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Post by StormInateacup on Apr 2, 2012 10:48:38 GMT -5
I love the Occupy Oakland people. They haven't let up all winter (I guess California has that temperate climate advantage over Occupy Wall Street huh?) And they're gearing up for a new assault. They've helped to open a San Francisco Commune. I have great hopes for this movement. They've out stayed all their detractors and built a real organisational base in several key locations. But the Oakland peeps kick arse! occupyoakland.org/ |
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Post by StormInateacup on Apr 2, 2012 10:57:07 GMT -5
They're being really clever. They have regular clean ups. Organise community events and parties to make it a part of the landscape. To draw more locals in and make them feel a kinship with those on the barricades. they're drawing massive numbers despite the violence they're still facing. They are presenting an organised, rational, directed face of the protest movement. No drug addled hippies these, harking back to Woodstock They're serious, focussed 21st century social revolutionaries. Their use of social media has been remarkably skilled and effective in getting both recruits and world wide attention. Their own site, YouTube and Facebook are their PR organs. Good stuff. (Lots of their organisers are anarchists just sayin')  |
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2012 10:57:28 GMT -5
I have to admit surprise that the movement has lasted as long as it has.
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Post by StormInateacup on Apr 2, 2012 11:02:42 GMT -5
I'm not. I had great faith in them.
I was at the Sydney Occupy site a few times and was similarly impressed. Especially by how world wide is their network. They're in touch with other groups constantly. Sharing strategies and ideas for culture jamming and passive resistance techniques - dealing with violence, legalities.
Jello Biafra (from the Dead Kennedys) was out here and spent a lot of time at Occupy Melbourne. I shall see if I can find the footage. he donated massive amounts of money to them.
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2012 11:24:21 GMT -5
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Post by StormInateacup on Apr 2, 2012 11:31:32 GMT -5
The trick is going to be harnessing that anger that's out there in the community and directing it out at the enemy - the financiers and marketers. The munitions manufacturers - the entire Fourth Estate.
Not allowing it to be turned in on ourselves as it was when they routed the black panthers and the ghettos exploded in an orgy of FBI provided drugs and guns.
I think it's our last chance to take it back.
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2012 11:32:45 GMT -5
The trick is going to be harnessing that anger that's out there in the community and directing it out at the enemy - the financiers and marketers. The munitions manufacturers - the entire Fourth Estate. Not allowing it to be turned in on ourselves as it was when they routed the black panthers and the ghettos exploded in an orgy of FBI provided drugs and guns. I think it's our last chance to take it back. Yes, those dangers are certainly very real. |
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notxthexdude
Graduate Of Infrequent Loquacity(Lvl 3)
Posts: 72
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Post by notxthexdude on Apr 7, 2012 22:09:41 GMT -5
Went 2 Occupy Oakland BBQ this afternoon.
That "no specific demands" crap is rotting their support. If they don't change it soon it will kill this revival.
Oh, and a Berkeley radlib kindly informed me that my homeless ass is "privileged" because I'm pale and pee standing up.
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notxthexdude
Graduate Of Infrequent Loquacity(Lvl 3)
Posts: 72
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Post by notxthexdude on Apr 7, 2012 23:04:08 GMT -5
I askedif I could stay at her place but she pretended not to hear.
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Post by dawnkeyfromuranus on Apr 7, 2012 23:11:33 GMT -5
They're a million times less likely to be pepper sprayed in SF than Oakland
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notxthexdude
Graduate Of Infrequent Loquacity(Lvl 3)
Posts: 72
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Post by notxthexdude on Apr 7, 2012 23:13:26 GMT -5
One good sign though. Had a talk with a guy from the longshore unipn who said " I'm here to repay 'em. They helped us shut down the entire West Coast last year, every port in the Western US. They got my younger members excited amd we're here to feed a little of that back."
There was also a guy there from the Pink Pistols, the gay gun group.
So they ARE reaching out past the usual Berkeley types.
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notxthexdude
Graduate Of Infrequent Loquacity(Lvl 3)
Posts: 72
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Post by notxthexdude on Apr 7, 2012 23:23:41 GMT -5
Frank Running-Horse from Occupy Concord was there, too. He told me a hilarious story about his group telling an armed militia group to leave their demo. "Are you against gun rights? they asked him.
He was CARRYING a pro gun rights sign!
"No, we just don't want undisciplined idiots provoking the cops when we're not in a position to fight."
JUST the right tone. Very encouraging.
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notxthexdude
Graduate Of Infrequent Loquacity(Lvl 3)
Posts: 72
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Post by notxthexdude on Apr 7, 2012 23:31:01 GMT -5
True about SF and pepper. The SF mayor who ordered that would get recalled damn quick.
That'sbecause they're standard liberals here. The mayor of Oakland is an ex-Maoist and has to prove herself to the business community.
I really believe that's why more police violence in Oakland tham elsewhere.
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Post by admin on Apr 8, 2012 11:35:33 GMT -5
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Post by BadBeast on Apr 17, 2012 16:47:37 GMT -5
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