Yesterday's events drew national and international attention as the "hippies" camped out at Zuccoti Park hold fast. Yesterday, they braved pepper spray, tazers, and Kettling to march on Union Square. On friday, they braved harsh weather conditions which caused several cases of hypothermia. Even now, they are standing up to a terrifying and brutal police presence, constant lights and sirens, and mass arrests.
First they ignore you, that phase is over. Then, they laugh at you, but no one thinks the brutality and violence is funny.
Now, the fight is beginning, and Kossacks are on the front lines advising, aiding, and bringing the world unfiltered access to the protest in Liberty Plaza.
They've been labled many things by the mainstream media: Hippies, Junkies, Unemployed (as if it were a perjorative, instead of an economic reality). They've been told to "get a job" despite the fact that many are employed, and return to the square when not working.
Once thought by many to be a disorganized rabble, they have braved harsh weather, a terrifying police presence, and the realities of sleeping a block away from the Ladder 10 fire station at Ground Zero: near constant sirens, as FDNY responds to calls.
Yesterday's arrests brought protesters marching to the 5th precinct in Chinatown last night, where almost 80 missing protesters were rumored to be held. Demanding their release, some of the protesters were arrested while cameras from WABC's Eyewitness News looked on.
At 11:30 last night, the last news van dropped its sattelite dish and drove off, making the only media presence one Kossack, myself, and an official InfoWars news team. Amid wild rumors that the police intended to storm the square, a decision was made to guarantee an independent presence last night. I stayed on until the early morning, when WABC appeared to continue their coverage from the previous day.
Thankfully, it was an uneventful night. The NYPD did not rush the square. Instead, exhausted police officers stood looking on, many of them drinking coffee or fruit juice, while protesters slept and talked among themselves.
Bonus Army Revisited
One of the main topics of discussion was the Bonus Army:
The difference between Occupy Wall St, and the October2011 Washington DC protests which will begin in a few short weeks, is that Posse Comitatus doesn't exist in Washington, DC. That means that the government is legally allowed to use the military to enforce law and order in Washington, DC.
We'll see what happens. There seems to be a feeling that New York City doesn't have unlimited funds. Eventually, the length of this protest and the amount of money it's costing the city will lead to an attempt to seize Liberty Plaza from the protesters in an attempt to end the protest. This, we think, is inevitable.
Then they fight you, then you win.
What will be the reaction from the media and from the world? Ministry of Truth has already posted about the police brutality protesters are experiencing. One of those videos, uploaded by a Kossack, HankNYNY, has been used by the UK's Guardian newspaper.
We're going to try to stay on site and guarantee that the heroes of Liberty Plaza will have their voices heard. We want to make sure that the truth is told.
Thank You, DailyKos
The Camera in my hand which which watched police and protesters alike last night was bought by you, Kossacks. The money you've provided to our OccupyWallSt media fund is keeping an independent new media presence watching the situation. This is especially vital when the only other media presence, at times, are the folks from InfoWars.
The viral videos we're seeing get out are being uploaded by Kossacks over a mobile hot-spot purchased by you. Your contributions, DailyKos, have helped make sure that the whole world is watching, and that the truth is being heard. You made sure that independent media was on site all night last night after the police brutality experienced on Saturday's march.
You did this. Together, we can keep this fight going until it is won.
The more support we have, the more we can continue our vital work. Will you donate to our we-pay account and keep us going?
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