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Forum Post: Occupy Macy's Day Parade in Native American Garb

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 18, 2011, 4:23 p.m. EST by theDaniel (47)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Imagine NYPD billy clubbing thousands of Native Americans at the Thanksgiving day parade on national television

73 Comments

73 Comments


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[-] 3 points by tonybaldwin (235) from New Haven, CT 12 years ago

I could only get behind this if native groups support it. Can we, or have we heard from them?

[-] 2 points by WarmItUp (301) 12 years ago

yes we really need to include more native american voices involved.

[-] 1 points by JoeChiMinh (5) 12 years ago

There has been attempts by native people to get involved. A great deal of the OWS people are too little aware of indigenous issues to understand what they're doing there. I agree the natives need to be involved. Whereas a lot of you guys are just waking up to the realities of this country they've been aware since day one. Let me know if your serious about getting native involvement I have contacts.

[-] 1 points by tonybaldwin (235) from New Haven, CT 12 years ago

Many of them take offense at others dressing up in "native garb", especially.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

I understand it's risque, and I would totally agree with you on any other day but Thanksgiving

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

Let's reach out to them. We would not mocking them by any means.

[-] 3 points by nuclearradio (227) 12 years ago

Awesome! Let's do!

[-] 3 points by screwtheman (122) 12 years ago

That would make for good tv.

[-] 2 points by Mikiruuraq (4) 12 years ago

I recommend getting the support of the native americans first. As a native, this stikes me as offensive. You are using our struggle as some sort of shock factor, marginalizing our voice for your own.

[-] 1 points by JoeChiMinh (5) 12 years ago

Are you in NY? Theres been efforts at getting an indigenous viewpoint in the struggle

[-] 2 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

they could throw pieces of paper to represent dumping junk bonds on people

[-] 2 points by MonetizingDiscontent (1257) 12 years ago

Nice post, theDaniel.

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[-] 2 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

we need greater numbers

[-] 2 points by msherman (32) from Long Beach, CA 12 years ago

hahahhahahahahaha best comment, best idea!!

[-] 1 points by Ananda (29) from Boston, MA 12 years ago

First, I want to say that I support Occupy 100% I think the movement is great and bringing the change we want and need.

So, I'm asking as a supoorter to please not do this, stay away from the parade. You know that the cops are brutal. You also know that many families and that includes children will be there. I know you all are not violent but the cops are and it would be the perfect opportunity for Occupy to be blamed for children getting hurt.

You all are brilliant, I think if you want to Occupy Thanksgiving you can up with a different way.

[-] 1 points by JoeChiMinh (5) 12 years ago

This is immature and racist. What is "Native American garb." If you think the Wampanaog who ate with the Pilgrims rode horses and wore feather headdresses you have no understanding of the diversity of native cultures. The OWS movement is supposed to be something new. It should stand in solidarity with indigenous peoples, not mock them and appropriate sacred images of their culture for personal gain. Any real attempt at change in this country should work with american indians, for they were the first brutalized by the colonial mindset that runs Wall St. If you want to seriously involve Native Americans in the movement, let me know and I'll send you my email. If you just want to further oppress native people by not even including them and dressing in their clothes, I hope you get pepper sprayed.

[-] 1 points by PleadingMother (1) 12 years ago

I don't know how current this thread is, but I heard from a friend that OWS were planning on occupying the parade. I beg of you, PLEASE do not do this. I watched this parade every year that I can remember and I never once recall feeling the need to ask for a new toy because I saw it in the parade. The parade was part of tradition...wake up in the morning, watch the awesome balloons, see the floats, hear the marching bands and see santa at the end. Then help out with the meal, eat with family, watch some Home Alone, Uncle Buck, and some football. Thanksgiving has always been about family and the parade has been part of our tradition. The parade is fun. Don't you guys believe in fun? Can you forget about how unfair life is for just one day and have a little fun? And let other's have our tradition and fun. I am a mother of one little 2.5 year old who has been talking about the parade for the last week. I've shown him videos of the balloons on youtube. He sees his favorite cartoon characters and lets out a squeal. Never once has he told me, "he wants that". Please have some compassion for the kids. Don't disrupt this special event. Let it happen. If this parade doesn't happen as it is meant to...you will be breaking thousands of hearts of kids around the country. No, you may not agree with this parade, I understand that, but there are people and children who do. Do you have to ruin it for them?

