City of Asheville Staff Emails: Occupy Asheville

From: Bob Oast

Subject: RE: Following up on Occupy Asheville

Date: 2011-10-12 10:43:19

To:

Jennifer:

Please provide me with citations to case law that supports your
position, "[W]e strongly believe we have the right to do exactly what we
are doing under the First Amendment Assembly rights," and I will be glad
to review.

Thanks,

Bob Oast

________________________________

From: Jen Foster [mailto:fosterthejen@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 10:20 AM
To: Mayor Terry Bellamy; Wade Wood; Kelly Whitlock; Sandra Cole;
terrybellamy@avlcouncil.com
Cc: rosettastarshine@gmail.com; Gary Jackson; Bob Oast
Subject: Following up on Occupy Asheville


Good morning Asheville leaders! I just wanted to write this morning on
a few points. First, Bob, we just want to be clear, in response to
Esther's comments, that "beggars can't be choosers," that we strongly
believe we have the right to do exactly what we are doing under the
First Amendment Assembly rights, and we are seeking your cooperation
rather than mass arrests and court challenges to so prove, but that, as
always, is an option.

Second, ya'll really should come to our General Assembly meeting.
Council does in fact need a "direct response" mechanism, that the
occupier who was ejected last night has written you about madam Mayor.
"Direct response" is insertion of factual information to a point that
would clear something up immediately. For example, whether we were
asking for night camping, that was again misunderstood by Esther. This
is an occupation, and the only ordinance in the way is the curfew. The
point is not night camping, but an ongoing occupation. 24/7

Oh, and thank you for coming out last night Chief Wood. Very good
experience.

Our group is very serious about public park access space, not a side
city parking lot etc. I suggested the upper northwest corner of the
park, from the Arcade, McGuire little amphitheater up to the top street,
thinking that other permitted events would not be impacted as seriously
there. We also would likely agree to move between now and the "month"
break for any events that actually needed that space, and then occupy
that space thereafter. There may be other city park space you may
suggest. I still think this upper McGuire space is perfect, especially
after the date the park is vacant. When was that again?

Obama is coming to town as you know. We need to have our peaceful
assembly firmly established by Saturday. Obama, as well as you guys,
needs to come see what this people's movement is about. Perhaps that is
why he is coming?

We would like to create a working group to discuss by day's end. We do
have a lot of children involved in this movement and are very excited
about Mark Case and the AFL-CIO's offer to build our infrastructure and
keep everybody safe.

This IS what democracy looks like! We can all learn from each other!
Thanks again! Let's make history!

Jennifer

828-279-9538; office 828 255 7703

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