Occupy Denver disrupts vigil to honor homeless who have died, refuse to allow mayor to speak
A traditionally solemn candlelight vigil for people who died on Denver's streets was disrupted tonight by a loud, angry Occupy Denver group.
The night before, the Occupiers' tents, shanties and other possessions were removed from Civic Center park by police across the street from the vigil.
They shouted "fascist" and other slurs as Mayor Michael Hancock stepped forward to deliver the city's annual address on homelessness.
Hancock pleaded with them to show civility to the families and respect for the 136 men and women whose names would eventually be called. After a few minutes, he surrendered the podium on the steps of the City and County Building so that the vigil could continue.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19588412
I think Occupy Denver has outlived it's relevancy.
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Integral
(6 posts)Really? I mean I've never been a fan of the "occupy" part of Occupy due to the disturbing the peace and issues with people's property, but now this? Can they sink any lower?
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)
pnwmom
(110,190 posts)I haven't heard about this elsewhere, though.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)The Denver mayor is a hypocrite.
By the way, #Occupy has helped people unjustly evicted by banks, to reclaim their property and to force the banks into negotiation on non-toxic mortgages. They achieved this through occupying said homes and front yards.
newspeak
(4,847 posts)the OWS has helped the homeless in denver. It was cold and snowy and the police dismantled shelters, including those of the homeless late at night. They also assaulted a homeless woman who was schizophrenic. This is absolute hypocrisy at it's finest.
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)Interrupting a perfectly crafted pile of BS of a photo op for the holidays.
'Cause in providing for the homeless, helping the homeless, and standing up agaisnt eviction along with their protests the OWS movement really jumped the shark when they actually stood up and called out a Mayor for being the hipocrite that he is.
What DU'ers actually think that a bloody photo op is somehow the same as doing something?
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)and the A-H Mayor, so at least his e-mail receivers get to feast their eyes on our rude e-mails.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)They chose/wanted the mayor to be there, and they were the ones arranging this annual event(on its 22nd year)
I will side with the coalition(and indirectly the mayor) over the occupy group in this instance since they were honoring those who had died, the other interrupted an important event for many families.
Besides, if the 1st amendment is so important to occupy, why are they trying to silence others?
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)It is amazing to me that after the last 10 years of progressives being called evil, unpatriotic, and everything else under the sun, that you are so willing to jump on the band wagon of a right wing rag, that only promotes one side of this issue. They only want Hancock there to get press coverage. Hancock is no friend to the homeless...can you spell politics? Even the Colorado Coalition for the homeless wants to have the photo op.
txlibdem
(6,183 posts)Where were they when these 100+ homeless people died? Defending them? Helping them? Offering shelter?
Hell no. They were eating a big meal and having a fine wine off the donations of suckers who think this organization actually accomplishes anything.
randome
(34,845 posts)How do YOU know they were 'having a fine wine'? This is just trash talk, isn't it?
Tonyvee333
(2 posts)The Denver Post is not even close to being a right wing paper.
Maraya1969
(23,418 posts)to help support OWS when they were being thrown out into the cold the night before? It just seems that this coalition wants to help the homeless but not the homeless that have the words "occupy" anywhere near them.
I think this should be a time when everyone tried to find a common ground and a common reason to treat each other with compassion. It is getting cold outside.
Bully Taw
(194 posts)Not a good move for the OWS movement. When things like this happen, it only helps those that want to sweep the movement under the rug as a bunch of college kids getting high and living off mommy and daddy (who are probably 1%ers in the first place). the key to making the movement work is to keep the message pure and free of this kind of baloney. I see that many on this thread have taken the stance that the whole event is bull anyway and a nice photo op for the mayor, but that is really beside the point. Stepping on others rights to assert your message is never the way to be heard.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)we ain't gonna let you get away with your hypocrisy. They didn't oppose the vigil..just the messenger. Part of the problem with the left is "not making waves for fear we will be attacked" Ask any democrate in congress..we have heard that for years now right? Look where it has gotten us.
randome
(34,845 posts)Nowhere. It didn't change a thing and it pissed off a lot of people who might otherwise be sympathetic to OWS.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)We can't predict the angle that the news will take...but we have a pretty good guess, they have spun anything occupy has done in a negative light.
What kind of democrat are you anyway...who's side are you on? If you haven't figured out that the extreme hypocrisy needs to be exposed, I am wondering what you think we should do...Lay down like all the dems in DC so "we don't make waves"
Oh and btw....the rest sympathize with Occupy and they are already back in Denver. Occupy is not going away and you will eat your words in the spring
randome
(34,845 posts)You think we are all too stupid to parse through a news article and draw reasoned, rational opinions, do you?
And now the OWS movement has shifted gears to 'expose hypocrisy'. I thought it was to protest against unjust economic conditions. I thought it had something to do with 'Wall Street'.
I don't see anyone on this thread who wants OWS to go away. What a lot of people would like, however, is for the movement to focus on something more relevant than setting up tents in public parks.
You think OWS should 'make waves'? Get a clue, Slit Skirt. I agree with you! Most people on DU, I would hazard a guess, agree with you!
But camping out in public parks is not making the kind of waves that will make a difference. When it goes on for as long as it has, it only annoys people, enemies and supporters alike, and that is what you see happening on this thread.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)what is wrong with exposing hpocrisy...since when as democrats are we against exposing hypocrisy. Occupy is there as a represenatation of ALL that is wrong.
How little you know...Occupy on a weekly basis is reaching out to all progressive coalitions to help with foreclosures, immigration issues, corporate personhood. YOU GET A CLUE...you are UNINFORMED.
The reason why occupy is still out in the streets (at a much smaller number but still out there) is to let people know they are not going away...and in the meantime they are helping the homeless!!!
my response about uninformed idiots is about people passing judgement on Occupy DEnver without all the facts. I live here, I go down there, we feed them, we do their laundry, we dry their blankets when they get wet from the snow.
If you think that OWS was about Wall street only you are sadly misinformed. But, I will give you that all the evils that we are fighting has a direct path to Wall street....everything
So typical of the left........The left will always eat their own.
what are you doing to shape this movement beside complaining on something that you know nothing about.
So if you are not against OWS be helpful and not critical.
randome
(34,845 posts)Usually ideas by anyone are portrayed as being unsupportive of OWS. As for OWS being in the streets, they aren't very much, they are camping out in public parks. That's not 'in the streets' except when they inevitably get kicked out.
More activism. Make people more aware of the economic injustice in our country by campaigning for real alternative candidates, by marching and demonstrating. This taking over of public spaces is counter-productive.
I don't want OWS to go away but I would like to see it focussing on more effective methods.
I don't have all the answers but this interrupting of a vigil to honor the homeless dead will not help.
If anyone has ideas for more effective strategies, then please post them. I want to see the system changed, too. I'm not posting here just to denigrate anyone but to point out what I think works and what doesn't work.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)making the homeless worse off not better. It was hypocrisy at its finest so the asshole mayor could go home to his warm house with presents, and a hot dinner and not feel so guilty. They just wanted the mayor to go away and rightly so. How much respect did he give the homeless woman who died last week?? Oh I guess taking away food and clothing and shelter doesn't count.
More activism..again...
They are organizing foreclosure teach ins and protests
they just had an immigration awareness and protest
before that they had a teach where parents could teach their children democracy in action
they feed, clothe and shelter the homeless.
That is probably more than any of you who sit behind your computers passing judgement on people who are trying to do some very good in this world.
The way you get more people's attention is to educate and get the media's attention which is exactly what they are doing. The taking over the public parks is what got the media attention and changed the national conversation in the first place. Who's side are you on???
randome
(34,845 posts)Really. And if the media isn't paying enough attention to them, then we need to find some way to bring more attention to them.
But I'm not sure how this is going to change the system. It helps people in need, yeah, great stuff, but we were all sold on the notion that OWS was going to turn society on its head and transform the economic landscape.
If this is where the movement is headed, more power to it but the 'occupy' stuff detracts from the good works because it annoys people, enemies and supporters alike.
Whose side am I on? On the side that wants to see economic disparity reduced and greater job opportunities for all. We are in a lousy situation now with the economy the way it is. Republicans are on the ropes because they are self-destructing. We need to take advantage of that, not get into shouting matches with local mayors, who, abhorrent though you may find him, was elected by his constituents and is also a Democrat.
You may have been right about the left eating its own. That's what shouting down the mayor looks like to me.
I am in support of the ideals OWS was formed to address.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)you don't get it..and probably never will. the mayor is a democrat in name only. You have no idea what our local politics are, so quit pretending to know.
you want economic disparity reduced, fight for it instead of criticizing what is going on. It is amazing to me how you defend someone because they have a d after their name, regardless of their history.
support ows...yeah right...you just want someone out their fighting your fight.....
you just jumped on this thread without the proper information.
get informed before you claim to get annoyed....and btw no one sold you nothing.
Tonyvee333
(2 posts)You are 100% Right on this one. Very poor judgement for OWS.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Every republican official or democrat who does not do for the people. THe lies should be silenced. The lies in this country, in our media, in our govt. has destroyed us. Silence the mother fuckers? Hell yeah!
