Forum Post: The failure of Occupy...how it happened...
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 6:06 a.m. EST by Occupyfailed
(12)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
1) Focusing too much around the camp rather then organizing and getting the word out.
2) Offering free stuff to anyone and everyone with a pulse who decides to show up.
3) Declaring war against local governments...some of these governments like Portland and Oakland had welcomed Occupy in with open arms at first...
4) Demonizing the police and fire fighters.
5) Not following local protocols such as collaborating with the local authorities. As noted before, some of these local authorities had initially welcomed the Occupation.
6) No leadership. No spokesperson. So CNN, MSNBC and FOX are left speaking to some weird dude who is either all coked up or stoned.
7) No list of goals.
8) Utilizing symbols of anarchy such as the fist, the hammer, the colors red/black...making odd comparisons of the United States to China/Tianamen Square. Did anyone see the USA roll out tanks or anything with armor for that matter into the protest? Overly stating how the USA is an oppressive place to live...does anyone really believe they are being actively oppressed in the USA?
9) Embracing radical ideals. Placing an emphasis on non-traditional Democratic ideals. Having people speak on Marxism at the camps.
10) You wont get along with the mayor unless you embrace them. Calling the mayor names never got anyone further in life. You cant fight city hall. When Sam Adams, a very liberal flaming gay Mayor of one of the most liberal cities in the world, throws you out then you know you have done something wrong...
The trouble with lots of people is they think they need leaders and want to be lead...But what usually happens is those "leaders" lead you right down a ditch..
I'll take the leaderless movement any day! When you place trust in anyone one individual, you are really asking to be disappointed.
It looks like the Occupiers are already disappointed
No, no one man is going to stop this movement..I think all Americans should be disappointed if not downright pissed at their government for giving Wall Street permission to destroy the economy...
The system isn't working...OWS is the beginning. I do think that whether people like it or not, Revolution is brewing in this country.
Either Revolution or Fascist Plutocracy. Our choice..
As OWS continues you'll see more, the true nature of our government and country and our place, as the indigenous population, in it.
They are us, We are them, Why does part of our body,devise methods of subjegating the rest based on priviledge..Power,domination,greed..Plain and simple,What goes around comes around, you reap what you sow, these are laws of nature,.. you cannot fool Mother Nature..The misdeeds of current and past leaders of corporations,banks,and paid for politicians,are coming to Light..Truth is the greatest adverary to a system based on deception..We will Overcome..We have only just Begun,watch the heads roll..Resignations,Tribunals,Grand Expose', Shocking revelations..
Everything you just said reeks of paranoia, delusion and conspiracy theory. Is that any way to push an idea forward? Honestly...
you pointing fingers have three pointed back at you.., failure is not an option..
Whatever dude. If you keep going down this path of radical talk, you won't get far. At best, you look like a circus freak. My suggestion is to become a little more main stream with your speech...
Ok High Treason is the charge, printing 50 trillion dollars,backed by no goods or services,bailing out and giving bonuses to the very ones who bankrupted the world economy,Anyone connected to that collossal embezzelment will be be brought to justice,until we address corruption we will keep getting corruption, no matter who you vote for,they are bought by special interests.
It is our natural instinct to desire leadership and for this movement to not fail, this issue is foremost the most important step in the right direction. People do not adjust well to radical changes in anything they are exposed to in life. While I do understand what the movement's individuals are trying to emphasize in that radical change is needed and leadership is what got us into this mess in the first place, its is still what most people are used to.
Baby Steps incorporating first a leader of the movement, a small list of items that include using words that have a big impact on hitting on the hearts of the masses in a vision of a better world.
It took a long time to get to this point in history and it will take just as long to work in the opposite direction for a justice based society.
The question of the day is...what radical change are they trying to push forward? Communism...socialism? I, for one, would like to go back to the old days before the financial crisis started. I was fine, my friends were fine and people coming out of college were fine. I think we all want to go back to how things were...not one of us wants to find ourself in a socialist or communist society or having to live in communal groups. We like the old system! We just need to recover out of this and move on.
you make some sensible and understandable points. However one would have to remember that the movement it is only 60 days old. I believe that as time goes on the movement will evolve and improve. Just months ago it involved only a few souls, now, it involves hundreds of thousands maybe millions.
We have a lot of work to do to improve our goals and our voice. Give it time.
How can you improve without organization? If you have no leader or stated goals then where do you go from there? The question begs to be asked what are you trying to do exactly and how do you expect to do it? If we are just left with a bunch of stoned college students to speak with then how can you get your point across?
Remember, the initial Sept 17th meeting was constructed by an anarchist who didnt expect this to move forward from there. I think it needs to be radically re-structured. As its structured now, it wont survive.
If you haven't noticed already, we do have a leader...and we are carrying out his will.
what?
Here in America, he usually goes by the name of GOD.
That I am agreeing with you. All I was trying to say was everything takes time. I feel due to the increase scope of the movement, or any substantial movement, leaders will come forward and more concrete goals or guidelines will be established.
We can all back an idea or ideology. History dictates, for better or worse, that an idea isn't enough. You need leaders to rally behind. So again I agree with most of your points.
Anyways is not ended... some of your points are incorrect.
Which ones are not correct?
5 ) and 7 ) for sample.
5) OWS did make cleaning on the park , and did ask and allow cleaning people to go in... if they send all that amount of people to clean the plaza, they could peacful send this people to clean before. They also ask for bathrooms, are there any "public" bathrooms, shouldnt the NewYork city or any other agency send some chemy bathroom, to a public spaces where was need?? instead they waste many bucks on police equipment, etc...
7) There where many list, evrebody knows the main, NO WAR, NO MONEY TO POLITICIANS, NO MORE FED SAVING BANKS.... the trouble is so big, that it cant be confused by just a few list... i could say for sample NO MORE CAPITALISM, that engloves a bit more, but it will be a mistake and a big confusion.....so is not that easy to explain.
6) No leadership. No spokesperson. So CNN, MSNBC and FOX are left speaking to some weird dude who is either all coked up or stoned
8) Utilizing symbols of anarchy such as the fist, the hammer, the colors red/black.... Did anyone see the USA roll out tanks or anything with armor for that matter into the protest?
Agree on those....
We should name Ketchup and Justin or anybody who whants to, press spokesman.
Is not that bad , making some marketing and having somebody that express the idea more clearly.
The red color make some confusion on people that doesnt understand whats going on.
i believe that the demonization, if it be true, is what hurt the protesters the most.
It is true. Just look at what they said versus what actually happened. How many people were killed by the police or other local authorities? None How many people were seriously injured? Maybe 1 or 2 throughout the US and that was by accident like Scott Olsen. He was probably hit by accident with a projectile. How many people in all of the videos seem like they were truely unfairly treated? In all the videos, it seems like the police had a reason for doing anything. The police gave warnings each time they did something and then when they did act they used a non-lethal manner which did not permanently injur anyone.
But, if the people knew that the media is a sensationalist institution, then they would have not fallen for the spectacle. knowledge is power
Game over ... go home. From a supporter of the cause but not the actions.
[Removed]
[Removed]
Just thought...