Live Blogging #OWS - 10/24/11

11:00 AM: Todd Gitlin piece on personal responsibility (ht Monte).

Also, this Mark Ruffalo speech is a bit dated, but Naomi Klein just tweeted it so, I figured I'd post it:



11:08 AM: A commenter over at Doug Henwood's blog asks what are the best books for someone looking to understand the current crisis, how to get out of it, etc. Mike Konczal, discussing a slightly different issue, laid out several critical works:

Hacker and Pierson, Winner-Take-All Politics

Johnson & Kwak, 13 Bankers

Yves Smith, ECONned

Jeff Madrick, The Age of Greed

Doug Henwood, Wall Street (now available for free download)

David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Tamara Draunt, Strapped

I would agree with those picks and would add:

Naomi Klein, The Shock Doctrine

Joseph Stiglitz, Globalization and its Discontents

Paul Krugman, Conscience of a Liberal

Paul Krugman, The Return of Depression Economics

Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed

I'm almost tempted to go old school and throw in The Jungle, but once you go there, there's a floodgates effect. So, keeping it relatively contemporary, this is - in my opinion - a great start. Anything I missed?

11:41 AM: Great post on the controversial Demands Working Group (important to note that what gets posted on the OWS website is not necessarily accurate or representative of the group).

11:55 AM: Love to Occupy Maine.

Occupy Together
There was an attack on those at the OccupyMaine encampment early Sunday morning. Police are investigating a chemical bomb that was thrown at the center of the camp. Luckily there were no injuries, but there was damage to the kitchen and medic tent. Please send them your support. Solidarity.

12:12 PM: How the Occupy Movement Won Me Over.

12:14 PM: This isn't an OWS post, but it's about the economy and I liked the moniker President Goldilocks so much, I had to post it.

12:18 PM: New Citizens Radio podcast - lots of Occupy stuff.

12:29 PM: OWS is the Next Republican Boogeyman.

12:30 PM: Occupy Chicago wants everyone to call Rahm:



NationalNurses NationalNursesUnited
by The99Percenters
Brave #nurses arrested at #occupychi while defending first aid station were released from jail less than an hour ago. #ows @OccupyChicago

And even more on Chicago...

12:37 PM: Occupy Colleges plan teach-in event for Nov. 2-3.

12:41 PM: Is GOP Afraid of OWS?



And, has OWS destroyed two Santas strategy?



12:53 PM: Why Tea Party and OWS are NOT the same (because the Tea Party is racist):



1:10 PM: This is long, but worth it if you can find the time:

What is Conservatism? Part One from The Center for the Humanities on Vimeo.

What is Conservatism? Part Two from The Center for the Humanities on Vimeo.

What is Conservatism? Part Three from The Center for the Humanities on Vimeo.

2:27 PM: OWS Video

Where Do We Go From Here? Occupy Wall St. from Ed David on Vimeo.

2:32 PM: Cops refusing to obey orders to arrest protesters (lots of talk about cops expressing sympathy, but this is the first I've heard of this).

3:06 PM: Arrests at Occupy Dallas.



3:36 PM: Great piece on Democracy Now (we're currently editing an Occupied Media interview with Ryan Devereaux of Democracy Now, whose coverage of OWS has been amazing).

3:47 PM: Chris Hedges!

4:34 PM: A chemical bomb - yes, a fucking chemical bomb! - was thrown into the Occupy Maine camp (evil fucks!):



4:37 PM: I love Occupy Melbourne.



Re-post of Noam Chomsky at Occupy Boston (I posted this yesterday, but the video was removed by the user):



And go check out occupypolice.org. We are obsessed with the police (for good reason). I admit, it surprised me that Congress just voted down a bill funding police and first responders. Naomi Klein was being facetious, but also serious when she said that governments need to couple austerity packages with increased funding of the police. I suppose JP Morgan will have to continue to fund the NYPD and the mega-rich can hire private security and plan submarine escapes (that's not a joke).

5:00 PM: The rich fight back with Occupy Main Street.

Occupy Main Street - watch more funny videos

5:37 PM: More on Melbourne (story is at the bottom of the page).

5:47 PM: Open letter to Bloomberg from Russell Simmons.

5:49 PM: JP Morgan and food stamps.

5:52 PM: Quick, to-the-point video.



5:53 PM: Cornel West on Democracy Now.



6:43 PM: Michael Moore for my Mom (it's a great clip that I would've posted anyway, but I'm always happy to find a new Michael Moore clip because I know my Mom loves him, as we all do):



7:25 PM: Charts for the pitchforks.

7:26 PM: Angus Johnson makes a good point - if this would've been a suburban, white mother we all would've heard about it by now.

7:37 PM: I'm getting word that OWS is going to be shut down within the week over drumming.

7:54 PM: OWS cartoons.

I'm getting news that the above-linked report is not consistent with what happened at GA tonight. Here is JA Meyerson:

JAMyerson: Unless I'm missing something *huge*, this N+1 report and tonight's GA results are incompatible. http://bit.ly/rFvH29 #OWS

JAMyerson J.A. Myerson
Many drummers (Pulse) were in attendance/vocal at tonight's GA adoption of 12-2, 4-6 resolution. It passed unanimously on first try. #OWS

JAMyerson J.A. Myerson
The negotiations are ongoing (like whether to have expanded drumming hours on weekend). Whatever else is true, mediation not at dead end.

Bottom line, it sounds like OWS has gotten big enough that 100% consensus is getting difficult in several arenas (several working groups, for example, have adopted 2/3) and it looks like one person is causing a good deal of disruption regarding the drumming issue. Not completely surprising and I think OWS will work through them.

8:32 PM: Occupy Dame Street, Dublin (being totally adorable):



9:28 PM: Occupy the Hood Detroit (I just spoke with Occupy the Hood co-founder Malik Rahsaan today and hope to be interviewing him soon for Occupied Media).



