The Occupy rally and GA of 1-7-12 by Phillip Reynes

The Occupy rally and GA of 1-7-12 by Phillip Reynes

It was cold again but even so about 150 to 200 came for the GA at this Saturdays occupy rally. The turn out was good considering the cold and I have to think this means spring will bring much larger turnouts. The crowd was the usual mix of middle class people. Some where bundled up against the cold while with gloves and coats and lots of layers. A broad spectrum was represented from vets to young middle class people.


The mood was serious but at the same time light as people stood around waiting for the GA to start. What should be next? What are Occupies messages going to be as this continues? This is what was on the minds of most of the people there as we all waited.

There where vets from several conflicts present. They all seemed to be wondering similar things and the refrain I heard most was that they felt that they had been used by big business and the 1% to further this minority groups goals over the interests of the American people.

Some vets promoted a march to be taking place soon while other people waved signs decrying one issue or another.

Corporate corruption and the activist conservatives on the supreme court who sold us all out to big business where prominent sentiments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There where a few right wing reactionaries in the crowd as well, one in a cowboy hat made clear his disdain for the left and the movement in general. He was not listened to by those present and eventually walked of – I had to wonder if he was a cop or a Ron Paul wacko.

 

The police where out in force of course as they always are. 17 police cars ringed the park and military helicopters circled overhead. What a waist of city funds I have to wonder how much it coasts to keep a black hawk surveillance platform airborne over a group that is in no way a threat to the public.

The GA started around 12:30 and everyone gathered into a circle. There where announcements and the basic procedures for how the GA worked where gone over at some length.

 

 

 
The facilitator was a pleasant woman of keenwhit and sunny disposition who is a failure face to those of us who have been down here on the weekends. She did a good job of going over the ground rules of the GA and introducing the other speakers.

AttachmentSize
Protester_typical-person.jpg1.06 MB
Exceptionalism.jpg2.26 MB
Flag.jpg2.25 MB
sign-waving.jpg1.91 MB
wanting_our-Country-Back.jpg1.89 MB
The supreem Court.jpg2.18 MB
Right wing reactionaries.jpg1.92 MB
0249AIM Speaker at the GA2.jpg1.22 MB
0248AIM Speaker at the GA.jpg1.12 MB
Hilicopters circle.jpg205.05 KB