Occupy Seattle Joins Wave of Building Occupations
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 3, 2011, 10:43 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Last night, undeterred by the city's destruction of their original encampment, hundreds of Occupy Seattle supporters occupied a vacant warehouse slated for demolition and condo development. After entering, Occupiers erected barricades, held a General Assembly, and began plans to fix up the space for community use.
Using SWAT teams and a ladder truck, police swarmed the warehouse, making 20 arrests and setting an unsettling precedent for the escalating use of military-style tactics against nonviolent occupiers who are liberating public space.
Occupy Seattle is currently holding a jail solidarity action in front of the King County jail and are requesting all their supporters show up!
Like similar building occupations across the country and the globe, Seattle's occupation of the 10th and Union warehouse signals a new stage of the Occupy movement. Facing a coordinated crackdown on public encampments, occupiers are moving indoors. In the lead up to December 6th, the National Day of Action to Occupy Our Homes, Occupations from Los Angeles to Minneapolis to Atlanta to Boston are turning empty and unused buildings into commonly-held resources for our communities, and defending homes from foreclosure and forcible eviction.
In early November, government-owned mortgage company Fannie Mae foreclosed and threatened to evict a police officer and his family from their home suburban Atlanta. After a 13-month court battle, the family requested help from Occupiers. Occupy Atlanta set up tents in the front yard and draped a banner reading "This Home is Occupied" over the porch.
Shortly afterward, a single mother in Cleveland asked her local Occupiers for help. Occupy Cleveland pitched tents in the yard and vowed not to leave unless she was allowed to stay. As a result, a local court issued a temporary stay on the eviction.
Two days after Occupy Portland's camp was evicted, around 15 members of Occupy Portland moved in to a vacant, foreclosed home in Northeast Portland owned by Bank of America. Inside, the Occupiers outlined a plan to house up to 30 people in the home, arranged cooking and other communal responsibilities, encouraged others to take similar action, and planned a legal response in case of police action. Police used a battering ram to enter and evict them. Two people were arrested and the rest allowed to leave. Many residents of the community were supportive of the occupation. Also in Portland, police raided three vacant homes that had been occupied by anarchists acting autonomously in support of Occupy Wall Street.
On November 19th, in spite of arrests, Occupy Minneapolis formed a human chain around a family's home and prevented the foreclosed house from being boarded up. The police eventually gave up and left. On Nov. 21st, Occupy Boston joined hundreds of allies to protest foreclosures. 15 people were arrested during a sit-in at a Bank of America.
As we've already reported, members of Occupy DC liberated an unused school that had previously been a homeless shelter and attempted to open it for community use; Occupations at the New School in New York, Chapel Hill and Oakland have occupied downtown buildings; and Occupy London has turned a vacant office building into a "Bank of Ideas."
In Santa Cruz, autonomous Occupiers entered an unused bank branch and, issuing the following statement, claimed it under California's adverse possession laws:
Today, the building at 75 River St. has been adversely possessed. No longer will the property exist only as an empty parking lot and a vacant building with a sign re-directing people to Wells Fargo across the street. It will be repurposed and used to benefit the community instead of Cassidy Turley, the large-scale commercial real estate company currently leasing the building, and Wells Fargo bank.
Instead of an empty space, there will be a space for community teach-ins, an open library, and discussion forums. The space will be offered to Occupy Santa Cruz as an opportunity to have a roof over its head and allow for more organization to take place. The space will be safe, non-violent, non-destructive and welcoming. The building will be a forum for individuals in the community to learn from one another, and help the Occupy movement grow.
Elsewhere in California, Occupy Los Angeles disrupted a foreclosure auction bidding outside a courthouse. Occupiers chanted "shame on you!" and "banks got bailed out, we got sold out."
from the LA Times
In Philadelphia, a mother and her children who had been evicted from their home came to Occupy Philly for help. On November 17th, the Philly General Assembly unanimously passed a proposal to get the house back and defend it. Occupy Chicago has held teach-ins on reclaiming open and unused spaces, land occupation, and foreclosure resistance. Occupy Minneapolis has begun discussions on occupying new homes.
We anticipate even more amazing stories of liberated buildings on December 6th!
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Again, I think this is a great move. Let me suggest you write up a WAIVER in case you get questioned or moved by hostile authorities. Something that says you won't vandalize or steal any properties herein, that you will give due diligence to keep order and peace, something alongs these lines.
