Occupy message being corrupted

by Jacob Kearey-Moreland, special to The Packet & Times

I was pleased to read the response to my previous column in The Packet this week from Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, as I know him to be a smart, well-meaning and hard-working public servant. However, just like our leaders and media have misrepresented the Occupy Movement, thus discrediting it, so has Stanton misquoted my words in an attempt to discredit me. Out of self-defence, I will focus briefly on the misunderstandings and the problem with traditional media. Out of respect, I will then attend to the underlying issues and values occupying the table; mainly growing inequality, injustice and democracy.

I did not say, nor have I heard of any elected Canadian official speak negatively against the unprecedented global occupations. I have heard both our finance minister and prime minister focus attention and criticism on certain aspects of the movement, while ignoring its complexity and diversity, thus deflating Occupy Canada. I have repeatedly noticed in mainstream papers, radio and online, deliberate and unknowing attempts to delegitimize and denigrate the people.

In person, I have watched very long media interviews of occupiers providing illuminating commentary on the movement and global political economy. The shepherd reduces these profound ideas into inedible sound bites which are then fed to the sheeple who regurgitate them.

The problem with the corporate media is that it is extremely hard to summarize complex global issues and social phenomenon in the limited space provided between advertisements. This biased one-way information stream inevitably misrepresents reality. It forbids intellectual, civil and fruitful debate, which is necessary for democracy.

The way in which social media have been harnessed by Occupy, technically and formally, is revolutionary. Previously alienated people are now talking with each other, online and in person, for long periods of time, about complex and controversial political issues. Through dialogue, people are able to reach higher understandings and make collective decisions that benefit everyone.

The fact of the matter, the fact that the media and our leaders continue to ignore, is the growing inequality of power and wealth in society. This extreme inequality isn't just bad for our health, the environment, for our kids, for justice or for democracy, but it is even bad for our economy.

Monopolization and oligarchy stifles competition and innovation, it produces ultimate power which then corrupts and collapses — see 2008 recession, U.S.S.R., Arab Spring and present-day U.S. Perversely, the corporate-state doesn't just allow monopolization, but encourages and rewards it with taxpayer bailouts, subsidies and bonuses.

Small government, big business and free-market fundamentalism championed by conservative parties at home and abroad contributed to exceptional levels of global development and profits. These profits have not been justly distributed, nor are they sustainable.

Billions in the global south, especially women and children, are shouldering the negative health, environmental and social conditions brought upon them by unfettered free trade. A minority of us in the global north consume as if gluttony was a virtue and not a sin — no wonder the obese debt we're in. Despite this reality, many of you have the nerve to complain that we are taxed too much. As if we don't have enough already. The stress on the backs of billions will be relieved by mass uprisings. I really hope it's peaceful.

Globally, we are now economically, culturally and politically interdependent to such an extent it renders municipal, provincial, and national governments powerless against global economic forces. The majority of us can no longer exercise our power through traditional political institutions because they are either structurally outdated or wholly corrupted. In reality, most of our votes don't count. Realize your power, represent yourself by participating. Vote now! Occupy Orillia and the world for a new kind of politics. Find us on Facebook, or occupyorillia@gmail.com to participate in democracy, 100% welcome.

Jacob Kearey-Moreland is a local resident and student at the University of Toronto studying philosophy and sociology. His founding and co-ordinating of Orillia Community Gardens demonstrates a sustainable alternative to current monetary-market economics. Contact him at jakop79@hotmail.com

Hamilton 350 Blog

Don't discount Occupy protest

by Jacob Kearey-Moreland, special to The Packet & Times

Emerging citizen occupations around the world are micro-societies based on the fundamental principles of equality, non-violence and direct participatory democracy. They are models for the future and in many ways, the occupation itself could be the "one demand." Despite the cold and continuous rainfall, there are anywhere between 200-300 people staying overnight in St. James Park in downtown Toronto, known as Occupy Toronto. Every day, the occupation grows as thousands of people pass through the park to participate in the various activities and events.

The logistics tent deals with the logistics of running and maintaining the village. There is a medical tent, staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses and alternative health practitioners, legal aid, media, library, music, arts, culture and food. Every day, the food tent serves thousands of free, donated vegetarian meals to anyone who's hungry, including many homeless people in the neighbourhood. It is supported by St. James Anglican church which is providing sanctuary, water and energy. Trained marshals and the morale crew ensure the security and happiness of every occupant. In addition, they have a growing number of committees which are open to the public focused on specific events, projects or actions.

