Live Blog for #Occupy Movement: Police Unleash Pepper Spray on Occupy ALEC Protest

Police pepper sprayed protesters outside of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) summit at Scottsdale’s Westin Kierland Hotel in Arizona. Community groups, labor and Occupy Phoenix all participated to shine a light on ALEC’s “corporate takeover of state legislatures.”...  Read and watch video:   Fire Dog Lake

Did you see Ed Schultz's interview with Occupy Oakland's injured Marine Scott Olsen?

I know that many of you were worried so I am glad to see this young man making a slow, but steady, recovery.

Hearing him struggle to speak is somewhat heartrending, especially since what happened to him was completely unnecessary and an indication that some places in this country are little better than a third world dictatorship...  Read and watch video:   The Immoral MInority

Who's Making a Killing Off Student Loans?

Underneath the now-iconic red sculpture at Liberty Plaza, now cleared of tents and ringed by barricades plastic-cuffed together, several “students” stood draped in fake chains over their caps and gowns, brandishing debt bills instead of diplomas... 
Read more:   Salon

Who Is Footing the Bill For Over 1,400 Police to Raid Occupy LA?

Last night the Los Angeles police raided and shut down the Occupy LA encampment and then dismantled it, bringing in heavy equipment to destroy all structures and throw everything into dumpsters. Here’s the sanitized version from the AP:... 
Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Pepper-Spray Creator Decries Use of Chemical Agent on Peaceful Occupy Wall Street Protesters

We speak with Kamran Loghman, the expert who developed weapons-grade pepper-spray, who says he was shocked at how police have used the chemical agent on non-violent Occupy Wall Street protesters nationwide — including students at University of California, Davis, female protesters in New York City, and an 84-year old activist in Seattle. “I saw it and the first thing that came to my mind wasn’t police or students, it was my own children sitting down having an opinion...  Read more:   Truth Out 

Ray Lutz Arrested For Registering Voters at Occupy San Diego

‎From Ray Lutz approximately 1:30 a.m. via Facebook:

"I'm finally out of jail and back at home. Made a number of friends in jail -- no one could believe that I was arrested for just trying to register voters in the public square. I still can't believe the audacity... The worst part was the handcuffs in the back of the car, where they let me sit for at least an hour. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!"

LEGAL EXPERTS BLAST SAN DIEGO FOR ARREST OF RAY LUTZ, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE, OVER VOTER REGISTRATIONS AT CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/8006

Public Defender Claims "This is, The Trial of The Century" Regarding Randy Wolling

As Occupy Wall Street continues full steam ahead, so does public defender David Knudson. Mr. Knudson represents Randy Wolling "AKA" Sage. Sage was occupying on Oct 28, 2011 the night of the second raid. It was a long day in the courtroom. It started with continuing jury selection. Thirty plus people waiting to see if they make the juror's list. Cashing in on $10 a day, while they tell their boss they need time off, to waste gas driving to the courthouse. To sit in a uncomfortable late model juror's chair and listen like a therapist, to a circus act.

The master of the courtroom, who demonstrated his superb speaking skills was, Council David Knudson. He opened with "This is the crime of the century, for one person. This is what democracy looks like. They were driven from their constitution,..." and he went on. He again stated, "This is what democracy looks like." Sol, who was sitting behind me, said he had goosebumps listening to Mr. Knudson's opening statement.

The dirty dog was the assistant DA. This young lady opened with telling the jury, that this was a simple case, about a persons conduct. That just because you are using your first amendment rights, you cannot break the law, at the same time. She changed her attitude of cattiness from yesterday, to that of a sly dog, who is not that sly and should be walking back to her office with her tail between her legs at the end of this trial.

The assistant DA asked for, Lt. David Mitchell to be the first witness. Lt Mitchell has been a police officer with the SDPD for 22 years. He recently was promoted to luetienet. Lt Mitchell talked a lot about the stench he would smell, when walking around the camp at Occupy San Diego. He must have a fetish for urinating and defecating, because he talked frequently about that. He lied about the fact that all occupiers were informed about a specific time they needed to leave by. He lied about the fact, that during the raid, they gave people time to get their belongings. They just started arresting people. He is a LIAR!

I was in the raid. I know what they said and did. Lt. David Mitchell LIED. He continued to claim we were informed about the raid and then he stated they came in unannounced. What?  He also lied about the stench and defecation. I cleaned our camp 2-3 times a day. I hauled trash and swept the premises, knowing a clean place would keep the cops at bay. That was not the case. They wanted to find anything to arrest and remove us from freedom plaza.

In the courtroom, there continues to be a vibration between the asst. DA and the judge. It seems that public defenders are the 99% of the judicial system. They are not respected! That is very evident in this courtroom and the conduct of Judge Woods. They should know all eyes are on them and this case. There are fly's on the wall, sending this case viral around the world. We are not going to sit by and shut up. No we are here to stay, and here to change corruption at all levels in this country. Do you hear us?

Occupy LA Fights Court Battle to Keep Camp

A  civil rights complaint filed by Occupy Los Angeles Monday seeks to keep police from evicting the occupation from its home on the south lawn of City Hall.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa set a deadline of 12:01 AM Monday for the occupiers to disband, but the presence of thousands of supporters kept police from carrying out the order. Now, the complaint filed in the name of three occupiers hopes to secure the space more permanently...  Read more:   Truth Out

Articles on Occupy Wall Street Nov. 29, 2011

1. Live Blog for #Occupy Movement: Students Protest as University Boards Move to Raise Tuition...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

2. Occupy Student Debt: Students Urged to Refuse to Pay Off Loans As Schools Hike Tuition...  Read more:   Democracy Now

Occupy San Diego Riders!

