A Message about Occupy Philadelphia

Friends,

By now I suspect most of you have heard about the Occupy Wall Street protest, and the larger movement that is growing larger every day.  For a little over a week now this movement has included Occupy Philadelphia, which currently involves hundreds of people living on Dilworth Plaza outside City Hall.  Many Friends are excited greatly excited by this growing nonviolent movement for change; others are raising reasonable concerns and questions.  As clerk of Peace and Concerns Standing Committee I have been in regular communication with PYM staff and many of the Friends who are excited about this movement, some of whom are participating in a variety of ways.  The Worship and Care Standing Committee has also come under the weight of the desire of Friends to be involved in this movement as well.

When the occupation first began last Thursday morning, the American Friends Service Committee requested permission of the other equity partners of Friends Center (including PYM) to use space within the building to offer hospitality and support to Occupy Philadelphia.  AFSC offices nationwide are also involved in supporting other occupations, Central Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and PYM's Worship and Care Standing Committee have extended some additional support to the movement as well. While Peace and Concerns has been actively supporting individuals interested in Occupy Philly we have met in person since the occupation began. I expect we will take some kind of positive action during our next meeting.

While the right role for PYM as a body is not clear, I encourage all Friends to educate themselves about this movement and to engage with it as they feel led.  Friends should not back from following any leadings they have regarding their conscience, and if this movement speaks to your condition the way it has to many Friends I’ve spoken with then you should find ways to be involved.

Working with Michael Gange I have assembled resources so that Friends can learn more about what is happening and ways that interested Friends can get involved. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me though the PYM office.

With Love,
Aaron Crosman
Peace and Concerns Standing Committee Clerk

PYM Resources:

• A minute from the Eco-Justice Working Group (approved by the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee)
• A list of Frequently Asked Questions (and some answers) to questions Friends are asking about Occupy Philadelphia.
• A request for support of the Quaker presense at Occupy Philly.
• Minutes from groups within PYM supporting a Quaker presence at Occupy Philly.
• A list of ways Friends cen get involved. (Requires a Facebook login).

Additional Resources:

• AFSC's Acting in Faith blog is hosting a discussion fed by the views of various Friends about the Occupy movement.
• The Most Important Thing in the World Right Now, from The Nation
• What the Wall Street Protesters are so Angry About, from Business Insider
• 10 Ways to Support the Occupy Movement, from The Nation
• What is Occupy Wall Street?, from NPR's Planet Money podcast
• "Occupy Philadelphia Quakers" Facebook page on which PYM Friends are discussing O.P. 
• "Occupy, Quakers" Facebook page where Friends from around the country are discussing the occupations
• Oppose/Propose: a new book exploring the ways in which Quakers - through Movement for a New Society - have influenced the strategies and tools of today's activists
• Video: How is consensus being practiced at Occupy Wall Street? 
• Fellowship of Reconciliation blog written by staffer, Ivan Boothe, and full of insightful analysis
• Occupy Your Spirit: Quakers and Occupy Philadelphia, a recording of interviews with Friends by Madeline Schaefer