Occupy Montreal – Day 15

By: Paula Monroy

October 29, 2011 – Place des Peuples

The GA is moved back to the surface so the public can see it in action. Coughs and sneezes follow each other, a man wipes his nose with his scarf. The GA starts while the agonizing breath of autumn undressed the lining trees around.

Richard Lupien from the Action Committee proposes to read a text about peace, written by journalist Richard Hedges. “Everyone will lie down”, he adds.

The toilets continue being an issue (costs, particularly). According to the Finances Committee, “we are spending $150 dollars a day”. A short debate starts after someone proposes to charge 50 cents to use a facility. The argument ends in an invitation to use the toilets in the camp during the night, “You can go to other public washrooms nearby, maps are available inside of our facilities”, adding “Donations are welcome!”.

Environmentally friendly

The Environment Committee, renamed as the Environmental Group Committee, proposes that the organic waste produced in the occupation be used to create garden roofs. The team emphasized that “the camp is a clear example that change is possible.”

The proposal is adopted and cheered.

The Environmental group also proposed to have the camp officially recognized as a community, naming it People’s Village.

“What does it imply legally?” An participant asks. The Juridical Committee will refer to lawyers and get more information about the possibility.

For sale?

Jamie proposes to avoid selling things in the camp, arguing that money should be avoided. After debating on the reality of money, the proposal was changed and adopted. From now on things can be sold, but profits will be used for the camp.

Police

A last minute proposal concerning the march was adopted with one block from a university student, also member of the Action Committee. The Juridical Committee has been talking with the police, “I talked with a police officer…he asked us to change the direction of the march, just so we are in the same direction of the traffic.”

“We want to be pacifists, not passive”, commented the student opposing the decision.

Mark, from the Juridical Committee highlighted that “the police wants to collaborate with us so the march can be from the people to the people”.

The GA concludes.

More to see

Artists arrive dressed like Robin Hood and bankers giving eggs.

A man from Zacatecas, Mexico, stands with a poncho that reads “Viva Mexico, muerte al neoliberalismo financiero” (Long live Mexico, death to the financial neoliberalism). In his opinion, “It is sad to see that not a lot of people want to get involved in this kind of movements, youth specially”.

The march was directed to the US embassy downtown.

Occupy Montreal – Day 12

By: Paula Monroy

October 26, 2011 – Place des Peuples

While Monsieur Bergeron walks surrounded by photographers and some other curious spirits, one of his team members is having a conversation with an occupier. It goes somewhat like this:

O – …we don’t have electricity during the day, only at night.

TM – The idea comes from New York, but the energy is been wasted here. You already organized and you are not even getting money.

O – We get donations…

TM – There you go! Trying to fight greed is a joke. You think those executives care about you? (points at the buildings around) They look at you and laugh. Do you think they will give you their money? They don’t give a damn!

O shrinks shoulders and raises eyebrows

TM – What is interesting here is that you create your own communities and don’t use your money. You can grow your own apples…

O – Yeah, but that is long term…

TM – No, no, no. You can do it tomorrow…

It is a 7°C Wednesday, dry and cloudy. Occupiers rub their hands together, hoping to get some heat out of the friction. There is no music playing in the background, no loud chatting. Some are smiling, others are in conflict with the coldness of the evening. The presence of the visitors seems unnoticed.

“He is here to be politically correct” expresses Jean Louis Guay, funder of the Quebec International Party.

The assembly will start soon. A workshop of economy is concluding for the day, behind the Victoria monument. Monsieur Bergeron is having a dialogue with the small audience surrounding his sight. Words like “Democracy” “Change” “Future” “Example” manifest one after the other. Heads move in agreement. Finally, his crows disperses, the assembly is starting.

“Mic check!”

Facilitators are presented as the day dims into night.

“Kompucha will be given for free everyday” is announced.

A young guy asks confused what it is. It is explained to everyone, “basically, fermented tea”. Many faces do not look convinced, but they are thankful, nonetheless.

Monsieur Bergeron is welcomed in cheerful chants and claps. He is surprised when hearing his sentences repeated by the GA, and giggles about it. The energy remains positive. Water and electricity are addressed the most. His presence raised optimism for many.

The assembly moves on as he departs.

A few announcements

Housekeeping matters are discussed. Security Committee invites everyone to participate in taking care of each other because there was a sleeping bag stolen, among other mischiefs.

Coordination Committee stresses that “We don’t have the intention to leave during this winter. We are looking for people to find solutions. We are not gonna stay in the tents all winter. We need money”.

There is a group already working in the prototype for a yurt. It is planned to be “big”. Nonetheless, there are expected to be more yurts like the one beside the hospital tent, on the north-west square of the park, but the person responsible for that is in Mexico at the moment.

“We need gazebos for artists and technicians” shared the Committee We Are Thinking.

The Propaganda and Critics committees were introduced.

Now, the propositions

It was agreed that the Sunday event will be moved to the are between the tai chi sculptures, so campers occupying that area will be removed only for the event. “This is instead of asking the police to close the street. It’s easier”.

Because temperatures are expected to go as low as 5°C, the assembly accepted to move the meeting to the Square Victoria metro (entrance on Rue Saint-Jaques).

Saturday march at 3pm will go to the offices of the minister of Quebec, making stops whenever a bank gets on the way – to protest. It was suggested to support the Tax Tobin. A conversation went long, trying to understand what the tax tobin is all about; however, the amendment to “wait until tomorrow so people can inform themselves of what this tax is all about” was accepted. A decision will be made today at 11:30am.

A child cries in the background.

Patrick proposes to abolish inheritance, “make everything a person owns, all the money they have, once they die go to a National Collection”. No votes are made, it is too cold.

More

The Union of McGill workers will march on Friday at 10am. It will be a Funeral March, “The dead of freedom of speech”. They will bring donations to the occupation between noon and 1pm on the same day.