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"What's on your mind?">
The~Garden~Cultured~Home~Economic~Network
Special Events +1
Jason G. Gibson
Organic Ranger
1 post
Feb 15, 2009
3:25 PM
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Portland's Town Hall Meeting on the Economic Crisis
by Workers Action
I had the opportunity to particpate in the Town Hall Brainstorm which recently occured in Portland Oregon. Below is a re-print of an article which can be found @
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/04/18568377.php
I was privy to attend the Local Alternatives to Corporate Economy think tank and was privledged, along with others, to address a most creative collective of 75-100 heads.
Below is the score...
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Wednesday Feb 4th, 2009 8:38 PM
On January 31st, Portland Oregon held an important — perhaps historic — mass meeting in response to the economic crisis.
Dozens of unions and other progressive organizations were able to attract over 800 people to hear an analysis of the crisis itself, proposed solutions, and a variety of workshops which included everything from labor rights, trade and immigration, and a "green economy." It is believed that this was the first such event in the country.
The meeting started off with a bang, as Marty Hart-Landsberg, a professor of economics at Lewis and Clark College, gave a brief history of how the crisis formed, while giving statistics that illuminated the profound severity of the problem. He then noted how minuscule Obama’s "recovery" plan was and advocated instead that people demand more thoroughgoing reforms.
The speaker made it known that Obama and the Democrats were incapable of solving the current crisis, and was thus rewarded by a thunderous applause on numerous occasions. When he noted that US taxpayers should control both Citibank and Bank of America since our tax money makes up more than a majority share, the crowd roared with approval. This was one of many instances where Hart-Landsberg suggested that working people, not private corporations, should be in control of the economy. The speech was by far the most radical of the day, and consequently received the loudest cheers.
Another speaker who made a big impression was author and labor activist David Bacon. Bacon spoke mainly about immigrant’s rights, and made connections between the U.S. international economic policy and the phenomena of migration. His unequivocal support of “all workers” and the need for everybody to enjoy “equal rights” is typically controversial, but received an overwhelming positive response.
Tom Leedham, the principal officer of Teamsters Local 206 and one of the main voices for Teamsters for a Democratic Union, gave an inspiring speech about the ’97 UPS strike. The lesson was obvious: if workers wage an aggressive, fight we can win. Now is the time to go on the offensive!
Other speakers gave passionate speeches, many of which drew parallels between the current crisis and the Great Depression. More than one noted, “We don’t want to rebuild a system that didn’t work in the first place!” to the great pleasure of the crowd.
Left out, however, was genuine crowd participation and concrete demands. It was promised that a similar event would be held on February 18th, where people could bring their specific suggestions on what to do next.
Ultimately, the event showcased the immense interest that new layers of people are having not only in politics, but the kind of grass roots politics which educates working people on the need to organize themselves independently of the two party system, itself dominated by Wall Street, the banks, and corporations.
The atmosphere at the meeting was electric! The town hall was over four hours long, and most of the people who came stayed for the entire program. It is hoped that this meeting was only the beginning towards building a nationwide, working-class solution to the crisis.
http://www.workerscompass.org
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There were 13 groups that coagulated in workshops discussing a broad range of interest's related to sustaining our quality of life.
Rebecca has sent the following links to the groups which were represented...
Dear Allies,
Thanks so much for attending the breakout session on grassroots economies at the Town Hall on Saturday. It was an honor to work with you all to better understand the incredible potential we have to transform our local economy, ourselves.
As promised, here are a couple updates.
Firstly, if you'd like to view and add to a list of grassroots economy-related organizations in Portland, please navigate to
http://dontworry.wikidot.com/relatedorgs
This already has most of organizations on the blackboard on Saturday, and quite a few more. Feel free to add more detail (a brief sentence describing each) and more
organizations. (Of course, please be appropriate.)
Secondly, if you'd like to be added to a list of announcements about related public meetings in the future, please go to...
http://groups.google.com/group/grassrootseconomypdx-announce
Finally, many of you at the session were already deeply involved in organizations or projects to build the grassroots economy in Portland.
As mentioned, there will be a follow-up meeting this coming Sunday, Feb 8, at 10am; we will be presenting ongoing work on establishing infrastructure for the grassroots economy, and fleshing out proposals to
bring to the broader community.
