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Decrying Debt and Budget Cuts, Students Walk-Out to Join Growing Occupy Wall Street Movement | Democracy Now!
— published two days ago

[VIMEO NOTES.] Students made up a large contingent of Wednesday's march in support of Occupy Wall Street. A national day of student walk-outs was held to protest budget cuts and to show support for Occupy Wall Street. According to the website OccupyColleges.org, walkouts occurred at 75 schools across the nation including many in New York City.

Democracy Now! met up with several students who walked out of classes at the City University of New York, the New School and New York University to attend Wednesday's march in Lower Manhattan. “I think a lot of students are in the direct lines of sing on this economic crisis is selling people a terrible bill of goods. People got the impression that they are able go to school and have a well paying job, some semblance of security and inclusion in a professional, responsible life,” one of the students says. “We what have seen a lot with students across the sea in Europe and students in Puerto Rico and Chile is that this is really a mirage.”

Elvis wrote:

Nordic wrote:I've always said to get enough bodies in there to shut wall street down. Don't let anybody into the buildings, don't let them out, cut their power if you can.

Just shut them down with a mass of peaceful human beings. You know, like the old saying about "throwing yourself into the machinery". It's time for that.

I like this a lot. This is what I thought the September 17 New York OWS might do. But even 20,000 people clogging Wall Street could still be dismissed by MSM as the usual 'troublemakers'.

On the other hand, when a million everyday Americans clog Wall Street in protest, it ceases to be the prohibited behavior of a few malcontents; by popular demand it becomes the will of the people, which is philosophically pretty close to being law. The "i"s & "t"s can be dotted & crossed later.

I don't think violence, or even throwing computers out of GS windows, is necessary (we'll want those hard drives for evidence, anyway).

"Just shut them down with a mass of peaceful human beings." I like it.

Plutonia wrote::

arcane1 on Democratic Underground wrote:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/di ... 39x2074541

Original message

So, I work for a bank. Today they sent us this "Protest Safety Handbook"

Edited on Fri Oct-07-11 11:46 AM by arcane1

I'll quote it here in its entirety, but I will omit the bank's name, and perhaps emphasize certain passages:

A Bank That Is Almost Certainly Wells Fargo wrote:
Recently all across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East the World has witnessed a surge in protest marches and civil disobedience actions. The most prominent group to date in the United States is the “Occupy Wall Street” movement. The “occupation” movement is a semi organized effort of anonymous groups of “Anti Bank” protesters who are marching and picketing in many major U.S., cities; New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In New York City, they have specifically targeted the financial district and Wall Street. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement’s groups are marching in response to their perception of corporate and banking
greed that followed the U.S. Government assisted “Big” bank bail outs. Their mantra is “We are the 99%
that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.”

The movement in New York has begun to publish a four page news paper titled “The Occupied Wall Street Journal.” The current edition of the published document loosely outlines the group’s manifesto
and intentions. The group has indicated that they have been inspired by the results from similar groups involved in the “Arab Spring” in the Middle East. The group’s publication cites an intention to first to protest and then to march, escalating to civil disobedience when necessary.

These types of groups are reaching out to the disengaged and disenfranchised population of the United States for members, often encouraging the unemployed and homeless to join the movement. Often these marches and protests are unplanned and result from instant notification on “Social Networks” that produce “Flash Protest Mobs” in a matter of minutes. While this group has not yet resorted to violence the possibility exists that they can.

*redacted* Bank Corporate Security has worked to develop the following safety tips and suggestions for our employees should they encounter the type of activities described above.

At no time should a *redacted* Bank Employee attempt to engage or confront a protest group or stop a march. Instead, *redacted* Bank Employees encountering any such activity should immediately contact the Police.


Safety Tips

When encountering a protest group or march every effort should be made to avoid the group. Consider
using an alternate exit or route.

• Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you at all times.
• If you feel uncomfortable, immediately move or leave the area.
• If surrounded in a protest march or mob don’t panic move to the outside of the crowd as safely as possible.
• Seek refuge in an unaffected business or restaurant until police arrive.
• Plan before you go. Choose the safest route.
• Avoid poorly lit areas and isolated locations that may make you vulnerable to an attack.
• Keep the cars doors locked while driving in the area of a mob or protest march.
• Project an image of confidence and strength. Walk with a purpose and avoid hesitation, keep your head up, shoulders back and make eye contact with people you pass.
• Avoid confrontation and unnecessary contact with protesters.
• Avoid walking or driving alone. There is safety in numbers.
• Carry purses close to the body.
• Wallets and cash are best kept in a front pocket.
• Avoid wearing Bank ID or logo items outside the bank if possible.
• Keep your cell phone charged and close at hand.
• Have emergency contact information pre-programmed into your phone.
• Have your keys out and ready before you need them.
• If you feel that you’re in danger or if you observe suspicious or illegal activities, call the police or dial 911.
• If confronted or attacked, try to remain calm and cooperate by following the attacker’s instructions.
• Do not attempt to reason or argue with the protesters.
• Cooperate and do not risk your personal safety.
• Be a good witness and try to remember as many details of what occurred as you can.

***************************************************************************

I already felt like I needed another job, now I actively hate this fucking place.


***On Edit: I'm in San Francisco

Harvey wrote:I wonder if it's occurred to the fat cats that in pushing us too far we'll turn our backs, create our own profit-neutered banks and markets, and simply get on with business without them?

Occupy Wall Street, A Love Affair

By Doug Tarnopol
Saturday, October 08, 2011

Source: Normanfinkelstein.com

...

So, that’s what this affair is about: love. Real love, not some bullshit Hollywood-Hallmark parody. Love. Solidarity. Fellowship. You know, Jesus stuff, as the man brilliantly said in that viral video Fox wouldn’t dare air. The notion that it’s not good enough to just get yours and tell the rest of the species to go fuck itself. As I explained to the Der Spiegel guys, they shouldn’t be surprised that I’m not unemployed or in financial trouble. The point is mutual aid, solidarity, living like a human being should — free, in a community that cares about every member. You know, like a family, but without the tribal barriers to other such families. The human family.

...

http://www.zcommunications.org/occupy-w ... g-tarnopol

Plutonia wrote:Blog that is archiving all the live broadcasts and chats -15 Occupations so far:

http://occupythisblog.blog.com/

Chris Hedges interview on Truthdig - awesome as usual:
http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/de ... _20111006/