9:38 PM: This is an old Village Voice piece regarding Naomi Klein's message to OWS. I may have even linked it earlier, but I want to link it now because it raises the difficult issue facing OWS - namely, how does a horizontal movement create the institutional structures necessary to sustain itself for many years.

10:26 PM: How economic inequality harms societies:



Also, here's a brief Anonymous piece about, among others, US Day of Rage founder, Alexa O'Brien (discussed in my interview with Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola).

12:07 AM: Economists and debt crises:

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/24/11

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/23/11

2:13 PM: Doug Henwood - Taking the measure of OWS (first data about who is at OWS)

2:57 PM: Zuccotti Park is getting big enough that it has run into problems with the GA structure and is now discussing spokes councils (here and here).

3:01 PM: Article on communalism and democratic dimensions of anarchism.

6:00 PM: Will the police join the 99%?

6:05 PM: Banks "livid" at Dems for supporting OWS:



8:41 PM: The Sense of a Movement.

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/23/11

Occupied Media: Interview With Doug Henwood (10/15/11), #OWS

Occupied Media's next installment in its #OWS interview and teach-in series is with journalist and radio host Doug Henwood. Mr. Henwood is the author of Wall Street (now available for free download), a work consistently mentioned on a short list of must-read books for those wishing to understand the financial crisis and, more recently, the issues central to the OWS movement. Mr. Henwood blogs at lbo-news.com and hosts the critically-acclaimed radio show, Left Business Observer. His weekly newsletter is a must-read for anyone interested in OWS, as are his recent blog posts (see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

For years Mr. Henwood was one of the few voices promoting the very issues OWS has now forced onto the national agenda. I've really appreciated how his ideas about the movement have evolved - one gets the sense that he is sincerely trying to understand OWS on its own terms rather than interpreting it through a fixed ideological lens. In my opinion, he is raising the important and difficult issues facing our movement (many of which were discussed at this recent debate hosted by Jacobin).

We couldn't be happier that he took the time to speak with us and I'm sure everyone will find him to be as engaging and informative as we did.



It is Occupied Media's sincere hope that other occupations and/or supporters of OWS will contribute videos to the Occupied Media project - interviews, teach-ins, music videos, etc. Please direct all inquiries and video submissions to:


OccupiedMedia@gmail.com

OR

Plutocracyfiles@gmail.com

Special thanks to Occupy Missoula, the Occupy Missoula Communications Working Group and, in particular, to video editor Paul Shockey.

Occupied Media: Interview With Doug Henwood (10/15/11), #OWS

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/21/11

8:15 AM: For shame Melbourne.



8:30 AM:

The militarization of the police.

8:35 AM:

The global capital network that rules the world.

8:36 AM: This is the problem.

8:46 AM: What does NYPD really think of OWS?

8:48 AM: The student debt scam.

8:56 AM:



8:58 AM: Rich get richer; poor get poorer.

1:20 PM: Outing the Wall Street Ringers:



2:13 PM: Here is clarification regarding the controversial "demands" working group.

March with Verizon workers and OWS is underway in NYC.

2:30 PM: Digby on OWS strategery (Digby's instincts regarding OWS have been very good IMO).

2:42 PM: I really hope this journalist sues NPR - this is bullshit.

2:46 PM: Bloomberg looking for new ways to close down OWS (since the public statement that OWS could stay as long as they want, it has been one shut down attempt after another).

2:52 PM: Ridiculous non-punishment for Tony Baloney.

3:00 PM: OWS - a 21st Century populist movement.

4:20 PM: Sylvia Nasar (author of a new book about macroeconomics) on Dylan Rattigan.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

5:57 PM: OWS and the police - how to accelerate the revolt of the guards.

6:04 PM: Very interesting history of OWS (predating the Adbusters ad).

6:07 PM: This is a bit dated, but it's a must-read.

6:12 PM: White Collar Crime expert, William Black:



6:14 PM: Another piece on white-collar crime and Wall Street:



6:18 PM: A couple of early pieces on the history of the movement and on Liberty Park.

6:38 PM: Dylan Rattigan, David DeGraw and William Black on OWS:



6:47 PM: Another day, another Cornel West arrest...

MachahirNews Machahir Sami
BREAKING: 30 people including Activist Cornel West have been arrested outside police station during a protest: Activist said. #ows



6:54 PM: Doug Henwood hearts OWS.

9:03 PM: Matt Taibbi - Washington doesn't get it, banksters still rule the world to all of our detriment.

11:58 PM:

MMFlint Michael Moore
OMG! A few cops joined in the march tonite! A 1st! 2 of them were even singing along w/ the crowd! In Egypt, when cops joined in...game over

12:45 AM: David Graeber.

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/21/11

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/20/11

10:30 AM: Bankers are getting nervous. (The submarine escape sounded kind of awesome though).

10:34 AM: Here is the debate (posted yesterday). Lots of great issues raised; also represented is a certain leftist self-indulgence that drives me crazy. However, issues of whether and how this movement can "scale" and whether we ultimately want a representative democracy were discussed and, in my opinion, deserve further attention (sans Foucauldian nonsense).

a debate on #occupyws from Jacobin on Vimeo.

10:47 AM: Make sure to go read some of these notes that accompanied care packages to OWS (they're heartwarming).

10:52 AM: Kevin Drum on zombie talking points (with a Groundhog Day analogy).

11:11 AM: Joan Walsh on OWS:

I do know this: Even without demands, OWS has completely changed the conversation in this country. We are talking about much more interesting things than we were on Sept. 16. Conversations about staggering income inequality and “the top 1 percent” were mostly limited to liberal bloggers and labor economists; cable talk shows were obsessing over the debt-ceiling battle and the deficit “crisis” and President Obama’s latest poll numbers. (Chris Bowers shows that the cable conversation has changed dramatically.)

11:20 AM: Dylan Rattigan wants Tim Geithner fired.

12:53 PM: Allison Kilkenny for the Nation - OWS as old-fashion village.

1:27 PM: My dream interview (and Paul Krugman)...

Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz: The State of the Global Economy from World Bank on Vimeo.

