MUST READ: A Historical Precedent That Might Prove A Bonus For Occupy Wall Street - UKGuardian

[WillyT]

A historical precedent that might prove a bonus for Occupy Wall Street
In 1932, a police and army attack on the Bonus Army of impoverished first world war veterans helped seal the New Deal
Nicolaus Mills - guardian.co.uk
Saturday 19 November 2011 12.00 EST


Bonus Army marchers confront police, 1932. Photograph: US National Archives

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This Tuesday's pre-dawn destruction of the Zuccotti Park encampment of Occupy Wall Street by New York City police in riot gear has been seen by some as a serious defeat for the movement. A day after 142 Occupy Wall Street protestors were arrested and Zuccotti Park was cleared, the New York Daily News, which has been hostile to Occupy Wall Street since it began, reported, "Camp Zuccotti appears to be gone for good now."

But if history is any guide, the raid on Occupy Wall Street and the destruction of the tents and sleeping bags the protesters left behind is not likely to have the effect the movement's foes want. The Great Depression offers a striking parallel to this week's attack on Occupy Wall Street.

In 1932, a police and Army raid on the Bonus Army of first world war veterans, who had come to Washington, DC to ask for immediate payment of their Adjusted Service Certificates (whic everyone called their bonus), resulted in an Occupy Wall Street-like rout. But in the end, the vets were the ones who prevailed and gained public sympathy.

The 1932 raid reached its peak of violence on 29 July when Washington's commissioners and President Herbert Hoover gave the Army the authority to evict the marchers from empty government buildings near the Capitol and from their makeshift camps along the Anacostia River. The Army chief of staff, General Douglas MacArthur, aided by Major Dwight Eisenhower and 600 troops, backed up by tanks and cavalry, confronted the vets, tear-gassing them and setting fire to the shacks they had been living in.

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More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/19/historical-precedent-bonus-occupy?newsfeed=true

:kick:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. I think what Bloomberg did, has energized the movement. He f'd up big time nt

[JDPriestly]

2. All kinds of people who would not go near an actual camp or march

are taking courage from the fact that someone, somewhere is voicing their frustrations and fears.

Actions like those of OWS build unity among people who are shamed by the rich into silence and feelings of guilt about their poverty.

I have a friend who recently lost her job and had to move back in with family. She is a very capable woman with a long, successful work record, and her job loss has left her bitter and frightened.

She was delighted to hear on MSNBC about the OWS camping and marches. It is giving her that fight-back spirit that she needs.

Thanks for all who cover OWS in a positive way. It is the movement that will energize many Americans and make them feel less alone.

For every demonstrator at an Occupy site, there are hundreds if not thousands around the country who are supporting the movement in their hearts.

[tex-wyo-dem]

3. "hundreds if not thousands"...

I would say hundreds-of-thousands would be far more accurate.

Maybe even millions.

many ppl I know are supportive of the movement, but are just too afraid to possibly jeopardize their jobs to join the occupations.