2438 replies to this topic

[GoPlastic]

I admire their effort. But, I think they should have gone into it with more organization, clearer goals, etc. I was watching earlier today when Susan Sarandon was there and she brought up a lot of valid points.

As the Wall Street occupation drags on, it's starting to attract more celebrities. Last night filmmaker Michael Moore spoke at Zuccotti Park, and today Susan Sarandon (who recently gave us an interview) dropped by the protest HQ to dispense words of advice.

Sarandon reportedly told the protesters that "Your weakness is that there are so many issues. You're gonna be easy to be dismissed if you don't concentrate on a single cause," an issue with the protest that's been echoed elsewhere. Occupy Wall Street's organizers seek to keep the process entirely democratic, as we've observed at their General Assemblies, and that hasn't helped the protesters define a clear goal.

Sarandon also told the protesters that "You don't want the face of your movement to look like discontented people that don't know what they're talking about."

Occupy Wall Street's rep told us that Sarandon didn't stick around for long, but now they've got City Councilman Charles Barron of East New York visiting today's General Assembly.

cool story! source?

[FYC (Find Your Cloud)]

Their effort is real, no doubt. it is simply my opinion it is a bit misplaced. If they can keep this moving and roll it right into the Oct 6th event, even better.

That's what i'm secretly hoping is that these guys can keep this momentum up until the 6th and then we will, after all is said and done, be seeing this in sort of a macroscopic view as the powder keg that set off a larger "explosion" of sorts down in DC and then more movements after that if necessary.

[GoPlastic]

y'know what...never mind...i found an article, too:

http://www.bloomberg...n-sarandon.html

Wall Street Protesters Joined by Susan Sarandon

By Charles Mead - Sep 27, 2011 2:27 PM ET

Wall Street protesters, joined today by Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, vowed to continue weeks of demonstrations after police squirted pepper spray at some participants and arrests mounted.

About 100 people camped out with mattresses and sleeping bags in Zuccotti Park as demonstrations against financial firms continued for an 11th day. Sarandon, 64, who appeared last year in Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” toured an area that includes a makeshift kitchen and library with titles such as “The Wage Slave’s Glossary” and “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.”

“I’m here to understand what’s going on and to lend my support,” Sarandon, who won an Academy Award for best actress for her role in the 1995 film “Dead Man Walking,” said in an interview. “There’s a lot of different kinds of people here who want to shift the paradigm to something that’s addressing the huge gap between the rich and the poor.”

The group plans to march through the financial district each business day to mark the New York Stock Exchange’s opening and closing bells. The protest, dubbed “#OccupyWallStreet,” aims to get President Barack Obama to establish a commission to end “the influence money has over our representatives in Washington,” according to the website of Adbusters, a group promoting the demonstration.

“We’re raising awareness of the fact that the current economic system is changeable,” said Dylan O’Keefe, 19, of Northampton, Massachusetts, who said he attended about five days of protests. “I really don’t have faith in the political process anymore, mostly because of corporate interests. I don’t even plan on voting.”

‘Continuum of Force’

About 80 of the 100 people arrested since the demonstrations began were taken into custody on Sept. 24, when a police officer used pepper spray “in a continuum of force that obviated the use of batons,” Paul Browne, a spokesman for the New York City Police Department, said in an e-mail.

“Protesters who engage in civil disobedience can expect to be arrested,” Browne said. “Those who resist arrest can expect some measure of force will be used in making them.”

The Sept. 24 march and the use of pepper spray “really inspired me to come here,” said Esther Martin, 24, of New Orleans, who said she had a temporary job selling Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe posters before joining the protest. “It’s giving a body to the discontent people feel from not having jobs or money, and the disappointment about bailouts for Wall Street.”

Zhi Wang, a smoothie vendor with a food cart on the park’s south sidewalk, said he’s likely lost “a couple hundred” dollars from protesters occupying the area.

“Right now it’s slow,” said Wang, 22. “There used to be lunch people sitting here. Now I don’t see any.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Charles Mead in New York at cmead11@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: David Scheer at dscheer@bloomberg.net

[capt_morgan]

http://blogs.village..._sarandon_2.php

[GoPlastic]

http://blogs.village..._sarandon_2.php

thanks, but Spec K. should've provided it earlier.

interesting how the Village Voice depicts her as being critical without praising the protesters, and Bloomberg Media depicts her as being supportive without being critical of the protesters.

[SunshineDrummer]

Zhi Wang, a smoothie vendor with a food cart on the park’s south sidewalk, said he’s likely lost “a couple hundred” dollars from protesters occupying the area.

