Tonight: Vigils Across America for Scott Olsen, Marine Veteran Critically Injured by Police Projectile at #OccupyOakland
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 27, 2011, 12:13 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
This morning Occupy Oakland and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) put out a call for occupations across America and around the world to hold solidarity vigils for Scott Olsen, a former Marine and two time Iraq War veteran. Olsen sustained a skull fracture after being shot in the head on October 25 with a police projectile while peacefully participating in an Occupy Oakland march.
Occupy Oakland and IVAW — an organization that Scott Olsen is a member of — are organizing the Oakland vigil. It will be held today, Thursday, October 27, 7:00pm PST, during the General Assembly of Occupy Oakland at 14th St. and Broadway.
They are also calling on other occupations that are part of the 99% movement to take time to vigil for Scott this evening. Some occupations will take a few moments during their General Assembly to hold Scott in their thoughts, to honor his commitment to social justice, and to hope for his strong recovery.
Scott joined the Marines in 2006, served two tours in Iraq, and was discharged in 2010. Scott moved to California from Wisconsin and currently works as a systems network administrator in Daly City.
Scott is one of an increasing number of war veterans who are participating in America’s growing Occupy movement. Said Keith Shannon, who deployed with Scott to Iraq, “Scott was marching with the 99% because he felt corporations and banks had too much control over our government, and that they weren’t being held accountable for their role in the economic downturn, which caused so many people to lose their jobs and their homes.”
People across the country reacted with outrage yesterday to the police brutality unleashed against peaceful people engaged in protest in Oakland — and particularly to the injury of Scott Olsen. Occupy Oakland has been a public forum, set up on public land, concerned with critical public issues about the nation’s financial crisis, consolidation of wealth and power, and the ability of citizens to meaningfully participate in the democratic process. The brutality they were met with sends a chilling message to those who want to serve their country by working for social change.
Scott is currently sedated and in critical condition at a local hospital.
It's truly sad that an American Veteran is injured by the very government he fought for while exercising the constitutional rights he faught to protect (namely our first ammendment rights).
God bless him and may he recover and see a brighter America soon.
if he does recover i can gaurentee that he will see a brighter america. our hard efforts will not be for nothing!
Everyone must remain peaceful, otherwise, Scott Olsen's injury will have been in vain. Let us not reduce ourselves to becoming animals like the police. Peace not violence.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - J.F.K.
People voted for Obama because they still believed in the political process as the force for change in America. THAT did not bring about the desired results. This isn't the Tea Party here, the party who wants to slander for political power ... This is the left party looking at too little too late ... and will be damned if any Wall Street controlled Republican takes office. Not only are Republicans soooooo yesterday ... they are worthless.
What does that have to do with the injured vet?
The mayor of Oakland is a Democrat. The governor of California is a Democrat. The senators from California are Democrats. Democrats control California and some of the worst police brutality takes place on a regular basis at the behest of Democrats.
Obama is and always was Wall Street controlled. Just because you drank the Kool Aid and never bothered to do your homework doesn't equate to "too little too late". It means you were TOO LAZY.
Well said!
Also Chicago '68, a Dem inspired police riot.
Too lazy eh? I was there getting my face spat in when the idiots of this country voted for Ronald Reagan and his STUPID OBSOLETE trickle down economics. I was done my homework for more than THREE DECADES while the morons of this country voted for Republicans and their STUPID IDIOTIC anti-taxation, de-regulation ideology. And frankly the only reason I voted for Obama was because the sexists of this country couldn't stand the idea of having a woman for president but they, for some reason, had no problem with a media slut being chosen for vice president. I have been fighting this BULL SHIT of the RIGHT WING all of my adult life. ALL OF IT. From age 20 onward. And I am fucking sick and tired of it and of idiots like you who have done NO homework whatsoever and have NOTHING to offer the discourse. Furthermore, Arnold SwarziNAZI, the jerk who dined with ENRON on the eve of bankruptcy was given power by the idiots of California, none the less. Last I checked the man was a REPUBLICAN and did NOTHING good for the state of California. I am also profoundly aware of the SIXTY MILE CIRCLE of Los Angeles and that the bulk of STAR WARS MONEY was spent there, which made Ronald Reagan, the one from California who became president, one of the biggest taker homer of a pot of bacon in US history. While he was pretending to clean up government, he cleaned up ON government; while he ripped of the nation with his TIPLED military budget, he lined the pockets of of his cronies in the military industrial complex, making them all rich with taxpayer money while, in spite of which, mysteriously bankrupting the state of California too boot. You want to call someone lazy go look in a mirror.
@endthefednow, u don't get the message! @socialmedic is simply saying that u can't get change done from the top since obama is not getting the support from the right - they want him out at any cost. the only change is from the people like the #OWS movement
I'm praying for the quick recovery for this fallen soldier, who was attacked without provocation by the evil henchman who are fast becoming the enemy of the people. Gone are the days when I taught my kids that, "The policeman is your friend". "Community policing" is no longer. They are taught in the academy that Non-Law-enforcement are the enemy, whether they are felons or not. Treat everyone like they are scumbags. They have to be teaching it in the academy's because every new cop I run into a arrogant, snobs with a chip on their shoulders towards everyone not carrying a badge.
And as for the "Obama" comment...There's no longer any difference between Democrats or Republicans. Both Parties are bought & paid for by the same lobbies. There will never be change as long as those "2" parties are sitting in elected seats. If you don't believe me, do the research for yourself. NOTHING changes as long as either party is in control. American Voters are the cause of the misfortune we find ourselves in. We don't demand Term limits for ALL elected seats. Power breeds corruption, & when we give man unlimited terms, he/she sooner or later becomes what they say
Well said!
dude you are so far behind you think your ahead. Both sides suck neither is better then the other in fact they love the fact that you guys sit around splitting hairs about which sides better. They don't care there both fn you! and now your not even focused on them your focused on rich corporations sucker!
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Mikey D You have just added you name to inciting violence . This is a non violent organization You appear to have missed that crucial point. What step other than the violence you advocate have you taken. Are you assuming that all police are opposed to addressing the injustice their families are experiencing? That police officer should first of all be charged for seeking to injure those offering aid. Any one can throw stuff. The challenge is to use your brain I know it is frustrating and painful to see some one get injured . Seeking to injure other lowers the bar to increased brutality
Thank you, it so important that ows and supporters are peaceful. It does not mean that violence will not happen from the other side, and its sad but when they are violent, it makes us stronger and them weaker. This is getting too big for us to fail. We can fight back by direct non violent action. It worked for the civil rights movement, it can work for us too.
It doesn't mean we have to tolerate violence by the police. Its a fine line and Ows is walking it like a tightrope walker!
Wishing the protesters weren't throwing rocks does not make it so.
Typical provocateur nonsens. The 99% are much smarter than you, the 1%, realize. You have every reason to be afraid.
You aren't trying to say rock and bottle throwing are not the kind of actions we want to be taking, are you? I thought tonights vigil was to honor Scott Olsen, not to shame him.
The whole point is to remain non violent. It's the best way to get the message across. Hurling rocks and bottles will only give them an excuse to act out against others. There is no reason for it and it only hurts the cause.
Well if that is truly what you believe, shouldn't this candle light vigil for Olsen be a roast of the idiots throwing rocks and bottles?
Olsen threw nothing Troll Boy -- everyone just ignore him he is just here instigating for a response.
bring big rocks..............fuck the police and anybody else that stands in the way .............take back what is ours and make them walk a mile in our shoes.........it worked when they took back the streets in LA after the pigs beat down Rodney King.............the mob rules.......occupy everywhere......they can't stop us all
You guys are idiots. Do you realize how little police officers get paid to deal you people? they get paid like 35,000 a year to stand there and restrain themselves and put up with you. Guaranteed most of the people in this movement (besides the unemployed) make more then the basic Police Officer. I'm glad to see other people in this movement are are good enough to realize violence isn't the answer.