Calling all cyclists. Tuesday night at nine o'clock pm at the Civic Center we are having our fourth ride and meeting of Occupy Riders. For those of you that do not know we are building a bike cavalry arm of OSD. This affinity group will be a highly mobile protest platform and scouting unit for the Occupation. Check out our Facebook page Occupy San Diego Riders group. Since we engage in direct action protests and operate moving vehicles simultaneously we have agreed to a code of conduct (posted on our FB page)for our safety and longevity. If you can agree to these simple guidelines you are more than welcome to ride with us. These rides have been amazingly fun and inspirational so DONT MISS IT!!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/298153773546870

Sitting in A Jail Cell, Because He Peacefully Sat at A Protest

Day Thirty three in jail, behind bars with no independence, because he was protesting for change, peace and a better America. Randy Wolling "AKA" Sage is on trial for peacefully assembling, resisting arrest and illegal lodging. Yesterday in courtroom #35 at the downtown San Diego courthouse, we watched video from the second raid on occupy San Diego by the SDPD.

The video showed a quiet Randy sitting on a curb with three other occupiers detained by the SDPD. Were they sitting there, because they did not want to get into the paddy wagon? Or were they sitting there because they were told to by the SDPD? To me in the video it looks like they were told to sit there until further notice of being escorted to the paddy wagon.

The assistant DA asked the judge to exclude sound, from all video's presented, except the one. The one the assistant DA wants to allow is the head police officer telling protesters to leave or they would be arrested. But in the other video's what they are saying or not saying is important to this case also. It seemed evident to me, in the courtroom, that judge Woods and the assistant DA had a bond.

That is exactly why the 99% are as mad as hell. Because of the injustice by our judges, politicians, corporate owners and the 1%. Thank goodness this is a jury trial and the people not the court will make the final decision, on our Occupy brother Sage's future. The amount of money the city is spending on this inhumane action, is ridiculous. The assisant DA's demeanor is that of an angry soul, out to get Osama Bin Laden.

Why They Occupy at Occupy San Diego

I occupy because, greedy, pervasive, corporate, power hungry, politicians, have no integrity, have caused our US government to fail miserably and neglect it's people. ~~~ M.

I came down here to help watch peoples stuff, while they are out on their marches. Help sweep and serve food when needed and show my support. I came also, so that our children and grand children can have an education. There are to many kids that graduate from school, that can't read or write, but the schools still graduate them. ~~~ Carol

World Peace. ~~~ Amy

Because feeding our families should not depend on not spending time with our families. ~~~ Spinach

I occupy to see change. ~~~ Meli

I really believe for the human species to survive it needs to come together to find peace within itself. ~~~ Anonymous

Shit I love people. ~~~ Memphis

Scared SDPD Beefed Up Force For Arrival of Mini Tents

A rumor was circulating, that tents were going back up at Occupy San Diego. The women's group had been planning a soccer mom tent set up. Fifty tents were suppose to be put up at 5pm yesterday. The atmosphere was growing tense as the number of police officers drastically increased, along with paddy wagons. Boyd Long was there along with three captains. All entrances to the plaza, were manhandled by 10 officers standing arm to arm. There were at least a 100 officers at Occupy San Diego last night.

Earlier in the day a press release was given to many media outlets and they all showed up. I joking went up to some of the officers and said, "What if this was all a joke"? Their jaws dropped and faces looked a little puzzled. Finally, the direct action group leading this event showed up. We walked up the street and were briefed, on what to do. The tents we were putting up, were small 10in by 10in. They were so cute and the perfect joke for the occasion.

Fifty people from Occupy San Diego, marched down 3rd st. towards the civic center chanting we are the 99%, we are the 99%. Upon approaching the plaza, we could see the excessive police force, guarding the plaza, like plastic military men standing at attention. Their eyes wide, mouths dropping, as the watched us carry mini tents, not big enough for your dog to sleep in, into what we call freedom plaza. The eruption of cheers and laughter filled the air.

This was a victory for Occupy San Diego. This was an embarrassment for the SDPD. Can you imagine what they thought and the amount of money they spent policing us yesterday? Maybe we found a way to play this game too. Make it fun, funny, a joke, like the three stooges comedy show. Lighten things up and humor them. So friends, get your thinking caps on and lets laugh a little more while we change the world.

Why They Occupy at Occupy San Diego

Imbalance of the 1% to control the 99% lives. ~~~ Wade

I was at Kent State in 1969, when they shot like dogs 8 unarmed protesters and killed them. I'm gonna be at this protest. ~~~ Charles B.

I believe in what they are doing. ~~~ Anonymous

One sentence is not enough to describe. ~~~ Will

To inspire the people to aspire in a world where corruption does not exist. ~~~ M.

Future Freedom. ~~~ Angel

Because there is NO work. ~~~ Jerry

I occupy for my freedom. ~~~ Panther

Legal Advice From A Legal Observer

The Police are Not your Friends.

If approached by the Police.

Ask are you free to go?

If asked by the Police to Produce ID.

You don't have to produce it.

Remain silent and ask for a lawyer.

Do not consent to a search.

Keep Silent, You want a lawyer, You will not consent to a search.

Buy 1, Donate 1 at the OccupySupply Store Now

Give gifts that reflect your values this holiday season at our brand new Occupy Supply online store.

