You can't evict an idea whose time has come.
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 15, 2011, 1:36 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
A massive police force is presently evicting Liberty Square, home of Occupy Wall Street for the past two months and birthplace of the 99% movement that has spread across the country.
The raid started just after 1:00am. Supporters and allies are mobilizing throughout the city, presently converging at Foley Square. Supporters are also planning public actions for the coming days, including occupation actions.
**You can't evict an idea whose time has come.**Two months ago a few hundred New Yorkers set up an encampment at the doorstep of Wall Street. Since then, Occupy Wall Street has become a national and even international symbol — with similarly styled occupations popping up in cities and towns across America and around the world. The Occupy movement was inspired by simliar occupations and uprisings such as those during Arab Spring, and in Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and the UK.
A growing popular movement has significantly altered the national narrative about our economy, our democracy, and our future. Americans are talking about the consolidation of wealth and power in our society, and the stranglehold that the top 1% have over our political system. More and more Americans are seeing the crises of our economy and our democracy as systemic problems, that require collective action to remedy. More and more Americans are identifying as part of the 99%, and saying "enough!"
This burgeoning movement is more than a protest, more than an occupation, and more than any tactic. The "us" in the movement is far broader than those who are able to participate in physical occupation. The movement is everyone who sends supplies, everyone who talks to their friends and families about the underlying issues, everyone who takes some form of action to get involved in this civic process.
This moment is nothing short of America rediscovering the strength we hold when we come together as citizens to take action to address crises that impact us all.
Such a movement cannot be evicted. Some politicians may physically remove us from public spaces — our spaces — and, physically, they may succeed. But we are engaged in a battle over ideas. Our idea is that our political structures should serve us, the people — all of us, not just those who have amassed great wealth and power. We believe that is a highly popular idea, and that is why so many people have come so quickly to identify with Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement.
You cannot evict an idea whose time has come.
The 1% can live and travel when and where they want. They don't respect borders, they don't care about nationality.
But the 99% are restricted by flags, notions of patriotism, man made borders and visas and permits. We have to live and work where we are born. We are trapped into a system which determines how we serve the 1%.
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Dream on, raines.
So is world travel is a crime against humanity now? Or is your problem that there are nation that, for some strange reason, don't want floods of people they can't keep track of pouring across their boarders?
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Way scarier than we think. Looking at the resignation of two European Prime Ministers and the new President of the European Bank, we can see that they are men tied with Goldman Sachs and the FED RESERVE!!! http://99vs1.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/are-the-1-taking-over-europe-and-next/
I hope you all know that you are only hurting small business and encouraging big business to move to other countries that are more than willing to accept them with open arms while you still buy their products every day and night. Get off your ass and find a way to support the local business and the people who are trying to make a living still in this economy. Also by requiring a login in and setup to your specific rules that state you can tell people what to do when to do it and how to do it is worse than many communist countries have it today. (it makes your complete movement hypocrite's and the opposite of freedom of speech.)
Well no, you're wrong. Number One; no one has scared Big Business to hire abroad, they've been doing that for years while benefiting their tax exempt AMERICAN status. They do it because they do not care for America, they care about their profits. If they could fire everyone in this country and be more profitable elsewhere, they'd do it in a heartbeat. Repeat after me, Large Corporations generally do NOT care about helping America. You then go on to recommend that all citizens should support local businesses. I couldn't agree more. Isn't buying products in this country supposed to help the economy? And what would make that really happen is if a lot of people (like you & me,) had jobs with good salaries allowing us to put money into the pockets of the local businesses. As far as rules go, I don't really know of ANY Communist countries in existence today. What you have are Dictatorships that have little to actually do with Communism. And that leads me to your last point about Freedom of Speech... Why don't YOU get off your ass and stop burying your head in the sand. You are the typical Follower who the System loves, why? Because the system has you believing that your rights don't matter. And that all of us should just accept the injustices that the BANKS, WALL STREET, LARGE CORPORATIONS and THE POLITICAL machine have committed all to guaranty that they all KEEP GETTING RICH while the rest of us can rot. I'd love to see where you are if/when you lose your job, your house, your income and your rights. Who will you complain to? Will you go to the Corporations for a job? They will not hire you. Will you go to the Banks to ask for help with keeping your home when they foreclose on you? They'll laugh in your face. And finally, will you turn to the Politicians for help? They won't hear you because they are in the Hip-Pocket of the other two institutions.
So, what do we have left? We have ourselves. We have our numbers. The prospect of the masses rising up is the most frightening thing the Banks, Wall Street & the Politicians could ever imagine. And we only want what is right.
Why not ponder that instead of lashing out half-assed and for all the wrong reasons. Know who & what to be angry about. If the Banks, Wall Street & the entire system weren't abusing us all, (you included,) there would be no need for any of this.
