Comments/Suggestions for the Legal Working Group

[chrisz]

I think having a legal workgroup would be helpful. Researching relevant laws and policies etc. Also working to coordinate with other occupy groups to establish defense in unity. Also helpful for choosing a place to occupy with least chance of disassembly/disruption by police etc. This would be helpful in knowing what to expect, and how to get the most out of the laws that are designed to work in our favor.

[jrock]

Hey liliballesq - what do we need in order to get back "states rights" as well as declaring ourselves sovereign?

[dabanks]

I think the most important thing to figure out now, is what are the laws regarding staying overnight in public places. What will get you arrested? What spaces are publicly owned, what is privately owned but for public use? Essentially we need to figure out how we can occupy something without getting immediately arrested.

[rana]

I've been trying to figure out who owns Academy/ Lafayette park. I know it's a national historic district, and am assuming it's city property because the offices of the City School District are in the park. But not sure. I can just call city hall tomorrow and find out, but figured I'd ask here if anyone knows. Ownership of any site we're considering needs to be figured out so we can know what the laws/ consequences are.

[hz]

I posted this elsewhere, but from what I understand Oakland, LA, Seattle are among cities that are supporting the Occupations. It would be great to get Albany law on board like this as well. It is good that there is a 'precedent' of some sort set.

yfrog.com/h63idnuj

I have no legal background. But am tenacious about knowing my rights and staying informed. I am happy to do research as necessary. Maybe I should pop in to a meeting : )

Another great resource is National Lawyers Guild: www.nlg.org/
They have been very helpful in the OWS protests.

[chrisz]

That's awesome HZ:) I really like what Occupy Oakland has done! I feel that if we can garner that same level of support, it will clear up a whole ton of issues!
Would that be a goal for legal or outreach work groups? Maybe they can work together and put that up as a priority goal? Either way, I think that would be phenominal for our movement:)

[robertmagee32]

Do you have an issue you think the legal working group would like to take a look at, post about it here.

[3lpoet]

I would like to see the legal working group provide a teach in about some cases which impact economic inequality (Citizen v United, Dodge v Ford Motor Company, Kelo v. City of New London) and maybe a teach in about the possible routes to change laws. The group seems rightfully centered on Constitutional and civil rights law right now, but I hope it expands to economic justice legal intersections as well.

[glad]

While looking a the post for different groups I found this information. I think the legal team should read... at least be aware of. Challenges "left colorblindness" and "white democracy." (See: www.bringtheruckus.org/?q=node/146 )

[jeannebean]

An MOU is an agreement between 2 parties who cannot enter into a Contract because they are both governed by the same entity and, therefore, cannot sue each other, so, an MOU would not be applicable in this situation, Occupy (Albany) is a fluid coming together of citizens, on the commons, for the purpose of exercising the rights of free expression and association. Because an individual citizen freely chooses to participate in such a gathering, fundamental to the exercise of citizenship of USA, to discuss and learn about public business in a public park, he/she does not forfeit the above or any other rights/responsibilities relative to the City of Albany. The city is obligated to protect the health & safety of anyone within its jurisdiction and should not be asking its citizens to relieve it of this responsibility. In the spirit of the movement, meetings with persons who hold office should be on an individual basis or open to the public. I like that the response is not confrontational and it does not appear to be in negotiation.
re: proposed MOU: #1 is contrary to Occupy mission; #2 no. tents should not be arbitrary; #5,6,7 Public safety rules must be consistent as for any other gathering, including garbage pick-up. The city should provide written guidelines to its citizens and they should be posted at the sight; # 12 Anyone receiving food at the sight becomes a participant & ,therefore, accepts personal responsibility for his/her food safety.; #13 City should provide calendar of events; #18. 19 Participation does not deem city/ citizens harmless; city is responsible to maintain city park, regardless of who is using it.
The term "curfew" is absent from document. However, it is addressed in #1... 24hrs./day, albeit for a limited period of time,& #8... (That this curfew has not been enforced historically cannot be overlooked.)
I am not a legal professional. Any legal training I have is personal knowledge and as a professional nurse and public employee.

[Emma]

Is there legal observer support lined up for the student walk-out from Albany High on Wednesday?
I hear (on fb) that it's being organized by a 15yo, and that the principal has already been a bit heavy-handed in trying to suppress it.

I was in HS when there were walk-outs to protest teh Rodney King verdict in 1992, and while our very progressive HS in Brooklyn didn't give us any trouble, the 2nd school we walked over to *locked the kids in*. This was a major mainstream school, and they wouldn't open the doors til school officially ended. Nothing horrible happened, but who knows what AHS will try and I think having observers over there would be a good thing. Not sure if posting here is the best way to make that happen... can someone let me know if this message gets seen, or if I should try to track someone down at the park?

[mkathy1]

There will be at least one lawyer there, Steve Downs, and hopefully others, and there should be some legal observers too.