Certainly, I’m happy to provide sources always:

http://www.peopleofcolororganize.com...Organize%21%29

Then there's been the various iterations and riffs on the use of the word 'occupy'

http://unsettlingamerica.wordpress.c...e-wall-street/

http://ignite-revolution.org/

I find quite a bit of the language in the above quite problematic and I think that to the degree that OWS adopts these ideas, that is the degree to which it is problematic. While I understand why consensus decision making seems wonderful, my own experience is that it is not so much democratic as it is a way for a small group of people to hold an agenda hostage. I need point out only what happened to Rep. John Lewis in Atlanta where he showed up in support, someone blocked consensus on his being able to speak which, as an aside, was when I started to think 'Oh no, not again'.

I want OWS to be successful. I want it to push the political class (or drag them kicking and screaming) to the table so that the long hard slog of rebuilding the middle class in this country can begin. But I'm a reformer not a revolutionary. I just don't trust revolutions because so few of them turn out well. I'd love to see us have a Constitutional convention with two goals:

1) A Constitutional amendment specifically defining a person in such a way that corporations are outside of the definition

2) A Constitutional amendment providing for the public financing of campaigns.

I think that those two things alone would go a very long way toward making the voices of the vast majority of people who aren't rich something that elected officials ignore to their singular peril. Right now, there's really no negative consequence to ignoring our voices that isn't outweighed by the consequences of ignoring their master's (read: the top 1%) voice and so they pay the piper that plays the tune. If we are the piper, they'll have to listen to us.

Cheers
Aj

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45057545/ns/us_news-life/

Oakland protesters hold late-night march after vet injured
Demonstration remains peaceful in contrast to violence the night before; former Marine in critical condition with skull fracture

The police caused the violence on Tuesday........

No police on Wed night.....no violence.......

figure it out folks

It seems like a lot of people don't get this. They think that people were being violent so the police came. They don't realize that people were being peaceful until the police showed up and started pushing people around that were peacefully walking down the street.

Whether I am living on occupied land or land taken in conquest over a century ago seems irrelevant to me. I understand that using the term occupied does imply the possibility of the occupation ending. This occupation will not end. Yet it doesn’t make me a foreigner in my own country nor am I concerned I will be evicted anytime soon if I say the land is occupied. It certainly was occupied although I think stolen a better description because that doesn’t imply there’s a snowball’s chance in hell of getting it back. I don’t think it is a problem to recognize and validate the issues and grievances of others. Sometimes people just like the truth to be recognized for what it is. They just want to hear the words.

Is this truly what you believe? Because if it is, then conversely, you are saying the poor and the working class must remain shackled. They must live in poverty or remain overworked and underpaid in order for you to remain the petty bourgeois. I don’t agree that is true. I think there is plenty for everyone. No one needs to be swept aside. Only the 1% who hold hostage an obscenely large percentage of the wealth need concern themselves with having less.

Perhaps you are mean something along the lines of the poor and the working class should be given opportunities to become the bourgeois?

Socialism doesn’t scare me. The idea of socialized medicine doesn’t fill me with dread. I don’t hold any particular reverence or loyalty toward capitalism as a stand alone economic system. I think at this point capitalism is failing most of us. Only that 1% really benefits. Many say it is because the type of capitalism we have now is crony capitalism. And that works for no-one but the power elite. Perhaps. I don’t know. I think I am open to ideas. I don’t know if any economic system in its purist sense will meet all our needs. Not that we are experiencing capitalism in its purist sense yet, but I certainly see a trend toward the privatization of just about everything and that scares me. I’m not a small government kind of person, nor am I an ideological communist. I like the middle. It seems the sanest way to go with most everything in life. I don’t like what capitalism has shown me so far. But I won’t shut my ears when someone talks about keeping it as a part of our economic system. I like the idea of a social democracy but I am open to new ideas. New combinations of things that might work. Perhaps there is nothing new left to be thought of when it comes to economic/political systems and systems of government. Perhaps it is more about getting the right formula, the right mix of systems, a dash of this and a bit of that.