ФРС в настоящее время владеет в Соединенных Штатах. Вы знаете, ни о чем не дураки ...
could it be that they care for the world more than they care for America.
The fact that you were able to post this makes your claims of censorship, "communism" and hypocrisy truly hypocritical. Please go learn something, so that you can make a contribution that isn't the regurgitation of conservative radio soundbytes.
Полезные дураки!!! Полезные дураки! Вы не знаете, смысл 17 ноября
Likewise. You have your rules regarding these forums. I for one attempt to follow them because they are your rules and I am in your space.
The hypocrisy really arises IF you do not follow the same standards regarding rights and responsibilities in the areas of your life (IE, occuping property that you do not in effect own, violating such things as park closing time, being a legal non-profit organization when receiving donations, spitting on the sidewalk or worse, etc.)
If you are an American citizen - that is just another bunch of crap. If you are a Cuban citizen - you are exactly right.
The only walls that you have around your little box, are the ones that you put up yourself- get over telling me over and oven how much of a great, wonderful VICTIM you are. You need to get over it and get a life that is something other than that of a victim. I DO NOT feel sorry for you at all.
We have a warehouse. Set up shifts. The day shift sleeps during the night at the warehouse and the night shift occupies the Park the entire night fully awake. In this way the occupation continues 24/7 without having to set up tents. Make use of the property that has been donated for the cause to sleep and shower.
Occupy a student loan, a shower & razor, a suit, some guts and tenacity, and work hard to occupy a job. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. You are entitled to NOTHING.
You are suggesting an outdated notion that you can go to collage, walkout and get a job. That is idyllic and no longer realistic. We are entitled to the basic human need. Shelter, food, water. We are loosing those rights and will only be able to obtain them by raising our voices and demanding them. The people in the the occupy movement are occupying a job, a job much more important than your basic 9 to 5 occupation. They are now bringing awareness to an issue that is affecting not just one country but humanity as a whole. You are right about one thing, nothing worth having ever comes easy. so, I'm sure nay-sayers who do not yet understand how this movement is more then just people who can't get jobs will dissuade the movement. Because change is so worth it.
According to the Wall Street Journal, 85% of OWS protesters are employed.
That doesnt matter. Its abt justice for ALL. What abt their children, grandchilden, great grandchildren aren't we supposed to be making a better world for them.
You're right!!!
I love you guys, I love you guys, I love you guys so much. Keep standing! Keep fighting! You're the real patriots of which this country has been in dire need.
Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech. HA!! The illusive enemy can hide behind health and safety concerns, but the thorn in their sides will be a growing awareness that cannot be stopped by any "News Media". All the corporate dollars can’t stop what is the truth, and a corruption of OUR democracy. We shall overcome!!!
An idea to regroup camping efforts...one word comes to mind... "Hooverville"
Hey, big up to you all in NYC you have put words into action and are having a real effect, thank you Dave Kalgoorlie Western Australia.
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
Plutarch
Fight on!
Any action against the #OWS movement shows that the 1% is afraid of what may come out of this, and is exacerbating the situation. http://99vs1.wordpress.com
They are terrified. That's why they build themselves shelters with walls and walls of money. They think, as they've often seen, money = power.
Yes - we need to send a powerful message Thursday by showing up in greater than ever numbers that this is not over, that we've just become stronger.
Terrified? I don't think that is so. The so called 1% have all kinds of money, and that you have none, and want to take it away from them by force, means you are terrified.
Exactly. Intellectual solidarity has been achieved among a critical mass. eviction is just part of our media campaign funded by the very forces that oppose us.
I teach college-level freshman english, and have some leverage about what choices students can make in regard to the research papers they write. I've encouraged them to write about issues pertaining to social justice, the environment, and indigenous rights, ala Paul Hawken's Blessed Unrest. Those issues include OWS, Wikileaks, the privatization of water, fracking for natural gas, and the wall we're building along our southern border. I am one of the 99 %, and so are my students.
Good on you!
You sound like a control freak to me, similar to a college teacher my son had. When he cited the heritage foundation as a source in a paper he had written, the so called teacher told him never to use heritage foundation as a source again.
Suggest to your son to use academic sources via the school's library and through the School's web page. Unfortunately, most of us are not taught how to properly research an essay in high school and are allowed instead to pull whatever we want off the internet. I feel that we are not conscious enough about social issues in school outside of the social sciences. I spent the better part of an afternoon explaining capitalism to a 3rd year biology student.
social justice? another van jones scam.
Peace brothers and sisters, don't be discouraged. The world IS watching. The truth about these banking and financial cabal is out now, nobody can fix that. Soon they'll reap what they sow. A writer from Malaysia, Matthias Chang, in his book 'Future Fast Forward', was spot on about all the events that has been transpiring. This was written 5,6 years ago.