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)By now, it's public knowledge that about 30 Occupy Denver supporters interrupted Mayor Michael Hancock's speech during a vigil for the homeless last night on the steps of the City & County Building. This is true. Little, however, has been shared about the decision-making process behind last night's protest or the fact that it was not actually sanctioned by Occupy Denver. Just because a protest involves members of Occupy Denver doesn't mean it represents all of Occupy Denver, says Pamela Zubal, the protest's organizer.
*snip*
"We found that it was the absolute height of hypocrisy for the city to kick people who were warm and homeless out of their structures, wake them up and make them go out into the cold," says Zubal, a supporter of the homeless who is no longer a supporter of Occupy Denver. "To watch this happen and then let the person who is responsible for that talk is absolutely crazy."
*snip*
The trip to the homeless vigil was not approved or, in fact, even brought to the GA. Zubal posted it on Facebook, and a handful of supporters texted the news to others. The same thing goes for Saturday's anti-capitalist elf march, which, though attended by many Occupy Denver supporters, was not an Occupy Denver event. This did not, however, keep it from being covered as one.
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/12/occupy_denver_colorado_coalition_homeless.php
--------------
Going by the above, i will admit i was mistaken when saying that occupy was making a bad mistake messing with the vigil since it seems that it wasn't an OD action
I will stand by the rest of my words in this thread tho
randome
(34,845 posts)Shines a different light on the whole matter. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)the homeless either. Or there wouldn't be 130+ of them freezing to death on the street. And he wouldn't have evicted a squatters camp that was housing homeless people two nights before this scheduled ceremony.
Talk about myopia.
rtassi
(629 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)have a pure article based on hate. heck of a biased article if I ever had seen one. what slurs? if you say slurs I assume you mean racist slurs. no I do know the Mayor risked killing alot of people the night before though and threw many more out on the street. OWS is very loud and very relevant and that became even more clear with mr pretender I care crap from the Mayor. So Rick Scott can get pummeled for his pro homeless but steal their money , but the Denver Mayor can't. Only one pushed off the stage was the mayor. not the vigil
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)history with this Mayor. I guess they think it is ok to send bulldozers in the park in the middle of the night.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)for the record.
Fearless
(18,458 posts)Response to Integral (Reply #1)
Post removed
roody
(10,849 posts)coalition_unwilling
(14,180 posts)joeglow3
(6,228 posts)Just click on ignore and be done with it. Otherwise, it comes accross like some child-like need for attention.
randome
(34,845 posts)You don't want to hear from people with different opinions, then you shouldn't bother to leave your house, much less join in a discussion forum.
(Not meaning you, Joe.)
Puglover
(16,380 posts)horseshit time and time again from the same posters is hardly "not wanting to hear from people with different opinions"
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)no not using the ignore or alert unless someone personally attacked me. Then there might be an issue. That is personally attacked me without just cause. Come in here to see what good OWS news is and it's an opinion based on hate. Nice.. Now I know why I keep going back to DU2. DU3 still has a long way to earn my trust 
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I remember a very petulant student arguing (badly) with a physics professor while in college. Sometimes the ignore function is used to prevent the childish rather than than hide from different opinions. I imagine a thing may have many more uses than we ourselves may give it credit for.
On the other hand, I can readily understand that someone may suggest to others not to leave their houses based on a myopic understanding of a thing.
randome
(34,845 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)unionworks
(3,574 posts)to a fanfare before announcing. 
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)
Raster
(21,010 posts)Actually, it appears the "sink any lower" comment should apply to the hypocrite of a mayor.
Enjoy your stay at DU.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,313 posts)people's property....well the cops would know about that. Plenty of disrupted peace and destruction of people's property with raids on
encampments and many of those in the encampments ARE homeless which makes this Mayor a HYPOCRITE!
How's that for disgusting?
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Are at an all time low, especially in terms of the SEC and all the manipulations that have gone on at Wall Street.
There are more than enough police to hassle those speaking out about how both parties are guilty of letting the Wall Street tycoons endanger the entire society, with eight million foreclosures being processed or have been processed in the last 24 months.
Bernanke allows some 14 trillions of dollars to be "loaned" to the Bankers across the Globe. (The loans are "paid back" with investment books filled with "investments" of dubious value. Which have value only if they should be used in the smallest room in the house.)
And those money handlers still manage to set things up so that "austerity measures" must be applied. But only on the poor and the Middle Class.
Whose Street?
[h2][font color=red]
OUR STREET!!
[/h2][/font color=red]
certainot
(9,090 posts)they got him to shut the fuck up so the vigil could go on
FedUp_Queer
(975 posts)Just like those Niggras back in the 60s "disturbing the peace." Oh, and we can't forget those queers in Stonewall "disturbing the peace." What they did was protest the mayor because he's a hypocrite. Perhaps their tactics could have been better but you, sir or madam, are a collaborator.
Burgman
(330 posts)Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)not sure what you are talking about
Pachamama
(17,540 posts)Never been a fan of Occupy...so I am curious what you are a fan of in a democratic movement....or not?
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)or u just don't get it.
mitchtv
(17,718 posts)enjoy your stay
elleng
(141,926 posts)Integral
(6 posts)"PAY ATTENTION TO ME NOW!" by throwing a fit. at a memorial.
fail
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)hmmmmf.
coalition_unwilling
(14,180 posts)PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)he's a child.. go figure..
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)the homeless out in the street because here I am pretending to care at this memorial'.
Didn't work, so hopefully it won't happen again.
Good for OWS for calling out such vile hypocrisy. Why does Denver need a memorial for people who have died of homelessness? Why has this mayor not dealt with the homeless situation? Why is he PREVENTING those who probably were saving lives from doing so?
And people wonder why Politicians are among the most reviled people in this country today.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)One: the memorial/vigil was arranged by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and they asked for the mayor to speak
two: Look up 'Denver's road home': http://www.denversroadhome.org/
While the program was started before the mayor got his position he is furthering/continuing the program and as such IS dealing with the homeless situation.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)The raid/dismantling was aimed at OD, not the group of homeless they sheltered
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Occupy Denver has been supporting the homeless all along. Once again you are showing your ignorance on this subject. We feed and provide warmth and shelter for the homeless. Do you get it? The police, the governor and the mayor know that the homeless are down there. The hypocrisy is that the Mayor who shits all over them overseeing a vigil. They went in with bulldozers and destroyed everything...even the things that helped the homeless
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)oh yeah...bulldozers! bulldozers make a great solution to end all homelessness!! kill the bastards...they just go away.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Throwing a fit at a memorial? The mayor was the last citizen of Denver that should have been speaking about the homeless. I hope they never allow him to speak in public again.
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)Err... meant "memorial", sorry, cant think how the other words could have slipped out of my Freudian.
I'm sure the mayor and everyone else at this window dressing has absolutely no power to act on homelessness in Denver though. Surely someone will be along any second to tell us how powerless they are...
elleng
(141,926 posts)it's a bad idea to disrupt such.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. o_O really?? people have been killed for disrupting a photo op.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)This reminds me of that weird little Baptist church with all the cousins that has to go around disrupting military funerals to make whatever whacky point.
I can see why the local Occupiers were mad at the mayor, but I don't think it justifies interrupting a ceremony like this.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)is the lowest mother fucking thing I have seen on this site. Buy a mother fucking vowel or something. Get a clue.
a la izquierda
(12,230 posts)I have a serious problem with this.
alp227
(33,134 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)with this dumb biased article. zzzzzz next
say can I plant a scrooge note on the mayors head??
Bout as good as saying Scott Walker is adding jobs when he's losing them or Mitt Romney is gaining jobs while laying people off or Rick Perry Saying he gained jobs while TX has one helluva unemployment line. X_X
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)action for whatever the action, it could give THEM ammunition to use against us. TIred of that excuse to do nothing. Doing nothing but keyboarding has not been working. Time for action. Every action. Fuck those who are offended. I'm offended at what they've done to our Country, our world.
GO OCCUPY
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)The only significant sections of this article were here, and explained why Occupy disrupted the ASSHOLE MAYOR:
"This mayor evicted homeless people to die last night," said a woman who refused to give her name but had been prominent in shouting at police Monday night.
"He does not deserve to be heard or respected."
But you post it as if they had been there to stop him from 'honoring' the homeless. The homeless he kicked out.
El Supremo
(20,420 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)intheflow
(29,986 posts)Most are very small, run by private, mostly Catholic/Christian, charities. Meanwhile, Denver has one of the largest homeless populations in the country due to it being relatively temperate and directly en route between the east and west coasts. Our homeless problem is legion. And the city has decimated homeless shelters and services as they've strangled the budget over the past 30 years. The mayor is not helping, and any words of comfort he gives are are hollow.
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)Well now I dun heard it all.
as to the rest, the meat of your post, right on. Got it in one. A service to memorialize them is not what the homeless need. They need help. Homes, preferably, but I am sure many would settle for a tent if it wasnt torn down around them.
intheflow
(29,986 posts)Compared with much of the rest of the country. It's sunny an average 320 days a year, and being so much closer to the sun (a mile high) with very low humidity, even 30-degree days often feel warmer if you can stay in the sun. Our snow usually melts within a day or two of accumulation. The cold doesn't seep into your bones like in humid places. Of course nighttime temps drop dramatically, and that's where the most danger lies for the homeless.
