Forum Post: The Next Phase - Growing Weekend Rallies Instead of Occupations
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 10, 2011, 5:20 a.m. EST by cyberbiker
(4)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
The occupation format works for now to get media attention. However, the target audience is the vast silent majority that can force change by its vote and buying habits. That requires venues with high impact in which they can participate while juggling work and families.
Soon we should transition to rally venues on weekends so students and workers can participate more easily. The strongest effort for Occupy movements across the country needs to be on formalizing platforms to correct the system and on selling the movement to a growing number of voices at each rally.
The participatory democracy of the general assembly format would be an indispensable addition to the political process. A peaceful transition could not be violently repressed nor marginalized.
I agree. By occupying, it is garnering attention... but it also causes hard feelings by people who are delayed getting to work, have their businesses affected, etc. Also, with winter coming, rallies would have higher turnouts. If we occupy and numbers drop when the cold sets in, it will be used to say the movement is failing. This way, it is acknowledged and a planned step.
So... cyberbiker... what we need to do is start talking to people who have organized rallies before and have them teach us how to set 'em up. I recommend youtube videos and other sites to spread the knowledge. Then, be your own leader... set up a rally in your town/city.
We're active in out city, but lke most others besides NYC, we're doing weekly rallies. It gives the community time to consider the movement, but not be chaffed by it or the trash from an occupation.
Seems like much of the time in NYC must be spent on feeding, sanitation, etc. While it is getting the attention in the only way it can in NYC, there is a cost in community strain and efficiency. It becomes a timeing issue. Can the movement really catch hold so legitimate rallies can be called with 2 day notice and be assured attendance in Central Park, Washington Square, Union Square, UN Plaza and Prospect Park with bull horns, etc.
That is necessary to get a continuous stream of highly articulate speakers that the media will cover and with whom the silent majority can identify.
We need to get people educated on how to hold rallies so we can hold them in towns and cities all over the USA.
No question about it. I see leaders, committee structures and platform positions emerging. That is what is needed before city administrators become less tolerant and the media get bored (as it so easily does). Remember, they buy instant feedback of how many cable boxes flip off channel during a particular news segment.
Every city movement needs persuasive speakers (without polish) so viewers can identify with the issues. Dancing to drum beats and juggling gives recreational relief to participants, but if the media focuses on the effectiveness of the movement is reduced.
damn... I'm a juggler. The nice thing about the internet is that when one person goes thru the steps, he/she can teach people to follow, making the pathway wider and easier to traverse.
True. There should be a thread on "Movement Methods and Lessons Learned" for city movement facilitators. It should probably be in a separate forum list entitled something like Occupy America. Come to think of it, as Europe and Asia get involved Occupy Earth will probably be needed too. Major journals internationally are covering this movement.
Do you know any key people in the OWS movement in NYC to suggest this too.
other than livestream people, fraid not. :(