As I watch the Occupy movement continue grow I have found a renewed pride in my country because the people - of, by, and for whom this nation was built - are finally standing up to the corrupt system that has, for too long, sacrificed the good of the whole for wants of the very few. The Occupy movement embodies the true spirit of America; a spirit built on fair stewardship and cooperation. Never before have I been more proud to be an American than I have been these past several weeks.
E Pluribus Unum: Out of many, One.
Keep up the great work. We are with you. We are the 99%
The ripe fruit and fertile mistresses of the bankers are and insult to humanity.
You are an insult to humanity.
Lets start recalling this criminals. Lets show the peoples power, lets show who owns the country.Enough is enough.We have to fire our criminal officials, from the mayors to the president.Lets do it people. Go OWS.We are the 99%.
Unfortunately, the Country is owned by huge financial institutions, which are, now, starting to control part of Europe, too. GoldmanSachs has its tentacles in the European Central Bank, and in the government of Greece. http://99vs1.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/are-the-1-taking-over-europe-and-next/
A great statement. The 1% has already lost - their stranglehold on our minds is gone. Most people have not been to Zuccotti and still support the movement. The physical space of all the Occupy sites has been amazing and I wish we get them back. But something bigger has happened in people's consciousness that will not be as easy to close. Keep the movement alive!
Remember the words of Napoleon: a revolution is an idea that has found its bayonets.
Well said. I'm sharing this on Facebook, I encourage everyone reading this to do the same! We're all in the outreach working group, let's get to work!
I think that we need to connect ALL of the US occupy groups, so we can do actions on the same day. It is time to get more organized with this movement, and have the general assemblies done on the internet as well, so those of us who dont go to the meetings all of the time, can hear what they have to say and also post ideas also. Can this work over the net?
True Masters are those who have chosen to make a life, rather than a living.
Then I offer you this: I will respect your choice to make a life, and leave you to it, with no judgement, if you will respect my choice to make a living, and leave me to it, with no claims to any portion of the living that I have chosen. You are no master when the choices you make directly result in your dependence upon someone else.
I will take your offer and in return give you this: A true Master is not the one with the most students, but one who creates the most Masters.
Agreed, lifesprizes.
Thank you Davia
And would you say that to someone who had chosen to make a life and also be COMPLETELY independent? I doubt it. The indigenous people of this land have done that throughout time, but the big bad U.S. government does whatever it can to destroy that. You can continue to support the real criminals while the rest of us support the people.
I wouldn't need to say anything to someone who could independently support his/her choices; the potential for mutual respect is already there. My issue is with those who would shun the "living" for the "life," judge me for choosing the opposite, and demand that the living that I make support the life that they chose. Which is why my first post offered an "agree to disagree." My choice to pursue a "living" does not obligate you to do the same, nor does it obligate you to provide for me any "life" deficit I may encounter as a result of my choice. Likewise, another's choice to make a "life" instead of a "living" does not obligate anyone else to choose the same or to supplement that person's "living."
"Our idea is that our political structures should serve us, the people — all of us, not just those who have amassed great wealth and power"
If that is the idea, then head over to where your "ideas" are supposed to be represented. Instead, the President continues to receive Wall street funds while returning favors for them.
When did this idea's time come?
1789, 1917 or 1968?
It seems to be the same old stuff.
On one side of me are people who tell me money is more important than life, and on the side are the people who tell me that evenly distributing money is more important than life.
Which is it, or is there a Third Way?
This movement from my eyes is about more than just distribution of wealth. It's about creating and maintaining a level playing field. The wealth of this nation and the world for that matter is being funneled into the hands of a select few. Essentially the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer and the middle class is being systematically dismantled piece by piece since from my recollection the 1980's. Unregulated capitalism becomes a cancer and sadly that is the world we live in today and people are tired of it. Try to think of it as more than just a protest but rather a call to action to rebuild a crumbling civilization into a beautiful world where every living creature is treated respectfully and fairly. A world where corporate powers and political powers and religious powers all work for the benefit of the planet and all it's inhabitants.
Smells like a big pile of smutty poop to me.
Well that is bound to happen when you allow your head to Occupy your butt. ; )
If it wasn't so sad it would be funny that so many Americans are so ignorant of history and how capitalization works. Knowlege is power and what people and business are willing to pay for. Far too many waste their time majoring in worthless fields such as social studies or political science instead of science or math. Then can't figure out why it's had to find a job and pay off that $50-100,000 loan you took to pay your greedy professors salaries. Getting rid of the evil wealthy and spreading the wealthy among the people has been done. Well not really, but similar chants at the beginnings of the great socialist societies 50-80's. Russia, China, North Korea, Vietnam all spoke of the evil of capitalism and praised the power of the people. They all failed and all, but North Korea turned to capitalism and are thriving. Even North Korea this week announced they would allow tourism (although very restricted), because they are suffering for revenue.
Полезные дураки!!!
