Statement on Representation

Occupy Wall Street self-describes as a “leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders , sexual orientations, religions, and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.”; 

 

... AND WHEREAS,

Occupy Pittsburgh is inspired by and stands in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street;

 

AND WHEREAS,

The tactics of horizontal (leaderless) organization, consensus, and plurality are fundamental to our movement, and have been proven to be effective at evading co-optaion and producing inclusivity;

 

We propose the following Agreement to be adopted by the Occupy Pittsburgh General Assembly:

 

1)     Describe Occupy Pittsburgh as a “leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.” In line with Occupy Wall Street.

 

2)     Occupy Pittsburgh will not endorse a political party or candidate at our camp site or elsewhere.

 

3)     No one person can or should represent the whole of opinions and experiences of Occupy Pittsburgh or its membership.  While Freedom of Speech and Assembly are fundamental values of our movement, we shall abide by our consensus process developed at the General Assembly in deciding what statements may be released on our collective behalf.

 

With this Agreement adopted we shall:

 

1)     Discourage the use of videos, banners, signs or other promotional material that endorses a candidate for office.

 

2)     Remove any information from our website or other information materials that may indicate a spokesperson or persons for Occupy Pittsburgh