No, not in Oakland. But I've been gripped by the Occupy demonstrations.Last Tuesday, when Scott Olsen was brutalized by police for doing nothing, I got a bit emotional. Maybe even maternal. I care so much for this young man, who still can't talk and possibly faces brain surgery. It shut me down.
Today, Occupy Oakland called for a general strike, and I couldn't get reliable news on it until about noon. I was worried.
It was going well! There are some idiot Anarchists who want to smash and vandalize things, but the rest of the demonstrators have kept them at bay.
I'm just fascinated by the OWS point of view, and their viral success in getting international attention and... results. I wish them well. Please donate to them; it's going to be a cold winter.
As for Oakland, the city of my birth. Very badly done last week. Perhaps you can let these young people show you how it's done.
Best wishes for a full recovery to Scott.
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16 comments:
I am glad to see them shaking the capitalist tree. The fat cats have been sitting high over us for far too long. Shake them down! Shake them off! Changes are long overdue. OK -I'm channeling my old radical self that never went too far away but I am SO glad to see the young people finally waking up and protesting. I know from my days in the movement that it takes a while for leadership to come forth, for goals to be clarified and for action to be effective.
The OWS folks are doing a wonderful job.
We owe them so much for their courage, patience, persistence and stamina.
And yes, we are the 99%
I'm afraid the protests will be ineffective - because the congress is made up almost entirely of the 1%.
Nancy: They settled in for a long haul, which is different than how we used to do it in the 60s, sporadically. I've been terribly moved by it all. My thanks to them.
Pink Granite: Even our news anchors here respect them. A whole day of very fair coverage. xo
Zoomie: No, this could be our "qu'ils mangent de la brioche" moment. A revolution is always possible. BofA already backed down on their debit card fee.
Oh, I don't know if all the movements in the 60's settled for the short time. Both the Civil Rights movement and the anti-War movement kept at it for years; the Civil Rights movement is still around, although not that visible unless the media gets a hold of a scandal.
I wasn't here in the 60s (sowwy, y'all, just a few years too late) but the protests going on now don't surprise me at all. It's the pressure cooker theory in action. What does sadden me is the fact that there are still so many young people who don't fully understand the ramifications of what's going on in our country & world. My sister (31) & Bufatsa's daughters (28, 26, 24) are 4 of them. None of them vote (heck, they aren't even registered!), they could care less about WS or the Occupy movements, and they are "proud" of this fact, choosing to live in their own little bubble. Personally, I'm with you Cookie & Nancy, and I hope Scott Olsen makes it thru this healthy... and that a lasting change for the positive can come of this. America is great in that regard, the general populace CAN effect change, though it may be painful or take time, but it does happen... and keeping up peaceful protest is always better than acting a fool.
You give me hope. Thanks.
Southern Cookie: Nicely said. Sad that people who care can't mobilize people who don't care. It's up to us, then. Fine.
Zoomie: ;)
As a college teacher I found out that most of the 18+ yo's I taught didn't vote and didn't care. I soon started every class by telling them that if they didn't use their voice, someone else would use it for them. I'm glad to see people using their voices.
I agree with everything you said, cookie. Thinking good thoughts for Scott Olsen, poor, poor man.
EB: Good for you! Tell them only old people are voting these days, and they've got a duty to get down to the precinct for balance! I'd welcome it.
Curious. What college, what department? Jealous a little. I was on that track but f&&&ed it up.
Hungry Dog: Thanks. Let's hope for peaceful, positive results.
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING
I am thrilled with and by OWS and the people populating Occupy Everywhere. Look how many of them there are! Thousands of Occupied sites around the world, and the thousands upon thousands of occupiers! So brave, so determined. They behave themselves, police each other, including turning trouble makers over to the cops. They are proving their earnest commitment more and more every day. If only my health would allow, I'd be right there with them.
Cali: I'm sorry you're ailing. Best wishes for a return to good health.
Yeah, the Occupy movement is bright, shiny and NEW. I wish them the very best, too.
Did not know about the poor young man from Occupy Oakland. Yes, best thoughts go out to him, and his loved ones.
Occupy Nashville, a small but strong group is going on with support from ACLU and some attorneys defending the action. A judge threw out the charges and freed all who were arrested for peaceful gathering and redressing our government!
Lannae: Yes, poor kid. His doctor expects a full recovery naturally, over time. Whew.
I'm very impressed by the Nashville relationship with ACLU, and that sympathetic judge. This is all so very different from protests in the 60s!
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