Forum Post: Found on GA site.. comments?
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 29, 2011, 8 p.m. EST by insomniart
(22)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
On September 17, 2011, people from all across the United States of America and the world came to protest the blatant injustices of our times perpetuated by the economic and political elites. On the 17th we as individuals rose up against political disenfranchisement and social and economic injustice. We spoke out, resisted, and successfully occupied Wall Street. Today, we proudly remain in Liberty Square constituting ourselves as autonomous political beings engaged in non-violent civil disobedience and building solidarity based on mutual respect, acceptance, and love. It is from these reclaimed grounds that we say to all Americans and to the world, Enough! How many crises does it take? We are the 99% and we have moved to reclaim our mortgaged future.Through a direct democratic process, we have come together as individuals and crafted these principles of solidarity, which are points of unity that include but are not limited to:
Engaging in direct and transparent participatory democracy;
Exercising personal and collective responsibility;
Recognizing individuals’ inherent privilege and the influence it has on all interactions;
Empowering one another against all forms of oppression;
Redefining how labor is valued;
The sanctity of individual privacy;
The belief that education is human right; and
Endeavoring to practice and support wide application of open source.
We are daring to imagine a new socio-political and economic alternative that offers greater possibility of equality. We are consolidating the other proposed principles of solidarity, after which demands will follow.
1 The Working Group on Principles of Consolidation continues to work through the other proposed principles to be incorporated as soon as possible into this living document. This is an official document crafted by the Working Group on Principles of Consolidation. The New York City General Assembly came to consensus on September 23rd to accept this working draft and post it online for public consumption
this is the kind of vision that has caused ows to grow so fast and to gain support from all over the planet- the city's of the world will follow new york city's lead.
training web page http://url2it.com/jtje thrasymaque
That all sounds great to me. The only thing I would change is the one on education - I see education as an obligation this generation owes to the next, as opposed to a right, but I'll spare you the lengthy explanation.
I believe this refers to education beyond primary and secondary, but I'm not sure. I am still really new to this movement and I'm still looking for answers to lots of questions.
I don't know exactly what you mean when you say education is an obligation. We may be on the same page. I have pretty strong feelings about education, myself. I am a teacher.. it's kind of a big deal to me :)
Take history - it's a part of us, who we are and how we came to be what we are. We, this generation, owe it to the next to provide that information to them, so that they can see the patterns that exist in history and continue the journey of the human race into a future of peace and prosperity, a place where human dignity and human rights have real meaning and value.
Literature is a big part of that learning, of culture, of origin.
Math and Science - these too have history, and cultural roots, some of which impact political considerations of eons past. Issues such as earth is flat-ism are repeating themselves now. To know and understand one's history is to be armed with the knowledge of how things may be shaped today, and to what end.
Math and science are the foundation of civilization - without them we cannot maintain all we have built.
That we place the next generation in bondage while we meet our own obligation to them - is surreal and absurd, some abstract rendering of Dante's deepest circle rendered whole upon the canvas of life.
And so it is true - the whole world has gone mad . . . .
It will take some time, but perhaps together we can make a difference.
Redefining how labor is valued; meaning a burger flipper is worth 100k a year, same as an architect or surgeon. Recognizing individuals’ inherent privilege and the influence it has on all interactions; meaning that you are part of a collective and you will do what "we the people" feel is best for you, punishment if you do not/ Endeavoring to practice and support wide application of open source. meaning: we are winging it..wtf? The sanctity of individual privacy; does not work well with Exercising personal and collective responsibility; Engaging in direct and transparent participatory democracy; meaning majority rules. The majority of a minority that cast votes is the law,
Proposed modified vision statement (Group document, as of 11/29/11 – replaces all previous posts by me)
Read Vision Statement – Group Document 11/29/11 (Not final consensus, but no blocks as of the end of the meeting) (with edits to 11/29/11 – use “history” to see previous versions.)(this version matches the text in today’s “Forum” post, but includes better formatting.)
What follows is a living document that will be revised through the democratic process of the General Assembly.
From the General Assembly of the Occupy Wall Street movement, to the People of the World, we offer a Declaration of our Vision.
Mic Check: We will be heard.
System Check: The system is broken.
Reality Check: The environment is collapsing.
Fact Check: There will be change.
We envision a truly free, democratic, and just society, built on the following principles:
Liberty: whereby we secure the civil and human rights of all against violation or infringement, particularly by unchecked corporate power and unjust governments;
People Power: whereby governments, in any form, at every level, derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, not from the wealth of corporate treasuries;
Unity: whereby all people come together to make decisions through a process by which everyone’s voice heard, and no one is marginalized.
Responsibility: whereby all who reap society’s benefits accept a fair share of its responsibilities;
Fairness: whereby political and economic institutions work to benefit all, not just a privileged few;
Peace: whereby we learn to live in harmony and embrace principles of tolerance and respect for diversity and the differing views of others;
Equality: whereby institutionalized racism, sexism, and all other forms of discrimination based on socially constructed labels are rejected by all;
Non – Violence: whereby non-violence is embraced as a way of life and we resolve to carry a good message.
People Before Profit: whereby we value human needs over monetary gain, ensuring decent standards of living, without which effective democracy is impossible;
Environmental Stewardship: whereby we work together to protect the global environment and all species to ensure that life is sustainable, and that future generations will have safe and clean air, water, and food supplies.
Mic Check: We are the 99%.
Mic Check: We will Occupy and achieve this vision.
The Working Group on Vision and Goals continues to work toward a more comprehensive statement of visions and goals to be incorporated as soon as possible into this living document. This is an official document crafted by the Working Group on Vision and Goals. The New York City General Assembly came to consensus on __ to accept this working draft and make it accessible to the public by posting it online.
Great NYC! Announce the National General Assembly today ok?
I'm not in charge.
my reply was intended for anyone reading the vision statement, not you personally. Sorry, I should have been more clear about that.
I do hold the NYCGA responsible for the movements' voice because they are de facto 'in charge' like it or not. OWS started in NYC, the NYCGA runs this website and issues these statements on behalf of the other 99% of supporters, and all eyes turn to it for a certain degree of leadership. Denying it doesn't change the reality of that. Saying OWS is leaderless seems to be a MSM plant or the delusion of a tiny radical group.
The only way out of this conundrum is for the NYCGA to call a National General Assembly. A method for doing that is contained in a document called the 99% Declaration. Given what this vision statement describes under the "Unity" clause and the "Fairness" clause, I see no reason the NYCGA can't announce, and must announce, a National General Assembly (NGA) This needs to happen soon because I think come the new year, people will have no time for OWS, and I'd also suggest they make the announcement before any serious events take place.
Is this a newer one? Interesting.. I hadn't searched the site to find newer documents.
I think it's the latest incarnation.
Thanks for sharing!
Trying to help keep this website useful to the legitimate OW supporters.