[Occupymendocino] Update: Deb Vanpoolen's arraignment & letter

[moxie at mcn.org]

Dear OCCUPANTS! ~

Deb Vanpoolen is an inspired & inspiring activist.
Her website chronicles not only her art from the Chelsea Manning Trial,
but also Plein air in Palestine and more! She's relentless & apparently
fearless & rides a bicycle that folds up & stores in her backpack!
>From the frozen reaches of Winter: A CALL TO ACTION!
 ~ K. Rudin


--------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Arraignment and Interview regarding my Arrest
From:    "Deb Vanpoolen" <debijo777 at gmail.com>
Date:    Fri, February 7, 2014 10:11 am
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Hello Friends!

This morning I appeared for an arraignment regarding the action of civil
disobedience I took to address David Petraeus' egregious war crimes of
murder and torture for which he has not yet been held accountable.  The
response to this action from the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan are two
misdemeanor charges against me of trespassing and "obtaining property by
fraud or trick". (Charges carry a maximum penalty of 93 days in prison
and/or a $500 fine.)


Today, in the 61st District Court, I pleaded not guilty.  Six supporters of
me and this action traveled through this early morning's bitter,
single-digit temperatures to accompany me in the courtroom.   Kate, an
attorney who works for David Lagrand  (who agreed to defend me pro bono),
met us all at the courthouse and led me through this morning's process.


Next steps:  on February 25 the prosecuting attorney and the defense
attorney will meet to discuss the prosecution's plans.  I will then be
notified of the prosecution's offer and we will discuss.   Also, some local
activists might plan a demonstration in Grand Rapids about Petraeus and
case.


Please read the following segments of an interview conducted between Grand
Rapids writer Steve Middendorp and myself regarding this arrest and my
thoughts on activism:


*How much did tickets cost to this event?*  $150.

*What was the primary demographic of the people at the event?*   The people
in attendance seemed to be professionals.  Just before the lunch was
served, I sat at a table which had the label "Ferris State" where there
were three empty seats.


*What would you suggest to other people that are interested in political
and environmental activism? *


I say this to people who are interested in political and environmental
activism:   First, remember that you are important, what you think is
important, and you deserve a chance to be heard.  You are valuable and you
have a right to express yourself.  Furthermore, expressing what you think
and feel is freeing and fun!


Second, PAY ATTENTION to what is going on in your local community as well
as in global spheres.  Seek out news sources which are not funded by
corporations.  Even NPR is far too beholden to corporate sponsors to be
trusted. There are several not-for-profit news agencies available on the
internet, some of which are broadcast on radio and television.  The
DemocracyNow.org one-hour long, Monday through Friday broadcast is my
primary source of information about the world.  I also regularly check
TheRealNews.com which posts several interviews about current events each
day.  Follow your heart and dig, dig, dig up the true information on topics
which interest you. The internet is an unbelievably vast resource of
information.  The social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter,
provide great opportunities to see what other activists are doing, writing
and reading.


After you have educated yourself about current events, make intentional
decisions about what is truly important to you. Determine your particular
priorities.  Research the history of issues important to you.  Over time,
anyone can become an expert in certain areas through staying informed.  You
don't need a Phd. to speak authoritatively on any of today's most pressing
issues.  Talk about what you care about with your friends and family.  Post
articles on social networking sites and converse with others over the
internet.


Regarding actions of civil disobedience, it is very helpful to know a
community of people who will support you in your action or--better yet--join
you in discerning what action to take. The independent action I took of
speaking to Petraeus was inspired by dozens of activist friends who have
been arrested many times for civil disobedience.  Since my arrest, many of
them have communicated their unwavering support for me.  Though I acted
alone, I have been consistently aware of the love and encouragement that I
have received in the past and will continue receiving from the activist
community.


Regarding environmental activism, I suggest that one of the best, most
inspiring things to do is to consistently ask yourself where all the
objects come from which you take for granted each day.  Most of Americans'
food travels thousands of miles before it is consumed.  Question the
necessity of food traveling thousands of miles to you when the land right
around you is suitable for growing loads of food. Also ask:  where does
your heat, electricity and gas come from?  Who made your clothes and
where?


