So, having nothing better to do with my Saturday afternoon, I decided to go check out the #OccupyWallStreet inspired protest that started in Boston yesterday. I heard about the existence of this here on dKos, went to their website to get more information, and decided to join for the day to experience things for myself.
Join me over the squiggle for the run down of the afternoon...
Now, this is my first taste of any protest (except for providing medical coverage for a couple while in New Orleans), so I had no clue what to expect. But off I went to Dewey Square (across from the Federal Reserve building in the financial district) on the T. I arrived at 1 PM and found the square completely covered in tents established the night before.
As this is only the first full day of the protests, things there were (are) still in a bit of organizational flux. Anyway, I joined the 100+ group, but tended to keep mostly to myself - observing and carrying signs.
Over the course of the afternoon the numbers swelled to (my estimate) 300 people. At 4:30 we headed out to march from Dewey Square to Hynes Convention Center (where College Fest is being held this weekend) a 1.6 mile trip past most of the major points in the heart of Boston.
The march was amazing and the people we passed seemed truly awestruck (their faces were genuinely priceless!) - many were supportive, some not so much, and best of all some joined the march. By the time we had traveled from Dewey Square to the Convention Center and back the number of people in the march was probably around 500-600 (my estimate again).
After the march I left to return home, make dinner and post of the experience here. Although, I plan on returning tomorrow!!
A couple of notes:
The Boston Police were amazing throughout the day! While were were at the Square, they seemed extremely bored...but they provided an escort through the streets of Boston for the march. The general rules they were enforcing was not to stop and not to block passage on the sidewalks and streets (though they stopped traffic for us as we were crossing streets). My hat's off to them tonight!
If anyone may be planning on attending tomorrow, check out their website (http://occupyboston.com/) for some information first. If you can bring some basic supplies. Needed are food, drinks (WATER!!!), sign making things (markers, cardboard, lumber), rain gear, building supplies (for tents and the like), medical supplies (aspirin, bandages, cough drops, contact solution, etc.), hand sanitizer, wet naps (baby wipes), and of course YOUR FRIENDS!
If you're going to be there tomorrow, come say 'hi' to me at the Medical Tent!
7:44 PM PT: Swing by by bozepravde15's diary for pictures of today's events!