Reclamation
From Templar Connect
| Reclamation | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Founder | Barnabas John | |
| Description | ??? | |
| Affiliated Locations | The Circassian | |
| Notable Members | ||
| First Appearance | ||
Reclamation or "Rec" is a grassroots neo-Communist sociopolitical movement in Templar, Arizona, inspired and to some extent led by Barnabas John.
Contents |
Concept
Reclamation seeks to end poverty and capitalist exploitation by direct action, rejecting political or charitable efforts. It plans to do this by bringing the labor and resources to the needy directly: occupying abandoned real estate in Templar, building new housing with sustainable infrastructure (solar power, hydroponics, etc.), and bringing in needy tenants.
Practice
The Reclamation movement is rather like a pseudo-militant communist version of "Habitat for Humanity." The organization is divided into Soviets, in the original sense of local democratic councils. The Soviets do most of the actual work, producing "State of the Soviet" reports that are sent to Barnabas John. It is unclear to what extent the movement is democratic and decentralized; eviction hearings appear to be centralized with an appeals process and top officials such as Dinah Godswill (general counsel) and Gil presiding.
Reclamation does not purchase the buildings it converts, but instead squats in them according to the common-law practice of adverse possession: in essence, if they succeed in continuously and publicly making use of the property for long enough, without interference by the owners, they may eventually gain legal title. According to Dinah, 15% of Reclamation's membership are accredited lawyers (somewhat belying their claims to speak for the lower class). They appear to use their legal knowledge expertly when confronted with opposition.
At least one of Reclamation's projects is in abandoned brothels in the Oarlock, Templar's red-light district. As a result, the Doves, Templar's loose alliance of madams, appear to be preparing some kind of counterassault. Most recently, prostitutes from the nearby Pornucopia brothel demonstrated in the lobby of the Circassian.
The neighborhoods Reclamation most frequently operates in are Skinner, Riverside, and Churchyard.
Members
- Barnabas John
- Dinah Godswill, General Counsel
- Gil, management (unclear)
- Numbers Rodriguez, worker, Soviet Nine
Tenants
- The Elliotts (evicted)