The above video and this article are a bit dated, but his twitter just sent them out and they're certainly relevant.

1:30 PM: On organizations and movements.

1:56 PM: This is fascinating - its a GA report regarding the co-option issue.

2:09 PM: Mike Konczal of Rortybomb on The Austerity Class and the Deficit - this issue - who benefits from austerity and why the hell would anyone want it - is fascinating to me.

2:32 PM: Everything you've heard in the media about OWS is wrong (except this, of course).

3:27 PM: Five worst banks.

3:33 PM:



4:31 PM: Tom Noah take down of Megan McArdle ridiculousness (apparently, Wall Street watergirl McMegan thinks the recession fixed inequality).

4:34 PM: Kevin Gosztola interview reposted at The Dissenter. By the way, no idea why I introduced myself as Taryn, like I'm a one-name celebrity (drives me crazy every time I replay it).

5:05 PM: Occupy Utopia - great article from Missoula Independent about Occupy Missoula.

7:07 PM: Real Estate Board of New York is establishing rules designed to stop occupations.

7:42 PM: The 99% Declaration and proposed Constitutional Convention is apparently not GA approved and, if this account is to be believed, it doesn't sound like it will happen.

9:13 PM: Michael Moore for my Mom.



9:19 PM: In one month the occupation becomes a force.

And in photos.

10:12 PM: Occupy Oakland is being evicted - no word on whether protesters intend to defend the occupation, but I do recall that Naomi Klein reported that the occupation in Oakland was amazing in terms of the services provided.

10:29 PM: Russell Brand on Zuccotti Park and OWS - one of the better takes I've heard.

Live Blogging #OWS - 10/20/11

Live Blogging OWS - 10/19/11

Naomi Wolf on her arrest.

1:33 PM: Democracy Now on protests against police brutality.

1:51 PM: Video of Naomi Wolf arrest.



2:05 PM: OWS Debate My understanding is that it's between anarchists and leftists; going to watch it myself right now. "Doug Henwood, who was on the panel, commented that it had been the most contentious left-wing gathering he’d ever participated in (and Doug’s participated in a lot)."

2:21 PM: David Graeber on Playing by the Rules, the Strange Success of #OccupyWallStreet.

3:07 PM: Allison Kilkenny on Naomi Wolf arrest.

4:36 PM: Student loan debt now exceeds $1 trillion.

4:40 PM: Wall Street is Dazed and Confused.

4:51 PM: When Fox News hates you, you know you're doing something right.

5:10 PM: FDL on the Occupy Wall Street commerical.

5:52 PM: Violence erupts in Greece.

5:56 PM: Tonight's GA at OWS:

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
At the #OWS GA tonite: Discussion of keeping #OWS from being co-opted by Dems, GOP, & politicos, and intro of a "Visions & Goals" document

6:19 PM: Kevin Gosztola and yesterday's protest against NYPD violence.

7:34 PM: Nathan Schneider on diversity of tactics.

9:01 PM: Data showing OWS is mainstream movement with mainstream support.

9:09 PM: Shifting the debate.

9:14 PM: Naomi Wolf interview (ht Groobiecat).

Live Blogging OWS - 10/19/11

Occupied Media: Interview With Kevin Gosztola (10/15/11)

Occupied Media's second interview is with Firedoglake blogger Kevin Gosztola (first interview with Jeff Madrick, here). Kevin has been live blogging Occupy Wall Street since day one. He was really the only comprehensive coverage during those early media-blackout days. As we discuss in the interview, Kevin wrote what - to my recollection - was the first full-throated defense of OWS. His piece was picked up by Glenn Greenwald and, in my opinion, turned the debate on the Left in OWS's favor.

The interview begins with Kevin's detailed discussion of the events of 10/15/11 in Times Square. From there, Kevin discusses his experiences covering the movement as well as his thoughts on media and pundit coverage of OWS. I was really taken by Kevin's description of Wall Street as a Green Zone - I've consistently heard this from OWS protesters. We also discuss the "demands" issue, the future of the movement and the role of smaller occupations.

Kevin's reporting is being supported by donation. I think the interview evidences that he's an important voice. So, if you can swing a donation, it's a very worthy cause.



LINKS:

Kevin Gosztola, Why Establishment Media and the Power Elite Loathe Occupy Wall Street

Horizontalism: Voices of Popular Power in Argentina

We Are the 99 % Tumblr

Lisa Derrick

It is Occupied Media's sincere hope that other occupations and/or supporters of OWS will contribute videos to the Occupied Media project - interviews, teach-ins, music videos, etc. Please direct all inquiries and video submissions to:

OccupiedMedia@gmail.com

OR

Plutocracyfiles@gmail.com

Occupied Media: Interview With Kevin Gosztola (10/15/11)

Who will be the new Bob Dylan?

A few days ago, on Salon?, someone asked who would be the next Dylan? That's an extreme challenge. The truly great stand the test of time.



Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

Who will be the new Bob Dylan?

Live Blogging OWS - 10/18/11

I'm tempted to re-load a bunch of videos and pics from yesterday's live-blogging, but I won't. If you haven't seen it, go back to yesterday's entry and take a look.

Here's a video of police sending horses into the crowd at Times Square (10/15/11):



11:16 AM: The silence of the elites.

And Jesse LaGreca on his encounter with Fox News.



11:30 AM: We're arresting the wrong people.

11:53 AM: Thom Hartman piece on Occupy Wall Street.



12:07 PM: Tea Party didn't mind bailing out Wall Street, just Main Street.

1:18 PM: Chicago arrests seen as dry run for upcoming international summit.

Police move in on Occupy Tijuana.



1:46 PM: Beautiful piece by Rebecca Solnit.

2:01 PM: Great piece about neo-liberalism and the global occupation; hadn't heard that the youth refer to themselves as the "no future generation."

2:31 PM: No one has any problem understanding what this is about.

2:36 PM: Angus Johnson on Jon Stewart.

3:07 PM: March against police brutality about to begin, for those who want to follow on live feed.

