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:

• OccupyMBTA mailing list
• Mailing list archives
• 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 6:00 PM on Feb 13th, there will be a rally in Copley Square (same time as the public meeting). 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 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 the wiki. Download some, print them out, and go for it.

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