I am not in contact with anyone from Occupy Houston, but I would like to help. I wrote a press release that can be used as a template and submitted to local news outlets, state and nation wide. I don't know how to add it as an attachment here, but I have copied the text. Please let me know how I can get involved with the general assembly. Will they be held through the week? When and where? Thank you!

Press Release

Protesters gather to promote awareness of social unrest.

Americans representing all ages and backgrounds are uniting for the cause of change, occupying areas in cities from coast to coast to demand their voices be heard.

Houston, TX, October 2, 2011:  They call themselves the 99 percent, a reference to the statistical 1% of the population holding most of the nation’s wealth: an eclectic group of protesters, coordinating in solidarity with the Occupy Together group name. The inspiration for their cause, the occupation of Wall Street by a mass of disgruntled Americans marching and chanting in the nation’s symbolic financial center, has gone largely underreported by mainstream media outlets. Occupy Houston will kick off official events with a party at Avante Garden on the night of October 5^th, with an occupation beginning Thursday, October 6th at Market Square Park that will serve as the base camp for planned marches and actions in the weeks to come. The group’s demands address the concerns of many members of the dwindling middle class and the working poor, including a call to reverse the Supreme Court decisions of corporate personhood and Citizens United, a tax on the oil industry’s windfall profits to provide for Americans in need, and a reduction of the private and corporate influence on the campaign process.

Press is Very important. We need to get the attention of the main stream media because most people have no idea what's happening nor why and some of the statements made publicly have been quite dissappointing. I must say I like the above very well. At least it doesn't mention ending the war on drugs (Which I get its a waste of money and time) but to most people that equals =legalize drugs. In this state, the outcome of that message being included in the march leaves the VERY large majority of people in the houston sitting on there couch. I was really hoping this would be a huge movement with a broad net to find the big issues that most people do have in common. Right now, to be honest, the whole point or goal seems too scattered and there are way too many demands. One or two things at a time. You can always add things but its hard to get the person back who went to the website and saw anything they totally disagree with or consider petty (not saying it is but I will say the main stream media is painting it that way) Its hard to get those people back and interested let alone willing to protest and the size of how this thing starts will be a huge determining factor on the momentum in which it will (or will not) continue. 100 people camping in the park is not news and no one will be interested. The general public will not learn how much they do not know about their own goverment and most of all we won't be bothering anyone enough to create any change. Sorry for the long entry, but I've protested before (in Austin, years ago) and I have been thinking all of this and was just waiting and hoping that it would begin to come together and get more specific and to the point. I have also seen talk of virtual protests online at different sites. That is terribly disappointing, and will not accomplish anything. People showing up in large numbers will.

I think that press release looks good. I agree that getting people's attention through the mainstream media is important & I'm truly hoping we can draw enough folks downtown Thursday to make a good showing. I also agree that the opposition to the war on drugs should not be a banner issue. While I agree that drug criminalization & the profit motive of private prisons combine to create huge injustice, I don't think it's the message we should be trying to deliver right now.