Wall Street Protests

[Lamplighter]

It's early in the news reporting on Occupy Oakland, but I'm thinking
the events of yesterday are getting a bad rap in the news media.

I've been reading as many news reports as I can,
and the text of reports do say demonstrations were calm and non-violent.
There were large crowds of marchers in various parts of Oakland,
and the Port of Oakland was blocked... with no violence.
Yes, there was some vandalism and a few broken windows,
which was condemned by Occupy Oakland leaders.
When police cleared those areas, it was done peacefully.
Only one person was injured... a marcher hit by a passenger car.

But the headlines are, almost without exception, portraying the events
as deteriorating into "violence and chaos".

The main "violence" seems to have been a nightime bonfire that was lit
at an intersection - in groups of metal trash cans that had been pushed together.
OK, that makes for a dangerous situation,
and the police were justified in ordering the crowd to disperse.

It reported that order was given police close to the bonfire,
speaking directly to people in the immediate vicinity.
But almost immediately the area was filled with teargas and flashbombs.

Several people report they were not aware of the order to disperse.
Further, they report that when people ran from the teargas,
they were beaten by the police and ordered to remain still.
When people stayed in place, they were arrested.

If the general public reads only today's headlines, I'm convinced
they will be mislead to believe the entire Occupy Oakland went badly.

[tw]

I was amused by (if I remember correctly) a news report on Nightly Business Report. Bloomberg wanted to remove the Occupy Wall Street encampment for health and sanitary reasons. The report on his concern and intent showed people sweeping and cleaning around and inside their tents. The audio from Mayor Bloomberg completely contradicted what almost all the video showed. Bloomberg later conceded. The encampment remains.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

If the general public reads only today's headlines, I'm convinced
they will be mislead to believe the entire Occupy Oakland went badly.

I think the general public has learned to be skeptical of the media. People who are opposed to the Occupy movement will point to the headline with glee (think Merc), but many others will read the entire story.

And Occupy Denver is doing some great stuff (hate to disappoint you, UT). They are moving the occupation to the front of the Federal Building on Saturday so as not to impede the Veteran's Parade which is scheduled for that day. Very many appreciative comments and thanks to the vets on the Occupy Denver blog. After the parade, Occupy will return to their regular place.

And best of all, Michael Moore is coming to give a talk to the Occupy Denver folks today! I'd love to be there for that.

However, I have a tentative plan to drive over to Denver the week of November 23rd. Hell, its only 400 miles and It feels like the right thing to do. I'll be with a group advocating the end of corporate government on the same day that government announces my and many other's fate.

Camping in downtown Denver at the age of 60 - I'm insane! But everyone here is aware of that already.