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)I recall it being cold most of the times I went there. Once we spent a week visiting a family with a kid at the hospital for chemo. It was cold and snowing the whole time. Every other time passed through it seemed chilly, even a couple time in the summer. I guess living out on the west coast, my ideas of temperate may be different than most people most places, though.
Is it warmer than Colorado Springs? I always figured it was colder in Denver than further south in Colorado(where I have spent more time), particularly during the winter.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)Of course, it's not that far a stretch of a guess lol
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)Or that a mayor who directs such eviction has a right to a photo op pretending to be helping/caring about the homeless?
otohara
(24,135 posts)How in the hell would a self described anti OWS, know who is or isn't homeless at Occupy Denver?
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Well I have. Occupy feeds, clothes, and provides shelters for many of the homeless. ..as does many occupies across the country
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Remember Me
(1,532 posts)I would think that people at DU know enough by now to rather automatically question -- at least just question -- any reports they read or hear about people on the left doing things that would bring them or the rest of us discredit. NOT that we are perfect, but that the MSM are so purposefully IMperfect by choice and direction.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)of jumping to conclusions myself. (sigh)
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)And anyone who falls for it is lending himself to the same shit.
This is not the first time, and it surely won't be the last, that the MSM will try to 'get libs in line' by misconstruing and misrepresenting what libs are doing or saying. That IS what the media does. That IS routine with them.
The media is part of the right wing propaganda machine, and if we choose to forget it, it's our fault and no one else's.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)I hope everyone in this thread sees this.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)not crucify the MEDIA which is so quick to play with words to hurt the movement? In fact, I'm going to shoot an e-mail to the paper about this. This intentional bs gets me really angry.
MilesColtrane
(18,678 posts)Why not stage an alternative memorial or "real memorial" at the same time, complete with press releases, silence, candles, and local clergy who are sympathetic to Occupy?
I'm no public relations or media genius, but even I could have told them that shouting down a service is only going to get you bad headlines.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Did you really think there is any way OWS is going to be allowed honest much less good press coverage?
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)one tactical mistake? Do you know what I mean?
randome
(34,845 posts)Most people here are stating they think it was a dumb thing to do. It's the counter-arguments that everything OWS does is golden that keeps this thread alive.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)It's a mayor's job to keep public spaces available for everyone, not just one group. If any homeless people were in the mix, it was entirely incidental from a law enforcement perspective. Do you think they should have conducted a poll before clearing the park?
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)People who are:
1) Unwilling to inconvenience anything or anyone for civil disobedience;
2) Think civil disobedience is an anomale;
3) Think civil disobedience should consist of asking permission to sit for a while somewhere, silently;
4) Think civil disobedience should not exist at all...
Only harm the country and cut the legs off the population's right to protest.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)If the mayor cared about the homeless, provisions should have been made for them don't you think before throwing out in the cold and removing them from those who were helping them?
Maybe people just get angry finally at the sheer hypocrisy, the lies, the lack of concern for PEOPLE in this country. Maybe now that attention has been drawn to his hypocrisy, to the cold-hearted decision to simply throw them out in the street with nowhere to go, will the attention it might not have otherwise.
Well behaved people are nice, but I can't think of one polite, well-behaved person who always thought first about 'image' who ever changed anything in this world.
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)Occupy will get bad headlines for the three following courses:
Taking loud action, such as shouting down a service, no matter how hypocritical their disrupted subject is.
Taking quiet action, such as staging an alternate service
Doing nothing, staying home.
There is NO WIN with the media as biased and controlled as it is. Its an abusive relationship, and there is nothing we can do to stop them from trying to insult us. The best we can do is step back, tune them out, and living well despite them.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)That's why Americans just don't protest. They live in terror of absolutely everything, and I do believe that IS the intention, that Americans live scared to make waves.
Articles like this one are 'punishment' for daring to stand up against the system.
If we not only live scared, but also JOIN IN to attack Occupy, we're imbedded into the system like parasites, helpless and unable to determine where the system ends and we start.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)They shouted down an asshole.
I am not with Denver but I would bet that they are friendly with the homeless coalition that staged the event and probably let them know what was going to happen before the event. I don't know that but that is more like the way they operate.
I think the people who are angry about this should first find out if the coalition had a problem with it or not.
Remember Me
(1,532 posts)do what they want to do, and what fits with their MO up to now.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)totally different movie in captions vs translation.
Anyone with half a brain can see the article is biased. Especially the moment you get to slurs. o_O Great. DU quoting Fox story fans....
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)Magoo48
(6,688 posts)The question is: what has his city done recently to really relieve homelessness in the community? My guess would be that he hasn't done Jack shit about presenting any long term solutions. The money he has spent fucking with Occupy Denver would buy a lot of meals for the hungry or housing for families in need. More power to OD...
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)"Give 'em enough rope to hang themselves" after bullying them into a response.
Yeah, what a nice guy. He's a real hero.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock today announced his appointments to Denver’s Commission on Homelessness. The Commission is charged with overseeing implementation of Denver’s Road Home, the City’s ten-year plan to end homelessness.
“Addressing challenges and finding opportunities surrounding homelessness are key to Denver’s long-term vitality and my administration,” Mayor Hancock said. “We are working hard to deliver a world-class city where everyone matters. I trust these committed individuals will demonstrate the community-oriented and comprehensive approach we will continue to take with this issue.”
The Commission on Homelessness functions as a collaborative partnership between the City, community, and the nonprofit, foundation and private sectors. Members of the Commission are selected based on their knowledge of issues regarding homelessness and local resources, and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The appointments are not subject to approval by City Council.
((There is also a list of names on who is on the comission in the link))
On looking up the 'denver road home' thing
http://www.denvergov.org/Community/DenversRoadHome/tabid/441517/Default.aspx
Denver's Road Home
Denver’s Road Home is the city of Denver's 10-year plan to end homelessness. We are committed to working to ensure that every homeless man, woman and child has an alternative to living on the streets. The success of Denver’s Road Home is thanks to a collaborative partnership among nonprofits, foundations, businesses, individuals, faith-based community, service providers, and government at all levels.
In just five years, the project has:
* Built nearly 2,000 units of permanent and transitional supportive housing for the homeless;
* Prevented over 5,500 individuals and households from becoming homeless;
* Helped over 5,200 homeless people obtain employment;
* Mentored over 720 families out of homelessness in partnership with the faith community;
* Achieved our aggressive fundraising goal of $46.1 million in partnership with Mile High United Way.
Our goals:
* Increase the accessibility of services to Denver’s homeless, at-risk and indigent populations
* Assist people who are homeless or at risk to obtain skills and knowledge necessary to participate in the workforce
* Provide Denver residents facing homelessness more tools to keep them from ending up on the streets or in emergency shelters
* Provide better access to supportive services that promote long-term stability and improved functioning for those in need and movement into permanent housing as soon as possible
* Make safe and legal shelter beds and activities available for all populations both day and night until adequate permanent housing is in place
* Build community awareness and support for coordinated responses to eliminate homelessness in 10 years
* Improve public safety by increasing homeless outreach efforts to reduce panhandling, loitering, and crimes against people while better linkages are built between homeless people and service agencies
* Reform Denver’s zoning, building, and development codes to facilitate an adequate supply of emergency and affordable housing
****************************************
While this program was started before he became a mayor, I'd say he is working on solving the homelessness problem in Denver, oh, and here is a link to the website for the above program: http://www.denversroadhome.org/
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)did you think you would find anything different? I live here and he is all talk as is your article is all bullshit
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)and then expelled by the mayor? There is more work to do, and it always seems that those failing to do it, are targeting #Occupy because they're making them look bad in these departments.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)that this is not the mayors goals. This is something in place before the mayor. I would say his goal to end homelessness in Denver is to let them die or make them move on.
None of it matters anyway. I will stand with Occupy. They use more than their keyboards. THis country is fucked to the nth degree and whoever, whatever, stands to fight the mother fucking coruption and bullshit is in the right. And I don't really care what methods they use. I still stand with them. Desperate times and all...
Being afraid to stand up because someone might think it wrong is bullshit. Stand up. Or just go back to your keyboards.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)to build those houses. As we know, no republican ever does anything that does not include a kickback for him and his pals.
I don't know the answer to this but I do know that republicans and at least half the dems only act for personal gain.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)You do yourself no favors by making such foolish claims, and dishonors those who died and the families who wanted to honor them
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)Causes of death included pneumonia, hypothermia, heart attacks, drug or alcohol abuse, traffic accidents and suicides, according to the coalition.
Magoo48
(6,688 posts)homeless. Paying amage to those our society neglects to death seems empty.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)
treestar
(82,383 posts)Not a fact. And we're being asked to believe one woman's statement as the absolute truth.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)What a fucking shame to see how far this place has fallen.
The deceased homeless in our country being honored by the very same people who put them to an early grave; and *they* deserve a break? To be RESPECTED?!
FUCK THAT!
The time for niceties is well past, it's time these criminals are hanuted 24 hours a damn day.
Go ahead, alert, alert, alert...
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)On Veterans' Day, the mayor of Fresno tweeted some crap about honoring our vets, after she rousted hundreds of homeless people from a safe, well run encampment. I told her that she needed to support homeless vets every day of the year, not just on one day. The mendacious b word replied that there was still housing available in Fresno for homeless people who needed it, which was a lie. And of course, ROUSTING people is not OUTREACH, is it?
