Occupy; San Diego

I was going to post THIS around the Civic Center for everyone to see, and leave my tent for others to use until such time as I completely distanced myself from the movement, or conversely, choose to join it again. I didn't get around to posting it, instead I ended up at the Civic Center on the eighth night, hoping to be inspired enough to continue on.

I was inspired... in an unexpected way;

The police decided to evict everyone from their tents (after we had been told tents would not be an issue). Tents symbolized our right to protest. Actually, they didn't symbolized anything until we were given a non-negotiable demand to remove them. At that point the tents symbolized our right to protest without constraint, without permission, and furthermore, to protest outside of a 'free speech zone'. Not only that, it was obviously a strategic ploy to demoralize the people of Occupy San Diego and I didn't feel we should lose the battle so soon, nor so easily. (In fact, I don't believe this is a battle we can win, but if we lose it correctly we have a chance to win the war... I will explain more later.) So I decided to stay another night and have those opposed to our assembly force our possessions from us. And that is where I found inspiration.

I was inspired at the restraint of the punks and anarchists who wanted to throw rocks at the police and didn't.

I was inspired by the working class who stayed with their tents until an hour before work, and then found someone to take their place when they left.

I was inspired by those who stayed to the very last and were forcibly detained, arrested, and/or maced.

I was inspired by the few police officers who showed more patience and understanding than was required by their superiors or the situation.

I was inspired to resist... to resist those who defend the injustices of the world, to resist power structures that take without giving back, to resist looking away from our collective problems because they seem so immense.

So, I quote Dylan; "Do not go gently into that good night".

Critique of my mood the first week;

I was upset that I was 'pushed and demanded upon' but I was also upset that the movement was taking no action... Those pushing and demanding were only trying to create action. And regardless of whether I agreed with those actions, they were trying.

*I still believe the first course of action is positive publicity and growth to include a larger demographic.

I was upset that the movement is not representative of the 99% but how can it be if we aren't all there supporting the early adopters of this movement? We have the gay&lesbian community, the anarchists, the hardcore political and environmental activists, and some vagabond leaders looking for a cause. These are the people already acclimatized to public disapproval and willing to make a stand for what they believe in. I hear many people comment about the lack of a representative demographic, but the only solution is to stop criticizing and join. Join for what we believe in individually and not be swayed by common misconceptions about "who we are" or "why we are here"...

*Many people are attending wearing Guy Fawkes masks and I believe this quote is the most appropriate reason for that;"Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? ...remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me..."

I was upset about the lack of leadership and at the same time upset about the bureaucratic attempt at order.

*I still am upset. I believe this movement can be lead without being centralized. If done properly it can maintain the ataxia and chads necessary to its power. I believe we are lead by our individual conscience, ideas, and determination. The occupy community is an idea and grows as much with thoughts as with people. I gave to the movement and then felt as though I lost what I had given because the minutia of the movement did not go how I would have liked. That was a personal flaw I needed to overcome, and I have. But I would still like leadership instead of unwieldy, tiresome consensus.

Currently (Day 12), I am upset that G.A. (General Assembly) meetings are still held with the main topic at issue being whether or not consensus is required for the group to act on anything...

*I solved this issue by becoming an independent occupier. I sometimes feel that I am supporting these ideas of change not because of Occupy San Diego, but in spite of it. I have never been on the fence about Occupy; I just keep getting punted back and forth over it... repeatedly.

I am also upset that we lost the battle at Civic Center. But did any of us really think we could fight this war without losing any battles? I don't think the thousands who rallied on the first days, nor the others who (sometimes silently) cheered us on, have given up. The Civic Center loss is merely a fire covered, smoking and smoldering its discontent until the flames take hold once again.

*This leads to why I don't believe we can (or should) win this battle at all. The war we are fighting is one of many fronts, but ultimately it is a war of hearts and minds (a pity the phrase is so tainted). This is not OWS. We were supposed to defend our tents and occupation space at Civic Center, but we were never meant to keep it. To be forcibly removed leaves us in a place (the community) to gather support for the next battle, but to be viewed as stubborn, obstinate trouble-makers that are inhibiting the daily goings-on of city government and the arts will only alienate our supporters more than they already have been...

As I see it, our choices at this point are;

1) Stay at Civic Center and hopefully develop a better image than we currently have there

2) Leave of our own volition (with publicity) and find a new, equally appropriate place to make camp, stage marches and demonstrations, and rally around.

3) Do something dramatic (yet positive) to force confrontation again

That addresses some issues relating to the first objectives of positive publicity and growth... Now to the heart of the matter; Pressure. Pressure will come with success of the first two objectives, but I would like to discuss the application of that pressure...
http://www.correntewire.com/nv
And discuss to what ends we are applying it...

Day 20:
It appears the movement is choosing option 3 but I now believe that option 2 is our best choice. People are putting their personal tents up, and it will jeopardize the nurse & food tent. Things have developed in a negative way and I don't believe we can build a positive image if we stay, and if we so stay we will surely force confrontation again, but without the public support to make a confrontation worth while...

