Date / Time:
What's Happening:
Bank of Nevada won't renegotiate and plans to close down the University Sinclair gas station at Flamingo and Maryland Parkway, a small business. The owners asked us to come and camp.
UPDATE NOV 14 6:30PM: Ali & Katja (Sinclair Gas) called and said that things are in the lawyers' hands now. We are moving out. They've thanked us for our help, and they've asked if we'd be willing to come back if they need us again. Of course, we said, "Sure." Together, we are Vegas's 99%, and we will stand together.
Location: 1175 East Flamingo (at Maryland)
Here's Ali's story (as written by Gina Sully):
All of their creditors have been working with them and taking monthly payments to allow Ali & Katja to pay down their debt. All of them, that is, except Bank of Nevada.
Ali & Katja have tried to work with the bank and have offered to make monthly payments over their regular payments. First they offered $200 per month; then, $250. The bank declined their offer and has consistently refused to negotiate. They have 48 hours left.
There are already 3 constables there, and another officer of some sort stands behind the counter with Ali, overseeing all sales because all of the money they're taking in right now goes to the bank. Still, instead of walking away, they're open for business and handing the money over. Ali wasn't certain about exactly when the lockout would take place. But it will be sometime in the next 48 hours.
So, Ali sent out an SOS to Occupy Las Vegas--all of Occupy Las Vegas--to make their plight more visible.
I think this might be a good place to emulate the WAFT (Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team). Here's a link to a video of the team in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTojopqF0Tc
But even if we don't do that, this is an opportunity to show solidarity with local small business owners, one of the groups that comprise Vegas's 99%.
Event Organizers:
Comments
Sounds like a great idea!
peace
I am going to be out roaming vegas for most of the day but if we get some sort of continued action there I will be there
Here's Ali's story:
Ali and his family have been operating an independently owned gas station at that corner for 21 years. They get their gas from Sinclair, hence the name, but they're not part of a chain. About two years ago, when the economy really started to tank, their business began to fall off, and they couldn't meeet all of their bills.
All of their creditors have been working with them and taking monthly payments to allow Ali & Katja to pay down their debt. All of them, that is, except Bank of Nevada.
Ali & Katja have tried to work with the bank and have offered to make monthly payments over their regular payments. First they offered $200 per month; then, $250. The bank declined their offer and has consistently refused to negotiate. They have 48 hours left.
There are already 3 constables there, and another officer of some sort stands behind the counter with Ali, overseeing all sales because all of the money they're taking in right now goes to the bank. Still, instead of walking away, they're open for business and handing the money over. Ali wasn't certain about exactly when the lockout would take place. But it will be sometime in the next 48 hours.
So, Ali sent out an SOS to Occupy Las Vegas--all of Occupy Las Vegas--to make their plight more visible.
I think this might be a good place to emulate the WAFT (Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team). Here's a link to a video of the team in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTojopqF0Tc
But even if we don't do that, this is an opportunity to show solidarity with local small business owners, one of the groups that comprise Vegas's 99%.
Phew! This is making a lot more sense, I thought that we were going to protect the 38th richest corporation in America.
-Billy L(ogan)
"I'm speaking for myself and not on behalf of anyone else." byKinetik
This is actually confirmed then. I'll be down ASAP. Thanks for confirming this, Gina.
I'm gonna get caught up on work so I can back tomorrow. See you all then.
I was going off some late-night texts from a trusted friend. Thanks for clarifying this, Gina!
Is it going on now? Should we move the cm to the station?
I just rolled out of bed and am trying to get myself together to head over there and see what's up, but I think holding the circle meeting there would be FANTASTIC. :D
Would that eff up livestream?
that the gas station will let us run an extension cord out. :)
I understand what you mean about antagonism, but we will then need someone to babysit my gear after I set up at UNLV because I am not walking away from an occupation to have a meeting (it's walking distance, right?)
We can all discuss it more later I guess. Walking out the door to get my sign printed and join you guys!
Awesome! I'll toss the generator in the trunk just in case.
If there are people to stand watch at the station that aren't interested in the CMs , the others can break away for the CM at UNLV and be back ASAP.
-Billy L(ogan)
"I'm speaking for myself and not on behalf of anyone else." byKinetik
My thoughts exactly.
Now that you've agreed with me, I'm now going the other way.
good_mourning wrote:
"I understand what you mean about antagonism, but we will then need someone to babysit my gear after I set up at UNLV because I am not walking away from an occupation to have a meeting (it's walking distance, right?)"
-Billy L(ogan)
"I'm speaking for myself and not on behalf of anyone else." byKinetik
Actually I think Phil was agreeing w GM. Check the indentations ;-)
Now that he doesn't agree with me, I agree with him... I think.
Sinclair!
I did find this type of forum to be rather confusing at first.
