Occupy Wall Street

[jpp8]

May as well with all the homes that were foreclosed.

 

[Mr. X]

She means you can't live on land unless you have the owners permission to do so, or if there are specific laws that prevent you from doing so.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

She means you can't live on land unless you have the owners permission to do so, or if there are specific laws that prevent you from doing so.

Yes. Mostly all land is owned by someone. You can't just trespass on someone's property. Protesting on public land is one thing, but establishing long-term residence there is another thing.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

So, I hear that today the Occupy Wall Street folks are actually Occupying Wall Street.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Evidently shots were fired at the White House and the accused shooter was apprehended.

A man who fired shots at the White House from an assault rifle on Nov. 11 was obsessed with President Barack Obama and the date 11/11/11, investigators and the man's father said.

U.S. Secret Service agents caught up with Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez in Pennsylvania on Wednesday after a four-day search.
Police arrested the 21-year-old Idaho man at a hotel after a desk clerk recognized his picture.

Ortega was scheduled to make his first appearance at 2 p.m. Thursday in federal court in Pittsburgh and many questions remained about his motive and background.

Authorities are investigating the man's mental health and say there are indications he believed attacking the White House was part of a personal mission from God, according to two different law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press. There are also indications the man had become obsessed with Obama.

"He hates the president, he hates Washington, he hates society," one official told The Washington Post.

The man's father, Jose, who lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho, told NBC's Telemundo Spanish News Network that his son was obsessed with the date 11/11/11. Ortega believed the world might end on that day, the father said.

 

[jpp8]

Instead of focusing on the faults of the system that the protesters are trying to bring attention to, let's focus on the actions faults and actions of certain protesters. Yeah! Damn those freedom of speech hating hippies, trying to kill our president and use this movement as a pretext to commit crimes and do drugs.

In other news, from the now arrested former chief of police of Philadelphia, Ray Lewis:

"You should, by law, only use force to protect someone's life or to protect them from being bodily injured OK? If you're not protecting somebody's life or protecting them from bodily injury, there's no need to use force. And the number one thing that they always have in their favor that they seldom use is negotiation–continue to talk, and talk and talk to people. You have nothing to lose by that," Mr Lewis said. "This bullrush–what happened last night is totally uncalled for when they did not use negotiation long enough."

"They complained about the park being dirty. Here they are worrying about dirty parks when people are starving to death, where people are freezing, where people are sleeping in subways and they're concerned about a dirty park. That's obnoxious, it's arrogant, it's ignorant, it's disgusting," Mr. Lewis said.

"They're trying to get me arrested and I may disappear OK?" Mr. Lewis said. "As soon as I'm let out of jail, I'll be right back here and they'll have to arrest me again." [Btw, he's just been reported arrested. here. - Ari]

Mr. Lewis clearly doesn't think the NYPD likes him, but he told the protesters he doesn't think cops are their enemy. "All the cops are, they're just workers for the one percent and they don't even realize they're being exploited," Mr. Lewis said.

Edit: TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENCE

Spoiler:

Image of protester hit in the face with a police baton by NYPD officers. Eyewitnesses then say what happened next was that the officers repeatedly "stomped" on him when he was on the ground. Inexplicably, NYPD officers stripped him of his pants and shoes and arrested him.

Splendid display of how our police force handles criminals who break the law. How dare these criminals protest without a permit? Should know better than to oppose corporatis- I mean capitalism.

Edit 2: Cops injured and taken to the hospital. Bunch of law breakers these occupyers. Why don't they just get a job? Why don't they just vote the system better? Why do they insist on being such radical hippies?

Edit 3:
More images of our great police force enforcing the law.

Spoiler:

Edit 4:

negatively affecting small businesses in the surrounding area.

Interesting perspective on this:

Occupy being damaging to small businesses is just propaganda

The mainstream media with the worst track record of biased reporting - in essence, printing political position statements rather than objective news - have been repeatedly going back to the story of "the protests are hurting business." From what I had seen, nothing could be further from the truth.

Zuccotti Park was ringed with mobile stall vendors selling coffee, pastries, pizza, and street meats. These were mobile vendors - by definition, they could go anywhere their permit allows them to be. Yet they stayed around the park because there was money to be made. (Duh!)