Yeah but we can evict your dumbass
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning
What you protesters are saying is obvious to most anyone who cares to look at the facts. It is a huge problem. I think it is time to find one of the more obvious things that could actually be changed to start chipping away at some obvious injustice. The public have become complacent and many support you but they just think it is the way things are and nothing can change and you are wasting everyone's time just to scream and holler.
It is time for some real issue to be brought forward for a starter. What about the 1st demand listed on the web site to re-institute the glass steegall act. It was undone as one of the first steps to allow big money to once again wreck the economy and get huge bonuses for the 1% and mostly the .1% by leveraging the entire economy for a few profits. You've taken on a huge problem at the core. It may take a while to even make a dent but some few leaders and spokespersons need to come forward.
I normally shy from politics on FB. Upon viewing a link & sharing my view, I've became a 'member'; ughh (will rectify ASAP!) Preface to any BS that may show up: I've been unemployed when there was only 6mo benefits; only had $50 to my name, “suggested” 'off-record' to bare children & sell my car to be eligible for assistance’...Needless to say, I chose a different path! I continued my search & WORKED several jobs @ min or below average wage to make ends meet! Personally: Occupying private property, physical/sexual assault, effectively causing loss of local business income/jobs, adding to already strapped PD/FD/ER budgets, etc., seems counter-productive to me…
I normally shy from politics on FB. Upon viewing a link & sharing my view, I've became a 'member'; ughh (will rectify ASAP!) Preface to any BS that may show up: I've been unemployed when there was only 6mo benefits; only had $50 to my name, “suggested” 'off-record' to bare children & sell my car to be eligible for assistance’...Needless to say, I chose a different path! I continued my search & WORKED several jobs @ min or below average wage to make ends meet! Personally: Occupying private property, physical/sexual assault, effectively causing loss of local business income/jobs, adding to already strapped PD/FD/ER budgets, etc., seems counter-productive to me…
I normally shy from politics on FB. Upon viewing a link & sharing my view, I've became a 'member'; ughh (will rectify ASAP!) Preface to any BS that may show up: I've been unemployed when there was only 6mo benefits; only had $50 to my name, “suggested” 'off-record' to bare children & sell my car to be eligible for assistance’...Needless to say, I chose a different path! I continued my search & WORKED several jobs @ min or below average wage to make ends meet! Personally: Occupying private property, physical/sexual assault, effectively causing loss of local business income/jobs, adding to already strapped PD/FD/ER budgets, etc., seems counter-productive to me…
to give you strength...i was born and have lived in florida most of my life, but my mother is german and all her/my family live in bavaria. i've been going to germany since birth, and did a little traveling in my later teens around europe after i dropped out of high school and got my ged. then i did the university thing on and off to try and please my unpleasing grandpa and father, and because not much else was going on (i was also making a buck or two out of pointless ritual:) but the anxiety and deep dissatisfaction of my life, which others could say was perfect, was too much to bare. so i had 20 garage sales, brought my cats to my mother in germany, and met my good friend professional kite surfer kris kinn on paros in greece to see what else was out there for me. i was going to travel everywhere, be a total nomad, but i never left paros. now i'm in the beginning stages of creating a permaculture food forest garden powered by solar and other alternative energy. my husband and i just built a wooden home on the land we bought, thanks to my extremely hard working bavarian oma who gave us the money. even though we know how to save and spend and work hard, in a rent situation, we would never be able to save that kind of money on our island in greece, especially now! it took us over 2 years to buy the land and during that time i researched and researched. mostly the things growing all around me that i can eat, how amazing they are for me, and how to preserve and utilize them. i also researched tools/people that would make it easier for me to become self sufficient: robert hart, SEPP HOLZER, martin crawford, fungi, snail keeping, bee keeping, water management, what grows best in the mediterranean, diversity, green house growing, growing indoors with leds, rocket mass heater, cobb building, farm animals, dehydrating foods, natural medicine, EM effective microorganisms and on and on. so now i know how to take care of myself, own my body and soul. it's still hard cause we're not out of the money game yet, but hopefully soon, hopefully we all will be out soon. it's worth it people, the freedom. they've kept so much knowledge from us, they've changed everything for the worse and they will not stop. did hitler stop? to me these people are worse than hitler! THE HORROR IN THE WORLD IS UNBEARABLE! if we don't stop fighting our individual battles and come together as one, nothing will ever really change. this movement is it. nothing else matters. it can be done and it must be done. but i'm no half ass girl! if we're gonna do it, we do it for all things on this earth end of story!!! i wish i could be at ows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i think about it day and night. before i had no hope and now i do...it rocks! i have so much i want to share and learn with all you there. now i just try and spread the word about the movement. it's pretty sad but lots of my friends and people who i thought would support the movement over in the states aren't:( because they are afraid, all of them. about the system collapsing). they aren't the 1% but they aren't doing too bad at the moment. they've really fucked us up, brainwashed us real good. how can you only live for yourself. how can you say you can't change the way things are. soon there will be nothing and that's the fucking truth. it's so easy, so 100% possible! FOR ALL!!!