Uh,studro01, that's right wing BS you're spouting. According to the US Department of Labor (2010) cop jobs are not even in the top ten of most dangerous. And except for pilots, cops DO make more than those in the top ten. To wit: Fisherman: Median Wages: $23,600; Logger: Median Wages: $34,440; Airplane Pilots: Median Wages: $106,240; Farmers and Ranchers: Median Wages: $32,350; Roofers: Median Wages: $33,970; Ironworkers: Median Wages: $44,500; Sanitation Worker:Median Wages: $32,070; Industrial Machinist: Median Wages: $39,600; Truckers and Drivers/Sales Workers: Median Wages: $37,730; Construction Laborer: Median Wages: $29,150; and for example: N.J. police salaries rank highest in nation with median pay of $90,672. For the entire Country it's appx.,cop average salary is $55K. You were sayin' ???
Now you are defending the fascists that nearly killed Scott Olsen? Bullshit.!!!
Cops in California make in excess of 100k a year and retire at 55 with a full fucking pension. They usually go back to consult to the departments they worked at as consultants, effectively doubling their pay. The district attorneys wont prosecute police brutality, which is common place. Why? Because police unions are very powerful and can effectively remove the DA from office in the next election cycle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas
Kelly Thomas, a handicapped homeless guy, was beaten and tased to death by 6 cops in Fullerton. The DA dragged his heals investigating the thing for TWO MONTHS!!! When the dust settled, not enough people had forgotten about it, so they charged two of the six officers in his death, only one of them with murder.
You can't just make up numbers to prove your argument. http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/police-officer-Salary-Details-Oakland-CA.aspx Average base salary of an Oakland, CA trooper is 56k with less than a 5% gross pension.
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Retire at age 50 after working 30 years as a police officer. Why is there even an argument about this? Who should get paid more then people that put their life on the line for complete strangers and keep the peace?
That NewGeography article is pretty much just shitting on cops, shows what type of literature #ows supports are reading.
Being a cop is not even in the top ten of most dangerous jobs in the Country and cops get paid higher than they do except for pilots. See my comments to studro01 above. You are wrong on this.
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I don't know how bolding the word service helped your case any... and quit making arguments using exceptions.
Being wrong for 20 years -- read more -- http://overthecoals.blogspot.com/
I was raised in a family that followed politics and current events. We discussed politics and current events almost every day. I traded stocks since I was 15 years old so economics was crucial for me like golf was crucial to Tiger Woods since he was 3 years old. I knew about Ross Perot before he brought EDS (Electronic Data Systems) public and made a fortune. I knew all about Ronald Reagan and Reaganomics and Paul Volker, and the monetary policy of Milton Friedman because I developed a hedging system for interest rates using Treasury futures in 1979 when I was hired to use that system which worked.
My point is that I'm an informed, intelligent person who has real experience with real money and real profits and losses. When Ross Perot campaigned for being president I worked in his campaign because I knew that when Perot said that, "If NAFTA is passed by George Bush that America would hear a giant sucking sound." I never imagined that Clinton who was financed by the unions would pass NAFTA for George Bush right after Clinton got inaugurated but he did. I knew that Clinton was a liar when he claimed he didn't inhale his pot or he'd have to be the dumbest bastard who ever lived.
I've been waiting for a protest for more than a decade and finally we have OWS. When people finally got so pissed off they began to camp in the park in NYC I presumed they would be eager to do the only thing possible to combat the 50,000,000 jobs that were stolen from them to enrich the privileged. The only thing possible is to nominate candidates ready to defy "political correct" bribes that all politicians take to allow the trade policy, and the tax policy used by our elected government to steal those jobs and replace those American workers with slaves from different countries but primarily from China. It wasn't enough that American business would exploit Mexicans at $2 per hour, they wanted the work to be done for nothing.
If anybody wanted to bet me that I couldn't go to the park and convince the protestors to nominate candidates for the 2012 election to implement their demands, I would have gladly taken that bet. I make lots of bets and sometimes I lose those bets but I win most of my bets and a few times I've bet the ranch because I knew for a fact that I couldn't possibly lose. The only bet I needed to risk was the $18.50 cost of transportation I needed to spend to get to the park 6 times. I've been wrong 6 times on top of being wrong about the response I got from all the people on the OWS forum websites. I was finally blocked by the NYCGA for my arguments on their website by a bunch of liberals who falsely claim they are open to all ideas.
I know for a fact that most Americans aren't stupid. I know for a fact that all conservatives are stupid or they wouldn't be conservatives. Being wrong for more than 20 years is a long time to be wrong and not know it. Being self destructive sitting in the park and refusing to grasp the simple fact that unless a 3rd party is elected to congress that justice is never going to happen from an entire elected body who is taking bribes condoned by the United States Supreme Court; can only happen because they are all in a trance. They can't possibly be that stupid.
Everyone must remain peaceful, but if things get out of control, those same people also have a right to defend themselves against the Machine.
Not really in practice, see: http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/change/science_nonviolence.html "Violence-prone activists sometimes like to claim they are merely retaliating against violence by the police, which they think people will understand and even applaud as justifiable self-protection. Some activists also believe that standing up to the police will inspire others to join them because they have shown they are serious about challenging the system. However, as polls taken after such incidents show, most people do not accept these rationales. They do not like to hear of extreme reactions by the police, but they tend to blame the demonstrators, even when the police are the primary instigators. Thus, it is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong, or about which side started it. It is a matter of whether physical confrontations are effective in gaining adherents, and it seems clear that they are not. To be effective, nonviolence must be maintained in the face of great provocations, even beatings and murders by the opponents. If there is no retaliation, the perpetrators may be prosecuted, or public sentiment may switch to the side of the challengers. This is in fact in part what happened when police and vigilantes attacked civil rights demonstrators in the 1960s. Those unprovoked actions swung whites outside the South against police violence despite their continuing feelings of racial superiority, and forced the president and leaders in Congress to condemn elected officials and law enforcement personnel in the South."
So, the issue is, what are you trying to accomplish? It's OK to be angry. The question is, what constructive thing can you do with that anger? A related Mr. Rogers song: "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" http://pbskids.org/rogers/songLyricsWhatDoYouDo.html
For example, hosting a dozen pot luck suppers with your neighbors or relatives or coworkers to discuss alternative economics and why the current system is broken (and to work through options to fix it locally or nationally), with everyone learning together and developing a sense of community, may do a lot more to move beyond the current system then getting arrested for some altercation with the police. Or do something really radical like make stuff to give away for free. Or figure out how to stay healthy without big pharma (hint: eat more vegetables, fruits, and beans as a start). Or start a LETS system. http://www.lets-linkup.com/ Or start a community garden. http://isles.org/main/ Or teach people useful empowering skills, whether for free or not. Or give out copies of Howard Zinn's books, like the one this chapter is from about "The Coming Revolt of the Guards" about how even police will have to decide what side they are on in the end: http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinncomrev24.html Those are all ways people can "defend themselves against the Machine" and bring others along with them.
Here is a great story about what it truly means to follow a path towards conflict resolution, even when immersed in martial arts training (for Aikido): http://unofficial.ki-society.org/another.html
Longer version: http://omlc.ogi.edu/aikido/talk/others/dobson.html
More ideas by Morton Deutsch on conflict resolution: http://scar.gmu.edu/parents-of-field/10837
http://www.beyondintractability.org/audio/morton_deutsch/?nid=2430
And Donald Pet: http://www.anwot.org/
Yes, peace is best. But do you think we still have to somehow be LOUD. You know this U.S. mainstream media. It doesn't report peace and harmony. It reports attention-grabbing disturbances-- crime, violence, disasters. The OWS stories in the media were getting tinier and further down on the page every day. Even arrests of protesters hardly got a mention. Now after Oakland, the Occupy movement is "newsworthy" again. Peace, yes, but how to keep the country's attention to the message? How to be peaceful but still LOUD? How to keep getting the message out to the indifferent people, when the media won't report it unless they're violence? There must be a way....
Good point Jemmus. I like the suggestion of a corps-boycott. What if everyone abstained from purchasing anything from a major corporation; Walmart, Exxon, Starbucks, Kraft, Coca-cola, all fast food chains, etc. That might make the news, especially if it hits their profits?
Consume less. Buy food from local markets, instead of supermarkets (they are also generally a bit cheaper, use less packaging and are healthier too!). Buy clothes from 2nd hand or charity shops, or just make do with what you have. Only buy if you really NEED to, and then, buy from a local independent trader. This would also help to get small and medium sized independent businesses engaged, as they would benefit from the mass rejection of the 'too bigs'.