“Right now it’s slow,” said Wang, 22. “There used to be lunch people sitting here. Now I don’t see any.”

Maybe Susan Sarandon or a group of these protestors should help this guy recoup what they've cause him to lose in business due to their "occupation." Maybe buy some smoothies instead of waiting for more donated pizzas.

Doubt that'll happen though.

[GoPlastic]

Maybe Susan Sarandon or a group of these protestors should help this guy recoup what they've cause him to lose in business due to their "occupation." Maybe buy some smoothies instead of waiting for more donated pizzas.

Doubt that'll happen though.

maybe smoothie guy should stop worrying about his 401K and donate some smoothies to the protesters.

doubt that'll happen though.

[vic]

Maybe Susan Sarandon or a group of these protestors should help this guy recoup what they've cause him to lose in business due to their "occupation." Maybe buy some smoothies instead of waiting for more donated pizzas.

Doubt that'll happen though.

are you really gonna nitpick at that?

just for you, i'll buy a smoothie saturday:funny1:

[capt_morgan]

Maybe Susan Sarandon or a group of these protestors should help this guy recoup what they've cause him to lose in business due to their "occupation." Maybe buy some smoothies instead of waiting for more donated pizzas.

Doubt that'll happen though.

that would require them to pay for something themselves...the smoothie guy is their capitalist enemy. he represents everything that is wrong with the country
and they need all their money for *** and bail

[TakeAStepBack]

Since they're running a "democratic assembly", perhaps the vendor can file a greivance and recover his loss.

[Joker]

not saying you're wrong but i don't see anyone grab a cop...i will watch it again

Right around the minute mark in the video on the left as he's reaching in to grab the girl in black.

[Rionach aka Spec K]

thanks, but Spec K. should've provided it earlier.

interesting how the Village Voice depicts her as being critical without praising the protesters, and Bloomberg Media depicts her as being supportive without being critical of the protesters.

Sorry, I went out for some exercise.

I watched it on the live stream earlier today (which I did make a post about). I found her to be both supportive and critical. She was offering good advice.

[SunshineDrummer]

are you really gonna nitpick at that?

just for you, i'll buy a smoothie saturday:funny1:

I don't think its nitpicking at all. Its proof that their actions are having an impact on someone's ability to conduct business, just not their intended Wall Street banker type target. They're probably not the least bit concerned that some dude who's just trying to earn a living is being denied that by their actions. Something tells me that wasn't their intention, but its happening all the same. I'd love to know if any of them give a shit because my guess is the smoothie guy isn't the only one affected.

And I like strawberry.

[FYC (Find Your Cloud)]

for every 100$ this vendor has lost the mom & pop pizza joint nearby that they're ordering from frequently has probably made $200.
Should they go to each business in the area and ask them to calculate what they have lost?
where does one draw the line or is this just actually nitpicking?

[SunshineDrummer]

for every 100$ this vendor has lost the mom & pop pizza joint nearby that they're ordering from frequently has probably made $200.
Should they go to each business in the area and ask them to calculate what they have lost?
where does one draw the line or is this just actually nitpicking?

Since part of what this group is protesting seems to be "Wall Street vs. Main Street" I think the impact their protest is having on small businesses in the area is completely valid and probably wasn't even considered in their decision to "occupy" this area.

It seems that the very people they're seemingly trying to stand up for are the ones probably getting hurt in the wallet, not the folks with the 7-figure salaries.

Just an observation.

[vic]

Right around the minute mark in the video on the left as he's reaching in to grab the girl in black.

don't see it...i see hime dragging the woman by her hair and i see the woman in the gray shirt holding her phone up with her right hand and her left hand is not visible...you can speculate it might be grabbing his arm but there is no clear view of the officer being grabbed...what IS clear is that he is using VERY excessive force, especially on a woman...real tough, guy:rolleyes:

[vic]

Since they're running a "democratic assembly", perhaps the vendor can file a greivance and recover his loss.

this.

and i'm almost positive they'll take it into consideration

[FYC (Find Your Cloud)]

You're missing my point. where does one draw the line? sure they found a vendor who has lost hundreds but there is a local mom & pop pizza joint nearby whose name is escaping me that has made hundreds. I don't think one can easily apply blanket statements about how their protest is hurting the local economy when that isn't necessarily the truth across all local businesses. y'know?

There are plenty of other more tangible issues with this movement then the impact it has on one smoothie vendor, imo. that's all I'm trying to convey.

