Occupy Our Arts, STOP TPP, and Summer 2012

Occupy Our Arts

The members of OccupYrCorner, San Diego have been busy helping other Occupy San Diego events take off, such as the amazing Occupy Our Arts Festival held at the locally historic Freedom Plaza in downtown San Diego. As their material explains:

"The one-day event will highlight the artistic side of the Occupy movement, focusing on the creative arts and bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate our diverse culture. The celebration will feature two stages showcasing music, dance, acrobatics, street theater, comedy and spoken word performances. Displays by local visual artists will include sculpture, photography, painting, spray art and sidewalk chalk drawing. There will also be workshops, ‘Teach Ins’ and interactive art. Participants include artists from WOSD Occupella Chorus, Art of Pride, Art Academy of San Diego, Ballet Folklorico, Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts, Evoke Dance Theater, San Diego Women's Drum Circle, Page to Stage and many more. Parents and their children can participate in crafts, music and dance, ecological projects, face painting, a special parade and a Children’sPeace Garden."

It was a truly amazing experience as hundred of San Diegans poured through the event, enjoying the day, and being reminded that Occupy is still here, there are many issues that have still not gone away, and many new situations that merit every American's attention. But that we are still here, fighting the good fight. Creatively.

Here are some shots from the event (thank you to Occupiers Tammy M., Wendy B., and Adam P.)...

STOP TPP 

The Trans Pacific Partnership would create a super-treaty which would jeopardize the sovereignty of  the nations involved by giving that power to large corporations like Wal Mart, Warners, Sony, BP, JP Morgan, AIG, Veoilia, and Monsanto. And they are having their last round of talks secretly in Sand Diego July 2nd through 10th! But it's not so secret anymore because OccupYrCorner is working with Occupy San Diego, Occupy City Heights, Women Occupy San Diego, and various other organizations to spread awareness and attention to the intensely controversial and extra-legal aspects of these meetings. Here are some facts from the Working Groups's site stoptpp.org:

• There are currently 9 nations involved: US, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Japan, Canada and Mexico have shown interest.
  The economic power of this group is more than 40% larger than the 27- nation European Union.
• The TPP would offshore millions of good-paying jobs to low-wage nations and under-cut working conditions globally increasing unemployment and union labors.
  Allow foreign firms the ability to acquire land, natural resources, and factories without government reviews
• USTR (US Trade Representatives) are pushing for TPP countries to expand pharmaceutical monopoly protections and institute longer patents that will decrease access to affordable medications
• The U.S. would agree to waive Buy America procurement policies for all of the firms operating in the TPP countries
• Limit food GMO labeling and allow the import of goods that do not meet US safe standards.
• Excessive copyright rights and enforcement which would affect the ability of creators to create content, stifle innovative technological products, and that ability of users to use content in new ways.
• Would institute CISPA like regulations and “3 strikes” internet measures kicking people off the internet after committing three infringement violations.
• It would roll back Wall Street, and prohibit ban on risky financial services.

OYC SD has consensed unanimously to endorse and participate in this awareness campaign as it develops, as well as a few of other ideas for the summer.

Summer 2012
OYC has consensed to also begin working on some great projects such as these this summer:

• Occupying the City Council for the World Beat Center. We must demand that the WBC's Lease be on the City Council's Agenda before July 9th. 
• Occupying more Farmer's Markets in Ocean Beach, City Heights and elsewhere
• Occupying the train up to Occupy Encinitas
• Exposing Our Local ALEC Cronies
• Reviving HomesAlreadyOccupied!