Occupy Dallas and 8 other local groups rallied Saturday " Death of the American Dream " against war in Iran

Fed up with tax dollars being used for war, killing innocent civilians, peace activist from North Texas hold a rally calling for aggressive behavior to end. Dallas, Texas USA 4th February 2012.
Members of at least eight peace groups rally on Dallas streets calling for no attacks or sanctions on Iran. Dallas Peace Center, CodePINK Dallas, North Texas Veterans for Peace, CodePINK Fort Worth, Pax Christi Dallas, Occupy Dallas, North DFW 99% and Occupy Now were represented.
see more photos

Lots and lots of great videos of event here 

Members of Occupy Dallas left today to attend Occupy Congress in DC

According to OD Face Book :

OCCUPY CONGRESS TRIP: Occupy Dallas 1 will be at Pegasus Plaza by 10:00 AM. Launch will be initiated after all parties have had a chance to join up or call in. If you are interested in joining the trip you are welcome to call Kyle Helton at 214-951-6475, David Barahona 972-781-8781, or Veronica Navarro 214-815-8139 no later than 9 Am Saturday. Occupy Dallas 1 is full and the seating on other caravan vehicles is undetermined at the time of this printing. Seating will be determined by a 100 yard dash down Main St. and then a javelin throw. Don't let the track and field discourage anyone from trying to come along. I just can't guestimate our current status very well.

Or my personal favorite poster

Occupying the Westboro Baptist Church's Protest at the TicketCity Bowl in Fair Park

Football fans who came to Fair Park for the Houston-Penn State match-up at the Cotton Bowl couldn't help but see the sideshow: As promised, the Westboro Baptist Church showed up at the TicketCity Bowl to remind sports fans that God hates them, Joe Paterno, the Pope, gays, Obama ... pretty much everyone. But Fred Phelps' clan, which has added a "God Sent the Drought" sign to its ever-expanding inventory, wasn't alone: They were met by around 40 counter-protesters, some from Occupy Dallas splinter group OccupyNow. The counter-protesters greeted the WBC's infamous "God Hates Fags" signs with a few of their own. There was also some light heckling and a little same-sex heavy petting.

"We're out here to protest hate in all its forms," said 21-year-old Kooper Caraway of OccupyNow.

"And we're here to draw attention to hate-mongering," said Whytney Blythe, 22, also of OccupyNow, "Which is part of what's perpetuating the issues we're facing today. Living in a fear-based system is unhealthy for everyone. And it's also important to be at the protests against Westboro to show support for the victims that they might target."

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Occupy Dallas will demonstrate in protest against Westboro Baptist Church assertion that God Hates Gay Citizens

Occupy Dallas will demonstrate in protest against Westboro Baptist Church assertion that God Hates Gay Citizens. Please join us!
http://www.godhatesfags.com/schedule.html Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, TX January 2, 2012 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM WBC will picket the TicketCity Bowl between Penn State and Houston University to remind this nation that God Hates america and sends raping coaches as a curse for this nation's rebellion.

Occupy Dallas
Twitter: #OccupyDallas
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyDallas
God Hates Bowl Games? Westboro Baptist Will Ring in the New Year With Visit to Dallas. Dallas Observer read on here

Members of Occupy Dallas participate in Houston Port protest

"THE 99 PERCENT."
"WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT."
There were more protestors at the port than we’ve seen at any one time for the Occupy Houston protest. That’s because organizers put out calls to Austin, Dallas and San Antonio for fellow occupiers to join them.
"Ask not, what America can do for you. Ask what together we can do for the freedom of man."
That’s how things went for the first 40 minutes or so of the protest. Various people yelling out impromptu statements followed by the rest of the group repeated it.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/kuhf/sets/72157628394025655/show/  

20 Occupy Houston protesters arrested

Police arrested 20 Occupy Houston protesters Monday afternoon as more than 100 demonstrators from as far as Dallas and Austin gathered just outside the Houston Port in a coordinated action with other Occupy demonstrations targeting the nation's ports.