Here is a bank merger chart that's actually been floating around for weeks.

Kevin Gosztola has good reporting on yesterday's failed attempt to take down medical tent at Zuccotti Park.

4:07 PM: Thom Hartman on Anonymous Video.



6:07 PM: Democracy Now (hands down best coverage of OWS - if you aren't already, follow Ryan Devro on twitter).





6:11 PM: Amy Goodman, The Arc of the Moral Universe, From Memphis to Wall Street.

6:14 PM: The UK Guardian - movement divided re: demands.

7:15 PM: Protesters in NYC were at upscale restaurant, where Gov. Cuomo was supposed to be having dinner. According to reports, they were told they could walk single file on the sidewalk. They did that and several protesters are being arrested. The first to be arrested was author Naomi Wolf.

7:27 PM:

RDevro Ryan Devereaux
One protester's sign reads, "Party's over you lying Sach's of shit" another says, "Memo to the media: Stop Staring, Start Caring."

7:58 PM:

RDevro Ryan Devereaux
Protesters were under the impression, after speaking to NYPD, that they had permission to walk on sidewalk in a single file line. #ows

8:50 PM: Matt Taibbi, Why Rush Limbaugh is Freaking Out About Occupy Wall Street.

8:53 PM: Wired Magazine, Egypt's Top Facebook Revolutionary Advising OWS.

9:12 PM: Erin Burnett gets drowned out by protesters.

9:22 PM: Adbusters calls for 10/29 protest calling for Robin Hood tax.

9:28 PM:

AlecBaldwin Alec Baldwin
by chrislhayes
On my way to OWS.

9:33 PM:



9:45 PM: Our veteran (different angle):

Live Blogging OWS - 10/18/11

Live Blogging OWS - 10/17/11

One month ago today, the occupation of Zuccotti Park began. It's been one month - think of that.

Many thanks to Huffington Post for the shout out. For anyone interested in the occupied Media series, the first interview (with Jeff Madrick) is posted on the top, left-hand side of this page. We hope to have our interview with Kevin Gosztola posted by tomorrow.

8:52 AM: Always great when you can start the day with Chris Hedges (h/t/ Groobiecat).

9:05 AM: I'm re-posting the next two videos from last night because I posted them fairly late and because I loved them so much.

Occupy Everything from socially_awkwrd on Vimeo.

11:19 AM: Seattle has been terrible.

OccupyOregon #OccupyOregon
Alert! Seattles camp was raided at 7am. Arrests happening now. Call: the Mayor (206) 684-4000 Call Seattle PD (206) 625-5011.

11:22 AM: Hearing lots about this on twitter (namely, that it's BS - the word I'm getting is that this is NOT GA approved and should be ignored).

11:42 AM: Matt Taibbi - who, frankly, was really late to writing about OWS - is apparently, according to right-wing hacks, running the movement.

12:42 PM: OWS: The wonky protest.

12:50 PM: Occupy Missoula photos.

2:27 PM: Occupy Chicago and Occupy the Hood.

2:36 PM: GREAT Glenn Greenwald piece.

4:25 PM: “There is no honor hurting unarmed civilians and I won’t let it happen.”



4:27 PM: Bloggingheads.tv on OWS.



5:35 PM: The First Amendment is Our Permit.

5:42 PM: OWS and SCOTUS.

8:06 PM: Behold the Police State - Occupy Phoenix:

8:52 PM: Our veteran appears on Olbermann:



8:57 PM: Human Mic marriage proposal.



9:26 PM: JA Meyerson, The Terms of Occupation.

9:49 PM:



9:54 PM: Getting word that police are taking down medical tent in Zuccotti Park.

an0nyc Anonyorkcity
@AnonyMissBadger the police r lined up & gearing up for a med tent raid, jesse jackson is standing w the #99percent its nuts

9:56 PM: Sounds like protesters, with an assist from Jesse Jackson, backed the police down.

an0nyc Anonyorkcity
@DustinSlaughter @Ghostpickles The police tried to raid the med tent & shut it down, jesse jackson was here & locked hands with the medics&

10:04 PM: Jeffery Sachs, Message to Wall Street.

11:01 PM: New Chris Hedges video (must see the end).



11:19 PM: And thirty days into this movement, the last continent to be occupied is now occupied...

Live Blogging OWS - 10/17/11

Field Report, Times Square, Global Change Day

Hello to all,

Thanks so much for checking in. It should be a pretty long post. And, thanks again to Taryn for allowing me to post here. This posting will appear on both of our sites. I have quite a few pics from the Times Square demonstration, a few videos I took of the cops rolling in, and headlines from some of the other major demonstrations that took place yesterday. And, if you enjoy my writing, you can check out more here. Feel free to peruse the recent postings for my thoughts on my local occupation (Syracuse).

Before I get going, I have a major announcement. I have decided to write an E-book, that will focus on things seen (and that will be seen) in this blog. In just a week of blogging again, I have the writing bug. Details will be forthcoming and posted on the blog as the time passes. But, there will be many things within the book, that are not in the blog. And, any topics you've seen here will be expanded on in the book. It won't be a cut and paste job. So, I'll have the freedom to not edit myself like I do here. So, if you ever thought my posts were too short, this is your lucky day (I'm guessing no one thinks that). Since it's an E-book, I will have to market it myself. I kinda need your help too. If you enjoy the blog, please post it to Facebook, Twitter, e-mail it to friends, etc. As a bonus, anyone who subscribes to the blog will have their name appear on the book's "Dedications" page. Subscribe to "Amorphous Thoughts" and get your name in print. Win and win! Onto to Times Square.

Ok, I had the longest of days yesterday, but it was so very worth it. I had to go into the office (in Syracuse mind you) for a few hours in the morning. I packed everything I thought I would need for a demonstration. I wore my contacts to start. My glasses were with me, in an unbreakable case. I had them as a backup, in case I got maced and slammed to the ground. I wore comfortable shoes, figuring I'd be there a while. And, I had loads of snacks in case I couldn't get to any food joints. I had fruits and bottled water. I even brought gum, figuring I'd be in close quarters with other protestors. I didn't want a fellow protestor to think I have bad breath. Now that's being prepared, and polite. I wasn't even a Boy Scout as a kid.

