We arrived after a long walk the barefoot guy in white to the UN, which is opening today. I was heartened to see several hundred people already gathered, a coalition of labor, including many nurses, Act Up AIDS activists and Occupy, demonstrating for a Robin Hood Tax on financial transactions (this would be a tax on Wall St.) We marched, chanted and sang all the way back to Bryant Park. What a difference from last year---The police are all over, some with zip ties on their belts, but I didn't see any arrests. They just seemed to be directing traffic along the way. Even went out in the street at times. A guy grabbed me to help hold the Act Up Fight AIDS banner for awhile, so I marched with them most of the way. I think there are are about 500 to 700 people now and everybody is here listening to Sweet Honey in the Rock. In addition to no police interference there have been amplifiers. Yet Zucotti park is still barricaded off like a fort. Can't get pictures to upload, so will head back to the hostel and work on it. There is a GA tonight, but won't go. It's been a great day.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Taking a Break at Bryant Park, between S17 Actions at occupy Wall Street
Well, let's see. It's been along afternoon. I left Zucotti Park looking for the subway to catch up with folks at Times Square, but ended up running into the march and had a great time with hordes of people, signs and music walking up Broadway. (OK, there were about 200). We made a lot of noise.
We ended up at Washington Square at a planned rally with speakers about the TPP. I'll have a lot to say about this later. It's serious. But the fun part was getting to hold the banners for B and P while they did their show.
Things got a little vague at this point, but a guy with bare feet dressed all in white said we could follow him to Times Square for the next TPP event via the subway. So some of us did. A couple from New York, a lady from New Jersey, and a guy from Boston. At Times Square we found the event was over. What a disappointment. But there not only did Iget to see Lee Camp, we ended up walking around New York with him, following the guy with the bare feet. Along the way we picked up Dennis Trainor Jr, who made the movie "American Autumn". So now I find myself sitting in a park with the guy with bare feet, Lee Camp, Dennis Trainor and a growing crowd of others. This has been a little surreal for a middle-aged lady from Vermont.More later.
We ended up at Washington Square at a planned rally with speakers about the TPP. I'll have a lot to say about this later. It's serious. But the fun part was getting to hold the banners for B and P while they did their show.
Things got a little vague at this point, but a guy with bare feet dressed all in white said we could follow him to Times Square for the next TPP event via the subway. So some of us did. A couple from New York, a lady from New Jersey, and a guy from Boston. At Times Square we found the event was over. What a disappointment. But there not only did Iget to see Lee Camp, we ended up walking around New York with him, following the guy with the bare feet. Along the way we picked up Dennis Trainor Jr, who made the movie "American Autumn". So now I find myself sitting in a park with the guy with bare feet, Lee Camp, Dennis Trainor and a growing crowd of others. This has been a little surreal for a middle-aged lady from Vermont.More later.
S17 Wall Street
There's something ironic about using a Burger King send info about an anti-corporate event.
One thing about Occupiers---apparently we're not early risers. I arrived promptly at 8 Am and found a group of about 20 very cold activists. Soon the bagels and cream cheese arrived. And then more activists. Within the hour the number increased to about 100, there are many more now that we have gotten back to Zucotti park from a visit to Wall Street. It was NOT blocked off this year, allowing us to make a human gong to counter, and drown out the opening bell at the stock exchange, from the steps of...not sure what huge building it was but there was a massive statue.
NYPD get up early in the morning. In fact there are about ten of them for every protester. Many walked along side of us on the street. Some of the light blue shirted ones walked with us, a few engaged in conversation with marchers. I keep a sharp eye on the ones in the white shirts.
Some of our own Vermont Band P folks are here. Events are planned for all day.
Oh, Oh---The park appears to have emptied out. Better go see what's going on.
One thing about Occupiers---apparently we're not early risers. I arrived promptly at 8 Am and found a group of about 20 very cold activists. Soon the bagels and cream cheese arrived. And then more activists. Within the hour the number increased to about 100, there are many more now that we have gotten back to Zucotti park from a visit to Wall Street. It was NOT blocked off this year, allowing us to make a human gong to counter, and drown out the opening bell at the stock exchange, from the steps of...not sure what huge building it was but there was a massive statue.
NYPD get up early in the morning. In fact there are about ten of them for every protester. Many walked along side of us on the street. Some of the light blue shirted ones walked with us, a few engaged in conversation with marchers. I keep a sharp eye on the ones in the white shirts.
Some of our own Vermont Band P folks are here. Events are planned for all day.
Oh, Oh---The park appears to have emptied out. Better go see what's going on.
Monday, September 16, 2013
En Route to NYC for Occupy's 2nd Anniversary
Greetings from Amtrak: Looks like an event in support of fast food workers and an event to protest the Transpacific Partnership are going to happen pretty much at the same time. I want to do BOTH of these. Have to see how it works out. The TPP event will be theatrical. There will also be speeches and workshops all day at Zucotti Park. And a People's Exchange, only I don't have anything to exchange. Curious to see how heavy the police presence will be.
More about the action here: https://www.facebook.com/NewPurpleNation/posts/626606624030857
More about the action here: https://www.facebook.com/NewPurpleNation/posts/626606624030857
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Heading for Wall Street Tomorrow
This is my third visit to Zucotti Park. The first year I was on the livestream and some of my fellow 99%ers here happened to catch me----Hey That's Diane!
Last year Occupy's meticulous plans to close down access to Wall Street were met with overwhelming police presence, and brutality. This year looks more festive but plans have been very mum---I don't think we'll know what we're doing until we do it. This news reporting thing via the blog is pretty new to me, so I don't know how it will go. Hope to duck into someplace with WiFi periodically to post pictures and info. Be sure of one thing----you won't get this information via the mainstream media. This the news reporting of the future. If you want to know what's really going on anywhere you will have to rely on citizen reporters. And that means that it's very important that we keep a free and open internet. 'Bye for now, Stay tuned.-----Diane
Last year Occupy's meticulous plans to close down access to Wall Street were met with overwhelming police presence, and brutality. This year looks more festive but plans have been very mum---I don't think we'll know what we're doing until we do it. This news reporting thing via the blog is pretty new to me, so I don't know how it will go. Hope to duck into someplace with WiFi periodically to post pictures and info. Be sure of one thing----you won't get this information via the mainstream media. This the news reporting of the future. If you want to know what's really going on anywhere you will have to rely on citizen reporters. And that means that it's very important that we keep a free and open internet. 'Bye for now, Stay tuned.-----Diane
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
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