Forum Post: Occupy Oakland - Mixed Messages
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 8, 2011, 11:35 a.m. EST by Oneofmany
(85)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
More aggressive tactics being discussed; intimidation and agenda manipulation being used as tools by pro and non-violent voices at GA's. Oakland is now divided and fighting among themselves. Is this what we are all about?
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2098891,00.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/07/MNEO1LRP7D.DTL
While each geographic subgroup may be unique; the way in which they conduct protests reflects on all of us. Occupy Oakland needs to change it's name...
i just posted this - in case you miss it, here's an idea to stop the infighting: peeps - so much argument. so many shouting about what you want to change, so little on how youd do it. & a lot of anger. i found this website tocamu.com because i googled the guy who wrote this: http://www.tocamu.com/?page_id=5665 which is going viral. its a clever/funny must-read bt check out the website. it says we should: 1) adopt a symbol like people adopted the peace sign during vietnam 2) proposes something beautiful, powerful & friendly 3) explains it in a book/on the website why not march behind a symbol like this? when the demo is over, we cd wear a symbol like this every day and our msg wd still be heard. just an idea! i'm scared were gonna tear ourselves apart!
"Occupy Oakland needs to change it's name..."
They do indeed need to change their name UNLESS they decide to commit to nonviolence TOTALLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY.
If they do not, OWS must distance themselves from them and in fact disavow them.
The alternative? SELF-DESTRUCTION for the whole Movement. OWS is already being perceived in many quarters as being "wishy-washy on nonviolence".
Just look at their "mission statement" on the first page of this site, where they say they "encourage" nonviolence. That is a very poor choice of words if they are trying to convey the concept of TOTAL AND UNEQUIVOCAL commitment to nonviolence - which is the ONLY way for this Movement to succeed.
Someone on their forum described what is going on as being similar to events in "The Lord of the Flies". Unfortunately these are adults....
If Oakland style stuff happens in Dallas, you can be sure there will be a MAJOR crackdown on every city.
The cities are all broke as it is, and paying for millions in damages do not help at all the people that live in those cities. It hurts them greatly.
If the same thing happens in Dallas then this is one supporter that is out and I will promote that none of the 99% support OWS.
They don't seem to understand or care; if you you read through Oakland message board the pro-vandalism crowd believes in the end not the means.
Their means will be the end of protests if they continue.