The Wall Street protest first caught my attention when I read an article by Naomi Klein on Occupy Wall Street published in The Guardian – ‘It’s down to us – the 99%’. I have great respect for Naomi Klein since reading her book ‘Future Shock’ . It changed how I see the world.

She wrote about Occupy Wall Street: “I am talking about changing the underlying values that govern our society. That is hard to fit into a single media-friendly demand, and it’s also hard to figure out how to do it. But it is no less urgent for being difficult. That is what I see happening in this square. In the way you are feeding each other, keeping each other warm, sharing information freely and proving health care, meditation classes and empowerment training. My favorite sign here says “I care about you.” In a culture that trains people to avoid each other’s gaze, to say, “Let them die,” that is a deeply radical statement.”

I was planning a trip to visit family in New York and was looking out for what was going on in the city and what might I do while I was there in between going out for dinner and catching up with my numerous welcoming cousins. I googled ‘Liberty Plaza’ and found the Occupy Wall Street New York General Assembly site.

I was drawn in by the video showcasing their direct democracy practice – CONSENSUS. There I could see the call and response conduct of the General Assemblies – the amplification through human microphones – similar to reciting the catechism except the words are not pre-ordained, they are of the moment. I could also sense the energy and excitement around direct democracy, participation, the inclusion of marginalized and hard to hear voices. Things that I have felt passionate about for many years.

The video explains and demonstrates the process:

Mic check (“Mic check”) Our process is direct democracy (“Our process is direct democracy”) we are all part of this movement (“we are all part of this movement”) we amplify each others voices (“we amplify each others voices ) so we can hear one another (“so we can hear one another “)there is no hierarchy (“there is no hierarchy”).

A young woman explains:

It is important that the means reflect the ends we want to achieve. We want to have more representation in our government and our economy. So in trying to create that every decision has to be made through of process of General Assemblies and working groups.

Consensus decision making is messy and complicated and slow. It’s in the nuance of things; the deep thrashing out of things where everyone feels represented and heard which is the only way we can actually change a system – I think.

The video also shows how the flow of the meeting is helped by using hand signals which cut down on interruptions.

I kept checking out the web site, noting down the times of the General Assemblies and alsothe working groups and trainings schedule. I made a note that 6.45 – 7.45 pm every day wasa teach-in introduction to Direct Democracy and facilitation training. I also noted that PeteSeeger had been at Wall Street the previous Saturday – o to be there! On my way to NewYork visiting my nephew in Boston, we drove past the Occupy Boston site – a huddle of tents along the sidewalk. They looked thin on the ground and I wondered whether Wall Street would feel so sparse.

When I got to New York, I met a friend for lunch. She said while you are here you must go down to Wall Street and advised me to go at the time of the General Assembly (7 – 9.30 pm every evening). She said this gave the best insight into what was happening down there and it was inspiring for those of us who care about social justice, community, change. She had been down several times with her husband, a journalist, and had found it inspiring experiencing the youth, energy and optimism. Something those of us who are a bit longer in the tooth have been struggling to reconnect with as we witness the blinkered and hypocritical ‘austerity’ framing of the current crisis.

So on Wednesday evening I meet my friends Jill and Chris in a diner opposite Rector Street subway station. It’s getting dark and we make our way towards Zuccotti Park (also known as Liberty Plaza). There is no sense in the approaching streets that there is a movement afoot. I don’t see anyone I think may be on their way there so we can follow them. Will we find the occupation? And there it is – a small square just passed Trinity Church.

The square is packed with blue plastic tarpaulins, homemade signs and makeshift tables. We are approached by two young people offering free hugs – we grimace at each other.

We skirt the square, hearing no loud sounds so ask where the General Assembly is. We are directed to the top of the square. There is a gathering of people there and we stop at the information table. I pick up a leaflet that outlines the General Assembly process and illustrates the hand signals involved. On the back there is a map of the activities at Liberty Plaza – the sleeping area, the Kitchen, Media, lost and found, Library and the ‘the weird red thing’ a large iron sculpture/structure.

