Update: Markell Administration Approves Partial Permit for Occupy DE
UPDATE:DNREC has apparently informed the Occupy Delaware applicants that the permit would be authorized for protests on Saturday and Sunday at Fletcher Brown Park during park hours. However, the permit could not be authorized for the weekends as there is a day care center right next to the park and the children use the park during the day for their outdoor activities. However, the letter that DNREC sent made clear “we would be pleased to work with Occupy Delaware to identify other parks at which a longer term permit could be issued.”
————————-
Governor Markell has not yet approved the application of Occupy DE for a permit to occupy Fletcher Brown Park. He will be making his decision in the next 24 hours. This is a no-brainer for him if he wishes to retain the support of not only liberals and progressives, but any one who believes in the First Amendment.
A flood of calls to our leaders and legislators could help tip the decision in our favor.
Please take a minute TODAY to call the governors’s office and your state senator and representative to urge them to support the permit. Click on the link below to find your state legislator’s contact information. Governor Markell’s contact info is (302) 577-3210 Wilmington and (302) 744-4101 Dover
To find our your state senator or representatives contact information:
http://legis.delaware.gov/legislature.nsf/Lookup/ContactInfo_Home?open
I have a feeling Markell will do the right thing, but it is still good to pressure him and our legislators, to let him know we are out there and watching.
Wow, you need the Governor’s signature to use a state park now?
Okay…. I’ll call a few people….
I would prefer if he did not sign it. I think the future of Occupy is in Overt acts of civil disobedience. I think non violent but forceful protest in an organized physical manner along with effective viral social media dissemination has amazing potential. Imagine if I could have tweeted while being chased across the mall or while we escaping from the RFK stadium “Detention facility” in 1970. I am really hopeful that real good will come of the Occupy movement bless their young radical hearts:)
It would be nice if it were more visible, but I would hope Fletcher would be the safe base camp for day marches to other nearby sites that are legally open during the day.
Brian Selander notes that Governor Markell approved it earlier today, but only for the weekend(s?) during park hours, as an adjacent daycare uses the park during the weekdays for their operations
We have a consitutional right to assemble in the park of our choice. We have heard from DNREC but we need to hear from the Governor. Does he support our consitutional right to assemble?
The daycare center occupies a very small area and has already discussed by occupy. That dog won’t hunt either.
I believe most (if not all) State Parks (other than designated Camp Grounds) operate on a Dawn to Dusk schedule.
IF these people wait till Saturday morning, they will not pack up until at least Sunday night/Monday morning assuming they recognize the limitations of the daycare.
I am very interested in how our esteemed “pro-business, socially-liberal Governor will reconcile the dilemma he’s confronted with here???
Our impressionable children must not be exposed to democracy!
Perhaps the day care could bring the children over to watch democracy in action, and take advantage of the arts/crafts and toys that will be available. Gee,maybe they could even have recess or lunch with their fellow citizens and have a conversation.
I think more to the point, bank employees and executives come back on Monday morning.
If the Governor wants to help – I think Rodney Square is free of children during the day.
Or Peter Spencer Plaza.
What citizens’ protest in history gathers on the edge of town?
rodney square is a city park, and the city requested that it not be held there. they offered christina (river) park, which OccupyDE rejected as being FAR from the center of town. at least Fletcher Brown park is easy walking distance to Rodney Square.
Peter Spencer Plaza seems much too small.
Rodney Square is owned by the city, but managed by corporations? That should be the first order of the public’s business. They offered Christina Park…out of the way, unsafe, needle park. Right!
I paid $ 503 to the City, $552 to 4 public safety officers, 2 Cops 2 EMT, 150 for a porta potty totaling $1205 in cash to use Rodney Square for 3 hours on September 24 for my agencies Recovery Month event.
I filled out a 40 page application and had to get written permission from Bank of America the DuPont Company and the Wilmington Free Library.
It is managed by the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation a quasi public corporation in the Community Service Building.
Absolutely absurd. I hope some reporter looks into who was the City Council President(s) at the time they voted, and who voted against turning our parks over to corporate America!