In any case, if you write up your intent beforehand, there will be little room for the prosecution to argue crimiinality.
I had no idea of CA Adverse Possession law. I urge everyone reading this to read about this law that has been around for 600 years. What a great way to benefit society.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/business/major-banks-face-new-foreclosure-suit.html
for those of you who think "banks" are always legit and in the right.
Keep it up!! Looking at this it seems really clear that this is the future of the movement. If this keeps going, I can imagine a point not too far down the road when mayors and politicians across the country will look back with great regret at the moment they evicted the movement from its original encampments.
This takes it to the next level, goes to the heart of the matter, and most importantly helps the people that are struggling the most.
We could be A POLICE STATE!!!..two senators secretly inserted in the latest National defense authorization bill a clause that in effect would abolish our Bill of rights and suspend "Posse comitatus" which is Quote: "The Posse Comitatus Act is the United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385) that was passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction. Its intent (in concert with the Insurrection Act of 1807) was to limit the powers of local governments and law enforcement agencies from using federal military personnel to enforce the laws of the land. As of December 3 2011, the Posse Comitatus Act is under threat of repeal from the National Defense Authorization Act.!!!!! If the president doesn't veto this bill we are in deep trouble! He may not, because if he does it would suspend funding and other provisions for our military around the world. The wording was stealth-fully inserted by Senators McCain and Levin..one a democrat and the other a republican! In my personal opinion this may be in response to the recent Occupy Movement and the governments fear of lack of control. If you google National Defense Authorization act you will find that the internet is buzzing about this, as well as various news organizations. Another quote: "The bill is an historic threat to American citizens and others because it expands and makes permanent the authority of the president to order the military to imprison without charge or trial American citizens," said Christopher Anders, ACLU senior legislative counsel.
Help End the Patriot Act. Sign a petition, before Admiral wannabe McCain Takes over America.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/senate-passes-bill-allowing-indefinite-detention-o/#comment-447961
This country is already a police state. How many occupiers have been arrested in police raids? I call that a police state. Why aren't the courts and the politicians protecting civil rights? I call that a police state.
And you're right, this NDAA bill is dangerous upon dangerous upon dangerous. Rand Paul got some of it changed, but not nearly enough. Civil Rights are still violated in this bill and the whole bill is a multi-trillion dollar military expansion business plan.
But give them time, we, the passive American public, will continue to do nothing effective to stop this, and they will get the rest of their legislation passed to permanently detain citizens. They'll sneak it in because the people won't police the government, just like they got this NDAA bill passed without public knowledge or public discussion.
The founders of the Constitution are barfing in their graves. Have a nice day.
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Join OWS before it is to late. Join before you lose your vacant apts. to the 1%. Occupying is symbolic of taking our land and voice back. It was used as a tool along with civil disobedience in the Kent State incident too. Please try to look at the forest and not the trees. Educate yourself to what is really going on in the US. From a 64 years old woman ... Peace
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It seems as though they had Occupy in mind when they inserted this amaendment.
I understand why you would think that. My premise is that they had this in the strategy during the Georgie Porgy Bush Jr. administration. Their new world order is happening and we're letting it happen. They are going slowly and systematically so we get used to it and don't rise up against them too fast. I think they're going to win, too, because we're not willing to do what it is going to take to stop that kind of power and they know it.
Look at how nothing is being done about this NDAA bill. I attempted to read as much of it as I had time for. It's huge. It's massive. And a lot of money is being allocated to purchase land and build military installations in the United States and in other countries. And we do nothing. The NDAA bill is a massive military business plan to perpetuate war on the tax payers dollar. They have no intention of peace. None what so ever. Obama is a pathological liar and he's going to keep the war machine pumping and the sinking of this country in tact. Go try to read through the NDAA bill. It'll blow your mind. Trillions of dollars and a massive multi-tier military effort to chase down foreigners in caves who don't anywhere close to the military technology that we have. What a farce. And we do nothing about it.
The politicians (i.e., criminals) love the Occupy movement from the stand point that the Occupy movement has set the gauge as to how much abuse the people are willing to take and the fact that they refuse to take up arms or do anything effective to stop them, such as running recalls, impeachments, or arrests for treason. They know the Occupiers won't do it and that has made the politicians and the other evil powers more brash than ever. The Occupy movement is empowering the enemy. They only thing they have to worry about with the Occupy movement is that you are somewhat organized. They don't like that.
