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Occupy Philly tables decision on whether to get permit; Mayor Nutter (updated: will not) provide electric feed for Phillies game
Occupy Philly protesters held a lengthy meeting last night to decide two questions: whether or not to accept "fiscal sponsorship" from Jobs With Justice - meaning they would use that nonprofit's tax-exempt status to receive donations; and whether or not to apply for a permit for the demonstration from the city. Also, Mayor Nutter's spokesman said the city would look into helping the group watch the Phillies game.
Occupy Philly tables decision on whether to get permit; Mayor Nutter (updated: will not) provide electric feed for Phillies game
Occupy Philly protesters held a lengthy meeting last night to decide two questions: whether or not to accept "fiscal sponsorship" from Jobs With Justice — meaning they would use that non-profit's tax-exempt status to receive donations; and whether or not to apply for a permit for the demonstration from the city. Also, Mayor Nutter's spokesman said the city would look into helping the group watch the Phillies game.
The Occupy Philly protesters have formed several committees — in charge of everything from sanitation to media outreach to security and safety. Each committee gave a brief report before the assembly moved on to the agenda.
The process by which these decisions were made was a consensus-based vote of the "General Assembly" — essentially, as many members of the group who cared to participate in the meeting, easily more than a hundred people last night.
Each item up for a vote was explained to the crowd. Following that, the speakers facilitated clarifying questions from the crowd. Following that, members were invited to share their opinions. Next step: a non-binding straw poll, to see how close the group was to consensus.
The first item — fiscal sponsorship — passed muster, though not before crowd members asked several questions, including whether accepting de facto nonprofit status was an endorsement of the U.S. tax system.
The decision whether to apply for a permit was tabled, after the group came close — but apparently not close enough — to a near-consensus on the matter. Mayor spokesman Mark McDonald, present for the entire meeting, made it clear that the city would grant the permit more or less immediately. While the group itself would have to submit a timeline for the event, McDonald seemed unconcerned about the duration.
"If we have to renew it, we'll renew it," McDonald told CP.
After the vote was tabled — it will be taken up again today — McDonald told City Paper:
"In a city steeped in the traditions of Quakerism, the General Assembly has decided that they want a greater consensus — even though overwhelmingly the vote was in favor of getting a permit. But I understand."
"They're also asking for an electric feed so they can have a TV to watch the baseball game tomorrow night," McDonald added. "We have to check, but we will certainly give it every consideration."
More Occupy Philly stuff:
- Check out Daniel Denvir's opinion piece: Occupy Philly should apply for the permit.
- Check out my latest Man Overboard! column: Occupy Philly owes no justification of itself.
- Follow both of us — @danieldenvir and @isaiah_thompson on Twitter for updates.
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