In my adult life I have sought out communities of people who desire that
the earth and its beings are respected in the process of maintaining their
lifestyles.  Thus, in April through October of this coming year I will be
living on a farm in Missouri which uses no electricity and nearly no
petroleum.  The farm is called the Possibility Alliance (blogs about the
farm can be googled).  Approximately 1500 people visit the farm each year
for "Visitor Weeks" and other happenings.  All of the courses offered at
the farm, including permaculture certification courses, are part of the
"Gift Economy".  This means that no person is obligated to give money in
exchange for a course or a visit.  Rather, each person is asked to "pay it
forward" after they receive the gift from the Possibility Alliance.  In
addition, many members of the immediate and surrounding community are very
involved in activism and take part in nonviolent resistance actions for
social and environmental justice.  Please visit the farm!  Here is the
Possibility Alliance phone number:  660-332-4094.



*What kinds of things should we be doing to make a difference in the way
the system operates? *

In order to transform the destructive, imperialist, racist,
fossil-fuel-and-war-based economy into a life-giving, inclusive, creative,
ecologically sound economy, humanity must work on all ends of the
spectrum.  We must carefully discern how to respond to individual
opportunities as they present themselves.  We must work in the inner cities
as well as in wilderness and rural areas.  We must work with the federal,
state, and local governments as well as with our neighbors.  But not
everyone needs to work in every area.  We must at least pay attention to
what is going on in various sectors and be awake to the possibilities to
act for change in many areas.


We cannot afford to not have a more informed citizenry about the broad
range of issues facing humanity now.  The climate crisis and the spread of
wars across the world are twin problems exacerbating each other to the
point of threatening the very future of life on this planet.  Thus, we need
each capable person on board this ship to lend their hands to the best of
their abilities.


The "All-American" capitalist economy states that the primary virtue of
each person must be to meet their own needs without dependence on anyone
else.  This mentality has led our citizenry down dead-end paths of
isolation, depression, and disconnection from nature.  Creating community
by sharing resources and information with the people closest to you is a
great way to form a lifestyle which challenges the dominant paradigm.
 Eighteen months ago, a new coop house was formed in Grand Rapids called
the James Russell House.  Here is the vision statement of the house:  The
Grand Rapids Alliance of Cooperative Communities fosters a framework for
creation, growth, and connection. We seek to connect our member/ owners to
their local community and to the global cooperative community. As
individuals, we aim to grow collectively from every partnership. Together,
we live intentionally in a way that helps to grow our communities into
healthy and sustainable environments that blur the lines between life,
work, and play. We achieve all this by creating outlets for equitable,
affordable, and democratic lifestyles. In the end, we fight for the chance
to create the world we want to see and celebrate the opportunity to do it
together.



*Should we focus more on educating ordinary people or by trying to sway the
motives of the money-hungry war machine? *

I don't think we have to choose one or the other of those things.  We can
do both.  We can pay attention to all the opportunities and take individual
actions, one by one, which add up over time to make an impact.  I regularly
lobby my legislators and President Obama through various means. I make
phone calls to the government officials, sign online and paper petitions,
and I visit my legislators' offices in Washington DC and in my hometown.


I also regularly educate others regarding what is important to me.  The
most common way I teach others is in daily conversations.  I also make
regular posts on social networking internet sites.  I occasionally give
talks to people in my community.  Soon I will be making a public
presentation titled "Palestine, Private Manning, Petraeus and Permaculture"
at the James Russell House in Grand Rapids.  The free presentation will be
at 7pm on Tuesday, February 25 at 535 Fulton St. E, Grand Rapids,
Michigan.  Refreshments will be served.   Maybe I will see you there!


Thanks for reading!  Please feel free to share this interview and add your
wocomments.


Best,

Deb Van Poolen

www.debvanpoolen.com
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