Occupy Wall Street

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What about race and ethnicity?

There was definitely a mix of African American and Caucasian but I don't know if I saw any Asians. Then again, with 2000 people marching down the street, I'm sure I didn't see everybody. I did take some videos. I can't tell from the videos. People from the street were joining them too.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Has anyone here been to an Occupy whatever rally? I'd totally go but my career and other responsibilities just get in the way.

I guess technically I was at the one in Chicago. Politicians don't let their career and responsibilities get in the way of campaigning though so... why should the people?

I would rather see people trying to do something about the things they are angry about than just sitting back and being apathetic. These folks seem to believe their actions will effect change. I think, as a society, we tend to let things happen to us and then get angry and complain about it. They are trying to do something. I admire that.

What I find sort of ironic is how similar their start is to the tea party, which originally said it would have no leader or spokesperson. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Will there be Occupy candidates eventually? We'll see.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AGDee

There was definitely a mix of African American and Caucasian but I don't know if I saw any Asians. Then again, with 2000 people marching down the street, I'm sure I didn't see everybody. I did take some videos. I can't tell from the videos. People from the street were joining them too.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

It's like those chapters where there are green and purple sisters.

Such Crayola diversity!

Originally Posted by AGDee

I would rather see people trying to do something about the things they are angry about than just sitting back and being apathetic. These folks seem to believe their actions will effect change. I think, as a society, we tend to let things happen to us and then get angry and complain about it. They are trying to do something. I admire that.

Now that more Occupy people know what they are Occupying, I think it is a wonderful movement and I love their right to protest.

I also think it's important to note that every movement thinks that its movement is THE movement that people should be paying attention to and participating in. I am participating in other movements that I consider important voices for change; but they are more ignored because the dominant/majority has yet to declare it THE movement. Lest we be reminded what happened with some women's, workers', and racial and ethnic minoritities' rights movements prior to the dominant/majority saying "oh yeah...that's important to us...."

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Has anyone here been to an Occupy whatever rally? I'd totally go but my career and other responsibilities just get in the way.

I know, right? The idea of taking a day off, driving 50 miles into the city and paying to park allllll day to sit on a bench does not sound so appealing.

If they decide to occupy our town, I'd probably go. But for a variety of reasons that will probably never happen.

[DrPhil]

I am protesting our city's protest despite my colleagues' support for it.

[PiKA2001]

I witnessed/experienced my first Occupy thing on Saturday. I was at a block party and they had an info booth there. I guess most of the proceeds from the event went to occupy El Paso as well. Hopefully it was the D team they sent to represent there because I was not impressed at all. Their main point was that we as a country should quit capitalism and adopt a socialist form of government. I tried to talk/ration/debate them but it was pointless.

[Still BLUTANG]

i happened upon Occupy DC last night after dinner. One of the girls I was with was very curious to find out more. We went into the park / tent city and saw families, dogs, and a *lot* of young people. Mind you, the park they're occupying is normally a safe haven for the homeless downtown. my church and other action groups i work with normally feed people there, distribute toiletries, host Bible Study, etc.

Of course, as we walked into the camp the first thing my friend said was "I wonder how all the homeless people feel about this?" We couldn't find any to ask. I guess gentrification has hit

We stopped to have a conversation with a very passionate young man who claimed to be a veteran. He threw out anecdotes, a few statistics, and kept repeating that things had to change. I can dig his passion but overall something felt insincere about the group WE happened to encounter.

Maybe that guy wasn't the best representative - or maybe Occupy DC isn't going at it like other Occupy _____ cities. I can't speak for anyone else but after stopping by, seeing it for ourselves, and actually talking to the people there I can't say I've been moved.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG

Of course, as we walked into the camp the first thing my friend said was "I wonder how all the homeless people feel about this?" We couldn't find any to ask. I guess gentrification has hit

Some homeless people are pissed and some are thrilled to have a more unified front.

Some homeless have had beef with the Occupy activists across the country. That can result in cross words and violence if the Occupy are not careful--and if they are taking the homeless' "territory."

In listening to NPR today, there is something going on in Philadelphia:

http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/10/2...upy-wallstreet

http://thedp.com/index.php/article/2...ifteen_arrests

I was annoyed that some Occupy activists were telling each other not to call the police when there are crimes and violence during these Occupy movements. Handle it in-house. I'm glad they nixed that dumb idea.

[AGDee]

The Occupy Detroit people have also taken over a park where a lot of homeless people stay. They are feeding them freely, providing them with tents of their own and those who want to help are helping around camp. They seem to be getting along great.

[DrPhil]

Free food and tents? If I was homeless, I would be a fan of Occupy Anything.

Until the Occupy movement started occupying too much of my time and space. And police removal of Occupy protestors AND homeless people began. Then I would want those Occupiers to go home so that I could be homeless in peace with minimal police interruption and without random people hanging around. Oh yeah...leave the food and tents.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The Occupy Detroit people have also taken over a park where a lot of homeless people stay. They are feeding them freely, providing them with tents of their own and those who want to help are helping around camp. They seem to be getting along great.

That's good to hear but unfortunately that isn't the case in other places.
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/29561835/detail.html

Larger cities, such as Austin and New York have had a problem with homeless and mentally unstable individuals zapping their resources and causing issues within the camp, lured by free food and safe environment.
When Occupy Wall Street protesters took over two parks in Portland's soggy downtown, they pitched 300 tents and offered free food, medical care and shelter to anyone, creating an ideal place for the homeless. Some were already living in the parks, while others were drawn from elsewhere to the encampment's open doors.
Now, protesters from Portland to Los Angeles to Atlanta are trying to distinguish between homeless people who are joining their movement and those who are there for the amenities.

This guy said it best.

Kind of ironic these gutless wonders are protesting the treatment of the poor and downtrodden, yet they dont want to share their food with the homeless who are the REAL downtrodden. They want society to give them hand outs, but they dont want to share what they have. friggin hypocrit scum.

[*winter*]

I wonder how long the "Occupying" is going to continue? It's getting pretty cold in these parts.

[DrPhil]

**Newsbulletin**

The relative few African American Occupiers are quiting because the temperature has gone from 75 degrees to 50 degrees in some cities. Rain and light snow are expected in some cities over the weekend. Bye, bye Black folks have you any woooooool....

**Newsbulletin**

I'm joking but this highlights what the Philadelphia guest on NPR was talking about yesterday about Occupiers stopping once it gets cold. It also highlights how some Occupy protestors are not completely occupying anything. They are leaving work and home to protest (read: walk around with signs and yell) and returning to work and home everyday. They are not there all day and sleeping in tents. If it gets too cold and there is inclement weather, perhaps more Occupiers will end the homelessness routine and become part-time Occupiers. They may also find a way to get more people to donate money and resources rather than their physical presence.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by *winter*

I wonder how long the "Occupying" is going to continue? It's getting pretty cold in these parts.

Occupy Detroit has a 60 day permit which began October 14th. They are primarily occupying in shifts so it's not the same people there every night. For example, in their medical tent, the nurses and doctors who are volunteering there do so on their days off. Weekends have been much busier than week days, which does show that the whole "Why don't they just get jobs" argument against them is not a valid comment.

[*winter*]

There's SNOW out there this morning!!!!!

The Occupy Detroit seems to be pretty interesting- I like the idea of assisting the homeless instead of just trying to act like them.

However...after 12 years in the military (reserve), I will never sleep in a tent again, for any reason. Ever. There is just never going to be a compelling enough reason.