Mellower Occupy movement grows in the suburbs

[xchrom]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/20/MNK41M19OC.DTL

Gerri Field stood with hundreds of protesters in front of Tiffany's in Walnut Creek this week, railing against economic injustice at the top of her lungs and drawing approving honks from passing cars with her sign, "Heal America, Tax Wall Street."

For two sunny midday hours, the crowd did its best to "occupy" the busiest intersection in town, Mount Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street, singing "This Land Is Your Land" and denouncing corporate greed and the ultrarich 1 percent.

Then it was time for lunch. Time to put the signs away.

No thrown bottles at police. No tear gas or cops in sight. And certainly no tents.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/19/MNK41M19OC.DTL#ixzz1eFk9WtjU

[Bragi]

1. Different suburban tactics make sense, actually

Nothing wrong with moving beyond the initial Occupy tactic as the 99% movement itself evolves.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. (edit) This is interesting, yet I take exception with one aspect...

I agree that different tactics are needed, including those which speak to the different types of areas and socioeconomic conditions.

Yet this quote bothered me:

"Our culture does include Neiman Marcus as well as the Apple store, and a tent city would just attract angry people who would muddy our message."

In other words, anarchists who like to toss rocks and the chronically homeless are welcome only if they want to pitch in without mess or conflict.

Perhaps the protestor didn't intend for those who are homeless to be included, and it was the journalist who threw in "chronically homeless." If Ms. Fields and others in the 'burbs DO NOT want homelessness to be part of their message -- and if they feel they aren't also surrounded by those who are homeless, or on the verge of -- I find that problematic, and arrogant.

I think revealing the worst conditions in our society at each location is necessary. If not in the form of those suffering these conditions actually being there, then in the form of the protest signs and other educational information.

The wealthiest controlling our government, leading to gross inequality has created these conditions. That's what it's about.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. While "real" people would be preferable...

I wonder if life-size cutouts of some of the 99% people and their stories -- showing the range of experiences and who is affected by the gross injustices -- would be effective in any of the Occupy locations?

A silent testament which speaks volumes?

That's a specific educational project I could get behind to help this movement.

Thoughts?

[xchrom]

5. that was startling to me as well. nt

[MisterP]

8. that's why education is so important: it has to change worldviews and mindsets, not just toss a lot

of facts at people (since facts have to be interpreted)

[OneGrassRoot]

9. And personal stories are invaluable in that education, imho. n/t

[AntiFascist]

10. This is the crux of the problem with OWS...

most people look down on the homeless. When they see OWS on the news they tend to see only the glorification of the homeless, people living in tents on the street. They don't see themselves in that position, they don't get that more and more of the middle class is losing out.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. That's the gift of Zucotti Park...

the protests now have a 'brand' that is instantly known and recognized. Now other forms of action are seen as they are, part and parcel of the Occupy movement. This is what makes the thing expandable, inclusive and creative.

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. "No thrown bottles at police."

Huh? When were bottles thrown at police otherwise. This article is not so much an attempt to describe the suburban Occupy movement as it is to demonize the urban Occupy movements.

[hootinholler]

7. After making the claim, Oakland PD still has not released video of thrown objects

Prior to gassing and flashbanging the crowd that night.