CBHagman
(17,431 posts)...probably better off not drawing attention to yourself by disruptions or cursing.
Ralph Nader did the unsuccessful strategy thing in 2000, and without the four-letter words. People on DU do it by posting angrily under an alias, alienating current or potential allies, and producing nothing for the people they supposedly want to help.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,313 posts)
Irishonly
(3,344 posts)Any mayor could show empathy to the homeless by trying to get more shelters and help for them. I see homeless every day and I try to help when I can. Even in southern CA it gets cold at night and many only have the clothes on their backs.
prairierose
(2,147 posts)from what I have heard and read, the occupiers around the country are doing more to help feed and house the homeless than any of the local governments. Governments at every level, are still trying to pretend they don't exist. It was this mayor who sent in the police the night before to destroy the occupy encampment that was giving shelter to homeless people. For him to "honor" the dead homeless the next night is beyond hypocritical.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)I will allow the booing of the mayor, although it is still completely disrespectful to those people mourning family member's deaths (reminds me of other groups who justify protesting funerals). However, once the mayor was off the stage, they should have taken part in the mourning with the rest.
Instead, they come across was worthless pieces of shit who are only interested in causing a scene and don't really give two shits about those they are supposed to be fighting for (I would bet none of those that died were in the 1%).
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)If they have family, why were they left to die? Do you know that occupy did not take part in the mourning afterward?
who called the coalition for homeless at fault?
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)"If they have family, why were they left to die?"
-There are MANY different issues at play. My uncle died on the streets about 10 years ago. He was addicted to drugs and took every opportunity to steal from his family members to supply his habit. We all did everything we could (for DECADES) to help him out. My father was a construction worker who did side jobs and would let my uncle help out to make money. Multiple family members let him live with them, only to be ripped off. Ultimately, we realized we needed to let him work through his demons and provide an easy opportunity to continue down his path. Unfortunately, he never came to that realization. I assure you, we did not feel any less pain when he passed away than anyone else does for a family member. To assume otherwise is a completely disconnected, un-empathetic, ignorant, assumption. I am disgusted that this view is put forth by someone on DU.
"Do you know that occupy did not take part in the mourning afterward?"
Again, are you hard of reading, or do you choose to not read at all before forming an uneducated decision? From the article:
As the names of those who had died were called, many, if not all, Occupy Denver members refused to say, "We will remember."
"It's disgraceful," said Cynthia Ingram, who had traveled from Buffalo, N.Y., for the event to honor a cousin on the list.
"This isn't about their political agenda; it's about our family some sympathy and showing just a little bit of respect for the dead. I am so angry right now."
Ingram said she had previously agreed with the Occupy mission, but did not respect the outbursts at tonight's Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.
"who called the coalition for homeless at fault?"
Finally, READ the comment I was responding to:
"The deceased homeless in our country being honored by the very same people who put them to an early grave; and *they* deserve a break? To be RESPECTED?!
FUCK THAT!
The time for niceties is well past, it's time these criminals are hanuted 24 hours a damn day."
As I have said, protesting the mayor is just fine (although I don't think the forum nets us the best gain (none really)). However, to piss all over the entire event was disrespectful, rude and should be condemned by every single person on this site. It was disgusting and rude. And this person appears to actually believe the entire event should have been destroyed by the occupy movement for his half assed justifications.
Sorry, but I have critical thinking skills, the ability to read and form an opnion and a heart for the homeless people who have died.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)I was asking if anyone had any real info. You know like from someone who was there. This article is a one sided, as usual affair.
Make use of those critical thinking skills and get the other side.
I've had family members on drugs. They came to live with me instead of being homeless. Several years later, they are leading productive lives. That is still not saying that you not being able to help your member makes you anything lesser, as I could do nothing until they wanted help either. But your rant was a little over the top on it.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)It is an outrage that in a city where one hundred and thirty-six (136) homeless people have died within the past year, the Mayor who just blew one million dollars on massive displays of police force completely disproportionate to the imagined problem posed by Occupy Denver (which instead could have been used to address the needs of the homeless population and to avert some of the numerous deaths among them), and who just evicted homeless people from their shelters last night, was permitted to speak at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless' memorial for those who died. I commend the Coalition for what it does do for homeless people, but providing political cover for Michael Hancock was wrong -- he has demonstrated by his actions that preventing deaths among homeless people is not his priority.
We shouted down the Mayor with cries of "Shame!", but the program called for the Mayor to read the names of the 136 who died (in part due to Denver's negligence). We then allowed the Mayor to speak, and he asked the congregation to say "we will remember" after each name. The spectacle of the man who bears responsibility for continuing the City's dysfunctional policies and absurd waste of its resources (i.e. our taxes) which allowed 136 people to die outside last year being allowed to play the part of a priest in a quasi-liturgical rite to commemorate these dead (and burnish the Mayor's image after he ejected homeless people from what shelter they had last night) was so nauseating that I had to leave.
I am sorry that survivors had to witness this confrontation, and if they believe that the protesters from Occupy Denver subverted the memorial for a political agenda, it is considerably less ugly than the truth, which is that the Mayor succeeded in using their dead relatives for political purposes. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless should not hop into bed with just any Mayor, and certainly not this one.
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/12/civic_center_park.php#comment-391722159
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)They essentially said they don't give a fuck about the family members of the dead. If they need to be collateral damage, then so be it. I refuse to go along with that.
FedUp_Queer
(975 posts)Javaman
(65,091 posts)no names are quoted other than the people who are "outraged'.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was completely staged.
otohara
(24,135 posts)sorry OP - we're here to stay.
and we won't be voting for Hancock or Hickenlooper again
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)I support you. Were you at this action? If not do you know anyone who was so we can hear the truth?
thanks for Occupy and thanks for all of your actions.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)This is about 100 times as offensive as something I posted (thats me) without knowing it in the atheist board. can't even take it back, jury won't let me. I'd assume the supporters of the Mayor are all buying from Lowes.... that is assume , with is , I don't know. You would have made yourself look less the fool if you hadn't stuck that line in after the story. I'll stick with Earth_First saying I'm tempted to hit that alert button. Already knew DU 3 was in a civil war but you brought it out in the open.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)
bottom line
(94 posts)All occupations feed the homeless & shelter.
The Mayor kicks em one day, the next, at a "Vigil."
Civil Rights anyone?
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)joeglow3
(6,228 posts)After all, I know when I have a family member die, I hope the focus is about the politics of the people who crash the event.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)However...the mayor is a hypocrite on the subject, fully, and Occupy will not stand for hypocrites. He also entrapped them through continuous bullying and profiling and harassment to interrupt what to him was only a photo op, to make themselves look bad.
The mayor is the one paying disrespect to the dead through hypocrisy and conniving. It's all about him, versus #Occupy. He's not the only mayor who has acted this way, sickeningly.
randome
(34,845 posts)I thought OWS was to protest economic injustice, not to impose themselves as Society's new conscience.
And 'entrapped them'? Be serious. No one forced them to interrupt the ceremony.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)...we need to ask ourselves what the greater purpose is. While I agree wholeheartedly with the intent, I struggle with the impact/stress you are causing on those who want nothing more than to mourne the loss of a close friend/family member.
And, the reality is that anything gained from standing up to the mayor is lost through public perception due to the means utilized, IMHO.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)No one does, and ignore any who so claim.
I do seek to forward the aims of the movement and contribute where I can.
I agree with you that they could have used another time to do this, but they have been bludgeoned, shot with rubber bullets, pepper-sprayed, and forced from their homes multiple times. Please understand their upset even if you do not approve of their timing in giving it voice. I say the mayor knew he was giving them an opportunity to lose public support through AGAIN clearing their encampment just prior to a very well-known, annual public vigil. Truth be told, he is the conniving monster, not #Occupy.
Here is a recent example of this sort of manipulated PR:
"...because the council pushed this agenda item last, it wasn’t until around 11 pm that this resolution was addressed hence most of the cameras and mainstream press had packed up and went home.. During the 6pm, 10pm and 11pm broadcast what the general public was exposed to were stories by city officials speaking against port shutdowns.. No one was shown the union folks in opposition."
http://hiphopandpolitics.com/2011/12/21/unions-come-out-to-support-occupy-movement-condemn-oakland-city-council-crackdown-on-port-closures/
quakerboy
(14,709 posts)at least some of us, and some of them, would like the focus to be about how to prevent it from happening again, to some one else.
I am 100 % certain that if I were a family member, I would be quite distraught at the idea that a mayor who presided over things when my family member died, who had evicted more homeless people into the cold the very night before the event, was going to have the opportunity to play compassionate speaker at my event.
But then not everyone is me. We react differently to grief and loss.
certainot
(9,090 posts)gov to evict going on and on about the filth and the inconvenience to cars, etc. and why the gov and mayor needed to kick them out and restore order. that all day on the same stations that broadcast limbaugh beck and hannity and unfortunately way too many of our universities endorse them with their sports broadcasting, giving them much more clout and power than they deserve in their communities to intimidate politicians and police...
here's what Limbaugh said in part of one hour i heard----- -
xxxxxx
'

lousy hippies thieves rapists purse snatchers

sexually transmitted diseases, murder, filth, gunfire, scabies

The protestors are so used to urinating and defecating in the streets so when they go back home to their parents they might need to be housebroken again. They’re going to have to put some newspaper down.

