Updates from the Occupied Communities of British Columbia



Welcome to the second edition of the newsletter. If you had this forwarded to you and want to sign up, do so here. If you want to read the first edition, go here.  Feedback is welcome (formatting, smart phone compatability, etc)! A map of Occupy Canada and a growing database of info for each city is linked to at the bottom of this edition.

Occupy Vancouver
Last week: Dr. Martin Luther King Vigil, successful car load of people to Kamloops to put on workshops, another edition of our evolving newspaper (see below)
Currently: Environmental Justice Work Group gaining momentum
Coming Up: System Change Not Climate Change Workshop,
Hot topics of discussion: Role of GA vs spokes council, quorum, anti-harassment protocol, still trying to find a permanent indoor space, Brookfield logging on Cortes Island
Website: occupyvancouver.com
General email: info.occupyvancouver@gmail.com
Side-projects: People's Library, Floccupy
Active Committees: 12-16, depending on criteria. Only 8, including caucuses on Spokes Council so far
To see the latest edition of the Occupied Vancouver Sun, click here. There is a link there where you can subscribe to future editions.

The People's Assembly of Victoria
Last week: Flash meeting on health care outside of hotel where premiers were discussing health care without the public, community call-outs to help neighbours and street-involved folks during the snow, Enbridge Think Tank formed
Currently: Presentation by Occupeer at Provost's Diversity Research Forum, 3rd Umbrella group meeting - getting smoother
Coming Up: Conversations with Activists Panel at UVic, Flash Camp, Feb. 1st Student Day of Action, Feb. 4th rally against Omnibus crime bill
Hot topics of discussion: New website without 'hierarchy', respect vs. free speech, shit disturbers
Website: paov.ca
Side-projects: Harm Reduction Campaign
Active Committees: we have 3 umbrella groups that contain about 13 working groups (we don't use the term committee)
Anything Else?: Some people are talking about reoccupying.. legislature lawn - would need physical support of people from elsewhere in BC (Victoria just isn't engaged enough to have the people power)

Occupy Revelstoke
Currently: making plans for Cinema Politica - style film nights
Coming Up: pretty quiet in town - too much snow
Hot topics of discussion: gardening in the springtime and where to host our film nights
Website: facebook.com/occupyrevelstoke
Active Committees: 1 main group

Occupy Powell River
Last week: Held first GA : 50 people in attendence, 7 new committees formed, much enthusiasm.
Currently: Preparing 2nd GA, getting committee websites online, prepping for action.
Coming Up: "Unemployment Fair!?" Donated labour to Tla'ammin Nation?
Hot topics of discussion: Should we tent? Paper Mill (our main economic driver, going bankrupt soon.)
Website: occupypowellriver.org
General email: oprwebteam@groupspaces.com
Side-projects: numerous, we're just starting up.
Active Committees: 4-5
Anything Else?: Unemployment Fair is an idea of an event where unemployed and underemployed come together to 1. See in person and show solidarity with one another. 2. get a list of skills 3. a list of resources 4. brainstorm and form collective businesses/initiatives.

Occupy Kamloops

Last week: Occupy the Interior presentation in Kelowna
Currently: Working to increase participatory members
Coming Up: Corrupt banking system awareness day at a bank corner downtown
Hot topics of discussion: Organization, how much work there is to do, Fiat currencies and corrupted institutions
Website: occupykamloops.org
General email: occupykamloops@gmail.com
Side-projects: Smart meter awareness, direct democracy implementation and education, website that has shopping advice based on moral history of company
Active Committees: Direct action, Community outreach (usually all covered in meetings together)

Occupy Kelowna
Last week:  Fair Shake: A public forum on social change and progressive solutions hosted by Occupy Kelowna, Council of Canadians and the Okanagan Institute. This was our most successful event yet.  We peaked at Justin Trudeau with about 300 people in attendance.  Many of the connections we have worked hard on came out and pledged their support!

Currently: Public events are slowing down between now and spring relaunch, as we work hard on connections with various organizations and groups from within the Okanagan Valley.  We cannot claim to speak for 99% if we are not all inclusive, and our organizers are working hard to develop these relationships within the valley.
Coming Up: Occupy the Overpass.  We are planning a sign wave for Saturday, Feb 4. on the Kelowna Overpass.
Hot topics of discussion: Conflict Resolution, Transparency and Accountability.  Moving forward and possible future forums.  
Website: occupykelowna.org
General email: occupykelowna@hotmail.com
Side-projects: Several, Occupy Bus, Work being done to create a television program, interviewing people from around the okanagan valley. youth group.  Work to be done on a news letter specific to our demographics
Active Committees: 1 group, 12 members


Occupy Whitehorse
Currently: -35 degrees Celcius