At Occupy encampment’s general assembly, process of consensus is itself a goal

As Occupy encampments across the country have dealt with police crackdowns, severe weather and at times, shifting support from local politicians, one thing remains a familiar scene: the general assembly. Shortly after the Occupy Movement began in New York, participants implemented the process as a way to meet and make decisions based on consensus. Organizers said it was an important part of challenging a top-down political process. Quickly, the model spread across the country. This was a new process for many and came with various challenges at different sites, as activists both young and old discovered.  FSRN’s Sue Hilderbrand in Chico, California files this report.