I believe the first order of business is a redistribution of wealth. I think getting two constitutional amendments you mentioned finally ratified will be a good start. Diffusing the power of the financial sector through regulation is another good start and if the two amendments are ever ratified then there would be a chance to deregulate. It will be slow going because the power is not in the hands of the people. The 1% controls everything. The will try to crush us before we can ever effect any significant change. Either that or swallow us up somehow in the political process.

Revolution is an overthrow and thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed. I don’t think anyone is advocating that at this time. I have heard people call it a revolution, as in that quote by Lawrence Lessig, but anyone who understands revolution recognizes that this is a reform movement.

Even in the sources you provided I didn't see evidence that some people are not welcome at OWS or the GA meetings. I imagine some people may exclude themselves for various reasons, but the movement seems open enough. I personally think inclusion is extremely important if this movement is to have any measure of success.

Actually I advocate working toward a philosophical global unification regarding the interests of the poor and the working class. That would mean finding a way to work with people who hold vastly different and in some case opposing ideologies. I don't think it is impossible to unite very different people to work toward a common purpose. After all the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

with the creation of superbugs via the current corporate oppression, i'd say you're kinda out of luck in the germaphobe thing. i'm sure it would be nice to have neat and clean protests that are shiny and germ and violence free, but that's just not how most (not all) change of this magnitude occurs. there is going to be violence, and germs, and differences of opinion, and a whole slew of other things to pick at and pick apart. hopefully the violence stays contained on the police side cuz that will just make people more involved. i would be worried when we hit the tipping point and the protestors become violent in response. i hope that doesn't happen.

i don't mind that it's messy. messy happens. i don't care about what the people look like or how old they are or if there is some trash or not or who has germs and who doesn't or if i smell incense. i don't give a shit. change needs to happen and i don't mind getting my hands dirty over it.

I must have missed this argument. Why do you and Aj believe no one else has a right to take over any public space?

i think because some of the parks in question are privately owned

oh so they are saying it's okay to take over privately owned space? Because public space can't be taken over by them? Only Native Americans? Okay. I guess that makes sense.

It strikes me as a 'more radical than thou' pose. A piece of rhetorical radical chic that doesn't actually do anything, doesn't change anything and isn't really *meant* to change anything. It's more mantra than anything else. Sort of like when the Right talks about 'family values'. It's an empty phrase that I find annoying. If people *meant* it, if it were more than a pose, that would at least have the virtue of being interesting.

I don't believe this. I think that people who talk about the 'petty bourgeois' *do* believe it. I think that the writer of the POC Organize blog post about the petit bourgeois absolutely believes it which is why they wrote it. I think that we can build a society where there is substantial upward mobility. Unlike the Right, I don't think we can or should indulge the fantasy that all of us will one day be millionaires; we won't. I do, however, think that we can expand the ranks of the 'petit bourgeois' so that a *lot* more people can be middle-class. I remember, dimly, an America where a guy with only a high school education could start working at a GM plant at 18 and by his thirties own a house. This wasn't a perfect America by any means but it was an America with a huge middle class. That is what I would like to see us return to. If you work, you make enough to live on. If you continue to work, you will continue to make more money. I think that this is an achievable goal and one that benefits everyone.

Yes, precisely.


Socialized medicine doesn't scare me. But I do not see--because I have yet to see a single historical example of it--how one has a *socialist* economy (as opposed to a democratic socialist one) without having to have a huge, imposing and very powerful state to enforce it. I think that we should bite the bullet and do what every other industrialized nation has done and go to a single-payer health care system. I would *love* to see us do what most of the Western European nations do and provide free education through college for any citizen who passes the entrance exams. I would like to see us put in a *real* floor below which no citizen falls if they don't absolutely want to. I think we can do all of that without going the route of socialism.

