In addition to Legal Observers®, Guild attorneys often provide legal defense for protesters [...]]]> I am interested in becoming trained as a legal observer.  If we have 10-20 people also interested in becoming a legal observer, the National Lawyers Guild will send someone up to NC to train us. Who wants to attend the training?  Let me know.  Lorraine
The National Lawyers Guild Legal Observer® program was established in 1968 in New York City in response to protests at Columbia University and city-wide antiwar and civil rights demonstrations. That same year, Guild students organized for the defense of people swept up in mass arrests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Legal Observer® program is part of a comprehensive system of legal support designed to enable people to express their political views as fully as possible without unconstitutional disruption or interference by the police and with the fewest possible consequences from the criminal justice system.

In addition to Legal Observers®, Guild attorneys often provide legal defense for protesters who are arrested and bring civil litigation if needed. Legal Observers® are typically, but not exclusively, law students, legal workers and lawyers who may or may not be licensed locally. Legal Observers® are trained and directed by Guild attorneys, who often have established attorney-client relationships with activist organizations, or are in litigation challenging police tactics at mass assemblies. The presence of Legal Observers® may serve as a deterrent to unconstitutional behavior by law enforcement during a demonstration. To request Legal Observers for an upcoming event,

“Connect the Dots” Between Human Activities and Climate Change

Hundreds of Events around the world show the evidence that climate change is a clear and present danger

JOIN LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE COALITION IN CONNECTING THE DOTS ACROSS BRUNSWICK BRIDGE

There is worldwide scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activities such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels that increase atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Nonetheless, the fossil fuel industry has engaged in a massive disinformation and lobbying campaign to discredit climate science, and prevent governmental regulations reducing carbon emissions. We oppose subsidies for Big Oil, and that we demand Congress put pressure on the transportation industry to reduce carbon emissions and stop global warming!

Nevada County Citizens will jointly create a long dotted line with their bodies across the [...]]]> NEVADA COUNTY Joins Bill McKibben’s 350.org Global Demonstration to

“Connect the Dots” Between Human Activities and Climate Change

Hundreds of Events around the world show the evidence that climate change is a clear and present danger

JOIN LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE COALITION IN CONNECTING THE DOTS ACROSS BRUNSWICK BRIDGE

There is worldwide scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activities such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels that increase atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Nonetheless, the fossil fuel industry has engaged in a massive disinformation and lobbying campaign to discredit climate science, and prevent governmental regulations reducing carbon emissions. We oppose subsidies for Big Oil, and that we demand Congress put pressure on the transportation industry to reduce carbon emissions and stop global warming!

Nevada County Citizens will jointly create a long dotted line with their bodies across the Brunswick Bridge, “connecting the dots” between the fossil fuels and global warming.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Gather at Rite-Aid Parking Lot, then march across Brunswick Bridge

At approximately 3:50 we will CONNECT THE DOTS

　 This event in NEVADA COUNTY is part of a worldwide day of action in hundreds of communities across the globe connecting the dots between climate impacts like extreme weather, global warming, and the causes of the crisis. The events will dramatize that climate change is no longer a problem for the future, but an immediate crisis that is already effecting millions of people around the world. Climate Impacts Day is hosted by 350.org, an international grassroots climate campaign. Visit www.climatedots.org for more information.

350.org is an international grassroots climate campaign active in over 180 countries around the world. “350″ stands for 350 parts per million, the safe upper limit of carbon in the atmosphere. We are currently at 392ppm and rising

We’re taking a road trip to San Francisco to participate in the global day of action on May 1. Please join us!

If you’d like to learn the details and how to get involved, please check out the recent post in the art and design forum. We’d love to have you, in fact we need to recruit more people.

We’ll be bringing our gorgeous large art objects, “We’re all in the same boat” and the giant love puppet.

There are many actions planned for this exciting day. We plan to be at Montgomery and Market at 12 noon for a people’s festival in the street.

Several of us have decided that we want there to be a public presence from now on whenever foreclosure auctions are taking place in Grass Valley or Nevada City. Even if just two or three people are present to witness, demonstrate, and videotape the proceedings, it will show solidarity with people whose homes are being foreclosed and will show the auctioneer and local authorities that we are not going away. We have leaflets and a great sculpture of file boxes. [...]]]> You may be aware that we had a successful foreclosure action at the Nevada City Courthouse on March 21. The demonstration got a lot of media coverage and the foreclosure of Melanie Cornell’s home was again postponed. The auctioneer fled from the courthouse after being asked to show evidence of being bonded. When the reporter tried to follow, the police intervened. We hope to have Occupy TV’s video of the events ready to post soon.

Several of us have decided that we want there to be a public presence from now on whenever foreclosure auctions are taking place in Grass Valley or Nevada City. Even if just two or three people are present to witness, demonstrate, and videotape the proceedings, it will show solidarity with people whose homes are being foreclosed and will show the auctioneer and local authorities that we are not going away. We have leaflets and a great sculpture of file boxes. One hour of your time is enough.