Mayor Bloomberg falsely claimed that the protests were hurting tourism. Zuccotti Park is in a neighborhood in lower manhattan that I had only been to once despite living in the city for almost 12 years. I never had reason to go down there until the protests began. It had become a destination in its own right - and the people weren't coming to see the park (which is architecturally interesting) but were coming specifically to see the protesters.

Alternatively:

At Occupy Oakland, businesses around the (formerly occupied) Oscar Grant plaza have surged or remained the same. A lot of local cafes have expressed solidarity with the movement and gained tons of business during protests. There was a Tribune article where the square's local businesses said that the Occupy movement had no negative effect on their business. Even my company, a local corporation with 17 locations, hasn't suffered too much. Our City Center store half a block away from the plaza has seen its sales remain largely the same, and bear in mind that our customer base is majority business professionals and city workers. We've even gotten a couple catering orders for Occupy.

The City of Oakland will be quick to point out that the Oakland Chamber of commerce condemns the movement and is reporting huge losses in revenue. What they won't be so quick to point out is that more than 90% of the members of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce are national or international banks. The city is mad because large corporate banks are losing business due to Occupy. Basically, they're backing up their illegal police brutality with the fact that the movement is WORKING and doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

 

[Esper]

Evidently shots were fired at the White House and the accused shooter was apprehended.

A man who fired shots at the White House from an assault rifle on Nov. 11 was obsessed with President Barack Obama and the date 11/11/11, investigators and the man's father said.

U.S. Secret Service agents caught up with Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez in Pennsylvania on Wednesday after a four-day search.
Police arrested the 21-year-old Idaho man at a hotel after a desk clerk recognized his picture.

Ortega was scheduled to make his first appearance at 2 p.m. Thursday in federal court in Pittsburgh and many questions remained about his motive and background.

Authorities are investigating the man's mental health and say there are indications he believed attacking the White House was part of a personal mission from God, according to two different law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press. There are also indications the man had become obsessed with Obama.

"He hates the president, he hates Washington, he hates society," one official told The Washington Post.

The man's father, Jose, who lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho, told NBC's Telemundo Spanish News Network that his son was obsessed with the date 11/11/11. Ortega believed the world might end on that day, the father said.

Why are you posting something that has nothing to do with OWS? I mean, I know that Fox news tried to associate this crazy person with OWS in order to discredit it, but it should be clear to anyone that it's not related.

 

[jpp8]

It's part of Fox News' fair and balanced coverage on Occupy Wall Street.

Spoiler:

Of course major news networks are never going to give the full story since they're paid for by the big corporate fat cats on Wall Street. They always talk about these movements and how people get arrested at them, but they always make it seem like they're isolated incidents and in no way related to each other. They make the occupiers seem to be some sort of nuisance somehow and those who don't know any better are likely to believe them. The people want someone they can identify with. An excerpt blog post can sum it up better than I.

Why? My theory is that the powers that currently enjoy things as they are want the public to remain divided, to regard the protests as discrete, unconnected events in each city - not as part of a global uprising against systematic corruption. By misdirecting the media coverage onto peripheral issues or by manufacturing news ("hey, let's have the police drop off mentally unstable and aggressive people into the camp, and then let's use the fights which follow as an excuse to call the camp unsafe!") it keeps people thinking of the protesters as fringe individuals, rather than as people like themselves, fighting for each other's rights.

Edit: This is a prime example of why we are protesting: Lobbyists plan to undermine Occupy Wall Street and supporting politicians.

[...]

CLGC's memo proposes that the ABA pay CLGC $850,000 to conduct "opposition research" on Occupy Wall Street in order to construct "negative narratives" about the protests and allied politicians. The memo also asserts that Democratic victories in 2012 would be detrimental for Wall Street and targets specific races in which it says Wall Street would benefit by electing Republicans instead.

According to the memo, if Democrats embrace OWS, "This would mean more than just short-term political discomfort for Wall Street. … It has the potential to have very long-lasting political, policy and financial impacts on the companies in the center of the bullseye."

The memo also suggests that Democratic victories in 2012 should not be the ABA's biggest concern. "… (T)he bigger concern," the memo says, "should be that Republicans will no longer defend Wall Street companies."

[...]

It may be within legal boundaries to run campaigns like this, but nonetheless, this, along with the police brutality common at the protests, shows how far Wall Street and lobbyists will go to maintain the status quo that suits and benefits them.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

So, on the OccupyToronto front, I think it was last Wedneday that the eviction notices were handed out. They had a fair bit of leeway time as a judge didn't make their decision until this morning.