We’re proud to make available a limited supply of the same Union and American-made cold weather gear that Occupy Supply has sent to occupations across the country. And for every item you buy, we will match that purchase by donating an identical item to an occupation in need...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Updated: Police Profiling and Warrants at Occupy San Diego

Yesterday at 11:07am, at the civic center plaza, in downtown San Diego a young man named Ryan was arrested on the steps of the civic center. Ryan did not resist arrest. He was allowed to empty his pockets and gave his belongings to Tara. He was advised by a legal observer to remain silent, don't answer any questions and ask for an attorney.

It was a beautiful morning with about 27 protesters at the civic center and 15 plus police officers, with back-up arriving, as Ryan was placed in the police car. Before the arrest occurred, it was a quiet morning at Occupy San Diego. We have been peacefully assembling, using our first amendment rights to voice our concerns and frustrations about the corruption and abuse in politics, corporations and the system.

Now we are being profiled! Profiled, because we are citizens of the United States, fed up with the injustice in this country. We witness daily the abuses of police officers, public servants, government officials and corporate ceo's that go unnoticed and are pushed under the rug. While the poverty stricken and people voicing their rights are hauled off to jail and babysat by high paid, gun totting clowns that have nothing better to do.

Updated: He was arrested, because he had warrants. He was standing at the civic center talking to people. We have all been profiled and if you have a warrant in San Diego and go to Occupy frequently, you will be profiled and arrested if you have any outstanding warrants.

Wall Streeters in Danger of Falling Into the Bottom 99%

The writing, so to speak, was on the wall, and now, it seems, what we all feared most shall, in fact, come to pass: our brothers and sisters on Wall Street—from the 18th floor to the 80th floor, from the fixed income desk to the investment banking division, from Goldman Sachs to Lehman... no, Lehman is dead... to WaMu... no, I mean, you know what we mean...  Read more:   Gawker

All This Botched SWAT Team Raid Achieved Was a Man’s Death

This video shows members of the Pima County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team executing a search warrant at the Tucson, Arizona home of Jose Guerena Ortiz: an Iraq War veteran and young father whom they'd suspected belonged to a family-run drug trafficking ring. It captures perfectly how the drug war has been tremendous failure...  Read and watch video:   Gawker

How should we design the cities of our dreams?

Americans are creating new urban spaces and choosing how we want to live. A new Salon column charts our progress... 

Read more:   Salon

Watch Live: Occupy Philadelphia Faces Eviction

Update: As of 6:15, Michael Tracey tweets, “Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan indicates police will *not* be forcibly evicting @OccupyPhilly tonight.”...  Read more:   The Raw Story

Occupy LA Not Going Anywhere, We Are Everywhere!

It is the morning of the 58^th day of Occupy Los Angeles. I am not physically at the occupation, but my heart still is. We were scheduled to go to a conference, which will lead to making a stronger network for all occupy cities. I know some people on the ground in Los Angeles are unhappy I left, not realizing I am of more use on the ground continuing to work and lend support, then I would be protesting and put in jail. I am currently waiting on the results of Councilman Rosenthals call for a temporary hold. Remember the city council did sign a resolution in support of us!...  Read more:   Occupy Los Angeles

'You're Doing It Wrong!' The Annyoying 'Friendly Critique' of Activists

Everyone on the left side of American politics, from the near end to the far end, has advice for Occupy Wall Street. I’m no exception. But it’s useful to acknowledge first that this movement has accomplished things that the more established left didn’t.

The problems of growing economic inequality and abuses by the masters of the financial world have been in the background for years. Many progressives longed to make them central political questions...   Read more:   Daily Kos

Weekly Round Up

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is winding down. Today NFL football will be occupying TVs, Stadiums, and bars around the country. People will continue their holiday shopping and occupiers will move forward with their idea's, actions, and voices. Nothing will STOP #OWS, this passionate group of people, who are demanding change happens in America and around the world. Not Black Friday, Not Police Officers, Not taking away our tents, clothes, belongings, homes, jobs. Expect Us and Expect Change.

On Wed Nov. 24, 2011, ten members from Occupy San Diego, occupied courtroom #35 on Broadway, in downtown San Diego. They were there, in support of their brother Sage, "AKA" Randy Wolling! Public defender David Knudson was glad to see us there and so was Sage. Sage has been occupying a jail cell for 32 days. He was arrested in the second raid on Occupy San Diego by the SDPD. Tomorrow at 9:30am in courtroom #35 they will start picking a jury for the trial. If you can attend to show your support that would be awesome. Sage was a peaceful protester who had a positive impact on the people involved in the Occupy San Diego Movement, he should NOT be in jail. If you cannot attend and would like to write Sage a positive thought in the comment section I will make sure he receives those.

Black Friday vs Occupying proves that corporate America is turning people into stuffing buying freaks, who will pepper spray or kill you in order to get their waffle iron before you. The biggest offender in this buying frenzy is Walmart or "AKA" Chinamart as some young kid called it. You know how we send jobs overseas and pay people peanuts to make stuff that people go crazy over. If you are against immigration, This is immigration! The black Friday shoppers were allowed to camp in tents and not be harassed, but not the occupy movement! Discrimination I say! So what, who cares, this will only make us stronger.

All week long we have heard Occupy LA needs to remove all their belongings by 12:01am Monday Nov. 29, 2011. People are flocking to LA in support. The world is watching, what will happen in the LA? This raid will be a lot different, than what we have already witnessed. I don't think the police, or anyone, will be able to get away with anything here, without being filmed or photoed due to the advance preparedness. We shall see soon, all eyes are on deck.