Please do not use that term "animals". Animals are innocent and wonderful. Notice the ANIMAL in the photo.
The cops are lawless, authoritarian, thugs.
The people you are fighting are war criminals. I'd start preparing myself for the logical consequences of that if I were you. Compared to THEM the police are pussy cats.
Anyone who doesn't defend the 1st Amendment rights of all Americans, is giving them up for themselves.
Thank you Scott Olsen, for your continued service in defending our constitution, from both foreign and domestic threats.
We pray for your speedy recovery!
Of course, this makes me sick. I fear it will get much worse. Stay Strong, Resist, no matter what. I will hold Scott in the Light and burn a candle for him.
Hilary Clinton condemned Syria for firing tear gas and using batons on protestors. This was before Syria used armed force. Now the US police departments do the same and she has nothing to say? The US is a hypocrite. Why haven't Obama and Hilary condemned the police violence? Why haven't they told the Oakland police to stand down? They have the power yet remain silent
Because they prefer to interfere with other countries rather than getting their own house in order!!! (Especially if the 'O' word is involved - did I mention OIL?)
Agreed! Not a word about there own people. What elected official will condem this violence agaisnt The People?
Very good points. Also, why hasn't Governor Brown or any of our State Reps weighed in? Whenever multiple jurisdictions are involved in a major action it becomes a matter of State. I have also read that Deanna Santana, Oak City Administrator invited the State to participate in the attack. I am assuming they did. can anyone clarify that?
Obama and Hillary just presided over the murder of thousands of innocent Libyans. They are sociopaths, just like the neocons.
And, those "liberated" rebel Lybians are lynching Black Africans.
That's right. That's how NATO rolls. Use psychopath mercenaries as proxies, step back and watch the wholesale mass murder commence.
Yes, it is pretty hypocritical for that creature to say bad things about Syria while ignoring the same thing in her own back yard. But hey, she's a bought and paid for politician, and I would expect nothing more from her.
america a country without laws for normal people It is sad that most people in America still supports politicians who are destroying the country for years and causes people to poverty and slavery one of the countries where people are not allowed to speak the truth as it is very sad you allow too many rich people and your stupid politicians to govern with you stand together and help each other to get your rights All for one one for all !!!!!!! wake up America
The police are meant to serve the community, not be its masters.
I'm from the UK so don't know how it generally is in the US, but I can tell you that over the past few decades the police role has gone from being 'protect and serve' to 'intimidate and prosecute'. And in making this shift, they have less and less respect from citizens and therefore their behaviour has become more detached and aggressive.
The 'protect and serve' meme only seems to work for the rich and the corporations. You can see this by comparing the police response to someone being assaulted at knife-point and the police response when a group of unarmed protesters try to march near a bank.
Somehow that seems to get left out somewhere...
I think it is time to take our movement to the next level.We have to do everything we can do peacfully to face november 2012 elections.No more lefties, no more rigthties.Inorder to change the country and achieve our goals, we need to change D.C. corrupt politicians.Other than that, is going to give us nothing,than a waste of time.God bless us.God bless America.
SHARE THIS STORY. Make sure that everyone knows what is happening in our own country.
We need our military HERE at home, to protect us from our own government!
"Police Use Physical & Chemical Weapons on Peaceful Assembly" http://realpatriots.info/2011/10/police-use-physical-chemical-weapons-on.html
Scott Olsen is in our prayers. We wish him the very best. Fair-ness.
Scott Olsen a non story on media in the greatest nation on Earth...........
Will Scott come out of this with enormous medical bills? The care for critical injuries of his type is unbelievably expensive. It will be beyond tragic if he will be plagued by bills. If someone can find out we should set up a fund.
It would be good to find that out, but I disagree about a fund, not from public pockets - it's a very thoughtful idea, but the cost of his treatment should be covered by the individual(s) who put him in that state!!!
It's easy to feel and express anger toward the Oakland PD, but this one is squarely the responsibility of the local government officials. The PD are just the paid thugs - those ultimately responsible do not wear police uniforms, but suits. In this case, the mayor and everyone else on down the chain of command (including cops who fired lethal munitions at unarmed and non-violent protesters) should face not simply removal from office, but possibly criminal charges and civil sanctions for their actions in approving and conducting police violence targeting peaceful protestors. The Oakland and California district and state's attorney's offices should be leading this charge. Of course, they're government flunkies, too, so they won't. I'd like to see Occupy movements around the country calling for a criminal investigation into this matter by the 'relevant authorities'...
Recent press reports allege that Deanna Santana, Oakland City Administrator, planned the attack and Jordan Howard, interim Cheif of Police, executed it. Of course, the Mayor signed off on it. All three need to go now!
//i.imgur.com/yGfyU.jpg
The Nazis were "just following orders" too... when the dust settles, if OWS wins this, then I expect these thugs to be brought up on charges of crimes against humanity... fair is fair... The Nazis paid for their crimes (the ones caught anyway), so should these mirrors of the Schutzstaffel (SS).
True that. Those who gave the orders and those who carried out illegal anti-Constitutional orders are liable.
where is my reply? i got f-ing 'not logged in' and after signing up, IT WAS/IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you worthless MORONS! I AM LATE!! i will likely be fired! (IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH IT-POSTING WAS THAT GOOD, DOUGH-HEADS) WHY couldnt YOU IMBECILES just let such replies POST! A MANS JOB/FAMILY JUST FELL BECAUSE of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whoever writes the progrom will stand before God someday, w/this/other acts. so will we all.
Alright, calm down! It happens to everyone and there is no need to get so angry about it.
If you have to log in to post your comment you should always copy what you have written in case you don't return to that page, then once back you can paste it with no stress or time-wasting. Better still, if you have such a long post you could write it in a word or text program so it can be saved and copied into the comment box once ready to go.
you said it
Remember the Nuremburg Trials. Both those who did the deed and those who ordered it are guilty. "following orders" was negated as an excuse in 1946. People hung for what they did. If Scott Olsen dies, the people should not rest until whoever did it and whoever ordered it is behind bars.
It's time for direct action against the banks and credit card companies. As one we can stop paying them today and end the debt game the 1% plays with our lives. Learn more at debtrebellion.wordpress.com
I think it would be more direct if you just bought things with cash
Very good! Maybe we should consider having everyone file corporate papers. That ought to screw up the two tiered "Justice System."
Take out every penny except what you need to keep the account open and to pay bills as they come due. Put the rest in a shoe box, it will get as much interest and by pulling out your $100, you deny the banks the ability to lend out $1000. Hit them where it hurts. Hit them til they squeal.
I am appalled by the actions of the Oakland Police Department in regards to the arrests of Occupy protesters. These courageous Americans are exercising their 1st Amendment rights. RIGHTS, all elected officials have sworn an oath to uphold and protect. Neither Oakland police nor any other governmental agency have the right to interfere or prohibit the exercising of those rights. The City of Oakland and it's officers are bound by the Constitution of The United States of America. The Constitution does not allow for you to decide when and/or where or for how long people may protest. Only the people can decide that. Therefore, the actions of Oakland Police are unconstitutional and a CRIME against all the people of the USA and border on treason. Those officers have violated their oaths of office and should be punished and incarcerated if found guilty in a court of law.
The Constitutuion also prohibits the use of military force against citizens. The police have been miltarizing. We need to stop this and make them public servants once again and not rent-a-thugs for the 1%. The president says the law must be upheld. OK sir, you took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Say what?
To be attacked for exercising one's 1st Amendment rights is downright UN-American and is illegal. The fact he is an Iraq Veteran who fought to protect those that attack him so viciously is truly ironic and sad. I hope he recovers quickly.
I saw Rep Kevin Brady of Texas on MSNBC and he was asked about this and said, "Those Occupy guys are irrelevant and do not have a coherent message"
To attack non-violent protesters with a militarized force (500 militarized cops, 5 tanks, five helicopters, stun grenades, etc.) is the essence of un-Constitionality.
We have the right to speak and to peacably assemble. When we start tearing down fences, make unpeacable noise all night long, can't clean up after ourselves and start 'marching on' something, it can easily be miscontrued as NO LONGER PEACEABLE. We should work very hard to keep our peaceable assemble peaceful and will get many more middle of the roaders with us if we can do that.