The Occupy movement has the potential to join forces with other groups and once this government steps to far over the line, bring in more private citizens for a true uprising, which is what would really save humanity. And is the only thing that is going to save humanity. In the mean time, people are still too comfortable. Wait until they become uncomfortable and it's all too late.
They've made their next move to finish sinking this country by bailing out the European banks. Our dollar is worth a negative value. But just keep Occupying.
Occupy reflects the population's awareness. It is not something that can be changed by someone's wishes. I hope it's not too late and too little.
I wouldn't doubt that they might have. Any time that any group thinks that they can randomly select a word, put the word Occupy before it and claim it for their exclusive use and benefit - something is going to happen. Today we have Occupy Vacant Buildings, Occupy Parks, Occupy the Streets, and even a little remaining of OccupyWall Street.
All in the name of Occupy - Why don't you just call it what it is and say CLAIM _. Your movement has degenerated from something that at one time might have been a just cause into a playground game of "keepers - takers" How sad. How very, very sad to see the fall of all this potential into the pit of glorious selfishness.
"Occupying" is what it's about.
Please, your definition of "occupying"??
Making use of shelter when people lack it. Operating industrial facilities when people lack employment. Occupying public space to counter the crushing media monopoly of the richest few. Stuff like that.
Let me see, I now have an apartment vacant. The tenant moved out a week ago. To date, I have not been able to rent it to another tenant. At what point does this property that I am paying a mortgage on, become your property to occupy and use as shelter for people who do not have shelter at this time. Should I be expecting to see an Occupy-Vacant Apartments as your next take over target??
I see no problem with you operating industrial facilities when people lack employment. Just sign a lease with the owner and open your business. Why do you have to make yourself look like squatters to do this??
Let me clarify something. I'm not even a card carrying member of Occupy Wall Street. I've never attended a meeting of theirs and I do not represent them.
There is a moral emergency when many people have no shelter at the same time there is abundant unoccupied shelter.
I welcome and wish well the occupations reported and planned.
Thank you for your clarification. If you have put your money and efforts, like I have, into helping to solve this homeless problem. Thank you on behalf of those in need.
Occupy has a totally different meaning under those circumstances.
Charity is fine, it has its place, but is not the solution to major moral and economic crises. I endorse and wish well the "Occupy" actions and I hope they multiply until no one is without sufficient shelter or employment.
One man says there is no point in trying to fix the system because the game is rigged anyway. So this former homeless man decided not to play their little game and made the decision to drop out and live by his own rules- and made it.
Read about “The Revolutionary Act of Simple Survival” at www.josephcouture.com
This is the second civil war. But it is a war of ideas!
http://www.bayraba.com/the-second-american-civil-war/
This is awesome. To anyone who objects, remember the Right to Live should be above some imagined right to profit or some right to land that they never created (and acquired by the massacre of Native People's) This is especially true for those within the Hebrew storyline (what events do you count your years? 2011AD?)
The Earth creates food and land. Liberate it as you need and leave the rest for others -- that's the way every animal works and it's insanity to adapt to this Industrial slave model where everyone feels entitled to their "wealth" once they've suffered enough in it.
Cheers!
Hi Dreamingforward, When does the Right to Live begin - meaning at what age? Does a two-year-old have the right? How about one? Or in the womb?
i think it is a good idea to occupy foreclosed homes and anywhere else........it is also time to occupy the homes of the ones that are putting us in the streets and of the ones that think this movement is a joke..........show them how much of a joke this is when we occupy their homes and put them out on the street....see how much shit they talk then...........occupy anywhere and everywhere at anytime...........let the movement live on and get stronger as every day passes
I dont think what your´re suggesting is very constructive. In my opinion the focus should be on organizing an increasing number of strikes(in addition to all the other things the Occupy Movement is doing). Striking is an effective tool in the fight against the wealthy. And later on in the struggle, occupying the workplaces. Do you agree, folks?
yours s. sff. http://struggleforfreedom.blogg.no/
This post seems to be a troll. It is put here by someone who wants to disrupt the movement and derail the discussion.
Or to put it another way - when teachers strike against a public school, who is the fight against?
By their very definition, strikes are unproductive. What's your point?
