October 8, 2011
Okay, it’s Friday, it’s not raining outside or out of my ass and we all know what that means...Occupy Wall Street! Finally!
The outside of Zuccotti Park which has been renamed, Liberty Square by the protesters.
Inside you won't find any trouble makers, just peaceful discussions on how to make things better in this world.
Here people are sending the message of Occupy Wall Street out on laptops in a makeshift work center in the middle of the park.
Nice to see people talking rather than texting for a change.
There's lots of signs that people have made with their personal thoughts about what Occupy Wall Street is all about. Here's two people working on a couple of them.
Change! And she's not panhandling either. Here's some more signs, they don't need captions, they speak for themselves.
There's a free food line in the park. If you live in New York and would like to contribute, you can bring food down to the park. You can also contribute with donations via their website which is listed at the bottom of this post.
Volunteers help to prepare and serve the food.
There's several information booths, I thought I'd go up and say hi to this volunteer behind the booth.
His name is Aaron and he's from West Virginia. I asked him what he would say is going on down here and he told me the idea is to spread information and raise awareness of the unfair conditions that are happening.
Here's Andrea who's helping to spread the word.
This is Tanner who came from Delaware. He's been here over a week and plans to stay in the park through the winter.
Collette's sign reads: "Welcome To Your New Society." It does feel like a new city inside of this park. It's hard to explain unless you come here, but it gives you a feeling of hope that people want to change things and not just sit on their ass and continue to take shit from the greedy and morally corrupt people in charge of Wall Street and beyond.
On the perimeter of the park, a woman dances with a glow in the dark hula hoop.
And the band plays on. To be continued.
Occupy Wall Street
Liberty Square (A.K.A. Zuccotti Park)
Corner of Liberty St. and Broadway
877-881-3020
Further reading: CNN, New York Times and BBC News.
23 Comments
Reader Comments (23)
I'm so glad you went!
Yes, these is a feeling of hope, which is what we need.
We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgment of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
- Some kindly words of warning that we should all carefuly consider in these times courtesy of 'The Who'
Some of these protestors may be on to some truth about some things. I think a whole bunch of them see it as a "happening". A place to go and hang out. New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the country to live in. I started working part time at 14, then at 18 went into the military,,,then continued working for forty years. I didn't have time for demonstrating, I was busy. My point is that you have to make your own way,,,go where the jobs are,,,no one with money is going to hand you anything. I understand a little more about whats going on now but my view is not going to change. These people have valid points but I go back to our men and women in uniform,,,,fighting overseas and coming home missing limbs,,,,that's the people we should be supporting.
Tienamen Square was in 1989, the end of the Chinese rebirth. But I have to wonder will it be the Democrats or Republicans that order you mowed down or both?
@Goggla: I'm glad I went too, it was nice to see it first hand. It's not the crazy zoo that some of the media makes it out to be.
@Jaws: I love that song!
@Al: I understand your point of view, but after going there last night and talking with people, most of them don't see it as a happening, but a way to voice their opinion on what's happening in our society and how people on Wall Street and beyond are held unaccountable for their actions after wrecking our economy. It's a different world now than when we grew up, not as many jobs and lots of businesses and corporations don't give a fuck about their employees. Alan Grayson explains it great in this debate with P.J. O'Rourke. No one is saying not to support the troops that have to fight our wars, this is a different battle. You can support them both. And no one there is looking for a handout from the rich, they're looking for a balance in our society and an end to greed, crazy bonuses for a few and horrible business tactics that destroy jobs and our economy.
@Mykola Mick Dementiuk: Time will tell, this is going to be an interesting situation.
I'm glad you went too, and took us along with you. You never know if this kind of thing will start any kind of change, but I can appreciate the fact that they are wanting their voice heard and so they are doing something about that. I think in general our country is pretty complacent, it's much easier to sit on your couch and complain, just hoping things will change.
