Occupy Monterey Discusses Next Phase of Occupation

Since November 5, Occupy Monterey has been operating with a permit that the group drafted itself. The permit was submitted to and approved by the City of Monterey, and it allows for the assembly of people at Colton Hall (which is home to Monterey's City Hall), as well as camping at Veteran's Memorial Park, for those involved with the occupation. Shortly before Christmas day, the City of Monterey decided not to renew Occupy Monterey's permit. At Occupy Monterey's December 31 general assembly, community members discussed the urgency of attending the Monterey City Council meeting on January 3 to ask council members to allow the group to appeal the city's decision to not renew their permit.

Community members involved with Occupy Monterey also discussed a variety of options on how to move forward with their occupation, informally referring to the plans as "Occupy 2.0." Several of those in attendance at the general assembly stated they would potentially participate in acts of civil disobedience, and even get arrested if the planned action was appropriate. Some members discussed other occupation locations, both for the daytime protest as well as other camping sites, but the group reached consensus and decided to first seek an appeal with the city with regards to the denial of their self-drafted permit.

Currently, people are camping and there are approximately 20 tents set up at the Occupy Monterey campsite at Veteran's Memorial Park, but food and wood donations from the public have dropped off significantly since the news of the city's decision not to renew the permit has spread.

The permit technically expires on January 5, 2012 if the city does not either grant Occupy Monterey an extension or full renewal.

Occupy Monterey is asking that community members arrive at Colton Hall on January 3 before the 7pm city council meeting time, during which the group will have a chance to speak before the Monterey City Council and request that the permit appeal issue be agendized for the January 17 meeting.

On Saturday, January 7, Occupy Monterey is planning a 'Move Your Money' protest at Chase Bank at 12pm. For more information, see:
http://www.occupymontereypeninsula.org/content/move-your-money-and-protest-chase-bank

For more information about Occupy Monterey, see:
http://www.occupymontereypeninsula.org


Alex Darocy
http://alexdarocy.blogspot.com/