Following the judge's decision (which also said, like the city, you can come back to the park and protest - just stop camping), the city said they weren't going to come in immediately (even though they could).

Some of the campers have left (the ones, I'd argue, who actually support the OWS cause and aren't just there for a camping party), but a great deal of them have not. And instead, they're asking for a further extension and for a "peaceful resolution". I'm seriously questioning their intelligence now. The eviction notice (and almost a week's worth of time for you to leave), is the peaceful resolution.

If you're not taking that peaceful offer, don't be surprised when the police come in and it is much less than peaceful. Don't let the ship sail, people.

EDIT: Additional eviction notices have been handed out on Church letterhead from the Church that owns part of the park they're occupying.
EDIT2: The campers asking the police not to come tonight, but to come tomorrow night because they're inviting the city down for a party tonight. Just @__@

Also, jpp8, as for your response to my small business comment - most of my comments lately focus on the Toronto sect. I support the movement as a whole, I love the idea of OccupyWallStreet and Washington. And maybe the negative effect doesn't apply to those, but I was talking about here.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

I saw the OWS protest in SF get raided with my own two eyes yesterday.

 

[jpp8]

If you do not support the "occupying" aspect of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, I feel that you've missed the point.

 

[Keiran]

With the actions of our government and police in the past few months, I can no longer say I am proud to be American. This movement needs to succeed, and the people who are supposed to protect us are trying their hardest to keep as many people ignorant as they can. I cannot wait to rejoin the protests in NYC after the holidays this week.

Spoiler:

 

[TRIFORCE89]

With the actions of our government and police in the past few months, I can no longer say I am proud to be American. This movement needs to succeed, and the people who are supposed to protect us are trying their hardest to keep as many people ignorant as they can. I cannot wait to rejoin the protests in NYC after the holidays this week.

Spoiler:

I hated that video with the students. I can't believe campus security could do that. Heck, at my school, the unwritten rule is that you can ignore their parking tickets - and yet I guess they have the authority to pepper spray you

 

[Esper]

The pepper spray thing is pretty vicious. Just because it's a non-lethal weapon doesn't mean it's not still a weapon. Police aren't supposed to use more force than they are met with. Students sitting on the ground - yeah, not exactly a danger.

 

[Sephiroth2009]

Thoe movement as a whole is a joke. A lot of the events have been hijacked and payed for. The rest of the pitiful zombies(99%) don't know what the heck to protest. They should be protesting "End the Fed" not protesting the cover man on Wall Street.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

The pepper spray thing is pretty vicious. Just because it's a non-lethal weapon doesn't mean it's not still a weapon. Police aren't supposed to use more force than they are met with. Students sitting on the ground - yeah, not exactly a danger.

Not even real police. They were campus security. Glorified mall cops.

Anyway... update on Occupy Toronto...

They haven't been kicked out yet. Some police were there earlier today helping to take down the tents of those who wanted to leave, otherwise no large scale force yet.

However, the campers are getting angry now and taking it out on reporters - on both sides of the aisle and those who supported them. The last couple of days the campers have been putting out a list of "douchebag reporters". Today the list now includes people who were on their side. I think they just want to alienate everybody now.

A reporter was also in the park today asking a camper who was taking down their tent what they were going to do next. The reporter was then called a ***** and spit on.

In the judge's statements yesterday some of the voices of the residents in the area were revealed. The campers actually think they own the park. For residents of the area who were still trying to make use of their park, a "park moderator" from the group who approach these people and verbally accost them.

And so, my belief still holds still that the actually #OWS supporters left long ago. Those who actually cared about the movement, those who were protesting, those were getting the message out - they left weeks ago. All that's left are campers and squatters who don't protest and think they own the park.

It's just shameful and has completely undermined the movement and its legitimacy. Once the campers leave and the real protesters return... who is going to take them seriously now?

EDIT: They're being cleared out. Totally peaceful so far. The police didn't show up in riot gear or anything. No confrontations. The campers are just standing around and the police are taking down their tents. The police are emphasizing that they can come back later today without tents. I love Canada. Everyone's so polite XD But, yeah. No evilness behind the scenes it looks like. No corporate control of the government or police force or anything. They're being encouraged to keep protesting later today - just without the tents.

