Alan Ditmore
|
I am seeing too much contempt for homeless people WITHIN Occupy Asheville to see any point in continuing any relationship with them on the part of Asheville Homeless Network and thus have decided that AHN should publicly divorce OA. I believe that the reasons for building a coalition with them were essentially coincidental based of the fact that they just happened to accidentally use a tactic, in the protest camp, that gave us an opportunity. I believe that much of OA considers that opportunity a mistake on their part and that our reasons for affiliation vanished with the protest camp, and will not return, as I doubt they will repeat their mistake.
If we bother to attend OA meeting at all or accidentally stumble upon them, we should do so only for the purpose of blocking consensus on irreverent actions and we should no longer attend with a constructive or coalition minded attitude.
http://www.change.org/petitions/repeal-andor-ban-all-single-family-zoning -and-unit-density-limits
|
carolyn
|
Most of the active Occupiers I know who come to GA, direct actions, outreach, organization, etc. are passionate about helping houseless people.
Whoever is involved with Occupy, a movement with a heart of love, dignity for all people, and compassion, needs to risk the initial fear/discomfort and take the time to meet houseless people to appreciate the beauty of their humanness, their spirit, their hope. Else they may continue to fear and fight against those who are less fortunate than them, creating unhappiness within their souls, instead of embracing the teachings of the most enlightened and revered sages of all time (Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, Gandhi to name a few)
|
Swami Virato
|
The homeless are indeed a part of the 99%, and also not the ONLY part. I do not think it wise for these comrades to abandon us or Occupy Asheville abandon them.
Keep the faith. Love the people!
|
Tamara Puffer
|
I think the AHN should remain part of Occupy. Just because the camp is no longer in operation doesn’t mean the issue goes away.
|
Alan Ditmore
|
The fundamental problem here is that about 96% of antihomeless bigots are also in the 99% as well as making up, I would guess, 40% of OA members and 30% of OA leadership.
|
Alan Ditmore
|
Some members of OA seem to be putting out calls for “slumber parties,” usually at Wells Fargo Bank. If homeless residents are taking advantage of these to get some sleep with physical and legal protection, then I was wrong about calling for an end to AHN/OA coalitions. If successful, these “slumber parties” may continue to lead to symbiotic benefits to both groups.
Do we have more details on what exactly these “slumber parties” are and what is their potential direct benefit to homeless residents?
However, the ongoing censorship on the OA Facebook page is not helping coalition relations any.
http://www.change.org/members/218464
http://www.change.org/members/9488861
|
