Forum Post: Disappointment and disillusionment in the final hours of Occupy LA
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 27, 2011, 4:56 a.m. EST by 1youngamerican
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I just returned home from spending my Saturday at the Occupy LA encampment at LA City Hall, the day before their eviction. I left as disappointed as I arrived. On what would be the last two days of free speech in LA, NO ONE was speaking out. NO ONE was even there to hold ground at such a pivotal point in the movement. Nearly all the tents were empty, other than trash. The scene looked sad beyond belief, disorganized, defeated. Most of all, dirty. They have made for an easy argument on behalf of the city on that note. I continually asked people one solitary question as I meandered through a homeless majority- "where was their outrage?!" I was met with little response, only weary, wondering eyes and the occasional plea for a buck. The exception: a disheveled, half-starved Iraqi veteran shared his chalk with me and together we drew our hearts and minds on the steps of City Hall. After making several laps around the block in an attempt to assess the space, I stopped to listen to a "how to be arrested" safety meeting being held on the east steps by the movement's leaders. Once again, this shared look of bewilderment on all attending. A few things shocked me instantly. One, they were censoring their own meeting allowing no photographs or video from bystanders or fellow protestors. Curious, considering three plain clothes officers had just walked behind us in a classic surveillance formation with no one but myself noticing. Here we are policing ourselves for them. Secondly, only one of the thirty or so people planning on being peacefully arrested had ever had a real life confrontation with the police or had been arrested before. They truly had no idea of what they were about to subject themselves to, nor did they understand the mentality of the men who would be facilitating their abuse. To make a long story short, I intervened briefly and ended up teaching some basic CHOKE/GRAB DEFENSE AND SAFE SITTING AND STANDING POSTURES (for those of you thinking I'm advocating resisting arrest, try it sometime and see where it gets you) to about 50 very grateful people. The goal was to minimize injury and add a little real-life reality check. In the end, I left hoping that maybe, just maybe, despite my frustration with the lack of spirit in the camp, that I'll have saved one or two of those people from being excessively hurt by their "protectors." Or even worse, them being trampled by their own fellow protestors. Experience would have me say otherwise. I know what these folks have coming at midnight tomorrow, despite the mayor's promise of non-violence. I strongly urge all occupiers to be very AWARE over the next several days as Congress will be voting on the Defense Authorization Act on Monday. This law enables not only local and state police, federalized police and national guard, but all branches of the military to extend their "battlefield" literally to American soil. They will have the legal right to arrest and detain protestors indefinitely here and abroad without due process. 20,000 troops are already scheduled for deployment within the month. Awareness is your greatest defense against the arrival of the militarized police state. An officer or soldier cannot arrest you if he cannot get his hands on you. Always move at 45 degree angles backwards, not in a straight line. Place your hands, palms out, directly below your chest in a peaceful, non-threatening, yet defensive posture, enabling you to protect your eyes if necessary. Do not stay in the officer's direct path of attack. This is his "corridor of power." They are trained to move you backwards and bottleneck you together. Always smile. A smile alone can unnerve the most vicious attacker, even when they wear a badge. Keep a cool head, care for your brothers and sisters around you and realize there will always be a cost for freedom. Unfortunately, it falls upon us and us alone, right now to bear the expense. It seems as Southern California, for the most part, has sold itself out or has simply gone to sleep on the watch. My heart goes out to those thirty or so souls that will willingly offer their bodies to the authorities for the millions surrounding them, eyes turned, tomorrow night. 30 out of 30 million. Like 99 and 1. Another sad night for so few while the rich sleep soundly in beautiful Socal...
I say, tell the protesters to leave. Do not be arrested, it is not worth it. The OWS has been infiltrated by the US government and they want it to fail. I believe they may have started it in the first place. Why no organization? Why no clear message? No, if I were you I would go down and tell them it is not worth being pepper sprayed, having your head beat in, or going to jail. Taking back our country is worth it, but the OWS, isn't worth it.
Tell all the protesters to join the 99% movement , started by Michael Moore.We are trying to get enough signatures to hold a Constitutional Convention inJuly of 2012.
Thank you for your post. I have read up until the part you state:
"I intervened briefly and ended up teaching some basic self defense and choke/grab defense techniques to about 50 very grateful people. In the end, I left hoping that maybe, just maybe, despite my frustration with the lack of spirit in the camp, that I'll have saved one or two of those people from being excessively hurt by their "protectors.""....
I do not believe this to be true, not that you did OR that anyone there would take your advice and/or your (want everyone to believe) Obviously more Expert hand to hand combat techniques. this sounds to be from someone who professes to be a tough guy and as a rule, one who brags is never that guy.
