Below is a photo essay of the initial parade of the Occupy National Gathering in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Here’s how the event is described.
WHAT: the Occupy Wall Street (Inter) National Gathering: decolonize the 99%. It’s the second annual gathering of the Occupy movement and allies—the first was in Philadelphia June 30 to July 5, 2012. We promise a full-bodied 5-day event with emphasis on the colonization of this country by corporations—an important public event with creative activism, parades, and, most importantly, the People being heard. NatGat2 is a place for the movement of affinity to regroup, debrief, and regain strength after the brutal crack-downs on the encampments in 2011 and targeted legislative repression and unprecedented spying by NSA on US persons.
WHEN: August 21-25, 2013
WHY: A fundamental right, essential to a representative government, is the right to peacefully gather to petition the government for redress of grievances. We activists are still working for a better world. Dozens of active Occupys and allies have endorsed and will be sending representatives. Hundreds of Occupys all over the United States and from around the globe—e.g. Occupy San Francisco to Occupy Sandy to Occupy Sydney, Australia—will gather in solidarity and share strategies to strengthen the global network that was born in Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011.
HOW: will people get there? There is a Sharetribe site to sign up or offer a ride—or housing, or just about anything NatGat-related. Donations are accepted here.
WHERE: The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Where will they sleep? Sleepful Protests in Public Spaces is our custom; it is legal in Kalamazoo. However, there are other options. The Lamplighter Inn in Comstock on the border of Kalamazoo will be our #1 site in the evenings. (They say it’s haunted!)
*UPDATE: The Venue for the Natational gathering has changed. Most activities will now take place at the Kalamazoo Peace Center at the Wesley Foundation, 2101 Wilbur St.
WHAT will be accomplished? NatGat strives to be decisive, each day will end with a General Assembly on the subject of the day, then a draft, will be turned over to writers to turn into art to be posted and published shortly after.
Only complete (r)evolution will do,
List of hyperlinks
Main website http://interoccupy.net/natgat2/
Photos from Occupy National Gathering Facebook Page
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