I like indenting b/c it lets you see who is replying to whom, and I like old->new b/c you can read the whole thread in order. But when you combine those two things it can become difficult, and the replies to replies to replies get really thin and stretchy (like this one). I think in the new forum (coming within 24 hours) I will lose the indenting, and if you want to reply to someone further up, you will just c/p a quote.
The placing of a quote so the post themselves may remain in chronological order. I may be biased though, that style is what I am used to.
And I'm gonna say it again. Hope I'm not lying this time! (there is a good reason why I lied. Aside from work for money, I'm also getting all OCD on the new content layout).
When the threads get long it's hard sometimes to catch the "new" responses and I feel like I miss some things. Couple that with a bad tendency to speed read and I can get myself into trouble pretty quick.
I've been thinking of saying something about the layout but at the same time...I'm just glad to have what we have.
Our very own greenguy, Shawn, did some great interviews today, so it would be awesome if someone out there could TiVo the 8 and 13 news broadcasts today. Apparently the Channel 13 one is really going to be something!
I think this will be a great moment for the occupy movement! Let's all work togeth to help out this small business. Gina thank you for the 411 about this situation.
Ever Love Rain
Jen H.
I left the Sinclair Station about an hour ago. The folks in traffic were supportive, a few waves, thumb's up and honks. There are a few signs that say that this family business has been there 25 years and is losing the business over a $32,000 loan that the bank won't renegotiate. Funny how we bail the banks out with billions but they can't work with a small business family over a few thousand $$$$. Anyway, I'm glad we are working together to help this family and get their story out there. Hopefully the bank will be pressured into renegotiating with the family.
Maybe we should make a presence at the bank. Hand out copies of the story just printed out with some contact info to get plugged into the various facets of #OLV. Sometimes the local bankers (in the branch) are sympathetic and we could give them an excuse to call the main office and lean on them a little.
Just have to make sure it's worded well when ya pass out the story.
Can you get the address? I can write the story up, and some of us can head over thre tomorrow...I'm willing to go after I get done with my students--about 2:00 or 2:30, I think.
I think that would put more pressure on the bank to cooperate.
Peace
I designed a couple of posters for use if you want.
Peace
Anthony Ronci was just down at University Gas to drop off some breakfast and one of our "kids" camping at the protest site was arguing with the press and ran all of them off. Also, someone "tagged" one of the news vans again during this altercation. So many of us put so much energy into good press for Katja Crosby and the OWS/OLV movement, only to have it ruined by some punk and his childish antics. I feel like everything we did yesterday, all the talks, all the GREAT press we received last night - it is all gone now. The news teams are already reporting and tweeting about what happened.
Excuse me while I hammer a nail into my desk using only my forehead.
This is the second time some idiot has decided to tag a media van... I honestly don't fucking get it.
Just thinking of all the positive discussions we had yesterday, all the good energy...that was what this movement is about. Now this. I'm really at my wits end and need to take a break.
Gina Sully and I have been discussing some ideas to help work this out with the media. She is heading down to the site to speak with some people who camped at the site to work on an apology from the parties involved and get it out to the media ASAP. Debra Dickerson & Kinetik have been hit up to start working the Twitter feeds. We'll try to get this back under control and get the focus where it needs to be.
When you have a bunch of people that have the time to protest, you are guaranteed that a good number of them are idiots! Most people work, those that are unfortunately unemployed are busy looking for work or enhancing their skills, not just sponging off the system and protesting random perceived wrongs.
Some of the OWS message is positive, but most is just garbage spewed by people that think they are entitled to free shit from those that actually are productive.
Notice all the crime associates with Occupy? The Tea Party was demonized, but there was not one arrest at a Tea Party event, not one rape, assault, theft, etc... The OWS movement attracts criminals, cooks, and bums!
Clean your shit up!
I've been giving information by a very reliable source that it really wasn't a big deal, just some loud grumblings about being woke up early (the young lady without a filter on her mouth) and a tagging with a dry erase marker. The press ended up leaving in a hurry because of the murder a block away. Ugh. Nothing illegal was done but it is so frustrating to not always know what is going on so we can keep the facts straight. Poor Gina is heading down there and we're probably good with just tweeting that it was dry erase marker. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry and get the facts straightened out so we can get out in front of these things. I've deleted my post on the other site to try and diffuse the situation. I also gave Debra & Kinetik the name of the reporter whose van was tagged, as she was the one who tweeted about it. (LasVegasLisa Lisa Remillard)
Already made contact with Lisa...thank you!.
I've been asked about the split...and yes, I posted a link to it. But to counter it I followed it with a statement that we are working together for the 99%.
In the big picture this is a minor thing...but it's a good opportunity for us to build our contacts and build relationships with the media and the community so that we can get our message out clearer and more effectively. That way if someone was to take a unilateral action in the future we can counter it with facts, working good contacts, and turn a negative into a positive.
In short...there's an opportunity here if we take it...