I know the answer lets see if there is even one reporter who will do this investigation and report.
paid the same in ’10 to be fair 300 was for the band stand but that still leaves a 900 tab. the tough part for Occupy is that Bank of America and DuPont can effectively veto the use. I think they would have to give a reason but they could make it difficult.
“had to get written permission from Bank of America the DuPont Company and the Wilmington Free Library.”
*jaw drops*
We clearly need Occupy Delaware more than ever. Is it still legal to stand on the sidewalk in front of those corporations’ buildings?
I bet the librarians are cool – maybe. I guess I better go look at the board of the Library.
Bizarro section of Wilmington City Code:
“Sec. 8-5. – Sale of intoxicating liquors and meetings in parks.
No intoxicating liquors shall be sold in any public park, and no meeting of any kind, assembled through advertisement, shall be permitted in any such park without the license or permission of the board of commissioners; nor shall any gathering or meeting for political purposes in any such park be permitted at any time. “
Of course the D governor should authorize it, the D policies have wrecked the economy.
Should’nt we be asking the ACLU to file a complaint stating these
“laws” are unconstitutional!
Actually, the Dem policies would help the economy if the Party of No would stop mucking everything up with their political posturing and pandering to the teabaggers.
With all due respect the Board of Commissioners should not be able to use the clause “any gathering or meeting for political purposes in any such park…” as a valid reason for denial. It is “NOT” a gathering of any “political” purpose since the purpose of the gathering is to protest the corporate greed that is driving most Americans to a destitute future for their families. Corporations may have taken advantage of a “morally suspect” Supreme Court to be declared as persons but they haven’t yet attained a ruling declaring them a political party.
John Kowalko
Pretty much said: If there had been no party of “NO”; there would be no Occupy movement… One good turn deserves another.
Y’all hippie commie pinko libs wouldn’t be going through these types of contortions if you had selected a site, say, CENTRAL to the entire state.
But as long as you keep treating Wilmington as the center of the world, you’re gonna get shat upon. The city is an embarassment in more ways than the complete idiot occupying the mayor’s office.
Wilmington IS the center of the world.
We’ve got two identical bridges, 3 interstates coming together at one point, and a skyscraper standing alone on top of a hill, to prove it.
What does Dover got?
“I paid $ 503 to the City, $552 to 4 public safety officers, 2 Cops 2 EMT, 150 for a porta potty totaling $1205 in cash to use Rodney Square for 3 hours on September 24 for my agencies Recovery Month event.
I filled out a 40 page application and had to get written permission from Bank of America the DuPont Company and the Wilmington Free Library.
It is managed by the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation a quasi public corporation in the Community Service Building.”
This is insane. This is a massive part of why so many people are having issues. Why do you need to pay for 4 “public safety officers” to have a peaceful event? I think that some people need to remember what it means to have freedom to assemble. You don’t need 4 “public safety officers” to assemble.
Situations like yours, jpconnorjr, in my opinion, were created to discourage people from assembling and having an open and civil discourse.
“You don’t need 4 “public safety officers” to assemble. ”
And even if you do – it’s not your problem to arrange for them or pay for them. There is no fee for the right of peaceable assembly.
Markell is either going to stand on the constitutional right of assembly or stand with the corporate elites! An injunction could be filed in Federal Court against these unconstitutional laws.
Watch Markell stand with the corporations. They’re people too.
Where are the anarchists or far left in Delaware who are involved in the occupy movement. I have seen NO evidence of that anywhere
This is bullshit. I hope the protesters stay overnight, hopefully this was just an empty threat and Markell isn’t stupid enough to try to use force to push them off of a public park in view of the media.
Something tells me the Tea Party is on the verge of a merge with Occupy. Tea started out angry, looking for villains. Now, like everybody, even Tea is starting to get the idea the problem is not President Obama. The new most dreaded words in the english language? “I’m from Wall Street, and I’m here to create jobs for you.”
