[#4 for 4/4/12 GA] Proposal for the Endorsement and Support of the Dignity and Resistance May Day March and Rally

The Bay Area Coalition for Dignity and Resistance has called for a march and rallies on May Day (May 1, 2012), starting at 3pm at the Fruitvale BART plaza. Many Occupy Oakland people have been attending the meetings as part of the coalition, along with people from Decolonize Oakland, Occupy the Hood, Occupy SF, immigrant community organizations, and others. Monday, 3/26/12, the Occupy Oakland May Day Assembly voted to endorse this event and bring a proposal to the GA for endorsement by Occupy Oakland.

The kick-off rally will be in Fruitvale, followed by a march to San Antonio Park, with another rally and children’s activities. We will march downtown to OGP for a final rally. This event is expected to last until 6 or 7pm. There will also be some short stops along the march route, at designated targets, with speakers from a flatbed truck. Permits have been attained for the entire march route, ending at OGP. The permits for OGP, San Antonio Park, and for sound are in progress. We decided to permit the march and rallies to reduce the risk to undocumented people who will join the event.

We ask that Occupy Oakland not only endorse this action, but encourage participation in it. We ask that those planning other activities that day not plan them for this time period from 3-7pm. We also ask for separation in time and space from any direct action which could increase the risk for undocumented people or families with children. Like the OO BBQs, this is an ideal opportunity to outreach to various communities around the Bay Area who will be part of this march, and to open the door for further joint actions.