This split talk needs to go away. When I've been asked, I've immediately turned it to talk about what the movement is about and not even answered the question. Alana Lowery made a good point though...if the media spent as much time focusing on the laws broken by the 1% rather than our split and tagging with dry erase markers, we'd be a hell of a lot further in getting the message out to everyone.
This is the kind of thing that happens when a group doesn't cultivate an overwhelming spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. Splinters, fighting (public and private) and public disrespect to outsiders (the tagging). There were reasons why Rev. Dr King was such a brilliant leader - have people dress nicely, train them how to handle stress from within and from the outside and always stay respectful. No one respects the opinions of an a$$hole - if we insist on being a$$holes, we won't listen to each other and no one will listen to us...
... has agreed to video an apology/explanation taking personal responsibility and stating that he did it as an individual who was rudely awakened at 5:00 AM.
On a positive note, the constables were not there this morning when I arrived, nor was the constable behind the counter overseeing Ali's transactions for the bank. Ali is hopeful that the bank is considering halting the foreclosure and is going to contact me when he knows for sure that the foreclosure proceedings won't go forward.
I fear that the constables may have left to lull everyone into a false sense of security and accomplishment. There is a police car in the Walgreen's lot watching everything, so I suggest people stay and peacefully demonstrtae as long as Ali wants them.
The people who are there have been there for a long time, so if anyone can go and give them a break, that would be great.
Peace.
The video is here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-CPBnyZN70
I'm ok with releasing that because, well, it's already posted publicly both to youtube and on "the other site"
That was a stupid move. I was so happy with participating last night and reading the positive press this morning. Now I read this and I'm really disappointed. The media and others who disagree with the movement now have more reason to demonize us.
You know what they say, one rotten apple destroys the entire bunch.
But I'm still supporting OWS/OLV despite the negative people on the fringes! :-)
Unfortunately true. Opponents of this movement love to paint us according to the worst actions remotely connected to it.
Homeless people have been dying in this country for decades. But suddenly it's the Occupy movement's fault every time one dies. Suddenly, the mainstream media actually acts like they give a quarter of a damn for these people's lives. Because they can paint us black by association with it.
Just one example of the utter bullshit the media slings our way.
That said; we shouldn't be helping them by giving them more rocks to throw. We do have to police ourselves, because even though there were probably a thousand acts of grafitti committed just today in the Vegas Valley, any one act associated with us will suddenly be a federal case.
Yes, it's unfair. But we're in a battle for hearts and minds, and actively working against the interests that pay the MSM's paychecks. We had a great chance to march boldly forward; instead, we'll be lucky to inch a bit ahead.
That's the second time the media has been deliberately vandalized, and both vandals - let me be perfectly clear on this - are people who do not post on this site or come to Circle meetings. Do the math yourself.
Well, I am disappointed. Everyone knows that TV stations have time lines to meet in order to get stories on air. So if anyone doesn't want to be woken early, then don't camp. If someone is sick, then go home, or stay with a friend, or go to a homeless shelter, if you cannot be civil. It helps nobody to act out in an irresponsible way.
We cannot justify bad behavior because we got woken up too early when it comes to the press. While not a symbiotic relationship, we both can benefit the other, press and movement, by being cooperative.
I wish I could be more forgiving with that "apology", but I see absolutely no contrition. It remains as it was, a blight.
It has yet to be seen if this act could have caused more problems for the owner. Pity!
It seemed like a non apology to me.
Things have mmoved from the constables back to negotiation. And, they want us to be prepared to come back if the constables do.
i hope so, Gina.
Tell me, is the station open 24/7?
Edit: nevermind..... I read the update. Thanks.
Las Vegas bank operator posts hefty loss on problem loans
Connection #1: US Bancorp -> Western Liberty Bancorp -> Service 1st Bank of Nevada (2)
Connection #2: US Bancorp -> Western Alliance Bancorp -> Bank of Nevada
I am not sure what the differences are in these two connections. Is there some kind of problem with the 2 Connection #1 banks?
I wonder which connection holds the note for the gas station the gas station.
It is a jungle of intertwining companies. Even the stock of the two Western groups is held by other banks financial investments and mutual funds. The Wall Street Maze!
Our action in supporting the owners of this gas station was not an aside from the primary focus of the Occupy movement. It was smack dab in the middle of it given the connections to Bancorp and Wall Street and more.
I'm also wondering who owns the undercutting gas station across the street and what bank(s) that one's connected to.
The bank has moved the lawyers out of the way, and Ali & Katja are getting a face to face with one of the execs. He's excited and very grateful to Occupy.
One more thing: I don't believe any Circle Gatherers camped there, but if you did and you left a tent (or two), please go get them immediately. Ali will call if he needs us to come back, but the police interest in the tents isn't doing his business any good. I've also informed the Area 99 / Opportunities Las Vegas folks.