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Subscribe to RSSLos Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he is empathetic to Occupy LA protesters and urges them to take alternatives to protesting on the lawn of City Hall.
Update at 8:55a.m. ET: NBC affiliate KNBC reported that at least five protesters were arrested early Monday after the 12:01 a.m. deadline imposed by city officials for Occupy Los Angeles to leave its tent-city passed.
Police Commander Smith said the encampment would be allowed to stay put until at least daybreak, according to Reuters, but he said protesters who block traffic had to move or face arrest.
"We have no plan at this time to go into the park and evict people," Smith said. "That could change in the near future, but right now we are hoping to clear the streets, and that'll be the end and people can relax for a little while."
Officers set up a perimeter around 1st and Main Streets as they started clearing the streets of protesters.
"Monday is a big traffic day, and there are thousands and thousands of workers who are trying to get to their jobs down here, so we really need to have these streets open," said Smith.
Update at 8:40a.m. ET: Police arrested three people early Monday after ordering Occupy Los Angeles protesters to leave a downtown intersection hours after a deadline passed to vacate a City Hall park encampment.
Water bottles were thrown at officers as officers in riot gear started clearing 1st and Main streets just after 5 a.m. PT Monday, the Associated Press reported.
The police department has been on tactical alert, meaning the late night watch was held over, since midnight.
At 4:50 a.m., police on loudspeakers declared an unlawful assembly and protesters were told to get out of the street within five minutes.
Commanders corralled demonstrators back to the City Hall park, telling them they won't be arrested there.
Earlier, a celebratory atmosphere filled the night outside City Hall and the encampment near it: a group of protesters on bicycles circled the block, one of them in a cow suit, while organizers led chants with a bull horn.
"The best way to keep a non-violent movement non-violent is to throw a party, and keep it festive and atmospheric," said Brian Masterson.
Shortly after the 12:01 a.m. PT Monday deadline, there was only a small police presence, about two dozen motorcycle officers who remained across the street from the camp.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said earlier that the grounds would be closed after the deadline, while Police Chief Charlie Beck promised that arrests would eventually be made if protesters did not comply.
Villaraigosa said police and social workers will walk through the park handing out information on the closure and services available, and expressed hope it would happen in a "spirit of cooperation."
But many including the protest's chief organizers said they had no intention of cooperating, and only a handful of campers cleared out over the weekend.
Scott Shuster was one of those breaking down his camp, but he said it was only to protect his property and he planned to remain.
"I just don't want to lose my tent," he said.
Updated at 11:56 p.m. ET: Earlier, in Pennsylvania, a deadline set by the city for Occupy Philadelphia to leave the plaza it has occupied for some two months came and went without scuffles and arrests as police watched nearly 50 demonstrators lock arms and sit at the entrance of Dilworth Plaza.
The scene was far different from other, previous encampments in cities elsewhere where pepper spray, tear gas and police action resulted in the decampment of long-situated demonstrators, but Occupy Philadelphia has managed to avoid the mass arrests and conflict that has arisen at other sites nationwide.
Sunday night, there was hope that Philadelphia would continue to be largely violence-free.
"Right now, we have a peaceful demonstration," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan, nearly 45 minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline. By 11 p.m., the crowd had thinned a bit, but the calm remained.
Along the steps leading into a plaza, about 50 people sat in lines with the promise that they would not leave unless they were carried out by authorities. For a time, they linked arms. But as it seemed that a forceful ouster was not imminent, they relaxed a bit. A police presence was heavier than usual but no orders to leave had been issued.
A few dozen tents remained scattered on the plaza, along with trash, piles of dirty blankets and numerous signs reading, "You can't evict an idea."
Several hundred supporters surrounded those who were prepared to face arrest for one of the Occupy movement meetings known as a general assembly.
"There are some shelters that some of us are going to go to, some of us are going to end up on the street, some of us are going to be able to find a family member to take us in and others might go to jail," a protester told NBC Philadelphia.
"We can definitely claim a victory," said Mike Yaroschuk, who was in the process of dismantling his tent. "We've opened a lot of minds, hearts and eyes."
Yaroschuk said he was leaving the plaza not because of the city-issued deadline but because of a request by unions whose workers will be involved in the long-planned construction project there in the coming weeks. He said it made more sense to pick and choose when it comes to Occupy and its efforts to draw attention to the 99 percent.
"This place is not a key battle for me ... This is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.
Diane Ackerman, a member of the group's legal collective, said the movement itself will remain strong regardless of what happens. Occupy Philadelphia has been largely peaceful since it began. Despite a few dozen arrests, there have been no violent confrontations with police.