More than 1,000 Occupy Wall Street protesters blocked cargo trucks at some of the West Coast's busiest ports Monday, forcing terminals in Oakland, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Longview, Wash., to halt operations.

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Occupiers in Texas Plan to Shut Down the Port of Houston!

Approved GA proposal from Occupy Dallas:
In solidarity with Occupy Oakland, Occupy San Diego, Occupy LA, Occupy Portland, Occupy Tacoma, Occupy Seattle and other movements along the west coast of the United States that will shut down ports in their cities on December 12, the General Assembly of Dallas hereby declares:

On December 12, 2011, Occupy Dallas will assemble in Houston, TX.
The following message is from Occupy Oakland:

“On December 12, the occupy movements in different cities will stage mass mobilizations to march on the ports, create community pickets, and effectively shutdown the hubs of commerce, in the same fashion that Occupy Oakland shut down the Port of Oakland on November 2nd, the day of our general strike. The Oakland Port Shutdown was a historic and effective action, and the memory of that night on the port lives in the hearts of people across Oakland and around the country.”

In Houston, we will mobilize and stage a mass march by integrating Occupy Houston, Occupy Austin, Occupy San Marco, Occupy San Antonio, Occupy Now and Occupy Texas.

We have made attempts at local demonstrations in an effort to spread awareness of the economic injustices affecting the 99%. These peaceful assemblies have been organized with the aim of petitioning our government for a redress of our grievances. On a national level, the response to our protest has often included excessive force and unnecessary violence perpetrated by police departments, with thousands of citizens unlawfully arrested.

Occupy Dallas would like to urge other movements in Texas and the surrounding states that wish to participate in the Occupy the Gulf Coast action to join with Occupy Houston before December 12.

We ask that you bring this request before your General Assembly immediately.
In Solidarity and Struggle, Occupy Dallas

Occupy Texarkana Federal Court building action November 30th ! [photos]

A a small group of protestors held a demonstration Wednesday morning (Nov. 30) at the Texarkana Post Office and Federal Court building.
The group did "mic checks" throughout the demonstration from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The local protest was held in conjunction with a number of similar recent demonstrations including Occupy Dallas outcrying corporate and governmental corruption.

more great photos here

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/OccupyTexarkana

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/OccupyTXK 

Occupy Dallas calls for holiday season support of small businesses

Occupy Dallas demonstrators march to promote small businesses over nationally owned chain stores for holiday shopping, after being evicted from City Hall park days earlier.
Occupy Dallas demonstrators marched in downtown Dallas, promoting small businesses over nationally owned chain stores for holiday shopping.
Occupy Dallas regroups, after being forced from City Hall park days earlier, and stages a march and demonstration in downtown Dallas. Focusing on corporate greed and corruption and crooked politicians, the small group chose to promote independently owned small businesses as an alternative to corporate owned national and international businesses. Demonstrators sang Christmas carols as they marched, accompanied by a trumpet player, and ended the short march at Pegasus Plaza where they plan on maintaining a constant presence, although they are prohibited from setting up tents or overnight sleeping. Since being forced out of City hall park the group has split into two groups, Occupy Dallas and Occupy Now, and efforts are underway to find a common ground to regroup as one again. The two groups met at Pioneer Plaza and exchanged greetings before going their separate ways. Occupy Now holds daily general meetings at Main street park, several blocks east of Pegasus Plaza.

more photos here 

Downtown Neimans Now a Little Less Festive After Protestors Throw Fake Blood on Windows

Make sure you know that there are now 2 separate local Occupy groups one known as "Occupy Dallas " and one know as "Occupy Now" this was an event of the "Occupy Now" group. This "split camp" is what the article is talking about.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/OccupyNow/302718846423919


A few minutes ago, Occupy Dallas posted to its Facebook page a note that two of its former members -- which is to say, the group of protesters who split the camp before Dallas Police broke it up last week -- were arrested for decorating the downtown Neiman Marcus with a little fake blood. We're trying to confirm the arrests with DPD, but as you can see from Leslie's freshly snapped photo, yup, some of its holiday windows are now a little less festive.

