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	'''Occupy Ottawa''' is a ~~mostly ], leaderless, ] and democratic~~ ] ] that began on ] in ], ], on October 15, 2011. The movement's slogan "Home of the global revolution in Ottawa" refers to its inspiration by, and association with, the ], ] and the global ], which protests growing economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporations and lobbyists on electoral politics and government. Occupy Ottawa seeks global economic, social, political and environmental justice.		'''Occupy Ottawa''' is a ] ] that began on ] in ], ], on October 15, 2011. The movement's slogan "Home of the global revolution in Ottawa" refers to its inspiration by, and association with, the ], ] and the global ], which protests growing economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporations and lobbyists on electoral politics and government. Occupy Ottawa seeks global economic, social, political and environmental justice.

	As of June 2012, Occupy Ottawa had continued to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.occupyottawa.org/calendar \| title=Occupy Ottawa: Official Calendar \| publisher= (Official website) \| accessdate=March 5, 2012}}</ref>		As of June 2012, Occupy Ottawa had continued to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.occupyottawa.org/calendar \| title=Occupy Ottawa: Official Calendar \| publisher= (Official website) \| accessdate=March 5, 2012}}</ref>
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	Occupy Ottawa or its allies in the capital region organized a series of ~~high-impact~~ public actions. For the most past the movement focused on the issues at the heart of he Occupy movement. But Occupy Ottawa also undertook actions targeting the national legislative agenda. In fact, some of the actions raises the question whether movement intends to eventually become political. For example, during its December 3 General Assembly, the movement approved the creation of a "Political Action Committee". The committee's mandate was to create a "political mandate", and spearhead political actions, for the movement.		Occupy Ottawa or its allies in the capital region organized a series of public actions. For the most past the movement focused on the issues at the heart of he Occupy movement. But Occupy Ottawa also undertook actions targeting the national legislative agenda. In fact, some of the actions raises the question whether movement intends to eventually become political. For example, during its December 3 General Assembly, the movement approved the creation of a "Political Action Committee". The committee's mandate was to create a "political mandate", and spearhead political actions, for the movement.

	===Second global day of action===		===Second global day of action===
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	===Omnibus crime bill C-10===		===Omnibus crime bill C-10===
	On Saturday, November 26, an estimated 300 activists turned up to peacefully protest the controversial Conservative government's bill, which was currently under debate in the ]. The protest was organized under the aegis of the "Occupy Ottawa Coalition to End Crime Bill C-10". The nine speakers of the day included Angus Toulouse, the regional Chief of the ], ], an MP from the ] (NDP), ], a former Senator, and representatives of the ], Odawa Native Friendship Centre and Muslims for Progressive ~~Values.~~		On Saturday, November 26, an estimated 300 activists turned up to peacefully protest the controversial Conservative government's bill, which was currently under debate in the ]. The protest was organized under the aegis of the "Occupy Ottawa Coalition to End Crime Bill C-10". The nine speakers of the day included Angus Toulouse, the regional Chief of the ], ], an MP from the ] (NDP), ], a former Senator, and representatives of the ], Odawa Native Friendship Centre and Muslims for Progressive Value

		⚫	==Controversies==
	===Solidarity actions===
		⚫	Ottawa citizens turned against the movement after issues were raised concerning hygiene, environmental impacts on the city park, drug use, and claims and complaints of rape and assault.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Parking+noise+drug+Occupy+Ottawa+beefs/6182599/story.html \| title=Parking, noise, drug use top Occupy Ottawa beefs \| publisher=Ottawa Citizen \| date=February 21, 2012 \| accessdate=March 18, 2012 \| author=Cockburn, Neco; Brownlee, Mark}}</ref> In July 2013, James Sherwood pled guilty to sexual assault of an underage girl who he had met through Occupy Ottawa.
	As the crackdown on Occupy camps across Canada intensified, Occupy Ottawa seemed to expand its focus and reach.{{Citation needed\|date=July 2013}}

			====Public response== ==
	====Solidarity visit to Occupy Kingston====
	Tuesday, December 6, 2011, was a crucial day for Occupy Kingston. It was the day the ] voted to evict the occupiers, who had been encamped in Confederation Park since October 15. Occupy Ottawa activists visited their fellow occupiers and were present in the council chambers when the council voted 7-6 against Occupy Kingston.{{Citation needed\|date=July 2013}}