People are starting to wonder – maybe it’s not Government that’s the problem. It’s something else. Something in the private sector. Institutions too big to fail a private sector tyranny that live free or die Tea can easily learn to detest. If Tea and Occupy start seeing eye to eye, game on.
You should sign that one “Wishful Think 123.” I have neither seen nor heard any sign that most people active in the Tea Parties — and I stress active, as opposed to supportive of — are willing to share their attention with any other movement, let alone their idealogical opposites.
i liked the article at the News Journal this morning (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111104/NEWS/111040322/Protesters-face-showdown?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|FRONTPAGE), and especially their quotes of actual in-the-trenches OccupyDE folks.
I spoke with Brian on Sunday–they really have the act together.
thanks go to ACLU-DE for trying to find a workable compromise with the governor’s office.
So that Obama speech at Rodney Square — not a political event.
letter to Occupy DE: http://delaware.gov/pdf/DNRECLettertoOccupyDelawareNov3.pdf
@think123 9:59 am
Plus, the Occupy Nashville reports a melding of minds last night with a GOP faction. Goals in common in Congress last year already brought forward legislation for an audit of the fed.
Nancy: True. But my experience has been that the Tea Partiers are pissed that the media is now paying more attention to the libruls than to True American Patriots. Most of the few I know have been angry and hostile toward the movement.
I continue to be amazed by the non-partisan nature of OWS. Democrats offer absolutely nothing for them to root for.
It perhaps represents the failure of the rallying cry “More and better Democrats.”
Agree with Puck, I look at Markell and Carney and Karen Weldin Stuart and I see little to root for. Lets hope this gets the ball rolling in the right direction.
Local constitutional lawyer says: The State has the right not to give access to the area where the school children are, and the occupyde folk should deliver a letter of intent, stating they will restrict themselves to all areas of the park but where the children go.
Second, the state cannot restrict citizens from occupying their city or state parks as its a first amendment right. Stated someone should file an injunction in federal court as the occupy groups could file for civil rights damages.
Now they are offering up another park, off the beaten path. Sorry that wont work either as the occupy movement made OUR selection for H. Fletcher Brown. None of what the Governor has said, re staying overnight affects any school children.
It perhaps represents the failure of the rallying cry “More and better Democrats.”
Or maybe that’s a lousy rallying cry. What reason have Democrats given us to vote for them for the past 20 years? None I know beyond “We’re better than the alternative.”
The value of OWS isn’t in electing Democrats; it’s in moving the entire body politic to the left.
If Occupy Delaware had any balls, they would tell DNREC and the city to pack sand and occupy Rodney Square. By comparison, Fletcher Brown seems like a safe, comfortable choice to minimize a confrontation with Wilmington.
I’ve written that same comment several times and deleted it. I’m not the one getting arrested.
Basically the group will not be allowed in sight of the banks or Dupont. It’s not my call what to do about that. I’ll support what Occupy Delaware decides.
Occupy Cleveland wins Injunction against City of Cleveland in federal court to end protest.
OccupyTN, Judge orders police to stop arresting occupiers for violating curfews.
Fed Judge Threatens Oakland Police dept, with Court Takevover after ongoing police abuses.
ACLU TN was instrumental in getting the Judge in Tenn to rule in occupy Tenn. favor.
We need a federal injunction filed today in Delaware.
Puck: Support the Constitution. The first amendment gives the permision. Its time these Governors understood that.
selander is on WDEL–Markell/DNREC offered Brandywine Park for ‘ongoing’ work, and Fletcher Brown during park hours during this weekend (with waived park fee and insurance requirements).
Brandywine has a piece only a block away from Fletcher Brown.
Brandywine is the other state park in Wilmington. It is much larger and can more easily accomodate the envisioned occupation, in Selander’s view
one of the challenges is that OccupyDE works democratically, and has not charged any individual with making this decision (whether to utilize both parks, but ‘reside’ only in Brandywine).
They may need to start in Fletcher Brown on Saturday, hold a ‘general assembly’ and determine whether to accept the Governor’s offer. Thus we may not know the resolution today.
Rodney Square is open to the public on Saturday.
I’m not seeing anything in Brandywine that looks like a reasonable substitute.
