Occupy Indy... first arrest earlier today. Action happening now.

[salin]

First OIndy is a small group. One of the discouraging things is it is a "vertical occupation" that is folks can stay all night but can not lay down to sleep.

Its had surges and set backs. Generator, no generator, new generator. The one thing it hasn't had is any shelter. Yesterday someone brought a patio umbrella.

Today an occupier was told to take it down, and was arrested for not doing so.

This afternoon the plan is for getting folks to the sight (on the State House lawn) - in short order (first heard of the arrest around 12:30).

I understand it is to be a nonviolent protest of the situation. The main livestream was yanked, and several other livestreams for Occupy Indy have sprung up. If this goes live - I will post the address and ask any who can to jump on and watch, even if for a short moment, and type some words of encouragement to the Indy Occupiers.

Active livestream.com/IndyOccupied

[salin]

1. kick

small group, press and police are present.

www.livestream.com/indyoccupied

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Fucking advertisements on livestream...thanks for the link, all power to #Occupy!

[salin]

3. I hate the ads - but its quickly gone

say hello - they get a big boost from folks outside of Indy rooting them (us) along).

[MADem]

4. It's getting cold.

Why don't they use some of their money to rent a warehouse or other building (a storefront or garage, maybe?) and set it up as a "warming station" that could, in effect, be used as a dormitory? That would keep the people who have nowhere to live nearby close to the action, without pissing off the cops and causing public agita. If they have zoning trouble, get some minister to call it a church.

They need to start thinking "different" on this shit. Fighting the police is not earning them fans. All attention is not good attention.

The focus needs to be on corporate corruption, unseemly government - Wall Street shenanigans, JOBS and economic parity.

[salin]

6. they have been going for 3 weeks, and until today - have had good relations

been compliant. Have been told that they can not "pop tents". No one said a lawn umbrella couldn't go up.

[MADem]

13. That's good. nt

[kestrel91316]

8. If you think they are doing it all wrong, why aren't you there to show them how to

run a protest correctly?

100% attacks on OWS, all the time. Sigh. But you're a "Democrat", so we can't criticize you.

[MADem]

15. Here you are, again. When are you going to tire of expressing your personal ire at me?

I "get" it. You take issue with me. You follow me around constantly, to repeat, over and over that you don't agree with me.

Pat yourself on the back yet AGAIN, my little shadow!

Are you posting from YOUR tent on the front lines, dear?

How can you call a suggestion to enhance the safety and warmth of the protesters during the winter months, and give them a secure place to rest and regroup, an attack? I think it's an artful idea.

I am glad I don't live in your warped world.

[Contrary1]

11. The city government would never allow them to rent anywhere near downtown prime real estate n/t

[MADem]

12. There are no empty storefronts in Oakland, in this economic climate?

I'm shocked.

It wouldn't be OWS renting it, it would be MOVEON. Or they could give the cash to a "minister."

The government of Oakland actually gets involved in rental agreements of commercial real estate? Who knew?

[Contrary1]

14. We're talking about Indianapolis...

and no, you have to jump through hoops, and grease the right palms to get any real estate downtown, rented or purchased.

[MADem]

16. Sorry--even more compelling. Indianapolis has no empty storefronts? nt

[Contrary1]

17. Maybe you would need to live here to understand. n/t

[MADem]

20. Educate me. I'm listening. NT

[salin]

22. over the past 20 yrs or so... millions (atop of millions) have been sunk into the downtown area

High end hotels, shopping, restaurants, big banks and lawfirms all surround the State House area. Go a few blocks south its the convention Center a few blocks east its an arena (Basket ball) a few blocks south and then west its a new giant football stadium.

Our typical "inner city" is pushed a couple of miles into a ring of poverty in which your earlier assumption might be true - but not real close to the state house.

[MADem]

25. Is the "inner city" within walking distance, or is there public transportation

as late as ten to midnight and as early as four to six? The people going back and forth could use the opportunity as a small-group dynamic march, if they walked. They could talk up the OWS effort on public transportation, if that was available, too.

The poor bastards who work in those hotels have to get to work, I'm guessing, so I would hope there was decent bus service.

The downtown actually sounds like a great place to exert influence, with all the business in the area. If it's that pretty, though, it's only a matter of time before things get tense especially with fooooooootball on the horizon. I think a bolt-hole nearby--if it could be found--in the "off" hours might be a good safety feature, as well as one that will keep people healthy in cold weather.

[Contrary1]

23. OK...There are very few small empty storefronts near the center of downtown Indy.

The rental cost would be too prohibitive, even in the unlikely event that the Chamber of Commerce or whoever would give Occupy Indy the green light. They tend to be very picky on who is allowed in.

The downtown area is not all that large. If the protesters would move a couple miles or so in any direction from the center, they might be able to get something. But, the Occupy Movement is fairly dependant on visibility, and about the only ones who would see them would be folks in cars on their way to work, and any person living in that particular neighborhood.

Also, the city is busy putting on a pretty face for the next Super Bowl. That will weigh heavily on allowing anything new in. We're all about appearances here in Indianapolis. :)

And last, but not least, the city is run by Republicans.

Your idea of using a church building is worth looking into. Only a couple downtown, but maybe one further out would be willing to provide shelter and meeting place. But, as far as being the main area to protest in front of, we are pretty much back to the visibility factor.

[MADem]

24. Ah, the Super Bowl! Another opportunity for CONVERGENCE!

Put team colors around those messages, to make people look.

Thank you for your response--I have learned more than a few things.

I wouldn't expect this church (or warehouse, or basements, or whatever) to become a full-fledged base of operations for the organization, but simply a place for people to get out of the cold, sleep, have some food, and maybe take a dump and have a wash. I'm thinking more of an R and R site, a crash pad as we called it back in the day.

It would need to be close enough so that people could commute easily to the protest site, set up their informational and assistance tables/materials, etc., and maybe there need to be more than one location, but I think a shift in how this effort is approached is worth discussing.

[salin]

18. er... this is Indianapolis

[MADem]

21. Yes, I corrected myself two minutes before your post. nt

[EC]

19. That's what I was wondering too.

One shift can sleep in the "home base" while the other shift can go out and sit or stand where the occupy area is.


I thought at least in NY someone would have donated a space. Or they could use the space the union gave them to use for storage.

[Contrary1]

5. Gotta keep up appearances for Super Bowl, don't ya know?

Wouldn't want any visitors to be insulted by the sight of unemployed hippies. So sick of hearing about all the "improvements" being made here.

It's been good enough for the resident taxpayers for years, but while ignoring the schools, homeless, hungry, and unemployed, they've been able to come up with millions to spend on appearances.

[salin]

9. Ya and all the bills that have been wracked up on us

for new stadiums, etc. Many are pretty tired of the SuperBowl planning already. Course if the Colts were doing better some might feel differently.

[tk2kewl]

7. Keep it up Hoosiers!

:kick:

[salin]

10. thanks all - our little demonstration was picked up by global livestream

thanks for your support.

The state police has been in contact, and they have said there will be NO arrests this afternoon per the umbrella.

News crews have been out. Small police presence - and even the obligatory undercover instigator.

wait... the police just left!