#OccupyThanksgivingPDX park-upation update

Image by The Prudent Cyclist via Flickr

To the friends of #OccupyThanksgivingPDX:

The weather report indicates a good possibility of rain on Thanksgiving Day.  We will be park-upying the Wallace Park in Northwest Portland, and there is a covered picnic area with a table.  The park is accessible by TriMet 77 bus and also a short distance from the nearest 15 stop, as well as the Portland Streetcar (23rd & Marshall).

So far we are expecting a pretty low-key event, with some people coming and going, with a total of no more than 20 at any given moment (take this into account when making food, although it is always nice to have more than not enough) -- which should keep us below the crowd level that would technically require a permit.  In any case, with the history of #OccupyPortland-related events so far, the City has not been too stringent on permits, due to the possible issues with the freedom of assembly.  Since this event is sponsored by the Interfaith Guild of Chaplains, it is further protected under religious freedom, any less than any church picnic at a park.  The reason why we are requesting RSVP also has to do with health regulation -- as we cannot really give away food to the "general public" even if we aren't selling it (as they say on Last Thursdays on Alberta every year).

We are also inviting a number of VIPs as a gesture of goodwill and peace-building.

You are invited to come when you can and leave when you must.  With people coming in and going there should be something going on throughout the event.  Also feel free to bring your friends and neighbors, and any random person you might meet on the street.  This is about community-building and re-capturing the spirit of autonomous, collectivist collaboration that was a big part of our occupation in the downtown parks (minus tents, troubles, and A-camps).

Some suggestions:

• Vegan items are good; if you are bringing in turkey or any meat/fish/egg/dairy product (label ingredients!), ensure that the temperature stays above or below the danger range at all times in order to prevent any health risk. (e.g., cooler with ice.) 
• No alcohol please.  We do not have a permit for this.
• If you can bring in plates, silverware, etc., you are wonderful.  If you can think of anyone who lives within a walking distance of the Wallace Park who is willing to let us use their kitchen for dishwashing, we may even be able to forego disposable materials.
• Bring music, games, spoken words, etc. to share
• A tablecloth, some kind of table settings, candles, etc. would make the occasion elegant and festive.
• We are planning on a hilarious Thanksgiving General Assembly at 3 p.m.  This isn't a real General Assembly and will not actually do anything.  There will be three very silly proposals (that would make headlines on the Onion!) on what to do on the "Day after Black Friday."  The idea is for everyone to offer craziest possible amendments and see how bizarre it would turn into!  While this is purely for fun, it is also a great learning opportunity for those who have heard about the GA and interested in participating but don't know how, as we will be running on the standard General Assembly procedures.
• Please - no tents.  However, we suggest bringing in a blanket or something to keep yourself warm.

One more planning meeting for anyone who is able: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. at the Copeland Commons (the big room on the main floor), TaborSpace (5441 S.E. Belmont St.).

Link to the earlier post on this event: http://tinyurl.com/opdx-thanksgiving

This event is sponsored and organized by the #OccupyPortland Interfaith Guild of Chaplains, an independent and autonomous group.  This is not an official #OccupyPortland General Assembly-sanctioned event.