endless parade of human debris,
whining little wimps 
looking for free meals free drugs free sex
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)has "outlived it relevancy?" I think it is probably a case of a mayor contributing to homelessness and then being allowed to speak at a memorial about the people who people whose deaths he may himself have contributed to as a result of his policies? I think fucking not!
emilyg
(22,742 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)emilyg
(22,742 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)or funerals. This wasn't about the mayor. It was about the people who had died and had been taking place for 22 years. People have a right to protest. They don't have a right to set up encampments wherever they want. The two are not the same, but I guess the same crowd who sees no difference between the Dems and the GOP will have trouble seeing the distinction.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)and they do have the right to encamp wherever it will cause positive change, such as at illegally foreclosed homes, to force banks to negotiate non-toxic loans and mortgages, which has occurred, and will continue.
I also have no trouble seeing that this mayor is an utter hypocrite who has no problem brutalizing peaceful protesters with rubber bullets, tear gas, and police riots, and who evicted the homeless in the #Denver camp onto the freezing streets...and who wishes to be seen as having a heart at a photo opportunity.
alp227
(33,134 posts)
Hissyspit
(45,790 posts)nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)I wasn't defending OWS protesting at a memorial. And, I agree that they are the same. They both think their "rights" supersede any judgement, compassion and sympathy for others. Although you can argue that the OWS is doing it for the right reasons and not evil like Westboro.
However, I think this has done way more harm than good. Most people believe in the sanctity of memorials. I can't imagine if that was my loved one I was trying to memorialize and my grieving and remembrance was interrupted. They didn't ruin it for the mayor. They ruined it for the homeless advocates and those grieving lives lost.
I have nothing against OWS, but I'm not going to blindly support every action. This was an ugly move and it's going to generate a lot of ill will.
alp227
(33,134 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)are the same thing?
alp227
(33,134 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)homeless into the winter, is not rude and classless? There is an issue of proportion.
As I said, rhetorical.
randome
(34,845 posts)Any homeless who were with them were incidental from a law enforcement perspective. Do you think they should have polled everyone to see who was homeless or not? Do you think everyone would have been honest about that?
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)for AGAIN brutalizing peaceful protesters and AGAIN throwing the homeless for which they were caring, back into the freezing streets"?
That's really all I need to know.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)By someone who has shown zero hesitation at calling for heavy force against peaceful protesters, who just shoved some who were being sheltered, into homelessness in freezing conditions. Who ordered this:
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)You think a vigil that has happened annually for 22 years is a setup?
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)Any mayor knows his PR or he wouldn't have been elected. He was well aware of his schedule of public events. He has people to make sure he knows. And if it's been annual for 22 years, he most certainly knows.
Combine with this the now well-known and hopefully feared public mic check at 1%'er functions, and yes, it's easy to conclude that he set them up. After all his brutality and police riots and attacking the camp's homeless...conniving. Brutal.
randome
(34,845 posts)It looks to me like the protesters were behaving abominably. So you're saying that OWS responds like a plant to the Sun -mindlessly reaching for whatever stimulus happens to hold sway? The people at Denver Occupy are solely responsible for their actions.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)have known.
I don't see a setup unless your saying that the people in OD will act without considering the consequences to outside stimuli.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)they I have no problem seeing that they would be outraged. It's been building up through multiple vicious attacks and the mayor most certainly did not have to cause another right before a highly public photo op.
I don't blame the #Occupiers for their outrage =over the mayor's brutality and deep hypocrisy=. This clown has to be removed, just like Quan, just like Bloomberg, just like Villaraigosa. Now.
Here is a recent example of MSM/Politician media manipulation:
"...because the council pushed this agenda item last, it wasn’t until around 11 pm that this resolution was addressed hence most of the cameras and mainstream press had packed up and went home.. During the 6pm, 10pm and 11pm broadcast what the general public was exposed to were stories by city officials speaking against port shutdowns.. No one was shown the union folks in opposition."
http://hiphopandpolitics.com/2011/12/21/unions-come-out-to-support-occupy-movement-condemn-oakland-city-council-crackdown-on-port-closures/
randome
(34,845 posts)Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)That does not change the fact that OD should have had enough sense NOT to interrupt a vigil to honor the homeless that has died, especially since it was arranged by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and not the mayor.
The coalition also opted/chose for the mayor to speak, Should OD not respect that?
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)I honor the dead and those wishing to honor them. And I only speak for myself, not the movement.
"This mayor evicted homeless people to die last night" truly sums it up. They are pointing the finger at an attempted, and hopefully no successful, murder. The context is correct to protest someone who is working to kill the homeless, in my opinion.
CBHagman
(17,431 posts)I think a dose of self-righteousness, to say nothing of blindness, is stopping some OWS supporters from focusing on the actual goal.
The goal is not OWS encampments. It's effecting change.
backtomn
(482 posts)......it appears that OWS is branching out a bit. Remember when the movement didn't want to be nailed down on what it believed, because it didn't want to speak for everyone?? This is then what happens...........OWS can now mean anything that a small group wants it to believe, no matter how embarrassing.
Is this change?? I don't think so. We need to focus or it will mean nothing.
obamanut2012
(29,166 posts)Apples and oranges.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)Ridiculous.
Daemonaquila
(1,712 posts)The problem isn't protesting at a memorial, it's the message. Westboro is engaging in hate speech and demonizing the dead. OD is honoring the dead by driving out a hypocrite who helped kill them, and whose recent actions may kill or injure more. If I was a grieving family member, I'd be thanking OD for restoring sanity to the proceedings.
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)One of these things is not like the other.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Westboro claims whomever died, died BECAUSE of God forsaking the country because of it's public policy.
If Occupy is saying the mayor killed people because of his policies, it's not THAT much different.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)The right wing doesnt support Occupy, I wish you would.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)is a hypocritical ass.
roody
(10,849 posts)exercise for those in power to absolve themselves of responsibility? I was not there.
newspeak
(4,847 posts)the police came at night and destroyed their shelters--that includes the homeless. They assaulted a homeless woman who was mentally ill. Do you think the police cared about the homeless they dislodged-do you think they cared that after they destroyed their shelters, they could have died from exposure?
What I see is a bunch of denver political hypocrites!!!
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)And I certainly HOPE you are at least getting paid for posting this crap,
and not doing it for FREE.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)Who may or may not provide adequate perspective into the matter.
randome
(34,845 posts)The OWS encampment was broken up. Because some homeless people were there, does that automatically mean the mayor has a special hatred of homeless people? No.
coalition_unwilling
(14,180 posts)that the mayor has a "special hatred of homeless people". It's that his actions are the epitome of hypocrisy (different from 'hatred'), in that just the night before he made people homeless.
The issue is the mayor's self-evident hypocrisy and the mainstream media's enabling of it in its uncritical presentation of the events.
randome
(34,845 posts)But it was said in Post #33: 'Please at least consider that this was a set-up for the #Occupiers.'
My point is that homeless people did not appear to be the Mayor's target. And that there was no 'plan' to embarrass OWS.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)I'm just saying the goal of evicting the protesters from the park was probably not to hurt the homeless or to assume that OWS would subsequently embarrass themselves later.
Absent indications to the contrary, the goal was to evict the protesters from the park. Period.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)Do you expect the police to conduct a poll before evicting a group to see who is homeless and who is not?
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Concise and logical.
And it is rather ridiculous that the encampments are broken up. Have the police go after the real perps in this society.
You know, like the people in the $ 2K three piece suits, who trash the economy with every exotif insturment they gamble on, all the while expecting the pension funds and Social Security Funds to be looted when these investments go south.
roody
(10,849 posts)He may have been a poor choice to have as speaker.
randome
(34,845 posts)Not us and not OWS. And no matter what someone may think of him, interrupting the ceremony was not a good call.
People in the audience did not appreciate the interruptions.
hack89
(39,181 posts)who has made education his primary issue.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19533968
kaiden
(1,314 posts)I haven't seen any news report alleging that Michael Hancock has murdered anyone. Also, Denver is very good about making sure the homeless have shelter and three meals a day. No one has to sleep on the streets unless he wants to.
I fully support Occupy Denver, but these accusations are over the top.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Michael Hancock's treatment of occupy has been horrific. The police come in the middle of the night and turn sprinklers on them @ 2am when it is freezing outside. They take their food supplies when people are sleeping and their clothing. This mayor allows all of this to go on.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)education!!!
that should tell you how much he cares about education!!!
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Denver post is a right wing paper. Mr DEMOCRAT mayor hancock asked of all the democrats in the nation asked George Bush to speak on the subject of education...imagine that? george bush and education...I wonder how much money was offered to the mayor for that?
hack89
(39,181 posts)He is a Democrat. His supporters are democrats. OWS just pissed all over them. If you wonder why OWS is slipping into irrelevance, remember stupidity like this.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)you are wrong and you know not what you speak.... hancock pissed all over denver and ows is not slipping into irrelevance...what makes you think that? Ows is very strong here in denver
hack89
(39,181 posts)look at all those places where there is no OWS - if OWS can't establish themselves in more than 4 or 5 cities how can they call themselves a national movement?
