Forum Post: Great Shows -- Nothing Concrete Achieved

It was a very impressive show in Times Square as Occupied Wall Street (OWS) marchers joined the large weekend crowds of Times Square. But that's just the problem, the OWS has to go to where the crowds are; the crowds aren't coming down to Liberty Square (with the exception of tourist gawkers and the media). When I was down at the encampment the other day, I noticed very few American flags (mostly small flags, and a larger flag hung upside down), but there was a large flag of Che Guevara and pro-Communist publications, among other things. The average American who is hurting is also patriotic, and seeing the aforesaid will only keep them away from becoming active. You need to have a designated group to be responsible for displaying American flags around the encampment and weeding out anything that can be perceived as anti-American in nature. Or, in other words, make Liberty Square more inviting to the masses on the fence. The average hurting American would also thrown on demonstrations that deliberately provoke needless confrontations with the cops. They garner a lot of publicity, but it is negative publicity that hasn't achieved anything. It hasn't effected the operations of the stock markets and financial hours at all. It has only succeeded in turning people against the movement (those stuck in traffic or disturbed by the noise in their neighborhood). And for those protestors who got arrested and convicted, they now have rap sheets that will now prevent them from getting many jobs. You don't start blocking streets until you have an active following of tens of thousands, not now. I'm not saying stop demonstrating, but work with the cops and keep it orderly. Along with the protests, you're going to need to have a strong group in Washington to both protest and lobby Congress to push for new legislation. Most of the financial and corporate laws are federal, so that means Congressional action is needed. You need to have a Congressional (and state and local legislators) Advisory Group made up of both senators and representatives, to advise the OWS and offer assistance. Richard Trumka's AFL-CIO could be helpful with lobbying activities in D.C. Another possible idea to bring people down is hold a medical clinic for people who have no health care. Last year, a group of doctors (I don't remember who and where -- it could have been 'Doctors Without Borders') set-up a clinic and thousands of people showed up (including many who had to be turned away). I know we need universal health care and that is one of the issues OWS is fighting for, but it wouldn't to serve some of those people who don't have health care now. Maybe, also hold job fairs -- encouraging any business that has a job to offer to place it in Liberty Square, or whatever. Maybe you can some corporations who want to show a good image to come down and set-up a booth in some organized way. I'm just throwing these ideas out there to help the cause succeed. I hope yo u give them consideration. Good Luck.