There is also a leaflet that explains the protocols of Sobriety, Respect for Others and their property, Liberty Plaza and its Flowers : ‘Our ability to uphold the beauty of this park well represents our commitment to a better world.’ The emphasis is on the process – it is how the occupiers conduct themselves and respect each other and their environment that is their message – they are practicing what they preach with great attention to detail.

I pick up a well produced broadsheet ‘The Occupied Wall Street Journal’ Sat Oct 22, 2011 with the image of a red sweeping brush on the mast head. This signifies the clean up of the park using donated plastic brooms that took place in anticipation of an announcement by the mayor of New York that the plaza would be cleared of occupiers in order for it to be cleaned.

A fact sheet is also available. ‘Occupy Wall Street: Frequently Asked Questions. Information includes:

How do you work? …Here we engage in horizontal democracy. This means we are a leaderless movement, in which every voice is equal and autonomous action is encouraged……..In order to ensure that all voices are heard and to facilitate better communication in a non-hierarchical meeting, we commit to engaging in “meeting process”.

What can I expect when I get down there? Something you have never experienced before in this way – a real democratic space. Even if you are not sure you are on-board, come check it out.

We edge our way down into the General Assembly. There is a proposal to donate $20,000 to the occupation in Oakland which has just been brutally broken up by police using tear gas and rubber bullets; there have been a number of injuries and arrests. The proposers are explaining their proposal. The facilitator is guiding and explaining the process. People are putting themselves forward to go ‘on stack’ (to be called to speak). First up is questions and clarification. The stack is then closed and the Assembly moves on to concerns. A young man is ‘conducting’ the human microphone process – indicating to parts of the gathering to respond and making sure this is repeated by the wider group so the amplification of voices reaches to those who are furthest from the original speaker. Every so often the process stumbles and he looks weary then regathers his energy and pitches back in. ‘Friendly amendments’ to the proposal are taken and there is the occasional ‘temperature check’ to ascertain the mood of the gathering and whether progress is being made towards consensus.Hands twinkle agreement in the night air.

As we stand there we are gradually drawn in and become part of the human microphone process, calling out the phrases that are being spoken. At one point the process appears to be breaking down as one young man is overcome by his strength of feeling and need to be heard. He ignores the process and just jumps in, shouting out his views. The gathering responds by chanting ‘mic check; mic check’. Someone holds out a jacket in front of his face in order to muffle the sound of his voice. A couple of people move toward him and ‘elbow’ him out of the centre of the space ‘with love’. There are frequent references to love and compassion from the facilitator as he moves the process slowly forward. There are a couple of ‘blocks’ which are heard and result in further friendly amendments. This is successful in keeping the proposal live. Every so often the proposers are asked to respond to friendly amendments or to the issues raised as blocks. Time is running out as the drums begin to call together a march planned for 9 pm to go to City Hall in solidarity with Occupy Oakland.

People have concerns about setting a precedent by giving money. They want a new kick start fund to raise additional funds specifically to support other occupations. There is a lack of clarity around the finances and someone from the Finance working group is sought to come and explain. It takes some time to find someone. Eventually he arrives and accounts for the amount of money available but also puts forward a view that OWS needs all the money that it has as it is costing so much every day and the funds won’t last that long. There is some discussion as to whether the proposers have subverted the process by using the GA to bypass the finance working group – or that the finance working group is not transparent and thus exerting undue influence. OWS is the ‘richest’ of the occupations and has the greater ability to raise funds. They have about $1/4 million! Their expenses include feeding everyone who is part of the occupation.

There are friendly amendments to increase the amount of money to be sent to Oakland and to send them tents as well. Just after 9 pm agreement is reached to send $20,000 + tents. It seems to me that it is the lack of opposition to the principle of the proposal that determines the identification of consensus. It is the finer details that are the subject of the discussions. The sound of drums is becoming urgent and many then break away to join the march. The General Assembly moves on to consider a proposal for a cultural gathering in Central Park which will be ‘awesome’!