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it is about time we take back what is ours..............if they want us out of our homes then occupy the homes of the ones that want us out until they get the hint to leave us alone and let us live our lives the way we want instead of the way they want us to live it ............occupy everywhere and anywhere cause they can't stop us all.............let the movement live long and grow strong
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http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2011/12/03/protesters-arrested-for-trespassing-inside-capitol-hill-building/
Look at that shit. The event is totally unrecognizeable. Yet it is the same event! Police are a bunch of lying, vicious bastards, like we didn't know that already. Still, you can always marvel at the shit they get away with (as in some morons actually believe it), even if you aren't surprised they do it.
Some more articles on this event: http://anarchistnews.org/node/19664 http://pugetsoundanarchists.org/node/1157 \http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/12/04/1042206/-Police-SWAT-Team-Raids-Occupy-Seattle-Media-Black-Out?via=siderecent
Fredone, it's not all that hard to become a cop. Have you ever considered joining up and reforming the system from the inside? The pay is pretty good too.
Uh, no it's 3 years out of your life for the college degree. Besides, I already have a decent job that I am better at, and at which I do not have to be around lying, vicious, immoral, pigs all day long. The problems are systemic and need to be addressed by systemic change; change the culture, weed out the bad cops and toss them in the slammer where they belong, improve transparency so they can't hide crimes that are committed. And it has to start at the top, with real democracy being implemented in government or the needed changes will be blocked by the plutocrats.
If you don't want to change the system, you have no right to complain about it. I showed you your big chance, and you just blew it off. No, you don't have to have a college degree to be a cop everywhere. And just who is going to make this systemic change? Guys like you who won't even consider becoming cops who could actually make a real difference? Pass the buck onto someone else, why don't you.
Foreclose the Banksters ;-)
Great job!!!
Fucking beautiful. All of it.
A song for the boys and girls on Wall Street... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FM3KR9dEOk
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Department of Homefront Security
equals
Occupy Wall Street
Works for me.
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Occupy XMAS !! :)
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Why don't you take the donated money for protesting and pay off the mortgages of these people?
The ones who should pay should be the ones who STOLE, not the people rising up against the thieves.
struggleforfreedom
Let's see - if I put zero money down on a house, and stopped making payments, who stole from whom? Isn't the bank taking the loss? Who paid the original seller full price for the house, and gave a mortgage to the worthless folks who then stuck it to the bank?
I think wallstreet should pay and we could make this happen by putting a sales tax on stock trades. If you like the idea please e-mail my petition link to all your friends or just sign it ( http://wh.govDOw ).
There are taxes on stock profits. Most of 100% of people's retirement funds are in stocks. Where does the taxation end and where does the money go?
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Because the banks stole our money, and may even be trying to claim the homes fraudulently. We have seen it before.
"claim the homes fraudulently" - <- please explain. Where's the fraud? It's the asshats that can't pay their mortage payments that are committing fraud.
ok, sure in some cases the payments aren't made. However, the news (on the Internet anyways, can't trust the Boob Tube to tell you ANYTHING except what who is wearing.) is rife with stories of MAJOR US banks stealing peoples homes "legally".
heres a couple choice examples: http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/foreclosure-fraud-lender-processing-services-robo-signer-whisleblower-found-dead-nevada
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/05/state/n131633S27.DTL
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Connecticut-sticks-with-foreclosure-talks-as-2341412.php
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-11-17/business/bs-bz-maryland-mortgage-delinquencies-20111117_1_mortgage-servicers-delinquencies-and-foreclosures-foreclosure-crisis
haven't you heard of the oft castigated "Robo-Signing" fraud? Read up on some facts before you write everyone off as bums. Some people had their homes STOLEN from them by crooks and you turn a blind eye. SHAME.
I read your links, and I'm totally unimpressed. The robo-signers were signing documents about the banks' intent to foreclose. The homeowners still didn't make payments. When the bank gives you money to buy a house, and you don't pay the bank, it's YOU that's doing the stealing, not the bank. Make the payments, and there's no problem.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/01/60minutes/main20049646.shtml
http://msfraud.org/
http://www.aboutfloridalaw.com/2011/08/16/the-non-lawyer%E2%80%99s-guide-to-foreclosure-fraud-%E2%80%93-part-2-things-get-lost-lenders-lose-key-documents-in-gleeful-days-of-making-more-and-more-money/ the best article, really.
I had a few other instances, but i did something to the browser and lost the blurb. The bailouts are nothing more than corporate socialism, except they didn't have to pay into it, they just bleed us out. And you condone them taking our money? For Capitalism? For the Free Market? The "Free Market" would have let them go. Now they are state sponsored banks, and that is not independence.