Yesterday at Occupy San Diego, I met with the women's group and we discussed what actions we wanted to be involved in. Buttons and stickers were discussed, with our logo. People brought idea's to the plate, such as, going to shopping malls and telling our stories and sharing info about who the 99% are. Someone brought up the 12 Days of Christmas. I thought that would be a great way, to create a plan of action for each day and do it and sing it.

The Occupy Wall St. movement, is not, going away it is growing. Everyday more and more people are supporting it, donating to it, and occupying. We are occupy, we are never gonna die, when you try and take our stuff, we only multiply. We are the 99% coming to your town soon. Expect Us!

Occupy Hyatt: Harassed Hotel Workers (the 99%) Fight Back Against Management (the 1%)

The mainstream media likes to claim that Occupy Movement is comprised of aimless activists without concrete goals. They should go ask Martha and Lorena Reyes, two recently fired Hyatt housekeepers who know exactly why the 1% who run everything need to be occupied and what the 99% is demanding.
Until recently, the two sisters worked for the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, CA. On October 14th, after 30 years of combined service, they were abruptly fired...  Read more:   This Can't Be Happening

‘Occupy San Diego’ targets Wal-Mart on Black Friday

“Citizens of WalMart!” they chanted. ”Greetings, and welcome-back from the food coma. In the spirit of holiday giving, we believe a discussion is in order about the meaning of value and low cost.”... 
Read more:   The Raw Story

‘Occupy Oklahoma City’ mic-checks Wal-Mart Black Friday shoppers

While the usual stories of overcrowded lines and violent shopper actions dominated Black Friday headlines for another year, ‘Occupy Oklahoma City’ protesters provided something different from the day’s norm...  Read more:   The Raw Story

Occupy vs. Black Friday: Can You Spot the Difference?

Across the country, folks have set up tents, hunkered down and prepared for a few cold nights. Sure, it’ll get tough sometimes. But these people — who come from all backgrounds — are united in their mission for economic parity... 
Read and check out pics @:  
Mogulite

Can There Be Solidarity Between Movement Activists and Police Officers?

Recent days have seen the increasing use of police violence against peaceful Occupy demonstrators around the country, including the gone-viral merciless pepper-spraying of students at UC Davis as well as that of 84-year-old Dorli Rainey in Seattle, and the critical wounding of Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen at Occupy Oakland...  Read more:   Truth Out

OccupyLondon’s week of action in support to the N30 Strike

The largest strike action of a generation will take place on Wednesday 30th November. Occupy London wholeheartedly supports the strike by over 3 million workers fighting for their pensions and a better society.

The government is attacking the people with unjust, unequal and unneccesary austerity measures. The banks got bailed out, we got sold out...  Read more:   Take The Square

OWS Must Succeed For The GOP Experiment In Plutocracy To End

America was conceived as a type of representative democracy that was successful until conservatives devised a plan to shift power from the people to the wealthy elite during the Reagan administration, and after thirty years what is left is a government controlled by corporations. In very simplistic terms, the Occupy movement represents the 99% of Americans who have lost the ability to decide the direction and policies the government takes that will benefit the people instead of a small, but powerful, group of extremely wealthy families, Wall Street, and corporate giants. The growing discontent among the people that fostered the Occupy Wall Street movement is not diminishing and as more Americans come to grips with the stark reality that regardless the will of the people; this country is heading towards a plutocracy that will last for generations without intervention and interdiction by the people...  Read more:   Politicususa

Getting to Know Occupy Houston

I have been following my local occupy for several weeks now and I attended my first GA last night. I don’t agree with every idea I’ve heard but I have heard some good ones. I have come to respect those that are constantly in attendance and admire their perseverance... 
Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Still Unpopular, Mayor Villaraigosa Announces Eviction Deadline for #OccupyLA

In a closed press conference - on Black Friday - at the very end of the day (read: serious news dump) - Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - a mayor who has presided over a May Day Melee, massive foreclosures and the arguably the worst homeless problem in the country declared Occupy LA a success for changing the national dialog.

He said in the press conference, "Occupy LA has brought needed attention to the growing disparities in our country and I look forward to its ongoing efforts to build an economy that works for everyone."

And then proceeded to tell the protesters that it's time for them to leave. More specifically, Monday morning at 12:01 am is time for them to leave. The park will be closed.

Occupy San Diego Asks "What Would You Do With $13 Million" To Shoppers at Horton Plaza

Liberty and Lynn from Occupy San Diego, went to Horton Plaza with the intention of informing people about the misuse of $13 million spent, on policing the Occupy Movement. The recent waste, of tax payers dollars has inspired us to ask the question "What would you do with $13 million if you were the Mayor of San Diego." This is what we heard.

The majority of people we talked to, thought the money should go to education. People think when you are educated you can better serve the community and have a better chance to succeed in life. People voiced their concerns about lack of computes and other resources at their schools. The arts and music departments which are greatly needed to develop creative minds are slowly disappearing. Teachers that are shaping our society and children's lives deserve better pay and benefits. Education should be abundantly available to everyone and the astronomical price to go to college needs to be addressed.

After education, we found people concerned for the homeless. One young lady we talked to, said she worked hands on at a shelter for the youth. She stated these shelters were unsanitary and unfit to live in and would like to see money go to the restoration of these buildings. Others were concerned in general for the enormous amount of homeless. They would like to see more shelters and resources available to these people.

We spoke to a man, who owns one of the business carts at the Horton Plaza mall. He said the smallest business loan he could take out was $50,000 and that was more than he needed. He has no health care, due to the enormous monthly cost.