However,
IF for 1 second anyone believes this. ask yourself something.
WHAT help would it be to show obviously untrained people how to TRY to put a choke hold on a Los Angeles Police Officer with the Training, Duty, and Authority to be able to Effortlessly Pin you down kissing the sidewalk in seconds?
Perhaps in this fantasy you were trying to get protesters hurt?
because IF you actually HAD "instructed them" to do these things, AND they had actually TRIED them, they would have been BADLY hurt during the process of the officers Defending themselves AND MAYBE even killed if an officers life was in danger.
I do not believe your post.
and I do not condone violence ESPECIALLY when you are going to loose that fight.
I think you misread what he says he taught: "choke/grab DEFENSE methods, not choke/grab offensive.
ohh i see
"Many protestors say they're not going anywhere. Some even handed out signs advertising an "Eviction Block Party." Dozens held a teach-in on resistance tactics, including how to stay safe from rubber bullets and pepper spray."
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8446118
The OP is spreading disinformation...
THERE WAS NOTHING "OFFENSIVE" IN MY INSTRUCTION. Showing someone how to remain breathing while being choked or how to protect their head while on the ground, is something they should have in their tool box. Not once did I ever recommend laying a single finger on an officer. Sorry, you misunderstood.
oh i see, my mistake. I think those would be helpful valuable things. ty
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Thank you for the report. It's difficult to remain hopeful... but let's do it anyway!
I am Extremely alarmed by what you report about the impending "Defense Authorization Act". If what you report is true... well for starters where is all the press on this INSANE and fascist move?!?
Deep breath...
Despite the above-- or I guess until the above is our new harsh reality-- I don't agree with you on resisting arrest. I think OWS must willingly submit to arrest and even cooperate. Let's Occupy the jails and let's take our fight to the courts too. We can overwhelm the system and the laws "we" are disobeying (Civil Disobedience) are minor so "we" are talking about facing fine for "blocking sidewalks". But resisting arrest is worse and also gives the police an excuse to break out the pepper-spray and that is lose-lose for everyone-- in my opinion.
Dr. King and Thoreau were clear on the point-- engaging in Civil Disobedience is a highly moral act that requires courage as well as a rigorous understanding and knowledge that there is indeed an injustice that must be fought. But it also requires facing the legal consequences and going to jail... and then to court... as part of the fight.
If... IF... god forbid... we become militarized as a society... then all bets are off and I think Civil Disobedience at that point because ALMOST as dangerous as picking up a gun and going to war.
It has been mentioned on MSNBC, but not as much as it should be. The vote is supposed to be this week. I think it was Lawrence O'Donnell, but I'm not sure. As you say, certainly not loud enough or long enough, when they spend hours and hours for days and days on absolute nonsense.
Where was the press when the Patriot Act was passed into law without review from either house? PATRIOT II? VICTORY I, VICTORY II? Have you read those? This law was written behind closed doors by Senator John McCain and his cronies with the implicit intention of ratifying it in the house on Monday, WITHOUT THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE. The decision has already been made to move the troops. Ultimately, peaceful or non-peaceful, this movement was exactly the excuse they were looking for in what is to be their final campaign against the American people. Believe it.
Repeal the Patriot Act:
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/repeal-patriot-act/JF1pdPKg
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/end-patriot-act/nH20qwfr
From the Guardian, Naomi Wolf: "Department of Homeland Security had participated in an 18-city mayor conference call advising mayors on "how to suppress" Occupy protests."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/25/shocking-truth-about-crackdown-occupy?fb=optOut
yeah... freaking crazy. I am hoping that Naomi Wolf et. al. is "on this" issue and the ACLU is saddling up. This needs to be challenged in court.
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Resisting arrest is beside the point of direct action. It makes no sense. For direct action to work, one hopes to get arrested in the most violent way possible and to film it so the errors of the police are known by all. Ghandi's suggestion to the Jews was that they should let themselves get slaughtered so as to create awareness. His idea was that they would be killed anyway, so it was better to use direct action to resist with non-violence and get killed in open view, than to die hidden away in concentration camps. You need to be extremely brave for direct action to work. You have to be willing to be a martyr for your cause.
Please don't go appointing yourselves (not "you" personally) as "martyrs" in my name, or in the name of this movement.
I disagree. This is not Germany in 1930. For the sake of argument/ discussion, maybe we should clarify and separate Civil Disobedience and Direct Action as two different strategies...? Have you read Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"? It is helpful.