We make our way slowly down through the square, taking pictures and building our snapshot impressions of the occupations. I pause at another info desk where the workshop schedule is on display to find out about the Direct Democracy training and get directions to the Atrium where it is held.

On the subway we talk about what we have experienced – it has been a positive and energizing experience. For Chris there are some similarities (such as the use of hand signals) with his experience in the Woodcraft Folk. We were impressed by the process and how they handled the disruptive individual. Speaking through the human microphone (which seems to have come about because the camp was denied a sound permit) means people have to think more concisely about what they want to say; it also makes it very hard for someone to grandstand or dominate the discussion. We weren’t clear whether the consensus was truly comprehensive. While hand signals were used extensively, people were sometimes using them interchangeably with a lack of distinction between the different functions. We had also noticed an air of exhaustion about the people in the different facilitation roles.

We end the evening at The Fabulous Jalopy Theatre and School of Music tucked away in Brooklyn. As we settle down with our jam jars of beer, the 99% String Band strike up. They are fresh down from Wall Street where they are part of the sanitation Working Group. They encourage everyone to get down there and support the occupation. They describe how they have had square dances down there – sometimes at 2 am! I decide that my best opportunity to attend the Direct Democracy training will be the following day. I spent the day on Staten Island looking into family history. Standing at a cold, wet and windy bus stop on my way back to the ferry I try to imagine the Atrium where the working groups are held. I picture an open amphitheatre type space with groups in different corners, huddling against the weather. I’m not sure if I’ve got the stamina for this. I’ve also overstayed my time at the Staten Island archives and will probably miss the beginning of the workshop – will I be able to find it? Will I miss the introduction to the method and to its origins? I decide to give it a go and if it’s not working out for me to find a bar or coffee shop to pass the time before I’m due to meet my cousin for dinner. I’m cold and damp and when I get out of the subway at Rector Street again it’s dark and raining with the wind getting up. People are hurrying off from work, heads down, umbrellas flapping alarmingly at eye level and threatening to crowd me off the sidewalk and into the puddles. The ground is wet and puddled and Wall Street glistens like a dark canyon. There are some barricades and mounted police – people are arriving for some swanky function in their evening dress. A far cry from the tarpaulins and ponchos of Liberty Plaza! I’m looking for 60 Wall Street – and here it is!

I enter through revolving doors into a warm, light and spacious indoor plaza. The ceiling soars above, there are palm trees and coffee shops dotted around the edges. Imagine a cross between the polish and gleam of Meadowhall and the light and space of the Winter Gardens.

Everywhere there are groups of people huddled together on white plastic chairs – discussing, working on their lap tops, making posters and signs. I ask someone on the edge of each group which group are they and eventually find the Facilitation training group in deep discussion. I crouch down on the floor between the chairs to join in. A woman tells me that we are not allowed to sit on the floor – clearly a compromise reached with the management of the Atrium and one that the movement is adhering to in return for access to the space. I quickly find a chair and bring it over. A young woman with great energy is giving an explanation of the direct democracy process, following the steps written out on a large sheet of flipchart paper. There are about 6 or 7 people listening and asking questions.

There is a lot of interest in how the process is directed – is this done by the facilitator? Or the proposers of the item under discussion? It seems that it is primarily the proposers who make the judgement about progress towards consensus or whether further discussion or working group time is needed. The use of the ‘temperature check’ is important and there is discussion about how accurate this can be. A couple of the people in the group haven’t attended a General Assembly as so their questions are ‘academic’.

The young woman holding the flipchart is from Vancouver. She has attended the facilitation working group where it is decided who will take on the roles at the General Assembly. She says they want to maintain gender balance but there aren’t enough women (only 5) who have had the training and built the experience. People usually start out with a supporting role such as taking names for the stack. She is here to learn more about the process to take back to Vancouver where they may use some of it to adapt the process that they are already using there. There is a part of the process known as ‘stand aside’ which hasn’t yet been brought into use at Wall Street. It forms part of the discussion about how to identify when consensus has been reached.