Started a Tumblr to collect messages, photos and well wishes for Scott here. http://weareallscottolsen.tumblr.com/
Praying!
My thoughts with this young man, please report on his condition to us
Congratulations to OWS for sticking up for a guy who was discharged under less than honorable conditions and for supporting Scott Olsen who had a website called I Hate the Marine Corp.
Every time I read about this, I have tears rolling down my cheeks.
Calling all Marines. Commanders Call. Need to set up a Fund to help Scott & his family.
For anyone to be injured in a peaceful assembly or protest is horrid. I hope for all of us our government realize the power of the people before they continue any further violence. This angers me greatly and as a loving peaceful father of a young man I could not imagine my reach and brutality towards those involved with his injury. My heart and courage go out to him and his, and all of the brave people who are finally standing up to the corporate injustice.
Sad to know he wasn't shot by terrorist he was shot by his own people fighting for what he believes in!!!!http://therevolutionarytruth.tumblr.com/
Why does it matter if he was a veteran or not? Does that make his injury more important or something?
We can all agree his injury is unfortunate.
Does anyone question why he was discharged?
Stop pandering to people by throwing that crap in there.
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/scott-olsen-serves-as-poster-boy-for-occupys-tragic-victims-of-brutality/ Ignore the personal comments of the poster and read his pledge page and how he slanders the armed forces even though he barely even served.
One more straw - when will the camel's back break?
This young lad was nothing but collateral damage. While he gets a canister to the head thousands are getting shrapnell and bombs through their roof and dying. bullets are flying killing their children. sad but his life was good while it lasted now hes just collateral damage. Untill you people are ready to take up arms and do something against the people controlling you nothing will change. Best of luck and wishes from a country with only 3.6Billion Dollars in debt.
This young lad was nothing but collateral damage. While he gets a canister to the head thousands are getting shrapnell and bombs through their roof and dying. bullets are flying killing their children. sad but his life was good while it lasted now hes just collateral damage. Untill you people are ready to take up arms and do something against the people controlling you nothing will change. Best of luck and wishes from a country with only 3.6Billion Dollars in debt.
we are not fighting for our first amendment rights of free speech - they are GIVING US that !! ( albeit begrudgingly) we are fighting for a true REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT - that means the people in power MUST vote and act according to the MAJORITY of their constituents. TO me this has all been so easy to set in motion guys. START by POLLING your own on ISSUES ..drill down to the CORES of issues. TAKE VOTES EVERY WEEKEND and report back. Poll until you generate statistics. Then demand that every represenative, from thelcal up to the president - do our collective bidding on WAR, TAXES, CEO PAY, MONEY in POLITICS, all of it ... religion in politics too ... if they dont do as we poll ... then we do recalls of power ..that should be a rule by the way ... if you allow people to say one thing in a campaign and do another ( yes like Obama, sorry Barack ) we will never get a honest man in charge ( or maybe its a long shot at best ) ... flip-flopping when circumstances have not significantly changed should be grounds for ousting!
oh and so all cops know 200+ years ago vocal protest by Native Americans caused the same harm to come to us...do you forget the war we raged back then..
and to the Marine Semper Fi bro you did right and stand as a hero in my book..
you know i don't even support what there doing and even i see the problem with how the police have responded one of my friends was beat down for walking next to the protest by cops while she was on her way to a meeting down the road...3 cops beat her down and keep on after she was down and she wasn't even part of the protest this tells me the cops are way out of line and to those 3 i am coming there and your going to meet me face to face and explain why...and i hope you try to beat me down because i will return the favor that my 96 pound friend couldn't do...big time messed up because one she was a woman and two that was a Cherokee woman we don't take that lightly
God Bless Scott Olsen.
TO THE MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF OF OAKLAND:
DEMAND the surrender of the cop who "shot" Scott Olsen. NOW. To not demand the surrender, is akin to aiding and abeiting. Additionally, you are putting others in danger because the maniac psychopath treasonist is STILL on the loose, potentially at work which means he has opportunity to do it again, apparently with your implied consent. A passive investigation is not enough: it is too slow and by doing so, you are permitting this terrorist to to this again.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19188378
like i said I know they were idiots,but still they fit into the equation, they helped fuel the fire against an already unstable situation. I pretty sure if those bottle and rocks had not been thrown we would not be talking about this today. I sorry the cops were not completely unprovoked, did it give them permission to do what they did no. Have Oakland cops does stupid stuff in the past yes, have Oakland people done stupid stuff in the past once again yes. So my point is something like this could happen an Oakland any time, and oh yea it does. its sad but this means that there is a huge chance this incident really had nothing to do with the movement. Shit like this happens in Oakland already so yea Oakland is a city that has some major issues going on, but that completely unrelated that's Oakland which they been having issues long before the economics went to crap. So yea Oakland has some major issues, that need to be fix i will not argue there. But if you think this is a reflection of how our country is being taken down by police cause people are complaining about money problems. i think purposely trying to make this something its not is actually promoting violence in a very passive aggressive way. And anyone who is fueling this bogus war cry should be ashamed of themselves. There are enough real issues here that you don't have to make this a civil war.
This is an incredible story. Being a veteran myself, I can very much sympathize for this young Marine. I would sincerely hope that, my military brothers and sisters are able to see exactly what's going on in our country and understand that now is the time, to fulfill their military obligations and "protect" Americans.
I saw an organization that provided protection for Occupy Members, against the police in order to keep things peaceful and to allow Occupy Members the right to fulfill their 1st Amendment Right. I would like to see the spreading of these protection militia in all Occupy America movements. It's time we make a bigger stand, while still maintaining peacefulness.
http://youtu.be/rjOwSIsgE8c
This does not mean that things are becoming violent. But after hearing about Scott Olsen, someone needs to protect our American citizens against the institutions that we pay to provide us with protection (which apparently, do not...)
I have seen this comming since four young people lost their lives at Kent State many years ago. The greed and corruption has show it,s ugly face and the mask has ben removed. I have witnessed the gagging of the people, the removal of he vice that is guarateed by the costitution written over 200 years ago. The rules are being re-written on the sidelines. I have sen first hand these corporations attempt to steal my fathers pension, bust the union, sell off the machinery and loot the company ,then merrily buy expensive cars, houses ,and boats then sail of into the sunset! Not once looking back at the ruin and devastaion left in their wake. ..... I have stood by quietly taking notes and observing the collapse that has resulted by such an imbalance of un-shared power. This shift has been slow yet determined too accomplish on goal, and that is the quest for money and power, nothing less. These young people are doing nothig mre thhat exercising thier rights of free speech and free assembey. I am sure there are arm chair constitutionalists who will pick and turn it around to make it sound like they are somehow breaking some established norm..whatever..ths is just a lack of critical thinking...we have educated these young people to be the best and the brightest, and they are. These are OUR CHILDREN, let them speak, and be kind to them please.
God Bless those who lay everything on the line and are brutalized by the very people they protect. Message to the Cops, some of the protesters you beat, spray, shot, arrest, and lob Gas Granades and flash bangs at, have taken bullets IEDs, missiles and knives and lives for you, perhaps in your "Patriotic"/Nationalistic attempts to control and silence the protestors you could A: watch what your doing (Physically,hormonally and mentally impossible in the situation), or you could not declare war by brutalizing human beings, or you could B: stop the Fascist crack down.. we don't fight you. and to all those currently marching remember those who changed the world marched peacefully and didn't strike back. MLK, and Gandhi as the prime examples... they changed the world without striking a punch... we must do the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8UW__mFMd8&feature=related chris hedges live teach in at wall st area..... check it out Scott..our thoughts are with you .
check out this link to dr gene sharp site.....http://www.aeinstein.org/organizationsde07.html free downloads here for books on 198 methods of non violent action etc essential stuff for all of you out there...
