The protest and celebration was organized by an impromptu May Day Coalition of anarchists from the Anti-Authoritarian Anti-Capitalist Caucus and Asheville Mutual Aid (AMA), and marxists from the International Socialist Organization (ISO), along with other unaffiliated activists and radicals. This showing the possibility of people of different political persuasions working together proactively to accomplish something great.

This May Day could be said to be a roaring success. On that beautiful afternoon participants were treated to speeches by local activists from Defensa Comunitaria, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), ISO and AMA, music led by the May Day Chorus and a number of historical speeches.

With the aid of these speeches from America’s radical working class history – from such great figures as the IWW organizer and communist Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the anarchist and Haymarket Martyr August Spies, the anarchist Emma Goldman and the socialist Eugene Debs – the May Day rally helped linked to lessons and inspiration from of our past in the problems that face us today.

The march was a spirited and open event, with stops interspersed along the way for more speeches, and excellent songs and band music accompany the march. The May Day marchers were warmly greeted by many bystanders. This was a family friendly event and there were no reported arrests. The march ended with a pagan Beltane ceremony back at Pack Square.

Despite the success of the rally and march, important lessons and friendly criticisms were learned by the organizers for next time, such as the need for designated march leaders, a better choreographed speakers list and more speakers who can talk on local issues. But beyond those minor things, there is still the need to better reach out to and relate to the non-activist and radical segments of the population, especially in the labor unions, working class and immigrant communities. Bridging that gap between the ‘radicals’ and the rest of Asheville is always a problem but it is always the most important one to solve. May Day needs to become a true holiday in which all the working people of Asheville can identify with and feel a ownership of.

Regardless, this May Day was a great success.

More photos:  http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzG38VM

Video:  http://www.justin.tv/occupyavl

Rebecca of the Street Art & Theater Affinity Group led the service, playing contrasting versions of the song “Which Side Are You On” and quoting Howard Zinn.

Thembi, of the Facilitation and Outreach Working Groups, shared how his training to become a traditional healer in Southern Africa inspired him to work with people with mental health and substance abuse issues and get involved with the Occupy movement.  He described how his principles, the principles of Unitarian Universalism, and those of the Occupy movement overlap.

Carolyn, a delegate of the General Assembly for the Coordinating Council and behind-the-scenes media liaison, described in detail her decade-long transition from faithful adherent of The System (disguised as The American Dream) to moneyless vagabond, houseless advocate, and Occupy activist.

In her sermon, she said, “In order to have everything that is supposed to make me happy and content, my life consisted of spending most of my waking hours inside a box lit by buzzing fluorescent lights, performing unrewarding tasks so my company’s president could drive a Mercedes-Benz, then being so drained afterwards that all I wanted to do was live vicariously through some fictional character on a TV show.”

Rejecting this way of life, she spent years preparing for a life of freedom, compassion, sharing, and love.  She researched alternative ways of living, learned survival skills, and read a myriad of powerful and inspiring works of literature ranging from Ayn Rand to Thoreau to Peace Pilgrim.  In 2010, she stepped off “the conveyor belt of modern society” and began to live.  She roamed the wild desert West; experimented with living without a cell phone, car, and money; and befriended “people who have nothing – no house, no money, just clothes… and they’re entirely beautiful human beings.”  She recounted that living without money allowed her the freedom to truly live and give from the heart.

While Carolyn opened her heart and mind to life in the isolated desert canyons of the West, Thembi immersed himself in Southern African cultures that embraced the union between people, the earth, and the Divine.  People fetched water from the streams to drink, bathe and do laundry.  People collected wood from the forests to cook their food.  People gathered in ceremony for the Ancestors to preserve their communities and traditions.  He said, “I grew to love this lifestyle in a tremendously deep way.  I felt at home.”

Converging in Asheville after their life-altering adventures, Thembi and Carolyn felt lack.

The freedom, simplicity, and community of a small desert oasis and the depth of feeling, connection, and meaning of the ancient traditions of Southern Africa were replaced by the “Time is Money” mantra of our hectic American society where we must all fit neatly into little boxes.  Thembi said, “I felt terribly out of place, homeless in my own country.  I recalled that in Southern Africa, people were much happier, living with each other, with the land, and with God.  I asked myself, ‘So, what am I doing here?’”

The answer was to Occupy.

After reading an online editorial about Occupy Wall Street, Thembi felt a sense of hope that America could change.  He was drawn to Occupy by the values that appeared to govern the movement – egalitarianism, democracy, nonviolence, transparency, and horizontalism.  Within a week, he found himself in New York City experiencing the Occupy movement in its infancy.

Carolyn also experienced a surge of hope for her country after reading about Occupy Wall Street.  She knew this was the movement she had been waiting years for.  Envisioning an America where all people are honored and loved regardless of their monetary wealth, Carolyn began Occupying Wall Street in Asheville on October 1, 2010.

