Post by zarvoc on Oct 22, 2011 12:23:42 GMT -7
Hi, this is Graham. I'm a member of the group discussing edits to Missoula's declaration. Right now we are just working on the opening statement. We had a meeting on Weds at 7 pm at Break Espresso, and the next meeting will be on Sun at 10 am at the same place. All are invited! Posted below is the draft that was presented at that meeting. A new draft is also being worked on currently, and will be posted here by 3:30 for the GA's benefit.
How the draft works: we wanted to be transparent about what has been deleted and added since the previous draft. If the language is new, it is in CAPITALS. If the language has been struck from the statement, it's /STRIKE/struck out like this/STRIKE/. This draft was prepared by Michelle and Luke after taking into account the declaration group's concerns. Without further ado:
10/19 Michelle and Luke edit 10/15 version
October 15, 2011
We THE MEMBERS OF Occupy Missoula, are outraged by the injustices and wrongs perpetrated against humanity and /STRIKE/other beings/STRIKE/ THE LIVING SYSTEMS of our planet by wealthy and private corporate forces that now exert disproportionate influence over the /STRIKE/democracies/STRIKE/ SOCIETIES of the world.
We recognize that we can no longer stand silently by and allow ourselves to be the passive subjects of an anti-democratic capitalist system which includes a corporate media that consistently ignores, trivializes, misrepresents, commodifies and manipulates THE REALITY OF OUR CONCERNS and our histories and diverse cultures.
Many of us are poor or otherwise marginalized by society and have been ignored repeatedly by our government. Many of us have, until now, been unable to voice our concerns. /STRIKE/But we will lead isolated lives of quiet desperation no more/STRIKE/ TOGETHER WE /STRIKE/caringly/STRIKE/ acknowledge the relationships and experiences which join us with one another in common understanding. THROUGH THE NON-HIERARCHICAL, DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WE ENGAGE IN WE SEEK TO ADDRESS THE CONVERGING CRISES WE FACE WHICH HAVE LED MANY OF US TO QUESTION THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR CAPITALIST ECONOMY.
We believe that a fair society requires informed and meaningful, non-discriminatory PARTICIPATION of all people; that /STRIKE/direct/STRIKE/ democracy derives its legitimacy from treating all persons with social, political, and economic fairness; that government must protect the rights of humanity and all living things from harmful actions taken by wealthy and private corporations WHOSE CURRENT POWER ALLOWS THEM TO /STRIKE/that/STRIKE/ dictate our foreign policy and lead us into war. /STRIKE/ and that economic justice comes from the DEMOCRATIC regulation of private capital./STRIKE/
We are not content to simply vote but must occupy the streets and public places. Our political representatives have failed to represent us; we must represent ourselves. Our commercial media does not or cannot communicate for us; we must communicate with one another directly.
We, /STRIKE/the 99%/STRIKE/ OCCUPY MISSOULA, believe that concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the 1% HAS CAUSED the corruption of governments and PERMITTED IMPERIALISM AND WAR, PRIVATE WASTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, /STRIKE/and/STRIKE/ PUBLIC ASSUMPTION OF PRIVATE COSTS, the manipulation of the justice system to WRONGLY protect corporate interests WITH CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS ORIGINALLY INTENDED ONLY FOR HUMAN BEINGS, and /STRIKE/to/STRIKE/ the takeover of the media to support corporate policies AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.
Furthermore, we assert that SINCE corporations are /STRIKE/instruments of public investment/STRIKE/ not individual natural persons /STRIKE/and that corporations do not have the right of free speech/STRIKE/ THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THE SAME RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS AS INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS. WE ASSERT THAT MONEY IS NOT SPEECH, AND THE ABILITY FOR CORPORATIONS TO COMMUNICATE THEIR INTERESTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CORRUPT THE POLITICAL PROCESS AS IS CURRENTLY THE CASE.
In solidarity with the General Assembly of New York City, the General Assembly of /STRIKEOccupy /STRIKE Missoula, MONTANA ENDORSED the Occupy Wall Street Declaration.
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Most recent draft will be forthcoming. Discuss amongst yourselves!
How the draft works: we wanted to be transparent about what has been deleted and added since the previous draft. If the language is new, it is in CAPITALS. If the language has been struck from the statement, it's /STRIKE/
10/19 Michelle and Luke edit 10/15 version
October 15, 2011
We THE MEMBERS OF Occupy Missoula, are outraged by the injustices and wrongs perpetrated against humanity and /STRIKE/
We recognize that we can no longer stand silently by and allow ourselves to be the passive subjects of an anti-democratic capitalist system which includes a corporate media that consistently ignores, trivializes, misrepresents, commodifies and manipulates THE REALITY OF OUR CONCERNS and our histories and diverse cultures.
Many of us are poor or otherwise marginalized by society and have been ignored repeatedly by our government. Many of us have, until now, been unable to voice our concerns. /STRIKE/
We believe that a fair society requires informed and meaningful, non-discriminatory PARTICIPATION of all people; that /STRIKE/
We are not content to simply vote but must occupy the streets and public places. Our political representatives have failed to represent us; we must represent ourselves. Our commercial media does not or cannot communicate for us; we must communicate with one another directly.
We, /STRIKE/
Furthermore, we assert that SINCE corporations are /STRIKE/
In solidarity with the General Assembly of New York City, the General Assembly of /STRIKE
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Most recent draft will be forthcoming. Discuss amongst yourselves!