I got on the road about 11am and got to into New York about 3:30, arriving at Times Square about 4pm. When I arrived, it was tough to get a sense of how many people where there. You just can't get a sense of it when you're in the middle of it. As you looked around though, you see that you are engulfed by people all on sides, on the edges of Times Square. The police shrewdly put up barricades to continue to allow traffic through and to separate the crowd. But this tactic, I felt, really put a cap on the crowd's enthusiasm, their ability to start chants, get riled up, etc. I'm guessing there is a "Riot Prevention" handbook out there and this maneuver falls under "Crowd Dispersion".

After settling into where I was, I took in the scenes for a while. We were all waiting for the march from Washington Square Park to join us at Times Square. While waiting, I was interviewed by a network from the Far East (pretty sure it was from Japan). I'm really hoping I can track it down and post it. But, it's not looking likely. A friend did record me getting interviewed. So, you can see me, but not quite hear me.

After the interview, I continued to take in the scene. The signs, denoting grievances, ran the gamut. Someone created a pretty nice model of a Predator Drone, to protest all our wars. All pics from New York, are in slideshow form here, just scroll to the bottom of the posting. Apologies for asking you to bounce back and forth, but I can't post a slideshow to Blogger, and there about 15 pics. But, if you click that link, you'll see all of them on my Wordpress set up. Someone held a Che Guevara flag. Signs asked for investments in public works projects, others asked to end corporate person-hood, some for investments in education and green technology, and others to raise taxes. The list goes on. But, if you've followed this occupation story closely, you're aware of the main issues.

The day also had an international feel. I saw a sign stating that a particular group was made up of "Belgian, French, and Flemish" people and sided with the protestors. I witnessed two different groups flying the flag of Canada another with Puerto Rico's flag. Later in the evening, I also met two women from Denmark. I know Times Square is called "The Crossroads of the World", so the international feel was expected. Passers-by on double-decker buses also showed support. There were people waving, "thumbs up" signs, peace signs, etc. Buses honked their horns in supports as they went by as well.

From there, I tried to get to the edges of the protest to get a feel for how far it all stretched. That was probably not the best idea at first. It took the better part of 45 minutes to go 3 blocks. Because we were all barricaded in, it felt like there was a chance of people getting trampled if someone fell over. As you walked, you passed under scaffolding that people literally climbed upon to get a better look at the scene. Photographers climbed atop payphones and stand-alone traffic lights to better to get their shots.

After arriving on at 47th and Broadway, the protest really started to heat up. The portion of the crowd, right up against the barricades, wanted to move further into the street the relieve the bottleneck. The cops beat back a few people, as tensions rose. One of the police horses fell over. I heard (from an eyewitness) that one man was cracked pretty good by a police baton and had to go to St. Luke's Hospital. At this point, I was getting nervous for public safety. All of this is going on, right in the middle of the tourism capital of the US. I saw quite a few people with kids in strollers, small children, and a few elderly people. It could have easily gotten out of hand, with pedestrians, unaware of the day's events, getting hurt. My own opinion is that the NYPD would have done anything to keep the protestors from filling the streets, because there would be no way to control them from that point. In the process, they did seem to create a safety hazard And, did I mention, that across Broadway on the other side of 47th street, was a large Bank of America branch. It's probably not a coincidence.

Check out Lucy Kafanov's report, for RT America, she's been great during these protests. She was right on the barricades with protestors.

From there, the NYPD shuttled us east towards 6th Street to disperse the crowd. I also noticed some cops positioning themselves behind us and I also saw the orange netting make an appearance. As I went down 47th I saw this, and I really knew it was time for me to go. Before I got out of there, I did have someone write the Lawyer's Guild phone number on my arm, in case I got hemmed in with the large group. So, I did get my first piece of protest swag. Bonus!

Then I saw this. And, this followed the cops in.

After I tried to loop back around, I saw these guys come up 48th street, and I got the hell out of there:

All in all, before yesterday, I was about 98% sure we live in a police state. And, now I'm at 100%. These measures from the cops will not quell this movement. You can't kill an idea (see, terrorism). And, so many of these people have nothing to lose. Right now, I do have something to lose. So, I had to get out of there. But, a few weeks back 700 people were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge. There were around 70 last night. With each, more vow to come back and fight even harder. I don't know where this all goes. But, it's amazing to have just a little part in it. If you can get to a large protest, I suggest you do. There's a feeling you get, that you can't get in too many other places. It's the feeling that you're a part of something bigger than yourself.

Full disclosure on me: my wife is from Germany and I can get out of the US, to a place with virtually free education. A place where everyone has health care. A place with strong unions and better income equality, a plan on renewable energies, etc. So, me being in New York, or sleeping outside in Syracuse, isn't really about me. I'm lucky enough to be working and have health care. I don't feel personally aggrieved. It's about a better, fairer world, some greater good. May sound corny to some, but you do truly feel it when you're there.

Before I go, just a couple of the major headlines from yesterday's "Global Day of Change":

-500,000 people marched and sat in Madrid main square, Puerta Del Sol.

-Reports estimated 350,000 in Barcelona.

- Here is how it looked in Paris.

-Cops violently removed campers from outside the Reichstag in Berlin (Reichstag, Germany equivalent to The U.S. Capitol building).

-200,000 hit the streets in Rome and it got pretty violent, including a burned out riot van and civilian vehicles, looting, etc (story and amazing video, only 1:35).

- 25 people were arrested at Citibank for trying to close their accounts, including one lady who was just standing on the street.

-About 200 people were arrested in Chicago.

Very last thing, before I finish. I know I gave you a lot today. It was a multimedia posting, and about 1700 words. But, this last thing just warmed my heart. It comes from Madrid's Puerta Del Sol square. A symphony plays Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", but at the end all the people raise their hands, with their palms open, saying, "these are our weapons (in Spanish)." It just moves me, to no end, each time I watch it.