Ginger Reeder, veep of corporate communications for Neimans, reminds us today: Every Friday after Thanksgiving, animal-rights activists pay a visit to Neimans locations across the country. This year was no different, except this time, in downtown Dallas, they were joined by members of OccupyNOW, who posted to their Facebook page this morning the heads-up that they were celebrating "National Buy Nothing Day with Animal Connections of Texas [by protesting] at Neiman Marcus for Fur Free Friday on behalf of the 5th grievance of OWS."

Update at 1:35 p.m.: DPD spokesman Sherri Jeffrey confirms that "two people were arrested for criminal mischief," but that police "can't confirm their affiliation with anything." Sgt. Steve Toth told Leslie that the incident occurred at around 11 this morning, and that animal-rights protestors have disavowed their association with the act of vandalism; they told the officer that "this was probably done in a moment of desperation" by the Occupiers who'd hitched a ride.

Update: According to the police report, the two men involved -- 21-year-old named Matthew Markovitch and 19-year-old Zechariah Thomas Vasquez -- did around $3,000 worth of damage. 

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Occupy Dallas " It's a new day!" Declaration of the Occupation

"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream." – John Lennon

November 23, 2011
“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…”

Introduction

“What is Occupy Dallas?”

#OccupyDallas is a movement in the city of Dallas, Tx that began when 1200 individuals marched from Pike Park to the Federal Reserve Bank on Oct. 6th, 2011. They stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall St—also known as #OWS—and wish to draw public attention to the social inequality, economic injustice and political corruption affecting the 99%. The saying “99%” refers to citizens of the United States who make less than the top 1% of wage earners. #OccupyDallas is only one of 2,609 cities across the world participating in globally organized demonstrations.

OccupyDallas attends state, national and international conferences regularly. On a state level, conference calls are used to coordinate efforts and create a cohesive message throughout the state of Texas. Information is passed from state to state usually through the use of e-mail lists, social media and by phone. International Assemblies are held throughout the week which are hosted by the Indignados/M15 movement in Spain through the use of a communications program called Mumble.

Current Events: On November 16th at 11:46 at night an e-mail was released by Mary Suhm, a City Manager of Dallas, indicating she had given the police permission to clear out the encampment behind City Hall. Over 150 police officers, 15 horse mounted officers, a police helicopter, an LRAD weapon and 70 Police SUVs were involved in the removal of the OccupyDallas camp. At the heart of the encampment, riot police found 5 women and 12 men holding American flags and reciting the pledge of allegiance.

Police Chief Brown of the Dallas Police Department has defending the action claiming that no extra tax dollars were spent during the raid and that these precautions were necessary to protect the officers.
The Cause
Despite what appears to be a common media gaffe, Occupy Dallas has clearly outlined the reason for their presence several times. OccupyDallas demonstrates for the following reasons:

Social Issues:

Unfair treatment and discrimination against individuals based on Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Race, National Origin, Physical Ability or any other factor that minimizes any person’s individual worth
The commoditization of individual privacy
Profit driven news sources with individual agendas
Narrow definitions of what constitutes a family;

Political Issues:

Widespread deregulation that has eliminated common sense regulations that have insured long term prosperity and protection from predatory business practices
A Tax code that is cumbersome and rife with loopholes and language that favors an economic minority at the expense of the majority of wage earners
A Supreme Court decision that has put into place the unprecedented concept of extending first amendment protections to political donations
Jeopardizing the future of social security through investiture and privatization schemes
By reducing funding to our education system our future generations are provided a lesser education that previous generations received because of increased class size and reduced resources
Because of decreasing funding individuals are saddled with higher student loan debt
A political system where even the most perfunctory tasks of government are partisan battles;

Economic Issues:

A general degradation of the employer and employee relationship namely
a. the practice referred to as “dead peasants” insurance policies where by companies profit from the death of individuals.
b. the elimination of traditional pension and retirement arrangements in favor of 401 (k) investment vehicles.
c. outsourcing of jobs
d. eliminating paid sick leave
e. eliminating paid maternity leave
f. relying on part-time workers rather than investing in full time employees
g. scheduling work hours to insure that employees cannot obtain offered benefits
h. failing to provide a livable wage
i. reducing and eliminating employer based health care coverage
Incredible income disparity between management and employees.
Active discouragement and intimidation of unionization of the workforce
Instituting illogical accounting practices
Engaging in unethical business practices that jeopardize the long term financial stability of the country
Viewing financial profit as more important than the individual worth of a people.

In addition, OccupyDallas has strategically targeted a variety of financial institutions throughout the city. OccupyDallas has outlined in various actions, blogs and news articles the following:

Due to the irresponsible and criminal actions of a few giant multinational financial institutions, the late 2000’s will forever be remembered as the age of the Great Global Recession. The United States government gave billions and billions of dollars to these crooked financial institutions claiming they were “too big to fail” and that their demise would crash our economy for sure. A portion of the tax dollars that had been given to these banks landed back in the pockets of the same politicians in the form of campaign contributions. In a similar fashion, the executives of these banks gave themselves exuberant bonuses and used taxpayer dollars to buy private jets, fund luxurious retreats and even to pay for country club memberships.

Where do we go from here?

By consensus of the General Assembly of Dallas, OccupyDallas has decided to continue with a 24/7 protest. We feel the forced removal of our camp violated the agreement with City Hall. The raid did however give our organizers enough time to contemplate a better alternative to staying put out of sight. The following is a description of how our occupation will continue:

A single city block has been selected at the heart of downtown Dallas. It has been strategically chosen due to it’s relevance to our cause. This city block has four intersections and each intersection has four corners. The 16 corners of this block will now be occupied.

This occupation will be unlike others. We will not sleep. There will no longer be a distinction between an occupier and a supporter. All supporters that join us on a daily basis will be occupiers. Utilizing crosswalks and sidewalks our occupiers will not be subject to selective enforcement of sidewalk codes by the Dallas Police Department. This more visible public display will help highlight Mayor Rawlings and City Manager Mary Suhm’s wasteful use of DPD resources.

We will have mobile power units that can be used to charge cell phones, laptops and power 24/hr live streaming broadcasts. Occupiers will come and go as they are able; some will rotate in designated shifts. All protesters will carry signage relevant to our cause. We will hold teach-ins at parks located in the heart of downtown to educate the people about corporate greed and political corruption among other things. We will continue to collect donations for our cause from citizens of the city to feed our occupiers and winterize our movement.

Where our occupation behind city hall was concealed and motionless, our occupation in the heart of Dallas will be jubilant and animated. Before, where we were unknown, we will now be outstanding and recognizable. Our message will be clear and concise. Our ranks will swell and our voices will be heard.

To those that wish to hide the atrocities committed by our government and our global financial institutions, let it be known: We will out you. We will expose you as the enemy of JUSTICE and EQUALITY.

We will not go home!

The location for our Occupation of Downtown Dallas will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 23rd.

Thank you.

###

If you would like to donate towards food or winter gear, you can do so online here: https://www.wepay.com/donate/131845?ref=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=donation

If you would like more information regarding the Occupation of Downtown Dallas, e-mail us here: OccupyOps@gmail.com

Press Release: OccupyDallas to host Thanksgiving lunch

OccupyDallas to host Thanksgiving lunch

Dallas, TX, November 21, 2011 — One week after the police raid on their camp, members of OccupyDallas will be hosting a Thanksgiving Day lunch at Pioneer Plaza. The meal is being coordinated with supporters and will be served at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Since city manager Mary Suhm rescinded her agreement with protesters and ordered the police raid which saw 18 arrested for a ‘missing curfew’
charge last Thursday, the OccupyDallas movement has continued moving forward. The group has continued to hold their General Assembly meetings in downtown parks and marched Saturday to support other movements who were also raided by police last week. During Monday’s assembly the protesters reached consensus on a proposal to begin occupying at a new location downtown. They have not announced the location or when they will begin this new occupation.
Thanksgiving Day will mark the beginning of the eighth week since protests began and will involve a community meal at 11:30 a.m. followed by a group discussion on the future of the movement.
For more information, contact Michael Prestonise at 214-293-0548 or news@occupydallas.org. More information, including additional multimedia content, can also be found at www.occupydallas.org.