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)what rock did you crawl out from exactly. I will say this one more time. Democratic Mayor Hancock invited George W Bush to speak in Denver on Education....yes education. Of all the democrats in the nation why would you chose him? What favors were exchanged? Is Hancock a wolf in sheep's clothing? I suspect you know nothing of the local politics here
OWS is alive in well. Here in Colorado we have more than 5 in the surrounding areas. Many have hibernated for the winter after having their stuff BULLDOZED by the very Mayor you support.
I think you don't really know anything about occupy
hack89
(39,181 posts)handful of cities with smaller crowds every week.
Can you point out any occupy that is growing? Didn't think so.
hack89
(39,181 posts)I have no doubt that all those voters that chose him consider him a Democrat. Ever hear of the "no true Scotsman" fallacy?
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)One Mic check event does not get that much power. However, I don't think Occupy judges by specific political affiliation, but rather by actions. Remember they mic checked Obama.
They are not of ONE political affiliation, nor perhaps any existing one.
We shall see in the spring whether Occupy has slipped. My guess is that it will be huge, And you, and the world should be hoping like hell it is.
hack89
(39,181 posts)If their power and influence is driven purely by the weather then perhaps they are not as important as you wish them to be.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)sulphurdunn
(6,891 posts)a field day with this and will happily supply its own narrative and theme for what happened there.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)I tried to find them, but my intraweb skillz seem to be lacking.
Thanks in advance.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)Occupy Wall Street And Homelessness: Millions Spent To Evict Camps, While Cutting Shelter Funds
DENVER
In October, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock came out in support of new legislation that would ban homeless people from sleeping in public places overnight.
"We only have one downtown," Hancock said at the time. "We cannot afford to lose our city core. If people don't feel safe going downtown, that is a threat to the very vitality of our downtown and our city."
A couple weeks later, Hancock said he didn't want to allow protesters to set the precedent for sleeping in tents in the public parks. This was a prelude to Denver sending in riot police to evict the protesters.
<snip>
She argued these criminalization measures cost far more to municipalities than providing adequate shelter to people. Citing studies conducted in 13 cities and states, she said that it costs on average $87 per day to jail someone, compared to $28 per day to house them in a shelter. "With state and local budgets stretched to their limit, it's profoundly irrational to waste taxpayer money on these expensive criminalization policies," she said.
According to Revekka Balancier, the communications director of the homeless outreach program Denver Road Home, the city's homeless shelters are at capacity every night, and many have long waiting lists. And she noted that the city's homeless population is growing. A report from 2009 found that 10,604 people were living on the streets and in area shelters on the night the survey was conducted. By 2011, that number had increased by 6.5 percent, to 11,377.
More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/27/occupy-wall-street-and-homeless-evictions-cities_n_1111094.html
randome
(34,845 posts)Yes, they are abused by the rich and powerful. But you don't let large groups of people live wherever they want. If they want to do that, they should not be living in a city.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)I am very much in favor of protests, changing the status quo, sticking it to the Establishment. And OWS when it directs its actions at more appropriate targets than a vigil for the homeless. I am not alone in that view, apparently.
Tell me this: is there any aspect of OWS you disagree with?
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)"Occupy should redirect their efforts", "They need a message", "They've out lived their usefulness", all sounds like code to me.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Quit feeding us this crap that you support the occupy movement but oppose camping in public places. There is a word that describes camping in public places, that word is "occupation" and it is what made this movement successful. You can not support Occupy if you don't support people Occupying.
randome
(34,845 posts)'Occupying' public parks means nothing to me on that subject.
Occulus
(20,599 posts)Not. Once.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)If you think there is anyone who agrees with every aspect of Occupy then you obviously are completely ignorant of the Occupy movement. It is a movement that involves a huge variety of people who often disagree. It would be impossible to support every aspect of Occupy because anyone who has attended a GA knows that there are big disagreements among members of the movement. So no, not a single person here supports every aspect of Occupy, but many of us do support the movement 100% even if we are not always going to be in agreement with everyone in the movement.
randome
(34,845 posts)Is there any aspect of OWS you disagree with?
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Yes, there are aspects I disagree with because it is a mass movement with people who have all sorts of ideas some of which I agree with and some of which I don't. I can still support the movement 100% however because the movement transcends the ideas and actions of individuals and factions within the movement.
randome
(34,845 posts)Since OWS is many different organizations with many different agendas and goals, the idea of 'supporting' OWS is basically saying we should support everything everyone does everywhere so long as it has 'OWS' attached to it, right?
People think if you slap 3 specific letters on something, that makes it golden.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Please cite me a single example of someone saying we should be "'supporting' OWS is basically saying we should support everything everyone does everywhere so long as it has 'OWS' attached to it." If you can't cite me an example you are creating a straw man, and if you can cite me an example the person who said that has not been to a General Assembly where people disagree all the time.
randome
(34,845 posts)Post #131: Are you saying that you do not support the Occupy movement?
With no accompanying text. That's a 'I dare you to say you don't support' statement.
Post #155: I think people who come here to bash the movement never were relevent.
Not an honest debate response since no one is bashing the movement, only this event.
Post #217: Oh Look. The usual suspects are concerned.
Not intended to respond to criticism but to castigate those who have different opinions.
I'll glady support occupying something if it's a rational target. 'Occupy Wall Street' at least had the semblance of being formed to protest the financial situation we are in.
It doesn't seem as if 'Wall Street' is much a part of the equation any longer.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)You said "we should support everything everyone does everywhere so long as it has 'OWS' attached to it, right?". Not a single one of those posts said anything like that. My post that you cited "If you don't support Occupying you don't support Occupy" is a suggestion that in order to support the movement you need to support the very foundation of the movement. I never said anything to suggest you have to support every idea every member of Occupy had, in fact I explicitly said no one agrees with everything, but If you don't support the very thing the movement is named after your claims of support for the movement ring hollow. The movement started when people set up tents in Manhattan, don't try to tell us that you "support what the movement originally stood for" if you oppose the action that started the movement.
randome
(34,845 posts)...you are right. But I think my characterization of those who don't appreciate criticisms of OWS stands.
And you are right. If OWS only stands for occupying public spaces, then I am against that unless it's in the form of a protest or mass demonstration. If it's just choosing a new place to live, then what's the point?
I was under the illusion that OWS was going to right economic wrongs and turn collective Society on its head. Maybe that was my mistake.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)however, these are desperate times, and I have to say My first amendment rights, and my rights to bring protest to my government when it fails it's people, trumps "this park closes at 10pm"
randome
(34,845 posts)But I don't see what camping out in a public park has to do with free speech unless it's to protect an endangered species or something. Then I could support it.
But this taking over public land does nothing to change the system. That's why so many people -DUers included- want more focus and organization from the group. 'Occupy' has become a means to an end. Nobody is afraid of people setting up tents in public parks. They just become annoyed.
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)If what you posted was hyperbole, then there are no people murdered by that mayor.
You may as well blame him for the poor economy, lack of jobs, homelessness, and the heartbreak of psoriasis while at it, because he isn't responsible for any of those things, either.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)reason to condemn and trivialize the entire movement.
Lyric
(12,678 posts)would YOU sit there quietly and be "respectful"?
I sure as hell wouldn't. I guess people with brains and even the smallest shred of moral justice have outlived their "relevancy" too.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)"Civility?"
It's long past time for civility!
Civility died the day Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes founded FOX News...
hack89
(39,181 posts)So attacking Democratic mayors helps the cause how exactly?
KansDem
(28,498 posts)Merely pointed out that "civility" died in 1996. Granted it had been slowly fading away, but that year was the death knell for "civility."
hack89
(39,181 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)Considering HIS civility through ordering peaceful protesters pepper-sprayed, shot with rubber bullets, baton'd, rioted by police, over and over...
And hopefully everyone in this thread is getting it, the mayor evicted the camp's otherwise homeless people back into freezing conditions.
Then he begs for civility? He is a massive hypocrite. Sickening.
EC
(12,287 posts)they started building their "house" in the middle of it and then set it on fire when they got raided. They could have done a lot of good for the homeless there that they said they were protecting.
JEB
(4,748 posts)is into respecting the homeless.....once they are dead.
randome
(34,845 posts)I swear, the heights of hyperbole transcend all logic where OWS is concerned.
The mayor evicted the protesters from the park. Do you think he should have taken a poll to see who was homeless and who was not?
Regardless of what anyone thinks of whether or not OWS has a legitimate claim to public property, the mayor's goal was to clear the park, nothing else so far as I can see.
It was not a plot to cause OWS to embarrass themselves later. It was not a vendetta against the homeless. So far as we know.
newspeak
(4,847 posts)when they are seeking protection from the cold?
randome
(34,845 posts)I'm no expert on police eviction actions, but I would think you are less likely to be part of a riot if the eviction is done at night.
So answer your own question: was it done at night just to 'tighten the screws' on the homeless?
JEB
(4,748 posts)I meant to suggest that the homeless could maker better use of a little respect while living.
randome
(34,845 posts)But I still don't see how police can poll everyone to see if they are homeless when their goal is simply to clear the park.
JEB
(4,748 posts)have a vigil for the 1% after the guillotine. Would that make you happy?
