News
The US Prison System – The Problems
by Jamie on Jan.24, 2012, under News
Here’s the best article you can read on the subject that I’ve found, so please, if prisons, slavery, crime, poverty and society have interest to you, read this article in full.
Then have a look at this video for a little more about the privatization of prisons and the dangers.
Occupons Montreal respond to the Gazette
by Jamie on Jan.22, 2012, under News
I’m working more on the Occupy site than I am my own. Go check out our response to the city WASTING $25,000 on our wrongful eviction.
Bran Van 3000 playing Occupy Montreal event today at noon!
by Jamie on Nov.26, 2011, under News
Pour diffusion immédiate.
Suite à l’éviction de l’Occupation de la Place des Peuples (ancien Square Victoria), un appel est lancé à la population l’invitant à assister massivement à une JOURNÉE de SOUTIEN, demain samedi 26 novembre à partir de midi. La Place accueillera donc à partir de midi une grande Assemblée Générale à travers laquelle les citoyens expérimenteront activement la démocratie directe que l’Occupation a mis en application depuis le 15 octobre dernier.Dès 15h, de grands artistes québécois apportent leur soutien au mouvement mondial d’Indignation. Bran Van 3000, Paul Cargnello et les Zapartistes comptent parmi les artistes qui ont confirmé une prestation pour samedi après-midi.Le campement est évincé, mais non pas nos esprits!
An Invitation to (re)Unite for Occupy Montreal
by Jamie on Nov.22, 2011, under Life, News
[ENGLISH VERSION FOLLOWS]
Bon matin/après-midi,
Ceci n’est pas un appel à un putsch, remettez-vos torches et vos fourches dans le garde-robe. Ou sortez-les, qu’importe est votre volonté.
Je vous écris pour vous inviter à une rencontre, selon votre disponibilité, afin de soit: 1. S’unir et règler ce qui a à être règlé ou 2. se diviser davantage.
Je comprend parfaitement la réaction face aux événements de hier. Tous ceux et celles impliqué(e)s le comprennent. Là n’est pas la question.
Droit au but: êtes-vous disponible, ce soir, pour une rencontre urgente au lieu de votre choix pour une rencontre extrêmement nécessaire?
Soit nous discutons de ce qui a à être discuté (oui, ça va prendre des heures. Libérez votre soirée) soit nous allons davantage dans diverses directions.
Le résultat sera, respectivement, de soit aller de l’avant dans une direction commune ou nous dissoudre davantage comme c’est en train d’être fait.
Si ce n’est pas possible, que ce soit dû à la durée de l’AG ou toute autre impossibilité, alors on se rencontre mercredi au plus tard.
Le fait est que beaucoup s’est produit, beaucoup a été dit et il y a urgence d’agir.
Laissons les égos à la maison et/ou dans la tente.
Invitez quiconque vous croyez devrait être présent à cette rencontre NON SECRÈTE et allons de l’avant ou bien perdons davantage.
Je n’ai pas accès aux addresses courriel de tout le monde, c’est la liste que j’ai pu établir selon ma capacité… encore une fois, invitez quiconque vous croyez
devrait être présent.
Merci d’avance,
Eric Robertson
——————————————————————————————
Good morning/afternoon,
This is not a call for a putsch, you can put back the torches and pitchforks in the closet. Or take them out, as you wish.
I am writing to you to invite you, depending on your availability, to a meeting in order to: 1. Unite and solve what needs to be solved or 2. divide further.
I understand perfectly the reactions to yesterday’s events. All those involved understand them full well. That’s not the issue.
Straight to the point: are you available, tonight, for an urgent meeting wherever you wish for a much needed talk?
Either we discuss what needs to be discussed (yes, it will take all night. Free up the evening) or we go further in diverging directions.
The result will be, respectively, to either go forward in a common direction or divide further as is being done.
If not possible, either due to the length of the GA or any other availability problem, we can meet wednesday at the latest.
The fact is a lot has happened, a lot has been said and there is an urgency to act.
Leave the ego at home/in the tent.
Invite whomever you feel should be present at this NON SECRET meeting and let’s go forward, or lose even more.
I don’t have access to email adresses of everyone, this is a list I could compile to the best of my capability… once again, invite anyone you feel
should be present.
Thanks in advance,
Eric Robertson
——————–
I understand that the actions taken were controversial because they can be portrayed as anti-movement. But, despite the lack of transparency and widespread communication, the hearts of the individuals were in the right place.
The press conference helped shape this factually accurate and positive piece of press which expressed our desires and needs and the lack of response from the city. We don’t need to be shut down, we need the system to acknowledge that it has failed many disenfranchised individuals. This is a cry for help and it’s an exact truth.
So, I’d argue, the ends justify the means? Look at the situation from another’s perspective:
Though you may disagree, trust that they have a good heart and want to help save and foster this movement. In response to the terrible piece of press released Monday morning, which holds facts but wildly distorts the truth, They were fearful, believing themselves to be cornered; The only choice was to act deftly so that the public at large understands what is actually going on. This movement is under scrutiny from an adversary that is organized and demands from us the same kind of unified message they are able to render in small soundbites and articles. They were driven to act quickly to preserve the progress we’ve made. And, to retain legitimacy, they felt they must use the name Occupy Montreal.
I’m aware that people will respond very negatively to this; the auteurs may be portrayed negatively. But, for the cause, it must have been deemed worth it.
So, let me be the first to say it to all of those involved, shame on you/congratulations; you did what you deemed was a necessity. And, despite the press release itself not being exactly what I would have recommended (not enough love!), the release may very well have been a necessity. Regardless, even if it wasn’t, it has already come to pass and there is little reason to dwell for much longer, we have bigger fish to fry.
It takes bravery and passion to act on your beliefs while risking the aggravation of your compatriots. Thank you. I hope that those who have been dismayed will look past this, seeing beyond their own personal slights, and acknowledge that this falls into a very grey area that we can expect to never enter again because we shall coordinate an effort to avoid it.
Now, I know some of you are still going to be upset after reading this message, so please take some time to reflect on that anger. Where is it coming from? What is it telling you? Step back from it and really try to understand what it’s about. If we are to move forward, we cannot allow small missteps to derail our larger purpose. We must look at the events of this week and learn from them, united. For the sake of the world.
Peace and Love,
Jamie Klinger
Occupy Montreal complies with demands of the City! (with conditions)
by Jamie on Nov.16, 2011, under News
Proposition accepted le 16 novembre 2011
We accept the city’s demand that most of the wooden structures be removed by sunday. Provided that the city first provides us with a written guarantee of our right to responsibly occupy la place du peuple in tents (as defined by health canada)
Ammendments
The guarantee is reviewed by a lawyer
A press conference is held with the city and occupants announcing the signing of the document