The OccupyDallas movement began Thursday, Oct 6 with a march from Pike Park to the Federal Reserve building. Over 1,000 people gathered to protest corporate greed and money influencing the government. The movement included more than 100 members occupying City Hall Park in downtown, with hundreds more joining in for marches to various corporations and banks throughout the city. On Thursday, Nov 17, Dallas police raided the camp and arrested protesters. The group has since gone mobile and continues to protest downtown. OccupyDallas stands in solidarity with similar Occupy movements happening across the nation and the world, including the original Occupy Wall Street protest that featured tens of thousands of marchers and continues to grow.

The People's Response "occupies" George W. Bush speech in Irving, TX 11/17/2011

The People's Response, CodePINK Women for Peace, and the Dallas Peace Center held a silent vigil outside the Irving Convention Center where former president George W. Bush spoke on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011,

Codepink Dallas "Occupies" Donald Rumsfeld Plano event!

The Dallas Peace Center, CodePINK Women for Peace, and Veterans for Peace confronted former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Spring Creek Campus of Collin County Community College on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011.

Occupy Dallas regroups today for 12 lunch and 1pm march

March Against Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security!

#OccupyDallas, the United Steelworkers Local 9479, North Texas Jobs With Justice, Texas Alliance of Retired Americans, and all like minded labor unions and progressive organizations call for a MASS MARCH and DEMONSTRATION on November 19, 2011.

Working class individuals of Dallas-Fort Worth, and associated labor organizations will march in solidarity with ALL workers internationally, to highlight the ills of an economic and political system that continues to exploit and oppress the peoples for the profit of a select few individuals. The time to fight US Austerity is NOW!!!

WORKERS UNITE AGAINST CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID!!

In the United States, as in states all across the planet, we suffer under austerity measures that put forth a seemingly never ending attack on workers, their families, and the institutions that benefit all individuals in a positive manner. This attack comes at the hands of corrupt governments, a globally oppressive economic regime, and environmentally destructive policies, that will leave society in shambles if we fail to stand and unite together in the fight for social justice and economic equality.

Join the Workers and the People in a sign of strength and unity as we march for power; People Power.

Meet at Pioneer Plaza in Dallas, TX on November 19, 2011 @ 1pm. Be prepared to take to the streets, to let your voices be heard, and to demand that the government give in to the demands of those who will no longer allow it to rule in the interests of corporations and the elite.

We will have a march through downtown, stopping at Main St. Garden Park for speakers and Chants.

Bring water, signs, banners, bullhorns, and a strong will, and your friends and family!!

Email peoples.assembly.dallas@gmail.com or occupydallasoutreach@gmail.com for more information.

In DFW, Ben & Jerry's founders dish out support for Occupy protesters

         HIGHLAND VILLAGE -- Ben Cohen, half of the idealistic entrepreneur team behind Ben & Jerry's Homemade, was supposed to start a busy Thursday in North Texas dispensing free scoops of ice cream to Occupy Dallas protesters.
But Big D police cleared the City Hall park before a lick of Chunky Monkey could be handed out. Occupy Dallas then asked Cohen, through the local Ben & Jerry's franchisee, Hunter Rose, to bring ice cream to the more than 50 demonstrators at Lew Sterrett Justice Center. But arranging permission to drop off the desserts, let alone scoop out single portions inside the Dallas County Jail, was insurmountable at short notice, Rose said.
Cohen's partner, Jerry Greenfield, says he too supports the Occupy movement, though he is not as active as Cohen. Both are 60.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/17/3534943/in-dfw-ben-jerrys-founders-dish.html#ixzz1e4EKiXqg

Occupy Donald Rumsfeld in Plano tonight!