Two high school aged girls said that public transportation needs to operate more efficiently. They would like to see discount rates to students, like they do seniors. A middle aged man said we need mass transit like they have in Europe and in turn reduce the amount of cars on the road and gas purchased.

Many people did not want to talk to us, but over all people were friendly and in the holiday spirit. The mall was busy, but not crowded. What we learned is, most people when approached congenially love to give their two cents. People do care about others and are concerned about what is going on in our country. The main point we would like to bring to the table is, people will listen to you when you create a report. Not when you are yelling at them.

From Alexandia To Zuccotti Park: They've Been Destroying Books For 2,000 Years

Now the book assassins have come to Wall Street. They removed the people and property from Zuccotti Park, destroying or damaging thousands of books in the process. Occupiers and Supporters brought the surviving books to a press conference this week. They were "torn, wrinkled, coverless and even mangled," as Gianna Palmer reported for McClatchy. "Among the books visible on the table were a leather-bound copy of the Bible, a collection of Chinese mythology and a volume of selected poems by Allen Ginsberg."...  Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Wal-Mart Black Friday Shoppers Prove Themselves More Dangerous Than OWS

Gee, this is our second pepper spray at a Black Friday Sale story and it’s only 6PM. Does anyone think that perhaps the Occupy polices’ pepper spray frenzy has normalized the use of pepper spray?... 
Read more:  Politicususa

Thank you - For The Occupation, For The Intensity, For Lettin' Me Be Myself Again

It's like the old-timers always said: Don't quit before the miracle happens.

While the Arab Spring showed that people can still accomplish the impossible, Our political debate was frozen in corporate cynicism. Now everything has changed. For the United States, spring came in autumn. Who says miracles don't happen?...  Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Activist Released Only After Horrific Assault

Mona Eltahawy, a New York based blogger, award-winning columnist, feminist activist, and public speaker on Arab and Muslim issues, was arrested, beaten, and sexually assaulted by police in Cairo Wednesday. Twelve-hours after her arrest, her friends, family, and thousands of her Twitter followers got the simple message, “I AM FREE.”...  Read more:   The Daily Activist

Black Friday Craziness Nothing to Laugh At

It'd have been impossible to ignore, if you were driving home from your Thanksgiving festivities or at least tuned into the news, the long lines of people camped out in front of malls, big box stores and retailers otherwise, waiting patiently for the doors to open and thus begin Black Friday. And while the eager consumers have been easy targets for jokes and criticism from late night hosts, twitter comedians... 
Read more:   Huffington Post

Health Workers Deliver First Aid to Protest Movements

Warning: Defending your rights may be hazardous to your health. Potential side effects can include rubber bullets, tear gas, and batons wielded with impunity...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Occupy Everywhere: Michael Moore, Naomi Klein on Next Steps for the Movement Against Corporate Power

How does the Occupy Wall Street movement move from "the outrage phase" to the "hope phase," and imagine a new economic model? In a Democracy Now! special broadcast, we bring you excerpts from a recent event that examined this question and much more. "Occupy Everywhere: On the New Politics and Possibilities of the Movement Against Corporate Power... 
Read and watch video:  Democracy Now

Occupy Articles on the Insanity of Black Friday Nov 25, 2011

1. Reasons you Should Stay Home Reading Mediaite Terrifying Black Friday Footage...  Read more:   Mediaite

2. Black Friday Shootout: 55-Year-Old Woman Gets Shot, Returns Fire With Her Own Pistol...  Read more:   The Blaze

3. "Citizens for a Better Arizona" saddles up to form a "posse" to challenge racist icon Sheriff Joe Arapaio. Yeehaw!... 
Read more:   The Immoral Minority

#Occupy DC Protesters Show No Sign of Letting Up After Marchers From New York Reach DC

Weary but determined Occupy Wall Street protesters entered Washington in the rain Tuesday at the end of a 13-day march from New York that they hoped would inspire others to hit the road... 
Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Attention Occupy LA Facing Eviction

Found @: Occupy LA

From Occupy Tucson, Thanksgiving Day 2011

They put out a good spread at lunch time, turkey and fixings; and at 5pm they put out an incredible spread. People were filtering in all afternoon with donations, as well as to come and participate in the dinner. By 5pm there must have been a hundred homeless, plus another hundred newcomers/supporters plus all the Occupiers from the encampment...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

OccupySupply – What We Need

It’s not easy finding “American made” anything these days, let alone made by union workers. We simply don’t manufacture anything any more. God help us all if the Chinese decide to cut us off. We’ll all be sitting in the dark, on the floor and bare-assed...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Police 'killed deaf cyclist with stun gun after he failed to obey instructions to stop'

A police officer killed an elderly, deaf and mentally disabled man riding his bicycle by shooting him with a Taser stun gun after he failed to obey instructions to stop.

Roger Anthony, 61, was killed as he made his way home in Scotland Neck, South Carolina, after officers responded to a 911 call about a man who had fallen off his bicycle...  Read more:   Daily Mail

Megyn Kelly Claims Her Pepper Spray is a 'Food Product, Essentially" Comment Taken Out Of Context

Megyn Kelly gave an interview to TVNewser who asked her about her comments which have caused such a stir on Bill O'Reilly's show that the pepper spray used on the UC Davis protesters is "a food product, essentially." Kelly's explanation for the comment boils down to claiming she was taken out of context and that if anyone watches the full clip, they won't believe she was trying to diminish what happened to the students...  Read more:   Crooks and Liars

The 99% Thanks All Supporters, Donators and Occupiers "Thank You"

It is turkey day. A feast to be had. That is if you are lucky enough, to have a home, stove, oven, and money to buy food. But 14.3% of people, in the United States live in poverty and do not have the luxury of a home. I recently have met many of these people that live on the streets in downtown San Diego. No matter how they landed on the streets they are human beings, sucked into the wretched system of rich and poor.