Twice a day, hundreds attend the general assemblies which can last hours, where people discuss everything related to the occupation. They focus on logistics, committees, and proposals put forth by the people which are then voted on and adopted by the community. They use hand signals and the people's microphone to efficiently communicate with each other in large groups and rotating facilitators ensure the general assemblies are run fairly, smoothly and fruitfully.

The general flavour of politics being discussed is how to organize and increase awareness of the perverse inequality of wealth and power in society, and the corresponding decline in the quality and quantity of life on this planet. We discuss ways in which we can enrich and empower people and communities to address local issues. There are too many issues to mention here, however, some include fractional reserve banking, treatment of indigenous peoples, the oil economy, corporate media, military industrial complex, eco-genocide, state support of failing corporations and corporate support of our failing state.

Many things regarding the Occupy Movement I've heard in the media and from our leaders have been attempts to discredit, delegitimize, and denigrate the people. Prime Minister Stephen Harper does not believe the occupations in Canada are justified because our banking system is much stronger than the Americans, and our economy is recovering. Canadians should politely shut up and be thankful for what we have, not want anything more, and not want anyone else to share in what we have.

Harper spins the focus of the movement in order to delegitimize it. In reality, Canada's banking system, like most others, enables private banks to print new money out of thin air through fractional reserve banking (Google it), essentially creating money out of debt. This debt-based monetary system sustains inflation, structural inequality and the "debt crisis." Global and local austerity measures will not resolve the crisis, but rather shift the debt burden onto middle-class and working families, and their children.

Harper doesn't acknowledge fractional reserve banking, or the hundreds of other serious ethical and human rights issues caused by corporate corruption and greed globally because his policies and failed leadership are only making them worse.

Ignorance or the inaction of others does not excuse us of moral responsibility. Our individual and national economic "success" is dependent on the continued exploitation of billions of people around the world and the destruction of nature itself. Please wake up. I implore you to educate and empower yourself by pursuing alternative forms of media, and most importantly, getting together with others in your community to resolve this madness. We can do better. Occupy Orillia.

Jacob Kearey-Moreland is a local resident and student at the University of Toronto studying philosophy and sociology. His founding and co-ordinating of Orillia Community Gardens demonstrates a sustainable alternative to current monetary-market economics. Contact him at jakop79@hotmail.com

Hamilton 350 Blog

A message from a G20 street medic and detainee

Hello occupiers!

I wanted to share with you a note posted on Facebook by Selena Flood. The note is below, and you can find it in it’s original format by clicking here.

As people are preparing and organizing for occupations across North America, I hope that I may offer some information that will help deal with what could transpire, especially to my friends who are attending Occupy Toronto.

My experience at last year’s G20 in Toronto was first one of a person curious about the event, to jumping into a team with my two best friends and an experienced street medic as violence began to unfold, and later kettled with over 100 others and detained for 20 hours. While watching videos of police response to Occupy Wall Street, the scenes unfolding are far too familiar. I’d like to say this couldn’t happen in Canada, but it wasn’t that long ago that it did.

Despite the best intentions of the critical mass to uphold a peaceful and non-violent protest, the risk of those who may choose to provoke instances of violence (whether police or protester) puts everyone in danger. From my experiences at the G20, these were five of the most important lessons learned and recommendations I would make to those attending occupations:

1. WATCH YOUR EXITS. To avoid being kettled or trapped in a dangerous position, be very aware of your surroundings. Stay away from police lines and always be aware of your nearest exit should you need to vacate.
2. BRING LOTS OF BOTTLED WATER FOR THE MEDIC TEAMS, AND OTHER MEDIC SUPPLIES. This was one of the hardest things as a medic to keep on hand, and most essential to clean out wounds, tear gas, or for those suffering from dehydration. If you are attending, please bring extra bottles of water for the medic teams. You may also want to keep a rag of cider vinegar in a ziplock bag to reduce impact of tear gas should it be deployed.
3. WALK, DON’T RUN. It’s instinctual to want to flee in a dangerous situation, but keep your pace steady to avoid injuring others. If you see large crowds running, don’t be afraid to shout “WALK”. I was amazed at how effective this was in slowing people down.
4. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR ENERGY LEVELS. With the high energy that comes from crowd demonstrations, you can quickly deplete your energy and become dehydrated. Keep snacks and fluids on hand, and keep an eye on the people around you as well.
5. STAY CALM AND HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. This can be especially important in situations where tensions are escalating. Watch out for your fellow brothers and sisters in solidarity and maintain a calm presence in all situations.

