WHAT IS NATIONAL GATHERING?
From June 30th to July 4th, the Occupy movement will convene the Occupy National Gathering in the vicinity of Philadelphia’s Independence Mall for a week of direct actions, movement building and the creation of a vision for a democratic future. The National Gathering will kick off with a massive march with Healthcare-Now! in solidarity with their fight for the right to health. On July 5th we will conclude by joining Guitarmy for a 99 mile march from Philadelphia to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.
Watch and share our PROMO VIDEO
Still want more information?
View the SCHEDULE and LEARN & CREATE pages to find out what will take place during National Gathering.
View the PROPOSAL that has been endorsed by over 50 Occupy General Assemblies nationwide who stand in SOLIDARITY with us.
Find out how we are DIFFERENT from Continental Congress 2.0 (99% Declaration).
SCHEDULE
National Gathering Tentative Schedule
A complete schedule including speakers, teach-ins, skill shares and arts will be available over the next coming weeks.
Saturday, June 30th
all activities will be at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets and the surrounding area)
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Check-IN, Volunteer sign up and orientation
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Speakers, Actions, Teach Ins, Skill Shares, Arts & Culture
4:30 – 6:00 PM Dinner ***
Evening March with Healthcare Now!
10:00 PM Opening Night Festivities
*** Our wonderful Occupy Philly food committee will be preparing one meal a day. If an complete abundance of people attend, we will need an abundance of volunteers to bring/help prepare food.
Sunday, July 1st – Tuesday, July 3rd
9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Speakers, Actions, Teach Ins, Skill Shares, Arts & Culture
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM Visioning Meetings
Tuesday: Location TBD
Wednesday & Thursday: Independence Mall
10:00 PM Festivities
Wednesday, July 4th
Morning Activities: Washington Square Park
Afternoon/Evening: Independence Mall
9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon Visioning Day Part I
Actions, Skill Shares, Arts & Culture
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM Visioning Day Part II
Actions, Skill Shares, Arts & Culture
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Visioning Day Part III
11:00 PM Closing Festivities!!!
Thursday, July 5th
ALL DAY: Clean up!
Guitarmy will be leading an epic 99 mile march from Independence Mall to Wall Street on the 5th for all those that want to join in the quest to deliver the Vision for a Democratic Future!
WHAT TO BRING supplies for individuals and groups that you will need during your stay at NatGat.
WHERE TO SLEEP Find out about where you can sleep.
When you arrive at Independence Mall (5th and Market) you will be greeted by our lovely info table volunteers who will give you a welcome packet with maps and information. You will then be asked to sign up for a couple of volunteer shifts during the week. And finally, if you are in any way, shape or form, going to be anywhere near getting arrested, you will be sent to our legal collective to give your vital information so that we can track you while in jail.
Please be prepared to camp! Due to Philadelphia weather in July, tents more than likely won’t be necessary, so you may not want to bring them. This will save space for others to sleep in whichever location(s) we all end up. Don’t forget to include rain gear such as tarps and garbage bags – bags have worked especially well for our Occupy Philly bank sleepers. Also, pack light and prepare to be on the move in the event of police aggression.
PLEASE NOTE: We are attempting to confirm sanctuary options for at-risk people and the infirm. Nothing is guaranteed at this point, however, so please plan accordingly.
FAQ
WHAT IS NATIONAL GATHERING?
From June 30th to July 4th, the Occupy movement will convene the Occupy National Gathering in the vicinity of Philadelphia’s Independence Mall for a week of direct actions, movement building and the creation of a vision for a democratic future. The National Gathering will kick off with a massive march with Healthcare-Now! in solidarity with their fight for the right to health. On July 5th we will conclude by joining Guitarmy for a 99 mile march from Philadelphia to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.
Watch and share our PROMO VIDEO
Still want more information?
View the SCHEDULE and LEARN & CREATE pages to find out what will take place during National Gathering.
View the PROPOSAL that has been endorsed by over 50 Occupy General Assemblies nationwide who stand in SOLIDARITY with us.
Find out how we are DIFFERENT from Continental Congress 2.0 (99% Declaration).
View our FAQ sheet for answers to further questions.
FAQ Sheet:
WHAT IS THE OCCUPY NATIONAL GATHERING?
The National Gathering (NATGAT) has been a great experiment in direct democracy across the country. Occupy activists from around North America have participated via conference call in a process designed to build consensus from the ground up around the idea of gathering in one place at one time in order to put our principles of direct democracy and community into practice on a mass scale.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NATGAT?
The NATGAT will take place in Philadelphia from June 30th to July 4th 2012. While activities will take place around the city our main hub will be on Independence Mall.
WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NATGAT?
The Occupy Movement is based in the idea that if communities come together across traditionally dividing lines then we can work together in a safe space to envision a more just and equitable society. Therefore, to that end we plan to spend four days in community and movement building exercises including workshops, skillshares, presentations, and games. Primarily, we plan on providing a space where concerned citizens from all over the country, and the world, can meet together, eat together, and bond. Our gathering will climax on July 4th when we will take part in a visioning process designed to allow every voice to be heard while allowing repeat visions to organically rise to the top. Through conversation and facilitation we are inviting the entire country to come and have their voice heard. Together, with all those who choose to participate, we will craft a Vision of a Democratic Future.
