On may home from work today, I stopped by the Westlake Center to check out the #OccupySeattle event. Since I spent the day in the service of my corporate paymasters (and let me tell you, as far as corporate paymasters go, I could do a lot worse), I know I looked a bit out of place in my slacks and blazer and white blouse, but you know what? I belong there, for I am the 99%. I plan on heading back downtown over the weekend to spend some time occupying the shopping plaza. I'll bring muffins and bagels for the intrepid few (for now) who are actually living there in tents. I'll make a big sign and my son and I can take turns holding it.
Speaking of my son, he was waiting for me to come home and accomplish dinner -- it is Taco Tuesay afterall -- so I didn't spend a lot of time listening to the various speakers and mingling. I did, however, spend some time taking photos on my phone and would like to share them with you. The first one also happens to be the last one I took, and it's my favorite so it's going right here, above the orange diddly doodly.
Do join me over the jump and feast your eyes on what the Seattleators are up to.
Please forgive the extremely unprofessional nature of these photos, it's my phone for crying out loud!
There were people gathered around a small area where people were speaking with a microphone. I was never really close enough to catch a photo of the speakers, but I like the back of this guy's jacket which says: War without end? Not in my name.
Here we have union representation:
This fellow is rather jolly and I love the message on his shirt:
No Seattle protest is complete without one of these guys:
A man expresses himself through his music:
The sign may be crude, and, well duct tape, okay? But the message is far from crude:
The first aid tent:
I make under $350,000 a year. A LOT under. How about you?
Another great message:
Yeah, I caught a few whiffs of patchouli and weed while wending my way through the tent 'hood. But that is typical in any gathering where people over the age of 30 gather in Seattle. Some youngsters have caught on too. For the most part, the crowd was peaceful and respectful of the environs.
Passersby honked and gave thumbs up and pumped fists in the air.
I think like in New York, our local movement will grow and they will start to include people who look like me, my parents, the retired navy guy, the teacher, the every day person. But kudos to the harbingers of this movement and I thank them for letting their freak flags fly high and proud.
I'll be back.