Philadelphia's eviction notice is unique in that protesters are being asked to move to make way for a construction project.
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Bootlickers, who have spent years ingratiating themselves with the plutocracy don't want all that time invested in scrapping, groveling and kissing butt to go to waste. New leadership would mean having to start all over again. The truth is bootlickers don't want people, who earn a living by the sweat of their brow in charge because we have no need or use for bootlickers.
Angst: I hardly believe any of those involved in OWS can be counted amoung those you called hard working earning a living by the sweat of their brow - they are almost exclusively representative of the 47% paying no federal taxes, those first in line for every GVT handout and last in line for a job. They are the college students that have yet to earn a real paycheck and are attending college based upon the labor of their parents and student loans they have no intention of paying. OWS represents the failures in life - so much easier to protest for more handouts then it is to actually get off their collective asses and get a "JOB". No jobs available??? ask yourself why - could it be because you chose to buy a product produced in China?? or Korea? or Viet Nam pr the Philipines or Malaysia because you chose to refuse to pay the extra $2 to have the product made in the US by Americans?Look in your closet where were your clothes made?? your IPhone, your I Pod, your TV, your laptop, your car, your washer, dryer, toaster ????? etc etc.
It's hard to get a job with a degree in french literature....
or poetry or anthropolgy
@Ternan, moneyos1, & appletoad, You really don't watch anything that gives real information do you. Most of the protesters are people who work, but are underemployed. Many protesters take time away from their jobs or on their days off go and protest. That's one of the reasons there isn't the same amount of people out there everyday. There are some unemployed too, but with 4 people for every 1 job out there it's hard for them to go get a job.
Phones and computers are needed for getting jobs in today's society. Almost all jobs have an online application system and no one will employ you if you don't have a phone to be contacted with. Complain all you want, but most of these items aren't very expensive anymore and many of the unemployed or underemployed buy used or some colleges give computers as part of the required needs the same as books. The rich people often get rid of their used last years model electronics when they buy the newest versions. This makes it easy for people with less money to get them free or for a lot less. You really don't know if they bought them or were gifted those items.
Please look at the world around you instead of just listening to news media that has been proven to make you dumber.
OWS was a news story a month ago now it simply is a ho hum. The most pointant element that has been demonstrated by the OWS participants is that they are generally low lives more interested in looting, raping, murdering each other and attacking / assaulting law abiding citizens and law enforcement officers. Non_Violent ????? Yea right
I think the reason it's dying out is because people such as yourself are more interested in the drama going on within the protests, rather than the actually problems they are trying to address. Don't get bumed out though I hear a new season of Laguna Beach is about to start so you can entertain that little brain as much as your hollow heart desires.
Actually the motives of the OWS is quite well known - more free stuff at the cost of those that actually do work and pay taxes and create businesses and jobs. Yea most americans have come to realize its life's never do well's - the failures, the misfits, the losers, those with out hope if they can not get the next GVT handout. So you take your little mind, your empty wallet, your life of mistakes and lost opportunities and go find a nice place to sit and commensurate with your Kind.
"We like money....We want money....You have money....Give us your money."
Corporations like money, Americans had money, corporations took money.
Don't know why I didn't enjoy bailing them out as much as ternan, steve44 or John 2032532 did.
I guess I haven't been stretched out as much as you guys.
@Ternan and yet you still keep talking about them. How many posts alone in this one article. If it was so over...one post from you should have been sufficient. I guess isn't not as over as you profess.
I don't believe wanting more jobs so more people can work is wanting "free stuffs". You really don't know what the protests are about at all.
Dan..Occupy doesn't want money directly from corps. They want your money to travel to their accounts via the federal government. They are suggesting the government take the money from the corps., but money from anywhere will do just fine.
Why can't you call it what it is, just another pseudo-victim-inspired, left wing money grab?
Whether it be .5% ... or 10%, 13%, 40% or 90% if it is not 100% of Americans standing in brother and sisterhood together doing the best they can to LOVE each other something WILL remain wrong. The divisions we create on our own will perpetually be issue for some and easy pleasey to others. We must constantly remind ourselves that this republic is based on a set of rules that our forefathers set in place to act as guide to help grow America strong with the flexibility to change and continue in the path for optimum grow. It seems that over time our own greed whether it be for time, pay, power,or money; somehow has become the dominating factor and comfortable norm we have accepted. Most of us see what is right but for some reason find it too hard to simply choose what is right, just and loving. Some are simply playing a game and must win at all costs. Many are good and at times still err human. If we would love each other as if we've known each other for years and share in a moment of mutual admiration. Silent yet defined....human
A. I propose a Constitutional Amendment to engage in State of the Republic Review by ALL representative powers of Federal and State levels. Where the representation is responsible to the people a report in timely fashion -the progress and duties carried out in the line of service for the period of approximately 5 years and offer solutions to any observed issues. Public servant may be removed from office at any instance of wrong doing by jurisdictive vote of noless than 50.01% vote : while a 20% jurisdictive vote may propose an issue for review and vote.
