Editor’s note: There’s been a lot of confusion about the different protests, occupations, etc. taking up here in the U.S. W.D. Noble talks about what the Stop The Machine Protest -D.C. October 2011 is about. It started out as an altogether different protest from the Wall St. Occupation. It was planned beginning in the summer, in fact some of us here at Subversify recieved quite a few notices and took their pledge to support. However the fact that the planned purpose has evolved is an interesting thing and one that we think shows just how much Americans have been holding inside. As W.D. likes to note, “All it takes is a Match.” For more info on the D.C. Protest and its goals go to: http://october2011.org/
W.D. Noble- October 11th, 2011 – Occupied Washington; D.C.
-Corrections: I learned something the other day from some of my fellow campers, and me being me, decided to pass it on.
Understand something. I didn’t come here to sightsee. I’ve been here twice before; once when I was 13; the other two years ago when I was at a conference at a Marriott somewhere in the suburbs. I was told yesterday that quite properly, where we’re staying isn’t a part of the Capitol Mall complex; Freedom Plaza was actually built sometime in the ‘80’s to commemorate Dr. King’s march. From where I stood the other day, I could see the Capitol in the distance – or more precisely, part of one wing – it’s still imposing from about eight blocks away.
From the other end of the plaza, you can see the south lawn of the White House. I got to wondering the other day what Barry was doing, and if he even paid any attention.
Also, I’ve learned that the ‘Capitol Police’ are responsible for Capitol security only; the D.C. police are the people with whom we’ve been interacting.
I hate to say it, but sometimes protesting is boring.
There was a pizza place which provided food yesterday – this is a great novelty for some local businesses, which are probably going to keep doing this (feeding us) until they realize that once we’re all done, most of us aren’t coming back, and the goodwill they’ve generated won’t result in any more business. There’s been enough water, but the organizing committee held a general meeting yesterday around 5:30PM to discuss ongoing logistics.
The first question was the permit, which had expired the day before. A fellow named Tim from California was running the meeting, and did a pretty good job of keeping things moving forward. Most of the protesters were pretty polite, also – letting each person speak his or her mind in turn and not hogging the microphone.
One gets the feeling that this is vastly different from other events from thirty and forty years ago; there’s been a lot which people have learned – just showing up and marching isn’t the idea here; they’re really planning this thing for the long haul, and while I’ll be gone soon, others will take my place and I’ve no doubt this thing will grow. There are more people arriving every day.
We learned yesterday that the D.C. police had actually offered to extend our permit for another four months; this was unexpected – in fact, Tim stated from the platform that the police had actually asked the committee whether being arrested was necessary for us to achieve our goals! (I wasn’t prepared to hear that; it’s as if the police wanted to cooperate with us – sounds almost surreal). They didn’t seem willing to arrest anyone unless it was what we wanted.
The committee wisely said ‘no’ to this. We discussed the permit offer – there was some question regarding adding some conditions to it – and while there’s still some question about where everyone will be staying long-term, it appears the D.C. police want us to stay put – perhaps it’s easier to keep an eye on us that way.
I’m understanding now what’s meant by ‘occupation’
I attended what appeared to be an impromptu workshop on nonviolence. I wasn’t of a mind to harm anyone when I came here, but that notion was reinforced; if the cops want to pepper-spray everyone, they’ll do it, and we won’t fight back. Our goal is to call attention to what’s going on in Afghanistan and Iraq (at least, that’s why we were organized).
As to organization, this thing is taking on a life of its own. We’re not part of the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protest, but it’s clear that a lot of those folks are here, thinking we’re the same – I see signs regarding everything here from gay-rights to jobs and the economy. While we run the risk of diluting our message – which deals with the immorality of the two wars in which we’re engaged – no one seems to mind.
There are a lot of problems in this country. With any real luck, we’ll make our voices heard.
Closing thoughts – the other day, I spoke with someone who asked a whole lot of questions; he wanted to know who I was; where I was from; what I did for a living or whether I was unemployed – I took a good look at him. He had ‘cop’ written all over his face, and in spite of the fact that he was dressed like a lot of us, it was impossible to hide the build and the demeanor – he’d spent an entire lifetime in adversarial relationships, and he knew how to handle himself. He wasn’t interested in me – he wanted information.
I’ve no doubt there are more than a few cops in this crowd. Strangely, I don’t mind.
Maybe they’ll learn something.
Dispatches from D.C. 3 of 5
Part I: Joining The Revolution; Chronicle of One Man’s Journey
Part II: W.D. Noble’s Dispatches From D.C.
Part III: Learning and Growing Through Protest- D.C.
Part IV: Sharing A Tent In Freedom Plaza
Part V: Dispatches From D.C.-Homeward Bound
[…] Read the latest daily reports from W. D. Noble here. […]
Just a note on the food donations. The Stop The Machine orgainizers contacted those on the mailing list and asked for help paying for pizza for protestors so I kinda don’t think the pizza joints are doing this to get buisiness, they-at least some of them are getting paid.
Thanks for the update, Will.
Thanks for the update Will. I’ve been wondering how you’re fairing.
It would seem your experience with the DC police is quite different from how the “Occupy” protesters have been treated by the ones in NYC. Proves, I guess, how different the culture can be within the institution of “law enforcement” itself.
Good news, also, that the permit has been extended for another 4 months. The cynic in me, however, wonders how much of this is “good will” on the part of the police and how much just strategy. Perhaps they’re counting on the fact that heading into your cold, winter is likely to see an atrophy of people and perhaps even a complete disbanding of the protest altogether without them having to lift a finger.
It will be interesting to see how many people continue to camp out once the snow starts.
Other than that, perhaps the best possible and least violent form of protest is the setting up of semi-permanent “tent cities” as a constant reminder of the fact that people are not happy. Me? I tend to think these types of protest get little done and are all too easily dismissed and/or ignored by the media.
While I don’t condone violence, often angry mobs are the only way to get the message across and raise the type of awareness “out there” that people REALLY DO mean business when they say they’ve had enough.
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