		⚫	==After weeks of uncertainty, Occupy Ottawa's occupation of Confederation Park was decided on the morning of November 21, 2011. The ] (NCC), the ] responsible for the park, served the movement with the notice of eviction. More than 300 people gathered for the movement's 6.30pm General Assembly, which unanimously voted to resist the eviction. In a statement, the movement said:==
	====Solidarity with Syria and Egypt====
		⚫	:“We began this movement because we want change and we know that the old ways of political participation aren’t working. These officials are doing the bidding of the 1%. They don’t want to listen or engage in dialogue with us because they know we are already changing the conversation in this city, in this country and globally. We will offer resistance to those who try to force us out of public space.”
	On Thursday, December 8, Occupy Ottawa activists participate in a march in support of the struggle for democracy and political change in ] and ].{{Citation needed\|date=July 2013}}

		⚫	Eight protesters vowed to stay on the park and make a last stand. The rest vowed to stick around and support them. The deadline came and passed without any action from the authorities. Still, up to 100 protesters remained on the park throughout most of the night and waited. However, by the end of the next day, signs of fatigue began to appear. By evening, the numbers had dwindled to less than 30.
	====Perth visit====
	On Sunday, December 11, Occupy Ottawa speakers visited ], 83 km outside Ottawa to share their collective and personal experiences with the locals. Over 100 people packed a local pub, O'Reilly's, to hear the speakers. Following the visit, a new Occupy movement, Occupy Larnak County, emerged.{{Citation needed\|date=July 2013}}

		⚫	On the morning of Wednesday, November 23, 2011, around 2.00am, officers from the ] moved into the park and arrested the protesters. While five of the protesters complied with the police order to willingly leave the park, three made another last stand and chained themselves together in a tent inside the fountain. The police removed them from the park. All were served $65 ] tickets and released.
⚫	==Controversies==
⚫	Ottawa citizens turned against the movement after issues were raised concerning hygiene, environmental impacts on the city park, drug use, and claims and complaints of rape and assault.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Parking+noise+drug+Occupy+Ottawa+beefs/6182599/story.html \| title=Parking, noise, drug use top Occupy Ottawa beefs \| publisher=Ottawa Citizen \| date=February 21, 2012 \| accessdate=March 18, 2012 \| author=Cockburn, Neco; Brownlee, Mark}}</ref> In July 2013, James Sherwood pled guilty to sexual assault of an underage girl who he had met through Occupy Ottawa

⚫	==~~Public responseAfter~~ weeks of uncertainty, Occupy Ottawa's ~~occupatio~~ of Confederation Park was decided on the morning of November 21, 2011. The ] (NCC), the ] responsible for the park, served the movement with the notice of eviction. More than 300 people gathered for the movement's 6.30pm General Assembly, which unanimously voted to ~~peacefully~~ resist the eviction. In a statement, the movement said:==
⚫	:“We began this movement because we want ~~positive~~ change and we know that the old ways of political participation aren’t working. These officials are doing the bidding of the 1%. They don’t want to listen or engage in dialogue with us because they know we are already changing the conversation in this city, in this country and globally. We will offer ~~dignified and principled~~ resistance to those who try to force us out of public space.”

⚫	Eight protesters vowed to stay on the park and make a last~~, peaceful,~~ stand. The rest vowed to stick around and support them. The deadline came and passed without any action from the authorities. Still, up to 100 protesters remained on the park throughout most of the night and waited. However, by the end of the next day, signs of fatigue began to appear. ~~The numbers dwindled. Some of the protesters suggested that the authorities were playing mind games and sought to wear the protesters out. There is some truth to the allegation.~~ By evening, the numbers had dwindled to less than 30..

⚫	On the morning of Wednesday, November 23, 2011, around 2.00am, ~~an estimated 150~~ officers from the ] moved into the park and arrested the ~~defiant~~ protesters. While five of the protesters complied with the police order to willingly leave the park, three made another last stand and chained themselves together in a tent inside the fountain. The police ~~dragged~~ them ~~out of~~ the park~~. One of the protesters ended up in hospital~~. All were served $65 ] tickets and released.

