View source for OccupyMBTA Planning, Jan 29th 2012

There are ~ 5 different occupy groups working on MBTA actions.
There's overlap between what these groups are doing.  What's the best
way to coordinate?  The Street WG has been heavily focused on MBTA
issues.  We also have an OccupyMBTA mailing list and wiki page.
Here's a list of resources:

* [mailto:occupymbta@lists.occupyboston.org OccupyMBTA mailing list]
* [https://lists.mayfirst.org/pipermail/occupymbta/ Mailing list archives]
* [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/OccupyMBTA OccupyMBTA wiki page]
* http://bit.ly/occupymbta Short link to wiki page

There's also an OccupyMBTA text message group.  To join, text
"@occupymbta" to 23559.

We'd like to keep as many resources on the wiki as possible, so that
they're accessible to everyone.

== Feb 13th Action Planning ==

There was an OccupyMBTA planning session last Thursday, at Occupy
Somerville's General Assembly.  Somerville is very organized around
this action.  Last Thursday, we sat around a map of MBTA lines and
Occupy groups on each T line.  There's an active effort to reach out
to these Occupy groups.

At 5:00pm on Feb 13th, we'd like to get the different Occupy groups to
ride the T down to Copley Square for a 6:00 - 8:00 pm public meeting
at the Boston Public Library.  On the way down, groups can do mic
checks on the train, give street theatre performances, educate, and
outreach.  Also at 4:30 PM on Feb 13th, there will be a rally in
Copley Square.  The rally is being
sponsored by Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) and the T
riders union.

Somerville will have a general assembly next Wednesday, Feb 1st, 7:00
pm, at the First Community Church, 89 College Avenue, Somerville.
There will be more MBTA planning at this GA.  First Community Church
is a few blocks from the Davis Square T station.

The anti-oppression WG is planning an event for Feb 13th.  We should
coordinate planning with them.

There are MBTA public meetings in Jamaica Plan (Wednesday), and
Dorcester (Thursday).  Times and locations are listed on
[[OccupyMBTA|the wiki]].  There are (non-occupy?)
groups planning a rally for the Thursday Dorchester hearing.

Somerville is planning an action for the Feb 28th public hearing at
the Somerville High School Auditorium.

It's really worth going to the public hearings, and listing to what
people have to say.  You'll get a very clear picture of what the
different issues are.  There are a lot of voices in the choir, and
each one is signing a different note.

== Other Ideas ==

Eli would like to get together with a group of five people this
weekend; to livestream, converse, and ask people what they think about
the MBTA service changes.  Meet Sunday at 13:00, at St. Paul's
Cathedral, across the street from the Part Street Station.

Instead of doing mic-checks on trains, what about having two different
people start a fake argument about the T cuts?  Let the train riders
sit there and listen.  This could be a way to educate people about the
service changes, and it could make for some good street theatre.

More street theatre: go to hearings dressed as bankers, and thank the
MBTA for helping the banks.

More street theatre: dress up as bankers; walk up to people, tell them
that you're from the bank, and you're here to collect their fares.

More street theatre: what about Charlie in a jumpsuit, wearing
handcuffs, or maybe a ball and chain?

There's an idea for a Feb 14th demonstration.  Go to the legislators;
ask them to have a heart, and do something to help the T.  Any
solution that doesn't involve fare hikes or service cuts will have to
come from the legislature.

Noah would like to add a musical aspect.  Form a band to remake
Charlie on the MTA (new lyrics).  Further suggestion: do a funny music
video, and try to make it go viral.

Students against T cuts is running an online petition against the
service changes.

We need to treat this as a campaign.  There's plenty of room for
related autonomous/small group actions on Feb 13th.  We can work
together, and share contacts/resources.

We should also focus on the MBTA's situation being the result of 40
years of shifting financial burdens.

We could make Occupy T screen prints available.  Seniors would be
willing to wear them, and help get the word out.

Want to pass out some flyers?  There are flyers on
[[OccupyMBTA|the wiki]]. Download some, print
them out, and go for it.

We can make OccupyMBTA-related buttons at Tuesday's Occupy Boston
General Assembly.

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