying as well. To let everyone express their views is an example of the rights we are fighting for. Personally, this is the best way that I can be involved in OL and I’m glad to see the flow of ideas is not going to be plugged up. Peace.

This is not in the minutes for the GA. Was this a consensus decision of the GA? Everyone I have talked says this is not the case. The media committee has been taken off as admins and there are 2 people who asserted control in an authoritarian manner, completely contradicting the way we make decisions.

I sincerely am amazed by the reaction by some. This decision wasn’t made to consolidate power or to give anyone more authority. It was a decision made in the best interest of Occupy Lincoln. I feel that certain people are feeling personally offended by not being listed as an administrator. I’m sorry, but 19 administrators for one page is out of hand. It was an issue that needed to be, and was, addressed. Instead of who made what decision, or who has control over what account. Isn’t this about the 99%? ANYONE can still post ANYTHING they want (please no spam), even administrators are discouraged from using the OL official page for personal links and are encouraged to post links under the “everyone” tab like we have instructed all members to do!

I’m not very computer literate.

The whole crux of the matter is why wasn’t the media committee (the controlling body) contacted to see what was going on. We have one of the admins on here stating THEY made those changes. Who is that? And how come none of this is in the GA minutes? Do you know who is deleting my posts now? And who deleted the entire thread? There is 0 accountability now. We don’t even know who is admin.

I think I may be out of line, and I know that this is unconventional but I move that all discussion of the running of this page be tabled until the Sunday GA, where a public discussion is already on the agenda. The reason for this motion is that this discussion has broken to a point that does not look good to people wandering in here for their first time. I don’t think that this is what we want the world to see about our group, do any of you?

I just realized that my ONE post on the earlier thread had been deleted also. Nothing that was being discussed throughout the day was inappropriate in any way and not deserving of deletion. Obviously consensus can only be achieved at GA, but we should still have the ability to discuss via the page, especially those of us who cannot make it to the GA’s. This is my main way of keeping up with what is going on, and now someone has tried to cover it up. NOT COOL!!!!

As I said this morning patience would be good, because obviously somebody with admin did something—I don’t think it was a hijack because typically they will do damage not simply lock the site down to admin only and remove some select posts. I have seen FB algorithm do some hiding and removing of posts and I have also seen people hit “spam” and things disappear.

Hell I’m confused and tired. I wish I could say something to make it all better, but I don’t have that kind of power. All I can say is regardless how angry we all got, I love you all and after all this is resolved we need to get drunk again. PEACE

Haha. Yes, we should. Anyone can join the media committee and I have encouraged everyone who is concerned to join so you can take part in the discussions. We have pages and pages of emails spent discussing all of these issues so it is frustrating when we are all stripped of admin and left in the dark. I still don’t know who it is who started all of this confusion by getting on here and tinkering with the page. In other news the Twitter was not hijacked . . . waiting for more details on that story. PEACE!

ahh resolution. and this is why threads must not be deleted.

No hard feelings anyway. These things are common in organizations . . . it is part of the beautiful messiness/organized chaos of direct democracy.

OMG!!! I know this isn’t “official business” but check out this awesome link. Somebody put an entire litter of kittens in a box label 99%!!! Adorable! We should totally use this somehow.

[Private message to Dajuan and John.] I’m kinda dying here. I understand the need for consensus, but that whole thread on who’s adminning the stupid Facebook page shows how we’re getting bogged down. I’ve talked to a couple other Occupiers and we want to go occupy Wells Fargo tomorrow. I know there was resistance to the stadium idea. I get it. People like sports. But everyone hates banks. They’re at the heart of this, and our weekly walk by protest isn’t enough.

[Private message to Anda and Dajuan.] Anda, listen, I hear where you’re coming from but be reasonable. This kind of thing was opposed when we met last week at the General Assembly. You’re free to bring it up again in the assembly. But I have to tell you, I really don’t think this is where the group wants to go.