Political Inaction + Popular Reaction = Direct Action
Uhhhh...I think you can and they did!!
People say that OWS is about nothing, it should list its demands, and the like. It is as if nobody knew what was wrong and what should be done to fix it. There has been plenty of discussion about that. The elite knows what should be done. It isn't oversimplifying anything to say it boils down the the Golden Rule. The elite knows the Golden Rule as well anybody. It simply chooses not to follow it.
I say keep occupying everywhere all over America. I say it is time to occupy the National Mall. We should begin migration from all over and land there with a major speak out, peaceful assembly of the masses. There are some making plans for this. I have seen a post on Daily Kos, and another website that started before OWS, www.peoplescongress.org. There is a thread on this forum also with the same idea.
The mayor is an azzhole but I have to admit someone wrote him a good line with "Now you will have to occupy the space with the power of your arguments". Not too shabby. It's time to fish or cut bait, show us what you got. So far all I've seen is a circle jerk of mindless morons chanting, beating drums and wiggling their fingers like a bunch of first graders. March on Washington, start a “Get out the vote” drive, etc. The chanting and beating the drums really do piss people off.
Awesome guys. Please keep it going peacefully. Those of us far away are in the internet and local battle. The message is right, the message will win. There is no magic wand but we will prevail!
Yes, you can be removed. Because although you may have your right to free and open speech, you do not have the right to break laws in the process of expressing that speech. Not having the right to trespass and build illegal structures in no way hinders your freedom of speech. It's simple. Play by the rules that we all must follow, or you are arrested.
The Boston Tea Party was a felony. When the rules are wrong they have to be changed. And I don't mean the simple rules of the park.
The colonists involved in the Boston Tea Party had a clear opposition to specific legislation. OWS is a bunch of whiny children by comparison. My history is a little rusty, but I don't believe that anyone involved in the BTP claimed that what they were doing wasn't illegal. They knew the risks.
Nothing they were doing in the park is illegal.
I'm pretty sure you can't set up residence in the middle of a park. You might want to look into that with more diligence before stating "facts."
The fact that a national crack-down of these protests has just occurred proves how scared the political/financial/corporate systems really are. The thought of the masses rising is their worst fear. I commend all who are standing up for equality. I commend all who are forcing this country to take a hard look at itself and acknowledge who is at the root of these issues. I do not know where this is going but I stand with all of you.
Now
Liberty Square actually lives in peoples' hearts
It is a place bounded neither by ground nor sky nor skyscrapers
It is a place we will return to over and over
It is a place not accessible to armed police, mayors, nor appropriators
It is, in fact, impossible to roust those who are actually there
Mic Check! Mic Check; HaHa, HaHa; HaHaHa, HaHaHa
Now it's time to make this movement more than a physical occupation. There are thousands of people who want to be part if this movement, who agree that the time has come to take back our country from the corporations who have bought the system out from under us. So, now's the time to figure out a way to make this movement work outside of the tent camps. Make it more inclusive for those who can't camp, but want to help bring about change. How can we do this? any ideas?
Ok- so derive an agenda-plan- approach- blueprint for replacing the present crumbling civilisation with the unified caring beautiful world. Will leadership grow from this display of passive resistance? You are aware that some form of aggression will be needed to move forward? Sitting passively by pointing out the obvious (even in large groups in parks or outside halls of government) will do little to bring about the change you speak of. I am not promoting violence; but rather an assertive plan with a goal. Right now all that I hear are redundant statements, pointing out the problems I already know exist. I will accept that this is a movement in its infancy that must crawl before it takes monumental strides that evoke actual change. Peace.
My idea includes having a large group of protesters pretending to be part of the crowd and then start protesting when the mixing is complete.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/flash-protesting-an-idea-to-consider/
P.S. Good luck and stay safe and smart to those in NYC
The movement will continue but we must outsmart the money. There is an auction coming up and reality is that we could end up with the likes of Grover Norquist, Koch Bros, and friends controlling the white House and Congress. This is a corrupt system but our system. I ask wouldn't it be better for one to make an effort to clean our house and prepare to move forward to create a forum to be heard and force change.. Bottom line is while all politicians have been working in a corrupt system for years I think there may be a few who want to attack the immediate and dangerous fact that the GOP this auction cycle is contained by the financial bullies. I support moving into the future, however we can not allow the financial bullies all gov positions to corrupt. We must also work within the current system and get the money out of politics. Is it not agreeable that Money is not the equivalent to speech? A very basic problem that needs a constitutional amendment. I ask why that very issue is not being attacked while moving forward. That alone would make a change. Further why are we allowing Congress to make their own laws which apply to themselves? The very fact they can make inside trades hedging for profit on trades set up to fail suggests Wall Street is running the country while the tax payers money is paying the salaries of those who are in congress for profit only. There are many ways to move forward but change will take time. I ask for a movement to attack a very important issue that would induce a break in this by demanding a amendment to the constitution that removes the ruling that money is equal to speech. A victory that could set forward motion in the long run.