We need to be viewed as the rescuers of society, not a hindrance to it. The Coffee Stand incident is a perfect exit excuse and we need to take advantage of it or I truly believe the San Diego public will begin to view all our actions as negative... I don't want to be boo'd (no Halloween pun intended) for protesting at JPM/Chase.

Day 22:
~50 people arrested, Civic Center cleared of all possessions. Many San Diegans (~1000) came together to rally in solidarity for the arrested and to practice our first amendment right to address the government for a redress of grievance. I am taking a break to see where the movement goes, and lets face it; the population is fickle (I am too). The movement doesn't need me right now, but it will next month when the excitement dies down and we have all forgotten or lost our passionate indignation of this particular incident.

The movement will stay at the Civic Center, because if we leave now it is by force, a defeat, not by our choice. I would have done it differently, but as my great-grandmothers plague stated, "look forward not back, up not down, out not in, and lend a hand".  Also by Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do"

Day 34:
Remember when you were a youth and looked around at the ridiculousness of the world, swearing you would not end up a part of it? You would explain your defiance and rebelliousness of a system flawed, corrupt, and apathetic to youthful ideals only to receive as response that naivety would soon be outgrown and you would understand things better from an older perspective. Then you became an adult, or at least old enough (with enough life experiences for everyone to assume you had made it) and upon looking around realized that somehow you had become a part of the ridiculousness... and not entirely sure how you got there or where the road had branched to lead you so far astray. The remaining conviction of the ridiculousness of the governing systems of the world were blunted, partly because you had 'sold out' and partly because you had just learned to accept it... and to be honest, when asked by youth you gave the same response. You wanted to appear that you had indeed learned to understand things better from an older perspective, especially now that you were part of the problem and still as hopelessly confused.
I remember. I remember like it was yesterday. To all those with answers and facts and who are quite sure they know what is going on; It is oft times the inexperienced, un-corrupted, naive youth who offer the best perspective needed to see through bull-shit.
Doings from the all-powerful interweb;
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/

What I sent to my representative:
I don't agree with the shouting, I would have walked out as well... Perhaps we all assumed City Council wasn't prepared to discuss the matter.
So please prove our assumptions wrong and take the time to listen when we ask quietly.
We represent the Occupy San Diego protest. Our protest is protected by our constitutional rights. You took an oath to uphold our constitution. Therefore we request that you respect and uphold our right under the 1st Ammendment of our Constitution. Please endorse our peaceful protest action against undue corporate or monetary influence on our government. The Los Angeles City Council adopted a resolution supporting the Occupy Los Angeles protest. We want the same respect here and from you. Similar to LA our protest will have tents, canopies, power ad portable restrooms. We will continue to have a medical tent, food, educational materials and media support. We will continue to Occupy Civic Center plaza and expansion park areas. We asked you to place this item on the agenda at the last meeting. You did not, so we ask you again. Here is a copy of the proposed resolution. Please call a special meeting to propose this agenda item immediately. Under the Brown Act you can discuss this and place it on the agenda now. If you do not place it on your agenda we will accept this as consent to our protest, and plan for our constitutional rights. Again if you do not place this on the future agenda at this time we will accept your passive consent to reoccupy the Civic Center Plaza and Children’s Park and your action will be evidence of your support of our constitutional rights
.

What I sent a week later to the entire city council:

I am asking you, and the city council, to support Occupy San Diego. It doesn't have to be unconditionally. You are a politician, start negotiations. I understand this support comes with big political risk, but so does not supporting it.
This movement will continue because;
1) Our economy will not be getting better in the foreseeable future. 2) The ideas that are spreading only grow stronger with time. 3) People truly want change.
Please support the change and support the people, but above all else, support what you believe.
If you have taken the time to read thus far, perhaps I can take another minute of your time.
Earlier this week I sent the following to Mr. Gloria, my District 3 representative;
I don't agree with the shouting, I would have walked out as well... Perhaps we all assumed City Council wasn't prepared to discuss the matter.
So please prove our assumptions wrong and take the time to listen when we ask quietly.
We represent the Occupy San Diego protest. Our protest is protected by our constitutional rights. You took an oath to uphold our constitution. Therefore we request that you respect and uphold our right under the 1st Amendment of our Constitution. Please endorse our peaceful protest action against undue corporate or monetary influence on our government. The Los Angeles City Council adopted a resolution supporting the Occupy Los Angeles protest. We want the same respect here and from you. Similar to LA our protest will have tents, canopies, power ad portable restrooms. We will continue to have a medical tent, food, educational materials and media support. We will continue to Occupy Civic Center plaza and expansion park areas. We asked you to place this item on the agenda at the last meeting. You did not, so we ask you again. Here is a copy of the proposed resolution. Please call a special meeting to propose this agenda item immediately. Under the Brown Act you can discuss this and place it on the agenda now. If you do not place it on your agenda we will accept this as consent to our protest, and plan for our constitutional rights. Again if you do not place this on the future agenda at this time we will accept your passive consent to reoccupy the Civic Center Plaza and Children’s Park and your action will be evidence of your support of our constitutional rights.