Thoughts on replication of Wallstreet occupation

[Ele'ill]

Open meeting called for- Occupy Portland. What are your thoughts on the replication of the wall street occupation in every major city in the US? I think the origins of the idea may be rooted in attention-farming liberal hipsterism however it may get people thinking about space and their relation to it and the private institutions/organizations which own it. Of course I'd likely not pass up a good gassing downtown. :cool:


http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2011/09/410656.shtml

[BIG BROTHER]

Comrade interviene and take that shit over, there are calling for one in San Jose too, I'mna be there to make sure it takes a direction not of liberal hipsters but of the working class, the Xicanos and the immigrants.

[smashcapital]

occupytogether.org has lists of the cities and links

[Zealot]

It seems that these demonstrations are being overrun by conspiracy-theorists, 9/11 truthers and people who merely want to "reform" the current system. Maybe our American comrades need to be more active, but I'd rather see an "Occupy White House" next. I hope something beneficial comes of this.

[Ele'ill]

I'll be attending the first 'General Assembly' tonight in Portland regarding the occupy together (http://www.occupytogether.org/) strategy. I hope to bring a radical voice to the assembly along several others.

http://occupyportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/OccupyPortland_poster01sm1.jpg


The 'occupation' is planned for Oct.

[Le Socialiste]

While I'm not enthusiastic about dismissing the occupation(s) outright as just left-liberal posturing (although that's really all they've amounted to), I am pretty disappointed with how they've turned out. That's why I think it's important that those of us capable of attending these demonstrations (i.e. in the area) should go, if only to try and focus the general feel and mood of the people assembled. If we can expose the calls for reformation for what they are (futile) and point out that the problem lies in the inherent destructiveness of the system it might spread a little consciousness. Might. I honestly don't know how serious these occupations are, so far all I've seen are a lot of middle-class college people demonstrating peacefully and calling for an end to corporate exploitation through the proper legal channels.

[thriller]

I'm trying to get one going in Wisconsin. Fuck it, what've we got to loose? Occupy everything!

[¿Que?]

It seems that these demonstrations are being overrun by conspiracy-theorists, 9/11 truthers and people who merely want to "reform" the current system. Maybe our American comrades need to be more active, but I'd rather see an "Occupy White House" next. I hope something beneficial comes of this.
Is this everywhere? My guess is that the particular ideological leaning of any particular "Occupy" rally is going to take on the character of the general sentiment of disaffected people in that area. So, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if this was the case where I lived, because I live in the south, and every other idiot has a ron paul sticker on his car. But I have a hard time thinking that this would be the case in a place like portland, that has a much more vibrant leftist scene. Mari3L can you confirm this?

[Agent Ducky]

They've got one going near me, it seems. Occupy Santa Ana. I'm excited as fuck.

[BIG BROTHER]

So occuppy San Jose has started, the General Assembly was roughly 75 people, then we had a march of 75-120 people and a tiny occupation in the city hall.

Me and other radicals have been present so we hope to combat the petty-bourgoisie elements succesfully.

[ComradeGrant]

Gonna try for occupy Portland, I need to try out my new black flag...

[thriller]

Friday one starts in Madison. I think it should be good, considering people still have a working class mentality from earlier this year.

[Ocean Seal]

Some good genuine working class politics are getting done here in Boston. Yes, I said it, working class politics. Not perfect, but the people are opening up.
The most impressive person I met was this woman who said that she was working two jobs and barely was able to make her expenses. She then went on, and described what she thought should happen.And remember that she was no socialist.
Things she favored
Green cards for immigrants--so that the rich couldn't get away with paying them jack and thus at the same time undercut low wage workers.
Rent subsidies for all working people from their employers.
No tax cuts on any wealthy person who takes their business out of America.
Ending the Bush tax cuts.
The government seizing BP, and all of the failed companies.
Taxing the finance sector exclusively for the bailout.
Socialized healthcare.

I didn't lead her through the questions, and the best part she thinks that she is a liberal:thumbup1:.

[Tablo]

I didn't lead her through the questions, and the best part she thinks that she is a liberal:thumbup1:.
Yes, the term 'liberal' has such a broad meaning these days. As mixed as the politics of those in the occupations are, I certainly feel that they have a strong left lean.

[Red Rebel]

In 1848 Marx said: "The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workingmen of all countries, unite!"

In 2011 !thriller! said: "Fuck it, what've we got to loose? Occupy everything!"

:thumbup1:

That being said Occupy Philly had ~1,000 folks show up to the 2nd planning meeting. Our occupation starts at City Hall tomorrow morning!

I'd also point out that Occupy *insert city* is a grassroots movement. It is bound to have a variety of folks from 9/11 truthers, communists, Ron Paul lolbertarians, socialist, greens, anarchist, liberals, undercover cops and everything inbetween. Despite not being radical led this is an extremely important movement that unites the 99% against the wealthy 1%. Working with the 99% against the 1%, well that's a good start for any radical movement. :thumbup:

[Veovis]

I was there Thursday and Friday nights! You might have seen me on the barricade at 3rd Ave with my red flag. I'll probably go back every other night after work - if you see me, say hi! :)

It's a really inspiring thing to participate in, even if we have our fair share of truthers, Randroids, and Ron Paul fanatics.