I thought George Soros and his pals controlled the white house.
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The only thing the 1 % understands is money, so let
s get them where it will hurt them most. We need to have a coordinated general strike in all the cities that are being occupied. Even a strike lasting a week will have a huge impact they will lose millions per city in revenue. We have the power to do this, lets lay to waste their coffers and stand together with one powerful voice.Stan Rodgers said it in the song Mary Ellen Carter... http://youtu.be/fT-aEcPgkuA
"And the laughing, drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave, They won’t be laughing in another day.
And you, to whom adversity has dealt that final blow, With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go Turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again!"
I give you one more verse.
They tried to shut us down with thier police and riot squads Bloomberg and his cronies, yes they had stacked the odds They tore down all the tents and handcuffed those who would not go, They tired to sink the movement down below. But you cannot sink ideas, boys, the truth it will not bend And when the cause is justice, its a cause that will not end. We will gather yet together whether park or street or glen, And we'll be Occupying Wall Street once again.
Once again, once again, With heart and foot and voice once more our message we'll send You cannot stop us now, you cannot even pretend, Cause we'll be Occupying Wall Steet once again.
Rise again, Rise again That our name not be lost to the knowledge of men With those that loved her best and who were with her to the end We'll have Occupying Wall Street RISE AGAIN.
Thomas Rhymer.
November 15, 2011 @ 02:28.
I’m over a thousand miles from New York City. I’m sitting in my home, in Canada, watching Zuccotti Park being raided. Ironic that it was formerly called Liberty Plaza. Did you know that “Liberty Plaza” is now owned by a Canadian company? The NYPD is in full battle regalia. They have all of their crowd control weapons in place and ready for use. This isn’t a pretty sight. I can’t see how this is expected to be a good thing by those in power. But, I can see this action will change the world. The video coming from OWS is poor quality, but I can see that the faces of many of the police officers are expressing sadness. Some of the faces of the police seem to show happiness with what they are doing. I feel sorry for those happy faces. They don’t yet understand what is happening here. There are reports of tear-gassing and rough arrests. Tents, books and people’s belongings are being shovelled into garbage trucks. The kitchen area is taking the brunt of the assault at present. The protesters are remaining calm and collected, even though some of them have said that they are scared. They also stated that they aren’t moving. I’m watching this unfold on the occupywallst.org feed. They are doing a remarkable job of recording this assault and getting it out to the world. I just checked CNN and there is nothing of this being reported. I’m glad that the protesters are there. They really are representing all of us, whether you understand this, or not.
I fear for the protesters. I’d like to say that I trust the police, but I can’t. No, that’s not right…I do trust the police. It is the people who give them orders that I don’t trust. I no longer believe in the laws that those people have bought, as well. Even though this is a sad day for the people of America, I have to express some gladness, too. The action happening at Zuccotti Park, today, will be seen historically as the turning point in American history.
The video feed has now gone silent and it refuses to give me any more information. Something has happened to the people who were supplying the feed… This is not the beginning of the end.
This is the end of the beginning.
The Constitution and Bill of Rights were gutted by the so called Patriot Act. Average Americans are called "terrorists" now. Repeal the Patriot Act. Restore Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!
Be more precise about the 'idea'.
I've been coming here to browse the OWS news for almost two months and I can't say that I have any confident notion just what the 'idea' is. You need to present a more coherent case if you want to reach a thoughful observer. I am in agreement that severe wealth disparity and corruption are bad for peace, prosperity, and general morality, but you fail to offer a vision of how to improve the present circumstances.
A stable economic/social system takes more than wishy-washy dreams, and so the OWS groups that spend their days coming up with creative solutions to our problems need to have more to show for their time. I am put off by the endless drum beating to march against this or that without getting a sense for a more pragmatic outcome to all of this.
What is the next measurable step towards improvement? What is the 'idea'?
All this negativity about a movement that is simply saying that we're tired of business paying for our politicians who act in corporate interest, instead of the interests of the people. It's not about redistribution of wealth, in as much as a more fair economic system my grant more of us the ability to obtain part of that wealth. Our national wealth is a finite pie, and if only 1% have it, then there is clearly no equal opportunity to eat from it. Further, mega-corporations operate with tax benefits that cost the American taxpayer dollars to fill in the gaping holes those benefits leave in the economy. Americans are taxed on nearly everything they do, and have no say so over how it is spent because the politicians make those choices...on behalf of their supporters, not constituents. You are taxed on your pay, then you are taxed again on what you buy with it...and, if you buy from a location that makes the sales tax exempt, you must pay "Use tax"...so that there is no way for the government not to take more of your money. And then we have businesses who write the laws for us, and support the US Chamber of Commerce...a "corporate lobbying" firm that lobbies for laws that restrict our ability to hold companies accountable. And finally...THIS is THE most important test of our national Constitution EVER since the founding of this country. It does not matter the effect on the local towns...that is mere inconvenience, and a cost...that that community MUST bear, because it is their job to support...no, ensure...that the rights of these men and women to peacefully protest are protected...until their grievances are addressed, and CHANGED! OCCUPY!
