I don't know that many people outside of the City realize this, but the two places that have most occupied our consciousness over the last month - the #OccupyWallStreet protests on Liberty Square and the new National 9/11 Memorial - are actually separated only by a single city block.
That creates some very interesting juxtapositions and yes, commonalities. Both are places of national significance with a quiet grandeur that we've never seen before. One is about a dark past laid to rest, the other about a dark present that is changing before our eyes. Both reflect something we lost, two titanic buildings here, our very birthright as Americans there: freedom, equality, justice.
U.S. flag at the Memorial.
U.S. flag on Liberty Square.
A protestor on Liberty Square.
One World Trade Center, seen from the Memorial Park.
Organizing on Liberty Square.
Some of the names of the 9/11 first responders, cast forever in bronze.
People talking on crowded, alive Liberty Square.
Visitors wandering the quiet sweep of the Memorial Park.
You know something's happening when the statuesque blonde from the network with the perfect hair shows up, camera in tow.
The falling waters of the North Pool, in the footprint of what was once the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The agenda, organizing committee, #OccupyWallStreet.
The North Pool, looking towards Liberty Square.
On Liberty Square, center: Jesse LaGreca, aka MinistryofTruth.
Embrasure of the South Pool. The names are cast in bas-relief, to mark individual loved ones lost.
Also in the service of memory, the library of #OccupyWallStreet.
The South Pool, 'Reflecting Absence'. And another name that will now never be forgotten, as long as this City stands.
Jesse La Greca. I've been in the company of royalty, various HRHs, but I've never seen a mob magnet like this. That man is a genuine American hero, and he's finally being treated that way. That Faux News slapdown he delivered? It's gone viral.
So that's it, your daily dose of your own history. Tomorrow, you can help make it.
The march from City Hall to the "Occupy Wall Street" protest on Wednesday continues to grow as more supporters have endorsed the march, and the Occupy movement takes root across the country. The march, which brings together major labor organizations, community groups and college students, was endorsed today by the United Federation of Teachers.
Altogether, thousands of new voices will join Wednesday to call for an end to policies that favor the wealthiest at the expense of the other 99% of Americans.
The current list of endorsers is available on the Facebook page for the march here.
Wednesday's events are being supported by a host of community organizations and labor unions, including the Strong Economy for All Coalition, United NY and the Working Families Party. It will begin October 5th with Student Walkouts at college campuses across the state, with those in New York City joining the march to Wall Street. The Labor and Community March will begin with a gathering at City Hall at 4:30, before proceeding to Wall Street. More major events are planned for the coming days and weeks - all in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Can't make it? No problem. Follow #occupytogether on Twitter, or me, because I'll be live-tweeting starting at 4:30 sharp.
As the Vice President would say, this is a big fucking deal.