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.

now, now, now, now, now. now, now is the time. now now now.

By: Jean-Pier Goyer

Grand is the time which is spent wisely.

I flew without wings, traveled without moving bravely in a world that wasn’t mine, at first and then I had to find my way through new ideas and back to me. Like a pirate on the high seas, I navigated from above at first, exploring the newly discovered, loosely formed archipelago of hope, just under that massive Greed continent.

From the outsider, this is a fascinating event in history; out of nothing forms tiny islands of love, inhabited with concepts of love and sharing and it’s beautiful, a bright new world, daring and engaging in a myriad of ways, all too strange for an outsider to consider wise to explore, given that I have doubts over the profitability of such a venture. Yet as a true explorer, I wanted to get inside, and feel the essence of those savages. So I got closer to the shores and soon found myself on its beaches and what I saw was beautiful.

A small community of people who shared freely their food and ideas, their time and labour, living in small but warm tents, filled with this human warmth which seem so rare on the Greed continent’s major cities. When these radicals had a problem, they discussed about it on the public place and when the time for decision came, they had no leaders, preferring to debate within their citizenry to come up with the best idea possible, I am not quite sure how they managed to do it thus far.

The food is mostly vegetarian; the people are pacifists and they are so curious about a wide array of topics. After a week of contact, I am not quite certain what they want and it makes me uneasy. It seems that  they have different ways than us but it is so different I can’t explain what it feels like to be part of them, to be part of history and to explore all of which can be explored, even concepts that seem so distant yet within reach.

This is happening and from a pirate vantage point, it feels like I am a renegade from all this corruption, and lies and greed and war and deceit from my native land and I feel myself going rogue, into this new world, not of land but of ideas, of change and hope and I have come to meet, through extensive exploration that I am not alone. There are people investigating these new islands of solidarity, of human feeling and common something that pushes us forward into the great unknown of the future.

The bounty had always been luck because some pirates have access to very fast motorboats, which can circle the world swiftly while we are stuck in a loosely formed archipelago that forms a global power to be reckoned with. But because of its pacifist nature, it instil the weird sensation that it just might be the way. Something toward a better future for all of us, something like an escape from consumerism into a bold new land where food and thoughts are free. Where human dignity is on the agenda and where decisions are done by the people and by consensus.

Instead of booking your night into a lonesome watching television, come watch what’s happening worldwide, come explore the brave new world that is forming upon us, the new world that 99% of us can embrace. A world that is being built with our hands and with our minds, reflecting the many, giving a voice to the voiceless.

Occupy Montreal – Day 3

By: Paula Monroy

A young man in his 20s asks for donations in front of the ticket taker booth in Square-Victoria metro station. He is one of the protesters collecting funds for the occupation on Square Victoria. His left hand holds a plastic container decorated with red ornaments, shaking it as he explains why donations are needed. An old lady in a washed blue rain coat stops to give him change.

The general assembly began at 6 o’clock. At least 50 people were present, gathering on the right side of the monument. The main language was French, and those who were unable to understand were invited to go with the English translators standing on the left (at least 2 meters away)  of the speaker.

The organizing of the camp and committees proceeded as subject of focus. It was decided to rearrange the tents, thus facilitating passage through the area. There will be tickets for sale throughout the week for a show on Sunday; artists are expected and invited to sign up today (Tuesday) at 1pm. It was said that this is to get funds for the occupation, underlining that if you are into theatre, music, or any kind of performing arts and want to participate, please refer to the  info booth beside the kitchen tent.

Time went slow and cold. Some attendants were talking with each other, concerned, saying “we are not going anywhere”.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian flag will be hanged on the statue in memory of the revolution in Egypt that preceded the Wall Street occupation – a march will be held in its honor at 4:30pm on Thursday 20.

After the assembly, the microphone was available for everyone. A man shared his story of why he resigned from work, he had had enough of being treated with disrespect. He was not the only one, a few other participants, including a teacher, have quit their jobs and joined the protest, “The perfect time to do it” said one guy aloud before departing.

Wi-fi internet and electricity will be available starting today.

__________________________________________________________________________

Un jeune homme dans la vingtaine récolte des donations devant le kiosque à ticket
de la station de métro Square Victoria. Il fait partie des manifestants qui ramassent
des fonds pour l’occupation. Dans sa main gauche il a un récipient en plastique
décoré dans les tons de rouge, et il l’agite en expliquant pourquoi l’occupation a
besoin de donations. Une vieille dame portant un imperméable bleu délavé s’arrête
pour lui donner de la monnaie.

L’assemblée générale a commencé à six heures. Au moins 50 personnes étaient
rassemblées à la droite de la statue. La langue principale était le français—pour ceux
qui ne pouvaient pas comprendre, des traducteurs vers l’anglais se tenaient à deux
mètres sur la gauche de l’animateur-trice.

Le sujet principal de cette troisième journée était l’organisation du camp et les
comités. Il a été décidé que les tentes seraient réarrangées, pour faciliter le passage
dans le campement. Il y aura des tickets en vente toute la semaine pour un grand
spectacle dimanche—les artistes sont invités à s’inscrire aujourd’hui (Mardi)
à 13h. Le but est d’amasser des fonds pour l’occupation, et il a été souligné que
ceux dans les arts du spectacle qui veulent participer se renseignent au comptoir
d’information à côté de la tente-cuisine.