They are the 99%. Many of them have occupied with, Occupy San Diego. Many of them have lost the few possessions they owned, numerous times, when the SDPD raided us peaceful protesters. They know what it is like to have your bedroom exposed on the streets every night. They cuddle up in front of a store front in their one blanket or sleeping bag, while people walk by their bedroom.

Today I want to say thank you to all supporters, donators and occupiers around the globe. We all play an important part in this movement to bring the real change we need to see and feel in America. We need to create a closer wealth spread between the 99% and the 1%. It should never be so wide again. The 1% needs to learn, people built their corporation. People deserve better. Now! The 99% are here to make that happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all that have been apart, of the Occupy Wall Street Movement!

Let's Go Viral: Our Brother "Sage" Has Been Occupying A Cell For 28 Days: UpDated Write A Positive Thought

Photo rights: Christopher "Riot" Rios

I met Sage my first week at Occupy San Diego. Sage is a middle aged man, with long grey hair nicely combed, reading glasses, hippie style and always carrying a notebook. What was in this notebook? It was a positive thoughts book. Sage would ask you to write a positive thought in his book and then would wish you well. His nick name says it all. A man humbly spreading peace and love to all, with intentions of integrity.

Sage has been occupying a jail cell, for the last 28 days in San Diego. I tried to get people to bail him out, but there were some charges that were prior to the raid arrest, that prohibited him from being bailed out. Today I went to the courthouse on Broadway in downtown San Diego. We entered room 35, to a policeman and a woman sitting behind a desk close to the judges.

The policeman asked me to take my hat off, turn off your cell phones, no eating, no tape recording, no photo's or video's "He told the observers" who just walked into the courtroom. Also he told us not to talk to the prisoner. Sage looked a little ragged and worn out. His attorney was a young peppy man that was glad to see people, from occupy San Diego attend the hearing.

We learned the assistant district attorney, asked that this case, should remain separate and not be tainted with other facts, from other occupy movements legal issues. This court case will be heard in front of a jury. Sage did not do, anything wrong. This is about police officers raiding our camp, without notice. I was not informed about a specific time to be out of the civic plaza ever, by any police officer. That is a law.

I was not asked when raided if I contacted a shelter and was denied a bed. EVER! That is a law, police are suppose to follow. My friend Sage is harmless. He needs and deserves the help of anyone who would like to bail him out and help him in anyway. I urge and implore you to think about this brother of the occupy movement and do what ever you can to help him. He really is a Sage!!!

UpDated: Please write a positive thought to our good brother Sage. He could use your support, hugs and love. He spread much around when hanging out with Occupy San Diego.

UC Davis Chancellor blames pepper spray incident on police. Wait, what?

The chancellor of a US university who has faced widespread criticism following the pepper spraying of peaceful demonstrators has told an assembly of 1,000 students that she had instructed campus police not to use force in breaking up...  Read more:   The Immoral Minority

Live Blog for #Occupy Movement: Protests, Events Planned for Black Friday & Thanksgiving

With many encampments still setup around the country, it is to be expected that there will be stories of occupations having Thanksgiving at their camps. Occupy Wall Street is preparing 5,000 meals that will be served on Thanksgiving. It will be part of a celebration that will also include music performances...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Tahrir square reoccupied as Eygpt fights to defend the revolution

We are in the midst of a decisive battle in the face of a potentially terminal crackdown. Over the past 72 hours the army has launched a ceaseless assault on revolutionaries in Tahrir Square and squares across Egypt. Over 2000 of us have been injured. More than 30 of us have been murdered. Just in Cairo alone. In the last 48 hours... 
Read more:   Take the Square

$13 Million Dollars Pissed Away!

I have been live at Occupy San Diego since Oct. 11, 2011. It is mind boggling the amount of money, cities and states are paying to corral and oppress the 99%. $13 Million dollars! Do you know what I could do with that much money? How many people could have been housed, fed, and clothed with that money? $13 million dollars pissed away, paying high paid babysitters to harass, intimidate and steal peoples belongings.

Something is terribly wrong with the picture I see in America. Money talks and if you do not have money, you do not have a voice. The people occupying all over the world are people that have lost their homes, jobs, loved ones. Their voices have been silent and mouths taped shut. Because what they have to say does not matter. Hey folks, this is not acceptable. Police states are not acceptable. $13 million dollars spent on keeping us down is utter B.S.!

My blood is boiling as I write this. Two days ago at Occupy San Diego one of the high paid babysitters of the SDPD decided his rights were more important than the ones protesting. This SDPD officer walked through an area, were we gathered and was pushing people around. Is this acceptable? Hell NO! This SDPD officer needs to be held accountable for his actions. This man took an oath that he does not follow.

Like all the police officers around the country cracking down on protesters this is not acceptable. We have rights! When this country spends $13 million on paying police officers to terrorize citizens that have been wronged by our system it's time to stand up and speak out. We will not tolerate your abuse. You do not own us. You will be held accountable for your actions. Beware! This is our country, also.

$13 million dollars could have made a difference to 1000's of people. Did that happen? NO! $13 million paid the crooks and their cult members to continue their oppression and harassment. Until we change the system and how our country operates nothing will change. Cops, police officers, public servants and corporations are not above the law. They don't own us. We are not going away. Expect to be held accountable for your lies and oppression!

