I've been encouraged to write further about my experiences with our local Occupy movement, no thanks to the many people who wrote me with encouragement and asking for more, so...here is that more.
Follow me beyond the orange event horizon for more.
We started our occupation October 8th 2011 at the corner of Main and Jefferson in front of the Wells Fargo building.
Wait.
Let me restart, this will sound better if told directly from my eyes.
I had been following the Occupy WallStreet protests since their initial occupation. I had heard about it through a listsrv feed for progressives trying to keep up on important events and issues. Curious, I began to look into the occupation and read more about it. Through my research I stumbled upon the website OccupyTogether.org. So I followed things. Staying in touch with news coming out of the OWS encampment, and looking for news items covering them.
Then, something happened that honestly had you told me on my graduation day in High School? I would have laughed you off the field.
Suddenly occupytogether.org joined forces with meetup.com, and I began to see other occupy locations pop up all over the country. Events planned weeks in the future, and existing occupations having already started. Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Oakland, San Francisco, etc...
I watched with amazement as these events littered my screen and something struck my eye. I saw a big giant red dot over South Bend, Indiana. I clicked the link and found that an event had been planned for Oct 8th.
Right then something, and I hope you will forgive my phrasing, lit the proverbial fire under my arse. I resolved that I must attend this. I told my wife the next day. She thought I crazy, however being the supportive wife she acquiesced the loss of her husband for some hours and encouraged me. Heck, she even helped designed one of the five signs I brought with me. (more on this sign later, it has history)
The day before the event, I was literally filled with butterflies. I had always been outspoken on issues; following KOS, Crooks and Liars, boots on the ground for Obama, etc... However I had never in my thirty years on this earth joined in anything closely resembling a real street protest. I was so nervous I barely slept the night. I woke up continually and found myself double checking everything.
Signs.Check
Acrylic Paint.Check
Markers.Check
Blank boards.Check
Lawyer Contacts.Check
Copy of the Constitution.Check
I think I finally fell into a slumber around 3 in the morning. As I drifted to sleep, I hoped that the few hours of rest I could get, would serve me well later that day at 11am.
I woke sharply at nine. I shook off my weariness and jumped into the shower. A short time later having dressed myself, and again double checking my gear, hopped into my car and set out for the middle of down town South Bend.
The event was planned to start at the corner of Main and Jefferson in front of the Wells Fargo building. Not being able to afford parking, I drove to the century center with hopes that parking would be free that day.
I was in luck as it were, there were no events planned at the Center. So I made my turn into the parking lot, found an open space, and parked. I wrestled my gear from the car, tucked them under my arm, and started westward towards the event location a block away.
I literally had no idea what to expect while I stood there on Michigan street waiting for the light to turn and for me to cross.
Would there even been anyone there?
If so, how many?
What sort of people would be there?
How does one...protest!?
I had a litany of questions running through my mind, so much so that I missed the light and missed my turn to cross!
So having stood there looking like an idiot with poster boards under his arm, backpack in tow, and bald head with sun glasses for quite some minutes, I finally set out towards the location.
As I crossed the street, the corner of of Main and Jefferson came into view. I had to pause for a moment, because what I saw took my breath away from me. There stood literally a hundred plus people, the local news media (sans fox news, we'll get to that later), and the sound of peoples voices chanting with horns honking. Nay, I say what I heard was pure and unadulterated....democracy.
I am running long, so I'll continue this later in part 2 where I'll cover our initial occupation and our experiences with the City.