Post by Solus Hospes on Nov 8, 2011 14:22:52 GMT -5
Please note, I am posting this only to prompt productive action. I thought to make it easier by starting threads in appropriate groups with proposals that need work. Anyone can help with these; please, and thank you. -M.E.
Proposal: “We prohibit political signs at our events, i.e. endorsing one or more candidates. In addition, we prohibit signs from any other organization that is not keeping with the spirit of the occupy movement.”
Concerns: We are a politically neutral movement, it’s inappropriate for people to express their preferences for a candidate during our events as it makes it look like “our” occupy movement is endorsing one candidate or another, one organization or another. As it gets closer to the elections, more signs may present themselves thus clouding the message our movement is trying to send to the public. (What about the 1st amendment right to freedom of speech?) When people see political signs they may be turned away if they don’t also support that politician. (The 99% is really the 100%, we all have different ideas and views and that’s part of the point we’re trying to make; The People have a voice. We can’t start censoring it.) If it really bothers you, try having an opposing sign rather than banning it. (Do we really want people to see us opposing each other in our events?) If we accept association with MoveOn, we have to accept association with other groups and politicians like Ron Paul. (If we start excluding, where do we stop?) We’re not excluding, we’re trying to keep our message clear. (Perhaps amend using a website rather than a politician or group slogan.) Support the issues, not the politics.
Consensus: TABLED- One block against “not passing” with strong convictions this SHOULD pass and our events should be clean of politicians names/slogans, etc. For now, open a thread on the message board to discuss options and possible compromise.
Concerns: We are a politically neutral movement, it’s inappropriate for people to express their preferences for a candidate during our events as it makes it look like “our” occupy movement is endorsing one candidate or another, one organization or another. As it gets closer to the elections, more signs may present themselves thus clouding the message our movement is trying to send to the public. (What about the 1st amendment right to freedom of speech?) When people see political signs they may be turned away if they don’t also support that politician. (The 99% is really the 100%, we all have different ideas and views and that’s part of the point we’re trying to make; The People have a voice. We can’t start censoring it.) If it really bothers you, try having an opposing sign rather than banning it. (Do we really want people to see us opposing each other in our events?) If we accept association with MoveOn, we have to accept association with other groups and politicians like Ron Paul. (If we start excluding, where do we stop?) We’re not excluding, we’re trying to keep our message clear. (Perhaps amend using a website rather than a politician or group slogan.) Support the issues, not the politics.
Consensus: TABLED- One block against “not passing” with strong convictions this SHOULD pass and our events should be clean of politicians names/slogans, etc. For now, open a thread on the message board to discuss options and possible compromise.
This forum is open to anyone for or against the banning of political signs. Please vote and then comment at will.
Keep it peaceful, keep it respectful please.
