Occupy Providence begins @ 5pm on Oct 15: Burnside Park

Date:  Saturday, October 15th
Event: Gathering/Rally & March Against Corporate Greed/Assembly/Occupation
Time:  5pm to (indefinitely)

On Saturday, October 15th, at 5pm, Rhode Islanders will gather together in Burnside Park (Downtown Providence) to express a feeling of mass injustice and stand in solidarity with those occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square.  This will be done as part of an international day of action in conjunction with the occupation of dozens of other cities around the country and the world.  I am writing because I want all Rhode Islanders who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world to know that I believe that the members of the Occupy Providence General Assembly (OPGA) are your allies.  Members of the OP General Assembly have been meeting in Burnside Park everyday since Oct 1st, and it is a movement committed to non-violence, to maintaining a safe, alchohol free, drug free, harassment/discrimination free space, and it does not endorse any political candidate or party in any way.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, as a member of the OP General Assembly Direct Action working group, I offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at my disposal.  And though I cannot speak for the entire group, I am pretty damn sure that most of them feel similarly.

The Occupation of Burnside Park will begin at 5pm, followed by a rally & march against corporate greed and corporate crime, followed by an autonomous pic nic (bring your own food- but also, rumor has it that an unaffiliated group known as “Food Not Banks” may be bringing more than enough to share), followed by the October 15th Occupy Providence General Assembly, and, finally, Entertainment!  All are Welcome!  This is an inclusive event for people and families of all ages.  Drugs, Alcohol, Discrimination, Harassment, and Violent behavior are NOT WELCOME.  This event will start at 5p, and will last, I believe, for as many days, nights, weeks, and months (?) as it takes to come to consensus on how best to challenge corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality; the corporations which run our government, destroy our environment, and rule our lives.
Come to Burnside Park on October 15th and make your voices heard!

THINGS TO BRING:
lanterns, flashflights, batteries, video cameras, signs, writing materials, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, warm clothes, food, water, games, yoga mats, books, patience, respect, ideas and information to share, friends who are lawyers, friends with CPR and medical training, friends with non-violence training, & other fitting supply donations for an indefinite occupation!

THINGS NOT TO BRING:
bullhorns, amplifiers, amplification systems, generators, propane grills, gas grills, anything with an open flame, drugs, alcohol, weapons, excess garbage; anything the police can say violates a noise or other city ordinance or requires a permit we don’t have; any thing that will give the police leverage to disrupt the occupation

The Occupy Providence General Assembly has voted by consensus that:

• Occupy Providence is a completely non-violent movement; violence and property destruction/defacing are not welcome, and do not represent us.
• Discrimination or harassment based on race, sex, gender, orientation, age, or anything else are not welcome. This includes any sexist, homophobic, trans-phobic, racist, or ageist speech, chanting, writing, etc.
• We are a drug and alcohol free assembly and occupation. Cigarette smokers are asked to please smoke a respectful distance from non-smokers.

Sincerely,

~Jared Paul (member of the Occupy Providence – Direct Action Working Group)