The crackdowns came as a congressional analysis said income for the wealthiest Americans had sharply increased in the last 30 years - up by as much as 275% for the top 1%.
Meanwhile, the bottom 20% saw income rise by just 18%...
I support the protests, they are the best thing to happen to this country since the civil rights protests of the early '60s, we even have had local protests.
What is at stake now are the civil rights of the non-wealthy. After the recent supreme court decision that corporations are "people" ( a ridiculous and dangerous idea indeed!) and will be able to spend billions of dollars to cement their control of the government, the rights of the 99% of the country who are not wealthy will be eliminated. "Privilege" literally means "private law", and soon it will be the law of the land, as well. See MoveToAmend.org, another organization which needs our support as it addresses this problem.
Everyone I have talked to agrees that the current situation is intolerable. Obama gave us some hope at first, but he just caves in again and again. No public option health care, and he wouldn't tax the rich when he had the chance. Those are his biggest failures, and are the reason no one believes he can help us. If he had not caved in to the health insurance corporations and to the wealthiest 1% on health care and taxes, this protest across the country would not be happening. But we have to do something, or the rich will kill us off. People are already dying because they are poor, because they cannot afford the medical help that they need to live, because they have no homes to live in, because Congress and NAFTA sent their jobs to Mexico and China for the sake of the profits of a handful of billionaires...
Unless the richest start paying their fair share again, like they did when we were at our strongest and healthiest as a nation, it will just push us into being a third world country, with only the wealthy and the very poor, with no hope of any kind.
There is a class war, and the 1% have been waging it against the 99% for a long time. Its about time we fought back.
Really, for us at the bottom its not class warfare, its class self-defence!
This is a concerted well orchestrated plan to clamp down on the movement. Simultaneously cities have been raided people arrested. Portland, Oakland, San Diego, New York. This is unacceptable! This is a violation of the basic human right to free speech and to protest. The movement has to continue! This has to be looked at as a test or a problem to be overcome, a hurdle if you will. The fire has been doused but the "hot" embers remain to flare up even bigger and stronger. The time to strike hard is when they think they have won and they are complacent. Presence is the key,,ask Ghandi! did he give up? You can't let the Police state win or it's the end. Keep your faith and spirits high re-group in secrecy and come back full force in public places...shut down centers that represent inequality one at a time. Make strategic strikes on places of vulnerability and retreat. Employ the tactics of Sun Tzu's art of war. Employ the tactics of Geronimo who despite efforts of 9000 blue coats couldn't be captured. Use a strike and run tactic along with guerrilla fighting tactics in a peaceful manor, but defend yourself if you have to. Remember the police are just men like you and I. Just because they have uniforms and weapons doesn't mean you can't overcome the mindset of fear. Carry on and carry on in a vigorous and passionate fashion. It ain't over until the fat lady sings, and I heard she went on a diet!
Keep going! The more they fight, the closer we are to victory!
Fight on occupiers, you have our support.
Thank you for all you are doing for us. You have inspired over half our nation! We need you to keep inspiring us, however. You might be in a different location, but your idea and words are still needed!
The 99%???? Get real, pinch yourself so you'll wake up because if you think OWS represents 99% of the people then you're dreaming. Not only is it sad that you have wildly inflated your numbers, but probably 89% of your so called 99% resent being included in your numbers. At least my generation of "real hippies" left us all a legacy of good music. Sure, go ahead and block subways, trains, buses, and highways..... that's really going to endear you to the masses you 'think' you represent........
Hey middleagedguy, when did you give up? When did your heart die? When did you start believing 'the mans' lies? When did you help pave paradise so they could put up a parking lot?
We didn't care about endearing ourselves to the masses in the sixties! Laughs! I doubt if you were a hippy! We protested everywhere!!
OWS is a global icon, but remember this movement was already global before it started in USA. In many cities around the world the numbers of protesters are into 10s of thouands of people, in some cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, Rome, Santiago, protestors are counted in 100s of thousands. If the powers that be in US think they can hold back the tide of change with 200 police officers they're in for a big surprise.
global icon? No more of a scam.