It turns out that the General Assembly the next day is going to consider a proposal to create a Spokes Council to work alongside the General Assembly. Someone comes round handing out copies saying to people you can have one if you are sure you will be at the GA for the discussion. I take a copy anyway! It is a four page ‘living document’ submitted by the Structure Working Group in recognition that the General Assembly is “struggling to meet the day-to-day operational needs of the Working Groups and Caucuses.” It lists a number of challenges around the role of the General Assembly that have been identified in discussion. These include: a lack of transparency about the activities of the working groups; fluctuating attendance that undermines consistency and strategic decision making; lack of accountability over finances and a lack of time for participants to get to know each other and build meaningful relationships. The Spokes Council is designed to combine large group participation with small group deliberation and consensus process. It draws on experience from many movement including the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico,, the Women’s Movement in the US and the post-Tiananmen Square movement in China. The proposal can be downloaded from www.nycga.net/spokes-council/

The young woman facilitating the group is getting tired and time is running out. We thank her for her time. I ask her about the origins of this consensus process – she mentions ‘Roberts Rules of Order’. I need to find out more.

Another young woman in the group is going off to the Sustainability Working Group. She says there is so much going on that she wants to be involved in – she can’t fit it all in. The Sustainability group is working on showing by example e.g. composting and re-cycling; using bicycles to transport compost to community gardens. I wonder about the overall sustainability of the camp – how long will it continue? What might it evolve into? I wish her well and after taking some general pix of the space and the ongoing working group discussions head off back out into the rain to meet up for my family dinner.

My brief introduction to the Wall Street Occupation was positive and energizing. To me, it offers the first opportunity I’ve come across to respond positively to the dire situation we are in. Talking to friends after the election of the Coalition government and the start of the era of cuts and austerity we shared a sense of disorientation, uncertainty and lack of alternatives. We found ourselves in a new and changing landscape with few familiar landmarks and a steady erosion of the activities and networks of which we were part. It felt like there was nothing to be done.

Talking to family and friends the main critique of this movement is the lack of ‘message’ or programme of demands. How will they know if they have achieved what they have set out to do if they don’t have a series of demands? What is their purpose? I believe in the vital role of process – the ‘how’ as opposed to the ‘what’ – so I am not so troubled by this perceived lack of focus to the movement. The mode of governance is the message. This movement is about being the change that we want to see. ‘It is the world we are becoming’¹

The occupations have raised the issues – at last we are coming together, discussing and debating our current situation, learning about its roots, promoting the idea that there are alternatives and that these will come about through us being part of them. The camps provide a focus and a platform for a plethora of alternative thinking and culture; an open and accessible opportunity to bring ideas and alternatives to the fore for debate and discussion. A global conversation about values, equality, economics and power is challenging the supposed inevitability of austerity programmes and cuts in public services. It makes a mockery of the statement: ‘there is no alternative’!

I hope we can sustain this movement, grow Tent City Universities ² (“Information is shock resistance”) and embed the practice of direct democracy and consensus building. But there are still big questions and challenges. Process alone is not sufficient to bring about change. Arriving back in Sheffield I take a taxi home. Coming up from the station we are diverted as Spital Hill is closed off. I think it’s because the new mega Tesco has opened up. When we turn back onto Burngreave Road I look back down Spital Hill and see the all too familiar police tape and vehicles. An 18 yr old young man had been shot and has died. We have a long way to travel in making our connections and bringing about the changes that might have saved his life. So let’s get to it.

Direct Democracy and consensus decision making

Some starting points for finding out more about Direct Democracy and consensus decision making:

• New York General Assembly Guide
• Quick guide on group dynamics in people’s assemblies
• How the New York General Assembly was created
• Briefings and guides on consensus decision making
• An interesting blog

Footnotes

1. Occupied Wall Street Journal Issue 3 22.10.11 http://occupiedwallstjournal.com/

2. http://tentcityuniversity.occupylsx.org/