Check back Tuesday morning, for Part II of the GOP Debate Preview(Gingrich/Huntsmann), and remember to subscribe to claim your spot on the "Dedications" page of my forthcoming E-book (trying for early Winter).

UPDATE: 12:00PM, 10/17/11:

The horse, that I mention going to the ground during the protest, had to be put down last night. This is according to a reporter, that was within earshot of the police. Details here.

Until next time,

James

Field Report, Times Square, Global Change Day

Live Blogging OWS - 10/16/11

4:52 PM: Cornel West arrest.

4:55 PM:

AriMelber Ari Melber
@
NEW: Message via @CornelWest Office: "Thanks ALL for your concern. Dr. West is ok. He'll share his thoughts from today very soon"

5:27 PM: More on Cornel West.

6:20 PM:



7:20 PM:



8:08 PM: Music Video - Brooklyn Bridge Arrests (not sure if it's just because I watched this drama unfold over Live Feed and twitter, but I thought this was incredibly powerful).

Occupy Everything from socially_awkwrd on Vimeo.

10:14 PM: Seems I'm getting caught up on video tonight:

Right Here All Over (Occupy Wall St.) from Alex Mallis on Vimeo.

Live Blogging OWS - 10/16/11

The CitiBank Arrests

So, there are reports that people were arrested when several people tried to close Citibank accounts. Here is the first video that I've seen floating around twitter. It's very difficult to tell exactly what happened. Citibank claims they people inside the bank were disruptive - I haven't seen any video from inside the bank yet.



Gawker posts Citibank CEO's personal cell.

Occupy the Boardroom.

11:20: BofA in Santa Cruz refuses to allow customers to close accounts.

11:52 PM: BofA refuses to allow people to close accounts in St. Louis.



3:53 AM: More Citibank video.

The CitiBank Arrests

Live Blogging OWS - 10/15/11

I wanted to thank Anne Laurie of Baloon Juice for the very generous shout out regarding Occupied Media as well as our coverage at Plutocracyfiles.com. I do want to make it clear that Occupied Media is an effort of many members of Occupy Missoula - many thanks to the members of Occupy Missoula who mobilized so quickly to get this information out and hopefully, especially to smaller occupations.

Additionally, thanks to Economist's View for including our Jeff Madrick interview in its links. And to The Rumpus for acknowledging our coverage of OWS.

Naomi Klein tweeted that this was a must read. Lots of stuff here I disagree with (or at least my initial reaction is that I disagree). But also quite a bit I agree with. Some people will know what I mean when I say this movement is approaching a terrifying flying-blind phase where decisions about the direction of the movement can impact its future. I did love the last paragraph - beautiful quote.

Mike Konczal did a Bloggingheads TV interview with Nathan Schneider. I think there's quite a bit raised here that I have some disagreement with as well, but great food for thought.

Here is Doug Henwood's most recent piece on OWS; I will be interviewing Doug tomorrow regarding OWS (interview should be on the blog Monday or Tuesday). I love the fact that Doug is allowing himself to think out loud regarding OWS. Even those of us involved directly with the movement have evolving opinions and are working our way through various ideas. I know I've changed my mind about things and suspect I will in the future. It's important with something so new that everyone be given some room to do this - bravo Doug Henwood.

3:03 PM: Here's a nice piece on Occupy Des Moines (also, thanks to therumpus.net for the shout out).

4:01 PM: Kevin Gosztola of Firedoglake reporting on day of Global Protest.

5:18 PM: Statement from OWS regarding day of global protest:

Over the last 30 years, the 1% have created a global economic system - neoliberalism – that attacks our human rights and destroys our environment. Neoliberalism is worldwide – it is the reason you no longer have a job, it is the reason you cannot afford healthcare, education, food, your mortgage.
Neoliberalism is your future stolen.

Neoliberalism is everywhere, gutting labor standards, living wages, social contracts, and environmental protections. It is “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.” It is a system that ravages the global south and creates global financial crisis – crisis in Spain, in Greece, in the United States. It is a system built on greed and thrives on destablizing shocks.

It allows the 1% to enrich themselves by impoverishing humanity.

5:23 PM:

Twitter reports that nets are out in New York and that things are getting very tense.

5:47 PM:

Right now, sounds like people are dispersing from Times Square. This blog will hopefully have a report on Times Square soon.

5:59 PM:

allisonkilkenny allisonkilkenny
RT @nyclu: more possible arrests at 46 and 6th, police wagons rolling in #occupywallstreet #ows

6:22 PM: Occupy Europe.

6:46 PM: Pic of Times Square.

6:56 PM: Times Square.



7:11 PM: More reports of infiltration by police.

Salon reporter Jutin Elliot tweeted:

guy on the right appears to be undercover officer. behind police line. with "Occupy" tshirt slung over his back #ows

7:26: Apparently undercover.

7:30 PM:

There was a call for people who bank with the mega banks to close their accounts. There are rumors that people were arrested for trying to close their CitiBank accounts. I agree with Chris Hayes that if that happened, it will be iconic:

chrislhayes Christopher Hayes
If NYPD actually arrested people for trying to close their accounts at Citibank, it will be an iconic moment in the growth of #OWS

9:34: Police riding horses through crowd.



9:36:

Sounds like second NY location, Washington Square was shut down by police; protesters decided not to defend. Those on the ground seemed in accord - that it was a wise decision.

9:39: Maybe not...

allisonkilkenny allisonkilkenny
RT @natashalennard: Huge number of police lined up, perhaps 90 strong on south side of wash sq pk. And many more around park

9:43 PM:

YourAnonNews Anonymous
CONFIRMED: Multiple NYPD buses and vans now on scene. Crowd remains at 1000+, maybe even 1500. 20 mins til curfew.. #OWS

9:52 PM: Seattle seems to have almost nightly problems.

jamiekilstein Jamie Kilstein
RT @yayyyates: ]police planning to shut down #occupyseattle at 10pm. We need people present to resist! Please RT @CitizenRadio

9:54 PM: Washington Square Live Stream.