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did younot read the news, there is a law suit against 5 major banks pending. Due to FRAUDULENT documents to speed up the FORECLOSURE process...
Come on just because they have a big sign and are either nation wide or international makes them "good" guys?
The banks literally have been and theres proof now, don't believe me?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/business/major-banks-face-new-foreclosure-suit.html
Read your news... they havent just stolen money their stealing homes too. Think a free "bail out" hand out made for banks was because they "needed" it.
Open your eyes... they never needed the bail out... was circumstantial a friend helping out another high ranking friend. Glory of being on top.
Banks stole money I did have and money I did not have. They took my retirement money I had invested all my life and they took all the money I could have continued to have made 8% on. Think that is funny? Tell me how that is funny.
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That's what needed to be done with our taxes instead of bailing out the rulers who caused the problem. That's where our money went, to bail out the 1%, and it's unfortunately not possible to substitute what we can raise ourselves at this time for the huge wealth that's been stolen by the 1%. But I think the country needs to freeze the mortgages and stop all evictions of the 99%, because the foreclosures are ruining the lives of 99%ers, dragging down the economy, and for what--so banks that ripped off people can continue to do it, destroying neighborhoods and the social fabric in the process.
But you are ignoring that the banks paid back their bailouts. The foreclosures are because the people didn't' pay their mortgages, The people foreclosed on need to move in with relatives or rent until they are back on their feet.
maybe about 50% paid back http://www.zerohedge.com/article/no-big-banks-have-not-paid-back-government-bailouts-and-subsidies
AFTER huge profits and incredible payoffs. While cutting jobs.
Wow, you are so informed. Are you a senator or something? If not, you should run for office. No, wait, that would be a job and cut into your time arguing on occupywallstreet. Keep up the good work. Ooops, it's not work because you won't ever get paid for it. Keep up the good free blogging nitpicking.
Thank you for your reply, and I'm thinking about it. What comes to mind is that certain people are not going to get back on their feet, ever, now that the economy has eliminated so many jobs. It's also a matter of priorities--who was more important to bail out, the banks or the millions who have lost their homes (not to mention all the massive fraud and shenanigans about whether the banks had/have the right to the homes and refusals to restructure mortgages to make them affordable).
And who voted for those bailouts, and why hasn't there been any legislation that would have allowed people to get back on their feet, like the WPA in the thirties that created millions of jobs. There's been nothing remotely on that scale.
The banks were supposed to have used the bailouts to lend money, but hoarded it instead. And companies have used the recession to conduct targeted, illegal layoffs of workers like me, who are older and can't possibly compete for jobs in this economy.
I have a friend who had worked for over thirty-five years who got laid off when she was almost 57, and tried to get her mortgage restructured so she could keep her house. There were so many Catch-22's, she almost lost it. In order to get refinancing, she had to have a job, but she was unemployed. Then the bank kept "losing" her paperwork, for months. I think she had to get a lawyer. And she'd been a supervisor in a law firm. Imagine what happens to people who don't have that background, and don't know how to fight back.
And now that she's struggling at a terrible job (that took her a year and a half to find, the only job that she could get) that pays half what she was making before, she can still barely meet the mortgage payments that cost most of her salary. And she doesn't have relatives to move in with, and rents in NYC are as high as her mortgage.
Banks do not want paid off mortgages. The want people out. It was the plan all along.
Banks and the Fed = Foreign Invasion using the legal system to take property from the uneducated by means of illusion, privileges, and the control of a fake economic medium with zero value.
Thank -you Britton for your insight and helping me to better understand.
Banks don't want houses back because they lose money. They want people to pay their mortgages on time as agreed. What are the banks going to do with a bunch of houses they have to short sell?
when they can't find buyers because everyone is out of work because they are homeless? Good question...
That's funny, because a friend of mine has bought 2 houses in Florida (he lives 1100 miles away). Believe it or not, some people have jobs (HORRORS) and savings (BIGGER HORRORS) and good credit (OH THE BIGGEST HORROR OF ALL!!!!). Banks are short sellling houses and taking a loss. I thought it was impossible to have homeless people under a democrat president.
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No, I really don't see it that way. It might be heading towards war but you will see that war within the 99% group that you think is YOU. If push comes to shove, we have a lot of Americans waiting to confront you at your front doors, at the bank holding our life savings, and everywhere else that you find it necessary to strike at us (farm, grocery, school, work, empty building, park, and on and on.
