Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tony Savino: 646-334-2613
On Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at St. Philip’s Church, 204 West 134th Street (off Adam Clayton Powell Blvd) from 6 PM to 9 PM Occupy Harlem General Assembly (OHGA) features keynote speakers, Ramsey Clark, former US Attorney General, Glen Ford, Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report and Carl Dix of Stop “Stop-and-Frisk” Civil Disobedience campaign. In addition, student representatives from Columbia University and Stop Tuition Hikes at CUNY will address the OHGA.
Ramsey Clark will deliver a global analysis on U.S. wars and occupations today. Clark, founder of the International Action Center, a major anti-war organization, received the United Nations’ Human Rights award in 2008.
Recognized by the progressive left as the leading Black intellectual voice in the US, Glen Ford said, “Occupy can only fulfill its promise to build on the contributions of previous movements if it decisively confronts the overarching issue of race, the Great Contradiction at the heart of American life and history that has always thwarted the development of an enduring Left movement”.Carl Dix, who along with Cornel West initiated Stop “Stop-and-Frisk” Civil Disobedience actions cited more than 700,000 Stop & Frisk by the New York City Police Department in 2011. The overwhelming numbers were Black and Latino men who also constitute nearly two thirds of the 2.3 million people languishing in the profitable US Jim Crow prison industrial complex.
Nellie Hester Bailey and Sandra Rivers, co-conveners of Occupy Harlem and facilitators of the Dec. 21st meeting announced the overall theme of its fourth and last general assembly for 2011: Permanency and Relevancy of Occupy Movements in Black, Latino & Immigrant Communities. Bailey said, “2012, the presidential election year, becomes pivotal for the occupy movement. Will it collapse into yet another extension of the Democratic Party or emerge truly independent, casting off the yoke of endless betrayals from a supine party that never cease to serve the 1% Wall Street Plutocracy?”
Rivers added, “OHGA will map out a strategic independent grassroots movement building plan for 2012 with occupy targets, conferences and principle collaboration with key partners including Occupy Wall Street.”
Saturday, December 17, 2011
OCCUPY HARLEM PROPOSAL
OCCUPY HARLEM MODIFIED PROPOSAL DUE TO IN-KIND SUPPORT FROM OWS AND DONATED COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Occupy Harlem General Assembly (OHGA) submits this funding proposal. OHGA requests the support and facilitation of the working groups listed below in addition to any other Occupy Wall Street working groups recommended. OHGA is anxious to present its proposal to Occupy Wall Street General Assembly and wish to secure a date to do so as soon as possible.
OHGA organized a number of working groups based on issues addressed at its first GA and subsequent meetings. OHGA continues to develop working group committees.
OHGA primary objective: raise funds for an independent Occupy Harlem Movement not controlled by elected officials (servants of the 1%) or NGOs funded and thus controlled by politicians.
OHGA physical presence in Central Harlem, historically recognized as the epicenter of the world renowned Harlem Renaissance Movement, challenges a political landscape dominated by well oiled machines of patronage, serious obstacles to the survival of authentic grassroots movements without independent resources. Funding from OWS dramatically changes this paradigm.
OHGA last two general assemblies held at Saint Phillip's Church forced the issue of its future survival without any resources. Attempting to build an organizational infrastructure for sustainable programs and actions simply is not possible without funding.
The problem: St. Philip's Church like so many other churches in Harlem lives with the reality of dwindling congregants. The church cannot afford to rent space gratis. To meet the expenses for its first GA, Occupy Harlem received a donation of $150 from the United National Anti-War Coalition. Those funds paid for space rental and payment of the custodian. At its second meeting OHGA turned over $100 in donations to the church. However, this arrangement is clearly not sustainable.
In negotiations with St. Philips OHGA worked out what it believes to be a reasonable financial agreement. For three hours of meeting time Occupy Harlem will pay $125 and $75 for the custodian, a total of $200 per meeting in a venue with heat, an important consideration for the winter months. And easy access for transportation: 2 or 3 train to 135th or the C to 135th St./St. Nicholas Avenue.