[Private message to John and Anda.] I understand your frustration about the Facebook stuff. It’s important to figure this out, though, so don’t get too frustrated. ☺ Here’s an idea about the Wells Fargo sit in: what if it was not “sponsored” by Occupy Lincoln? What if whoever is interested simply sneaks into the bank and sits down? Occupy doesn’t have to sanction every protest action—that’s the whole point of being decentralized. Honestly, I’m with you in spirit if not in body.

[Private message to Dajuan and Anda.] I still don’t think this is a good idea. You’re going to be tagged as an Occupier and it’s going to get linked to our movement. The press will go apeshit and it will make us look too radical. We make decisions by consensus so that we can be as inclusive as possible. Until it passes through consensus, this does not fit the group’s goals.

[Private message to John and Dajuan.] Dajuan’s right, John. Occupy is an umbrella. It doesn’t have the power to direct every protest. I’m going down there, and whoever wants to come with me can. I won’t identify as an Occupier. I’ll identify as a citizen. I think I’m kinda done with this so-called movement anyhow. First the stadium, now the bank. What do you want to resist, John? Anything? You guys can do whatever you want. You know where I will be. Maybe I will see you. Maybe I won’t. Good luck.

[Private message to Dajuan.] I think we need to be really careful about this. Once we start allowing these kinds of things, it just creates a chain reaction. We can’t lose control of the movement and become a bunch of vigilantes.

[Private message to John.] But neither can we pretend to control such a diverse group of people. This isn’t a business. Anda is right, Occupy is an umbrella. Citizens have the right to go off-script and participate in direct action to draw attention to the issues they care about.

[Private message to Dajuan.] We’re trying to build a democratic society that’s inclusive. But when we become polarizing, we lose focus on the whole notion of the 99%. Vigilante activism gets attention, but does nothing for coming up with creative new solutions.

[Private message to John.] You’re right, about inclusion, that is. We have to respect different forms of expression and protest.

[Private message to Dajuan.] But where is the line? Doesn’t this open us up to violent protest? What do we do if neo-Nazis or other hate groups decide to join us at the General Assembly and start militating for violent agitation?

[Private message to John.] But remember our picnic rule. Anything that could reasonably get you kicked out from a picnic, could get you banned from Occupy. Would you kick someone out of a picnic for protesting at a bank?

[Private message to Dajuan.] Well, it’s hard for me to imagine picnicking at a bank but whatever. The bigger point is that we could get negative press and there could be legal implications.

[Private message to John.] Which is exactly why we won’t officially endorse it. It didn’t make it through consensus and if it did then the whole movement could get in legal trouble. So let’s just keep this off the books. We respect that they are fighting for the cause, but we still can protect the Occupation.

[Private message to Dajuan.] I’ve noticed that some people are losing faith in the process. I admit that the meetings go a bit long, the turn-taking is a little difficult, but building a new society can’t be done through pure anarchy. We have to stay committed to deliberation. Instead of sitting in, why don’t we invite the bank representatives down for a General Assembly?

[Private message to John.] Good luck with that, dude. Deliberation might be our process, but it can’t be the only thing we’re about.

Login, glance, click click, like link

Click glance, link click, link glance

Click link, glance link, link link

Click click, like link, glance like

Delete spam, click link, glance

Like link, like link, logout.

Okay, everyone welcome to G.A., again. Who wants to take stack? . . . Anyone? . . . Okay, well I guess I’ll do it . . . we need to talk again about restrooms and sanitations . . . .We still have to figure out what to do with the Quikie Mart. They want us to stop using the restrooms after 11:00 p.m. We are going to need an alternative venue . . . .What are your thoughts on this? . . . . Anyone . . . ? Come on . . . this is sanitation! . . . This is all you care about some days! What’s wrong?

I want to talk about Wells Fargo . . . [Happy Fingers from everyone.]

That is not on the agenda. We are talking about sanitation . . .

I think we really need to be down there to support the others . . . they are still part of the Occupation . . . they are still part of the movement.

They made their own decision. Listen, we gave them a chance . . . they had their opportunity . . . it didn’t work out . . . they are welcome here . . . but we don’t need them to continue . . .