Occupy endeavors to create systems where everyone’s voice matters, there are no oppressive hierarchical structures, peaceful solutions are sought, everyone is accountable for their actions, and everyone is equal.  Thembi described his view of Occupy, “In my opinion, the Occupy movement is asking that our systems become more humane, honoring people as people, to minimize exploitation of underpaid workers, to make our corporations accountable to the people they profit from, to offer a political system where our leaders are not chosen by corporations to protect their profits, and to offer an economic system that honors the inherent worth of and dignity of every person.”

As Carolyn sees it, Occupy motivates people to come together to build new systems based on “justice, equity and compassion in human relations, acceptance of one another, and a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all,”  which are Unitarian Universalist principles.  Occupy strives to create a world in which we LOVE to live; a world we want to bring children into, where we care about and help each other without expecting anything in return, and all enjoy health and happiness.  Understanding how such ideals can be overshadowed by pessimism, she insisted, “I don’t dismiss this envisioned world as an ideal that can never be achieved.”

“Are you satisfied with your country?” Thembi asked the Congregation.  “If you are not, Occupy.”  He suggested that people start a dialogue with friends about politics and economics, support local businesses, reduce consumption of natural resources, build community, and build relationships.  He called on people to “Build a world that you love to live in.  Build a world that you would love your children to live in.  Now is the time to be the change that you wish to see in the world.  Amen.”

If we are going to put effort into living life, why not really go at it and live according to our highest, most beautiful moral principles?  As Hunter S. Thompson said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

This will not be the first time USPS workers, participants in the Occupy movement, and other members of the public have come together to stand against attacks on postal worker jobs.  On the evening of November 21st, about 250 union and community members attended a hearing at AB Tech on Postal Service management’s plans to close the Asheville Processing Facility. Among those hundreds of people standing up for union jobs in western NC, were about thirty participants in the Occupy Asheville movement. They wore signs that read: “Occupy Asheville stands in Solidarity with APWU. We are the 99%.”

After about an hour of public comments, postal service management said that the building would be closing soon and called the hearing to an end. But as Angela Curtis, Mid Carolina’s district manager quickly exited the building, she had to pass by a circle of Asheville community members who were continuing the hearing.

Tracing its genesis to a spark from the Canadian activist publication Adbusters, viral beginnings of the Occupation Movement, erupting on Saturday, September 17, 2011 in New York’s Manhattan, quickly caught on like wildfire world-wide.  Here in Asheville, less than two weeks later, on October 1, 2011, Occupy Asheville began…appropriately on Asheville’s Wall St.

From its slow start, within weeks the Occupation Movement world-wide had filled both alternative as well as major media news reports and editorials, albeit major media slanted by the 1%.

Protest encampments nation-wide have become a sign of outrage at economic injustice by a society controlled by the richest 1%.  The encampments and other acts of civil disobedience have also been a major thorn in the sides of local authorities. Much of the negativity has been attributed to the homeless, dysfunctional and alcoholics at encampments.

While celebrities, including  Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Billy Bragg, Roseanne Barr,  Thom Yorke, and countless other noted supporters  have made appearances supporting it, the Occupy Movement unfortunately has also met with  brutal police crackdowns, and it has been accused of a wee bit of violence itself in Oakland, California.  However, we can never underestimate the methods of provocateurs who pose as legitimate protesters.

Of course Homeland Security and NDAA may step in at any time at anytime considering protesters terrorists!

Occupy camp sites have been under continuous attack from the start by the enforcers of the 1%, such as local police, FBI, federal marshals, and provocateurs, etc..  Protesters have also faced political disfavor and attacks by local governments.  Thousand of protesters have been arrested nation-wide. Around a hundred of them (including myself, and my wife) were arrested or received citations for espousing non-violent, civil disobedience at Occupy Asheville events

So how big is the Occupy Movement?

How many locations are there really, and what does “occupy” really mean. These questions and others are being answered before our very eyes! We are witness to planetary history.  It remains impossible to answer these and other similar questions.

Estimates, such as from Meet Up.com, say that over 2000 locations have formed in the United States, while other information points to figures as low as 600. No one can guess on national or worldwide Occupy Movement figures. In just a few short months it has made world-history, and change is already being felt.

Contrary to what you may read in mainstream media, the Occupy Movement is not folding. Far from it. For sure this is the first winter for a revolution with participants that know nothing or little about revolution, or for that matter social change.  However, this itself presents a worthy challenge

A worldwide poll conducted this January 2012 found that some 40% of respondents were familiar with the Occupy Movement, and that just over twice as many were sympathetic to the Occupy Movement compared to those with a negative view.  Of those who take a position, those in favor outweighed those in opposition two to one: 33% report they are favorable and 13% are unfavorable towards the protests.

I have personally wanted more action, and more support, and some local Asheville supporters and protesters, me included feel Occupy Asheville must have a central, visible presence and create “action” events and not fear the effects of their civil disobedience.