Please bear in mind OHGA base of operation is in Central Harlem or Black Harlem: (1) the target of brutal gentrification assaults that has resulted in forced migration, rising evictions, homelessness, (2) Predatoryan epidemic of Black unemployment, (4) Predatory commercial real estate that has destroyed small Black Businesses in record numbers (4) the deliberate elimination of social service safety networks for the poor and working class intended to accelerate the gentrification push out (5) one of seven neighborhoods in NYC feeding predominately Black youth into New York State's prison industrial complex.
Summary of Strategic Planning in Occupy Harlem General Assembly Proposal:
(a) Regular bi-monthly meetings
(b) Establish social media networks
(c) Monthly direct actions i.e. rallies, demonstrations, panels at OWS, popular education,
(d) Occupy Harlem conferences in the Spring and Fall of 2011: Projected venue: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The two conferences will correspond with two mass demonstrations.
(e) Regional Conference in Harlem: Assessment and the Future of Occupy movements in communities of Color
(f) a National Conference. The goal: gathering of progressive forces from across the US and hopefully internationally to assess, strategize and build a united front of solidarity against the 1%.
(e) OHGA Open Space Occupation (not discussed in any details in this proposal for security reasons.)
We recognize we are citizens of the world, and have a responsibility to shape this new and challenging global environment. We view Occupy Wall Street as a strategic portal for the liberation of all of the 99% best accomplished with strategic planning and mutual cooperation.
*Space Rental for Bi-Monthly Meetings (St. Phillip's Church, 204 W 134th St): ($400 x 13 months) = $5200
Occupy Harlem Conference: Spring 2012 Schomburg Center: $4500
*Schomburg Conference:Travel and Reception: $1,500
Audio and Videotaping: Community Volunteers
Fall Conference 2012 (Riverside Church/Social Justice Committee): $1,500
Audio and Videotaping: Community Volunteers
Legal (Fine and Bail Contingencies): -$5000* (Partial support requested when and if needed)
Website: -$500 (Technical Support from OWS and community volunteer)
Printing: -$2500 (In-kind contribution from OWS)
Signage: -$2000 (In-kind support from OWS)
Outdoor Demonstrations/Rallies/Direct Actions/13 months:-$650 (Expenditure covered through community fundraisers)+
Video production-archival footage of activities/programs: -$1, 650 (Community donation/volunteers)
TOTAL $12,700
Budget Summary:
*With respect to the conferences we request OWS to release funds payable directly to the specific institutions upon signing a contract.
* Space rental is the most crucial issue for Occupy Harlem. The fourth GA meeting is on December 21st at St . Philips Church. Occupy Harlem has to paid the church $200. The last payment was paid by a senior on fixed income. Currently we have no other prospects and we want very much to reimburse the senior.
Thank you. On behalf of Occupy Harlem: Nellie Bailey 212-663-5248/646-812-5188 and Sandra Rivers 917-620-2041 oremail:
Occupy Harlem General Assembly (OHGA) submits this funding proposal. OHGA requests the support and facilitation of the working groups listed below in addition to any other Occupy Wall Street working groups recommended. OHGA is anxious to present its proposal to Occupy Wall Street General Assembly and wish to secure a date to do so as soon as possible.
OHGA organized a number of working groups based on issues addressed at its first GA and subsequent meetings. OHGA continues to develop working group committees.
OHGA primary objective: raise funds for an independent Occupy Harlem Movement not controlled by elected officials (servants of the 1%) or NGOs funded and thus controlled by politicians.
OHGA physical presence in Central Harlem, historically recognized as the epicenter of the world renowned Harlem Renaissance Movement, challenges a political landscape dominated by well oiled machines of patronage, serious obstacles to the survival of authentic grassroots movements without independent resources. Funding from OWS dramatically changes this paradigm.
OHGA last two general assemblies held at Saint Phillip's Church forced the issue of its future survival without any resources. Attempting to build an organizational infrastructure for sustainable programs and actions simply is not possible without funding.
The problem: St. Philip's Church like so many other churches in Harlem lives with the reality of dwindling congregants. The church cannot afford to rent space gratis. To meet the expenses for its first GA, Occupy Harlem received a donation of $150 from the United National Anti-War Coalition. Those funds paid for space rental and payment of the custodian. At its second meeting OHGA turned over $100 in donations to the church. However, this arrangement is clearly not sustainable.
