Re: Occupation - In his article yesterday, Chris Hedges said

[Dover]

It is vital that the occupation movements direct attention away from their encampments and tent cities, beset with the usual problems of hastily formed open societies where no one is turned away. Attention must be directed through street protests, civil disobedience and occupations toward the institutions that are carrying out the assaults against the 99 percent. Banks, insurance companies, courts where families are being foreclosed from their homes, city offices that put these homes up for auction, schools, libraries and firehouses that are being closed, and corporations such as General Electric that funnel taxpayer dollars into useless weapons systems and do not pay taxes, as well as propaganda outlets such as the New York Post and its evil twin, Fox News, which have unleashed a vicious propaganda war against us, all need to be targeted, shut down and occupied. Goldman Sachs is the poster child of all that is wrong with global capitalism, but there are many other companies whose degradation and destruction of human life are no less egregious."

-- from Finding Freedom In Handcuffs
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/finding_freedom_in_handcuffs_20111107

It was written after his recent arrest along with other OWS members in NYC after demonstrating outside Goldman Sachs.

I don't think the occupiers in my area have ventured far from their encampment at city hall. What are your thoughts on Chris Hedges suggestion?

[Gregorian]

1. Listen to Chris Hedges. He is a beacon of light.

I think we know what we're doing now. Everyone is on the same page.

I had a talk with a friend last night about V For Vendetta. He hadn't seen it. His first question was what happened after the end of the movie.

After OWS, what happens?

[RKP5637]

5. Excellent movie! Just saw it recently. Good question on what happens after OWS. I'm

wondering where the traction comes from for "really" major change. Chris Hedges makes sense to me - the next stage ...

[Raksha]

16. You are so right that Chris Hedges is a beacon of light.

He always was, but he is shining even brighter as the Occupation grows, and I didn't think that was possible. I posted this essay on my FB page after I read it this morning.

[nineteen50]

2. I agree

bring attention to the multitude of inequalities in our
system. A new one every two weeks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. It is per local conditions.

Some places the mere act is the disobedience.

[Defectata]

15. but it isn't about disobedience

the camps show we are not going away, but they don't show why. We need to make it impossible to deny why we are there as well as showing we aren't going away.

[myrna minx]

4. I always appreciate Chris Hedges' thoughts. K&R n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. I suppose you can create the new world AND hilight the old's problems at the same time.

And yes, they're working to drag us down to their level, so something proactive and newsworthy against that which must change is a good idea.

[Dover]

8. YES! Many groups are becoming the change, pioneering new ways

to self govern and form community, a glimmer of a new model for living. It seems to have grown very naturally from these gatherings and I hope we can continue to nourish that aspect of 'occupy' as well.

[Dover]

7. I envision Occupiers as carrying torches that shine a light wherever there is

something 'dark' that needs illumination. So it makes sense to me that the occupation should be mobilized for that purpose as well as becoming a
constant presense in their area. Their presense IS a light of consciousness that grows brighter as more are drawn to it.
There really is no limit to how large groups of dedicated people can use their collective power.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. Precisely!

:hi:

[jwirr]

9. I think he is right. Keep our eyes open to things like the koch meeting,

and other injustices and highlight them. I also like what happened at the WH yesterday. These groups are very creative and they are educating us in many ways. They just need to stay visible enough that the enthusiasm does not die down.

[Zorra]

10. I completely agree with that paragraph.

Chris Hedges gets it.

[starroute]

12. There does suddenly seem to be a focus on major actions

Occupy Together (http://www.occupytogether.org/occupy-wall-st/) lists Mass Days of Action for November 11, November 17, and December 10. There's a march starting tomorrow to go from Zuccotti Park down to Occupy DC, timed to cover 20 miles a day for 12 days and arrive as the Supercommittee releases its recommendations. And there are plans in the works for a major convergence next spring.

I'm also seeing more emphasis on targeting local appearances by everyone from Eric Cantor to Condi Rice and making it impossible for them to stick their noses out in public without being called to account.

Even though the protesters are swearing to stay through the winter, I think they know that will at best be a holding action and that the energy will have to go elsewhere -- and that will see a lot more one-day events as a result.

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. Here's an answer: #Occupy Los Angeles are marching on BofA right now!

http://www.livestream.com/owslosangeles

[Defectata]

14. I said it yesterday

Chris Hedges is my consigliere.

If we stay in the camps, we are defined by the act of camping. That is not what we are. If we, like was done in Atlanta, prevent homes from foreclosure, or as was done in NY, force slumlords to turn on heat and make necessary repairs, we reflect our true goals are that of restoring justice to the economically disenfranchised.

That's what its all about, isn't it?