Went to Occupy Phoenix this afternoon. Didn't know anything about it except that it was going to happen -- and that it was related to the NY OWS. Here's what I saw.
Probably more than a thousand people. Many signs and lots of energy, a few speakers taking turns with the crowd doing the repeat thing like in NY. Just lots of milling around with no structure, no apparent leader.
A couple of guys walked through with some really nasty signs about gays and abortion, obviously looking to stir things up. I didn't see anyone take the bait. There were a few people with signs calling for the elimination of the Fed. Not sure where they were coming from but that seems more like a Tea Party demand. What do they want? Return to the gold standard? There was a guy calling for violent revolution -- not a main speaker, but talking to a few people off to the side. He was an older guy, didn't look like an agent provocateur. Wasn't getting much response from anyone. There was a guy with a sign saying Gov Brewer has Alzheimer's. He was being ignored.
One of the speakers said there was going to be a concert but it didn't materialize while I was there. After a couple of hours the crowd just started to melt away and I left, too.
Most of the signs called for justice and specific rational policies. There were people of all sizes, ages, and appearances. The vibe was very friendly and positive. There were very few police in the area.
The potential of the rally seemed tremendous. What was needed, I thought, was more leadership, organization, and direction. Maybe that will grow naturally.
If there had been some songs or chants to get the crowd together it would have been good.
Being Phoenix, it was hotter than hell. After a couple of hours people just started leaving. They had made their statement, but there was no next step, no call to additional action that I heard.
The thing that gave me hope that this could grow into something powerful was that, while there seemed to be a lot of the usual activist types and the expected few kooks, most of the crowd looked like regular folks who were just looking for answers and help that they really need.
The best signs I saw were by a couple of kids. One said, "Be Kind to People." The other said, "Be fair."