B. Jurisdictions representatives must put to public vote any pay/benefits increases that directly or indirectly affect said members.
C. Representatives will be held accountable in courts made of individuals from non-jurisdistrict peoples.
D. All Nationalities of Undocumented Immigrants shall be given 90 days to register with INS at local temporary offices (locations to be determined) or be returned to a work camp to earn room, board and pay for commercial air fare to their respective homeland at the nations minimum wage.
All immigrants are responsible for learning English in order to obtain a United States Resident Visa/Driving permit.
Any applicant lying on registration will have permit canceled and be returned to a work camp. (see D.)
Citizenship is granted immediately. It is the individuals responsibility to melt into society and BE An American.
E. The American people vote once Every 10 years to hold responsible the representation for allowing the Constitution to fragment. Punishable by removal, criminal/civil charges, treason charges.
F. The division of All regions into parcels squared on all sides equal in area equally divided about said region; to determine representational boundries and constituents.
G. It is to be considered treason any member unit of military office whom fires upon, strikes or otherwise engages any citizentry with either leathal or non-leathal means.
What a load of BS - so took that classic greek literature degree went right out and got that job at MsDonalds and now protesting that your not making $100K because of your miserable decisions in life. It would not be treason for any military member to open fire on any indidual or group that openly advocates the violent over throw of the United States GVT. That is law and in accordance with thne Constitution of the United States.
It's less then .05%. The rest of us are FED UP with them and want them ELIMINATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Booker, if you are sincere than keep it simple.
Get the money out of politics by mandating that the government cover all campaign costs and banning all money from other sources.
Pay the politicians well to reduce the temptation to take bribes (like they do in Singapore).
Those who betray the public trust should be put on trial for treason.
Coincedently, Singapore also has a very small government (10% of GDP) , low inflation and high growth rates.
I guess deadlines and orders of eviction are just situational kinds of things. Optional even. If we don't start observing our own man-made rules and requiring others to do likewise we are then poised at the top of a slippery slope.
I do agree with their right to protest but after two months and after you've been issued an eviction order it's usually time to get out of Dodge.
Especially when the demands for some of that free man made stuff is not being met. This movement should have been closed down on the third day.
If you don't like protest than you should propose a constitutional amendment to ban it.
I am proud of the protesters for standing their ground. This thing is going to go on for a long time. There are 14 million Americans out of work and there aren't enough jobs for all of us. That leaves about 2000 hours per year for each of us to fight for a different kind of America. One that offers a living wage and one that builds up the middle class instead of enriching the top ten percent and condemning the bottom 90% to the poor house.
No kidding, it went from 1% to 10% and the other end went from 99% to 90%, sounds like some of that Obama math.
Keith, I think you are wishfully thinking. However, you might keep in mind that if you earn a certain income, the fruits of your labor need to produce more than that income for your employer. If he can't sell the company's products for a price that provides that necessary income (for example because Chinese will do it or make it cheaper) then you're both out of luck.
Thinker - It has always been the 10% of Americans that were not paying their fair share of taxes. I don't know why the OWS crowd picked the 1% to concentrate their effort against,they didn't ask me or it would be the 10%. So, Thinker tell me why you think it is important to point that out to me.
I think that Congress will extend the unemployment benefits beyond the point they have until now even if they can't figure out a way to pay for them. I believe this because I think they are scared $hitless that the unemployed will join the protest. What do you think?
Gyrogearloose your are describing non crony capitalism.
Banks have labeled debt as a product and created a biding war that drove the worlds financial system to the point of collapse.
In reality the system has collapsed. It will take a few more years for the Euro crisis to play out. A mere dress rehearsal for the derivatives collapse.
The American public has inadvertently allowed the international corporations to regulate themselves.
The situation has not been corrected.
It's not about how hard you worked, its about who you know what you own when it comes down.
Not sure what this has to do with the baby boomers left-right simplistic divide crap.
We fall as one.
