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HI Jean, David, and all,<br></blockquote><div><br>I hope you don't mind me replying to your emails. Though they are marked private they are on a public forum, and they raise issues which concern us all.<br><br>The consensus method of decision making, as I understand it, is not meant to restrict individuals from acting in whatever way they wish, as long as it does not harm anyone or anything. Consensus is a very useful tool for making collective decisions where it is agreed that a collective decision needs to be made. It is a good tool because it provides a way of ensuring that everybody can have their say. Individuals and groups need to retain their autonomy to act and make their own decisions. Consensus is not a way of controlling people, it is not a law, it is a tool to be used when it appears useful. Let us be careful in the way we use it that it does not become a dictatorship of consensus. Individual autonomy is to be protected as long as it does not cause harm to others. For me this is absolutely fundamental.<br>
<br>I am sure there is much more that people might add to this discussion, which would be useful.<br><br>Anna<br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:22:35 +0000<br>
From: David Kirkham <<a href="mailto:davidkirkham@live.co.uk">davidkirkham@live.co.uk</a>><br>
To: <<a href="mailto:jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk">jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk</a>><br>
Cc: Occupy General <<a href="mailto:occupysheffield@email-lists.org">occupysheffield@email-lists.org</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [OccupySheffield] [OccupySheffieldPrivate] Fw: Citadel of<br>
Hope update<br>
Message-ID: <SNT141-W11CB6517FD6F66D7CBF830FF920@phx.gbl><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"<br>
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Hi Jean Time and timing has obviously been of the essence with this occupation, taking advantage of the quietness around that area over the Christmas period to take the building; that quietness has also meant few people present, or available to be present, at camp and GAs too. People are free to air their disagreements over the decisions taken with the new occupation over the public forums and via email if they wish. I agree that all decisions should ultimately be taken collectively at GA but I myself see no reason why they shouldn't be taken retrospectively given the above circumstances and rescinded if necessary.<br>
Thoughts?<br>
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David<br>
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Occupy<br>
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Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:55:46 +0000<br>
From: <a href="mailto:jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk">jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk</a><br>
To: <a href="mailto:info@occupysheffield.org.uk">info@occupysheffield.org.uk</a><br>
Subject: [OccupySheffieldPrivate] Fw: Citadel of Hope update<br>
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----- Forwarded Message -----<br>
From: jean wildgoose <<a href="mailto:jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk">jeanwildgoose@yahoo.co.uk</a>><br>
To: Nicole Occupy <<a href="mailto:nicole_jewitt@hotmail.com">nicole_jewitt@hotmail.com</a>><br>
Sent: Friday, 30 December 2011, 12:48<br>
Subject: Re: [OccupySheffieldPrivate] Citadel of Hope update<br>
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All of these decisions should have been made by OSGA at the camp - this way of working is not consensual or directly democratic - who says who is crew and can enter the building? who says what policies are to be adopted - this way of working is incredibly authoritarian and divisive<br>
Jean<br>
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From: Nicole Occupy <<a href="mailto:nicole_jewitt@hotmail.com">nicole_jewitt@hotmail.com</a>><br>
To: Occupy Sheffield <<a href="mailto:info@occupysheffield.org.uk">info@occupysheffield.org.uk</a>><br>
Sent: Thursday, 29 December 2011, 23:47<br>
Subject: [OccupySheffieldPrivate] Citadel of Hope update<br>
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Work on health & safety/risk assessments at the Citadel of Hope is underway. We hope to be able to invite friends & guests once this is sorted. In the meantime only crew / security can be permitted on site. We are also adopting the same safer spaces and drink/drug free policy as on the camp.<br>
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We have had visits today from Council, Police, Conservation Dept and the owner. It's been a very eventful day to say the least!<br>
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We have also had loads of help from The Squatters Association and Occupy London who have even sent us a Bear who is with us and helping sort Health & Safety.<br>
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Lots of work still to be done but things are looking promising for now.<br>
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All the best!<br>
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Twitter Page: <a href="https://twitter.com/Citadel_Of_Hope" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Citadel_Of_Hope</a><br>
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Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citadel-of-Hope/265723403482084" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citadel-of-Hope/265723403482084</a><br>
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