By Brett Redmayne-Titley
Now that the dust has settled, the cops have all gone home, the reporters and protesters have been released from jail, and the "journalists," of mainstream media, are safely back in their cubicles, it is now time to tell the true story of the first anniversary celebration and protests of Occupy Wall Street, OWS, in New York City. After reviewing over a dozen MSM daily publications, as usual, all their stories minimize, distort, and lie about these events. The real story is one of optimism, collaboration, and success.
Here at the first anniversary of OWS preparations had been made for weeks to organize the many groups and separate protests, and for a celebration. Make no mistake; the overtones of these preparations were designed for a coordinated, , multi-pronged direct action in the streets of the New York City's financial district. These hundreds of organizers understand, and know how to use to good effect, the direct, nonviolent actions, of free speech in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Mandela. What better way to celebrate than to use the exact reason this all started a year ago, a big protest.
Sunday, which was day two of the three day anniversary event, was designed to be a day of celebration of all that OWS has spawned since becoming a movement and beginning the awakening of Americans across the country. OWS, and the accomplishments of its hundreds of National affiliates, are many. These continued as protesters, sympathizers, and concerned citizens came to New York to, once again, this Monday, occupy Wall Street.
MEMBERS OF THE "GUITARMY"
At Foley Square Park festivities started at noon on Sunday. In the hours prior a crowd of well over 1000 people had gathered to meet, organize, greet old friends, and get ready for Monday. At the top of the Park was a four foot high stage and a very nice sounding PA system that was set up so that the music could be heard throughout the large park. As the crowd moved about the park, 400-500 people at any time gathered against the galvanized metal fencing in front of the stage to enjoy the music, comedy, special speakers, and strong speech of the many entertainers. The days emcee was Jello Biafra, former lead singer for the underground US punk band, "The Dead Kennedys". In between the many acts his ongoing impassioned oratory drew rave reviews from the crowd. Rousing cheers of support met his fiery remarks from amongst the many colorful signs, banners, and cameras paying close attention to every word ,as the crowd grooved to the, ever-increasing, vibe.
JELLO BIAFRA
At the other end of the park an equally impassioned crowd enjoyed many other smaller protest, displays of information, individual musicians, and a beautiful New York City. A warm and almost cloudless the day welcomed protesters to their ongoing efforts. With music everywhere the crowd spoke in loud back-and-forth dialogues. Friends greeted friends. War stories were told about former protests. Opinions were matched and discussions were passionate. But, in every group, small and large, and on the main stage, the talk was of Monday's early-morning protest and the many more to follow that same day. Excitement was everywhere.
"We know what we're up against," said one original OWS number who asked to remain nameless. "Were New Yorkers," he added. "We know all about the NYPD." The confidence of the statement would soon be tested in less than twenty-four hours. Boldly, OWS had told the cops, in print, on stage, at every opportunity, that they were coming on Monday. Today's celebration had permit. Tomorrow there would be no stinking permits. Since the cops always find out about direct actions in advance anyway, this matters little. Early on NYPD expressed their intentions violate the First Amendment rights of the protesters,. A NYPD communications officer told a reporter that "we expect to arrest 80% of protesters". An ominous prediction.
Already, on Saturday Night, at Trinity church, NYPD arrested more than a dozen protesters and several journalists without any apparent reason or violation. As reported by Cory Clark of Occupy Philadelphia, who was also arrested at Trinity church;
"Around 8:30 in the evening threats and intimidation turned into violent action by the police for a second time as a group of five photojournalists where attacked and arrested by police while attempting to photograph a series of arrests in front of Trinity Church.Police had already formed a wall across the sidewalk blocking foot traffic and preventing the observation of arrest being carried out on the other side in front of Trinity Church.
The aggression started after Sgt. Diaz of the 7th precinct told one photographer "I will be engaging you later," pointing his finger at him in a threatening manner. Sgt. Diaz was one of the officers leading the charge into the crowd of journalists. Within minutes police came into the crowd of journalists who were still backing up in compliance with police orders, while photographing the scene in front of them."
"Police grabbed [him] by both arms and used you to drive a wedge through the crowd then slammed you into the side walk in the alcove, three officer had their knees in [his]back," said Timothy Kyle a photographer from Philadelphia's Occupy Philly Media who witnessed Clark's arrest.
"Police were screaming in my ear "this is what you wanted wasn't it," and, "stop resisting," although I was limp and compliant save that I was screaming for all to hear me that I was a journalist" said Clark about his arrest. He added, "Two of the photojournalists who were arrested with me had their flex cuffs on so tight as to cause extreme pain and even the loss of feeling in their hands. One female photographer's handcuffs were so tight that not only did she loose feeling but her hands began turning cold. My experience wasn't the exception, but seemed to be the rule, not just for our arrests, but for all of the arrests during the S-17 protests."
Considering the expressed, non-violent, intentions of these protesters and journalists at the church this does not bode well for those who plan to attend the early-morning Monday festivities to express their non-violent First Amendment, and constitutionally protected, rights.