Were is Hillary Clinton? She was so outspoken about the Arab spring? Who is being arrested for shooting Scott an unarmed American Iraqi volunteer? (for oil mongers) were are the lawyers to represent his rights as an American? I am mad as hell and it is time to stand. God bless the occupiers, Your efforts are working and those who need to be are becoming worried. This winter may be long but those who make it to the spring will be the strong, our numbers will be great.The 1% are hoping this will not last, I believe it has just begun. God bless America
Eight Amendment. He may have broken the law, but no one, no law-abiding citizen, no criminal, no solider, no one is ever supposed to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. No matter what. Our government does not legalize having someone's skull smashed. When you fire a weapon YOU are responsible for its effects. If you can't aim properly, you shouldn't pull the trigger. The cop should be arrested and made to stand trial. This has nothing to do with the movement. This is the law.
To Scott, we have been greatly concerned for you and have you in our hearts and thoughts. We are both enraged and saddened that this happened to you. You are truly "we the people's soldier". Big hugs, the rest of us.
The only "brighter" America is one in which the rich craps on the poor and make sure the crap doesn't smell that bad, otherwise they'd notice what's on top of their head.
This guy should be a martyr. They've just broken the definition of "peaceful" protest by injuring him.
I pray for you Devil Dog, and hope you have a full recovery. My heart goes out to you and your family. For all you haters that called him a "dumb ass" and said "he got what he deserved" should spend less time writing ignorant reponses such as this. Semper Fi to all my brothers
Scott Olsen Is Founder of “I Hate the Marines Corps dot com” & Is a Jew-Basher
Scott Olsen Is Founder of “I Hate the Marines Corps dot com” & Is a Jew-Basher
Scott Olsen Medica Fund here -> http://fundly.com/scottolsen#
Hard to know if this is legit... Would hate to see the people throw away money on a scam trying to profit from Scott's injuries, and for the money to not go towards his treatment.
Can this site be validated?
Aside from this, I would be outraged if he had to bear the cost of the medical bills resultant from such obscene police brutality. But then this is America we we're talking about, a very backwards country...
While I had been watching the Occupy movement from the sidelines with GREAT interest and pride, when I learned what happened to Scott I felt the time had come to get directly involved with my local Occupy group. May he recover soon, and may he know that he has already made a difference.
Universal Blessings for Scott, and for those who need to know exactly what they Did to him... Let their answer be 'Awareness'. The Truth can be more of a weapon than 'They Ever used that night.
i think it is terrible the way the pigs treated that man...........fuck the police and anybody else that gets in the way............occupy the homes of the ones that put us in the streets...........occupy everywhere and take back what is ours......they can't stop us all......the mob rules
Oakland protestors if I were you i would make a good attempt to keep people out who have tendency to throw things at cops. I would also suggest a permit cause if yo don't have one your breaking the law.The law is the law no matter how good your cause is. It's your responsibility to be responsible. To claim ignorance well would be well ignorant.
Prayers for Scott for a complete recovery. Peace not violence.
It is a shame that something so unjustful and cruel takes place in the world!!! Dear, Scott! Wish you the soonest recovery! Please keep updating on Scott's condition!
I don't see this a sign of a revolution. I see it as a sign of a bunch of children that don't want to face the music, that the party's over and it's time to grow up.
10.28.2011 I am so very disturbed to hear of this young veteran’s unnecessary injury. I pray that he fully recovers. My husband, John, a WWII Navy veteran and I believe that the Occupy people in every city have a right to assemble and protest the unfair practices and the lack of transparency that exists in our government today. The wealth in our country is concentrated in 1% of the population. Fifty five million people are without health insurance and cannot afford private insurance. Corporations dictate to elected officials by threatening that they will not provide them campaign funds for their re-election. We are forced to live in an incestuous socialistic corporate dictatorship. Money needs to be taken out of politics. Current office holders will not initiate campaign finance reform. Our democracy has been bought by the rich and powerful corporations which have been deemed “people” by our Supreme Court. Since the present elected government representatives are not communicating this current crisis the 99% have only one way to redress these issues, and that is peaceful assembly. I support them until these representatives can be replaced and the inequality in jobs, housing and finances are changed. Respectfully, John and Melisa Moriarty San Diego, CA
I am so disgusted by the police. OWS is protesting on behalf of 99% of Americans and the police are acting like we are criminals. They are supporting and protecting the wrong people. I am sincerely hoping that Scott will heal and not be seriously damaged for life. I stand in support of OWS and I hope it will not become violent. Remain peaceful and demonstrate within the boundaries of the law so that we can all win this battle. Let the police hang themselves.
This is so sad! Our hearts and prayers go out to Scott and his family!!!
From what I've been reading today, I'm excited that Americans are finally standing up and, saying, "We're mad as hell and we'er not going to take this anymore." Something drastic has to change in this country. We cannot continue to let the wealthy make all the rules for the wisemen and the fools. The lack of leadership reflects the loss of faith the common American has in the present leaders we have voted into office and who are only the puppets of the corporate leaders.
We have class warfare. You bet. And one of the biggest classes in world history has been created by the corporate America itself.
From what I've been reading today, I'm excited that Americans are finally standing up and, saying, "We're mad as hell and we'er not going to take this anymore." Something drastic has to change in this country. We cannot continue to let the wealthy make all the rules for the wisemen and the fools. The lack of leadership reflects the loss of faith the common American has in the present leaders we have voted into office and who are only the puppets of the corporate leaders.
We have class warfare. You bet. And one of the biggest classes in world history has been created by the corporate America itself.
Scott, thank you for your courage and commitment. I am really upset at what happened. I don't have children, but if I did I'd love to have a son just like you. It is people like you who continue to give us hope in these dark hours. I live not far from where this tragedy occurred, I have been to the Commune although I haven't stayed overnight. I'm also involved in several other cities as well. I guess I am trying to say that I wish I would have met you and learned about you without you having to go through such trauma. You are a good man and you are in all of hearts.
Here's something to ponder. It may inspire others to examine the reality of our form of economic and political governance. It may give impetus to a demand for reformation.
http://www.im-jus-sayin.com/owsdeclaration.htm
It is very sad.This shows that the government of USA has been unnerved by the popular movement of the people of USA.Because USA has nothing to offer to the intelligent people of USA that is why it is using the brute force to crush the movement.But in case USA shows wisdom they must release all those they have detained so far and not resort to force or restrain of any kind.Because after all these protesters are the Americans who love their country and have almost similar likes and dislikes but are true to those beliefs eg they do not like really fanaticism of any kind while as the government of USA says the same thing but does not really believe in that.Moreover,these protesters are creating the real respect for USA by others who shall follow their foot prints.
Right on. They have not been successful at dumbing some of us down, so now they resort to this.
Irony is, that many police officers are ex-military moved on into other uniforms after returning home. Lets not demonize them, they are our brothers and sisters and doing the job we pay them to do. Support all our men and women in uniforms. If we can keep our peaceable assemblies PEACEFUL (clean, orderly, peaceful ie no drumming at 4 am, then we can continue to enjoy the right to peacefully assemble. If we disturb the peace, (break our 'peaceful' assembly) then we 'breach the contract' and they must act. We have a right to 'peaceably assemble' under the constitution, lets keep it peaceable to keep the right so our message can be heard.
The military has been hijacked by private interests in a Wall Street controlled government. The bottom line is STOP VOTING for REPUBLICANS. One Democrat isn't going to do Jack if that democrat's office is going to be disrupted by Republicans. Get Gel cans to burn outside. A glass encased burner sells for a pretty good price. 3 cans of gel could keep about 6 people warm for about 3 hours. Also check out couch surfers ... I camp Europe for 1-3 months at a time but sometimes you just have to have a bed to regroup. If you are not wearing and sleeping in down get some. Look for old donated down duvets at thrift shops. AND Fresh Plastic bags used in packing are tossed by the tons at every shopping mall in America. The most infamous time the military was exploited in domestic battles was Kent State. This evil has become more subtle.
let the power fall
Let The Power Fall 01. One can work within any structure 02. Once one can work within any structure, some structures are more efficient than others. 03. There is no one structure that is universally appropriate.
Reflexivity, i.e., reviewing lessons learned while keeping the process open, alive, and dynamic is also key.
this incident (scott olsen) reminds me that old saying... USA is acountry, where Liberty is statue...
