roylemons
New Member
Humane Resources
Posts: 48
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Winter
Oct 18, 2011 15:55:46 GMT -5
Post by roylemons on Oct 18, 2011 15:55:46 GMT -5
(not sure what section this belongs under so i'll just put here in the general board)
I haven't seen much discussion on what to do when winter comes along, perhaps we should start a discussion of our options.
we probably only have a few weeks before we start to see frosts, flurries and freezing temperatures.
i'd like to re-float the idea i put out earlier that we should take over a vacant building in albany, we have more than enough to choose from, and fix it up to put to some good use.
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frankiebones
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Occupation Member Media/PR Member
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Winter
Oct 18, 2011 17:11:26 GMT -5
Post by frankiebones on Oct 18, 2011 17:11:26 GMT -5
I have experience winter camping and teaching the same. I am trying to find some time to put together a post on clothing, shelter and weather and would like to have some teach-ins.
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Arie
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Humane Resources
Posts: 37
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Winter
Oct 18, 2011 17:40:52 GMT -5
Post by Arie on Oct 18, 2011 17:40:52 GMT -5
While I think the idea of taking over a vacant building and putting it to good use, I worry what the owner (more than likely a out of city/state slumlord) would think of a bunch of squatters, should they get wind of it.
They'd certainly be able to have us arrested for trespassing then, no?
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benbrucato
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We are practicing "a politics and a life that are yet to be entirely thought." (Agamben)
Posts: 261
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Winter
Oct 18, 2011 17:59:45 GMT -5
Post by benbrucato on Oct 18, 2011 17:59:45 GMT -5
This has been talked about strategically, and there are some options. People who can engage in an ongoing, 30-45 day squat should form an affinity group and be ready to move in and get to work on it immediately and quietly. There are some very important locations that are good, but would need to be done clandestinely for the first month. If you can carefully spread the word that it is taken care of and that (a) squat(s) will be available after 30 days, please consider the effective and secure ways to do this sufficient to allay concerns but divulge no further information.
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colin
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Facilitation & Logistics
Posts: 45
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 11:19:48 GMT -5
Post by colin on Oct 19, 2011 11:19:48 GMT -5
I think the NYS Capitol Bldg. would be a good option. As it gets colder we will be getting closer to the NYS Budget process and the ending of the millionaires tax in December. Those key issues will be heating up just as the weather is cooling down. It would have more symbolic/political meaning than sleeping in an abandoned buidling somewhere. In WI they were able to sleep-in their Capitol Bldg. for several weeks.
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benbrucato
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We are practicing "a politics and a life that are yet to be entirely thought." (Agamben)
Posts: 261
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 12:40:29 GMT -5
Post by benbrucato on Oct 19, 2011 12:40:29 GMT -5
Good ideas, Colin. However, I want to encourage people to think about the symbolic meaning of taking over abandoned buildings more seriously: what could be more meaningful than challenging the very notion of private property?
The DA WG will need to think and plan very carefully for a Capitol occupation.
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shage
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Arts & Music Member
Posts: 94
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 13:42:09 GMT -5
Post by shage on Oct 19, 2011 13:42:09 GMT -5
yeah, there are a disturbing number of abandoned buildings in these parts. It represents an opportunity to help bring vitality back to these areas by reclaiming and rehabbing them for those interested and willing. this is in the benefit of the capital district community as well as this movement. it can be a win-win and another way to win people over if done thoughtfully and respectfully.
There may also be other cooperative type options for folks who can't necessarily go that far, but would like to find ways of being involved and consolidating. For folks who are stuck in leases or other arrangements, but may be getting too expensive for them and/or don't have plans to use as extensively, we may be able to find ways to pool resources to lower people's costs for those not quite ready to squat but unable to afford currently available arrangements, or just wanting to pool in order not to waste resources that could go to better use.
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benbrucato
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We are practicing "a politics and a life that are yet to be entirely thought." (Agamben)
Posts: 261
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 14:57:21 GMT -5
Post by benbrucato on Oct 19, 2011 14:57:21 GMT -5
In the Spanish movement over the past year, they have reclaimed large buildings and opened them up for free housing to people who have been evicted or foreclosed on. That's brilliant!
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colin
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Facilitation & Logistics
Posts: 45
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 15:12:58 GMT -5
Post by colin on Oct 19, 2011 15:12:58 GMT -5
So I guess the question of what means we use depends on what our ends are. If our end is to challenge the idea of private property, live for free and help a local community by fixing up an abandoned piece of property, then taking over vacant buildings makes sense. If our goal is to challenge the political structure of New York and to force policy changes through direct action to benefit the 99%, then isolating ourselves in vacant buildings wouldn't make much sense strategically.
Now it may just be that we have different ends in which case it makes sense to use different means and occupy different spaces. Cool no worries - both are important. But my major short term goal is to force the Governor to extend the millionaires tax to raise $5 billion dollars in additional revenue to fund education and vital social services. To make this happen I think an occupation needs to focus on the Capitol where such decisions are made, either by occupying a park across the street like we are going to do or, perhaps later, by occupying the actual Capitol building.