Le temps s’est écoulé doucement et dans le froid. Quelques participants discutaient,
préoccupés, disant « nous n’allons nulle part ».

En attendant, le drapeau Egyptien sera accroché sur la statue pour commémorer la
révolution Egyptienne qui a précédé l’occupation de Wall Street—une marche en
son honneur se tiendra à 16h30 le Jeudi 20 Octobre.

Après l’assemblée, le micro a été ouvert pour tous. Un homme a partagé son histoire,
ses raisons pour sa démission au travail, il en avait assez qu’on lui manque de
respect. Il n’était pas le seul, quelques autres aussi—dont une institutrice—avaient
quitté leur travail pour ensuite rejoindre l’occupation. « C’est le moment parfait
pour le faire » a dit un homme avant de partir.

À partir d’aujourd’hui, l’internet sans fil et l’électricité sont disponibles sur le site.

Occupy Montreal – Day 2

By: Paula Monroy

Today is Monday. The first weekend of the occupation came to an end with music, good humor, and clarity. Although wind reached 46km/h in speed, the camp survived.

Among the concerns discussed in the assembly on Sunday was the implementation of financial regulations and organization of the occupation. For this, committees were created and members assigned. Meetings will start at 6pm from Monday to Friday, and at 1pm in the weekends. The schedule was based on the working hours the majority of the participants are subject to, which is from 9am to 5pm. There will be Open Mic once the general assembly concludes for the day.

______________________________________________________________________________

Aujourd’hui, Lundi. Le premier weekend de l’occupation a pris fin avec musique,
bonne humeur et clarté. Malgré les rafales de vent à 46km/h, le campement a
survécu.

Une des préoccupations de l’assemblée de Dimanche était la réglementation des
finances et l’organisation de l’occupation. Pour répondre aux questions soulevées,
plusieurs comités ont été créés. Les assemblées générales auront lieu à 18h du
Lundi au Vendredi, et à 13h le weekend. Cet horaire a été choisi selon les heures
de travail de la plupart des participants, qui font en majorité du 9 à 5. Il y aura
un « micro ouvert » lorsque l’assemblée aura terminé pour la journée.

Occupy Montreal – day 1

By: Paula Monroy

The end of October 15 approaches as the beginning of this narrative starts. Wind carrying suave raindrops have finally arrived to probably last until midnight. Over 2000 people congregated since 3pm at the Quartier International de Montréal on Victoria Square, demanding the fall of the corpocratic system of government that has replaced democracy with total impunity.

The occupation is official. At least 50 people have settled a camp over the green area of the park, behind the bronze statue of the long dead Queen Victoria that stands on Rue Saint Antoine Ouest. Never mind apathy, never mind the whether; ‘Occupy Montreal‘ is part of a global movement, and is moving forward.

Naturally, the first to be subjected by the demonstration was the statue (symbol of British imperialism and Canadian colonial identity), now wearing a Guy Fawkes face and holding Quebec patriots flag over the royal sceptre. There is also a sign advertising the Zeitgeist movement that hangs from her neck.

As far as organization concerns, the assembly decided to make a consensus prior to taking any further decision. This way everyone will be able to participate and, thus, everyone’s concerns should be considered. Those opposing won’t be ignored; their remarks will be included, too. It will continue tomorrow at noon, in front of the Tai Chi Single Whip sculpture on the other extreme of the park.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alors que ce récit débute, la journée du 15 Octobre se termine. Le vent, avec ses
gouttelettes de pluie, est arrivé et restera probablement jusqu’à minuit. Plus
de 2000 personnes se sont rassemblées au Square Victoria dans le Quartier
International de Montréal depuis 15h, demandant la chute de la corpocratie qui, en
toute impunité, a remplacée la démocratie.

L’occupation est maintenant officielle. Au moins 50 personnes, le campement est
installé dans la partie verte du square, derrière la statue de bronze de la Reine
Victoria qui fait face à la rue St-Antoine Ouest. L’apathie, vous dites ? Le mauvais
temps ? Peu importe, ‘Occupons Montréal’ fait partie d’un mouvement global, et il
avance.

La première qui fait l’objet de la manifestation est, bien entendu, la statue (symbole
de l’impérialisme Britannique et de l’identité coloniale Canadienne). Elle porte
maintenant un masque de Guy Fawkes et brandit le drapeau Québécois des
Patriotes par dessus son sceptre royal. Une pancarte du mouvement Zeitgeist lui
pend autour du cou.

En ce qui concerne l’organisation, l’assemblée a décidé que le consensus serait
un passage obligé pour prendre toute décision. De cette façon, tout le monde
pourra participer, et les intérêts et inquiétudes de tous seront pris en compte. Les
commentaires de ceux qui se retrouvent en opposition ne seront pas ignorés, ils
seront aussi inclus. Tout ça va continuer demain, à midi, devant la sculpture Tai Chi
Single Whip de l’autre côté du parc.