OccupYrDisaster: OYC and OSD help out Occupy Sandy

Throughout Late October and November, the members of OYC and OSD put out a call to all of the activists throughout the San Diego region to step up and send support over to our sisters and brothers in the Northeast after the Hurricane Sandy, the government's subsequent failures in the rescue and clean-up, and Occupy Sandy's stepping up and taking control of the situation. Thank you to all of the compassionate and concerned folks who helped us generate over $300 to buy supplies, pay for shipping, plus the tons of donated goods and materials to those in need. Below is the blow by blow Facebook updates over the entire experience:

Initial Call to Action: 

Why don't we all collect at least one or three items from your home you don't need - a shirt or two, that extra roll of paper towels you got at the dollar store, that unused sponge under the sink, the loaf of bread or package of ramen you just got, those candles in your drawer, a towel, some trash bags, that plastic party silverware you have lying around, and bring it to GA today. And bring a dollar or two. Then, get a big box. Arrange for someone who isn't busy tomorrow to go around to other Activists homes who have something to give (plus a buck or two) and grab everything, put it in the box (maybe even two boxes), put a letter inside that says "Occupy San Diego Loves New York City" and send it to one of these addresses on Monday: http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/

Shipment 1:

Shipment #1 was getting needed supplies to Occupiers we know on the ground that requested them specifically and are directly helping people on Staten Island in tendem with the work the churches are doing. This was done to circumvent the overloaded hubs of materials they have become so quickly. If you look at the buzzfeed link, there are too many clothes, but not enough people getting them out. Remember: stores in those areas are washed out too, which is why they are asking for things like batteries, first aid supplies, and candles.

First Aid supplies, batteries, candles, flashlights, feminine products, 3 pairs of gloves, 6 pairs of heavy socks, trash bags, lighters, soaps, a heavy jacket, paper towels, toilet paper, aspirin, tea lights, crackers, and some other items... we'll be collecting stuff to send two more times this week...

Shipment 2:
Last night we sent out a variety of donated goods to our contact in Staten Island in three boxes: A blanket, 2 pairs of gloves, 3 hats, a Sweater, and all-weather pants from Uma; packs of plastic utensils and plates from Tammy and Mr. Tammy; a heavy jackets and warm clothes form MelDoc; as well as 20 batteries, and $75 worth of Visa gift cards.

Shipment 3:
Last night we had an Anonymous donor drop off a box of multiple work gloves, multiple packs of batteries, a bunch of filter masks, and little flashlights; Chris W dropped off a heavy jacket, and James dropped off a bunch of sweaters. We also are almost caught up on our donated funds for shipping, and have a few people who are planning on dropping off some supplies for tomorrow's mailing. Thank you to everyone for making this possible for our sister, brothers, and family in the Northeast... I hear it's snowing out there.

Thank you to Josephine, who just dropped off 5 bags of items: a blanket, garbage bags, ziploc bags, rubber boots, rubber gloves, non-perishables, candles, flashlights, feminine products, cleaning products, soaps, utensils, and paper cups.

Also thank you to Tracey who dropped off batteries, flashlights, rubber gloves, and other supplies. Another thank you to James and Chris for dropping off warm weather gear. And I know more is on the way! A thank you to all who donated toward the shipping funds... 


Shipment 4...

Another two boxes sent out to Occupy Sandy - Staten Island today: This time filled with three sweaters, a ton of plastic cups and utensils, hangers, wipes, gloves, and a rain poncho. Also, we've received another $30 (Thank you Pat and Nicholas) in donations tonight, and $60 earlier in the week (thank you Linda and Larry). Much love to all who have been helping this a successful event of solidarity.

A drop off of candles, towels, and gift card from Wendy Sue to add to the pile for Occupy Sandy - Staten Island. We're going to wait one more day for more supplies to roll in and use the overage for gift cards, but our contact on Staten Island asked that we shift our attention to these types of items: clean up and first aid. Masks (they desperately need masks as they are having to change them once an hour the air in the clean-up zones is so toxic);  Work gloves; Goggles; Heavy Duty Trash Bags; Flashlights and Batteries; First Aid supplies (band-aids, bandages, etc.)

Shipment 5...
Our Final Shipment to Occupy Sandy/Staten Island as we move our energies toward the Occupy Sandy SoCal Relief Effort... thank you to Linda, Wendy Sue, and Todd for the work gloves, candles, head lamps, batteries, thermals, towels, matches, and $25 Gift card from WOSD...

It's time to step up the efforts:
Occupy Sandy SoCal Relief Effort 

Melissa, Doc, and Ponsler are planning to go to NY to help with the cleanup of the worse hit areas. What we wanted to do was fill up say a ten foot uhaul with as many cleanup supplies as possible, such as gloves, masks, rope and medical supplies. This is a chance to really make a dent in the needs over there rather than just skim the surface. This will take our community working together like we have before with the Occupy Walk and the Occupy Congress DC trip except this time it's not for a political statement, this time its to help people who are in desperate need. It's time to really see what it is we are about. 

We need to raise money to rent a uhaul plus we need coordination to amass supplies. We should be connecting with all of our networks to pull this off. 

Learn More at http://www.facebook.com/groups/occupysandysocalrelief/

OYC Anniversary, Walkout On Walmart, and more...

OYC Anniversary! One Year Later!

A wonderful Corner Occupation in commemoration of the OYC 1-year Anniversary! Thank you to the 9 Occupiers who joined me back where we started, handing out hundreds of flyers about Ditching The Banks, Joining Credit Unions, Overturning Citizens United, Stopping the For Profit Prison System, Why We Are Protesting, and Breaking Up Bank of America. We had many conversations with passer-by, honks and waves, dancing in the cross walks, and shout outs! 

