Free Speech Fight Still 'Alive' In San Diego 100 Years Later

Do you really believe America is the Land of the Free? Not even speech is free anymore. It comes with a price tag, go directly to jail if you don't obey. Wednesday Feb 8, protesters from Occupy San Diego gathered on all four corners at 5th and E Street in downtown San Diego's, gas lamp district around 5pm. Standing on top of soap boxes like the Wobblies did a 100 years ago, speaking about the same injustices that continue today.

These injustices are police harassment, intimidation, corruption in politics, the banking industry, how corporations are not people and should not be allowed to put their money into the political arena. How Corporations should pay their fair share of taxes and provide a living wage to employees, not minimum wage. This problem starts at home where people are taught how to behave and treat others Things don't change, when the system stays the same, or when people stay the same.

At 6pm local labor unions and other groups joined Occupy San Diego. The SDPD blocked off 5 Street at F Street and detoured traffic, so we could gather in the middle of the street. The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO headed this event. The Labor Council is a coalition of 133 local unions that represent more than 192,000 working families in the region. Lorena Gonzalez the Secretary-Treasurer and CEO of this council was the first speaker and reved up the audience.

Two young men, one playing the banjo and the other a guitar, played intermittently through the event, bringing fun and lightness with song, to the evening. Many speakers spoke about, the violence that happened a hundred years ago on the same day. This year was more subdued, with only one man placed in handcuffs for not dispersing, when asked to by the SDPD.  The event ended with the Women's Occupy Occupella singing, 'Occupy your mind,' 'Vote, vote, vote your rights,' and a couple other songs.

It was a successful evening, ending with a young man mic checking, the occupy movements grievances through a bull horn, with people on all corners repeating what he was saying. At this point about ten cops stood right in front of the protesters mic checking on the southwest side of the street. People of all ages and racial ethnicity's attended the event and left feeling satisfied with what they heard and participated in.

A few news channels showed up, but not that many. It takes citizen journalist these days to tell the real stories. This evening was another indication occupy is here to stay and will stand up and fight for their freedom to speak out about the gross injustices in this country and around the world. Freedom is not free and probably never will be. Don't let the SDPD, or any police officer intimidate you, not to protest and use your voice for the good for all.

Articles on Occupy Wall Street Sat. Feb. 4, 2012

1. In Spite of Elections and "Camping Bans," Revolutionary Wave Grows...  Read @:  Occupy Wall Street

2. In Year of Uprisings, Reporters Brave Crackdowns from Wall St. to Tahrir Square...  Read @:  Fire Dog Lake

3. Mortgage Fraud Scandal Grows: New York AG Sues Big Banks...  Read @:  Oath Keepers

4. Breast Cancer Survivor shows what cancer is, tells Komen Foundation to kiss her ass...  Read @:  Daily Kos

5. Protesters Find Common Ground: Tea Party & Occupy Movement come together in Worchester MA...  Read @:  Occupy Los Angeles

San Diego DA Bonnie Dumanis Orders SDPD to Crackdown on #OSD

The truth comes out. Last night at Occupy San Diego I learned from a police officer, who really is calling the shots and ordering excessive force and discrimination against #OSD. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. Last night was student night at the opera and thousands of high school aged kids filled the civic center. Lined up in groups waiting to see 'Salome.'

I walked over to see why two SDPD officers were asking for id, from a young man. I stood close to hear what the issue was, when approached by another blue coat who asked what I was doing. I said 'hanging out.' He informed me that the adults in charge of the kids going to the show, asked the SDPD to make sure the occupiers did not have contact with the kids. Interesting.

Another man from our group James, was over at the front entrance to the plaza and telling kids to think for themselves, as they walked into the theater. He was verbally attacked by an angry older white man that told him 'if you weren't doing anything wrong the police would not bother you.' James also learned that the SDPD had been informing the kids, that occupiers were against liberal arts and theater. Wow, that is a bunch of crap!

While the kids waited outside for the doors to the theater to open, some of the gutsy occupiers started drawing on the ground with colorful chalk. A couple nights ago a couple occupiers were given citations for chalk art, as the SDPD explained to them it was toxic and harmful to the environment. Last night something else happened. The SDPD used Bleach to remove the chalk art! Another contradiction in their charade of insanity and making up their own laws.

Now we know San Diego DA Bonnie Dumanis is one of the ring leaders, in shutting down #OSD. Bonnie Dumanis has her eyes on Jerry Sanders mayoral seat. Could Bonnie Dumanis, Jerry Sanders and police chief Lansdowne be the clowns making up their own laws and discriminating against people standing up and speaking out against political, judicial and corporate corruption happening in this state and country? Yes!

