I think a bike project such as MoBo should absolutely make a well-worded public statement of affinity for the movement that does not advocate or imply material support (which is the business of individual members, sub- or affiliated groups, etc).
The Occupy movement is no more "political" than a bike project like MoBo (which *is* very much political), and in fact is founded upon nearly the same values: community empowerment, inclusive and imaginative decision-making, ecological consciousness (and the inclusive of such as an important part of social decision-making), transparent and accountable leadership, and systems of exchange that focus on worth over value. *Not*issuing a statement of support seems to me irresponsible and akin to failing to publicly stand up for the very values that root your mission statement.
Regarding a concern with nonprofit status, to my mind there is no conflict with such a statement. The terminology of "political" used in that legal framework is incomplete and the product of a system of order that works against the goals of projects like MoBo. The co-op should be bold and continue to do political labor as it already does.
[I must note here that a few months ago when I participated in MoBo I may not have so strongly argued for this action. Since then, however, I moved to Guadalajara, Mexico and have been working with a couple of organizations who, quite frankly, put many of the mobility/bike organizations I knew in the States to shame with their boldness and energy. They are Ciudad para todos http://ciudadparatodos.org/ (City for Everyone) and GDL en Bicihttp://gdlenbici.org/.] They are both fiercely (!) nonpartisan and yet extremely politically active. And they are building power for real change in this city and becoming serious examples for activists across Mexico and Latin America.]
Dugan Meyer
On Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 7:17 PM, MoBo Bicycle Co-op < mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com> wrote:
Is any other bike co-op considering making a statement in support of your local Occupy movement? Many of our volunteers are involved and are curious if we are planning to do so as an organization so we are sending out feelers.
Thank you!
Ellie Jones MoBo
-- MoBo Bicycle Cooperative a project of The Village Green Foundation 1415 Knowlton St. Cincinnati, OH www.mobobicyclecoop.org
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