GoldenOldie
(1,540 posts)Those who are actually involved and/or following the OC protests throughout the US already know that these encampents consist of numerous professionals who are donating their time and money to feed and give medical care to the poor and homeless who were already on the streets and being totally ignored by these public officials who use them only when needed as publicity props.
Before anyone condemns work and efforts of those who take the time from their own families, warm and cozy lives to march, sleep, eat, and be beaten, tased, pepper-sprayed and jailed, in order to wakeup and give voice for all of us, they the condemners, should at least educated themselves first. Ironic isn't it that our Iraq/Afghani veterans totally understand this movement and gives them voice and hope.
It is so transparent when a post could have has been dictated by Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, etc., who have done more harm to We the People, than any foreign terrorist could ever dream up.
paulk
(11,587 posts)but I don't think you can say Occupy Denver has outlived it's relevancy...
It may even be that protesting the Mayor's actions in ordering the thugs who are known as the Denver police to tear down shelters being used by homeless people at a vigil to honor homeless people who had died on the streets is entirely relevant.
SalviaBlue
(3,105 posts)creeksneakers2
(7,929 posts)With a name like that, most people will agree with "occupy" being evicted.
patrice
(47,992 posts)Does the name Ron Paul ring a bell with anyone?
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)patrice
(47,992 posts)Let me see now; I bet . . .
If you don't like raisins in trail-mix, whenever someone gives you trail-mix, you throw it all away.
If you don't like the color blue, you refuse to use a box of colored magic-markers.
Because you don't look good in a certain pair of pants, you refuse to wear pants at all.
I recommend that you never go anywhere or do anything, the world isn't perfect enough for you.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)What was the purpose of that? Sounds like you want to throw out the whole box of trail mix. Me, I just get tired of hearing the right wing talking points about how bad OWS is. I dont like everything they do but sympathy with them. They are in the street getting beat up because they know the system is broken.
patrice
(47,992 posts)false "It *M*U*S*T* be either this ___________ or that _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ." And that is almost never the case in reality.
False choices are almost always either the result of mistaking the language/words for things the words ONLY refer to, or USING the language/words to manipulate others into LIMITING their options.
The fact that Libertarians are trying to take over the Occupation, though NOT the whole valence of the Occupation, IS a significant fact. It has relevance to what is happening out there (I HAVE seen it with my own eyes) and pretending that it does not matter HURTS the entire effort at horizontal empowerment. Libertarians are intrinsically vertical -ists, NOT horizontal -ists. That doesn't mean honest Libertarians can't be a part of things; it means everyone needs to know and be honest with everyone else about what is going on around them.
randome
(34,845 posts)They are NOT in the street. That's the fucking problem. They're taking over public parks for their own use.
It doesn't matter what the right wing says about them but I would think it might matter to you what your compatriots at DU think of this.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Occulus
(20,599 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)I have always said I am in favor of mass demonstrations and working the political system to effect the changes we need.
I am against trying to confiscate public property for one group's use. It sets up an inevitable conflict that benefits no one.
This thread should not be about me. It should be about Occupy Denver. Of course one poster pointed out that the vigil interruption wasn't even a sanctioned OD event. So maybe this entire thread is moot.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)So what is your point? Do you think everyone in the 99% has to agree before the many who do care take action. There may be a small number of Ron Paul supporters at Occupy, but that hardly means the group takes orders from them.
Iggo
(49,648 posts) rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)What do you think should happen? Go back and participate in a broken system and continue the status quo of fascism?
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)If they really wanted to honor the memory of people who died alone on the streets, they would provide some decent housing for those who have not died (yet).
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)I see nothing wrong. Why should I be upset with them?
randome
(34,845 posts)fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)who is always looking to bash OWS, and side with authoritarianism indirectly running our government.
randome
(34,845 posts)I have never bashed OWS. I am in favor of OWS. I am NOT in favor of this misguided event. And if you DO read the thread, you'll see I'm hardly the only one who thinks it was misguided.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)Many people DO think it was wrong. Why does this always have to devolve into a contest for each side to prove who is 'right' and who loves OWS more than the other?
This thread would have been a lot shorter if people would simply respect one another's opinions.
Instead, there is a lot of vitriol attached to anything OWS.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)How can you support Occupy if you oppose occupations?
randome
(34,845 posts)Taking over public spaces for one group's purpose is a dumb idea.
I am all for protests and changing the system and sticking it to the Establishment. But an organization called 'Occupy Wall Street' that these days has little to do with Wall Street?
'Occupy' apparently means setting up tents in public parks. Man, the powers that be must be shaking in their boots.
OWS has become a caricature of itself, shouting down people who disagree with them.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)This movement is about Wall Street however, and yes they are terrified that is why they are sending out hundreds of police in riot gear for a "crime" as minor as setting up tents.
randome
(34,845 posts)I will not support camping out in public parks and calling that 'changing the system'. That's ridiculous. And so was interrupting this vigil.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)It started when a few protesters tried setting up a tent in front of the New York Stock Exchange and when they were kicked out they moved their tents to Zuccotti Park. That was the action that started the Occupy movement, camping in public places. So when you say you support what Occupy originally stood for are you saying you supported them camping? If so then why do you oppose it now.
randome
(34,845 posts)Am I restricted from finding some things about OWS I like and some things I don't?
I am in favor of more mass demonstrations and protests. When the marches on Wall Street and in Washington got underway, I posted my enthusiastic support.
I was under the impression that OWS stood for addressing economic disparity and the power of corporations. What good does it do to camp out in a public park and set up an inevitable conflict with local authorities?
You could say OWS was inspired by the Arab Spring, which was in turn inspired by that one man who lit himself afire because he saw no way of changing things. Does this mean I should only support lighting people on fire?
It's been said many, MANY times before, and certainly not just by me, that if OWS truly wants to change the system, it needs better organization and goals.
But then we're told by many others that it's strength is in disorganization and NOT having clear goals. I don't see how lasting change will occur with this type of mindset.
Just my opinion.
Occulus
(20,599 posts)You've been pissing on OWS from day one and other DU posters have in the past noticed, more than once, that your "concerns" have also appeared on other boards by other posters on those boards, sometimes verbatim.
randome
(34,845 posts)Last edited Fri Dec 23, 2011, 11:59 AM - Edit history (1)
You mean like agreeing with a good number of people on this thread that OWS sometimes does dumb things?
Guilty.
On edit:
I will agree that saying 'I have never bashed OWS' is subject to interpretation, and may have been an overreaching statement on my part.
But if by 'bashing' you mean castigating OWS actions that I don't agree with, I would not agree that is 'bashing'. That is only making my opinion known.
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)I think people who come here to bash the movement never were relevent. Nice slant in the article...
randome
(34,845 posts)So how was OWS behaving like a populist organization in this instance?
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)How are they behaving... probably not the way you like us all to see them. We know you are anti-populist because you go out of your way to scrutinize it, while spinning what our anti-populist Dem leadership does and doesn't do.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)The only people doing the shouting on this thread are those who think everything OWS does is golden.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)to disparage them. Seems some here are siding with the MSM and the right in disparaging OWS.
Deep13
(39,157 posts)Still, I understand their point. It seems pretty hypocritical to honor the homeless after being responsible for marginalizing them in the first place. One woman who was interviewed said she was there for her cousin who died homeless. Why the hell didn't she take her cousin in instead of letting him/her freeze to death? (Yeah, I'm speculating a little, but you get my meaning.) What about homelessness that was exacerbated when the city cleared out the park?
Lydia Leftcoast
(48,223 posts)jump on the bandwagon?
You're "embarrassed" by people who have put their bodies on the line?
Was the Denver mayor one who joined in the nationwide coordinated effort to clear the OWS encampments? What has been his policy toward those who live on the streets during Colorado winters?
You don't know, do you?
Yet you join in the condemnation.
Please Google the lyrics to Phil Ochs's "Love Me, I'm a Liberal."
Lyric
(12,678 posts)But enough to make you cry.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Deep13
(39,157 posts)No.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)Team Occupy Denver.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)They've been doing it for, what, 22 years, I think?
pnwmom
(110,190 posts)-- who need to be reminded -- that these people are among us, and that they suffer and die among us.
I hope this isn't a common attitude among "Team Occupy Denver."
From the OP:
As the names of those who had died were called, many, if not all, Occupy Denver members refused to say, "We will remember."
"It's disgraceful," said Cynthia Ingram, who had traveled from Buffalo, N.Y., for the event to honor a cousin on the list.
"This isn't about their political agenda; it's about our family some sympathy and showing just a little bit of respect for the dead. I am so angry right now."
Ingram said she had previously agreed with the Occupy mission, but did not respect the outbursts at tonight's Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.
Read more: Occupy Denver disrupts vigil to honor homeless who have died, refuse to allow mayor to speak - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19588412#ixzz1hDDf8y6w
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)that uses homelessness as a photo op...all year long they could care less about these people.
Occupy is just pointing out the hypocrisy of the event.
pnwmom
(110,190 posts)The OWS actions made this harder for them.
__________________________________
As the names of those who had died were called, many, if not all, Occupy Denver members refused to say, "We will remember."
"It's disgraceful," said Cynthia Ingram, who had traveled from Buffalo, N.Y., for the event to honor a cousin on the list.