Articles on Occupy Wall Street Thur. Jan. 26, 2012

1. Doll 'protesters' present small problem for Russian police...  Read @:  The Guardian

2. Australian PM Loses Shoe During Scuffle With Protesters...  Read @:  The Blaze

3. Rebel With A Cause – How I Became A Voluntaryist...  Read @:  Free Keene

4. Newt Gingrich on why Evangelicals Should Vote for Him: 'I Understand their's  a War Against Religion...  Read @:  Crooks and Liars

5. Why some Religious faiths attack the teaching of evolution so aggressively...  Read @:  The Immoral Minority

From Manhattan Beach council to Occupy protests

At first glance, Mitch Ward may appear an unlikely Occupy protester.

Not only does he enjoy gainful employment, but he is the chief operating officer of his own successful information technology firm. He also runs an entertainment management...  Read @:  Daily Breeze

Permit extended for Washington protesters

A Washington offshoot of Occupy Wall Street has won a green light to keep occupying until February 28, officials said Thursday, so long as it shares its space with a conservative group... 
Read more:  The Raw Story

New Watch Dogs in Town Heading to DC 1/17/2012

Occupy San Diego and Occupations around the country and globe will be heading to DC. These vibrant, passionate and peaceful protesters will be arriving in DC, for the opening day of Congress 1/17/2012. These New Watch Dogs from occupations everywhere have an agenda and demands to be met. This is not a hippie-fest, where people are fading away from the problems of the country by using marijuana, alcohol or other drugs, that numb you from the troubles and chaos of life. This is a powerful group of people that aren't gonna sit down and shut up anymore.

These sisters and brothers are brave and courageous. They have endured many sleepless nights patrolling the camp, from the blue coat predators who slink around the grounds of Freedom Plaza like snakes in the grass looking for their next meal. Many have been arrested for illegal lodging, resisting arrest, unlawful assembly, riding their bike, jay walking, registering voters and the list goes on... These soldiers know that heading to DC is about making change happen in this country. That direct action is effective and beneficial to our movement and it's course.

Some of these soldiers are 24/7 occupiers, that have lost everything and have been volunteering at least 30 plus hours a week at the occupation. We are having a fundraiser for the 24/7 occupiers and all heading to DC, as a representative from Occupy San Diego next month. You can make a money donation using the button below. We are also in need of winter clothes and supplies that would make this trip comfortable and smooth. I will update what we are looking for daily. Thank you for what you have done and can continue to do for Occupy San Diego. We would not be here with out you. Donate by clicking the DC pic on the leftside.

How Revolutionary Were You in 2011, The Year of Revolt?

Take quiz here @: The Guardian

Olbermann: Nugent an ‘A**Hole’ for Insulting Occupy Protesters

Current TV host Keith Olbermann called conservative rocker Ted Nugent an “asshole” on Monday for writing that Occupy Wall Street protesters were “dirtballs” and “dirty hippies.”... 
Read and watch video: 
The Raw Story

Protesters set up camp at Obama offices

Following two Saturday protests, Occupy Des Moines demonstrators have decided to establish an around-the-clock occupation outside of President Barack Obama’s Des Moines campaign office... 
Read more:   Des Moines Register

Chinese villagers threaten to march on government offices

Protesting villagers in southern China said Sunday they will march on government offices this week unless the body of a local leader is released and four villagers in police custody are freed... 
Read more:   The Raw Story

"Occupy will never die; Evict us, we multiply!"

Following last week's raid on Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco police evicted Occupy SF from their last camp, in front of the Federal Reserve, at 4am this morning. 55 people were arrested. Occupy Pittsburgh is also facing an eviction deadline today, continuing an escalating trend of harassment and eviction of nonviolent protesters across the country and the world....               Read more:   Occupy Wall Street

Live Blog for #Occupy Movement: Police Retreat from Occupy SF Plus Boston Mayor Orders Occupy Boston to Leave

Less than twenty-four hours after having their camp cleared by San Francisco police, Occupy San Francisco held their ground at Justin Herman Plaza. The occupiers that aimed to regroup and even retake the plaza were surrounded Wednesday evening by at least seventy cops in riot gear. A General Assembly... 
Read more:   Fire Dog Lake

The 99% Will Shut Down West Coast Ports on Dec. 12th

We will meet three times this week, on Tuesday (Dec 6), Thursday (Dec 8),  and Sunday (Dec 11).

The details for all three meeting are as follows:
Orientation at 6:30 pm
Meeting at 7:00 pm...  Read and watch video:   Occupy Portland

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

'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

‘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

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.

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

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