For any of you who have following our occupy, it is a pretty well known fact that we have been battling both the SPD and each other since we went from a daily protest to an occupation a month ago. The decision to occupy at Westlake (a city park directly across from the shopping hub of downtown Seattle) has been a thorn in the side of the mayor and the police. There have been over 50 arrests (most of which I watched) and a complete overreach by the SPD when it comes to police presence. I usually counted 60-100 police at any given time, along with a mobile precinct unit that was parked at the end of the park since about a week in. We could be in the park after it closed, but absolutely no tents. No tarps. People were arrested for sitting in blankets because that is "camping". Also, no sleeping. Police would go around and kick and poke anyone who fell asleep due to exhaustion. We knew something had to change. And today it will.
About a week into the movement a group of people went to the mayor and negotiated a permit to be at City Hall. City Hall is several blocks south of Westlake. It is located in an area that is away from foot traffic at night and it is also the location of the homeless shelter (the red room). Our permit allowed us to be on the plaza right outside the doors of the shelter. We could have tents there but they had to be pulled up by 7 am. There were quite a few huge problems with this solution. One, the way the whole process played out left a ton of dissent amongst the group. People felt it the permit was obtained without transparency. Some felt it was akin to getting permission, and that seems to go against the point of an occupation. A very valid concern was the safety issues. When the homeless shelter filled up the occupation site would hold the additional people who needed a place to stay at night. Please note, I have absolutely zero problem with homeless people joining our movement. They are a huge part of why we are doing this. However, our current movement is not equipped to deal with the special needs of that population. No one is trained to deescalate when there is a problem. We are not social workers. Things were getting stolen. There were threats being made, fights breaking out, and very clear alcohol and drug use in the occupation.
Several alternative sites were discussed, and a group of people who are probably considered the "radicals" came up with a solid idea. We should move the occupation piece several blocks up the hill to Seattle Central Community College. SCCC is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which is considered to be both an open and welcoming neighborhood and for the most part squarely working class. The student population at this college would be very favorable to our movement, and in fact there is an official Occupy Seattle student club and many of our core people are students there. We had enough people who were inside that school to make a direct action campaign against the administration (if they attempted to kick us out) a valid tactic to win that fight. Considering this is something that is right up my alley, activism wise, I immediately signed on to this plan and tried to play a part in making it happen. After quite a bit of solid organizing and three attempts to get this passed at GA (another nightmare process but I will save that for another diary about process and facilitation, which I need to write) we finally got approval at GA this past Monday for the move this evening.
We immediately started planning the logistics and tactical piece of the move and a lot of people came on board as soon as this was passed and really started working together. Finally. The split that seemed to dominate our movement for the past 2 weeks was starting to heal. The students at SCCC really came through for us by spending countless hours talking to students, teachers, workers, circulating petitions, and attempting to be ready for any response from the college President that could indicate he was going to have us removed from the premises by force. The President had already given some indication that we were not welcome there once word leaked out that we were considering this move so we had to be ready. The leader of the teacher's union issued a public letter of support. We had some good momentum.
Last night a statement was released from the President. Here it is:
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: I would like to update you on the intentions of Occupy Seattle to have an encampment at Seattle Central Community College for their lawful freedom of speech activities.
Over the past few days, I have been in discussions with legal counsel, representatives from the community, city and state, and also with members of Occupy Seattle. In my discussions with legal counsel, we learned of ambiguity in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as it applies to college property.
My primary concern remains the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and surrounding Capitol Hill community.
Yesterday, I met with representatives from Occupy Seattle. They declared that regardless of college policies and college concerns, they intend to continue their action. While I remain concerned about a host of possible adverse impacts (personal safety, financial impact, etc.), the WAC, as it is currently written, allows this occupation to take place.
Occupy Seattle has assured me that they will not interfere with the mission of Seattle Central Community College, which is: “To promote educational excellence in a multicultural urban environment, and provide opportunities for academic achievement, workplace preparation, and service to the community.” They also offered a number of other assurances, including: providing porta-potties, garbage and recycling containers, protect college property from damage (graffiti, grounds damage, acts of vandalism, etc.,), self-policing their group, and not interfering or disrupting authorized events such as the Broadway Farmers Market or performances at Broadway Performance Hall. They also assure me that their activities will not interfere with the college’s ability to offer a safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff. I expect Occupy Seattle to honor these assurances.
Occupy Seattle’s intention is to begin their encampment on the South Plaza lawn beginning this Saturday, October 29. They informed us that they plan to continue their activities at Westlake during the day and camp at Seattle Central at night.
We will be monitoring the situation regularly and will continue to keep the college community informed.
VICTORY
I haven't done a ton of research on this but I think we may be one of the few (if not the only) occupations to attempt to set up on a college campus. We are very aware that we are coming into a learning environment. We know we have been given a huge gift and an opportunity to prove we are able to handle this responsibility. We want to build a sustainable community that adds to the neighborhood. We don't want to get kicked out. We want the students to join us and the neighborhood to embrace us. We have work to be done and this constant distraction of where do we go, when are the police coming, and who can we trust within our own movement was keeping us divided and unfocused.
I am excited. I am planning to pitch a tent and start actually occupying for the first time since this movement started. Staying until I couldn't stand up anymore and then coming home and passing out has been extremely hard on me and my family.
So tonight we begin to reinvent our movement. There will be a Halloween party after the march to the new site and the tent raising. I will be dressed in my V for Vendetta costume, of course. :)
11:55 AM PT: I just realized that this may not be clear - what we told the President of SCCC is true. The daytime presence of Occupy Seattle will continue at Westlake. GA, working groups, and all marches/rallies and community events will be there as well.