"This isn't about their political agenda; it's about our family some sympathy and showing just a little bit of respect for the dead. I am so angry right now."
Ingram said she had previously agreed with the Occupy mission, but did not respect the outbursts at tonight's Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.
Read more: Occupy Denver disrupts vigil to honor homeless who have died, refuse to allow mayor to speak - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19588412#ixzz1hDDf8y6w
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)Again let me repeat myself...the mayor does nothing to help these people...he is upset that his photo op got interrupted. I am sorry about Cynthia Ingram; however, the politics here are such that we must point out the hypocrisy at all costs.
On veteran's day occupy denver cleared the park in respect for the veterans. The mayor should be hanging his head instead of showing up at a vigil that he cares nothing about
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)They don't get vigils.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)WHO ARE ALREADY DEAD.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)It doesn't help them in the slightest. It just makes LIVING people feel better.
randome
(34,845 posts)What about religion? You think that should be abolished, too? How about marriage?
'It doesn't help them in the slightest', you said.
Neither does interrupting a vigil or camping out in public parks help the 99%. It's counter-productive and a sign of flailing around looking for something to give meaning to our lives. We should be more respectful and more focused on what we do.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)homeless health and well being. Nobody protested the vigil. And what is your idea of affecting change since you don't like the camping out in public parks?
In case you haven't noticed, the Occupy movement has changed the narrative of the media and changed the conversation of politicians. We should be more respectful of what exactly...a system that serves the 1%.
Looking for something to give us meaning....uh..you mean like a living wage...a job...health care...
You come across as so misinformed
randome
(34,845 posts)I know OWS has changed the narrative. No one here is saying otherwise.
Respect for the vigil is what I was talking about.
And for all those other things you mentioned, how is shouting down a mayor during a local event going to do anything to bring about a living wage, a job, better health care, etc.?
It won't. That's why so many people are growing more disappointed in the movement. It seems to have settled down instead of ramping up. All this time and energy spent on pitching tents.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)The mayor 2 days ago bulldozed the entire area..with a bulldozer! That is where the homeless live amongst Occupy. Last week we lost a homeless person to the cold. With Michael Hancocks approval they came in last week and took their food supplies, and shelter.
They mic checked the Mayor for his hypocrisy for showing up at a vigil for the homeless when he does not give a rat's ass about the homeless. The respect for the vigil was intact. They just didn't want the mayor there.
I mentioned those other things because they HAVE changed the narrative. I did not make the connection between mic checking and a better life ..you did. Quit mixing up the facts.
"all this time and energy spent on pitching tents" I am sure you have never gone down there, participated or helped them. The fact that we are bringing attention to the hypocrisy of our government and governmental leaders is more than any other group has been able to do.
Again, I am wondering what your ideas are on how to affect change in a political environment where everything is stacked against the 99%. What ideas do you have except to knock this new movement which is trying to find it's way out of the lies that is spread...Just like the article in the post which you base your opinions on.
randome
(34,845 posts)Maybe this particular mayor is a scumbag, like you think. But by OWS trying to subvert public space for their own use, they are setting up an inevitable conflict that does NOTHING to address economic injustice.
As for the bulldozer, what difference does it make if a bulldozer was used or tents were picked up and carted away. It's all the same, the park HAD to be cleared. Again, no mayor can let this kind of thing go on because they are responsible for everyone in the city, not just one group.
What would I like to see OWS focus on? More mass demonstrations might help. Other than that, it's only political work that will change our current political system. I know no one likes politics but that is what we are stuck with unless armed insurrection is considered.
No, I have not participated in pitching tents for OWS because I don't see the value in it.
Yes, OWS is bringing attention to the problems we face. More of that, please! And less appropriating of public spaces.
I KNOW the environment is stacked against the 99%. But that just means we have to work harder. I don't see any alternative except, as I said, armed insurrection, and I don't think anyone is ready for that.
Slit Skirt
(1,789 posts)I live in Denver. The mayor, and the governor of this fine state couldn't give a rat's ass about the homeless. As a matter of fact much what they bulldozed 2nights ago was stuff for the homeless. All that was was a photo op so everyone can go home to their beautiful homes, and huge holiday dinners and not feel so guilty.
Occupy feeds the homeless...get your facts straight before you judge. The mayor and governor of this town should be recalled. They are still practicing violence against occupy.
We go down and feed them, do their laundry etc, etc....the homeless are there with occupy.
stormpilot
(95 posts)The issues at hand are still there...the people of OWS are still here..the issues are not going to go away on their own. OWS isn't going away. I commend occupy for pointing out the hypocrisy of this mayor. Kudos to this group for fighting homelessness and holding the vigil...BUT, they probably should NOT have invited the Denver mayor (lots of "show" and "pomp" for him) and then none of this would have happened.
Pachamama
(17,540 posts)Really??? 
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)ooglymoogly
(9,502 posts)for an extremely duplicitous, disingenuous and myopic thread.
JoeyT
(6,785 posts)The usual suspects are concerned. Then later they'll be concerned some more when someone makes a post about the people opposing occupy. Then more concern the next time they can dig up an article (any article) that they imagine shows OWS in a bad light, even if they have to exclude a whole lot of information to do it.
So much concern would be touching if anyone believed for a second that it was genuine.
BadtotheboneBob
(413 posts)... is in, of itself, an act of fascism no matter the good intentions. Everyone has the right to speak. The ACLU has defended the despicable e.g. American Nazis, KKK etc, and their right to free speech. Even if one deplored it as a 'photo op', so what? The Mayor had his free speech rights denied by those very 'progressives' that decry when they feel theirs are denied. I feel it was a disruptive act merely for the sake of disruption. Nothing more.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)he was pretending to care about. No one tased him, peppersprayed him or harmed him. He quit talking. 
BadtotheboneBob
(413 posts)And you know that he was pretending how? Do you have a pretend-o-meter? My pretend-o-meter indicates that you pretend to care about free speech rights. As to "More a matter of drowning hypocricy(sic)", you do not have that right. You do have the right to counter whatever he, or anyone else espouses, after they have had their say. Noam Chomsky said, "If we don't believe in free expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)them dying after they were in the streets? Now he is going to hold himself out as the caring forelorn memorializer. Yeah uhugh, no one pepper sprayed him, beat him, lit him up, or otherwise stopped his lips from flapping, so no free speech stopped by anyone but himself by aborting himself.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)the mayor took the course of action that would allow the vigil to continue without OD disrupting it further
The families of those who had died didn't seem to appreciate OD's course of action, and those families are the ones I'll side with in this case.
And based on your post I guess OD/you also knows how to read the mayors mind since they/you seem to know what he cares about and what he has done(or not done)
Also the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless was the ones who wanted the mayor to speak
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)It just so happened that a bunch of other people decided to use their free speech rights at the same time. The first amendment does not guarantee anyone the right to have a microphone all to themselves and silence those in the area who oppose them.
BadtotheboneBob
(413 posts)... Those with the loudest/most voices win?
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Free speech rights apply to everyone, not just the people who own the microphones.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)how exactly was the 'ruling class' dominating the discussion?
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Obviously the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless chose a speaker a lot of people felt did not represent the homeless.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)a course of action those who was there to honor their relatives didn't seem to appreciate
At least the organizer of the protest distanced the protesters from OD and stated that it was not a OD approved action
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"Those with the loudest/most voices win?"
No-- more often than not, those with the pepper-spray, the water hoses and the mace cans wins the quick battle, regardless of who wins the war.
Response to El Supremo (Original post)
Post removed
I would have never know about the vigil if occupy denver did not OCCUPY it.
shraby
(21,946 posts)on the streets! Maybe the city should be more proactive in finding places to shelter the homeless so they DON'T die on the streets.
Instead most cities chase them from pillar to post so people can't see them.
annabanana
(52,802 posts)Each year since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has sponsored National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to end homelessness
At Church on the nearest Sunday to the Winter Solstice, during the Intersession, I always read:
{Thursday}, the first day of Winter, and facing the longest night of the year, is National Homeless Person's Memorial Day, sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless to remember those who have perished for want of shelter in our Nation, those for whom there is, literally, no room.
And then I pass out cards with the URL in the subject line.
Maraya1969
(23,418 posts)on the streets they go around and throw people out of the streets just to make sure that is there are any left they will surely make the list too?
I understand Occuypy's Anger. I don't understand anyone else's
tama
(9,137 posts)of having a memorial for dead homeless by a "charity" organizations, and inviting politicians for publicity stunt, is utterly disgusting.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)who have lost somebody they care for to honor them and being able to talk to others who have?
And for that matter, what publicity stunt if i may ask since I don't think I'd have read much about this years event hadn't Occupy made a noise about it
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)Why can't the city provide the minimal housing or shelter to prevent that?
And how is this "memorial ceremony" featuring the politicians responsible for this deadly and appalling state of affairs helping the dead, or those bound to freeze before next year's edition?
annabanana
(52,802 posts)348 explained well my initial feeling of resentment. Respect and happy new year!
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)The next night he holds a memorial ceremony for all the homeless people who froze to death because Denver apparently can't provide them with warm shelter, let alone minimal housing.
And when this outrageous behavior draws a protest... you blame the protesters for... what? Not letting the hypocrites exonerate and praise themselves in peace?