The violence is starting...Now, especially now, we need to identify the key ingredient in our movement. (No, I'm not talking about making a list of grievences like some of those without understanding are calling for.) I'm talking about identifying our enemy and having a goal that we all can stand for. Please check out this short video and consider how it might shape this movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwBPT5apvAk&list=LLm72CL8TM6ZcoY2s2nPfYWg&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Thanks Scott....you are welcome to chill in New Mexico, when and if you are ready...we love you always! thanks...I'm so sorry the OPD did what they did, It's not new, but you are helping to spread the word about police abuse....
Non-violence is the most humane and compassionate path, for sure. It has worked many times, to it's credit. And so has violent revolution. Police brutality is innexcusable and must be punished. Remember that New Orleans police were shooting innocent people, post-Katrina. People that needed help in a desperate time, who were not protesting any power structure, on the street, in front of friends and family. Shame on Police! Shame on Police! Shame on Police! Thugs! Remember Seattle and the WTO protests, where an 80-ish year old woman was man-handled by the Fascist Pig, Jack-Booted, Rascist, Elitist, Boot Licking, Anti-Democratic, Powermad, Intolerant, Under-Endowed, Traitorous, COWARDS that fill our municipal police and sheriffs departments around the country. If these lackys of the MoneyLords had any concience or spine, they would refuse to engage these protestors or deny anyone their rights. Think about the dogs being set loose on civil rights protestors, or those that marched across the bridge headed into Montgomery Alabama. Think about Rodney King. All the times that we have seen the heavyhandedness of the police. I say aspire to non-violence and protect each other. But don't rule out the use of force at the expense of safety.
Please sign and share the petition for Scott Olsen against Oakland Police Brutality! http://www.change.org/petitions/attorney-for-the-department-of-justice-california-northern-district-investigate-oakland-police-actions-102511-against-ows-protesters thanks, peace and solidarity ~ Mark V Reid
keep strong and well together guys, this rotten system will collapse SOON!!!
A chant I haven't heard yet which would certainly resonate with the objectives of Occupiers is CRIMINALS OUT OF GOVERNMENT I believe most Americans can identify with that demand should they hear it on a newsclip and it would certainly cause some uneasiness in many officials and their representatives. Try it a few times out loud and remember it when the time is right. Yarg
That is a very accurate slogan. Right now we have crime family government.
Scott -thanks for your protection of America and all of us, you are our hero for getting out there and putting yourself on the line for the 99 percent - I'm so grateful to all the people out there standing up for people like me who can't stand up for very long or at all, who are sick and can't get out in the streets but are supporting you all in any way we can - I know quite a few people down in OWS and I'm proud of all of them for representing us all in any way they can - we must stick together,keep it as peaceful as possible and keep it going giving as much support as possible even when they are kicking us down - we've tried it in the past and it seems as though the only way for the regular people of the world to make their point is to get out in the streets and peacefully make our needs and and pains known all together. Unfortunately violence seems to get more attention and the powers that be want to make the world believe that the 99 percent are all crazy radicals who start the violence and are all hippies and bums- but no one is buying it any more. Most of the world knows these police tactics better than us Americans but even we are aren't buying it anymore - it makes me wonder how many undercover cops were in the crowd pushing as much violence as they could so that they could justify their own violence. The 1 percent will let all of us starve, die or become slaves of the economy in any way they can use us- I've seen it too many times and have lost too many family and good friends not because they didn't try or work hard but because the game was against them from the beginning and it beat them down physically and mentally. What a sin it is that the police, who are no better treated than anyone else, have done this to a noble American- shame on them and on all of our politicians that go along with this horror - Scott to you, your family and friends - our prayers, love and hopes are with you - we're all there with you in spirit and pray for your full recovery and that your pain wasn't in vain. I thank you again for standing up like he true american you are- you and OWS all the Occupys all over the world together give me a renewed faith and spirit in America and all the people of the world
I keep trying to post. Scott we are with you, in spirit, in love and peace. We stand by your side as we stand together. Im so wishing I could give the message how much you mean to us for fighting a war that really should have never been, and you came home after serving twice....and our own government turns against a beautiful soul. God, and angels and all of us are with you!
Hear he is recovering- good for him. We need to embrace all our veterans and soldiers for their commitment to democracy.
I also worry about demonizing the police too much. They are workers too. Oakland was over the top, but we should focus on their commanders and the politicians who direct them to stop #Occupy.
Leave V alone!!!! Spread the event via real time mask of Vendetta in iphone camera !! Share instantly on facebook! Download V Camera @ apple store FREE and designed to support OCCUPY WALLSTREET
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id471851888?mt=8
Today in America we are required to sacrifice our lives for comapnies. Truely this dimonstrates that we are to shut up. The constitusion should read; We the companies of the united states of America in order to increase profits for the share holders...
End corporate person-hood. Support the Human Worth Amendment. See http://occupywallst.org/forum/human-worth-amendment/
Today in America we are required to sacrifice our lives for comapnies. Truely this dimonstrates that we are to shut up. The constitusion should read; We the companies of the united states of America in order to increase profits for the share holders...
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact I post but I write the White House and Representatives too. If enough of us write and push maybe they will get the message!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact I post but I write the White House and Representatives too. If enough of us write and push maybe they will get the message!
It's truly a sad day in America!!!! Bullying tactics at their best!!! And, then we wonder why we have so much intolerance. The doctrine of our time seems to be, "Be quiet! Say nothing! Go along! Allow the 'mighty' to step all over you, time and time again - You'd better be happy about it or else..."
Is this guy going to get definitive permanent damage to his brain or any other organs from being attacked? This guy really needs a lawyer
http://the53.tumblr.com/archive
It's truly a sad day in America!!!! Bullying tactics at their best!!! And, then we wonder why we have so much intolerance. The doctrine of our time seems to be, "Be quiet! Say nothing! Go along! Allow the 'mighty' to step all over you, time and time again - You'd better be happy about it or else..."
It's truly a sad day in America!!!! Bullying tactics at their best!!! And, then we wonder why we have so much intolerance. The doctrine of our time seems to be, "Be quiet! Say nothing! Go along! Allow the 'mighty' to step all over you, time and time again - You'd better be happy about it or else..."
Its domestic terrorism what happened to Scott. God bless him, his family, all of you who are actively taking a stand. My son and his friends are protesting right now in Palm Beach, Fla and i fear for his safety as well. so far Florida has been somewhat accommodating. God bless all of you
It is sad that a police force that fights against it's country injures a young man who has put his life on the line to fight for his country.
This is truly a sad day in America.
He fought for his country because he believed in it!!! Came home and saw the state of the nation he loved going down the drain went to voice his opinion and left with a fractured skull, this story is saddening how he was assulted by the people he fought for!!! for more info on this story--->
http://therevolutionarytruth.tumblr.com/
//i.imgur.com/yGfyU.jpg
Please spread this image far and wide - bombard all the major news outlets with it. Thank you.
//i.imgur.com/yGfyU.jpg
Please spread this image far and wide - bombard all the major news outlets with it. Thank you.
Can someone in direct contact with him ask if a Paypal account can be made and details published here. That way we can send him one or two dollars each to help him out. He is in our prayers and we should offer direct support.
This incident IS sad, but Scott is no longer critical. He's now in "fair" condition.
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/occupy-oakland-veteran-scott-olsens-injuries-prompt-internal-police-review/2011/10/27/gIQAVrs1LM_blog.html
Good news that! thanks for posting it.
http://www.change.org/petitions/protection-from-police-brutality stop police brutality now!
This was simply an action-reaction example of what happens when you act like an idiot. Throw shit at law enforcement= get your skull cracked by high velocity beans.
Of all the footage I have seen so far, I haven't seen a single rock or bottle either on the ground or being thrown. I don't see any supply of rocks or rubble any where. The buildings and streets seem to be solid and clean. Most bottles these days are made of plastic and not good for throwing. The more I look at this, the more it looks like another case of a bad cop making up a story and sticking to it.
That is not what happened. This was a police attack.
//i.imgur.com/yGfyU.jpg
I am a 3 tour (combat arms) vet myself, you ll get no sympathy from me from this fools idiocy.
Why don't you go join the goon force then?
