Asamblea (Occupy Movement)

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Asamblea ( Spanish , assembly ) is the term that became known with the Occupy movement , its camps and demonstrations and, in this context, goes back to the protests in Spain 2011/2012 , for a public meeting with discussion in which everyone, even who happens to be present, takes part Contribute to discussion and decision-making. The assemblies are based on the principles of grassroots democracy and consensual decision-making. New approaches should be developed from opposing positions. The Asamblea is based on the paradigm of collective intelligence and sees itself as an alternative to competitive struggle. Participants speak one after the other, which enables attentive listening.

Internationally in more than 1000 cities, including Berlin and Frankfurt in Germany, daily asambleas have taken place since the beginning of the respective Occupy protests.

procedure

An asamblea can proceed as follows:

  1. Greetings by the changing moderator who monitors compliance with the rules, office hours and speaking order.
  2. Remembering the gestures that are used during a meeting to non-verbally signal approval, rejection, objection, etc.
  3. Reading the agenda aloud or recording items on the agenda.
  4. Discussion of the agenda items.
  5. Conclusion and announcement of the place and time of the next meeting.

Human microphone

With the help of the human microphone it is possible for the whole group and outsiders to follow the group discussions. This serves the transparency and the undivided attention of the group. The contribution is made in parts with as few words as possible and reinforced by repeating the group. This creates small pauses in which the group repeats the part of the contribution. During these breaks, it is also possible for inexperienced translators to translate the speech almost synchronously.

The Human Microphone was created in 2011 during the occupation of Zuccotti Park , during which loudspeaker systems were banned by the police. Despite this prohibition it was possible to hold meetings at which the speeches of individuals could be heard. The human microphone was subsequently adapted internationally in the Asambleas, even if there was no ban in the individual cities. The impression on outsiders was often confusing in view of the chants and unfamiliar gestures and could be reminiscent of a religious meeting.

" Mic Check " is the key word to test whether the human microphone is working. The group replies with a mic-check , with which the group gives the speaker the floor and henceforth reinforces his words through repetition.

Many people who have never spoken in front of a group before report that with the help of the human microphone it is much easier for them to speak in front of many people.

Hand signals

Hand signals used with Asambleas

So that the speech that is currently taking place is not interrupted, the audience has hand signals derived from sign language to express their approval or disapproval. A veto , signaled by crossing arms, expresses a serious concern in terms of sociocracy . Other gestures, in turn, signal what a speaker is getting at, that someone is deviating from the topic or that the current contribution belongs in a working group.

The most important signs are:

  • Consent: waving hands with arms extended upwards
  • Refusal: folding down the wrists with arms extended upwards
  • Veto: Cross your straight arms over your head

The veto sign is only required for a consensus or consensus decision .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ New Germany on November 10, 2011: Occupy movement occupies Berlin's "Federal Press Beach". Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  2. ↑ a b The daily newspaper on October 28, 2011: In the realm of questioners. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  3. ↑ a b Zeit Online on November 11, 2011: Occupy is a model of grassroots democracy. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  4. ↑ a b Tagesanzeiger on November 18, 2011: Waving instead of talking. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  5. ^ The daily newspaper on October 23, 2011: The Asamblea gets to work. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  6. ↑ aCAMPada blog on September 11, 2011; Anonymous collaboratively created text. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on November 20, 2011 ; Retrieved November 29, 2011 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.alex11.org
  7. ↑ The Nation's blog on October 3, 2011: We Are All Human Microphones Now. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .
  8. ↑ “The Occupy activists are enormously resourceful in their forms of action. Because it is illegal to use microphones and amplifiers at gatherings in New York, they invented the human speaker. One says something and everyone repeats it. "
  9. ↑ ARD online on November 27, 2011: Review: History is made - The Occupy movement ( Memento from December 31, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  10. ↑ a b Junge Welt on November 12, 2011: "Asamblea" in the Frankfurt camp. Retrieved November 29, 2011 .