I'm not in love with capitalism just as I'm not in love with democracy. I do not think capitalism is the best system for organizing economic activity, I think it is the least *bad* system provided that it is regulated and that the regulations are meaningfully enforced. I am particularly fond of the European social democracy model because it strikes me as hitting the optimum balance between allowing the market to do those things which markets do well (providing luxury goods and choices of goods and services) while taking out of the hands of the market social infrastructure that is necessary to maintain a stable society. The irony is that the Western European democracies adopted the Marshall plan and have thrived on an economic model we exported to Europe after the Second World War in order to provide a stable social base. It has worked remarkably well. I would like to see us eat our own dog food (as we say at my work) and actually use the model we exported to Europe here since we *know* it works. Does that mean Europe is a utopia? No. But Europe does not have the extreme income disparity or grinding poverty that America does. There are no Mississippi's in Germany or France or England.

I hope that it stays a reform movement. Twenty years ago, when I was a Trotskyist, we spoke of revolution quite a bit. Then I met someone who had actually fled to the US after a revolution in her home country and that really took the scales from my eyes.

Oh, I'm sure that on paper everyone is welcome. That doesn't mean everyone is welcome. Just as several writers have written pieces saying that this or that language being used is off-putting for people of color, certain other language being used is off-putting for people of color who happen to also be middle-class and trying to expand that class instead of seeing it contract. I do think that the movement is going to have to bring in the broadest cross-section of the American public in order to succeed (or the powers-that-be are going to have to be grindingly stupid like they were in Oakland). My concern is that they won't.

The other day I read something (I forget where) that has made me ponder whether or not we on the Left aren't hamstringing ourselves in some ways. Part of the problem I see us having in our nation is that, unlike a number of other nations I can name, the rich here do not feel any particular tie to the United States. German companies try to keep a certain percentage of jobs in Germany. Japanese companies behave the same way. As do the French and the British and the South Koreans and the Spanish and the Russians. Not the Americans. Now, is there anyone here who would say that Volkswagen, Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz aren't real companies? Would anyone say that they put out products no one wants or products that are inferior? Would anyone say that Sony or Toshiba aren't real companies? Does anyone think that the people who sit at the apex of any of the above aren't rich beyond the dreams of avarice?

Without diving into an orgy of protectionism I would like to see a bit more economic nationalism on the part of American corporations. I would like to see our tax code restructured in order to make it clear that we value job creation *here* not in Singapore. I'm sure the Singaporeans are a noble people with a distinguished history and given a choice between my next door neighbor getting a job building, say, solar panels in Portland and someone in Singapore getting that same job, for the same company, but being paid a fraction of the salary with the profits not being repatriated to the United States, I'll take my neighbor getting the job, thank you very much. I think we can restructure the business tax code to embody that ethic. Imagine, for instance, the definition of a US company (and thus domestic products) being something like this:

An American company is defined as any LLC or LLP or other chartered business which has its corporate headquarters in the United States of America and that employs 80% of its workforce domestically. There is a tax rate for American companies and then there's a tax rate for foreign companies. If My Widgets, Inc. moves its headquarters to the Cayman Islands because of the loose banking laws, they are no longer an American company. Their products are now imports not domestic products. They are taxed at the higher rate for foreign companies and their goods have whatever kind of import or excise taxes that foreign goods have. This would make the widgets from MWI far *less* competitive.

Now, has the government told the owners of MWI where they have to put their factory or their HQ? Nope. They are free to move their business anywhere they wish. They are also free to pay the consequences for doing so.

The Right loves to talk a lot about personal responsibility and 'moral hazard' but that is always and forever a one-way street. If we have long-term unemployment benefits that creates a moral hazard. If we have a welfare system at all that denies personal responsibility. But for some reason, the moment we are talking about businesses there's no more responsibility and there's no more moral hazard. Suddenly businesses will always do the right thing in all circumstances regardless of what their actions actually are. How do we know those are the right things, because businesses do them.

