the occupyroseparade.
OCCUPY AND THE ROSE PARADE
Having just returned from Occupytheroseparade, I want to share a brief report while it is fresh in my mind—and my tired legs. Four of us from Pilgrim Place marched, including two former seminary presidents and a leader of a laywomen’s Catholic order. We were joined by a retired cleric from the Palm Springs area and a pastor and his wife from Pasadena. As we talked with others in the crowd, it became obvious that there were a significant number who had marched out of a religious motivation—for justice, peace, the preservation of the environment and care of the left out. At least that is why we were there. As I never question anyone else’s motivation, I trust that our motivation will simply be accepted.
People of all ages and economic classes had joined the demonstration for a number of differing reasons. Some were there—mostly younger people—because they had been directly affected. They are out of their homes, out of jobs and overwhelmed with education debts. That was the most important group. Still others were generic progressives, who believed that corporations embody the antithesis of the American dream. Still others represented organized labor and saw rightwing politics systematically choking unions. Others represented vegetarianism, aromatherapy and political anarchy.
Then there were those with a highly developed ethical sensitivity arising from a variety of sources, some religious some anti-religious. Among them were those whose sensitivity came from a religious imperative. Occupy is not a religious movement—not even mainly so— but it is infused with people who find their ethical imperative rising from their religious faith. They are embarrassed by the religious rightwing, which seems to trust not only in corporate power but also in the inequality and injustice which comes with that political perspective. Along the way we encounter three counter demonstrators on the sidewalk with banners proclaiming that only in Christ is there salvation—with the appropriate Bible texts. While we were angry and embarrassed, others in the crowd were verbally clear that this sort of “evangelism” was abusive and not wanted or helpful.
Our little group’s estimate of the crowd ranged all the way from 800 (mine) to 2,000. Take your pick. It was a loud but orderly assemblage. The police were almost invisible and there was no threat of trouble or any inappropriate disruption. Most of us carried signs about one of Occupy’s issues. Mine said, NO KEYSTONE PIPELINE. Fifty or so demonstrators carried a great plastic-bag octopus, and others a hundred and twenty feet long edition of the Constitution. It was all a great deal of fun. We received a variety of responses along the way. Mostly cheers and thumbs up, but particularly from the high-priced stands, thumbs down and a few catcalls. Along the route, we encountered a few white-suited Pasadena parade officials—none of whom were smiling.
When I arrived back at our community, I was told that none of the TV stations carried our march, and had turned off the cameras as the last “official” float had passed. It is no secret that TV stations are owned by the very corporations that were the objects of the demonstrators. So while coverage was limited, the movement- building among the marchers was worth the effort. I’m glad I was able to participate.
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