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Forum Post: Occupying the Highways

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 30, 2011, 3:20 p.m. EST by Matt79 (6)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

What do people think about occupying major highways and streets? This would have a major impact on how cities operate -- more so than occupying parks that are relatively out of the way. It is a commonly used tactic throughout Latin America. Al Jazeera provides some excellent insight into how this will work and how it can be effective in establishing change:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/2011113084114302954.html

37 Comments

37 Comments


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[-] 2 points by Timmeh (39) 12 years ago

I would not suggest occupying the highway unless you are willing to be hit by a car. With all the distracted drivers (and people in a rush to get to/from work or school) there could be some major consequences. And for what? At most you're just going to make the majority of the population royally pissed at you.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

Timmeh,

According to the article, this is usually the initial response to this type of disruptive civil disobedience. However, it eventually gained critical mass and won over the population (not to mention brought about comprehensive change). Long story short: it worked.

[-] 1 points by Timmeh (39) 12 years ago

It worked-in Latin America. This is the United States of America, where the mentality of the people is completely different. People's importance of time (and getting to a place on time) is much greater here than it is in the Latin American countries; it's a great cultural difference.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

Timmeh,

Do you have any evidence to prove that claim. As the article points out, I think that the main obstacle to gaining critical mass is that things aren't nearly as bad as they were in such places as Argentina 10 years ago. Back then the "middle-class" -- a broad section of the those who were suffering (to the tune of over 50%) -- was the underclass.

[-] 1 points by Timmeh (39) 12 years ago

Why yes I do, here you go: http://www.volunteerlatinamericablog.com/the-concept-of-time http://proteuscommunications.com/time-management-across-cultures-mastering-the-dynamics-of-monochronic-and-polychronic-time/

There are many more articles you can find, simply googling will direct you to them. As for me, I found out the old fashion way as I have been to countries in Latin America.

[-] 2 points by HeavySigh (227) 12 years ago

This cannot be serious....it's not is it....tell me it's not. LOL

[-] -1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

I'm as serious as a heart attack.

[-] 2 points by HeavySigh (227) 12 years ago

I guess you're an idiot as well. There's no way around it my friend. Your thought process goes as such. First, you have a problem which is "how does OWS gain 99% support and make changes". You throw out things like making a clear defined goal/actions, getting leaders, voting people in, etc. Instead you are going to gain working class support by not only taking advice from Al Jazeera, but you are going to occupy roadways which prevents the working class from making money.....My case is closed. You're an idiot.

[-] 1 points by BTKcongress (149) 12 years ago

terrible idea. OWS should seek to gain respect and clout, not to annoy people,,, and this suggestion would have the effect of annoying a great many people, including those who support it.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

BTKcongress,

I'd suggest you read the article if you haven't done so already.

[-] 1 points by BTKcongress (149) 12 years ago

thanks, i did peruse it previously, and still stand by my view.

[-] 1 points by OWSWhat (66) 12 years ago

Why don't you loons go "occupy death valley" eh clowns???

[-] 1 points by ramous (765) from Wabash, IN 12 years ago

New level of moronic Occupy rationale: lets hurt the 99% because its for their own good.
I fear thats not even the high-water mark on the OWS stupid chart.

[-] 1 points by slizzo (-96) 12 years ago

"What do people think about occupying major highways and streets?"

what a stupid and counterproductive thing. do you want mainstream society to despise you even more? or are you just dumber than a bag of shit?

[-] 1 points by ramous (765) from Wabash, IN 12 years ago

Again, going after the little guy just trying to make a buck by going to work. Sure, make the rest of the population hate Occupy even more. Keep saying OWS is FOR the 99%, but then go invade and blockade everywhere the 99% is at and nowhere the 1% is at. Stop the 99% from using their parks and roads and subways and ports.
And they call up the mayors office and police department and demand that the city services clean up the parks and open the roads and ports so they can drive to visit their sick moms and their kids can ride the subways to school and they can walk their dogs in the park and they can go to work. WHO do you THINK is demanding the police evict Occupy? The 1% who OWS is not affecting, or the 99% that OWS keeps blockading???

[-] 1 points by jaimes (86) 12 years ago

You're taking advice from al-jazeera?

[-] 2 points by justhefacts (1275) 12 years ago

That they think a majority of the 99% approve of, listen to, or support Al Jazeera in ANY way is one of the reasons why they will never have the support of the majority of the 99%.

[-] 1 points by jaimes (86) 12 years ago

true

[-] 0 points by Kickinthenuts (212) 12 years ago

You sir should go live with the al jazeera. You can study them closely and interact with them to learn their ways then blow yourself up in the desert learning to be a human bomb.

Pls don't practice on our roads and streets as it will cause a terrible mess and snarl traffic.