Thank you everyone for the amazing year!

Walk Out On Walmart - Black Friday Rally

Thanks to everyone who came out to the College Grove Walmart Rally... there were about 60+ activists and concerned people there from OSD, ISO, OSDLSC, OYC, OUR Walmart, UDW, UFCW, Union del Barrio, ASD, CAPB, CFAC, IWW, Occupy City Heights, Occupy Riders and more... thanks to Cathy, Nexus, Larry, and Damaso for helping hold down a corner in the parking lot today with me away from the masses and having informative conversations and visibility to the shoppers about the unfair labor practices of WalMart and the benefits of supporting their right to unionize and demand better conditions!

"We Support Walmart Workers!"

NO ON 32 Corner Occ

On November 5th, right before the elections, we had an amazing Corner Occupation with 8 Occupiers and one hop-on taking over 30th Street and University getting the word out about No on 32 to the pedestrians and people with signs and flyers, as well as chatting up folks about 30 and 37. We even had three Filner fanatics walk up with No on 32 t-shirts and buttons to make the corners even more crowed. Many people had already voted No, or knew to vote No, or were excited to find out they could vote No. No one likes a Super PAC, it seems! Thanks to Alan, Larry, Michael,Eva, Linda, River, Jay, oh and Lolo Jones for making a special appearance in 2-D!

Random Table Tent Sighting!

Thanks Josephine! Can't believe these are still around!

(Thanks all the photographers who shared shots from these important events)

OYC Halloween and the OSD/OLB/OYC YES ON 37 Campaign

Members from OccupYrCorner, Occupy San Diego, Women Occupy San Diego, and Overpass Light Brigade - San Diego were super busy in October leading up to the elections to put as much pressure on the masses to open their minds and vote responsibly on labeling GMOs and knowing what is in their food! Getting out in the streets, on the overpasses, and into Farmer's Markets, the activists throughout San Diego made a statement about Food Justice!

Although the prop lost by a few points, it has sparked a wildfire across the nation with 10 states pushing through their own initiatives, city councils taking on discussions, and the case being brought to the Supreme Court! We may have lost the battle, but we are going to win this War!

Here are some shots of different, self-styled Corner Occupations taking place across San Diego! 

Here are some shots from the Overpass Light Brigade's valiant efforts!

Here is the Monster of Monsanto joining in on the fun Halloween Night! 

Notes from the Field:

"We Occupied Balboa/Genesee w/our Yes on 37. Had a really good crowd, Mitchell, Pat, Martha, Andra (so cute) Marion and her husband and my neighbor a few streets over. I dropped off a Yes on 37 sign but she was gone. I told her husband where we would be and she joined us. We also had San Diego's Finest to protect us. They asked who was in charge. I told him we were leaderless and we didn't know what we were doing." - Jo

(Thanks all the photographers who shared shots from these important events)

OYC helps the Occupied Puppetistas SD!

As we've been taking corner occupations and sidewalk marches to new levels, we've joined many members of Occupy San Diego to form the Occupied Puppetistas to up our ante on getting the attention of the sleeping masses. With large 12-foot puppets, specially designed model drones, and other interesting props we've been marching with Occupiers, Veterans, Activists, Concerned Citizens, and Union members to get the message into people's minds that the power is in their hands...

The beginning sketches...

Occupied Puppetisas creative forces in action to build the Angel of Debt!

For the late summer, OccupYrCorner and members Occupy San Diego have been working on a 12 foot tall, 3-person puppet we call "The Angel of Debt".

OYC and the Puppetistas join Occupy San Diego and Women Occupy San Diego to inform the masses about the Yes on 37 Campaign to label GMOs

Working toward the S17 Occupy Wall Street Anniversary, we joined forces with Women Occupy San Diego to take over one of the more highly visible bridges over a main artery in San Diego during the busiest part of the day to bring the power back to the people and get the public informed and activated about labeling GMOs in California and the evils of Monsanto. As a bell-weather on the issue, if California passes this prop, it will filter throughout the country, bringing more information and choices per food item to the nation on what is healthy and what is genetically modified poison parading as convenient foods. The "Monster of Monsanto" was a hit, and we crafted the puppet to be a modular concept, using multi-colored cloth to symbolize the wide-reaching effects of debt, GMOs, Walmart's destructive practices, immigration and deportation, and the ravages of war as we modify the sign (using chalk... "Chalkupy!") and the form of the Angel to bring the message home to the masses! 

OYC and the Puppetistas march with the Unions at San Diego's Largest Rally against Walmart to date!

Joining forces with the Unions and many other local organizations, the Puppetistas marched with the crowds though Sherman Heights to call attention to the evils of Wal-mart. Remamning the Angel "Wal-Muerte" we took to the streets to end up in front of the location a new Wal-mart is opening up, which was approved under suspicious circumstances and against the wills of the neighborhoods and people of Sherman Heights.

Occupy San Diego Anniversary March with Veterans For Peace in Commemoration of the 11-year War in n Afghanistan

Occupy San Diego, Women Occupy San Diego, OccupYrCorner, the Occupied Puppetistas, Occupy City Heights, ISO, Canvass for a Cause, PLI, and many more joined Veterans for Peace to celebrate Occupy San Diego's 1 year Anniversary and to commemorate the 11 year war in Afghanistan. We raced to get together our latest Puppet: The Peaceful Protester! Here's the Puppetistas in action that day...

(Thank you to all of our photographers and videographers, Occupiers, Veterans, Activists, Concerned Citizens, and Union Members who have helped make all of this possible...)