There is a Thankgiving potluck this eve. OWS is said to be bringing approximately 80 turkey dinners, but it would not hurt to bring more food and drink. Also, things like plastic cups, dinnerware, paper plates, napkins, would be very useful. There’s no fixed time but safe to say people will begin gathering after 5, with 7 as a realistic target for eating.

Although a 2/3 majority at the emergency GA decided to accept the Administration’s offer to move to a new space, a significant number of occupiers have concerns about whether the Administration has acted in good faith and whether the decision was legitimate. Because there are currently differing opinions about the situation and no party can presently claim full ownership of this movement, this site, which was created to represent people who are now split on this issue, cannot take sides. However, those who have decided to stay in the 90 5th Avenue space for the time being have created a new site, http://ninetyfifthavenueoccupation.wordpress.com/, which they will be updating. If the Kellen Auditorium space creates its own site, that will be posted here as well.

There will be an emergency general assembly tonight to discuss New School President Van Zandt’s proposal of an alternative space. Anyone who can attend is strongly encouraged to do so, as things are coming down to the wire and we need to formulate our response.

We, the occupiers of 90 5^th Avenue, have been joined by and stand in solidarity with the victims of police repression in response to a peaceful protest at Baruch College on Monday, November 21. Students from the City University of New York (CUNY) system, as well as from private universities around the city, gathered at 4 PM to protest the CUNY Board of Trustees’ decision to increase tuition yet again. This appointed body is unaccountable, undemocratic, and therefore illegitimate. It unilaterally decided to further disenfranchise those without means from access to any higher education in the city. In doing so, it has made a mockery of the notion of equal educational opportunity and completely excluded children of working-class families from access to an already under-funded public university system.

We have already seen this process unfold in California. Here, as there, working-class students are being ordered to pay for the mistakes of the wealthy. Here, as there, resistance of any kind has been met with unprovoked and egregiously brutal police violence. This outrageous response to popularly supported and peaceful democratic protest has revealed precisely what the police protect and who they serve. It is now abundantly clear that they do not serve or protect everyday people. Today we saw them protect the privilege of the few, the privilege of directly expropriating wealth from working people while silencing with baton blows any who dare to voice dissent.

Today we, the students of New York City, stand as one in unwavering solidarity with all those harassed and beaten by the thugs of the 1%. Our resolve has only been steeled. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.  The representatives of a social order in the throes of death will not prevent us from rising to reclaim our future.

ESCALATE the Struggle. EXPAND the Movement. OCCUPY!

Developing, updates soon.

This is an urgent call to everyone who has used or been involved with this growing and evolving space and believes it is an important space to preserve. Please explain to the New School administration why this occupation matters to you. Make sure they hear our side of the story! This is the most important way that you can help us hold the building.

Tim Marshall, Provost: marshalt@newschool.edu
David Van Zandt, President: vanzandt@newschool.edu