Hi Marty great post! Here is the live stream! 24/7 http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution
@MAD: I understand what you are saying. Maybe my point wasn't real clear. Everyone can get ahead if they push hard enough. Night school, learn a trade, etc. You will never see a balance of society and greed will never cease. Sorry to sound pessimistic, I just feel that people that go after something and set high goals will achieve and deserve the rewards,,,,the bonus, the big paycheck. This is the American way, capitalism, we all can make it. Do not envy the wealthy. Communism is the opposite, either we all have or no one has,,,,screw that,,,I for one do not want to support some lazy asses who refuse to work.
@kari: Thanks, I agree with your sentiments!
@Ruben Dutch: Thanks for the link!
@Al: The trouble is a lot of the jobs that were once here are gone. Companies moved them overseas so they could have cheaper labor. And a lot of other businesses went bust when the economy tanked. "Everyone can get ahead if they push hard enough. Night school, learn a trade, etc. " No they can't, not anymore, that's not realistic in these times. How do you go to night school and learn a trade when you can hardly pay rent and buy food? People get stuck in downward spirals in a bad economy like we have and they can't get out. And companies take advantage of that and reduce wages while giving management bonuses. It's happening all over. I've had friends and relatives unemployed for over a year, they're not lazy asses, they just can't find a job. Those that have jobs aren't getting raises and/or getting pay cuts and being told, "You're lucky to have a job." And then the CEO and those in management give themselves a fat bonus. I don't want to get into it on here, but trust me, I know.
Word.
@csp: Word right back atcha! You know what I'm talking about!
Everyone wondering what this is about should read this article in The Nation.
Here's a key paragraph from it:
"Important corporations that have settled without a public trial include Boeing, AIG, AOL, Halliburton, BP, Health South, Daimler Chrysler, Wachovia, Merrill Lynch, Pfizer, UBS and Barclays Bank. The crimes ranged from healthcare fraud to cheating the government on military contracts, bribing foreign governments, money laundering, tax evasion and violating trade sanctions."
Halliburton...hmm...
Nice coverage Marty. Thanks for your tour. Postivie thoughts to all.
All great points MAD .... but my question is what is the end game ? How do these people propose ending all this unfairness - and get what they want ?
@Melanie: Thanks, glad you enjoyed the tour!
@GENE: I asked that to several people and they all said roughly the same thing, which is: "We're trying to spread the word about what's going on, so that maybe things will start changing and people will start being held accountable for breaking the law. It might not help us, but it might change things for the better for the next generation." And you know what, they are making a difference by causing conversations and good-spirited debates. Look at what's happened on this blog alone. But don't worry, it's still going to be fun here, tonight is Cheeseburger Saturday Night! I hope you and Smoopy are having fun in Pittsburgh! Send a photo or two if you can!
Glad you made it down there. I hope to go over the next few days.
@onemorefoldedsunset: I encourage you to stop by there, it's a perspective you can't get unless you've been there.
MAD speaks the truth, at least for the majority.
@Bob: Thanks!
@Everyone: Today's Cheeseburger post will be up a little later, I slept in today, check back around 2PM or so. Thanks!
@csp: I'll second that. Word.
@Biff: Word...third.
Wow cool marty.
Thanks for sharing the photos. Interesting to see a Ron Paul supporter. Cool.
"There's something happenin' here... what it is ain't exactly clear". But it's getting clearer. It's about accountability. if corporations get to have the same rights as American citizens, then they have to suffer the same consequences when their actions cause harm. I saw a great sign from one protester: "I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one".
Thanks for visiting the protest, Marty! I'm going there soon.
@Tiki Bar Susie: I'll be going again, so there will be updates!
@Katrink: I agree about the accountability. All kinds of laws were broken by banks and corporations and not only did no one go to jail, they got bailed out and then gave themselves bonuses with the bailout money! You should go and check it out and talk with people down there. I saw that sign about Texas too!