[Rionach aka Spec K]

check out live stream now

[SunshineDrummer]

You're missing my point. where does one draw the line? sure they found a vendor who has lost hundreds but there is a local mom & pop pizza joint nearby whose name is escaping me that has made hundreds. I don't think one can easily apply blanket statements about how their protest is hurting the local economy when that isn't necessarily the truth across all local businesses. y'know?

There are plenty of other more tangible issues with this movement then the impact it has on one smoothie vendor, imo. that's all I'm trying to convey. :-)

I understand, but the impact its having on him shouldn't be ignored, either. He's an innocent who got caught in the middle of this mess. They're the ones that always lose.

[vic]

[Joker]

don't see it...i see hime dragging the woman by her hair and i see the woman in the gray shirt holding her phone up with her right hand and her left hand is not visible...you can speculate it might be grabbing his arm but there is no clear view of the officer being grabbed...what IS clear is that he is using VERY excessive force, especially on a woman...real tough, guy:rolleyes:

If they did not literally "grab" it they were definitely interfering with him as he was reaching for her.

And again, what was excessive about it? How much force should he have used? How would you have gotten her clear from that angry mob without putting yourself and others in danger while she was trying to get away from you?

[wonka]

I understand, but the impact its having on him shouldn't be ignored, either. He's an innocent who got caught in the middle of this mess. They're the ones that always lose.

Isn't the beauty of a food cart the fact that it has wheels and is mobile? Does he need to stay where he is, or could he roll a few blocks to another park/public sitting lunch area? (I am not sure of cart vendor laws in NYC, but know that one I frequent near the office has moved when some construction came to their normal spot).

Or, he could rename his business "Smoothie Greenburg" and custie the heck outta 1/2 the crowd "I'll take one moo-moo and one mango song smoothie please"

[vic]

If they did not literally "grab" it they were definitely interfering with him as he was reaching for her.

And again, what was excessive about it? How much force should he have used? How would you have gotten her clear from that angry mob without putting yourself and others in danger while she was trying to get away from you?

the only one reaching here is you, breh

you ask how i would handle it...i ask why the hell it was so important to violently grab at someone who is behind your little bullshit barrier...the most she could have possibly done wrong was mouth off to him...could he not have been the better man and ignored her? did he really have to drag her out by her hair? let's not look past the fact that ALL 4 accounts of clearly excessive force were done by white shirts...there is a pattern here that can't be ignored

[vic]

nice toss, dirtbags

again...whiteshirts

[SunshineDrummer]

(I am not sure of cart vendor laws in NYC, but know that one I frequent near the office has moved when some construction came to their normal spot).

Not up on the laws re: food carts/trucks, but my guess is if you find a high traffic area where you can establish yourself & get a regular group of customers, you'll get the most profit by being a regular there. I don't know if you're locked into a certain area or spot with your license. I know there are turf wars (saw 2 hot dog vendors almost come to blows once -- pretty funny) so it might not be so easy to move since you may be invading someone else's claimed area. The food carts in my area seem to have established turf & always have lines.

Or, he could rename his business "Smoothie Greenburg" and custie the heck outta 1/2 the crowd "I'll take one moo-moo and one mango song smoothie please"

I like this idea.

Edited by SunshineDrummer, 27 September 2011 - 08:51 PM.

[GoPlastic]

he could rename his business "Smoothie Greenburg" and custie the heck outta 1/2 the crowd "I'll take one moo-moo and one mango song smoothie please"

heady pricing? 1 for 3, 2 for 5?

[Jwheelz]

nice toss, dirtbags

again...whiteshirts

I know your feelings about police, but yelling "get your fucking hands off them ... filthy fucking pigs" while legal isn't really the best idea in this type of situation, and the girl who was doing that was way out of line in my opinion.

Also, nonviolent resistance does not mean trying to prevent police officers from taking hold of people, even if the police are not justified in their actions, I support the cause, but some of the demonstrators just don't know what they're doing

also, the police would not have had to use so much force to pull the kid in purple out if the girl in yellow wasn't forcibly pulling in the other direction...

[Rionach aka Spec K]

nice toss, dirtbags

again...whiteshirts

again, hard to tell from the clip exactly what is going on
looks and sounds like white shirt is giving a warning about something there in the beginning...maybe about where the people can and can't be - perhaps telling them they need to keep sidewalks clear? Can't tell. Clearly the kid in purple and the woman in yellow were being defiant - maybe rightfully so, maybe not. Can't tell from this clip.