I commend and support these peaceful protests- however I see no clear cut agenda or leadership-though from what i understand the lack of clearly defined leadership, even by committee, is part of the vague philosophy of this movement. I am surprised by the low number of protestors, the number of participants don't even come close the dence numbers rallying in similar protests overseas, and some of the protestors submitting to interviews project this fragmented confusion as to exactly what the occupy movement in the US is about. You can't evict an idea; i agree, however the statement should be preceded by a clear cut definition of the raw essence of the movement, and what Occupy's desired outcomes are. This has to be more than a cathartic gathering of frustrated citizens pointing out the obvious corruption of Our government by corporations, special interest and the total lack of representation in Washington by the so called elected public servants. I think we all get that. What is Occupy's goal? I will keep reading to derive a clearer understanding.
Every action has a reaction.
I think eventually the "peaceful" aspect is going to have to go. I don't see the 1% backing down. They will continue to pay off whoever to spin it their way, and pay police, and Homeland security etc. It will soon be time to fight back, and when that time comes I'll be ready. I want to make it clear that I am not advocating unprovoked violence, but if provoked and pushed by the police, we NEED to push back. The media is going to try and portray people as violent anyway so what the hell does it matter? I don't condone breaking shit although the urge is definately there for a lot of people myself included, I suggest if a police officer becomes a bully and begins to forcefully push you to "punch him in the face and knock his ass out" Self defense is what I call it.
Why don't you all have stun guns to defend yourselves against the police and any other attackers? This is rebellion. Fight for your country or lose it.
The police brutality, the unnecessary force, the disrespect of the persons and the belongings of other human beings. I want to vomit. Unbelievably upset.
Let's take it to the polls. Let's crush these people in the polls, and stay active on the streets.
If we are all solid and intellectual we will prevail against the multitudes who would steal our sleepy bags and ripe fruit. Do not the corporations deprive you of hydration, and spoil your eliminatory functions
HOW MANY ARE WE ?!?! GO TO THIS SITE !
www.theindignados.org
Go to this website, and show your indignation, just by putting your name in a text box ! Let show the world how many Indignants/occupants are we !
The space ship is hovering over the red steps to take you all home!!! Please, Please do not return, thanks, the real 99%
Please join. I say we house protesters and travelers, and maintain our presence!!! Please join, one person alone may not be able to house an occupation but thousands of us can! check out our lifeline for protesters here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100901853356707
I've been saying this for weeks. That it's time to move out of the park willingly and move on to the next step in Occupy -- moving to DC and effecting real, felt, tangible, worthwhile change. Just saying.
that time WILL come. dont worry.
Damn, spinning faster than my Maytag there OWS.
Who is this guy that posted this shit ? Man, just go sleep in another park and shut down your shit forum.
The Occupy fad has outlived it's usefulness. Form a PAC if you really want to get something done. Money talks, bullshit occupies a park.
Yes, The 1% can live and travel when and where they want and all the rest under many restrictions. Why? because we built this system which called CAPITALISM. and now you want many things to improve your life and economy which belong to socialism. So why all you were damn scred of Soviet Russia 30-40 years agos? Now you realized solicialism is good? Therefore shut up and be humble, be happy your still alive. long life CAPITALISM in United State and all those people on a top who put us down. But at the end, they didn't, we did by ourself.
Thank you Mayor from disenfecting and cleaning the scum that took over our park! Oh, and by the way. First and last post on your fu@kup protest site! Thanks for letting me excercise my freedom of speech!
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Thats a variation of a Ron Lawl quote :)
"No Army Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come" - Ron P.aul
This is a Victor Hugo quote
Ron PauI is awesome!!!!!
lol, RP was quoting a frenchman!
Its about time!
No it shows that the real 99% are tired of these posers, these idiots all need to go back to their parent's basements, smoke their pot and bang their drums! Go away, yes, yes, yes
Bout time they booted your filthy lazy asses out..
Lazy is living in the cold and setting up a miniature city in a park?
LOL....That is just stupid
Your post? Yeah I agree it's stupid.
Lazy? I have 2 jobs and find time to protest when I can. I am far from lazy. How does it feel to be an uninformed fox news loving republican who can only see one side of every issue in the world? Does it bother you that people have the GUTS to stand up to something they dont like? Sounds like courage to me. Doesnt sound like laziness to me. Sounds like you have done what your told your whole life. You see educated youth stand up for economic inequality and the inhumane tactics of our government and it is beyond your comprehension that they are more than "a bunch of dirty hippies" and that maybe just maybe these people are changing the world. Go back in your "Fox hole" and when you come back out we'll still be occupying.
Abounding stereotypes and generalizations make you look smart. I want to join OWS now! No, but seriously, I love the "inhumane tactics of our government" line. Well, why are you not protesting in DC? Oh, right, it's more effective to cry and whine at "wall street" instead of attacking the right people. While we are at it, let's not make clear demands or goals and just cry against injustice, that will probably work better.
Ummm Didn't they just boot you out (OWS)...LOL....Oh And no more tents