 

[jpp8]

EDIT: They're being cleared out. Totally peaceful so far. The police didn't show up in riot gear or anything. No confrontations. The campers are just standing around and the police are taking down their tents. The police are emphasizing that they can come back later today without tents. I love Canada. Everyone's so polite XD But, yeah. No evilness behind the scenes it looks like. No corporate control of the government or police force or anything. They're being encouraged to keep protesting later today - just without the tents.

Dawwwwwwww. Why is Canada so perfect? Police enforced action without violent confrontation. To those who say force and riot gear is the only option against these protestors, I want to bring up this peaceful example from Canadian officers.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

Dawwwwwwww. Why is Canada so perfect? Police enforced action without violent confrontation. To those who say force and riot gear is the only option against these protestors, I want to bring up this peaceful example from Canadian officers.

Its a very slow process. They're going around from little group to little group and negotiating till they leave. The main groups remaining are stuff like some native groups who now say that they own the park (see? I told you they went waaaay off base here) and few stragglers who insist they need more time (they've already had a week) and few people held up in a gazebo protecting the "sacred library" of old national geographic magazines.

They showed up in their traffic enforcement garb. I don't think they're looking for a fight. Minimal arrests too.


In other news, the movement as a whole has a vision statement now:

We Envision: [1] a truly free, democratic, and just society; [2] where we, the people, come together and solve our problems by consensus; [3] where people are encouraged to take personal and collective responsibility and participate in decision making; [4] where we learn to live in harmony and embrace principles of toleration and respect for diversity and the differing views of others; [5] where we secure the civil and human rights of all from violation by tyrannical forces and unjust governments; [6] where political and economic institutions work to benefit all, not just the privileged few; [7] where we provide full and free education to everyone, not merely to get jobs but to grow and flourish as human beings; [8] where we value human needs over monetary gain, to ensure decent standards of living without which effective democracy is impossible; [9] where we work together to protect the global environment to ensure that future generations will have safe and clean air, water and food supplies, and will be able to enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature that past generations have enjoyed.

I think it needs to be more specific - with numbers and proposals. Less Kumbayah. I'm not a fan of points 2 and maybe 7.


EDIT: My favourite clip of the day was the camper who ran the "library" (which was a gazebo that was already in the park to begin with), bawling his eyes out because they were bringing down what he was working on for three weeks. He said that there was no good reason to do so and that all he wanted to do was create a space where people could meet and learn. He, creatively, called his gazebo a "library" as if he had coined the term. Dude, we pay taxes to support community centres and libraries. Toronto has 99 of them. You don't need to hijack a gazebo to meet up and read national geographic. Grow.up.

 

[Oryx]

I don't really keep up with OWS that much but I thought you guys might like this article on the bill proposed that's directly influenced by OWS, OCCUPIED (Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy).

 

[Netto Azure]

Apparently the limit on democracy is 57 days more or less. Congress can go endlessly without balancing the budget, which is illegal, but a legal protest gets 2 months.

Occupy LA protesters given Monday deadline to evacuate City Hall park

Occupy L.A. protesters were given a deadline of Monday to evacuate their encampment outside City Hall.​

Occupy LA will be forced to vacate the land in front of City Hall by Monday November 28 at 12:01 AM, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Friday.

Villaraigosa and Police Chief Charlie Beck officially issued an evacuation deadline of next Monday at a press conference at City Hall Friday.

"From the start we've said that a long-term encampment is not sustainable in City Hall Park," said Villaraigosa from the top of the City Hall steps as cars passed in the background and the occupiers looked on. "It is time to close the park and repair the grounds."

At the official announcement, Occupy LA members began to read the first paragraph of their own statement, submitted yesterday to City Hall. In it, members vow not to move from the park.

"What happened to the 72 hour notice?" shouted one protester.

"[The encampment] is no longer sustainable and must end," Police Chief Charlie Beck later added. "This does not mean that the message of Occupy LA must end. [...] They must expand their message in a different medium."

"To facilitate a peaceful and orderly departure" officers will walk the encampment this weekend handing out bilingual flyers about the closures, while social workers inform campers about what services are available to them. Fifty shelter beds will be made available for homeless Occupy members.

The Spring Street steps of City Hall will be kept open while the rest of the park is closed, since they have "traditionally been the place that Angelinos have gathered to exercise their right to free speech."