[Joker]

You're right Vic all the cops are assholes just looking to beat heads and all the protesters are angels who are doing nothing wrong.

I know your feelings about police, but yelling "get your fucking hands off them ... filthy fucking pigs" while legal isn't really the best idea in this type of situation, and the girl who was doing that was way out of line in my opinion.

Also, nonviolent resistance does not mean trying to prevent police officers from taking hold of people, even if the police are not justified in their actions, I support the cause, but some of the demonstrators just don't know what they're doing

also, the police would not have had to use so much force to pull the kid in purple out if the girl in yellow wasn't forcibly pulling in the other direction...

What some of them are doing is inciting the crowd, which ends up putting everyone in danger.

There's a big difference between that and peacefully protesting but the peaceful protests don't make the news.

I doubt a lot of people heard about the protests they had in Israel over the summer that lasted for months and attracted hundreds of thousands of PEACEFUL protesters.

[capt_morgan]

this is what happens when phish is not on tour

[Julius]

Or, he could rename his business "Smoothie Greenburg" and custie the heck outta 1/2 the crowd "I'll take one moo-moo and one mango song smoothie please"

Brilliant!

I'm SO stealing that!

[Rionach aka Spec K]

From occupywallst.org:

On September 27th, 2011, we marched on the Financial District's Luxury Night Out, where couples wore outfits that cost more than we will ever make in a month and looked at cars that cost more than we will ever make in a year, afterward, they went back to one of their many houses that cost more than we will make in our lifetime.

I dunno...to me that sounds like juvenile whining:dunno:

[Julius]

From occupywallst.org:

On September 27th, 2011, we marched on the Financial District's Luxury Night Out, where couples wore outfits that cost more than we will ever make in a month and looked at cars that cost more than we will ever make in a year, afterward, they went back to one of their many houses that cost more than we will make in our lifetime.

I dunno...to me that sounds like juvenile whining:dunno:

They're rich so we hate them. What is this, the French Revolution?

[Julius]

Latest statement from Anonymous:

"Stop sending pizza. There's a mountain of it. "

[Rionach aka Spec K]

yeah, there was a chick on the live stream this morning talking about what they want and don't want re: food donations
they want 3 square meals a day vs. grazing throughout the day
they want vegetarian and vegan options

[TakeAStepBack]

nice toss, dirtbags

again...whiteshirts

I know your feelings about police, but yelling "get your fucking hands off them ... filthy fucking pigs" while legal isn't really the best idea in this type of situation, and the girl who was doing that was way out of line in my opinion.

Also, nonviolent resistance does not mean trying to prevent police officers from taking hold of people, even if the police are not justified in their actions, I support the cause, but some of the demonstrators just don't know what they're doing

also, the police would not have had to use so much force to pull the kid in purple out if the girl in yellow wasn't forcibly pulling in the other direction...

This.

You're right Vic all the cops are assholes just looking to beat heads and all the protesters are angels who are doing nothing wrong.

What some of them are doing is inciting the crowd, which ends up putting everyone in danger.

There's a big difference between that and peacefully protesting but the peaceful protests don't make the news.

I doubt a lot of people heard about the protests they had in Israel over the summer that lasted for months and attracted hundreds of thousands of PEACEFUL protesters.

and this.

[capt_morgan]

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[capt_morgan]

wow...it worked

[TakeAStepBack]

The cost my desire, to sleep now in the fire. YEAH!

[TakeAStepBack]

Thats how you shut it down.

[capt_morgan]

fer real

[capt_morgan]

Why I Was Maced at the Wall Street Protests
Jeanne Mansfield



http://www.bostonrev...wall_street.php

[TakeAStepBack]

Why I Was Maced at the Wall Street Protests
Jeanne Mansfield



http://www.bostonrev...wall_street.php

What if "they" want us to protest? What if they want to take on the public, declare a marshal law and just shut it down. I mean shut it right down?

[Julius]

Why I Was Maced at the Wall Street Protests
Jeanne Mansfield



http://www.bostonrev...wall_street.php

That was very well-written! I guess every protest needs one token smart person.

[capt_morgan]

i dont really post links but thought it was a good addition to the sub topic in here

[capt_morgan]

What if "they" want us to protest? What if they want to take on the public, declare a marshal law and just shut it down. I mean shut it right down?

you know a lot of people would love for that to happen:undecided:

[TakeAStepBack]

We are late on this version of shutting it down it appears.

[capt_morgan]

[FYC (Find Your Cloud)]

We are late on this version of shutting it down it appears.

Sorry 4 Liberatin'