If personal responsibility is good enough to cudgel the high school dropout with then I think it's good enough to cudgel the MBA from the Wharton school who gets it into his head that it would be a great idea to buy up company X, strip it to the bone, move the HQ to someplace where they won't have to pay taxes, move whatever is left of the manufacturing operations to some other nation where they can pay workers $2 a week, and in the process completely obliterate the economy of an American city. If we can say that unemployment benefits should be limited lest they be abused, then we can equally say that the tax code shouldn't be an invitation to ship good, middle-class jobs overseas lest business people be tempted to do what we've told them, through the medium of our laws, is perfectly acceptable. I don't see how we can do that without appealing to a sense of 'you take care of your countrymen first' across the board.

Cheers
Aj

Police Attack Oakland Solidarity March - NYC October 26th, 2011
 

I never said that. I think that people DO have the right to take over ANY public space at any time of their choosing. That's what makes it public. I do *not* think people have a right to take over a private space. I would go further, I think we should use the idea of public space to our advantage.

One of the most expensive parts of a political campaign is getting air time. It costs a lot. Here's the thing, though, we *own* the air waves and we *own* the right-of-way that the cable companies use to lay fiber. That's ours. The satellites that are in orbit beaming CNN to you everyday was lifted with the heavy space-lift capacity of the United States. NASA put those satellites up there, not Ted Turner or Rupert Murdoch. So since the media companies have used public resources, I think they should pay it back in the following form. During an election cycle, as part of a condition of their license, all broadcast media is obliged to carry debates and campaign ads gratis. That turns down the volume for having to raise such god-awful amounts of money to get a television spot in the middle of prime time. Without our public right-of-way and heavy-lift capacity and the FCC regulating how powerful your broadcast tower can be so channel 3 can't just overwhelm channel 5 with a more powerful signal, none of the media companies would be profitable. So since we make it possible for them to be profitable, they should do something by way of saying 'thank you'. Carrying our elections for free is a great way to show gratitude.

Cheers
Aj

The cops should really be on our side. I understand the higher rank officers that get the kickbacks from the people that we are fighting against but the guys on the ground really need to get their shit together. Also I wonder who the guys in suits were.

Oh yeah and this is happening. Wallstreet gets funds to setup cameras to watch citizens in Manhattan. I believe half is tax funded the other half paid by Goldman Sachs.



Love TYT!

Letter from Jean Quan to Occupy Oakland
 

We support the goals of the Occupy Wall Street movement: we have high levels of unemployment and we have high levels of foreclosure that makes Oakland part of the 99% too. We are a progressive city and tolerant of many opinions. We may not always agree, but we all have a right to be heard.

I want to thank everyone for the peaceful demonstration at Frank Ogawa Park tonight, and thank the city employees who worked hard to clean up the plaza so that all activities can continue including Occupy Wall Street. We have decided to have a minimal police presence at the plaza for the short term and build a community effort to improve communications and dialogue with the demonstrators.

99% of our officers stayed professional during difficult and dangerous circumstances as did some of the demonstrators who dissuaded other protestors from vandalizing downtown and for helping to keep the demonstrations peaceful. For the most part, demonstrations over the past two weeks have been peaceful. We hope they continue to be so.

I want to express our deepest concern for all of those who were injured last night, and we are committed to ensuring this does not happen again. Investigations of certain incidents are underway and I will personally monitor them.

We understand and recognize the impact this event has had on the community and acknowledge what has happened. We cannot change the past, but we are committed to doing better.

Most of us are part of the 99%, and understand the spirit of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. We are committed to honoring their free speech right.

Finally, we understand the demonstrators want to meet with me and Chief Jordan. We welcome open dialogue with representatives of Occupy Wall Street members, and we are willing to meet with them as soon as possible.


Wow.

I heard through a friend that this was a mess.

Troublesome, to say the least.

