Occupy Lanark County meets for first general assembly

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Laurie Weir

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Joe Cowan (left at the chalk board) helps facilitate the Occupy Lanark County's first general assembly at Code's Mill on Sunday, Jan. 22 where more than 80 people were on hand throughout the three-hour talk.

Laurie Weir

Joe Cowan (left at the chalk board) helps facilitate the Occupy Lanark County's first general assembly at Code's Mill on Sunday, Jan. 22 where more than 80 people were on hand throughout the three-hour talk.

EMC News - After much success at their 'Meet The Occupation' event held in December in Perth, interested parties held their first general assembly on Sunday at Code's Mill.

Joe Cowan, who helped facilitate the meeting, said he was pleased with the turnout.

"We had about 80 people today come out for our first G.A. which is fantastic," he said.

Legitimizing the Occupy Movement in Lanark County was the premise of the gathering.

"We have decided to try and legitimize the Occupy Movement here in Lanark County," Cowan said. "This is the first step in holding successful protests and there are a lot of voices here today."

Two groups have been created for the Occupy Lanark County that include a facilitation group and an action group which were approved by those present on Sunday as part of the general assembly.

"We are looking to create a safe space for all voices to be heard in part through progressive stacking," Cowan said. "It's a lot different in the rural setting than in the city. When we start forming mandates, then we can educate and communicate... everything is a step and as we get there, we build a community."

By holding a general assembly, democracy is achieved, he said. "It's where we announce proposals and mandates and then the working groups can achieve legitimacy through a community consensus."

As Cowan added they can't form a concrete solution to any issue until the communication occurs.

"We have to empower everyone and right now, we are developing the process and communication... complexity is simply stacked simplicity."

According to the Occupy Lanark County's Facebook page, "There are so many people with so many different points of view it is important to remember consensus building is about finding ground we can live with and not trying to get everyone else to adhere to our own individual outlooks and goals."

During the gathering, guests were given time to voice their individual opinions about things that they care about - or want to see changed in the community.

Perth's Bonita Ford, although she's not an active participate at this time, said she was curious about the meeting. She said it was a great way to get people talking about issues that are important to them. "There have been a lot of opinions today," she said. "This is a great venue to explore areas of importance in our community."

For more information or to keep up to date on Occupy Lanark County's events, visit their Facebook page or email occupylanarkcounty@gmail.com.

ljweir@perthcourier.com