Fixating on the Cost of Policing Occupy Protests

The excessive and gratuitous use of police at Occupy protests, especially in New York and other large cities, has led a number of people to wonder how cities are paying for the police to patrol demonstrations and encampments. Now, with a report from AP circulating, those who despise the Occupy movement or have grown impatient with it have ammunition to lash out even more...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

The Occupy Movement’s Price Tag: $13 Million and Counting

The "Occupy" protests active in 18 U.S. cities polled by the Associated Press have cost local municipalities $13 million over the last two months, according to the wire service.

Pepper spray ain't cheap! The priciest occupiers? New York's, of course. The city says it has shelled out $7 million in police overtime since September to cover all of the additional hippie-beating, truck-stealing, and random-pepper-spraying costs incurred by the Zuccotti Park protesters...  Read more:   Gawker

Occupy DC Protesters Push Back Against Coverage Of Sexual Assaults At Camps

One of the subplots of the Occupy Wall Street movement is the exploitation of reports of sexual violence by opponents of the movement, particularly conservatives stung by the negative press that the Tea Party received. At Occupy DC Monday, I spoke with several of the protesters to see if they were aware of the issue, what they thought of the coverage, and most importantly, what was being done to keep people safe....  Read more:   Mediaite

James Murdoch resigns from head position at major British newspapers

In a surprise move, the son of News Corporation mogul Rupert Murdoch has quit his position as the company director of several major British papers...  Read more:   The Raw Story

MF Global vs. OWS: if you don’t do the time, there ain’t no crime.

What’s the score? Let’s go to the videotape:

In one corner, thousands of Occupy demonstrators evicted, pepper sprayed, violently yanked, penned like animals, and arrested.

In the other corner, there’s the FIRE (financial, insurance & real estate) sector. Recent example: MF Global hedge fund racing to bankruptcy in the last week of October.

Nothing to see here. Move along. No arrests, no convictions, no perp walks. Just massive looting. MF Global couldn’t keep its hands off all that luscious customer money...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

The Camp is the World: Connecting the Occupy Movements and The Spanish May 15th Movement

We write this letter as participants in the movements, and as an invitation to a conversation. We hope to raise questions about how we continue to deepen and transform the new social relationships and processes we have begun … to open the discussion towards a common horizon.

The evictions and threats to the physical Occupations in the United States have again raised the question of the future of the movement. That the movements have a future is not the question – but what sort of future is. For example, should our energy be focused on finding new spaces to occupy and create encampments? Should we be focused more in our local neighborhoods, schools and workplaces? Is there a way to both occupy public space with horizontal assemblies yet also focus locally and concretely?...  Read more:   Take The Square

UC Davis Will Graciously Cover Medical Expenses For Students It Pepper Sprayed

Eleven of the students who were pepper-sprayed in the face during last weekend's notable UC Davis meme were treated for the effects, but now UC Davis says they're paying all medical costs. Very considerate!

Meanwhile, Chancellor Linda Katehi said the police were going against her wishes by so brutally clearing out...  Read more:   Gawker

Occupy Protesters Urge Obama To Stand Up Against Police Brutality

At his speech in New Hampshire today, Occupy Wall Street protesters interrupted the president and urged him to take a stand against police brutality... 
Read more:   Politicususa

Nancy Pelosi Shamelessly Tries To Cash In On Occupy Wall Street

The Democratic Party is still not entirely sure what to do with this “Occupy Wall Street” stuff beyond allowing for a few cautious statements from one or another “liberal” member of Congress let out of the pen for a few minutes to say something to the effect of “it’s possible people might be somewhat fed up with a few things...  Read more:   Wonkette

L.A. Offering Bribes So Occupiers Will Abandon City Hall Campsite?

While many Occupations have gotten the boot, it looks like Occupy L.A. is getting star treatment...  Read more:   The Blaze

The Women of #OWS: 'We Are The 51%!'

I wrote a piece with my impression of the Occupations I've visited so far.
From The Atlantic:

During the very first week of the Occupation in LA I noticed that the gender breakdown in its General Assembly (GA) and various committee meetings was roughly the same as the within the U.S. Congress. In other words, about one-fifth of those who were participating in the (small d) democratic part of this Occupy encampment were women. It was the same with the people who...  Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Fox News Cop-Slobberers Say Pepper Spray Is ‘Food Product’

What are the jabbering fascist insects at Fox News saying about the school cops viciously attacking America’s college students? Oh, you know, pepper spray is just a “food product,” right? And college kids are often liberals, so … totally warranted! And harmless! So we guess Bill O’Reilly and his vapid hair product sidekick are saying is this: Get your “food product” and head on over to the Fox News studios and prove them right! Hell, it hardly hurts to be peppered sprayed...  Read and watch video:   Wonkette

Pregnant #OccupySeattle Protester Miscarries After Being Kicked, Pepper Sprayed

Jennifer Fox, 19, told The Stranger that she had been with the Occupy protests since they started in Westlake Park. She said she was homeless and three months pregnant, but felt the need to join activists during their march last Tuesday...  Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Blanket the Earth: An Idea to Use Black Friday to Help OWS

Over at my blog, I’ve been talking up an idea and action, and I’d love to get FDLers involved to help: On Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, let’s give to our local Occupy encampments what they need to stay warm for the winter. This is different than FDL’s Occupy Supply because it’s about those of us not occupying parks and other areas showing up at OWS sites to give aid and comfort...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Occupy Sacramento Marches on Jerry Brown’s Home

