Occupy Austin is a collaboration that began on October 6, 2011 at City Hall in Austin, Texas as an occupation and peaceful protest. It is affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in New York City, and also with "Occupy" protests in the United States and around the world. At the center of the occupation is the General Assembly, where the community exits and tries to reach consensus on proposals for action.
In June 2012, Occupy Austin continues to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.
Video Occupy Austin
Background and history
The original intent of Occupy Austin, as well as many other "Occupy" movements, is to denounce the role that big corporations have given in the financial crisis. Protesters in Austin, as in other movements around the world, have described themselves as "99 percent," a reflection of their belief that the financial system rewards 1 percent of the richest at the expense of others.
One hallmark of the Occupy Austin Event initially was that the occupation began to flourish with little interference from the police and city authorities. Organizers and occupiers mainly work with police, and some protesters have expressed appreciation for the role the Austin Police played during the occupation.
On September 29, 38 people were arrested for refusing the new rules imposed by City Management Hall.
A discussion with Austin Police Officers who monitored the situation showed that most people who actually occupied the area of ​​City Hall were transients who had taken advantage of the situation to camp downtown and partake of the free food provided. The influx of homeless people has had a negative impact on regional hygiene and the existing general co-operation between protesters and Austin Police. Police are trying to preserve the rights of the demonstrators and protect the interests of the City. The protesters remain peaceful and respect the Austin Police. The growing problem is the result of damage done to the local landscape by large numbers of people, excessive unhealthy conditions and increased costs of police attendance and overtime pay for officers at a time when the City is experiencing budgetary problems.
Maps Occupy Austin
Missions and Values ​​
The following missions and values ​​are ratified by the General Assembly of Occupy Austin:
Solidarity Statement
We stand in solidarity with our brothers who occupy Wall Street and occupy the whole world. We are dedicated to taking back our government's non-violent control of the financial interests that have damaged them. We demand that our civil servants recognize that the people are the supreme rulers.
Core Value
- We are committed to fighting corruption buried from our democracy
- We are not a political institution or action group - to include local, state and federal levels
- We are committed to non-violent forms of resistance - including civil disobedience if necessary
- These core values ​​can NOT change except at national level and solidarity with NYC
Goals and Charges
- This movement is about democracy. We demand that the government be really responsive to what it represents. We demand an end to the influence of large corporations that block the voice of the people by removing the personality of the company and limiting the contribution of money to political campaigns and lobbying.
- This movement is about economic security. We demand effective reforms to prevent banks and financial institutions from causing the economic crisis in the future.
- This movement is about corporate responsibility. We demand a firm impact on companies and institutions that cause serious financial damage to our country and its taxpayers.
- This movement is about financial justice. We demand tax reforms to ensure that companies and wealthy people pay their fair share of taxes.
Event chronology
Here is the schedule of Occupy Austin events and events.
Week 1 (October 6-12)
On October 7, 2011, Occupy Austin sponsors and leads the march to the Bank of America Center. Several hundred people participated in this parade.
On October 10, 2011, the parade was held to celebrate Indigenous Day Day.
On October 12, 2011, the City of Austin announced that the demonstration area in front of City Hall would be closed every night between 2 am and 6 am, and protesters had to move during this time period. On October 13, 2011, at about 2:45 am 4 demonstrators were arrested by the Austin Police Department authorities when they refused to move as ordered.
Week 2 (October 13-19)
On October 13, 2011, the Library of Congress selected the Occupy Austin web portal to be included in a collection of historic Internet materials focused on public policy topics, and began filing web portals.
On October 15, 2011, the parade was held to JPMorgan Chase Tower and to Texas State Capitol. More than 1000 people participated in the parade. Some protesters close their accounts at Chase Bank. Chase Bank allows customers who can document that they have a Chase account into that building specifically to close their account.
Week 3 (October 20 - 26)
Week 4 (October 27-November 3)
On October 28, the City of Austin declared in a memo that new restrictions have been approved and will come into force. These include sleep restrictions on the mezzanine, showing unsupervised signs, and table operation during certain hours.
On October 30 at around 12:30 am, 18 demonstrators in the hall of Austin City Hall, some of whom formed impromptu human chains around three tables of food, were arrested on charges of violating criminal charges. Furthermore, 20 additional demonstrators were arrested for refusing to clear the area for cleaning. As per their requirements, those arrested are forbidden to return to the protest area for at least two years.
Addressing the public in a press conference, Police Chief Austin Art Acevedo stated "Austin is very fortunate that we have a community of activists who understand that violence does not make you anything," but that "once you are given a warning in violation of criminal law, whether you obey or engage in the civil disobedience.That's what 38 people yesterday and that's why they were arrested, "reaffirmed his position that" we are very good, but we will do our job. "
In a press release issued by the General Assembly of Occupy Austin, spokesman Jonathan Cronin confirmed that "on Thursday, Acevedo Police Chief has discussed GA and had every opportunity to propose proposed changes and answer questions about them. -these actions, have been taken [by many] as provocations, "and that the incident" is really beyond the character of the good faith transaction we have with city officials and the police until now.forcing this [new restrictions] seemingly without process law is not necessary and inflammation. "
Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, issued a statement saying that "If the police can not handle the situation, it would be more appropriate to bring a mediator.This is an unreasonable tax waste to spend police time and energy to break the demonstration of the amendment first pure. "
On 31 October, a fundraiser with live music was held to help cover the legal costs of those recently arrested.
Week 5 (4-10 November)
On November 5, the protesters lined up to Wells Fargo in observing Bank Transfer Day.
Aftermath: The cost to the Taxpayer in the event policing is widely reported to be over 1.1 Million Dollars.
See also
Related portals:
References
External links
- Official website
- Official Occupy Austin Wiki
- Occupying Austin's trip at the University of Texas on Flickr
- Jonah Raskin (October 10, 2011). "Occupy Austin: It's Just Early." The Rag Blog . Blogspot. Ã,
- Nicole Berland (November 22, 2011). "Occupying Ideas in Austin". The Rag Blog . Blogspot.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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