Forum Post: Eye Witness Account From Zucotti Park, NY and Four Other OWS Sites

Eye Witness Account From Zucotti Park, NY and Four Other OWS Sites

I am a forty-something American white male. I work a full-time job for a European company that treats me well and provides my family with excellent benefits and an adequate salary. My comments here are meant to be as objective an account as I can make them based on what I have personally experienced.

I travel frequently for business throughout the US. As a serious student of public affairs, I have been very intrigued by the OWS movement and have personally visited four OWS sites including NYC, Philadelphia, Portland, and DC. At each, I have spent a couple of hours talking with and listening to as many volunteers, protesters, visitors and “hangers-on” as possible. I have engaged and observed. Here are some generalizations I have been able to make…

1. While young people between 20-35 are prevalent, they are by no means the only age or income group represented. There were people from every age and “99%” income category, including plenty of homeless and other “marginal” citizens. In New York, I had great conversations with an American woman in her 70’s who participated in the freedom rides of Birmingham, AL, a medical Dr. in his 60’s there to speak out for universal health care. A World War II veteran there to speak out against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Philadelphia, I spoke with a PR professional in her 50’s. She was there to train the OWS volunteers in media relations. Also, I saw many numerous families with children. I spoke with one mom who had brought her teenage daughter to help her learn about how a movement like OWS creates social change.

2. Bright, articulate social criticism and debate. At every site, people were there to discuss the issues, and not at a shallow level. There were workshops all day at every city on topics ranging from race relations to nonviolent communication, While there are a infinite variety of issues present, the two that were the most discussed are. 1. The influence of big money on our elections, elected officials and the legislative process. The feeling that our beloved democracy has been bought and sold to the highest bidder. 2. Accountability in the financial sector – the perception that the big players in the financial industry drove our economy off the cliff through rampant and corrupt speculation, got a bailout from the taxpayers, took their big bonuses and got away with absolutely no accountability. And, they are still at it.

Yes, there were also plenty of homeless people, but not in any way remarkable for an inner city downtown. Besides, every OWS site was serving meals to all comers and in New York, there were free flu shots and urgent medical care.

1. Hope for, and love of, America. American flags were in abundance at every site and treated with respect as far as I could tell. I saw no presence of disrespectful treatment of the flag.

This is not a group who hates America, quite the contrary. Most discussion was about what America stands for, its ideals and how to return us to living up to them. I found that a lot of the volunteers know their history, the constitution, major court decisions, etc..

1. The NYPD was very professional. There were probably 50 officers on the periphery of Zucotti Park, and every interaction I observed or had with them was respectful. I had a great conversation with one of the “supervisors”. I specifically wanted to know if the reports of drugs, sexual misconduct and violence were accurate. He emphatically said that these occurrences were very limited and that he thought the media reports were biased. He went on the state that the OWS group has been well behaved and very proactive.

2. This movement is gathering momentum, not diminishing and they don’t plan on going anywhere. They are already talking about their plans for the spring – and are well prepared for wintering in the outdoors. I was, frankly, amazed at the broad expressions of support I observed from members of the public.. At site after site, I saw people from all walks who had simply come down to express their support. The volunteers said this happens all day every day.

3. This is not a call for socialism or anarchy. There may be a few who promote socialism, but what most want is equality, justice and an end to corruption between Washington and Wall Street. Everywhere, I spoke with working people who want to do better for themselves and their families by competing in a capitalist system where all are held to a standard of fairness and accountability.

My motivation for writing such a long post is to contribute truth to the process. I love America. I love my country. I firmly believe that we are in deep, divided trouble. I believe that our leaders have broken faith and that we, the people, must speak out and that probably means civil disobedience. But, I want to know that I have spoken out to the best of my ability and tried to make a difference for my family and my community. I hope these thoughts help the dialogue.

An OWS supporter from Portland, OR