[-] 1 points by me2 (534) 12 years ago

This is so awful... and helps nobody in any way whatsoever.

[-] 1 points by Corium (246) 12 years ago

Do 501 jeans count as "native american" garb?

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

are some ows members set up to be the parade line up?

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

yes

[-] 1 points by getitdone (69) 12 years ago

I don't think dressing as Native Americans is a good idea however. I agree with marching in the parade PEACEFULLY with one clear message.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

what is that message? how are we going to march IN the parade without being arrested and billy clubbed? all I'm saying is if we're going to get arrested and billy clubbed on national television, better to do it dressed as something that evokes more sympathy than a protester. Amirite?

[-] 1 points by getitdone (69) 12 years ago

This is far too intelligent for the OWS crowd. Great idea, however OWS doesn't really want to act intelligently taking real, pointed and significant actions.

NOT YET ANYWAY.

[-] 1 points by berniebilines (8) 12 years ago

theDaniel, like that you are still (16 hours before now) peddling Thanksgiving occupation. From afar (VT for the moment) the action/NYCmovement has dried up... no additions to the website page, no concrete ideas for upcoming holidays which I see as great opportunity to educate and endear, as I've written, ala Bread and Puppet Theatre.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

An Occupy 'float'? Why don't we just incorporate the Occupy movement and start selling merchandise. That's not what we do. We occupy. I don't care if the parade has taken place every year since your mother was born, let's cut out the nostalgia from the equation.

[-] 1 points by PatriotSon01 (157) 12 years ago

March in the Macy's Day parade as a legitimate group... say 5,000 people. handing out literature, talking to the masses and marching on national/ international television. No violence necessary... and we gain members!

[-] 0 points by alouis (1511) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Reminds me of the original Tea Party.

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[-] -1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

A lot of children go there. I think there are other things to be done. I support OWS but I don't like the idea of protesting at a family event.

[-] 2 points by WarmItUp (301) 12 years ago

A family event is not one where the large corporations try to prey on your child with ad campaigns cleverly disguized as their favorite cartoon characters in ballon form. Yes it works, your child will want that new spider man figure he/she did not even know about until Macy's rammed it down their throat. I love the idea of dressing up, but how great would it be if we could actually gett some native american organizations involved in protesting and to wear their traditional garb. That would really send a message. If you are worried about hte children take them ice skating not to a big corporate ad campaign!

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

I understand that... But I loved cartoons and parades as a kid and. I'd hate for children to have to see police brutality instead of their favorite cartoon characters in a parade. Not all advertising is wrong. I liked having ninja turtle toys and nerf guns when I was a kid.

[-] 2 points by Sample246 (43) from Pell City, AL 12 years ago

So what you're saying, Trevor, is that you'd rather the kids stay oblivious to the true world around them, and grow up just as blind as we all did? No more fucking censorship! If we don't do EVERYTHING in our power to stop this now, little Billy is going to find himself in much deeper shit, if not violent tyranny later down the road. But god damnit if he didn't get to see the spongebob balloons ONE day.

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

I think you are making the parade into a bigger deal than it actually is. I support OWS but I don't support disrupting something families take their children to. There are other places to go and protest... like Wall Street.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

families also take their children to banks, to church, to school, and shopping where they learn to be good, obedient consumers.

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

yes but they don't do it as annual celebration that a lot of people look forward to. Like i said you are making the parade out to be something much worse than it is... a parade.

