POSTED BY MARI HERRERAS ON FRI, OCT 14, 2011 AT 3:00 PM
Zeitgeist Tucson or Occupy Tucson?
Then the unexpected — calls to the Range included frustrations over anti-Semitic comments, lack of women or people of color represented in the leadership, and then worries that those taking early leadership roles in planning were all part of the Zeitgeist Movement, and then the final concern was that anyone questioning these issues were being pushed out.
During the Steve Leal Show (which you can listen to above), Craig Barber, an Occupy Tucson volunteer and co-organizer, responded to these concerns. He’s an admin on the Occupy Tucson Facebook page, and part of the Occupy Tucson IT Working Group. He was also featured this week on Countdown with Keith Olbermann talking about putting together Occupy Tucson. He came into the radio station studio with another Occupy Tucson volunteer, Ethan Beasley, to discuss the movement.
Barber told us that the second planning meeting was scheduled on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur but the need to reschedule it was addressed. The general assembly voted to change the meeting from Saturday to Sunday to “accommodate those in the Jewish community.”
When Zeitgeist was brought up, Barber said the group was democratic and couldn’t control if there was any type of fringe element or demonstrators associated with controversial groups. Although, it was acknowledged that Asshat has been at the planning meetings.
“We are aware of him,” Barber said.
Why Zeitgeist (also known as the Venus Project) was brought to the Range’s attention as a concern is that some view the movement as a cult based on conspiracy theories on the illegitimate power of the federal government. But in Tucson some are more sensitive about the mention of Zeitgeist because of Jared Loughner. According to his friends interviewed after the Jan. 8 shooting, Loughner didn’t have any political allegiances, but an obsession with Zeitgeist. Loughner’s YouTube videos touched on Zeitgeist references on the Federal Reserve currency system and a government led system working to turn citizens into slaves. Much of this is available online in a series of videos produced by Zeitgeist, which have a large following.
“As I mentioned before we are open to everybody who wants to come out and peacefully say their peace,” Barber said. “You will hear from a fringe element in our society…. We are not going to censor anyone who comes out, say for someone who instigates violence. You might hear a Zeitgeist person come out and speak, but don’t let that shape your perception of the group as a whole. Let what shapes your perception of the group as a whole in what the general assembly decides.
“No singe political organization, no single religious group, no sort of elements politically have co-opted this. This is a grassroots community oriented group. All decisions are made by the general assembly,” Barber said.
Another concern raised is about the structure of the leadership people see before the general assembly and planning meetings — all male and mostly Anglo.
“It’s not just about inviting us to the dance, but sharing power,” Leal told Barber during the show. During break, Barber said they are aware of this issue and they are working on addressing changes. Another idea thrown out is to use progressive stacking, which would have to be voted on before the general assembling at the park this weekend — it means giving women and minorities first go in making comments and bringing ideas before the general assembly.