IS IT THE INTENT OF THE VISION FOR A DEMOCRATIC FUTURE THAT IT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MOVEMENT?
No. The Vision will only represent those who choose to participate. It is in no way binding or representative of the movement as a whole. It will simply be the product of thousands of people dedicated to the democratic process who have chosen to have their voices heard at this momentous event.
WHERE WILL PEOPLE SLEEP?
In true Occupy fashion we are planning on occupying the streets and parks of Philadelphia with our tents and our sleeping bags as a collective expression of free speech. Philadelphia was founded upon the principles of freedom of speech. We plan on exercising that right en masse. We have an Encampment Strategy Sub-Committee that will lay out a safe and effective demonstration of solidarity and strength for all of those wishing to encamp. Additionally, we are reaching out to local community organizations such as the faith-based community to ask for sheltered space for all of those who do not have the ability or the desire to sleep outside but still want to participate. We plan to have one to five churches available per day, depending on turnout, for sleeping, safe space in the event of police action, meal preparation and bathroom use. The goal of this gathering is provide all of those who are willing and able the chance to meet face to face and discuss what a better world would look like. In our experience, we communicate best in a community setting. Our community has been the streets and we plan to make them home for these five days in July.
WHAT WILL PEOPLE EAT?
The National Gathering Working Group has worked out a logistics plan where we are going to ask for in kind donations for the gathering in addition to the money that has, and will, be donated for the event. Additionally, we are reaching out to local food justice groups such as Food Not Bombs, The Philly Socialists, and the Hare Krishnas to request food supply for dinner. We also request that those attending, if they are able, to budget ten dollars a day for food. Philadelphia during the July 4th weekend is bustling and there are an abundance of restaurants, groceries, and food carts that folks can utilize. In order to cut down on waste and keep this gathering as sustainability-minded as possible we are also requesting that attendees, if they are able, to bring their own eating and drinking mechanisms such as bowls, forks, spoons, and water bottles.
WHERE WILL PEOPLE USE THE RESTROOM?
At the registration table of the NATGAT we will provide a map of public restrooms in the general area of the gathering. July 4th weekend is a very busy time in Philadelphia and the city will be prepared for a mass convergence on their amenities. Our “People’s Map” will direct people to restrooms, encampments, and banks for #banksleep.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING THE AREAS WE OCCUPY?
While the city will be hosting several cleanups as a part of their 4th of July activities, we in Occupy Philly are of the persuasion that we are all sanitation. Therefore, we will be setting aside a block of time everyday where we encourage folks to pause what they are doing and clean their immediate area. We do not intend to cause any unrest or mess while we occupy.
HOW ARE DONATIONS BEING HANDLED?
The working group responsible for handling finance for the gathering is committed to practicing our principles in terms of transparency, horizontalism, and inclusion. All budgeted items and earmarks will be posted to the website so anyone can see where donations are going. We will be accepting in kind donations on site, collecting through a link on the website, applying for grants, and selling donated t-shirts from FireDogLake.com.
HOW ARE PEOPLE GETTING TO THE GATHERING?
NATGAT organizers are working in coordination with the Occupy Caravan, which plans to organize four separate legs of a national road trip that will end in Philadelphia. More information can be found at OccupyCaravan.com
WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO CANNOT ATTEND?
Since the beginning of our project we have recognized the difficulty of travel. For those who cannot attend in person we are developing an online platform that anyone can use to participate in the visioning process. We will be utilizing the infrastructure that Occupiers from all across the country have created and synthesizing them into one coherent and user-friendly forum.
WILL THERE BE A SOUND SYSTEM?
The Occupy Philly “chapter” of the National Gathering Working Group has been empowered by the national group to decide whether to get a permit, which would be necessary for any staging, lights, or amplification. While we are exploring sustainable alternatives such as solar power and bike generators, in the spirit of our movement, we plan on having a lo-fi gathering. This is not a conference or a concert; it is a time to come together and share our dreams and skills.
WILL THERE BE ART & MUSIC?
We encourage anyone who has artistic skills to bring their talent and their passion to share with everyone at the gathering.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
We encourage everyone who is coming to bring the following supplies, including, but not limited to: a tent and/or a tarp, sleeping bag, note pad, food, medical supplies such as aloe and sunscreen, stainless steel plate and utensils, a water bottle, and supplies for any skill share, workshop, game, or project you may be bringing to share.
WILL THERE BE DIRECT ACTIONS?
Of course! We encourage planning of actions by regional groups that will then coalesce to plan actions in person the week before the event begins.
MY CITY’S OCCUPATION IS SENDING A GROUP, WHAT CAN WE BRING?
In order to supplement costs, we are asking each occupation to send a kit including but not limited to: Dry food (1 large bag of rice, cans of beans and vegetables), a radio (we are pursuing an independent radio broadcast) and batteries, a canopy tent if possible, 1 flip chart and chart note pad if possible, markers, duct tape, a few tarps and cleaning supplies (cleaner, rags, garbage bags & a broom). For more information, go HERE.
WHAT WILL THE SCHEDULE INCLUDE EACH DAY?
The schedule for the first four days will include workshops, actions, teach-ins, lectures and arts during the day time and visioning meetings in the evening and festivities at night. The fifth day, July 4th, will be dedicated to crafting our vision.
