Occupy vancouver

[jessef]

I went to the homelessness debate at St. Andrew's Church last night that ended up being crashed by the occupy crowd. It turned pretty crappy. The minister had to restore order. In a friggin church. Although the two lackies heading the debate are in it for politics and themselves, there are some key issues that were brought to the public's attention in form of debate re/q&a and the occupy people didn't give a crap. It was very frustrating.

I see no improvement at the occupy site as far as it's 'residents' protesting agenda. The real occupy vancouver movement has legitimate complaints but the hijackers have made them lose their credibility.

I tallied 148 individual issues that people are protesting for all together in my mini-questioning over the last few weeks on site. There is so much division within this unified group that some people have no clue that 20 feet away from them, someone is protesting something that they are pro-choice for.

My intuition tells me that the occupy movement en masse - the web/underground movement will not be affected by each city protest camp as it is clear to me that the onsite protests in general have gone far off course and have little valid connection with the original occupy agenda.

[after oil]

it seems to me that the Vancouver and vic occupys in particular have been taken over by a$$holes, some maybe planted, others just drawn in. in a movement where everyone is encouraged to participate, and participants are encouraged to be more accepting and more open, inevitably the a$$holes are gonna move in. either youre on the bus or off the bus. there are many people at the occupys that are draining energy and resources of genuine activists. too bad it has come to this, but i am beginning to agree, that at least here on the coast, the camps are more of a detriment to the movement than an aid. HOWEVER, as a symbol of the popular fight against the injustices of the current politcal/economic paradigm, i support the campers right to free speech and expression, thus i oppose the actions of the political elite to disperse the protesters.

[jessef]

HOWEVER, as a symbol of the popular fight against the injustices of the current politcal/economic paradigm, i support the campers right to free speech and expression, thus i oppose the actions of the political elite to disperse the protesters.

Ditto. For the exception of the overnight tents setup. That is what drew the careless crowd in. Free food, free power, free wifi, music, parties and the cool-factor of camping in downtown vancouver without paying a cent.

The protest should continue at the art gallery front yard but it does not have to be what it is now. It can be an ongoing protest but something more respectable so that it garners the proper attention.

Overnighting it there just doesn't cut it. The overnighters/tents make no difference. People can go home and sleep. Wake up and hit the protest line early morning every day. That would be a better avenue that would not only appeal to the city but more importantly, to the surrounding "99%" that are working within steps of the protest area.

[drrod]

I hear that, in Regina, there is discussion of how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms giving the "right" to peaceful demonstrations supercedes the city bylaws against camping in city parks. Interesting to see how this shakes out. If the Charter thing succeeds, I guess there is nothing stopping me from setting up camp in any city park (or anywhere for that matter) and claim I am doing a peaceful protest against something. Hopefully sane heads prevail.

Rod

[jessef]

Or parking your Delica on the seawall as a basecamp all-year round. Wouldn't that be a sight.