Daily Archives: February 9, 2012

Why Civil Resistance Works

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Though it defies consensus, between 1900 and 2006, campaigns of nonviolent resistance were more than twice as effective as their violent counterparts. Attracting impressive support from citizens that helps separate regimes from their main sources of power, these campaigns have produced remarkable results, even in the contexts of Iran, the Palestinian Territories, the Philippines, and Burma. Combining statistical analysis with case studies of these specific countries and territories, Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan detail the factors enabling such campaigns to succeed-and, at times, causing them to fail. They find … Continued

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Know Your Rights Training – The Holdout, Oakland – Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 12:00 to 6:00 PM

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Occupy Legal, the National Lawyers Guild, the Anti-Repression Committee, Copwatch, and the Bay Area Committee to Stop Political Repression present a day of community education at The Holdout. Sunday, February 12, 2012 12 Noon – 6 PM The Holdout: 2313 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA Join us for a series of workshops and skill shares designed to help empower our movement and community to take the law into our own hands. Topics will include: know your rights when dealing with the police, documenting/observing police brutality and misconduct, street law, know … Continued

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Chris Hedges’ Epic Fail – Solidarity with Anarchists

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there is so much to laugh at in Hedges’ recent smear campaign against anarchists within the occupy movement.  Except it’s not funny; he is doing the work of the police and FBI in dividing and criminalizing certain elements of the movement. Blood will be on his hands when the OPD uses these same arguments for increasing their violent crack downs on Occupy Oakland. Yet I still have to laugh when I read his piece calling the young people who wear masks and aren’t afraid to confront the police ‘a cancer’. … Continued

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Valentine’s Day March (Updated with New Location and Schedule) – Downtown Oakland – Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – 6:00 PM

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Join us on Valentine’s Day to express our love for each other and our beautiful city on a march through the downtown Oakland area. Participants should wear red and/or pink in celebration of Valentine’s Day, and are encouraged to bring flowers, bubbles, Valentine’s candy to share, glitter, confetti, and flower petals. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 6:00 PM – Make Love, Not War Rally – Fox Park (19th and Telegraph in downtown Oakland): In solidarity with Syria, Egypt, and other nations whose people are currently suffering from state and/or police repression. 6:30 … Continued

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Black Bloc: Smash the Narrative March

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I’d like to fish for some feedback on an idea. This action can alternatively be called “No Walls, No Hedges.” I propose a march in full Black Bloc, taking the streets, black flags flying, call the media and tell them we are going to smash things (I’m sure the police will join us too), and proceed to march around the city planting fruit trees in dirt medians, patching potholes, maybe build a swingset in a public park, etc. We can end up in OG for Food Not Bombs, literature distro, … Continued

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The Difference Between Nonviolence and Pacifism

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The Difference Between Nonviolence and Pacifism A tremendous amount of controversy is being stirred up in Occupy Oakland by the tactics of a small minority of demonstrators, some calling their group the “Black Bloc.” I agree with the assessment some have put forth that throwing things and provoking the police to respond violently is counterproductive and endangers everyone participating in an action, particularly the least mobile demonstrators who are often children and the elderly. Having said that, I would like to clarify my feelings on the philosophy of nonviolence, which … Continued

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My Open ‘Letter’ to Occupy Oakland Folks….

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Firstly, greetings from northern Massachusetts!  Up on the border of N.H. you have someone who is your friend!   I am 45 years old, a single dad with 2 kids, working-class, and I have been on the Left since I read John Steinbeck back in the late seventies!!   O.K. it is important for you all to know this because what I am about to say may come across harshly, hurtful, or even condescending.. It is absolutely not my intent to talk down to anyone; let me say that straight-off.  But I … Continued

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Forced Labor Camps for our Homeless as an idea to “improve” our city. -Occupy Martinsburg

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Please help us Occupy the comments section of our local newspaper for this Letter to the Editor.  This man will present a proposal tonight at our city council and we will be there to mic check him. “The economic downturn that has affected our nation has stymied Martinsburg. Our town officials have been overwhelmed and are powerless, or unwilling, to prevent the spiraling decline of our city. The recent improvements in the town square may be in sight of the mayor’s downtown business, but the mayor lacks the vision that … Continued

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Labor practices at Apple supplier Foxconn

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This horrific alternet article is worth a serious read and reflection. we use apple products without regard for the abuse of the employees that make them.  how does occupy address this sort of labor abuse when it happens offshore but the products are sold in our neighborhood? 18958

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