What idiocy? Peacefully standing up for what he believes in? Thinking he's a fool proves your own idiocy. There is NO evidence that shows ANY of the protestors were violent. Blindly going off of what the police chief says when he's already been proven a liar shows idiocy.
hello. i´m from argentina. Your movement and comments make me feel hopeful about human enlightment. I feel hopeful that the greedy and violent nature USA shows internationally (if not internaly too) may be changed into a fair, solidary and loving nature. I believe you are the real USA and not the politics! Fight bravely with peace! It´s absurd that a soldier who fought for USA is now injured by the forces of the same goverment. Hope he gets ok and reasumes the peaceful fight with increased bravery! USA is the most powerful country of the world in many ways, so the world hope is also with you! Remember you are not the only one fighting for a better world you are not alone, we are many
Remember cows have feelings too, please limit your daily steak intake to just one at dinner. Gracias.
Thank you, sinuhe. We are all together. We appreciate the graciousness of peoples from other nations, and yes, we are the real USA, fighting together with the real Argentina, and all the other nations of people. We have not forgotten the one for one, or the horrible trials you've gone through there. They try to divide and conquer us, but we will not be divided again. We are the 99%.
Hello fellow American - the 99% are World Wide and no matter what victories we achieve we must keep working for a fairer world economic system because it's the fight you can't stop fighting - GREED will always creep back in when you stop!
Hello fellow American - the 99% are World Wide and no matter what victories we achieve we must keep working for a fairer world economic system because it's the fight you can't stop fighting - GREED will always creep back in when you stop!
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson
Keith Olbermann provides some excellent commentary below:
http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/keiths-special-comment-oakland-mayor-jean-quan-must-repent-or-resign
Just Tweeted:
"TheBigPharaoh by OccupyDublin
This is epic. Protesters in Tahrir tomorrow will march to the US embassy to protest the violent crackdown of #occupyoakland protests."
This is amazing. They have more serious police troubles than us, yet they risk again to show us solidarity.
Here's a new video aired by Russia Today very clearly showing a policeman lobbing a flashbang grenade at the protesters who came to Scott Olsen's rescue. The grenade detonated no more than five feet from the critically injured Marine veteran. Disgraceful behavior by the police.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq-R2QkO3h0&feature=feedu
Scott Olsen you are a hero in all meanings of the word!! I am proud of you for doing what you did over seas and in our home land. In the name of Scott let all of us keep the protests peaceful and make the police the bad guys in the eyes of the media that is the way we will make them all stand down.
Such a sweet face...he definitely glows with the best in us.
A shame that this man served his country and this happens when he is back home exercising his right to free speech. Prayers for a full and speedy recovery and for the growing strength of a peaceful movement.
I feel so sorry for this guy. I saw the video, sue sue sue. Take America back, Every one stop paying your mortgage.
Stop paying my mortgage? I am struggling to pay my mortgage every month so I have a roof over my head and a safe place for my family to live. If I can't pay my mortgage that's one thing, and I appreciate the fact that my very modest home may not be worth what it was 7 years ago when I bought it, but I hear things like that- stop paying your credit cards and your mortgages, I cringe. I understand that things have to change, but willingly making myself and 7 year old homeless doesn't seem to make much sense to me. We may be living under the poverty level (our family is buying the home from a family member so it is a private mortgage, but my mother-in-la-law still owes money on the house, we just took over the mortgage payments), but screwing my mother-in-law's credit rating and again, not having any other place to go, I really have a hard time with this suggestion, which I see again and again in my readins about this movement. I'd like to see things get better, but I personally don't think that is the way to go.
You are right in making your decision based on your responsibility and care of your child and certainly your lender (in this case an in-law who likely did not get you into payments with an egregiously high interest rate.) As long as you are able, you are right. Also, a primary residence ideally should not be used as an investment and (ideally) the mortgage payment (Principal, interest, taxes & insurance-PITI) should not equal any more than one third of your gross household income.
As a former loan officer I can assure you that those who are 'walking away' ideally should be those willing OR able to house themselves and tuck in for the longer haul of 7 to 10 years, maybe more of cleaning their credit to enable usage of conventional financial tools of lending or even housing in the form of renting(depends on a neighborhood too how particular a landlord might be in admitting the 'long term credit scarred.'
In short, the idea to walk away from a fraudulently devalued home IS the right decision for some but not for others!
Go in peace knowing that you are providing the best for yourself and your child-a stable place to live without the disturbances that come with other lesser options!
Thank you. My MIL has good credit, though I don't know the specifics of her interest rate and so on. My home is in a neighborhood that is in rapid decline- every other house on the street is for sale or an empty rental property- things are tough all over and I respect that, but all or most of our homes are devalued, fraudulently or not, and perhaps, if my Mother-in-Law was buying the house now, she would probably have lower mortgage payments than we currently pay because our house is not worth as much as when the loan was originally financed. I don't understand the idea of walking away from a mortgage if you have the ability to pay, because, as I said, all or at least a lot of our homes are devalued, this can perhaps be due to fraudulent lending practices among my neighbors, so in some way I may be effected by that. In my case, walking away from my mortgage (assuming that I didn't have a private arrangement with my mother in law) seems... I don't know. I would (as others who do this would) have to pay rent on a private residence, and where I live, landlords are reluctant to rent to those with poor credit. This may well effect where I could live and under what circumstances (schools, etc.) and who knows what the state of the mortgage is with the landlord- I hear many horror stories of people, even some I know, who diligently paid their rent while the landlord failed to pay the mortgage on the property, only to have the Sheriff serve them with a three day eviction notice- or, I would have to rent in an apartment complex which is most likely owned by a large corporation. It doesn't make sense to me to walk away from a mortgage you can afford to pay, predatory lending practices notwithstanding. It further devalues homes in the neighborhood and makes things worse for everyone, kind of like a domino effect. If you can not afford to pay, my heart goes out to you and you have to do what you have to do. I understand what it is like to miss a payment on a credit card by even a day and have your interest rate jump to 17% or 24% even if you have years of on time payments. I am currently financing a car at the rate of 17% which, I know is my own fault for signing such an agreement, but at the time my spouse and I were both working and could afford the payment, we were thinking only in terms of the payment and not in terms of the interest rate- stupid, I know. With a young child we needed a reliable car as the public transportation system where we live is so ridiculous you have to literally add three hours to a trip which would take you 15 minutes to drive by car. Things change, and due to an injury I can no longer work and am permanently disabled, our income has reduced drastically. Still, I struggle to pay that loan as well because I signed the papers, even if I agree that my husband and I were the victims of predatory lending in that case, as the salesman assured us that it would be "no trouble" to refinance the car after a year of good payments at a lower rate, which obviously was not true- I couldn't even sell the car for what I owe on it at this point. I think one can work for change while also attempting to do the best they can to keep to the agreements they have made- even if one is treated unethically I think it is a personal choice/responsibility to act ethically, which to me means doing everything I can to pay what I have agreed to pay. I know there are those who would disagree, but I feel that as long as I can pay I should pay, and just because someone has made a fool of me financially doesn't mean I have the right to just walk away. Just a personal opinion, and I respect the right of those who think and act differently. Each has to do what one believes is best for them regarding the situation they are in.
$1000 reward no questions asked for cowardly policeman who shot at Marine, Scott Olsen. See Pastebin for details.
OWS = peace! It is a global love story unfolding. Standing in strength, confidence and solidarity with Scott tonite.
Interesting story about Oakland PD's history of violence:
http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/08/deadly_secrets_how_california_law_has_shielded_oakland_police_violence.html
NYPD certainly has its bad apples, that have rolled out of the bag here and there at the occupy protests, but they don't seem nearly as bad as some of California's cops, whose departments sometimes seem to operate like criminal gangs (Fullerton, anyone?).
Makes me wonder if there is any occupy protest that has forged a decent relationship with the cops -- Tampa was one example, but then the arrests have started to come (although without the cruel stupidity of tear gas and rubber bullets). There is this from D.C. too: http://inagist.com/thedailybeast/126730335361835008/
This video purports to show how some of his injuries were sustained: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZLyUK0t0vQ (Start 20 sec in).
This checks with other media reports I have seen which seem to indicate that he was injured initially through unknown causes, and then injured again when a "flash-bang" grenade struck him.