If you have any questions please feel free to send a friend request with a message including which occupation you are attending. I believe in the message that needs to be shared in this effort, and as we chanted at the G20:
THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED

In Peace and Solidarity,
Selena Flood

Hamilton 350 Blog

Tapping into the zeitgeist

 by Jacob Kearey-Moreland, special to The Packet

The Occupy Wall Street movement is a global grassroots, youth-led crusade toward participatory democracy. Hopefully, through mass non-violent participation, we will be able to revolutionize this outdated power-structure. 

Basically, we think this system sucks and we can do better.

The website occupytogether.org, an unofficial hub of global occupations, recently listed 819 cities in which occupations were occurring or being planned. How can this movement have spread so quickly around the world, when most people still know little to nothing about it?

I have witnessed the movement spreading virally through existing social networks and online communities that have been ignored or misrepresented for years by mainstream corporate media. It has formed coalitions of thousands of like-minded groups and individuals. They are finally focusing their collective energy upon the root causes of their common struggles: institutionalized corporate corruption and greed over human co-operation and need.

It has literally and metaphorically tapped into the zeitgeist. Initially inspired by a series of online documentaries viewed by millions of people, the Zeitgeist Movement is one of the largest and well-organized online activist communities. As a global network, it has been instrumental behind the scenes, helping to spread and support the occupations.

The third film, which you can watch for free online, called Zeitgeist: Moving Forward, covers topics such as socialization, health, poverty and violence. It exposes systemic inequality, inefficiencies and corruption within our global monetary-market system. Our global economy is methodically bankrupting everything: people, families, households, banks (ironically) and countries. It is depleting all of our planetary resources, which unlike money, we need for survival.

Not only is our current system of production and exchange horribly inefficient in supporting the needs of humanity and life in general, but this system and paradigm is preventing us from realizing a society that far surpasses anything we can possibly imagine.

The Zeitgeist Movement promotes a non-violent transition to a resource based economy, one in which all of the world's resources are the common heritage of all the world's peoples. Production and exchange of life-supporting goods are managed with sustainability, equality, human health, love and life as the primary motivations.

With today's technology, it is possible to engineer an economy and society so productive and efficient that traditional notions of labour, markets and money would be rendered obsolete; this is the goal, seriously.
This movement is not about blaming individuals for our common problems, expecting others to change their values or lifestyles overnight. It is about being the change ourselves. It is about inspiring and empowering each other through education, resources and community, to make meaningful long-lasting change in our own lives and in the world around us. It is about finally coming together and talking about the real issues we face and how to work together for the betterment of society.

I, as well as millions of people, have been inspired by this movement, and other movements of people and ideas that are converging and gaining vitality every day as occupations grow.

My generation has grown up in online communities, collaborating and sharing with people all over the world in new and innovative ways. As such, we have fundamentally different values and beliefs than other generations and it's starting to show. For the first time on a global scale, communities born in virtual space are permanently occupying physical space; they are creating websites and real sites that anyone can visit and contribute, too.

The open-source revolution is upon us; anyone can create a platform, (or a community garden!), and invite others to connect and grow together. Everyone is a leader. Societal progress will necessarily be driven by mass collaboration and participation, a real ideal democracy. What are you waiting for? Sign up for free and invite your friends to Occupy the world.

Jacob Kearey-Moreland is a local resident and student at the University of Toronto studying philosophy and sociology. His founding and co-ordinating of Orillia Community Gardens demonstrates a sustainable alternative to current monetary-market economics. Contact him at jakop79@hotmail.com.

Hamilton 350 blog

Hamilton 350 Carbon Cycle

Friday morning began with about twenty-one committed, dedicated and courageous cyclists pedaling away from Hamilton City Hall under overcast skies, escorted by four police cyclists. With fresh energy and enthusiasm, the group made their way up the escarpment along the Escarpment Rail Trail. There at the top we made our first repair, replacing a leaking inner tube.

