Category Archives: Press Release

Feb 07

Press Release – CVS Building Takeover

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For Immediate Release!!! 

To Whom it May Concern:
This is to clarify that Occupy Chapel Hill / Carrboro (OCHC) exists as a unique entity, with approaches, actions, and ambitions determined solely by what is consensed, ie., agreed upon by consensus, during its General Assemblies (GAs).
We want to make clear that the Carrboro Commune action of Saturday, February 4, 2012 – a takeover of an abandoned building on the corner of Main and North Greensboro Streets in order to create a community center – was not such an action.  
OCHC takes a position only on those actions that have been consensed by its General Assembly. Such actions are proposed by OCHC members, and are subject to debate and amendment.
OCHC is committed to inclusivity and transparency. Its members reflect a diverse spectrum of opinions, where everyone is welcome. Its minutes are published on the OCHC website (http:/ /occupychapelhill.org). Its GAs and activities are, whenever possible, streamed live and archived. We work towards real and positive change in all aspects of our community.
For further information, you may contact occupychapelhill@gmail.com or visit occupychapelhill.org
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Jan 11

Press Release from Nomadic Occupy of OCH/C

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Nomadic Occupy, the traveling encampment of Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro will encamp at Hargraves Community Center (216 North Robertson Street) on Wednesday January 11, 2012 corresponding to the Community Policing Advisory Committee meeting on Town Manager, Roger Stancil’s report, which praised Chapel Hill Police Department’s decision to deploy a SERT team armed with military weapons in response to civil disobedience at the Yates Motor Company building on Franklin Street on November 12 and 13, 2011.

“In person interaction is the heart of the Occupy movement. Nomadic Occupy camps create a space for open dialogue. The last Community Police Advisory Committee meeting was standing room only with no comments. We’re an alternative to the closed process of internal meetings and reviews.” said Maria Rowan of Nomadic Occupy.
“Regardless of what this committee concludes, our community rejects the increase in police violence, racial profiling and the militarization of police. We’ve spoken in council meetings, in petitions for independent review and hundred person marches.” said Sara Nelson of Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro.
Contact:
Maria Rowan
Dec 18

For Immediate Release – Walkupy comes to Occupy Chapel Hill

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54 Day Long March, Walkupy, Pays a Visit to Occupy Chapel Hill and Carrboro

Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro continues alongside other Occupy movements all over the world as they evolve and transform. The group will welcome another creative occupy movement to the Town, Walkupy, as they pay the Town a visit on 12/23/2011. The Walkupy movement is a 54-day march which started in Washington, DC and will end in Atlanta, GA at the gravesite of Martin Luther King, Jr.. The march commenced on December 1st, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, commemorating the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. The march will be visiting Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston Salem and Charlotte while passing through North Carolina.

Occupy Wall Street has spawned many creative occupy movements all over the world and Walkupy is a clear example of the diversity of approaches. While in Town, Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro members and supporters will be marching along their route as they come into Chapel Hill. While at Peace and Justice Plaza, the group will also hold a teach-in and a potluck, which is open to the public.

For more information about the events, please contact occupychmedia@gmail.com

Nov 21

For Immediate Release: OCH Marches Against Police Oppression

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OCCUPY CHAPEL HILL/ CARRBORO

179 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
Contact: Chad Johnston, (919) 923-5917

(Chapel Hill, North Carolina) (November 21, 2011) — On Monday, November 21st, Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro will not be holding its regular 6pm General Assembly at Peace and Justice Plaza on Franklin Street. Instead, we are coming together for a peaceful protest and march in opposition to the repression of, and excessive show of force against, the occupation of 419 W Franklin St.

The protest will commence at 6pm, at Chapel Hill Police Headquarters, and after peacefully demonstrating there, we will walk to Town Hall to participate in the 7pm Town Council Meeting.

Nov 15

Official OCH Press Release Regarding Sunday’s Events

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chapel Hill, North Carolina, November 15, 2011 )– The General Assembly of Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro, meeting at Peace and Justice Plaza, expresses outrage and disappointment at the disproportionate and disturbing use of force by the Chapel Hill Police Department.

 

Officers pointing automatic weapons at the heads and bodies of unarmed and peaceful individuals as they did on Sunday afternoon — without issuing any prior warning — raises serious questions about who they are meant to serve and protect.  “I’d say I’m not so much angry, as disappointed to have witnessed assault rifles used aggressively and indiscriminately on unarmed protesters and onlookers alike in our fair town of Chapel Hill. It ain’t right. It just ain’t right.” Sonia Katchian, Chapel Hill resident. We feel the CHPD has created an artificial sense of fear and uncertainty for many Chapel Hill/Carrboro residents as a result.

 

“Seeing police pointing machine guns at unarmed protestors, next to a public bus ready to carry them away, and plastered with a Wells Fargo billboard was really ironic. It really makes you think about the kind of democracy we have,” said Carrboro Alderman Sammy Slade.

 

The General Assembly thanks the occupants of the Yates building for their clear statements explaining that this was not an action of the Occupy Chapel Hill General Assembly at Peace and Justice Plaza. We also want to express appreciation to the various local media for their accuracy in reporting this important fact.  As stated publicly Sunday afternoon prior to the police action and arrests, this action was neither discussed nor authorized by our General Assembly.  It was an autonomous action by a group of people, many of whom do nevertheless identify as part of the larger Occupy Wall Street Movement — an international movement with occupations now in numerous countries around the world.

 

“This movement is about revealing and addressing real problems in our economic and political system,” said Michal Osterweil, lecturer at UNC Chapel Hill,  ”whether or not you agree with the tactics, we must recognize that it opens up a crucial conversation about access to property and who violence is reserved for.”