Hold Donald Rumsfeld Accountable

because the effects of war crimes last forever

Come to a silent protest at Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus which is hosting Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and master mind behind the War on Iraq. Shouldn't we be arresting him instead of paying him speaker fees?
He is here to plug his book, Known and Unknown: A Memoir. Known: We do not condone his policy, his book, or his actions! Unknown: Will you join us in holding him accountable for his actions? WEAR WHITE!
When: Friday, November 18, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX
Meet at the East Entrance where the flags are (MAP)
Contact: Adrian Sierra, 972-371-2403 
For additional information contact Leslie cell is 214-437-6047.

Action Alert : Arrest Bush Thursday in Las Colinas! 11/17/11, 5:00pm

What? Protest to call for the arrest of George W. Bush for war crimes and candlelight vigil to remember the war dead.
When? Thursday, November 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where? In front of Irving Convention Center, 500 Las Colinas Blvd, Las Colinas, TX.
Why? We must hold government officials accountable for illegal actions, so that subsequent administrations won't commit the same crimes. Accountability deters recidivism!

On Thursday, November 17, George W. Bush will be speaking at the Irving Convention Center at a fundraiser for Real Choices, a group whose mission statement says, "Who can save one life?" Please join us at 5:00 pm for a peaceful, nonviolent, silent protest reminding people of the thousands of lives that have been lost due to the policies of the Bush administration and to call for the arrest of George W. Bush for war crimes.

We will be doing street theater, reprising the "March of the Dead (http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/medea-benjamin-death-marchers-haunt-new.html)," in respect and mourning for those killed at the hands of the Bush administration. All you need to bring is yourself, DRESSED IN ALL BLACK (or as dark as possible). We will provide everything else: the white death masks and placards with names and ages of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to wear around our necks, as well as signs and banners which speak to our message: ARREST BUSH; WAGING WARS OF AGGRESSION IS ILLEGAL UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW; MR. BUSH - TURN YOURSELF IN!; BUSH CHOSE DEATH FOR 5,000 AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND THOUSANDS OF IRAQIS; GOT HYPOCRISY?; TORTURE IS ILLEGAL; TORTURE IS IMMORAL; TORTURE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE; ARREST CRIMINALS - DON'T PAY THEM TO SPEAK; IRAQ: HOW MANY LIVES?; WAR IS TERROR; WE ARE THE 99% AND WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!, etc.

As it grows dark, we will have a candlelight vigil (materials provided), followed by some chants and song.

There is no public parking anywhere near the convention center, so you can either: 1) meet us at 4:30pm at the Corner Bakery (118 E John Carpenter Fwy # 100, Irving, TX) for last-minute briefing and to consolidate cars (which will then park in the parking garage), or, 2) just park in the parking garage at the convention center and then join us outside in front of the building (we will be out there by 5:00pm). Try to make it by 5:00, but if you have to be late, that's okay, just drive directly to the parking garage and then come outside to meet us
.
Co-sponsored by CodePINK Greater Dallas and the Dallas Peace Center.
Contact: jharris866@aol.com; ttrr@sbcglobal.net


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ACTION ALERT : Silent Protest of Donald Rumsfeld at Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus this Friday at 6 pm

********ACTION ALERT, ACTION ALERT**********

Silent Protest at Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus this Friday at 6 pm. Come out to protest the hosting of Donald Rumsfeld (former U.S. Secretary of Defense and master mind behind the War on Iraq) here to promote his book 'Known and Unknown: A Memoir'......... Known: We do not condone his policy, his book, or his actions! WEAR WHITE And see you there at 6PM SHARP!!! Keep the PEACE!!!



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Occupy Dallas says thanks to veterans !