Overview
The outcome of the movement’s fight against the establishment will be determined by whether enough power has been developed, how that power is used, and whether the movement is long-lasting. For Occupy, power is primarily about increasing the number of its supporters and participants far beyond current numbers. This must happen if the movement is to be successful.
Success means reversing current trends so that ordinary people are better fed, housed, cared for, educated, and employed. Success ultimately means dismantling plutocracy and cannibalistic capitalism, and building a system based on participatory democracy and economics that is humane, equitable, and ecologically sustainable.
Everything that the Occupy movement does should be done with the primary (but not exclusive) goal of growing the movement.
OO Analysis
Thus far, Occupy Oakland has demonstrated amazing energy, resolve, and ingenuity, but its primary weaknesses include a lack of a broader strategic focus and a lack of critical self-analysis.
Before deciding on any proposal, the question that should be thoroughly discussed is: will it help to grow the movement. Such discussions are impossible at GAs, however, because the format limits in-depth dialogue. Decisions are made after only brief pros and cons. Such a process does not allow for needed discussion, let alone understanding, of the broader impacts.
The fight to change the world is a 15 round slugfest between the ultra-heavyweight 800 pounder and a pesky flyweight that must get hellaciously stronger very quickly (i.e. movement building). In such a fight, it’s critical to know when to go forward, when to go sideways, and when to step back. Round 1 has just started, but OO seems determined to come out swinging and keep swinging, no matter what.
19th and Telegraph Occupation
The proposal assumes that an encampment will be established. It seems likely, however, that the police will prevent this from happening. A chain link fence surrounds the vacant lot, which will have to be pulled down. If this starts to happen, the police will immediately intervene. Will that result in a violent confrontation (hurts movement building), or will OO-ers leave peacefully (no benefit to movement building, but may hurt it because the public has turned against encampments)?
This action also begs larger questions:
- Are encampments necessary for the success of the movement?
- Are there more effective uses of energy and resources than establishing encampments?
- Are there effective ways to “occupy” other than 24-7?
Proposal
OO should:
- Adopt a resolution that growing the movement is a top priority goal and assess all actions with regards to whether it helps achieve that goal or not.
- Restructure GA meetings to allow for in-depth discussion and analysis of key issues.
- Establish or encourage the establishment of a strategic planning committee.
A. “Are encampments necessary for the success of the movement?”
In my trained opinion, they are not. Encampments are logistical nightmares, and are naught more than targets, and liabilities.
B. “Restructure GA meetings to allow for in-depth discussion and analysis of key issues.”
Is this a game of “speed-chess”, or is deep thinking required? I highly support ” in-depth discussion and analysis of key issues” over rushed decisions.
In addition, IMHO, the alienation of interested persons over 40 is a huge mistake. Is it not wiser to temper youthful idealism with experienced brothers and sisters that are more likely to have jobs, contacts, resources, and insight?
I support this. I also question the need for, and the tactic of encampments. Yet, I sense there is a strong need for a home base in Oakland. Also strongly in favor of growing the movement to include all of the 99%.
To be realistic, and gauging the temperature of a lot of the comments I read throughout the media, we will have to make a statement in favor of non-violence if we want to draw in a significant population of people with a few decades of movement experience. I don’t think I am off-base to generalize that people in their 40’s and up are generally turned off by vandalism, property damage, and police brutality as well.
Thanks for this proposal.