Please note: there is a hard limit of 30 people at the meeting because of space constraints. We are requiring all who would like to attend to RSVP as soon as possible, including a brief description of the roles you're currently playing and what you'd like to get out of this meeting.
If we have space, we'll reply with an email with directions and further details.
For those who can't make it, we'll send out results from that meeting over the announcement list above.
Thanks so much for your investment in an economy of relationships, values, and trust.
In solidarity,
Rebecca, brush, and the Crew.
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The transformation of corporate values is at hand...
over-haul "time as money."
Add Your Comments Here...
Last Edited on 15-Feb-2009 3:30 PM
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sprout
6 posts
Feb 24, 2009
12:37 PM
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Thanks to Ms. Sharol Tilgner and Friends...
Another Sustainable Lifestyle Festival is to be held!
June 27th, 28th 2009
Wise Acres Farm near Eugene Oregon
www.wiseacresfarm.com
541.736.0164
e-mail class@herbaltransitions.com
Last Edited on 24-Feb-2009 12:39 PM
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sprout
Apprentice
11 posts
Mar 11, 2009
9:12 AM
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GGFN: Seed Swap, Buy, 'n' Barter - Solstice Cafe, March 22 Solstice Wood Fire Cafe and Gorge Grown are excited to announce this spring's Gorge SEED SWAP!
Sunday, March 22, 2009 3:30 - 6 PM
Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, Bingen, WA
This year we'll be set up for folks to swap, buy, and barter seeds of all types; this event is open to everyone!
Mark your calendars now, and look for more details soon!
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sprout
Apprentice
13 posts
Jun 03, 2009
12:33 PM
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Dear earth community, family, friends, four leggeds and winged-fin beings...
We’ll be celebrating life again this weekend. The lives of our insect friends, plant friends and animal friends.
It’s time to touch, taste and feel the wonders of our earth. Join us for this year's gathering of earth loving bliss. Come celebrate the sacred moon of life and dance with us around the fire of new beginnings. Open your hearts and your minds and feel-free to come along for this ride.
Event details below:
Much Love –See you soon
Earth Community Alliance
6th Annual June Bug Jamboree Festival
June 5th-7th 2009 Rain or Shine
A Family Friendly Community Event raising Ecological Awareness.
It's high-time to reintegrate with Mother Earth! Let’s join together as One People this coming Strawberry Moon to re-visit the deep... ecology.
This year’s event will be held in the Columbia River Gorge and has blossomed into a sustainable, enlightened and creative alternative to your normal festival gathering.
This is a freeBE by the people for the people.
This event will take place on a friend's property ~ Uncle Samuel’s. We have developed a back woods mountain event for the conscious~active~earth community. The event sight is an ecological wonder and a spiritually uplifting space that few have had the privilege to fully experience.
Our flying fairy buddies will be helping us set up the infrastructure. You need to get yourself and your gear up and out via backpack ~1.5 miles. Some mountain folks will be available for those of you who might need assistance on your hike up and out to the gathering.
Here's what we have in mind...
Live down to earth music
Fun educational workshops
Foot stomping Jamboree’s
Inspirational speakers
Spiritually moving space and peak eco-blooms
Opening Ceremony Friday 6pm
Circle Ceremony Saturday 6pm
Da' Music Line Up:
The Beaver harmonica act Friday 8pm
Domain Friday 9pm
June Bug Jamboree (calling to our ancestors)
Friday 10pm
Amandalyn’s Garden of Change Saturday 8pm
Omiza River Saturday 9pm
Phil the Peddler Saturday 10pm
Jamin Jes Saturday 11pm
June Bug Jamboree (the tribe together again)
Saturday 12pm
...hey there's more!
Workshop Line Up:
The Magic of Birding (w/Wildflower) yes they really can talk Friday around sunset.
Get up and stretch – dance for the day (w/Cedar) yoga – dance 10am-12pm Sat.
Energy cycles in Native Ecosystems (w/Plant Man) touchy feely plants 12pm-2pm Sat.
It’s the little things that count (w/Bug Man) insect ecology from A-Z 2pm-4pm Sat.
Drumming for our animal friends –Bogus Drumming (w/Alan Man) 4pm-5pm Sat.
Bug costumes are strongly encouraged!
Event directions will be available on June 1st only prior to the event via e-mail when you RSVP in advance to info@earthcommunityalliance.org
Directions are being kept confidential, thanks for overstanding, Much Love.
A Wildflower +1
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