http://occupytogether.com/forum/categories/event-proposals/feed.rss Thu, 23 May 13 04:39:51 -0600 Event Proposals en-CA http://occupytogether.com/forum/discussion/2183/occupy-concert-tour Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:22:16 -0700 PeaceDizzle 2183@/forum/discussions http://occupytogether.com/forum/discussion/2213/wm3-west-memphis-3 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:42:51 -0700 ufomike 2213@/forum/discussions
The essence of the prosecution's case was that these teenagers were Satanists and killed the children in a cult ritual. There was never any evidence whatsoever that this was true, although one "witness" testified that she had attended a Satanic ritual with one of the suspects (later, after the crimes but before he was arrested). She later recanted her testimony, stating that she was pressured into falsely testifying by the police who promised to "help her" with *her* legal problems (a history of writing numerous bad checks). The police apparently told her that they knew the teenagers were guilty, but needed more witnesses to convict them. Note: You may recall that 1993 was the first of the Clinton years, and Tipper Gore was on the Witch Hunt of the century. She's the one who pushed for ratings on "Heavy Metal" records, and is just one of the many who were caught up in the Satanic Panic that was sweeping through the Bible Belt at that time.

There were no hairs, fibers, skin cells, saliva, footprints, or finger prints from any of the defendants at the crime scene. After 15 years in prison, DNA evidence from the case was finally tested (no such tests back in 1993), and it excludes all three men who were convicted. Even so, the State of Arkansas refused to let them out until they copped an Alford plea (proclaiming their innocence, while acknowledging that evidence against them may convince a jury of their guilt). The prosecutor said this was in the interest of "finality" and would save the State from possible lawsuits totaling millions of dollars when the Supreme Court heard the new DNA results (and would therefore throw out their convictions). They were finally released after spending 18 years in prison. They each also received a 10-year suspended sentence. Although the Governor of Arkansas (Mike Beebe) has granted over 400 pardons while in office, he refuses to even consider a pardon for these men until their 10-year suspended sentences are up. That makes a total of 28 years served for a crime they (probably) didn't commit, and then they will probably be pardoned.

HBO has produced three separate (2-hour) documentaries about this case over the past 10 years, and it definitely looks like a horrible miscarriage of justice. Many people are infuriated by the case; the men convicted have over 18,500 supporters on their Facebook page!
If nothing else, I feel it would be appropriate to Occupy either the Arkansas State Capitol building (to show support for overturning the convictions) or the Circuit Court building in Jonesboro where they were (most likely) wrongly convicted. There should be a clear message sent to the West Memphis Police Department and circuit court that they cannot wrongly convict innocent people based on how they look. These men, although now free, are convicted murders (although most likely innocent), and the Governor of the state needs to see a group of voters protesting this horrible situation.

If you are interested in learning more about this case, visit their official site at www.wm3.org.

"To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men." -Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1914.]]> http://occupytogether.com/forum/discussion/1993/occupy-the-united-nations Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:53:50 -0700 ladysybilla 1993@/forum/discussions
My nickname is Lady Sybilla, and I'm an OLA (Occupy Los Angeles) blogger. First off, I want to introduce myself and get to know other fellow occupiers from around the world. I also want to submit an event proposal for your consideration: Occupy the UN or Occupy the United Nations.

Why the UN? Because our own government is violating our constitutional rights in more ways than one. That's why I believe it's important for Washington to be held accountable for what it's doing to us.

Even though the UN is pretty much run by the US, it is still worth the try to at least appeal to other countries and bring to their attention the way many of our protesters are being abused by our own government. How is it possible that so many of our protesters are getting arrested for doing peaceful demonstrations? How is it possible that Washington is deliberately violating our constitutional rights with bills like the NDAA and SOPA, while no other entity is there to represent our interests?

If our own government is failing to protect its people, then maybe it's time for the UN to step in and mediate. Please leave me a comment. I'm really curious to find out what you think about my proposal. Whether or not you agree with me, I'm interested in learning about your opinion.]]> http://occupytogether.com/forum/discussion/1985/international-gas Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:15:33 -0700 DeavO 1985@/forum/discussions
Whereas, a global crisis of social inequality haunts virtually every nation across this planet.

Whereas, the international Power elite actively seek to acquire and consolidate political and economic power in the hands of the few.

Whereas, global institutions of governance have subsequently become manipulated to this end.

We, the international 99% hereby propose, in the name of equality, predicated upon a foundation of universal liberty and in solidarity with all humankind, the meeting of an international GA to be held on the 23rd of January, 2013 in the City of Tunis, Tunisia.

The aim of this meeting shall be to establish international ties between occupations in all countries so as to unite in our common fight against international corporate hegemony.

The participants in this meeting are to be selected by the independent processes of their respective Occupations from points around the world.]]>