10:02: Apparently police are threatening arrests in Chicago.

Also, photo diary of today's protests over at Kos.

10:37 PM: Story regarding police infiltration.

10:42: READ THIS BOTTOM UP

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
@motherjones My phone is dead but am taking subway to apartment to upload video. Please stand by.
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
I will upload the video as soon as possible
20 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
They said it was past the point of no return. But one officer escorted me out.
20 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
Then the riot cops poured in with zip cuffs, and I began backing out. Barely made it out. Several cops wanted to arrest me.
21 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
At that point, a very angry white shirt came in, clutching a bull horn, and sent the community affairs officer packing.
22 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
So then I asked if this meant that, according to police, the occupy movement cannot expand further.
22 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
That's what Zuccotti Park is for, the community affairs officer said.
23 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
I asked if this meant that they could come back tomorrow night and occupy the park.
23 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
The cop said all the police have been up long hours and are tired and just want to go to sleep.
24 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
A community affair office aproached and tried to talk them out. But they would not leave.
24 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
Set up in a pizza shop. Huge crowd on other side of police barrier, with tv crews etc.
25 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
Extremely powerful. I'm shaking right now and can barely type.
25 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
I barely avoided getting zip cuffed as I was filming the arrest
26 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
There are about 10 or 15 people still in the park, all singing Woodie Guthris songs, surrounded by more than 100 riot cops in face shields
26 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
I just came within a hair's breadth of getting arrested
27 minutes ago

JoshHarkinson Josh Harkinson
I'll tweet the rest of the speech later. It's gonna get ugly, I think, and I want to tape it.

10:55 PM:

owsbot OccupyWallStreet Bot
by OccupyWallSt
Hearing multiple reports of 10-20 people arrested at Washington Square Park. #ows

11:01 PM: Video summary of violence in Rome.

11:13 PM: Four Charts That Explain What Protesters Are Angry About.

11:31 PM: From Occupy Phoenix:

occupyPHX #occupyPHX
The word in the crowd is that we are ALL going to be arrested in a few. If you hear nothing by midnight, that happened.

11:33 PM: Report on Occupy Oklahoma City.

11:36 PM: Infiltrator claims to have been heavily monitoring OWS and Anonymous.

11:43 PM: Report on Occupy London.

11:46 PM: Olbermann summary - good clips of police violence.



11:55 PM: Madrid!



11:58 PM: Report on global protests from OWS.

12:19 AM: Video of Time Square.

Live Blogging OWS - 10/15/11

Michael Moore

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Michael Moore

NYPD Hitting Protester

I think this is actually the same incident from earlier (10/14/11 Live Blogging), just from a different angle:

NYPD Hitting Protester

Apparently, it's Chris Hedges' Day

By the way, please make sure to head over to Groobiecat's site - he's been doing great work on OWS.

Apparently, it's Chris Hedges' Day

Chris Hedges - Difference Between Tea Party and OWS (ht Groobiecat)

I couldn't agree more. The Tea Party and OWS as I see it are different, even opposing movements:

Chris Hedges - Difference Between Tea Party and OWS (ht Groobiecat)

Las Vegas - Mission Statement

Great work LV:

Mission Statement-Final Version
Submitted by ginagrrl on October 13, 2011 - 6:58am Tags:mission statement


Mission Statement: Occupy Las Vegas
The first questions that come out of anyone's mouth whenever a new political movement arises are, “Who are they?” and “What do they want?”
They are good questions that should be answered.
WHO are we?
We are the 99% of Americans who have not benefited from the various financial bailouts, tax breaks, and other subsidies that the dominant 1% of the population have gained over the past several years.
We are students, veterans, homemakers, workers, the unemployed, those on Social Security benefits, those whose savings and investments were either wiped out or greatly diminished by the economic fluctuations starting in 2007.
We are those who have had our homes foreclosed upon, those whose homes are about to be foreclosed, those whose homes are now worth a fraction of what we paid for them, and those who have never owned a home and don’t expect to ever be able to.
We are the newly poor who wonder how everything for which we worked hard vanished so quickly and how we and our families are going to survive.
We are the long-time poor, who have never had much of a chance, let alone a voice, to make our own way in our current social and economic system.
We come from all backgrounds, races, and religions.
We are concerned about and more than a bit scared by the directions in which we see our lives, and the lives of our families, friends, neighbors going, the directions in which we see our nation and the whole planet going, and we are angry with those who have taken us in those directions.
We are part of a much larger global and national movement that wants real changes in how the world is run.
In short, we're you, and you are one of us.
WHAT do we want?
We want an end to corporate money's influence in politics, whether through campaign donations, PACs, or other groups. Money is not speech.
We want truly effective campaign finance reform, so that corporations and other interests have no overwhelming advantage over the rest of us in any part of American politics.
We want far greater legal accountability for public officials and corporate executives, and we demand that, if found guilty of committing crimes while in office, they are made to pay for those crimes in full, like anyone else.
We want our justice system to treat everyone equally regardless of origins or social class, at all levels and at every stage, from investigations to trials and sentencing.
We want an end to the continual attacks on our social safety net and on the rights of workers to organize themselves and, if need be, to strike to get better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
We want secure and sustainable investments and improvements in our social infrastructure, like schools and libraries, and to create an America where everyone may actually live in a decent and dignified manner, an America where everyone's rights count and are respected by all.
This is who we are and what we want. We ask for no more and shall take no less.
We are the 99% and we will not be silenced.

Las Vegas - Mission Statement

Live Blogging - 10/14/11 - Showdown at Liberty Plaza/Zuccotti Plaza

At this point, the OWS protesters have been told they have to get out of the Liberty Plaza (a/k/a Zuccotti Park) so that the premises can be cleaned. The protesters have cleaned the premises themselves, Russell Simmons has offered to pay for cleaning and the protesters have agreed to allow cleaning of 1/3 of the park at a time (while they keep the other 2/3 occupied). It has also been stated that after the "cleaning," no one will be permitted to have sleeping bags or to lie down, which, of course, would effectively end the occupation.