	==After eviction==		==After eviction==
	Before the eviction, there had been predictions that the harsh Canadian winter would drive Occupy Ottawa out of Confederation Park. But, after losing the park, and the generous ] that came with it, Occupy Ottawa seems to have gained new strength. The numbers have dwindled but the movement still holds two to three General Assemblies a week. New committees, working groups or initiatives emerged in December 2011 and January 2012, including a Political Action Committee and "InterOccupy" and "Threads of Occupation" working groups. The committees and working groups meet regularly during the week and constantly engage in ]. Assisting these efforts is a robust media apparatus that includes a communally edited website that features a Community News page, Forums, Facebook Page, Facebook Groups, Twitter Profile and YouTube account. On March 1, 2012, Occupy Ottawa launched a blog that summarizes the movement's monthly news and events.<ref>{{cite web \| last =Kraus \| first =Krystalline \| authorlink = \| coauthors = \| title =Activist Communique: occupy Ottawa launches news blog\| work = \| publisher =Rabble.ca \| date = \| url =http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/krystalline-kraus/2012/03/activist-communiqu%C3%A9-occupy-ottawa-launches-new-blog \| format = \| doi = \| accessdate =16 March 2012 }}</ref>		Before the eviction, there had been predictions that the harsh Canadian winter would drive Occupy Ottawa out of Confederation Park. But, after losing the park, and the generous ] that came with it, Occupy Ottawa seems to have gained new strength. The numbers have dwindled but the movement still holds two to three General Assemblies a week. New committees, working groups or initiatives emerged in December 2011 and January 2012, including a Political Action Committee and "InterOccupy" and "Threads of Occupation" working groups. The committees and working groups meet regularly during the week and constantly engage in ]. Assisting these efforts is a robust media apparatus that includes a communally edited website that features a Community News page, Forums, Facebook Page, Facebook Groups, Twitter Profile and YouTube account. On March 1, 2012, Occupy Ottawa launched a blog that summarizes the movement's monthly news and events.<ref>{{cite web \| last =Kraus \| first =Krystalline \| authorlink = \| coauthors = \| title =Activist Communique: occupy Ottawa launches news blog\| work = \| publisher =Rabble.ca \| date = \| url =http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/krystalline-kraus/2012/03/activist-communiqu%C3%A9-occupy-ottawa-launches-new-blog \| format = \| doi = \| accessdate =16 March 2012 }}</ref>

	Approximately a year after the initial occupation, the group changed its name to Occupied Ottawa.<ref></ref>

	==See also==		==See also==

Revision as of 14:04, 13 July 2013

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Occupy Ottawa is a protest movement that began on Confederation Park in Ottawa, Ontario, on October 15, 2011. The movement's slogan "Home of the global revolution in Ottawa" refers to its inspiration by, and association with, the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and the global Occupy Movement, which protests growing economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporations and lobbyists on electoral politics and government. Occupy Ottawa seeks global economic, social, political and environmental justice.

As of June 2012, Occupy Ottawa had continued to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.

Global Day of Action

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On October 15, 2011, the Global Day of Action, over 700 demonstrators gathered around "Freedom Fountain" in Confederation Park for the movement's launch for its inaugural General Assembly. Founding facilitators Ben Powless (Mohawk, Six Nations, Ontario) and Brigette "the Rogue Page" Depape discussed the Occupy Movement's trademark consensus-based democratic processes of deciding and debating issues and protest actions. They discussed the Occupy movement's overriding commitment to participatory democracy, direct democracy, "majority consensus", and stressed the importance of a peaceful demonstration. They also voted to occupy Confederation Park indefinitely. Prominent Canadian public figures among the crowd that day include Green Party leader and Federal MP, Elizabeth May and activist Brigette DePape, a former Canadian Senate Page Program, who famously help up a "Stop Harper!" protest sign during the throne speech of the Government of Canada in the Senate in the summer of 2011.

Encampment

Immediately after the General Assembly, activists set up tents on the northeast corner of the park at the intersection of Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street. Within two weeks, the movement's "tent city" comprised more than 60 tents and tarp-covered shelters, including a kitchen, donations tent and media tent. Somewhere between 75 and 100 people consistently slept in the park. The kitchen, sustained through generous in-kind and cash donations from the public, served activists, visitors and the city's homeless.