Although these auctions can be emotionally challenging and homeowners can express upset or anger, our group has been careful to maintain a peaceful presence. We are developing clear nonviolence guidelines for people who want to be a part of our demonstration.

Please come on any of the following dates:

Holiday Inn Express (inside to witness and/or outside with signs and leaflets), 1 p.m.:
Monday–April 9, Monday–April 23 (Lots of homes scheduled on this date)

Nevada City Courthouse, 12:30 p.m., Rally:
Monday-April 9, Tuesday-April 10, Wednesday-April 11, Thursday-April 12,
Monday-April 16 (lots of homes scheduled on this day), Monday-April 23.

Ideas for Signs: Save Our Homes Stop Foreclosure Fraud
Moratorium on Foreclosures Now Bail out homes not banks
Hope to see you there!

Rally on the Nevada City Courthouse Steps Wednesday, March 21, Noon 

On Wednesday, March 21, Occupy Nevada County’s Foreclosure Working Group will hold a rally at 12 noon at the Nevada City Courthouse, 201 Main Street, where homes are regularly auctioned off.  The purpose of the action is to draw attention to the fact that banks are using fraudulent documents to foreclose and essentially steal peoples’ homes.   Speakers will include people who have been or are being foreclosed in Nevada County.  Local resident Melanie Cornell, whose home is scheduled to be auctioned off on that date, will be one of the speakers.  Her shocking story of illegal foreclosure process in Nevada County is attached.  Ms. Cornell is available for interviews by the press.

Ms. Cornell’s home was previously scheduled to be auctioned off at the courthouse on February 14.  Occupy Nevada County group members held [...]]]> ONC Foreclosure Working Group invites you to the “End Fraudulent Foreclosures!”

Rally on the Nevada City Courthouse Steps Wednesday, March 21, Noon 

On Wednesday, March 21, Occupy Nevada County’s Foreclosure Working Group will hold a rally at 12 noon at the Nevada City Courthouse, 201 Main Street, where homes are regularly auctioned off.  The purpose of the action is to draw attention to the fact that banks are using fraudulent documents to foreclose and essentially steal peoples’ homes.   Speakers will include people who have been or are being foreclosed in Nevada County.  Local resident Melanie Cornell, whose home is scheduled to be auctioned off on that date, will be one of the speakers.  Her shocking story of illegal foreclosure process in Nevada County is attached.  Ms. Cornell is available for interviews by the press.

Ms. Cornell’s home was previously scheduled to be auctioned off at the courthouse on February 14.  Occupy Nevada County group members held a rally on that day to support her.  Several of us witnessed a member of Ms. Cornell’s family present the foreclosure sales agent (auctioneer) with legal documents that put a stay on the foreclosure, along with affidavits supporting her claim that the deed of trust is forged and that the process is fraudulent.  The foreclosure sales agent threw the papers to the ground and claimed that “these papers don’t mean anything.”

Occupy Nevada County’s Foreclosure Working Group is made up of community members who are concerned about the rising number of foreclosures and evictions here in Nevada County.  Some of us have had personal experience of foreclosure in our families.  We have been researching all matters involving defaults, foreclosures, and evictions. We have discovered many improprieties by banks and loan servicers, and have begun reaching out to the community to prevent these injustices.  Our goal as a group is to highlight the foreclosure crisis, support families who are losing their homes, and find ways to keep people in their homes.

The group has been gathering and sharing information on foreclosures, loan modifications, short sales, and evictions.  Group members have been consulting with local realtors, lawyers, law library staff, and people who are going through foreclosure and eviction to learn about legal rights for homeowners and tenants and to warn against common pitfalls.  They are pointing people in the direction of local services and referring people to reputable lawyers.  They are also providing support for homeowners or tenants during foreclosure or eviction, which can include private or public advocacy.  Last December they received national publicity on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show after the group successfully negotiated the postponement of the eviction of a single mother and her four children just days before Christmas.

People can contact the group for help, information, or to offer support to people who are losing their homes by email at foreclosures@earth-justice..org.

Thanks to everyone that showed up to support and encourage the council to pass the resolution.

With this success others will follow.  We’re still just building momentum, but we should celebrate every victory along the way.

A way to beat the rain with an instant indoor rally to show support for passing a proposed resolution saying CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE and money is not free speech!

All current ONC members must now re-create your accounts to participate on the new website. To do so please click register on the lower left of the site (under the facebook box and twitter feed). You will be asked to enter a username and an email. You must use a valid email. Your account password will be emailed to you. Check your email and then you can use your newly created account to login and start using the website.

If you would like to access content from the old website, you can do so here: http://sandbox.occupynevadacounty.org

As of this writing, the login to the forum is not seamless.  You may need to relogin using the same username/password as you created from the home page.

-JC