Tired of the "middle class"
 

One of the many things I noticed yesterday was the mix of folks and that those folks talked about poor folks, homeless folks, not just the middle class. For me, this fight is not about going back to what we had, it is going forward to something new. The middle class mostly white who are now losing a way of life many folks never had need to re-think how they want to change the system so that we all benefit, instead of supporting a herman cain kind of theory, your poor and homeless and it is your fault. :blink:


Barbara Lee our State Rep and a Mills Alum
I shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the Mayor. My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen. I strongly support the occupy movement and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality.

YES, Language matters
 

Cross=posted from Facebook: (Luz, Andrew, Andreana and I have submitted the following proposal to "Occupy Oakland." We will keep everyone updated on its status. It is based on the statement approved by Occupy Boston.)

RESOLUTION: Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Oakland being the ancestral land of the Ohlone people; and


WHEREAS, members of the Indigenous Peoples continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and


WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of indigenous peoples in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and

As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and Indigenois Peoples who have felt excluded who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Oakland" aspires to “Decolonize Oakland" with the guidance and participation of Indigenous Peoples; and


Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite Indigenous Peoples to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent. We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land In Solidarity,

Joanne Barker (510-206-9527)

Luz Calvo

Andreana Clay

Andrew Jolivette

Coming to Some Consensus
 

There are different rivers running to this delta right now - the disadvantage of asynchronous communication. It's important, however, to focus on the confluence suggested by these rivers of thought.

1) I do think the term "occupy" is not a good one, and if the movement evolves, as I hope it does, this should change.

2) Pain, loss and violence have already begun, whether or not it's at the protests or it's the many injustices and indignities we will never see or know of that have come about as the rich most certainly have gotten richer and the poor poorer. Some of us know people who are losing their homes, in medical bankruptcy, making choices between food and medication, working minimum-wage jobs, not working, not surviving. This battle started a long time ago, and there have long been casualties.

3) We all desire social and economic justice/equality, positive momentum and the opportunity for all to survive and thrive. We are looking for a greater semblance of balance in a system that feels increasingly imbalanced.

So let's agree on the larger points and allow ourselves to respectfully disagree on the some of the finer points for now. I believe these too will work out in time.

If we do not have solidarity here, I can assure we will not be effective against a formidable opponent that has absolutely no interest in giving up the power it has so well accrued.

I do agree with economic nationalism. I hope we can force corporations to accept more accountability for what is happening here at home. Guilt tripping, moral accountability and responsibility are useful and a call to nationalism is fine. Finest of all will be some well placed taxes and incentives to make them take responsibility for their country. Will it happen? I sure hope so. However, I can’t help but believe that we are not the only people who understand what a logical step these laws are if anyone is interested in economic recovery. So if they know it, but are refusing to do it, then we are left with the realization that we will have to make them. However, something will have to change dramatically for the 99% to get the power to effect change anything like what we are talking about.

So nationalism is good and necessary. However, that said, I believe the kind of financial terrorism we are seeing perpetrated by the banking cartel will not be fixed so easily. This is where I see a united global response being needed. There is and will continue to be a financial globalization and in order to counter balance this there will need to be a more united global response. I don’t know what this will look like and I’m certainly not advocating no borders or world citizenship or anything even remotely in that vicinity. I am talking more about a united philosophical ideology concerning the rights and dignity of human beings. A kind of global philosophical revolution. I understand that any kind of united global resistance is a long way off. We are seeing significant global unrest but this is just the beginning. I am not advocating taking jobs away from Americans and giving them to people in other countries. I agree that we need to focus on our own economic recovery. I am saying that because of the way the world works at this time we will ultimately need to come up with a global response to the things that are effecting everyone world wide. We need to understand that the struggle of one is the struggle of all, freedom for all or freedom for none. This does not mean I am against economic nationalism.

this is fromTuesday
 

SHAME ON THE MAYOR AND OPD!!!!!! WHO STREETS OUR STREETS!:deepthoughts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=OZLyUK0t0vQ

Wall Street Firms Spy on Protesters in Tax-Funded Center
In a secretive government facility Wall Street firms get to sit alongside the New York Police Department and spy on law-abiding citizens.

http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst...er?page=entire

Who Do the White Shirt Police Report to at Occupy Wall Street Protests?
Financial Giants Put New York City Cops On Their Payroll

http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/10/...their-payroll/

FDR'S WORDS 60 YEARS AGO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE TODAY!