Perhaps the General Assembly should be held in the offered Brandywine site, so everyone can get a feel if it will work or not. Maybe a quick march to all the sites to get in practice and keep everybody warm 🙂
they are OK’yd for Brandywine Park
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111104/NEWS/111040322/State-OKs-Occupy-campout-Brandywine-park?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home
compromise is a good thing
Our Agency “The Addictions Coalition of Delaware” distributes and will publish a Wilmington edition starting Jan 1,2012 of the Homeless Newspaper “One Step Away” Our vendors have been working in Wilmington for just about a year. Our November Philly edition just hit the street and the lead article is about the relationship between the Homeless and Occupy.
http://www.streetnewsservice.org/news/2011/october/feed-303/homeless-find-home-at-%27occupy-philly%27.aspx
This story has been picked up nationally and gone viral
We will be at thePark tomorrow as will some of our vendors. We expect that our homeless friends will be made welcome and given an opportunity as they are at the bottom of the 99% or as they have been dubbed the “Last 1%”
scam site? http://occupydelawareonline.com/ they are getting donations…
Has 2 names at bottom of video, one legit and one Whack job…. I vote scam 🙂
Has Chris Coons offered any support for this weekend and possible longer stay?
Perhaps the group should OCCUPY WOODBURN and the GREEN in Dover next to legislative hall. After all, this is where the doors get swung wide open for corporate greed in Delaware.
Isn’t Governor Markell part of the 1%? Didn’t he emerge from the same corporate background occupy movement is concerned about?
Pitch the tents on the Governor’s lawn!!!
The Gov. has made a grave mistake. Obviously he does’nt realize no permit is needed for public parks/spaces. Markell could have been a hero for the whole country. He could have said, “we understand the constitutional right to assemble and I have ordered all state agencies to assist in anyway occupy Delaware”. That would have made national news! Delaware the First state to sign the Consitution now looks like Alabama, or Texas. A major missed opportunity Governor, all to protect the banksters, dupont and credit card companies.
Coons, Carney and Carper too busy standing with the illegal, unconstituional Super Committee, keeping Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the cutting room floor.
Seniors were told we would get a small raise the beginning of the year. Well that little raise has already been eaten up as everyone of our health care premiums has gone up from $40. to $100! We all got notices in the last 2 days.
The Super Committee is not illegal. Nor is it unconstitutional. It is simply a method that Congress is employing to break the log jam. Any output of the Super Committee still has to pass the House and the Senate. Congress is free to form any committees they wish since the constitution does not dictate how they shall plan, organize or conduct congressional business. Specifically in Article I, Section 5 “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings” And they determine they would have a super committe in much the same manner as they determined they would have a HASC, SASC, Energy and Water, ad naseum, committees.
Now, I am not opining that the super committee is a wise thing or that it is not the result of Congress’ inability to conduct its business. I am just saying it is not unconstitutional or illegal.
The very fact that Rodney Square is apparently controlled by some quasi-governmental group and has ties with corporations with apparent veto power is precisely why Occupy Delaware should occupy it, permit or no permit.
It is the very symbol of corporate control over government and over people’s lives. Oh, and that’s where the corporations are.
I, for one, would be willing to get arrested for civil disobedience if Occupy occupies Rodney Square.
Say, that Rodney guy, didn’t he have something to do with, you know, the founding of our country?
i’m kinda suprised the “bearded Marxist” Chris Coons has not applauded the efforts of OWS.
To John Young: Where is your evidence that occupydelawareonline.com is a scam operation? This slander is nothing more than a divide and conquer technique. Are you a bagger? A repuke? You make comments like this, you better have some evidence.
I think we know who is running that site. Each person can decide for him or herself the level of scam.
You will be reading all about it real soon in the News Journal. You are the scammer John Young and a vile slanderer.
Oh my! Guess we aren’t working on making friends and influencing people. 😉
Oh Liz, shut up.
Del Dem: the only scam is those posting on this scam blog. Your demonizations and lies and personality attacks are feeding the corporate pigs.