I don't see how getting arrested "in the most violent way possible" is helpful. As you may have noticed from this forum, images of protestors fighting police can be very convincing indeed-- but not in our favor. People in the center (and especially Right of center) don't look at such videos and blame the police. They tend to conclude that the police had no choice but to whup ass. And legally, they are correct. There's no such thing as a "right to resist arrest".
I started out wanting to clarify the difference between "Direct Action" and Civil Disobedience... but now I can't seem to do it. Maybe you can give some examples?
OWS cannot claim "non-violence" if they fight with police. I still (have to) believe that we have a legal system that works (even if the other 2 branches of government don't). I don't think we are convincing anyone who doesn't already agree with us. I find the images of the police pepper-spraying outrageous but I don't think "the 99%" does. "We" can win in court if we don't give police the excuse to use force.
More importantly... the ONLY way to win over public opinion is to make it totally obvious that we "law abiding citizens" with a very Serious "grievance" that must be "redressed" and to demonstrate the power of our conviction, yes... we are willing to cooperate and go to jail and go to court and then continue to insist and continue to refuse to give in. They are, after all, arresting us for petty things like "blocking the sidewalk". If we can't handle that, what business do we have "changing the world"??
It's a shame most of you misunderstood my post. Not surprising with all of the emotions flying around right now. I do not advocate resisting arrest. I ALSO do not advocate placing yourself in harm's way intentionally, unless you fully know what you're in store for. When you see a 60 year old, frail woman preparing herself for arrest with no insight into what the actual risks are, you simply want to help. How many of you have actually spent a few nights in an LA jail anyway? Maybe I should have taught them some basic open hand....
fair point. i remind myself every time i write the sentence that I'm sitting here encouraging other people to be arrested. I've been in Seattle jails and everything was fine, no problem. I've also been in New Orleans Parish Prison and I was lucky only to have been robbed of my cash and slammed against a wall with menacing threats. 24 hours in that place broke me! i sat trembling in a cell begging to have a chance to plead guilty (i was arrested because I took photos of cops hassling street kids). meanwhile the Mexicans on the bench next to me sat around chatting... another day on the job for them.
It's not about direct action. It's about the Constitutional Rights of All Americans to Assemble, even under police intimidation.
Occupy's main tactic is direct action. It is a tactic used to create tension between protesters and police. Occupying the ports next month will do nothing to prevent the 1% from going along with their business. Occupy knowns this, they are there to get arrested and to film police brutality.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1867pcs/pdf/BILLS-112s1867pcs.pdf this will allow readers to read the bill for themselves. It specifically states it is not expanding the power of the president or military to US citizens (covered persons), in pertinent part: Subtitle D—Detainee Matters 4 SEC. 1031. AFFIRMATION OF AUTHORITY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES TO DETAIN COVERED PERSONS PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Congress affirms that the authority of the President to use all necessary and appropriate force pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40) includes the authority for the Armed Forces of the United States to detain covered persons (as defined in subsection (b)) pending disposition under the law of war. (b) COVERED PERSONS.—A covered person under this section is any person as follows: (1) A person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for those attacks. (2) A person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces. (c) DISPOSITION UNDER LAW OF WAR.—The disposition of a person under the law of war as described in subsection (a) may include the following: (1) Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force. (2) Trial under chapter 47A of title 10, United States Code (as amended by the Military Commissions Act of 2009 (title XVIII of Public Law 111– 12 84)). (3) Transfer for trial by an alternative court or competent tribunal having lawful jurisdiction. (4) Transfer to the custody or control of the person’s country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity. (d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section is intended to limit or expand the authority of the President or the scope of the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
No matter, as far as I'm concerned. It is still so against our basic principle of habeas corpus, already violated by the Patriot Act, that it should not be passed. If a principle is abandoned when living up to it becomes difficult, it is not a principle to be upheld but an ideal to be aspired to.
Please, please keep on spreading the word about the Defense Authorization Act...that is like a clarion call announcing a military assault to be waged against protesters.
Not according to this...
"Many protestors say they're not going anywhere. Some even handed out signs advertising an "Eviction Block Party." Dozens held a teach-in on resistance tactics, including how to stay safe from rubber bullets and pepper spray."
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8446118
What is truly amazing is that shitheads like you actually believe you can lie...The net tells all...Take your swill somewhere else.
shame you think so, I was a volunteer in the teach-in . Where were you?
I am 100% for the Occupy Movement but I feel it's time for the movement to update it's tactics for a longer duration as well as not overlook the health and needs of the Occupiers.