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benbrucato
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We are practicing "a politics and a life that are yet to be entirely thought." (Agamben)
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 15:16:47 GMT -5
Post by benbrucato on Oct 19, 2011 15:16:47 GMT -5
I should clarify that I never thought of it as an either/or thing... I imagined it would be a place for people to rotate in and out of on the really harsh nights: occupy the park in shift so people aren't sleeping and getting frostbite or hypothermia in their sleep. People could take shorter shifts in the park at night and rotate out to the squats to sleep. That's what I was thinking.
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colin
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Facilitation & Logistics
Posts: 45
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Winter
Oct 19, 2011 15:34:03 GMT -5
Post by colin on Oct 19, 2011 15:34:03 GMT -5
Cool. Makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.
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roylemons
New Member
Humane Resources
Posts: 48
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 9:40:21 GMT -5
Post by roylemons on Oct 27, 2011 9:40:21 GMT -5
glad to see there's some interest in the vacant building idea. hopefully my work with the food group will be a little less all-consuming soon so i'm going to start looking into this.
if someone else has started looking into it, please let me know...i don't get on the forums too much these days, like i said, cooking for all you people takes a lot of time.
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madskeptic
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Curmudgeon, eccentric, scientist, blogger, tall, fisherman, Ubuntu
Posts: 63
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 10:57:21 GMT -5
Post by madskeptic on Oct 27, 2011 10:57:21 GMT -5
I would like to point out that should OA take over an abandoned building without the owner's consent, you will be giving the police and the city a very real reason to arrest you. You will be presented as squatters in the press and the message will shift under your feet.
Additionally, you will be opening yourself up to liability on a number of fronts. Are the building safe? What are you going to do should the floor collapse? Is there lead in the paint? Many abandoned buildings are in a serious state of disrepair. Furthermore, there any that have the visibility of Academy Park.
There are a number of us (myself included) who have significant winter camping/survival skills. I would recommend people approach veterans and those of us have this experience for advise. I would also recommend those of us with this particular knowledge point out instances where people are putting themselves in harm. It's one thing to camp in the fall. It's an entirely different situation in the winter.
Finally, someone mentioned moving into the Capital building. Remember, Governor 1% is willing to arrest people on the State side of the park. The Capital building is State property and you will be forcing Cuomo to "enforce the law". The man is all about image and I have no doubt such a move on the part of OA will results in mass arrests. Yes, you'll be warmer but you'll be the guests of the State Police and/or APD.
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 11:00:01 GMT -5
Post by pinkoblues on Oct 27, 2011 11:00:01 GMT -5
Great ideas. Winter survival is something that is on everyone's mind. A working group designed for this would be really great. I think that there a lot of things we could do. A balance between indoor and outdoor has to be found. There are experts out there(OWS had a bunch of marines step up to provide insight) and people will provide gear if we put the word out. I'm glad this is starting to happen in a more formal setting. Any thoughts on this topic could be valuable and literally save lives.
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 12:23:46 GMT -5
Post by jkirkpatrick77 on Oct 27, 2011 12:23:46 GMT -5
Another idea - buying a school bus - gutting it - putting beds (bunk) and wood stove. Park it in park 6pm-8am - for sleep shifts. and during day it move to legal space.
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 14:22:16 GMT -5
Post by larrybecker on Oct 27, 2011 14:22:16 GMT -5
I have experience winter camping and teaching the same. I am trying to find some time to put together a post on clothing, shelter and weather and would like to have some teach-ins. Frankie, I just found your post. I'm also a winter camper and before I saw your post, I posted some winter camping /winter weather info in the Safety and Security section. If someone can organize it, I'll be glad to participate in a teach-in with you on being in cold weather conditions. Larry Becker
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 15:44:48 GMT -5
Post by jkirkpatrick77 on Oct 27, 2011 15:44:48 GMT -5
I think that is a great idea Frankie and Larry.
i think i need to build myself a tipi
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benbrucato
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We are practicing "a politics and a life that are yet to be entirely thought." (Agamben)
Posts: 261
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 18:19:44 GMT -5
Post by benbrucato on Oct 27, 2011 18:19:44 GMT -5
First snow of the season is a good one. My best to all out there tonight as I'm grading all night for my students' mid-term grades. Will see you all soon -- I'll come bearing sweaters donated from a professor at RPI.
Cheers, Ben
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 20:23:40 GMT -5
Post by denmarkvesey on Oct 27, 2011 20:23:40 GMT -5
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Winter
Oct 27, 2011 20:26:46 GMT -5
Post by denmarkvesey on Oct 27, 2011 20:26:46 GMT -5
Also I agree with Ben we should look into abandoned buildings it might not be necessary to squat either while I am totally behind that idea for those that want to do this. The city often has foreclosure sellings we could pick up a building CHEAP. Also we should at least look into renting an apartment or office on elk Now.
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