A pleasant ride along the Chippewa Rail Trail took us to Haldibrook Road, followed by country roads into Caledonia for lunch. By noon the rain caught up with the riders with heavy downpours. Fortunately, the rain eased a bit. With light drizzle to help cool us off, we crossed Indian Line Road and made it to Cheapside for our first staging point.

Our first protest point was the Esso (ExxonMobil) Nanticoke Refinery. Under dark skies, mist and drizzle, the refinery presented a rather ominous scene. With our 350, Pedal the Planet, Don't Peddle the Planet, End Dirt Energy banners in full display we lingered for ample photo opportunities. Next stop was the OPG plant just a short ride away. Again we did the photo shoots and answered the inquiries from the friendly workers leaving the afternoon shift.

With mission accomplished, it was an easy ride to camp. The enormous gazebo with the massive fireplace at the Haldimand campsite was a welcome sight. All tired, cold and hungry, we all gobbled up the hot and spicy veggie chilli and bagels. With a hearty sing along, guitar accompaniment and a glass of wine we socialized and celebrated before calling it a night. Strong winds off lake Erie faded into sweet dreams of the tired riders.

Saturday morning, 6:30am. What a lovely day awaited us. Mist still hovering over the OPG chimney stacks provided an eerie contrast to beautiful sunrise in the east. With coffee and hot chocolate to wash down the oatmeal porridge, we were ready for the ride back to Hamilton.

We stopped for lunch once more at Caledonia, relaxing on the banks of the Grand River for an hour. The ride back to Hamilton was easy going, with pleasant sunshine and downhill all the way. We came to the end of the bike trail at Corktown then made our way through city streets, finally to a round of applause from the waiting crowd at Gore Park where the 350 Moving Planet rally was underway.

We are proud of all our riders and organizers. Well done!
Special thanks to our sponsors Environment Hamilton and Mountain Equipment Co-op.


Hamilton 350 Blog

Hamilton 350 Blog

Time for reflection

It has been 10 years since September 11th, 2001. What have we learned since then? The racism, hatred and wars continue, all for oil and profit. The banksters and corporate moguls continue to rape and pillage the planet and it is ordinary people who suffer. It has been a wasted ten years.

No, it is worse than that. It is almost 40 years since The Limits to Growth was published by Donella Meadows, Dennis Meadows, Jørgen Randers and William Behrens. And it is still business as usual, pursuing along the perpetual path of economic growth. When we come to see that it is all in pursuit of money, greed and power, we will realize that we have wasted 40 years going in the wrong direction.

Hamilton 350 blog

What comes next?

Dear Friends,

I’m writing this from the lawn in front of the White House.

In front of me there’s a sprawling rally underway, with speakers ranging from indigenous elders to the great Canadian writer Naomi Klein. In back of me, another 243 courageous people are being hauled away to jail -- it’s the last day of Phase 1 of the tar sands campaign, and 1,252 North Americans have been arrested, the biggest civil disobedience action this century on this continent.

But we’ve been just as cheered by the help that has poured in from around the world -- today, activists in front of the White House held a banner with a huge number on it: 618,428. That's how many people around the world who signed on to the "Stop the Tar Sands" mega-petition to President Obama, including many of you in the 350.org network. Check out this beautiful photo of passion and courage on display:

(Photo Credit: Josh Lopez)

But this movement does more than sign petitions: many of you stood strong in front of the White House risking arrest, and protesters on every continent have picketed outside embassies and consulates. That makes sense, for global warming is the one problem that affects everyone everywhere.

And the next moment to prove that is Sept. 24 for Moving Planet -- the massive day of climate action that will unite people all over the world. We’ve heard news of amazing actions from every corner of the earth -— from a massive bike rally in the Philippines to an incredible eco-festival in Philadelphia. I truly can’t wait to see the pictures pour in.

But here’s why it’s important: we’re not just a movement that opposes things, we’re also a movement that dreams of what’s coming. And we don't just dream, we also transform those dreams into reality. On September 24, on bike and on foot and on boards, we’re going to point the way towards that future. By days' end, we’ll have shown why the bicycle is more glamorous than the car, and why the people have the potential to be more powerful than the polluters.

On some days fighting global warming means swallowing hard, mustering your courage, and making a sacrifice -- other days it means getting all your friends up in the saddles of their bikes to have some fun and help move the planet forward.

September 24 is the second kind of day; it’s going to be powerful, it’s going to be beautiful, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Please find or join a local event to get involved.

Onwards,
Bill McKibben for the whole 350.org team