You may occupy but the rest of the 98% will kick out.
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Is there some reason that you guys don't run a recall against Michael Bloomberg. He's the Mayor of New York city. Do you really think that you wouldn't have enough registered voters support to get him recalled. Have someone else in line to take his place.
Here's one petition I found:
http://www.change.org/petitions/impeachbloomberg
How about David Dinkins! Now there's a success story if there ever was one.
So wait? You are going into buildings which you do not own, and using it as "community space". Are. You. Kidding. Me????????????????????????????????????????????????? You are going into property that is not yours, that you do not own or pay for or pay taxes on, and then you complain and play the victim when authorities tell you to get out????????????????????????????????????????????/ Where do you live and where is your mode of transportation? Because I am coming to move in and drive away in your car. Oh wait, you call that stealing????????? Bingo.
Sad that you think that... When people are literally getting kicked out onto the street.
I guess it's more important for fraudulent CEOs to be able to continue to swindle everyone in the universe out of their money. CEOs with 5 or more "homes" scattered around the most "exclusive" areas of the country and globe.
I still can't understand why some people would rather protect the walking felons on wall street (and the politicians who serve them) rather than the people that are struggling every single day just so they can live another day. That will always be a mystery to me (though I do have a few theories).
You have to look at it from a poor persons perspective, sure everything's all fine and good when you're a banker/politician. Then its "okay to steal" from the poor, just so long as the rich don't have to pay for anything, then who cares. Well the poor and suffering care, and for good cause...their life is in danger.
It's easy to sit at a desk and talk about what's right and wrong, but in the real world what is, and what should be, are not always the same. These people feel robbed, so therefore in their minds they are just taking back what was taken from them. Even if its not "legally" theirs to begin with, because through the manipulation of man made laws, geared to help the rich and only the rich, the law system has allowed plain out theft to occur on a daily basis for the last century.
I think the "regular folks" of this country have did an outstanding job taking in and paying for all the bullshit from the rich for so long, with almost no resistance to the elitist plans to basically fuck you in the ass, pardon my language. I'm angry at the sheer ignorance of the general population. Pick up a goddamn book and get your dumb ass off the fucking PS3 long enough to see that we're all getting tossed to the wolves. So if it takes some violence, or breaking of the "laws" (that are meant to hold the non rich back mind you) then by all means please break some laws.
It's time for those banking and investment thieves to be taken off their high horse and drug around in the mud just like the rest of us, that also applies to the scumbag politicians. Our best bet would be to dissolve the Federal Government and all of its crippling laws and regulations. Then allow the state governments to run their own localized government systems. Making up the necessary laws and regulations per state on a more local and logical level. The Federal government has gotten to big to handle all the responsibility of running the US, so its time for them to go, and if you can't see that, then enjoy the ignorance you live in.
I agree with the gist of your sentiments, but from what people are pointing out on these forums, in a lot of cases the foreclosures are not legal at all--the banks can't even prove that they own the homes they "repossess." Someone pointed out that the banks got bailed out for the cost of their losses in real estate, so if they take over a home, they've been paid twice.
Also, as I'm thrilled to read above, in California people have discovered ways to occupy an empty building legally. I remember being told that Lenin stayed up all night reading through the books of the Czar's laws to find a way that the Bolsheviks could hold a strike legally. So I'm saying that it's good to undercut the idea that Occupiers are doing something illegal, and wherever possible to point out that what the 1% and the police are doing is illegal.
Also, it's important to recognize and avoid the contempt that the ruling class has for working people (your comment about how ignorant the working class is). It's true, most people are ignorant, in the sense that they don't know what's going on. For example, the tax code is so convoluted that in an experiment where a newspaper gave a hypothetical tax return to ten different top accounting firms to compute, the firms got ten different answers! Compare that to all the "bundling" of mortgages into financial "instruments" that are so complicated that often no one knows who owns the mortgage and the banks can't even produce the original paperwork to back up their evictions.
Given all the lobbying and control of the news, it's no wonder most people are kept in the dark about who's running society. That's why OWS has performed an infinitely powerful transformation of consciousness in this country--to the extent that thousands are responding to the call to take power into our own hands. This movement is truly revolutionary.
Thanks for reading this.
Look at definition of adverse possession.