Forum Post: Sydney OWS protest farce
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 20, 2011, 6:41 p.m. EST by JRoberts
(21)
from Coogee, NSW
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I live in Sydney and am quite shocked at how the OWS is being mocked by the general population and media.
It doesn't help that they requested government funds to have WIFI, garden beds planted, food, tents and private toilets.
This is not the way you should act when you are protesting against greed and materialism.
I also read a poll in the major Sydney paper that said that almost 80% of people don't support the movement, what are we doing wrong?
Change your motive to supporting the US protest, instead of having a protest of your own.
It's hard to support the US Occupy movement in any tangible way here in Australia. We can post supportive messages, 'like' you on facebook, or write a strongly worded letter to our local governmental representative (which won't go anywhere), but we can't really 'protest' or 'occupy' anywhere or anything here. The smart ones here don't even have their money in a bank (we love credit unions) besides, the local banks are pretty good compared to the ones in the US. Let me know if you have any suggestions for meaningful/effective support and I'll act.
They have cleared out a few protests in Canada already
I just watched some of the footage in Oakland. Brutal. That was one of the heaviest of heavy handed police action against protesters I've seen.
The footage is here: http://vimeo.com/31187119 the cowards drop stun grenades into a group of people who have rushed to Scott Olsen's aid. We have a word for that here - gutless. Up until I saw this, I was a fence sitter on the issue. Now, my attitude has been crystallized - I have read a lot of posts on this site, and understand what is going on.
I want you to know I fully support the non-violent Occupy protests and protesters (if that's you, then you have my support) in their plight to bring about change in the unfair plutocracy which the US has become. The once shining beacon of global democracy had dimmed, now a blinding neon sign flickering above a bank.
I hope the change you make brings education and awareness, that you and your children will live with open eyes, to navigate the snares and traps of those who would enslave you and future generations in the name of profit. Live without borrowing. Come together to provide for yourselves. Make your country a better place. Disrupt the powers of oppression in all their forms, use the law and all your power and rights to your advantage, to further your cause. Say 'no' to unnecessary consumption, live within your means today so that you will own and control your tomorrow. Put your money where you agree with the organization, not where someone is trying to sell you something. Sit down and stay there, don't let them take anything more from you, don't comply, don't participate in your enslavement. Stay strong.
I had read an article partially blaming a lack of support for OWS in Australia partially due to the fact that the global economic issues haven't hit as hard there. Is that true?
The Australian response to the GFC was not to bail out banks, it was to stimulate the national economy by investing in infrastructure, and by handing out cash grants to segments of the population who were most likely to spend rather than save. The banks in Australia are pretty conservative, in so much as they lend responsibly. Coupled with the strong mining sector (a substantial contributor to the national economy) Australia did well through the crisis (so far) and the general population (tax paying ones) haven't had to bail out any banks. As such, Australians don't have anything to protest. So if the local turnout is weak, it's probably because locally, it's a non-issue. Looking at the AUD compared to the USD, it's clear that the two economies are diverging (thank goodness for the Australians), the AUD and overall economy is more closely tied to China and the spot rate for gold. That said, I think it's lousy what the US gov did with their people's money (bailing out the banks) while the taxpayers continue to slave away at their jobs (if they have them) and have their assets/homes stripped if they default on the loans the banks gave them in the first place. No one can argue that it's 'right' or 'just'- even if it saves the economy.
I'm in Melbourne, and on the 15th the protest had a great, positive vibe its impression on me was more like that of a festival than a protest. There were mobs of police standing by and throughout the crowd, but they might as well have sat down at the outdoor cafe for a cappucino and scones. Nice to be peaceful of course, I wouldn't want any violence from either side. It also goes to show that unlike in the US for ex. and the CHOGM protests here just over a decade ago, there's no reason use the police to come down hard to silence dissent and dissuade us from protesting, since it already seems so lame. Maybe it will build--I hope so.
Most Australians just aren't angry enough at this point to really want to change the system, having largely avoided the GFC. Maybe when the next economic crisis happens here they will be. I do think there is a strong movement brewing under the surface in Aus. I think that for now, while it's mostly latent, our time, effort, & other resources would be better spent biding our time, educating the public, and supporting the OWS & other international protests however we can.
Well the economic crisis was a once in 75 year event, so we could be waiting a while for that. Maybe you're right and the people will eventually come around.
Maybe something else then, to push more to the point that they yell out of their window "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" I don't know whether they will ever come around. Expecting Australians to camp out in large numbers in the city for an indefinite period doesn't seem the right strategy here right now, as great as it is in the US. That doesn't mean that more don't or wouldn't agree with what the protests are about, especially if they were better informed. I previously considered Americans generally as about as apathetic as Australians re politics, but have been pleasantly surprised by OWS. My observation is that there seems to be widespread latent and potential support, but regarding its strength & whether it will ever motivate significant action, I can only hope.
Btw, I wouldn't trust a poll from a major newspaper. There are many ways such a poll can go wrong, intentionally or not, including the phrasing of the question/s, the way & context they're asked, the way participants are selected, etc. Maybe for example they were asked if they were asked if they supported it with the suggestion that this may entail camping in the city for an indefinite period. If asked about whether they support the gross inequality of the 1% vs the 99%, the 1% being an unelected world power, their anti-democratic influence, and whether they agree with / support the movement currently trying to do something about this, I think they'd probably get a very different result.
The fact that you have started is very good. Yes, it will take some time to gel. This movement is barely 30 days old.
Be as self sufficient as possible. Ask for contributions from protesters and supporters before you go to the govt. Look for broad public support. Focus on unethical behavior and greed, and the damage this has done to regular working people. Point out how much harder it is to just live. Finally, it is possible that it is just not your time yet. If you determine this to be the case, back off, do daily/day of events.
Keep your head up.
I just think that the lack of support is disturbing, especially when we claim to represent 99% of the population.
Keep at it. Sydney is not as bad off as the rest of the world, which is a good thing. Again, it may not be your time.
Ignore that troll Rob.
I think maybe the way it's being portrayed there may be misleading. It might take time for it to catch on.
Well I'm not trolling, I just read this article. Walked past it yesterday and there was about 20 people sitting around playing guitar, they said they were going to get thousands.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/occupy-sydney-cbd-sit-in-silliness/story-e6freuzi-1226172340817
Thanks for that JR
There is not enough pain experienced by people yet. No pain, no gain.
Man is not good at anticipating future problems and taking preventive measures.
Maybe it should "occupy Crikey street", not "OWS"
really? that's the best you could come up with?
Occupy Angus Young?
Occupy Ayers rock?
You're doing nothing wrong. What is popular is not right. Could it be that Aussies just don't get it?
But when you claim to represent 99% of the community doesn't that imply that our movement requires popularity to be effective?
Breathing, you should not be doing it.
what's your point?
It is obvious that you have tried not to breath, but failed. Got a little brain damage?
what are you getting at?
Is it true the toilets flush counter clockwise in lime land?
yes, yes it is
Hey, where's Perry?
Who?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_the_Platypus
never heard of him
On the show one of the tag lines is "yes, yes it is/yes I am. Etc.go back to listening to air supply.
I'm not an air supply fan