Protest actions

Occupy Ottawa or its allies in the capital region organized a series of public actions. For the most past the movement focused on the issues at the heart of he Occupy movement. But Occupy Ottawa also undertook actions targeting the national legislative agenda. In fact, some of the actions raises the question whether movement intends to eventually become political. For example, during its December 3 General Assembly, the movement approved the creation of a "Political Action Committee". The committee's mandate was to create a "political mandate", and spearhead political actions, for the movement.

Second global day of action

On November 17, Occupy Ottawa activists held simultaneous marches on four key and politically charged Ottawa landmarks. One group marched on the Human Rights Monument to highlight the movement's unequivocal commitment to human rights. The second marched on Sparks Street Mall, Ottawa's corporate and media hub. The group sought to restate the Occupy movement's expressed stance against unfettered corporate greed, growing economic inequality and the perceived mainstream media collusion with the dominant political and economic forces.

The third group targeted two landmarks. First, it marched on the city's Novotel Hotel to protest the hotel's efforts to squash workers' rights too unionize. From there, the group marched through the Rideau Centre, the Byward Market. It finally converged on the United States Embassy on Sussex Drive to express solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, and protest the eviction and police brutality the movement faced at the time.

Later, the three groups later converged on Parliament Hill.

Omnibus crime bill C-10

On Saturday, November 26, an estimated 300 activists turned up to peacefully protest the controversial Conservative government's bill, which was currently under debate in the House of Commons. The protest was organized under the aegis of the "Occupy Ottawa Coalition to End Crime Bill C-10". The nine speakers of the day included Angus Toulouse, the regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Françoise Boivin, an MP from the New Democratic Party (NDP), Landon Pearson, a former Senator, and representatives of the John Howard Society of Canada, Odawa Native Friendship Centre and Muslims for Progressive Value

Controversies

Ottawa citizens turned against the movement after issues were raised concerning hygiene, environmental impacts on the city park, drug use, and claims and complaints of rape and assault. In July 2013, James Sherwood pled guilty to sexual assault of an underage girl who he had met through Occupy Ottawa.

==Public response==

After weeks of uncertainty, Occupy Ottawa's occupation of Confederation Park was decided on the morning of November 21, 2011. The National Capital Commission (NCC), the Canadian Crown Corporation responsible for the park, served the movement with the notice of eviction. More than 300 people gathered for the movement's 6.30pm General Assembly, which unanimously voted to resist the eviction. In a statement, the movement said:

“We began this movement because we want change and we know that the old ways of political participation aren’t working. These officials are doing the bidding of the 1%. They don’t want to listen or engage in dialogue with us because they know we are already changing the conversation in this city, in this country and globally. We will offer resistance to those who try to force us out of public space.”

Eight protesters vowed to stay on the park and make a last stand. The rest vowed to stick around and support them. The deadline came and passed without any action from the authorities. Still, up to 100 protesters remained on the park throughout most of the night and waited. However, by the end of the next day, signs of fatigue began to appear. By evening, the numbers had dwindled to less than 30.

On the morning of Wednesday, November 23, 2011, around 2.00am, officers from the Ottawa Police moved into the park and arrested the protesters. While five of the protesters complied with the police order to willingly leave the park, three made another last stand and chained themselves together in a tent inside the fountain. The police removed them from the park. All were served $65 trespass tickets and released.

After eviction

Before the eviction, there had been predictions that the harsh Canadian winter would drive Occupy Ottawa out of Confederation Park. But, after losing the park, and the generous media coverage that came with it, Occupy Ottawa seems to have gained new strength. The numbers have dwindled but the movement still holds two to three General Assemblies a week. New committees, working groups or initiatives emerged in December 2011 and January 2012, including a Political Action Committee and "InterOccupy" and "Threads of Occupation" working groups. The committees and working groups meet regularly during the week and constantly engage in direct actions. Assisting these efforts is a robust media apparatus that includes a communally edited website that features a Community News page, Forums, Facebook Page, Facebook Groups, Twitter Profile and YouTube account. On March 1, 2012, Occupy Ottawa launched a blog that summarizes the movement's monthly news and events.

References

"Occupy Ottawa: Official Calendar". Occupy-ottawa.org (Official website). Retrieved March 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
Cockburn, Neco; Brownlee, Mark (February 21, 2012). "Parking, noise, drug use top Occupy Ottawa beefs". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 18, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Kraus, Krystalline. "Activist Communique: occupy Ottawa launches news blog". Rabble.ca. Retrieved 16 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)