The cleaning is set to begin at 7:00 AM EST. Protesters have stated their intent not to evacuate and Mayor Bloomberg has expressed his intent to forcibly remove the protesters if necessary.

10:54 PM: Well looks like the showdown starts in Denver.

MaxBlumenthal Max Blumenthal
Colorado state police have announced plan to remove #OccupyDenver demonstrators starting in 7 minutes

11:08 PM: Mark Ruffalo just tweeted this photo with the text "Why I am at OWS":

11:42 PM: I really love stuff like this:

DieLowen Die Lowen
I hear horns honking of passers by in solidarity at #OccupyDenver! Stay Strong!

11:51 PM: Getting reports of arrests in Seattle.

12:14 AM:

Matthew4300 Matt
White shirt cops entering park. #ows

12:23 AM: As arrests occur in Denver and Seattle, protesters at OWS stand in the rain, spirits high, waiting for the NYPD.

DustinSlaughter Dustin M. Slaughter
Rain has started again. Another roar from crowd. Amazing. #OccupyWallStreet

12:33 AM:

cjohanns C Cryn Johannsen
RT @OccupySeattle: Police disperse their circle without arresting 5 remaining Sukkot. Occupiers. Crowd is cheering

allisonkilkenny allisonkilkenny
RT @JayAckroyd: Is it just me who is wondering whether there has been national coordination of the Occupy crackdowns? #OWS

BBC on eviction.

2:29 AM: OWS Call to action!

October 15th Call to Action
Posted Oct. 14, 2011, 1:07 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Over the last 30 years, the 1% have created a global economic system - neoliberalism - that attacks our human rights and destroys our environment. Neoliberalism is worldwide - it is the reason you no longer have a job, it is the reason you cannot afford healthcare, education, food, your mortgage.
Neoliberalism is your future stolen.

Neoliberalism is everywhere, gutting labor standards, living wages, social contracts, and environmental protections. It is "a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money." It is a system that ravages the global south and creates global financial crisis - crisis in Spain, in Greece, in the United States. It is a system built on greed and thrives on destablizing shocks.
It allows the 1% to enrich themselves by impoverishing humanity.

This has to stop!
We must usher in an era of democratic and economic justice.
We must change, we must evolve.

On October 15th the world will rise up as one and say, "We have had enough! We are a new beginning, a global fight on on all fronts that will usher in an era of shared prosperity, respect, mutual aid, and dignity."

Actions in NYC

5:00 AM: With union support arriving at 6:00 AM EST and hundreds prepared to go to jail, city backs down:

OccupyWallSt Occupy Wall Street
Let this be known as the miracle of October 14th #ows

NYTimes.



studentactivism Angus Johnston
Tuesday I said #OWS "is just too big, too popular, to shut down completely." Yesterday I wasn't sure. Turns out it's true.

studentactivism Angus Johnston
Oh, and Zuccotti Park is trending worldwide right now. #OWS

5:33 AM:

mtracey Michael Tracey
Officers initiated a scuffle on Exchange Place & New St. At least one rough arrest. #OWS

5:41 AM: Eliot Spitzer, OWS Has Already Won.

5:55 AM:



kgosztola Kevin Gosztola
RT @nyclu: Things tense now, 2 marchers jump barricade, get arrested #occupywallstreet #ows

5:58 AM: Meanwhile in Denver...

OccupyDenver OccupyDenver
The last people remaining have been given a 15 minute warning. After this, the thunderdome will succumb to the CPS... #OccupyDenver #OWS



6:04 AM: Sounded like violence, but apparently false alarm.

rortybomb Mike Konczal
Violence breaking out #ows

rortybomb Mike Konczal
Park back to normal RT @carney: Riot police seem to have been called off. Getting in vans. Driving away. #OccupyWallStreet #ows

6:13 AM: Kettling?

kristengwynne Kristen Gwynne
Nets are coming out of van, riot gear cops and white shirts on park row and beekman #ows

6:15 AM: Mark Ruffalo

Mruff221 Mark Ruffalo
#OWS now we focus on the Our Global March tomorrow. Oct 15th. Stay tuned.

6:27 AM: Activity all over city.

TheOther99 TheOther99

CONFIRMED: 12+ arrested at City Hall.. Some reportedly hit with moped, one reported broken ankle. Still Unfolding #OWS yfrog.us/0zh01z

DustinSlaughter Dustin M. Slaughter
#NYPD arrest 4 on Maiden+Water. Saw 1 man fall from rear of police van, face bloodied. #OccupyWallStreet lockerz.com/s/146996406

blogdiva Liza Sabater
RT @YwaltY: @blogdiva Riot cops taking out the orange nets at Park and Beekman. Batons are out. #OWS

mtracey Michael Tracey
Eye-witness says someone with official press credentials had his face bloodied by officers and was then thrown into a paddy wagon. #OWS

6:35 AM:

mtracey Michael Tracey
National Lawyer's Guild member had his foot run over by a motorcycle-bound officer. #OWS

8:01 AM: Cop punches protester.



8:34 AM: Better video of announcement that forced cleaning will not take place.



8:59 AM: Geithner says there will be upcoming action against Wall Street.

9:17 AM:

NewYorkCreator Ryan Hoffman
by RDevro
Police threw punches. We threw peace signs. They rammed. We drummed. They fought. We won. #occupywallstreet #ourwallstreet #wearethe99

1:42 PM: Mike Konczal and Nathan Schneider discuss OWS.

3:28 PM:

kennethlipp Kenneth Lipp
The NYPD has severely injured a member of the National Lawyer's Guild #OWS

5:48 PM:

See The Dissenter for very disturbing footage.

Live Blogging - 10/14/11 - Showdown at Liberty Plaza/Zuccotti Plaza