Along with Silas and Duncan, I was also able to visit Occupy Vancouver last weekend and would agree that it was the most hopeful and active congregation that I have witnessed in a long time. We made it in time for the general assembly which I too thought was both beautiful and frustrating. One of the moments I enjoyed most was the reading of the working statement of unity using the human mic.
Occupy Vancouver - A Non Violent Movement for Social, Economic and Political Change
We, the Ninety-Nine Percent, come together with our diverse experiences to transform the unequal, unfair, and growing disparity in the distribution of power and wealth in our city and around the globe. We challenge corporate greed, corruption, and the collusion between corporate power and government. We oppose systemic inequality, militarization, environmental destruction, and the erosion of civil liberties and human rights. We seek economic security, genuine equality, and the protection of the environment for all.
We are inspired and in solidarity with global movements including those across the Middle East, Europe, and the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together movement in over 1000 cities in North America. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
We humbly acknowledge that Occupy Vancouver is taking place on unceded Coast Salish territories.
We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming space, to addressing issues of oppression and discrimination, and to creating an environment where all the 99% can be heard and can meaningfully participate. We are also committed to safeguarding our collective well-being – including safety from interpersonal violence and any potential police violence.
Reading this statement aloud reminded me not only of a liturgical church service but also of the statement of diversity which I have argeed to abide by upon accepting a new position of employment.
We are children, youth, adults and seniors.
We are of all races, all religions, all cultures, all abilities, all sexual orientation, and all economic levels.
We speak many languages.
We value diversity. We endeavour to reflect this diversity in our volunteers, board and staff. We respect all our neighbours and clients and extend our respect to them in all that we do. Therefore, we will act to promote inclusion of all in our agency and in our community.
We are of all races, all religions, all cultures, all abilities, all sexual orientation, and all economic levels.
We speak many languages.
We value diversity. We endeavour to reflect this diversity in our volunteers, board and staff. We respect all our neighbours and clients and extend our respect to them in all that we do. Therefore, we will act to promote inclusion of all in our agency and in our community.
Something I find interesting about these two statements is that they center on the value of all people.
One of my good friends wrote his protest sign on the back of his jacket; it reads “People before Profit”.
During the general assembly I can recall at least two people calling out to the crowd through the human mic “I love you all”.
Currently, my favourite song is “We Found Love” by Rihanna. Aside from one other verse, the song repeats the words “we found love in a hopeless place” to a sweet techno beat. At the next general assembly I might suggest that we adopt this as the Occupy Vancouver theme song because the protestors are creating love in a hopeless place by committing to inclusion, practicing consensus and hearing all voices. They have me amped!
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