From protest to programs:, The evolution of Occupy Kingston

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Bill Hutchins

EMC News - Occupy Kingston is not just about in-your-face protest tactics anymore.

And the group may have found a new home on municipal property - both indoors and legal - to promote its expanding message.

Seven weeks after city council's widely-publicized decision to evict the group from Confederation Park, Occupy is back on the municipal radar. Staff are recommending an indoor meeting room at the Kingston Memorial Centre as headquarters for the local movement, at least on a short-term basis.

"It's a good first step," said Coun. Rob Hutchison.

Politicians had asked staff in December to explore potential locations for Occupy Kingston to use as a community meeting space.

"In the time frame provided by council, the Memorial Centre was the only space identified by staff that could possibly meet the short term needs of Occupy Kingston," explained community services commissioner Lanie Hurdle.

Her report was delivered to the city's arts, recreation and community policies committee this week for further discussion.

"I think that's a reasonable approach. It's an issue of some importance to the city, if not the country," added Coun. Hutchison, who serves on the committee.

The group indicated it would need about 1,000 square feet of space that is centrally located. The Memorial Centre has 500 square feet in available space, but it would cost about $5,000 in tax dollars to paint, carpet and install phone lines in the room. The money would be covered by the city's own reserve funds, according to Hurdle's report.

Coun. Hutchison, who supports the group's crusade against income disparity and the democratic deficit, questions whether any of the $5,000 expenditure is necessary. "After spending a couple of months in a cold tent I don't think this is a group that thinks carpeting is a priority."

Community groups and contractors may be willing to install the services at little or no cost, he added.

It will be up to council to determine whether the Memorial Centre, and the proposed fix-up fees, is an adequate solution to help Occupy Kingston. Council may have to bend its own rules to accommodate the group. Kingston's revenue leasing and licensing policy says the city has to make space available to meet the needs of all community groups, and no one can have exclusive access to public facilities.

"A direct allocation of space to Occupy Kingston would not be compliant with the policy recently approved by council," Hurdle explained.

Staff also identified meeting room space in the Invista Centre and Artillery Park that could accommodate Occupy Kingston meetings for up to 40 people, once a week, for two hours at a time. But the Memorial Centre meeting room appears better suited to the group's immediate needs, Hurdle added.

Occupy Kingston has also broadened the scope of its message, moving away from protest to focus on sustainable-based programs.

The group recently formed its own Board of Directors and has applied for not-for-profit status. It's offering affordable services and programs through its Open Source Action Centre project, reducing downstream e-waste through the refurbishment or reuse of donated computer technology. The equipment will be offered at low or no-cost to less privileged students and other community members.

Occupy Kingston also plans to work very closely with the Community Garden Network.

"That just points to the sincerity of their intentions. Actions speak louder than words," said Coun. Hutchison of the group's goal to fix "structural problems" of society.

The local Occupy movement sprang into action last fall by setting up an encampment in the public park across from city hall to protest corporate greed and the growing gap between rich and poor. The tent lasted seven weeks until council evicted the group peacefully during a narrow 7-6 vote on December 10.