[-] 1 points by Sample246 (43) from Pell City, AL 12 years ago

I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation here Trevor. NOTHING is more important right now than either fixing, or ending the system we're under that will ruin yours and your children's lives. Nothing at all is more important. The parade is one of many opportunities, and god damnit if we're going to let a single opportunity slip by. What better way to open the eyes of the public than to protest on national television? NOTHING is more important than that!

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

the parade will not ruin children's lives. Like I said you are turning the parade into something more than it is... which is just a parade.

YOU GUYS ALREADY DO PROTEST ON NATIONAL TELEVISION

I've seen it.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

It is, but it's also a very powerful symbol that primes society for a holiday shopping consumerist frenzy.

[-] 0 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

I've watched the parades when I was a kid. My mom never took us out on black friday and I was never urged to buy anything on black friday. I have yet to buy anything on black friday. Except the occasional movie ticket because I enjoy cinema. And please don't go on a hollywood rant. People have tried doing that. But I know what hollywood is... creative people that like creating stories into cinema...

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

if you know what Hollywood is, then you understand the power of symbols and the Thanksgiving day parade is a powerful symbol.

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

Childhood memories?

[-] 2 points by WarmItUp (301) 12 years ago

Sounds like your real concern is that the police are brutalizing people not that people are exercising their constitutional right to assemble in public. So perhaps you should tell the police to stop brutalizing people if you don't want your children to have to see that.

[-] 0 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 12 years ago

I am 100% against police brutality. I am also against protesting a parade where families take their children. Keep the focus on Wall Street and the corrupt. A spongebob float is not the problem. Spongebob and other shows are created by people who are exercising their creative talents. To stay in business they need advertising to sell products and keep their show on the air. Not every business and industry is the problem. It would be nice if you could stay away from the parade. There are hundreds of other places to protest. Like Wall Street.

[-] -1 points by AdamForChange (9) 12 years ago

The better idea would be to get an occupy float...not disrupt a parade that's taken place every year since I was born.

[-] -1 points by captainkbt1 (7) 12 years ago

Whats amazing is that you dont see your attempt at restricting a parade or public freedom and liberty to move as they please as unlawful. Instead you berate NYPD for upholding laws and allowing others to enjoy their freedom and liberty that YOU are trying to restrict.

[-] 2 points by WarmItUp (301) 12 years ago

No, corporations are not people, they do not have the right to parade their advertisements for Macy's and other brands down our public street, the streets are for people not corporations

[-] -1 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

native american garb,........you mean levis, a Polo shirt and nikes? I was born in here, I am a native American.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

traditional native american garb

[-] -1 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

Traditional? O.K. you must mean Keds, and Wrangler/Lee jeans and Hanes underwear.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

derp

[-] 0 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

New word?

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

I dislike how you're Americanizing your own cultural heritage

[-] 1 points by Corium (246) 12 years ago

I don't like how you are ethnicizing us!

[-] 0 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

I am an American .

[-] -2 points by buckles (6) 12 years ago

Could you please not ruin this? It's already hard enough to get to work and home because of you. Please leave us Thanksgiving. We promise to be grateful that you did.

[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

I never said anything about ruining Thanksgiving, just occupying it. And the answer is no. You're not helping our cause any by arguing to maintain the status quo.

[-] 0 points by buckles (6) 12 years ago

Exactly - it's "your cause". Clearly not mine.

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[-] 1 points by theDaniel (47) 12 years ago

more like stan darsh

[+] -4 points by pinker (586) 12 years ago

So now you want to represent another group that hasn't asked you to?

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[-] 1 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

rocky99 you are very creative and i want to congratulate you on your warm intimate style, ows loves you!

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[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

you make me feel all warm inside, thank you!!

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[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

ever the delightful humorist!

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[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

ha, great i love it!!! the all knowing rocky99!!

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[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

rocky you're a gas, man!

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[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

there you go! you're one classy dude!

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