Forum Post: Occupy in Winter. A difficult, but necessary solution.
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 18, 2011, 8:07 p.m. EST by OpenSky
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This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Everybody's worried about what the winter will hold. Many are hesitant about retreating into the subways... For good reason: we could alienate many of the 99% in New York just trying to get to their everyday jobs. In a perfect world, the employees wouldn't be blamed, but we know that its definitely much more complicated than that (in addition, the last thing we want to do is annoy all of the workaholics out there).
But why not just learn something from the Eskimos and prepare for it? Warm tents, warm clothes, warm fires (we're already breaking regulations by camping out, a camp fire in a pot won't make much more of a difference). What better way to show that we are resolute, and that we won't cower in the face of hardship? Corporations are waiting for the winter. They think it will cause us to fizzle out and die. And they're right - but only if we abandon camp and try to form up later. That way, we'll lose the valuable momentum this movement has. Our only option is to stay... And through the strength of our community, we will survive, and triumph.
What better way to show the resolve of our movement and the power of collective democracy than by all working together to make it through the winter?
We can win this. It's gonna be tough, but it'll be worth it.
Maintain the network and communications even if you are forced to retreat. Keep planning, keep talking, General Assembly by wire. The internet has been a powerful tool to rally support and communicate with other Occupiers, use it to it's fullest potential.
Breaking camp should in no way mean an end to the movement. Surprise the bastards by returning in spring with a well formed battle plan in hand, and twice the support behind you.
I can hear that boardroom conversation. "Remember those dirty hippies last year? Ha ha, they sure didn't last long." "Uhhh....Boss? They're back, and there's a lot more of them." "What?!" "Yeah." "Oh shit..."
lol :)
Problem is, its all about perception.
Well, one good thing about winter, most of the lugnuts and tinfoil hats may bugger off.
Faux News loves the weirdos, a convo with some crazy dude ranting about far-out conspiracies and space lizard overlords gives them ammo to make true blue Occupiers look bad.
If people need respite shelter, I can assist with that
As long as the movement stays alive somewhere or as long as there are some resolute souls who persevere then the movement will begin again next summer. Fear not, stalwart protestors!
I think one smart thing to do would be to have a list of New Yorkers who would be willing to take in occupiers for short periods so they can have a respite from the cold from time to time.
I was curious, are there a lot of homeless there?
Not officially or even broached as a topic down here yet, but my hope is that there will be a way to accommodate occupiers from up north should they choose to come to Florida. Other Outcasts do it, but they go to the woods and are MSM invisible for the most part. It's an idea to kick around, but after mentioning it I can still say it's thrilling to hear the first encouraging words that you'll outlast the winter. Wow!
I think its the Swedes who say: "There is no such thing as bad weather; only bad clothing".
We aren't allowed tents yet :(
Otherwise I'd say it's possible...
Remember the blizzard last year?
strength and resolve my friend. The Inuits could do it. So can we.
Fires? So you're ok with killing trees, and polluting, and the public danger fire presents?
if you're trying to say that by having some fires going during the winter compares to 5 and a half million tons of carbon dioxide being released in the US every year... And killing trees... Do you think that it will compare to 6 billion trees cut down per year world wide?
This wouldn't be a "public danger", there are many forms of what can be considered a "camp fire", and many of those can be very safe.
I'm an environmentalist. And sure, the situation is not ideal. But this has to be done if we are going to succeed in our ultimate goal of eliminating corporate influence in our political system.
"if you're trying to say that by having some fires going during the winter compares to 5 and a half million tons of carbon dioxide being released in the US every year..."
Yeah, and most of that is car exhaust.
So since the world is already going to hell, what's a little bit more?
Can be very safe and WILL be very safe are two different things. One idiot. One. That's all it takes for a "safe" fire to become the one that engulfs everyone and then attacks buildings. THAT is why FIRE isn't allowed in public spaces and close quarters.
The difference is that if we succeed, the environment will benefit.
Keep in mind also that this will be in winter, which is obviously damp, snowy, and cold... Not very conductive for fires.
We can also get around that "one idiot" by having several fires that are always kept under supervision by general assembly committees, which would have guidelines for using these fires (for example, you could be prohibited from getting to close or etc).