On January 11, 1944, in the midst of World War II, President Roosevelt spoke forcefully and eloquently about the greater meaning and higher purpose of American security in a post-war America. The principles and ideas conveyed by FDR's words matter as much now as they did over sixty years ago, and the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center is proud to reprint a selection of FDR's vision for the security and economic liberty of the American people in war and peace.

“The Economic Bill of Rights”

Excerpt from President Roosevelt's January 11, 1944 message to the Congress of the United States on the State of the Union

It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.

Of course Congress did not pass it.

Excellent post! I'm so glad to hear someone bringing this up and correlating it to corporation action - the creation of monocultures, "pesticide ready" plants, GMOs and "terminal seeds," the wildly indiscriminate use of antibiotics in stockyard animals" as a natural (or unnatural) impetus and cause for the creation of superbugs like drug-resistant staff infections.

Persiphone, I've encouraged my students to write about a variety of topics, including OWS and this one. Do you have any sources for this that you like? One student is writing about this, and she's already accessed an article form The Altantic (6/11) and the PBS survival series segment. What else have you read that you like?

If someone can post informative links about what happened in Oakland and the injured young man, please do.

Many conflicting stories floating around about how it came to happen. From the cops being pelted with paint, rocks, etc. when they asked demonstrators to get back on the sidewalk- to no one was doing a thing to provoke any police action. Also, it took much longer than it should have to get that kid to a medical facility due to chaos. Some of the folks that were trying to help him were shot at too, while trying to carry him closer to where medics could treat him??

I have had it with these "non-lethal" weapons claims. If you shoot someone with one at point blank range and hit certain areas, they can kill. This kid has a fractured skull ans last I heard (6 am) is in critical condition.

I know the blame is going to back and forth- what I am interested in is how we can demonstrate our dissent and not have this happen. And no, that won't include just letting people camp and march where they want. There needs to be ER services available, specified public free speech areas and common sense. Permits include services and resources for our right to assemble and protest as well as safety routes for ER vehicles.

Protests can be very important in effecting change, but violence and chaos do nothing to effect change. The 99% includes people from the far left to moderates. Even folks that have some conservative views- we are all getting screwed by the 1%. In fact, this is the first time I really seen a movement marching in the streets in which people that most of the time would not cross paths, have differing political views, sexualities, as well as educational levels or professions and differ in race out there together. In some cities fire fighters and police officers have joined in. Actually, I like this about the OWS movement- it does represent the 99%- the whole point of the movement.

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-...rotest-2011-10


Scott Olsen survived two tours of Iraq, but his life could be over after being critically injured by a police projectile at Occupy Oakland, The Guardian reports. He's 24 years old.

As we know, Occupy Oakland got incredibly ugly this week as police tried to remove protesters from their camp in front of City Hall by using tear gas, fire crackers, and rubber bullets.

Olsen suffered a head injury on Tuesday night, and is now in critical condition in Oakland's Highland Hospital. Jay Finneburgh, a photographer on the scene, managed to witness and take pictures of the incident. Police policy specifically prohibits the firing of these weapons at a person's head.

"This poor guy was right behind me when he was hit in the head with a police projectile. He went down hard and did not get up," Finneburgh wrote.

At first, Doctors told Olsen's friends that he was in critical, but stable condition. Now they're being told that his skull has been fractured and his brain is beginning to swell. Neurologists are in the process of determining whether or not he will require surgery.

