GA minutes 4/21/12

Emergencies

• Spring cleaning – action went well – at two banks in State House Square (BOA and Wells Fargo); left when asked – then police stopped them later; upon Lindsay filming cop, he took her camera and arrested her. $500 bond – but she has the video … ACLU has expressed interest in taking the case. Court date is Tuesday 9:00 am, 80 Washington Street. Fundraising needed to replenish our funds and prepare for next round. Lawyer’s name and number given to Lindsay …

Announcements

• Next people’s university – 5/19 – Tonia regarding alternative banking/economy
• CIGNA action – 2:30 4/25 at Bushnell to protest at Shareholders meeting (and later at Capitol)
• Movie night – TheTake, regarding workers that re-opened their factory after it was shutdown
• Raffle fundraiser – hat passed to raise bail funds; Michael Moore’s book as prize
• May Day – In Hartford – march on 5/1; gather 4:30 at Charter Oak Cultural Center; various speakers along the march to Old State House – celebration there at about 6:00pm; also large protest in NYC – potential general strike
• Unity Plaza Post Office
• 4/30 at Kabbalah House – speaker on affordable health care and accessibility to healthcare
• Legislation to protect right to record police activities passed CT  Senate; House will vote soon – details will be posted on OH website / FB

Report Back

• New Haven – Diane and Mario attended most past actions at the Green; still seeking safe places for homeless to move
• Concert 4/16 – successful in terms of attendance, new people, funds netted for OH and Kabbalah House
• Yesterday’s Action (cover under emergency)
• NDAA – work underway to put resolution in front of city of New Britain, also petitioning and an educational brochure to hand out; next meeting May 12; also planning to participate in NYC action on June 16
• 4/28 Unite Women / War on Women Action – OH is listed as an endorser – we need to provide a table to provide supplies for sign making – 10-2 in Bushnell Park – Caron, Diane, Nancy will coordinate
• Alternative Banking at OWS – Alternative Banking committee sponsored teach-in regarding the mortgage crisis, and how better to address and really solve the problem, not just pretend to work with people while really protecting the banks; there will be more of these, possibly live stream
• Hornblowing – can we start April 29? Discussed names – Sound Off Day was approved; to be continued under proposals
• 99% spring direct action training – various sessions attended by OH members – good training (though not on civil disobedience per se) – and good place to connect with allies [move this to reportbacks]

Proposals

• Dropped actions – protest DSS (tabled – Barbara will bring it next week);  [minutes taker did not capture the other (2?) dropped actions that were raised; no action taken]
• Financial request from Tonia – to support her work at OWS and alternative banking committee; for now, Jay, Johnny and Nancy will contribute to defray her travel expenses; longer term the Finance Committee needs to develop a budget and include this sort of expense (tabled till budget is presented)
• Direct actions – need to create a more comprehensive plan for actions going forward; tabled till next Saturday – may result in committee meeting to discuss, along with bail/bond policy
• Bail/bond  – approve reimbursement to Rebecca from our funds (after fundraising); proposal passed
• Brochures – working from Rose’s version, making suggestions for revisions and share with Rose; add website; use exact approved platform; delete song lyrics; delete “capitalists must pay” tag; add more text to inside to “welcome” supporters; verify the best phone contact to use (these suggestions were approved for discussion with Rose);
• Hornblowing activity – will combine a “drive-around” Bushnell Park on Monday 4/30, with people also on the sidewalks with signs and flyers; 12:30 – action approved, and committee will work out final details and publicity
• Legis to protect right to record police activities

Takeaways

• Alice – contact Eric about equipment for movie night; ask ONH about mic-checking Yale graduation; Reimburse Rebecca for bail (w. assist from Nancy and Jay); order 12 t-shirts (sizes? Colors?); call Dan re foreclosure action
• Jay – raffle for bail fundraiser; funding for Tonia’s travels; check out option for “earmarking” donations via WePay; download $300 more for bail reimbursement; work with Wes to reinvigorate our technology; contact Springfield re disclosure action
• Nancy – send post office flyer to Jay to post; coordinate funding for Tonia’s travels; minutes to Jay; reimburse Rebecca for bail/bond
• Johnny – coordinate funding for Tonia’s ravels
• Finance committee – work on a budget to present
• Barbara – proposal to change platform re drug addiction; proposal for action on DSS