Now if you decide that you would like to occupy a highway, remember you only have the right of way if you are in a cross walk. Otherwise you'll likely get splattered all over the highway just as if you are a desert bomber. Additionally, once drivers learn you were educated in this brilliant act by al jazeera, they'll be happy to treat you like road kill over and over. Good luck!!

[-] 0 points by yarichin (269) 12 years ago

In Europe they sometimes protest by stopping or slowing traffic on highways in both directions using their cars. 3 lanes, 3 - 300 cars, 0 -5 mph. With traffic stopped or slowed down to a crawl protests on the highways are possible. Locations with walls or raised highways have an advantage of keeping vehicles at a distance If done right, the stopped cars and the location can be used to slow down police response and make removal of activists very labor intensive. Independent media could have a nearby vantage point.

[-] 0 points by kingscrosssection (314) 12 years ago

Please do. It would give the cops another reason to be aggressive with you other than having to deal with your pure idiocy.

[-] 0 points by MBJ (96) 12 years ago

Stand in the street - or a major highway, lol - and see how long it takes to get arrested. City Councils and the police have been amazingly patient with these mindless "protests" but that'll change quick when you start this kind of thing.

But hey, it's great entertainment, so go for it.

[-] 0 points by audidriver28 (16) 12 years ago

I think it is a good Idea too.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

Why?

[-] 0 points by audidriver28 (16) 12 years ago

To make an omelet you have to break a few eggs. we represent the 99%, but we are selves are a small fraction of the 99% The rest are in TV/Media/Pop Culture coma's, the people are distracted, and they do not know the entirety of the situation. We need to do BIG things, things that will open the eyes of EVERYONE, Shutting down the highways is just a good start, it needs to progress from there as well

[-] 2 points by ramous (765) from Wabash, IN 12 years ago

You're condescending and thinking that the average American somehow knows less than you do. That the educated 50 year old who has lived through several recessions and is working in their degree field knows less than you at 22 or other Occupiers who quit their jobs to become citizen journalists because they have a smartphone. You don't represent them, the people with life experience and children, you have no clue of their lives and can't begin to represent the real 99. They DO know the entirety of the situation. Conservatives prefer to use the system to make changes, and moderates prefer to make changes slowly. Its only the left calling for revolution. Rasmussen reports only 1/3 of the voting population is democrat or liberal. So you might represent, at most 33% of the people.

[-] 1 points by audidriver28 (16) 12 years ago

I am an educated 55 y/o with a degree in marketing, I am making a point, and you are being a cocker. But to quaintly answer some of your comments: Yes I DO assume that the majority of Americans are Stupid, BECAUSE THEY ARE.anyone that's puts a Kardashian as more important that America is an Idiot I have seen thee recessions and this is by far the worst, and it will get worse. and ccupiers include all parties, not just liberals.... Take your rhetoric to fox please....Thanks

[-] 1 points by ramous (765) from Wabash, IN 12 years ago

And... that makes it all ok to be as fascist in beating up the little guy and harming him as the big fascists. Take your willingness to do harm to the regular people for whatever reason you think is good enough in your opinion, insert here to the 1%.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

audidriver28,

In addition to my previous responses to your comment, I think that it is a good tactic because it isn't a definitive end to an occupation eviction. It can happen on a moment's notice and can be used repeatedly and spontaneously. This makes it harder to control and diffuse.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

Here's the thing: It's not just about drawing attention to things or making a point (though that is a major part of it). More than anything it is an act of civil disobedience an a proven way to effect economic concessions from the 1% -- something that the Occupy movement has yet to really accomplish.

[-] 1 points by ramous (765) from Wabash, IN 12 years ago

Now, you have it right Matt. It is civil disobedience. I say go for civil disobedience! Own the arrest proudly that follows! I take umbrage to the whining about being arrested, and point out the wrong rationalizations. Block the roads BECAUSE its civil disobedience and it will cause disruption and more people will notice. Don't block the roads for invented reasons like 'its for the majority's own good,' or we have a right to block them because its assembly (conveniently leaving out the word peaceably).

[-] 0 points by NonParticipant (151) 12 years ago

I've studied and worked very hard and very long for my eggs. You are not allowed to break them. You get in my way, I will break your eggs. Do you understand? End of story.

[-] 1 points by audidriver28 (16) 12 years ago

HAHA this guy is funny!!!!

"You get in my way I will break your eggs. Do you understand? End of story."

I HAVE to share this on facebook,

[-] 0 points by NonParticipant (151) 12 years ago

That's Ms. NonParticipant to you.

[-] -1 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

I think it's an excellent idea.

[-] 1 points by Matt79 (6) 12 years ago

Why?