According to Keith Shannon, a friend who served with Olsen during his time in Iraq, Olsen was hit in the head with a tear gas or smoke canister, and he has the scar on his head to prove it.

Meanwhile, Oakland police admit that they used tear gas and baton rounds, but have denied the use of flash bang grenades. Protesters, however, say they saw police use them, and the more video that comes out, the harder it is to believe the police.

Olsen hails from Wisconsin, served tours of Iraq in 2006 and 2007, and is active in both Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War.

You can see a video of him collapsing and injured below.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-...#ixzz1c0pcVmVh




Here is the video also. It shows the police throwing a flash bomb right in the middle of them while they are trying to help him.

Update on Vet Scott Olsen
 

well the Mayor certainly is talking out of both sides of her mouth. Her tune has changed in less than 48 hours. I'm pissed I voted for her. I also want to know where the City Council members were when Tuesday happened and what they knew about it and what they are going to do about it.

There are re-call the Mayor petitions being circulated right now.

They actually fired on the people who ran to help the protestor they shot with tear gas?

I can't even begin to express how angry I am right now.

The young man who's brain is now swelling
 

and his skull is fractured. He came back from two tours of Iraq to participate in a democracy that he defended. Yeah, how about that.

http://front.moveon.org/wp-content/u...cott-olsen.jpg

Vigil tonight in a town near you! Scott Olsen
 

I posted such links yesterday evening and yes, you can see very clearly , people rush back to help the young man lying on the ground..and a Police person, lobs a Flash Bomb DIRECTLY into the middle of teh group trying to help! Very Al-Quaeda esque ....! Attack one person or thing, then lob another attack when people rush to help...

Btw, Michael Moore is saying he will be in Oakland tomorrow to stand with the protesters.

I looked at these today- my heart in in my throat. Weird reports here in terms of some info left out as far as I can see with now the videos being posted.

There are also some other pics posted in various blogs/articles with other people that have been hit with these bean bag and rubber ball bullets- ALL that I have seen have been in the face or on the neck. And facial bones have ben broken. So, I'm think close range- but maybe any range can do this kind of harm? I think people should use bullet, because that is what they are. The "non-lethal weapon" thing is just wrong. They can be lethal just as tasers can be.

As Toughy wrote earlier, police are not to shoot these at close range and not in the face in the first place. Obviously, these officers did just that. I am wondering about how "orders" are given about this and are these part of what police always have with them- or are these just for "riot patrols?" That term bothers me too.

I am not one to jump to conclusions on police as sometimes I think their actions are justified. But, I'm having a hard time with this. Why were these even used? Even if the crowd was throwing things at them, there is no indication of anyone other than the police being armed. usually, using tear gas breaks up crowds fairly fast- why did they go to these?

I hope this guy recovers fully from this, but it sure sounds like he was hurt badly.

At Last.........

There is NEVER EVER justification for the police to use flash grenades, rubber bulletts/bean bags and tear gas on unarmed citizens exercizing our right to assemble in the streets or on public property. Whose Streets? OUR Streets!

So the fuck what they got pelleted with a few paint balls, rocks and bottles....the police were in FULL riot gear......vests, face masks, helmets, padding everywhere on their bodies.....I doubt they even felt the paint balls hit them in the back. The police came looking for a fight and they started one.

I can't believe you would even think about defending what they police did on Tuesday morning and night. There is no justification.

This article says he was struck with a tear gas canister but also says that is "what is believed." Here in the bay Area of CA, reports have said it was either a rubber bullet or bean bag bullet. Wonder when the actual facts are going to be publicized?

He was hurt badly no matter what hit him or how. This says he is in "fair" condition- others say "critical." All reports I know of say he is in an intensive care unit.

This just plain sux!

looking around on the Occupy website I found this page.......I'm kind of stunned at how many towns/cities have folks participating and occupying....

http://www.meetup.com/occupytogether/