As an update. According to recent reports in the San Jose Mercury news (http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_19205554 the Oakland police chief has claimed that his force did not use flash-bang grenades. The Palo-Alto police chief has also opined that Scott Olsen may have been injured by rocks or bottles thrown by protesters. The Oakland police chief did, however note that final responsibility for the conduct of the other agencies involved lies with him.
Occupiers were throwing projectiles AND gas canisters as well as the Police. Isn't it just as likely that he was stuck by something thrown by an occupier?
There is no doubt that this Marine stands for the truth and the constitution. That is all I require to apply thanks and gratitude for the devotion to both.----
Marines require deep resolve and belief in their nation to perform and sacrifice as readily as they do and have. The citizens "dumbing down" followed by unconstitutional infiltration's into the chain of command, has diminished their inspiration, accordingly and properly, the battlefield diversifies into one of psychological acuity of purpose.------
We share a lot with the wounded man. We can only support him and his sacrifice by supporting and defending that which he stands for at the very best, the US constitution.------
We fail him when we fail to rally behind the beauty of the ideal of the democratically controlled republic which is founded within article V of our constitution.--
Our failure is led by our indulgence begat with corrupted media and corporate collusion. Indulgence in corporatism will move to injuries greater than that of this Marine, upon the citizens assembling unless they are legally specific seeking redress and petition for grievances against their constitution, whether they know it or not.----
http://algoxy.com/ows/strategyofamerica.html
http://wap.ktvu.com/wap/video/list.jsp?sid=242&vcid=760&sourceid=7327&pvcid=0&p=Video+on+Demand&c=Video+on+Demand Raw video footage available via KTVU local. Chadwick's lucid commentary to reporters and the footage needs to be used by OWS' legal.
I'm furious and hope that Veteran's organizations also step forward in this case.
-Watching in Reno, NV along with Occupy Reno and organizer Jared Lowell (we have a high population of Veterans here too!)
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When somebody is suicidal, his friends should really be around him AT ALL TIMES.
Sounds like you have experience.
Please check your facts, the protesters had stopped communicating with the city weeks ago, technically they were protesting illegally and when ask to be removed.Some of them started throwing bottles and rocks and fireworks at police. I am not saying the deserve what they got, but please don't leave out the part where the protesters where being in my opinion a little stupid throwing rocks and bottles at cops and refusing to leave because you don't have a job. I'm sorry but just cause your protesting does not mean you get to break the law and yes they were protesting illegally. sorry i know every one wants to leave out the facts and make this a simple police state story but its not. if you want to protest protest but you have to follow the rules especially in Oakland. Do you guys have any idea what happens in Oakland when your not around, yea check your facts oaklands not thew place you really want to be doing stupid things. So go back to sleep people this does not mean all our right are begin taken away it just means if your going to protest in Oakland you better mind your p's and q's Oh and if your going to protest make sure you don't have people amongst you that like to throw things at cops. So calm down we don't live in a police state this is a single instance of stupid police reacting to stupid protesters that don't understand the rules and laws of protesting. In fact I think everyone should for their own personal safety check out their local laws and really make sure they understand how things really work instead what your buddy told you who thinks he now them works. You break it you may have to pay the consequences no matter how good your cause is.
It suck what happen but don't forget it could have been avoided if the protesters had not been acting the way they were and I'm sorry if your an adult and you still don't see how this could have been avoid by both sides, that both sides made mistakes then you need to step back and reevaluate what it really is your getting out of all this.
And in my opinion if your trying to leave out key facts like this then it's you who is promoting violence cause people are getting the wrong impression and are getting made about something that they think is a rights act, when really it's just a stupid accident that could have been avoided by both sides 100%
Please check your facts, the protesters had stopped communicating with the city weeks ago, technically they were protesting illegally and when ask to be removed.Some of them started throwing bottles and rocks and fireworks at police. I am not saying the deserve what they got, but please don't leave out the part where the protesters where being in my opinion a little stupid throwing rocks and bottles at cops and refusing to leave because you don't have a job. I'm sorry but just cause your protesting does not mean you get to break the law and yes they were protesting illegally. sorry i know every one wants to leave out the facts and make this a simple police state story but its not. if you want to protest protest but you have to follow the rules especially in Oakland. Do you guys have any idea what happens in Oakland when your not around, yea check your facts oaklands not thew place you really want to be doing stupid things. So go back to sleep people this does not mean all our right are begin taken away it just means if your going to protest in Oakland you better mind your p's and q's Oh and if your going to protest make sure you don't have people amongst you that like to throw things at cops. So calm down we don't live in a police state this is a single instance of stupid police reacting to stupid protesters that don't understand the rules and laws of protesting. In fact I think everyone should for their own personal safety check out their local laws and really make sure they understand how things really work instead what your buddy told you who thinks he now them works. You break it you may have to pay the consequences no matter how good your cause is.
It suck what happen but don't forget it could have been avoided if the protesters had not been acting the way they were and I'm sorry if your an adult and you still don't see how this could have been avoid by both sides, that both sides made mistakes then you need to step back and reevaluate what it really is your getting out of all this.
And in my opinion if your trying to leave out key facts like this then it's you who is promoting violence cause people are getting the wrong impression and are getting made about something that they think is a rights act, when really it's just a stupid accident that could have been avoided by both sides 100%
I take it that you are very very right about the facts and arguments. in your own words 'this is a single instance of stupid police reacting to stupid protesters', 'both side made mistakes' and 'it's just a stupid accident that could have been avoided by both sides 100%'! those all are your words. still, only the protesters are being punished for their 'stupid' acts, and not the Chief of Police, the City Administrator and the Mayor of Oakland. none of the police suffered like Scott Olsen. the protesters are banished, so now please claim that those responsible from the other side must be banished also, will you? then you can say 'calm down' and 'go to sleep'! otherwise we are going to be awake and on vigil, and requesting you to do that also.
Throwing a flashbang and then a tear gas canister on top of someone down on the ground and bleeding right in front of you - that goes beyond stupid. That is criminal.
I do hope you have watched the video to see this for yourself. http://occupywallst.org/article/scott_olsen/
While I do not approve of throwing things at police, the police were not lying on the ground bleeding and then assaulted again.
I agree with your idea of checking the facts, but in doing that, I haven't seen any rocks or bottles being thrown or on the ground.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19188378
like i said I know they were idiots,but still they fit into the equation, they helped fuel the fire against an already unstable situation. I pretty sure if those bottle and rocks had not been thrown we would not be talking about this today. I sorry the cops were not completely unprovoked, did it give them permission to do what they did no. Have Oakland cops does stupid stuff in the past yes, have Oakland people done stupid stuff in the past once again yes. So my point is something like this could happen an Oakland any time, and oh yea it does. its sad but this means that there is a huge chance this incident really had nothing to do with the movement. Shit like this happens in Oakland already so yea Oakland is a city that has some major issues going on, but that completely unrelated that's Oakland which they been having issues long before the economics went to crap. So yea Oakland has some major issues, that need to be fix i will not argue there. But if you think this is a reflection of how our country is being taken down by police cause people are complaining about money problems. i think purposely trying to make this something its not is actually promoting violence in a very passive aggressive way. And anyone who is fueling this bogus war cry should be ashamed of themselves. There are enough real issues here that you don't have to make this a civil war.
well if you look you will find at least 3 articles that claim that. plus on local radios they had talked about the communications between city hall and protestors being cut over a week ago. So i knew a week ago they were protesting without permits. And the rock, bottle throwing I know it was just a few idiots. but there still facts that people don't want to figure into this equation (sorry i don't have pictures)it's not as clear cut as everyone wants. its not a we vs them. Just 2 groups of people that made some very bad decisions that could have been easily avoided. It has nothing to do with this "movement" just coincidence. This could be avoided, but if everyone just focus on this as a cop against the people thing then your going to lose focus on your real cause and lots of people are going to get hurt, and your message is going to get lost in the craziness, just watch you were told. I sorry but i think you people need to get organized and fast.
I am so sad he was hurt, but it's because of you damn losers that he was. Go and get a job you freeloading bums! if you think you're so tough, go to Somalia, or the Sudan and see how much sympathy you get there you maggots
do not reply him. he is just trying to provoke
Ive got a better idea, have these big corporations hire these people and pay them a decent wage. Then they'll all be too busy, which is what they want any way.