In negotiations with St. Philips OHGA worked out what it believes to be a reasonable financial agreement. For three hours of meeting time Occupy Harlem will pay $125 and $75 for the custodian, a total of $200 per meeting in a venue with heat, an important consideration for the winter months. And easy access for transportation: 2 or 3 train to 135th or the C to 135th St./St. Nicholas Avenue.
Please bear in mind OHGA base of operation is in Central Harlem or Black Harlem: (1) the target of brutal gentrification assaults that has resulted in forced migration, rising evictions, homelessness, (2) Predatoryan epidemic of Black unemployment, (4) Predatory commercial real estate that has destroyed small Black Businesses in record numbers (4) the deliberate elimination of social service safety networks for the poor and working class intended to accelerate the gentrification push out (5) one of seven neighborhoods in NYC feeding predominately Black youth into New York State's prison industrial complex.
Summary of Strategic Planning in Occupy Harlem General Assembly Proposal:
(a) Regular bi-monthly meetings
(b) Establish social media networks
(c) Monthly direct actions i.e. rallies, demonstrations, panels at OWS, popular education,
(d) Occupy Harlem conferences in the Spring and Fall of 2011: Projected venue: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The two conferences will correspond with two mass demonstrations.
(e) Regional Conference in Harlem: Assessment and the Future of Occupy movements in communities of Color
(f) a National Conference. The goal: gathering of progressive forces from across the US and hopefully internationally to assess, strategize and build a united front of solidarity against the 1%.
(e) OHGA Open Space Occupation (not discussed in any details in this proposal for security reasons.)
We recognize we are citizens of the world, and have a responsibility to shape this new and challenging global environment. We view Occupy Wall Street as a strategic portal for the liberation of all of the 99% best accomplished with strategic planning and mutual cooperation.
OCCUPY HARLEM GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET
December 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012:**
*Space Rental for Bi-Monthly Meetings (St. Phillip's Church, 204 W 134th St): ($400 x 13 months) = $5200
Occupy Harlem Conference: Spring 2012 Schomburg Center: $4500
*Schomburg Conference:Travel and Reception: $1,500
Audio and Videotaping: Community Volunteers
Fall Conference 2012 (Riverside Church/Social Justice Committee): $1,500
Audio and Videotaping: Community Volunteers
Legal (Fine and Bail Contingencies): -$5000* (Partial support requested when and if needed)
Website: -$500 (Technical Support from OWS and community volunteer)
Printing: -$2500 (In-kind contribution from OWS)
Signage: -$2000 (In-kind support from OWS)
Outdoor Demonstrations/Rallies/Direct Actions/13 months:-$650 (Expenditure covered through community fundraisers)+
Video production-archival footage of activities/programs: -$1, 650 (Community donation/volunteers)
TOTAL $12,700
Budget Summary:
*With respect to the conferences we request OWS to release funds payable directly to the specific institutions upon signing a contract.
* Space rental is the most crucial issue for Occupy Harlem. The fourth GA meeting is on December 21st at St . Philips Church. Occupy Harlem has to paid the church $200. The last payment was paid by a senior on fixed income. Currently we have no other prospects and we want very much to reimburse the senior.
Thank you. On behalf of Occupy Harlem: Nellie Bailey 212-663-5248/646-812-5188 and Sandra Rivers 917-620-2041 oremail:
Monday, December 5, 2011
Events in West Harlem About Columbia University Expansion
Jobs Protest organized by the St. Mary’s group on Friday, December 9 at 3:00 P.M. starting at 116th and Broadway and proceeding uptown to the Columbia “employment” center on Broadway just below 125th.
Friday night, December 9, at 7 or 7:30, there will be a showing of a film, “The Battle for Brooklyn” about Prospect Heights construction at the Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Ave. between 127th and 128th Sts.. Tom Kappner and Yoni Golijov from CPC will be speakers in a panel discussion about the effect of the Columbia expansion on the surrounding communities following the films.
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