“We are sick and tired of UC Davis students being maced and sprayed,” said Kevin Carter of Occupy Sacramento. “We are sick and tired of UC Berkeley students engaged in nonviolent protest being pulverized and having batons shoved into their ribs by police. What gives the police the right to use this type of police brutality?”... 
Read more:   Truth Out

The Supercommittee Should Go Really Big and Turn Against the One Percent

“Since politicians have so much fun beating up on government employees, how about having a little fun beating up on the most highly paid government contractors?”...  Read more:   Nation of Change

Occupy DC Joined By Marchers From New York, Richmond

Occupy DC's McPherson Square camp is getting a little bigger as protesters from Richmond and New York arrive by foot on Tuesday...  Read more:   Huffington Post

Thousands turn out to listen to UC Chancellor Linda Katehi’s Response to Pepper Spraying Incident at UC Davis 11/21/11 and More Updates

University of California-Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi says she won’t resign despite outrage over her handling of campus officers’ blasting pepper spray into the faces of students protesting Friday in support of the OWS movement...  Read and watch video's:   Occupy Colleges

UC Davis Official English Department Policy: "Chancellor Katehi’s Immediate Resignation"

Friday’s pepper spraying of students by police at the University of California, Davis, has drawn not only outrage across America, but calls for the immediate resignation of UC Davis’ Chancellor Linda Katehi. The first public call for the Chancellor’s resignation came from non-​tenured Assistant Professor Nathan Brown, who wrote a strongly-​worded open letter to the Chancellor... 
Read more:  
The New Civil Rights Movement

Police Suspended After Pepper Spraying UCD Students

Some people thought the UC Davis  students who were pepper soaked had it coming.  They should have moved.  They shouldn’t have been protesting.  Or, in the charming words of Newt Gingrich, they should have a shower then get a job. What Gingrich and others fail to understand is what the police did at UC Davis was brutality.  No need to take my word for it.  You see The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the police chief and two other officers were put on paid leave as a result of the pepper spray matter and the Chancellor has requested an investigation by the District Attorney’s... Read more:   Politicususa

Articles on Occupy Wall Street Nov. 21, 2011

1. Corporations Pushing Bill to Take Away Overtime from Computer and Web Workers....  Read more:   Truth Out

2. Occupy Best Buy: The Latest Media Attempt to Co-Opt #OWS...  Read more:   Politicususa

3. Dethrone the King...  Read more:   Occupy Iowa

Exclusive Interview: UC Davis Protestor Eyewitness's Account Of Police Pepper Spraying

The pepper spraying by police of about a dozen University of California, Davis, students Friday afternoon has become an iconic example of police brutality and discrimination against not only the Occupy Wall Street movement by local and state officials, but against the very constitutional rights police and the elected officials they serve are paid to protect... 
Read  more:   The New Civil Rights Movement

Senator Sanders, Ordinary Americans #OccupytheSuperCommittee

Days after the tents were ripped out of Zucotti Park in New York, hundreds of Americans brought the fight for the 99% to the nation’s capital on Thursday with a “Wake-Up Congress” rally calling for the Super Committee to support “Jobs, Not Cuts” to key social programs. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) fittingly called it “#OccupyThe SuperCommittee.”...  Read more:   Truth Out

The New Colossus

This script is located on a Bronze Plaque mounted inside the Statue Of Liberty

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Golws world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send thesem the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~~~  Emma Lazarus, 1883

Post pepper spraying, UC Davis chancellor insists ‘the university needs me’

After ordering the eviction of students staging an “Occupy” protest at the University of California-Davis on Friday, only to watch police efforts turn into a ghastly, violent scene, UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi pledged Monday morning that she was not about to resign... 
Read more:   The Raw Story

Liberian Women Won the Nobel Peace Prize for Occupying Liberia

The pepper-spraying incident at UC Davis, which has so far led only to two police officers being placed on administrative leave and one chancellor shamed by her students as she walked to her car, is sadly indicative of how we treat a certain type of peaceful protester in this country. That has been made extremely clear by the Occupy movement...  Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

Poet Baching Police

LIFE, I found myself thinking as a line of Alameda County deputy sheriffs in Darth Vader riot gear formed a cordon in front of me on a recent night on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, is full of strange contingencies.  The deputy sheriffs, all white men, except for one young woman,...  Read more:   New York Times

Jon Kyl Expresses Support for Gingrich's Statement Telling #OWS Protesters to Get A Job and Bathe

On this Sunday's Meet the Press, Sen. Jon Kyl was asked what he thought of GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's statement that the Occupy Wall Street protesters should "Go get a job right after you take a bath" and Kyl wasn't willing to put an ounce of daylight between his views and those of the former Speaker of the House... 
Read more:   Crooks and Liars

Howard Kurtz to NYC: Apologize for media ‘censorship’ of Occupy evictions

CNN’s Howard Kurtz is calling for New York City and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to apologize for the way the media was censored, roughed up and arrested during the recent eviction of Occupy Wall Street activists in Zuccotti Park...  Read more:   The Raw Story

Occupy Nashville Infiltrates and Disrupts Rumsfeld Fundraiser

Four protesters from Occupy Nashville acquired tickets and gained entry to the Rumsfeld event. Once inside, they confronted the former Defense secretary and accused him of engaging in war crimes... 
Read more:   Truth Out

Armed Occupy Police Scared of Old Lady, Judge and Pregnant Teenager

The Occupy movement’s critics would have you believe that Occupy Wall Street protesters are a bunch of dirty hippies doing terrible and unlawful things.  They don’t tell you about the infiltrators whose sole and exclusive purpose is to discredit the Occupy movement by trying to incite violence...  Read more:   Politicususa