Hundreds of Bloomington residents join Occupy Wall Street movement in protest at People's Park

[bloomington-lib]

Source: IDSNews.com

Occupy Wall Street — a large protest against corporate greed that began in New York City in September and has drawn thousands of supporters, accusations of police brutality and criticism for what some call a lack of focus — has led to similar protests across the country, the United Kingdom and Canada.

More than two hundred people gathered in Bloomington’s People’s Park on Sunday to begin an occupation of their own.

While the police looked on, the discussion about where exactly to occupy continued, and other demonstrators began pitching their town tents.

“I think solidarity is the key word,” Alex said, moving out of the way to make some space for his new neighbor. “I don’t really know most of these people. I don’t agree with all of them. But there is this dawning realization that capitalism does not work.”


Read more: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=83348

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[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[thecrow]

2. People's Park was established in the late 60's

I was a student at IU when the space of Peoples Park was occupied by an ethnic African shop.
Unfortunately, "someone" fire bombed the store (this was during the Civil Rights times)
and the whole town was so appalled at this, that it was dedicated to The People.
Why it "closes" at 11pm I have no idea.

[DocMac]

3. Probably close it to keep out the homeless.

I have seen benches with dividers attached to the seat to keep them from laying down.

I saw that in Tallahassee FLA back in 1977 when I was stationed at NAS Pensacola.

The homeless have been fighting city hall for a long time. But they know the difference between public and private places.

[snappyturtle]

4. I too was an I.U. student, '65-'69, and experienced many anti-war protests in

Dunn Meadow. Hopefully the present day protest, occupation, will grow!

[Danse]

5. Capitalism

“I don’t really know most of these people. I don’t agree with all of them. But there is this dawning realization that capitalism does not work.”

Amen. The sooner people grasp this basic concept the less pain we'll have to go through in the long run.

[Maineman]

6. I am not sure what is an alternative to capitalism. Absolutely, an economic system based

on greed needs to be managed and restrained. Regulated!

Unregulated greed. What could possibly go wrong?!

[JDPriestly]

10. I'm with you, Maineman.

Even if capitalism didn't exist, we would probably invent it. We just need to re-invent it so that it doesn't turn into feudalism.

Ideas that would help:

1) a tax system that provides a motivation to create, work and participate to a broader range of citizens. This would include inheritance taxes to stop our slow evolution toward a financial aristocracy.

2) free or very, very inexpensive public education for an unlimited number of years. Why should poverty prevent a person from learning in a community?

3) single-payer health care for all. Everyone pays. Everyone is insured for necessary healthcare and to some extent for discretionary things. Every day of everyone's life -- cradle to grave. The patient picks the doctor. The doctor bills the insurance carrier.

4) we continue to provide financial assistance to the poor, the disabled, the elderly.

5) Businesses are regulated and required by law to meet certain very basic ethical standards such as telling consumers the truth -- full disclosure about their products and business practices would probably suffice.

[workinclasszero]

7. "But there is this dawning realization that capitalism does not work"

Hey its working great for the 1%ers that are raping and looting the planet with the help of their bought and paid for politicians.

Its an unmitigated global disaster for us 99% though.

[radical noodle]

8. Many by-passers cheered them on

It also made the front page of the local (not student run like the IDS) newspaper. There were mentions of people on the streets cheering for them and drivers honking their horns in support. If I'd known it was happening, I'd have been there too.

[JDPriestly]

9. Hoorah! IU!

[TomCADem]

11. Nice Slam On The GOP/Romney, "Corporations ARE People" put down

[lindysalsagal]

12. This is where my brain went:

Bloom County

http://www.berkeleybreathed.com/

Remember the simple good old days? Sigh.

[Juche]

13. I miss Bloomington so much

I would go back there if I could, it is an amazing town. Indianapolis had a march this weekend but I had to work and couldn't go.