I favor another option. The Occupy Movements in every city needs to consider pooling resources together to find and obtain a building or two to set up as a permanent headquarters. It could even be an abandoned building. Become a squatter. There protesters would have a safe and secure place to sleep, process media and take care of personal needs such as hygiene. This way they can still be close to key protest areas to occupy without building up an encampment that would be too difficult to maintain for a long extended period. It's going to get pretty cold and the lack of efficient sanitation could eventually cause infections and diseases to inflict the protesters.
By doing this you will take away the main excuse the law has against the Occupy Movement and it may even sway a few to even join you. It's just a thought. You can still occupy the areas 24/7 but you would have a place where members could sleep and freshen up. Personally I recommend finding an abandoned factory or warehouse and use generators for power.
I have another tactic to protect protestors. Go home and get a job right after you bathe. Go Newt!
I work three jobs and still find time to help effect change. Thanks for wearing your ignorance on your sleeve for all to see...
Wow; damned if you do and damned if you don't (get a job; quit hogging the jobs). I heard from other friends who live in Santa Monica that the L.A. "occupy" was more "Hollywood wannabes", homeless people, and generally not even close to the OWS in New York, where she also spent some time. It is sad that there really are a lot of people who are lost and don't have a clue what to do about it. But, as a movement of the 99%, we have to incorporate all of those people, too. Acceptance of each other with all our ignorance, fears, hopes, prejudices, etc is the single hardest thing to do, but if we can reach that goal, we will have no problem governing ourselves. Keep these forums going and maybe the haters and villifiers will become less strident and more aware. It is impossible to hear (or read) what is being said if your own voice is yelling how right you are in your head.
Is this the Bill you are referring to?
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1540
Correction, I think this is what you are referring to: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s112-1253
http://skyvalleychronicle.com/FEATURE-NEWS/AN-EGYPTIAN-MILITARY-MODEL-IN-THE-U-S-BR-I-Could-U-S-military-emboldened-with-impunity-of-new-law-up-for-Senate-vote-arrest-any-American-anywhere-anytime-and-for-anything-I-834822
Thanks for your observances. Wish I could have witnessed it with my own eyes. Know that it's not a failure because they left in a whimper. The bad sleep well while the brave endure hell, true. But that's not the ocean going away for good, only a brief ebb while we regroup, find a way to bring our resistance to most powerful effect.
I'm in San Diego now: I know too well about the timidity, and even cowardice, of many protestors in SoCal. Media center of the new world, so no wonder we have such a high percentage of docile, clueless citizens.
Let us not allow ourselves to feel defeated for long though! It's going to take much time, effort, education, talking to people in person, to bring about a shift in enthusiasm and social consciousness we all need now.
Let's hear what the Marshall had to say. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTSD6Tz5D8I
http://occupythiswiki.org/wiki/Paradigm_Shifts;_How_they_Work,_What_makes_them_tick,_and_how_to_make_one_happen_now.
Every Occupy is by its nature an adventure in theater. Like it or not or care or not, an occupy is a stage. And EVERY action taken on that stage will be weighed by the public- whether thats fair or not is moot. The ONLY way to win that game is to consistently demonstrate and create an egalitarian micro nation which keeps its environment clean, treats others with dignity, calmness, and respect, and which clearly provides services to society at large which outweigh the other inconveniences the occupy creates.
There are thus three main fields of play;
The obvious one which most people imagine is the only one; The protesting in the streets, the Occupying, the getting the word out, and even in most senses the currernt internet activity.
The Psychologically least obvious field is the field of organization and logistics itself, in the sociological and psychological sense, such that each occupy creates a miniature society in demonstration of a BETTER social and cultural standard. This becomes less and less obvious the longer the crap sits around and fades out of mind of the occupiers; but operating as signs of entropy to those who look in.
The Third and in many senses most important and most meaningful arena is that of sciences and issues and problems and solutions, in which we form open source direct democracy driven think tanks and then actually work and then solve civilizations high order problems. Unless we do this, we are only complaining without putting forth a solid alternative, and we can only obtain the alternative which has been preset in the oligarchs [[PROBLEM>REACTION>SOLUTION]] con scam. In short, unless the Occupy movement wakes up to this level, the outcome of its activities will be to further entangle civil liberties, further entropize and polarize the electorate, and further complicate all of the social and civil problems we face, such that the Elites will then be able to run their agenda- with "Solutions" they cooked up long ago that involve keeping us all as cattle.
Category: Workshops in SB
You give some interesting tactics to avoid capture by the police, but you miss the most important one: don' participate in direct action. The point of direct action is to create a confrontation. When the police mess up like they did in UC Davis, then direct action has scored a point. Direct action doesn't work if no confrontation is created, and works best when harsh confrontations are.