However, I will go with the flow…and consensus…but I/we will not go away.

I look forward to this article being the catch-all place to make your comments about Occupy Asheville….

According to Ariane Kjellquist, Communications Director at the Asheville Habitat for Humanity, “to help more families in need of decent housing and to respond to a community need, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity introduced the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). Repairing homes and revitalizing neighborhoods is tangible, and it’s rewarding for volunteers.” Event organizer Tom Adams also commented: “While the Occupy movement has been extremely successful in raising awareness about the deep systemic problems in our current economic and political systems, I think it’s also important that we simultaneously focus on doing what we can to help solve real problems in our own communities. Safe, secure housing is a basic human need, and we are happy to support Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable home improvements for some low-income members of the ninety-nine percent.”

Although we were eventually rained out, we did manage to help repair the wheelchair ramp and install the front porch rails before Rob, Habitat for Humanity’s foreman, decided to call it a day.

Two other OA members, Moksha Gita and Kayvon Kazemini, pitched in on another rainy day the following week and provided some much-needed assistance with the weatherization project in rural Buncombe county.

Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities with Occupy Asheville. For more information on Asheville Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, visit this web site: http://www.ashevillehabitat.org/housing_services/neighborhood_revitalization

Kids, parents, members of Veterans for Peace, and other Asheville Occupiers gathered on a sunny December afternoon to Occupy the Future at Pritchard Park.  Around 75 to 100 people participated in an afternoon of food, fun, and community spirit.  There were activities for kids of all ages, including sign making, face painting, four square, a cupcake walk, and rides on a four-wheeled scooter.  (And, as is usually the case in Pritchard Park, there were a few hula hoops.)

Folks were on hand with a basket of toys for small children, as well as hand-made hair feather pieces and Occupytogether.org iron-on badges for “kids” of all ages.  Several teenagers amplified the spirit of the day with a Radical Cheer rally led by Sparrow, one of the event’s organizers.  One of the cheers was  aimed at mindless consumer spending:  “We say stop!  Enough!  Do you really need that stuff?  You spend. And spend.  Consume consume until the end!”

Occupy the Future is just one example of how this movement combines “conventional protest” with a positive celebration of the wider community’s ability to build a better world, with the help of the next generation.  In the words of the Radical Cheerleaders, “Occupy the Future, while learning from the past. Occupy the Present–this movement’s gonna last!”

About 100 OccupyAsheville participants attended the GA in Pritchard Park, reaching consensus to accept the City of Asheville’s offer to camp beneath the Lexington Avenue overpass while still maintaining a separate camp at the Federal Building site. By 5pm the group formed a picket, marching to Vance Monument. As the sun set directly west down Patton Avenue, the group chanted, sang, meditated, and called on everyone to unite against the corporate greed and influence that has overtaken our political process and financial well-being.

While the Global Day of Action resulted in riots in Rome and huge demonstrations in cities worldwide, http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/15/world/occupy-goes-global/index.html Asheville saw its first arrest when the Asheville Police Department (APD) cuffed then walked one demonstrator to jail for jaywalking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxKMj3z4uFw (the charge was subsequently dropped by the District Attorney at the first court appearance.) Many wonder why that stands as an “arrestable offense” rather than one which might, at worst, warrant a citation. The powers that be sense a threat from those who insist on a guarantee of constitutional freedoms.

With a looming presence, the APD positioned themselves across the street from the Vance Monument park. Passing motorists blew their horns in support, or occasionally scowled and gave the Roman thumbs down. One woman careened her white Escalade around the park with only her elbows so she could take a photo out the window. Clearly, she placed herself and others in more danger than the park full of peaceful demonstrators exercising their First Amendment rights who held so much attention from the local authorities. The mood of the action was spirited, rowdy and exciting – an empowering moment in concert with Occupations around the world.

• We will strive for unity and cooperation in our diversity.
• Keep a clear, aware and alert mind.
• Promote peaceful solutions to conflict.
• Respect the dignity of all persons.
• Protect the living environment.
• Maintain clean and safe surroundings.
• Reflect in our actions the common good we seek.
• Base our solidarity on respect for the diversity of nonviolent tactics and plans of other Direct Action Groups.
• Strive to refrain from initiation of offensive violence against any persons.
• Keep any debates or criticisms internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciation of fellow activists and actions.
• Oppose any state repression of speech and dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption and violence.
• Not assist law enforcement actions against activists and others, except in the instance of extreme physical violence, and with explicit agreement of persons immediately affected by the violence.
• Encourage our own processes of restorative justice, by the people of the Occupy Asheville movement.

To this end, Occupy Asheville has regularly scheduled Nonviolent Training, provided by The Nonviolent Trainers Direct Action Working Group. This group exists to provide nonviolent tools, ideas, organizational forms and strategies which will empower Occupy Asheville participants to engage in more effective, nonviolent, direct action