Forum Post: I resign with deep regret from this Movement until there is an official OWS commitment to NON-VIOLENCE
Posted 12 years ago on Feb. 6, 2012, 9:11 p.m. EST by TIOUAISE
(2526)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
- Note from TIOUAISE: This is the real TIOUAISE, registered on October 6, NOT one of Thrasymaque's sockpuppet TIOUAISE, treacherously created by the troll after Oct. 23 to sabotage my reputation.
As we all know, one of the best people on this forum, GypsyKing, resigned three days ago with these words:
"I have reluctantly resigned from the Movement until there Is an official commitment to non-violence. This is very sad to me, because I have donated a lot of time and energy on this forum to further the cause. I only post this so that everyone may ignore any further posts from anyone posing as myself here - something the rats will undoubtedly do. If I do return it will still be as GypsyKing - two capitals." http://occupywallst.org/forum/i-have-reluctantly-resigned-from-the-movement-unti/
I responded to GK at the time: "I'm sorry to hear of your resignation, but I understand your reasons as I share your unconditional commitment to non-violence and have openly - but so far fruitlessly - confronted OWS for being too wishy-washy on the use of violence, even in its mission statement."
After the recent events in Oakland, the Movement is imo at a crossroads which have the potential to make it or break it. It could easily split open like a walnut. You do NOT want to miss Chris Hedges' sobering analysis of what is at stake here for OWS and for America: http://occupywallst.org/forum/chris-hedges-calls-black-bloc-the-cancer-in-occupy/
See also this poll showing the severe damage that Oakland caused to OWS in public opinion: http://occupywallst.org/forum/26-of-people-who-used-to-support-ows-now-oppose-it/
I for one applaud the good sense of Chris Hedges, Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore and others, who seem to me more down to earth than some of the "hardcore ideologues" who romanticize revolution and are failing to connect with mainstream America.
If OWS hesitates to disavow the Black Bloc, I'm afraid it will soon be finished in the eyes of 80% of its supporters and 90% of the American public. I personally will always remain DEEPLY thankful to OWS for getting the ball rolling and changing the national discourse, but at this point I think they need to seriously come together as to the direction the ball should take...
Make no mistake, I still believe wholeheartedly in this Sacred Struggle that we have undertaken as a people. My disagreement is with the morally and strategically questionable methods being used by certain elements of the Movement. Keep your eyes on the prize, OWS!
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What is the problem over a commitment to nonviolence? Is there concern a firm stance will lead to a splintering?
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I wish you wouldn't.
I, personally, don't see how your leaving the movement is going to help the movement. So, please re-consider, Tiouaise. It's very early on and the movement is having some growing pains. Give it another chance.
If we start to leave because this or that particular position then we will again commit the cardinal sin of 'Progressive Left', namely 'splitism' !!! Only "The Koch's suckers" will rejoice at this !! Please reconsider !
Re. "Violence", in the light of The Enormous Violence of Mass Global Iniquity Abroad and Austerity at home, BY The Permanent WAR $tate of The U$A ... all other 'violence' pales into insignificance & near irrelevance and I personally, will NEVER criticise 'self-defence' as I'm not a Pacifist but I absolutely advocate Non-Violence.
To follow 10 Relevant Links in the hope we all keep our "Eyes on The Prize" of Justice & Peace for all :
a) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha ;
b) http://www.gandhifoundation.net/ ;
c) http://www.gandhiserve.org/ ;
d) "The War Against the Poor, Occupy Wall Street and the Politics of Financial Morality" : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29649.htm ;
e) Re. The 2008 'Financial Coup d'Etat / Grand Heist', two excellent documentary films that go to the heart of The Genesis of OWS :
1) "The Warning" ; http://video.pbs.org/video/1302794657/ &
2) "Inside Job" ; http://documentarystorm.com/inside-job/ ;
f.) http://www.warresisters.org/sites/default/files/FY2012piechart-color.pdf ;
g) http://www.ctj.org/corporatetaxdodgers/CorporateTaxDodgersReport.pdf ;
h) http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/category/economics/ ;
i.) http://www.opensecrets.org/ &
j.) http://ni4d.us/ .
~*~
Per aspera ad astra ...~~~*
We do not know each other but others on here indicate your worth so it is from that position I speak. I cannot join with you in condemning any person or group, but whole heartily support the call for non-violence, it simply is not needed we only need to be heard, the ideas will determine the outcome; it cannot be forced. Speaking to that if you remove your voice then we lose those ideas, not that you won’t express them elsewhere, but as for myself this is the first time I feel as though someone might be listening, and for me it is truly a lifeline.
I understand and I share your sentiments. I do still hold out some hope, that this trend towards Black Bloc tactics will be reversed. This may especially be the case now that Chris Hedges has spoken out because I think of lot of occupiers respect his wisdom and experience.
If you must leave, at least speak up at your local occupy to let them know why.
Even if Occupy crashes and burns, this movement will continue in another form, maybe with other names. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to let a bunch of emotionally immature, wanna be revolutionaries, having temper tantrums stop me from fighting for the changes this country needs.
I heard the police erected tents around protesters before arresting them so they could not be filmed
How come I don't see this thread in the forum, but I see the comments in the side bar? I'm so confused.
Okay, but I'm not sure what your point is exactly.
the black box
we know the police are recording events with cameras
why isn't that video available to the public?
Oh, I hope, there will be some defense attorneys get that. I don't know if that sort of thing is available through some sort of City Freedom of Info Act.