I vote we discuss . . .

We need to reach a consensus on sanitation before moving forward. [Murmuring throughout the crowd.]

How can you have a consensus if it does not include everyone?

[To the protesters.] Alright everyone . . . feel like changin’ the world?

[John enters the stage, out of breath.] Anda . . .

Well, if it isn’t our good friend Doctor Dialogue!

That’s Professor Dialogue to you.

Whatever, John.

Listen, we need you to come back . . . . Okay, I want you to come back. Anda, do you know what this is going to do?

Yes. They won’t be able to ignore us anymore! Relax, we left the machine guns at home.

If you do this, it will hurt the whole movement. Please . . . let’s try to run this through the General Assembly, again. It’s the consensus that will make this legitimate.

No need for consensus. We’re not acting for the entire movement; it’s just us this time.

Four members of the Occupy Lincoln protests were arrested after refusing to vacate the downtown Wells Fargo building. I am here now with one of the leaders of the Occupy protest. Sir, this is the first time Occupy Lincoln participants have gotten arrested. Are we witnessing an escalation of hostility from the group?

Well, first of all, I’m just an organizer, not a leader. Those who were arrested were actually acting independently in a protest that was not an official Occupy Lincoln demonstration. The people were just exercising their right to peacefully protest with a sit-in. There is no reason for people to fear violence from Occupy Lincoln.

So the people arrested were not part of your movement?

No, they are still a part of the movement . . . . We’re all still a part of it. It’s just that they weren’t speaking for everyone when they decided . . .

So, after all that talk about solidarity, and human togetherness, and discussion, you’re just leaving? We can’t just fold; we can’t just lose hope in the process. We can’t let the 99% become the 83%. Our strength is in our numbers and we have to stick together.

We’re still in this together no matter what we do, but it’s our differences that make us strong. They love us, John. [Pointing to the Occupiers gathered outside of the bank in support.] That looks like consensus to me.

We are setting out to recreate a genuine democracy. Democracy is about getting people with differences at the same table to work together free of bias and prejudice. If you and me can’t work together, what impression are we giving . . .

I can’t sit down at a table with Wells Fargo. Until we restructure the system, there’s not even such a thing as a discussion table. And this is how we restructure the system!

Does this mean the group is splintering?

It’s not that we are splintering, it’s just that we are all different. We always have been. Some thought the sit-in was something that they wanted to do and others didn’t like the idea so much. So when it was brought up it didn’t receive enough votes from everyone.

But if it wasn’t an Occupy protest why did people congregate outside the bank to support those who were arrested?

Um . . . yeah. I guess you could say that even if it wasn’t official a lot of us were still really proud of them. It’s pretty neat to see people care about something that much.

These protests have been ongoing for months now. Could you please explain what is the goal or purpose of these Occupy protests?

I suppose one of the biggest goals is to get people to think.

To think? About what?

To think about where this world is right now and maybe where it is capable of going. Thinking about where it needs to be for us all to get what we need and deserve. I think that deep down we have all known for a while that things haven’t exactly been working out. There is something wrong with the way things are going with this country and world that needs to be fixed. The status-quo just isn’t enough anymore.

So what is next then?

We need to step up the activism. We step up our civil disobedience. This right here is the next step. The next step . . . we keep ending up in jail. It makes the news and hopefully inspires others. And if enough people are willing to sacrifice that much, then maybe it’s not too late to change things.

We need to build a new participatory democracy. We start small by drawing people in and then we relearn the arts of discussion and debate together.

That’s the thing. We don’t know yet what’s next. No one knows yet for sure. And anyone who says they have an answer is lying to themselves. Right now we need to make sense of this whole thing. We need to create a space for thinking. Answering these complicated problems is going to take new solutions . . . solutions that we are still working on. And that’s gonna take the involvement of everyone. ¹⁵

Occupy was a moment in time

At first things seemed to go on fine.

In the movement, two old foes—

Action and talk—inevitably arose.

Can we envision a better future?

Only if these two modes we suture.