Occupy Montreal – Day 29

By: Paula Monroy

November 12, 2011 – Place des Peuples

With the sun hiding behind rain clouds, security and itinerants were addressed in discussion groups prior to the GA. Among what was said, it was pointed that more people need to volunteer in the security team and receive non-violent intervention training. Contrary to what the city suggests, itinerant individuals are not the source of violence in the camp, they are also part of the community. In addition, social workers will be contacted and, finally, security is responsibility of everyone.

The Whole World is Watching: Solidarity with Occupy Halifax

“The  Canadian Civil Liberties Association made a statement yesterday at midnight, worried about the reaction of the Halifax Municipality toward the occupation.” shared Angèle, an activist from Halifax, to the GA. The reason being the dismantling by police of Occupy Halifax on November 11, which resulted in shoulder dislocations and concussions of participants when making a human chain. Their personal belongings were thrown in the public garbage by police, she informed.

Angèle asked the GA to evaluate the situation for they have plans on starting a national concern, she asked “What does what happened in Halifax mean for the rest of the occupations?” The GA divided in small groups to come up with strategies.

Preventative initiatives were made. One of them is to start an online petition in support of Occupy Montreal – thus protecting it from being evicted by the city authorities. Another idea is to “have telephone and text lists of associations to contact them if we need help”, as group four explained.

Discussions concluded with the creation of an intervention team spread in other occupations in Canada. It aims to help occupations that might be in threat, “we are fighting for peace, so any shock action has to be pacifist” said Joel, representing group six before the proposal was accepted. The first intervention will be in solidarity of Occupy Nova Scotia, but the group has to be formed and organized first.

The talking stick

It is calculated that around 300 people are camping in the square, but an average of 75 participate in the GAs.

“I propose there should always be a discussion group parallel to the GAs with the talking stick, where everyone shares their experiences, frustrations, etcetera.” said Sara, high school student and activist.

The talking stick is used to impart democracy in a talking group, allowing everyone have a say regardless of the timidity of some participants. The stick is passed from person to person, and only the one holding it can speak.

She added, “It should always be open, encouraging that every working committee should do it. Those who don’t like how the GAs work can join the talking stick.”

The proposal was accepted, of course.

Discussions with the city continue

According to recent updates on the issue, the city is okay with the occupation as long as security and salubrity are prioritized.

After the GA, the walk of indignation began. It’s been one month since October 15, one month.

Occupy Montreal – Day 27

By: Paula Monroy

November 10, 2011 – Metro Square Victoria

Discussions about the city’s sudden security concerns continue

After accepting the idea of having discussion groups before proposals, the GA split in groups of 8 and 5 participants to bring up information or possible solutions to the problem.

Continuing dialogue with the city was suggested by group one. The second group said “the city doesn’t want homeless people building houses in alleys”, thus justify that Occupy Montreal is allowed to do it.

There are volunteer architects verifying the structures to make sure each construction is built correctly for security reasons, according to the third group. Having also considered this, the fourth group recommended that “we should make a press release concerning why the houses should stay”, adding that “the city wants to bring their own architects”.

Buying Army-surplus tents, which are designed for the military to survive arctic weather conditions, is another option. Group five pointed this as a cheaper and better option, considering the fact that these are tents and can fit up to ten people  – so the city will not complain. Their usual price ranges in the $1000s, but someone can get them for $250 each plus $60 to make them warmer. The Halifax occupation acquired one recently.

The last group wants to continue with the construction of the wooden structures.

Further discussions about the issue was to continue in a separate meeting after the GA.

For Tuesdays and Thursdays, GAs will start @6:30pm starting next week

Aiming to bring more quorum for future assemblies, the Facilitation Committee proposed changing the time of the GA to 6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays because food in the camp is served at 6pm. Apparently, this has become an obstacle for some people to join the meeting on time because they have to eat first – which implies getting caught in the kitchen’s lineup.

A student asked if the kitchen cannot open earlier. The reply from a kitchen committee was “No, because they serve lunch as well and have to clean by 2pm, giving them the enough time to prepare the next meal by 6pm.”

The assembly agreed to change the duration of the GAs to 6:30-8:30 for proposals, and 8:30-9 will be for committee reports and varia.

By 8:20pm quorum was lost.

Concerning trees

Members of the Landscape and Horticultural Committee of the city of Montreal visited the camp during the morning to address the protection of the park trees. They told campers that ropes cannot be tied any higher to the lowest branch of the tree.

Occupy Montreal – Day 20

By: Paula Monroy

November 3, 2011 – Square Victoria Metro Station

The GA started at 6pm with around 65 people present. Ending four hours later, only one proposal was accepted: $600 dollars will be used to purchase three tents for common areas, and 30 people remained. One of the tents, the hospital, will be bought from the militia.

Nonetheless, it was interrupted to join the anti-G20 protest, but it restarted once the march was over.

Independent Tunisian journalist, Thameur Mekky, was present to give insight on the historical elections of Tunisia and the revolution. After him, the occupation in Quebec City was addressed. Someone left the GA, inviting anyone who wanted to go to Quebec City with her and be of actual support to its occupants.

On Fast-Food Democracy

There are starting to be concerns with “our fast food democracy“, as someone expressed, during the GAs. This being because it seems like “every time we need more votes, we just go out there and bring people here to complete the quorum”, according to the same individual.

Indeed, there have been at least 3 occasions in past GAs, including today’s, where in order to pass a proposal, which is usually emphasized as urgent, more people is brought in from the camp.

“It’s dangerous to do it” a man says, “because this method will bring votes that are not well informed”. He added “We shouldn’t impose the method, because it’s not democracy.”

In today’s case, people that arrived to complete the quorum and pass the tents proposal left short after it got approved; consequently, no further proposals were adopted. A girl tried to justify, “It’s because we were taking too long”. Nonetheless, as Ben from the facilitation committee explained, it is a matter of interest, not time.

Hell Kitchen

The kitchen is starting to become hell for those volunteering their time to keep it going. “The amount of volunteers is dwindling and the number of people expecting a meal is growing”, posted Nina Haigh from the Kitchen Committee on Nov. 4. “I am asking you all to step up and do your share, when a mic check is calling for volunteers, come on to the kitchen and help out. If the participation problem is not addressed soon the kitchen staff are seriously thinking of serving nothing but plain rice for several days! “