Today was my first visit to Occupy Wall Street. I went to Costco yesterday to pick up some stuff they needed, like personal hygiene supplies, band-aids, batteries, pens, paper, a box of granola bars. I was amazed when I got there. This little city, this cooperative society, this constantly evolving, organic group has sprouted and is growing in the middle of the financial district. The occupiers are extremely well-organized. See?
I chatted with sidnora and Jesse/MoT, found another friend from Brooklyn, and met up with another for the march. Once we got to Foley Square, we found ourselves penned in, with no sense of when we'd be able to move. Before the crowds were set free to march, the NYPD did something I'd never seen before: a group of white-shirts and suits walked up Centre Street, with the crowds penned in on both sides of the street. Then a group of about ten motorcycle cops followed them. There were regular cops and Tactical and Research Unit cops and Community Affairs cops. Lots of cops in a show of force to remind us just whose city they think we're in. As we saw again last night, these guys aren't playing.
But what I want to show you is the passion, the intelligence, the creativity, the sense of humor and the courage of the occupiers and the marchers who were there, thousands strong.
At Liberty Square.
Social workers.
Students.
Union members. Lots of them.
Canadians. The very face of hate.
Smart dogs.
This young woman has it right, I'm afraid.
There were lots of us.
Why are we here?
And if I had known this before yesterday, I would have gone down there a lot sooner.
I'll be back. Join us, wherever you are.
We are the 99%!