At the celebration at Foley Park the, "Guitarmy," kicked off the Occupy Anniversary celebration. Composed of almost thirty acoustic guitarists, with the added touch of some inspired vocals from some lovely ladies dressed in white, with the occasional accordion and banjo, the ensemble played protest songs both original and traditional. Some traditional songs had new chosen words of parody thrown in to the add the Occupy flavor.
Next on stage were the "Raging Grannies". True to their name they were all likely somebody's grandmother and, thanks to their protest songs, there was no doubt these ladies sympathized with the younger protesters in front of them. The crowd loved the choreographed and well- rehearsed routine. These girls certainly had their act together as they exhorted the crowd to a new high. Their set was a great example to everyone crowding the stage before them. All were glad to follow the example of these elders.
Lee Camp, a local comedian, next gave a arousing and quite apropos commentary on America's condition, both authoritarian and apathetic. His shtick was part Lenny Bruce combined with George Carlin overtones. The crowd roared its approval and this humorous interlude provided a short decompression from the swelling excitement.
Jello Biafra got the music going again by introducing, "Global Block" and rap group representing Occupy The Hood. This eight piece troop gave rap rhythms, combined with their socially conscious lyrics, a nice Occupy flavor. The heavy beat of the songs put everyone back in the groove as the crowd returned to swaying and undulating merrily in front of the stage.
LEE CAMP
Other guests included activist singer-songwriter Michelle shocked, who has a long legacy of involvement in American protest. She did a short set full of political diatribe which the audience loved.
For six hours the music and the energy increased in tempo. In the crowd smiling faces were everywhere and excitement emanated infectiously from the increasingly boisterous crowd. By the time local favorite, "Rebel Diaz," came on stage as the final act almost all of the 1000 plus protesters surrounded the stage. The thirty minute set took the celebration to new heights and provide the energy for all to feed on in preparation for Monday. As the last song finished the cops immediately informed to crowd to disperse. This was not the encore the crowd expected, but true to form the protesters dutifully began gathering ground cloths, blankets, posters, information tents, and trash and began moving on. Last minute plans were shared as small knots of protesters shuffled down one of the streets to rest and prepare for Monday.
Occupy Wall Street set the standard for occupations a year ago. True to their standard they provided all the organizing, coordination, and amenities needed to make a successful event. With the first anniversary being a worldwide event Occupiers were arriving in New York City from across the country and across the world. Americans were represented from as far afield as San Diego, Oakland, Seattle, Portland, Tampa, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Sioux Falls, and many more. Coming to pay tribute to the success of the worldwide Occupy movement were a dozen, or more, protesters who traveled from England, just as many from Spain, a group from the Netherlands, as well as individuals from as far away as Norway and Sweden. With the cost of attendance being prohibitive many had traveled to New York City without knowing where they would stay. Good planning by OWS anticipated this problem.
At Second Avenue and 32nd St. in Brooklyn OWS had secured at warehouse space large enough to accommodate five hundred protesters. The warehouse or "sleeping space" was available for all four nights of the protests and open to all. It was just a five minute walk from the subway at 4th and 36th Street, and all any incoming protester had to do was walk four blocks and look for the large white, " Cat Lovers Meeting" sign, which was the funny code name for the warehouse so as not to attract unwanted attention from conservative NYC elements. OWS volunteers had pressure washed the warehouse floors, vacuumed the carpets, and meticulously cleaned the bathrooms, which conveniently had showers, in preparation for the arrival of the out-of-towners. The Sleeping Space became the epicenter for the out-of-town protesters to come to, get news and updates, get food, and limited sleep. There was no shortage of food since volunteers made sure that large trays of beans and rice, breads and cheeses, sandwiches, juices water, and coffee were available to all.
Throughout the weekend 472 people registered when entering the warehouse. OWS had also provided security, using friendly Occupiers from a local church group, who kept a wary eye at the two exits to the warehouse and did shift's throughout the night to make sure there was no malfeasance. Additionally, there were separate "safe areas" for women protesters to sleep and an additional "safer safe" area, not that any of this was really needed. But it was nice of OWS to provide peace of mind to everyone and therefore a good night's sleep.
Looking across the open warehouse floor as the first rays of Monday morning light of the new day entered the warehouse revealed was a scene of multicolored sleeping bags, bed rolls, blankets, and pillows of the hundreds of protesters happily cocooned across the concrete
expanse. All were sleeping soundly, including on comfortable protester who was setting a new record for decibels achieved by snoring.
On the walls of the "Welcome Area," which also served as the "Late-Night Area" in order to provide quiet to the sleeping protesters, and a place for those to gather who couldn't , were brown paper posters covered in slogans and information about the events to begin. OWS did a great job in providing flyers and handouts to the many attendees. Maps were also available as well as subway information to the protests. There was no lack of encouragement and everyone was well aware of their duties on Monday morning. It was no wonder many could not sleep. Excitement was in the air. The time for glowing speech was over. It would soon be time to show America an example of the power of First Amendment protest. They had all come for direct action. Direct action is necessary. They were ready. Monday would be a big day.
AUTHOR"S NOTE: This is part two of my coverage of the First Anniversary of OWS. Please look for Part Three : "OWS Anniversary: The REAL Story- Monday 5:00 AM!"
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