(DRAFT) The Declaration of the Occupation of Jacksonville

The Declaration of the Occupation of Jacksonville

We, the people of Jacksonville, have come together in solidarity to support the Occupy Wall Street movement and the people united all over the world against the injustices of our time. We believe that by using democracy to create a true consensus of the people we can slowly roll back the stone that has been destroying our country our rights and our planet.

We stand together against corporations who fund our democratic process to their ends.

We believe that the wars we currently fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia must end.

We believe that the growing inequality between the richest and the poorest of our nation must come to an end; that the crimes committed on Wall Street and amongst the largest and most powerful banks in the world must be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.

We do not ask for hand-outs or welfare. We only request that our government do it's job and serve the people of our nation as we elected them to do. We encourage everyone to come to meetings, talk to your friends, investigate and learn. We won't solve any problems until we unite and decide what to do as a people. We are the 99% and we will never be silenced.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ls1Fc9ElgiA0nczKKDsf7a7bdSvgYuAWw8LsHevOIxU/edit?hl=en_US

2nd draft by Brandon:


The Declaration of the Occupation of Jacksonville

We, the people of Jacksonville, stand in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement for the purpose of opposing injustice. Through democracy, we believe a true consensus can be reached— one that endeavors to rectify the wrongs within our country, regain our rights as human beings, and promote prosperity and peace around the world.

We stand together in opposition against corporations who, through interference and monetary involvement in our political system, would seek to manipulate rules and regulations in their favor at the expense of the people.

We believe that our current international war-campaigns must cease, ending baseless bloodshed abroad and allowing the diversion of funds from foreign affairs to the American people.

We believe that the growing disparity of the rich and poor must be dealt with immediately, beginning with the prosecutions of Wall Street giants (banks and otherwise) who have committed crimes against the people through fraudulent activity, irresponsible handling of money and assets, and/or greed-motivated refusals to deal with the American public.

We do not seek hand-outs. We do not wish for welfare, and we do not support social-loafing. We only request that our government serve the people of our nation, as is their purpose for existence. We encourage education about all issues we seek to deal with, knowing that we won't solve any problems until we, the people, unite in our decisions and demands.

We are the 99%. We will not be silenced.

I think it's almost perfect except for two things. I want to say something about standing with the 99% over the world. I also don't think the last sentence flows very well, although I like where it's going.

Fixing currently (or trying, at least).

possible additions pick and choose:

we acknowledge the many problems of this city
we are here to demand responsible solutions to these problems

we demand the removal of corporate and private interest donations from all aspects of American politics, from the President down to the lowest levels, including those in Jacksonville, and complete transparency of all income and spending records and of all government operating activities

we acknowledge the existence of a plan for Georgia pacific to add a pipeline to dump 25,000,000 gallons of TOXIC WASTE into the St, Johns river per day. This river is the heart of our city and has already sustained massive damage, and to allow this blatant environmental suicide is not only dangerous but just plain insanity, the people of Jacksonville demand its immediate block along with stricter laws protecting the ecology of our home

we acknowledge the massive budget cuts taking place in our city, resulting in the unnecessary layoffs of police officers, firemen and emergency personnel, teachers, and other critical members of our city's human infrastructure and demand redress

we acknowledge the decline of quality of our school system yet increased costs. we demand education reforms, and increased pay for quality teachers

we acknowledge that this city runs largely on carbon energy resources and demand that pressure be put on our energy contractors to move this city to carbon neutral power within the next two decades or they be replaced

idk thats all i could think of off the top of my head
if anyone has any comments of objectives lets go

The Declaration of the Occupation of Jacksonville

We, the people of Jacksonville, stand in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement that has swept the globe for the purpose of opposing injustice. Through democracy, we believe a true consensus can be reached— one that endeavors to rectify the wrongs within our country, regain our rights as human beings, and promote prosperity and peace around the world.

We stand together in opposition against corporations who, through interference and monetary involvement in our political system, would seek to manipulate rules and regulations in their favor at the expense of the people.

We believe that our current international war-campaigns must cease, ending baseless bloodshed abroad and allowing the diversion of funds from foreign affairs to the American people.

We believe that the growing disparity of the rich and poor must be dealt with immediately, beginning with the prosecutions of Wall Street giants (banks and otherwise) who have committed crimes against the people through fraudulent activity, irresponsible handling of money and assets, and/or greed-motivated refusals to deal with the American public.

We are not, as some would choose to label us, social-loafers after hand-outs and welfare. We simply expect the entity created expressly for the purpose of serving the people to do just that-- serve the people. We aim to educate people about all issues relevant to our cause, knowing that we won't solve any problems until we, the people, unite in our decisions and demands.

We are the 99%. We will not be silenced.

Is that any improvement? I marked the editted areas in red.

I like it.

If other's have thoughts or input, please give them.

some emphasis should be put on the transparency of our group
we have nothing to hide and no covert agendas, anyone is welcome to come and observe

there are still too many right wing nutjobs fearmongering that if you are in opposition to ows and you show up you will be lynched

even dave letterman thinks he couldnt visit peacefully

we welcome all opinions and views openly

We realize that the government has never sought to serve the needs of the all people. But instead was founded on white male supremacy, slavery and genocide. All gains won against this oppressive entity were fought for through an on going struggle that has ebbed and flowed through the history of the people's struggle to the present day against capitalist liberal democracy. The Seminole, Sioux, Cherokee and all the indigenous people that fought against colonization. John Brown, the underground railroad, the slaves that refused and revolted. The IWW, AFL-CIO, and all the union men and womyn who resisted under baton and bullet the onslaught of capitalism and the state. The womyn who demanded their voices be heard and no longer marginalized. The Victims of the Red Scare. Martin Luther King Jr., Fred Hampton, Stokely Carmicheal, and all who fought to end segregation and fight institutional racism. Their fight is not in vain. We continue this struggle against injustice not claiming that any one part of this system is wrong and needs reform, but rather that the system it self IS wrong and we need a new way of life. We demand nothing of the current system but one thing. For making demands only legitimizes the state and the power it holds through violence and coercing. Our one demand is simply this, GET OUT OF OUR WAY. You are no longer allowed to run our lives for us. You have failed. Step aside.


Side note: The government through history has only made reforms in a need to retain the status quo during times of great civil unrest. The state and the corporations they enable and protect have never had a moral awaking and decided to relinquish their control over our lives and our environment. Its always been a struggle. Until we stop demanding reforms from the government, and demand more from ourselves and give more of ourselves to our fellow humans we will always struggle.

Most recent version after the group met today (I vote we call this group the Foundation Working Group, btw):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tVoTN2Jxq1aJJKRlbLLOTSjEmV9347thYRF3IDUUYsA/edit?hl=en_US

Declaration of the Occupation of Jacksonville
What follows is a living document that will be revised
through democratic process of General Assembly


We, the people of Jacksonville, stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and its global counterparts. We believe that our government no longer represents the will of the people. Because of this, we have assembled to voice our grievances.

We stand together to take back control of our government from those who use their wealth to obstruct the democratic process.

We believe that the growing disparity of the rich and poor must be dealt with immediately.

We believe those responsible for economic injustices should be held accountable.

We come together to revive the expectation that our government exists to serve the people. We aim to educate, unite and empower the people. Through democracy, we believe a true consensus can be reached— one that endeavors to rectify the wrongs within our country, regain our rights as human beings, and promote prosperity and peace over our nation and around the world.

We are the 99%.

This is an official document crafted by the Foundation Working Group. The Jacksonville General Assembly has not voted on or endorsed this document at this time.

I like it. Good work!