So how much tax does a middle class American pay? I know that for me I get back everything I pay each year and on a good year with Government tax credits I will get more than I pay. The wealthy class or business owners pay tax and do not get the big tax breaks at the end of each year, in fact most end up paying more taxes depending on how well they actually did. The tax loop holes they take advantage of or are rewarded do not seem to make up for the crazy amount of money they pay into the Government for tax, if it did wouldn't you think that more companies would stop outsourcing jobs to places like Singapore or China or wherever they wend jobs to so they can avoid all the taxes they pay?
And yesterday they were opposed to Christmas shopping, occupying walmart. And tomorrow it will be something else, probably Christmas itself. Its sad what the whole thing has become. Im all for Amercians right to protest but there is no goal to this so called "movement" and they seem to go around protesting just about anything nowaday. Its over guys, get back to looking for a job and joining the American workforce.
Between outsourcing, blatant financial corruption, and some amazing new technologies being used (at an exponential rate), the need for people in the US (and everywhere) for the means of production is increasingly decreasing.
The good news is that many mundane tasks like a room full of lawyers combing though documents in a lawsuit, have now been replaced by the eDiscovery program. Sports writers have been replaced by programs that describe the game, stats of the players etc.
A German company has created the worlds first robotic replacement of assembly line workers ( called FRIEDA) that can be reprogrammed to provide a variety of tasks 24 hour a day 7 days a week, with no need for health care, days off.
IBM's Watson is being trained in medical diagnostics and has already has a contract with well point to reduce the need for doctors and "unnecessary" treatments.
Translation: people will increasingly be unnecessary in the means of production. By the middle of THIS century, very few people will be needed to make the things that make the modern world work.
I am aware of the Luddite fallacy, but the fact of the matter is that technology has not been able to even approach human capabilities until recently.
What will happen when people aren't needed for the means of production?
Will all of the profits go to the owners of these technologies?
Who will be their costumers?
How does capitalism work under such conditions?
I believe we will figure it out. But from the look of it, it won't be pretty.
@Ed Walker there weren't protesting Christmas. There were out there trying to get people to buy local products to support the businesses here in the USA, not the foreign businesses. They are trying to make it easier for the citizens of our country to keep their businesses and employ more workers.
If you all would actually take the time to see what they say and not listen to false information, you would see they are working for a better country for us all.
Deborah, pls provide a list of the non-corporate businesses where you can buy your flatscreen TVs, or your laptops and Ipads/tablets, and your cell phones, etc., at a reasonable price!
jwilson - does asking stupid questions make you feel superior?
They didn't have a prayer in occupying Walmart. They would have been arrested before the grandpa who was supposedly shoplifting in Phoenix.
Or possibly pepper sprayed as the lady did in that one Walmart to get an advantage at getting to something like xbox 360 or something?
They are in support of local businesses...made in the USA businesses. I don't think any of you should have a problem with that...so why do you?
The more you push or try to cause this group pain the more join their cause.
I really don't see that happening.
Evict them with extreme prejudice! It is the taxpayers who have lost use of THEIR property and are having to pay the bills for police and cleanup. The 98% are tired of a small group claiming to represent us when they do not. Eliminate them NOW!
They represent me, they can use my part of the park and my policeman should stay home.
They represent me and my family. Maybe we should eliminate right wing hicks?
They represent me and my family. They wouldn't cost the taxpayers as much money if they were left to protest in peace instead of being constantly attacked and provoked by the Police officers and government officials against them. Or how about the companies that want to get paid to slander them.
I believe jobs for all citizens, corporations out of politics, and a decent wage for a decent days work is not unheard of demands and would make life better for us all. I know if there were enough jobs like when I was younger and got out of school would make for a better economy that would help everyone.
The Tea Party are normal hard working citizens. The Dirtbag Party are uneducated, something for nothing free loading louts. Is it no wonder that no one would hire these fools? Dry up, and blow away.
You Tea Party guys think a lot of yourself. Why do you think it is necessary to put others down that have more staying power than you had? I doubt that by the next election the Tea Party has much power at the ballot box at all. It really doesnt' matter how well you are dressed.
Oh yeah? I have a double masters from UCLA, my wife has a PHD from SC, my two daughters both hold masters from Stanford and UCLA. My yearly income is over 100K in retirement. And we stand with the OWS protesters not with the Tea Party hicks, most of who have a high school diploma if that and never made 50K in a year in their entire lifetimes. Furthermore most of America agrees with OWS, more than double that agree with the tea party. But hey be your own fool. Wear a gun to a Tea party demonstration and show everyone what a man you are.
Robert... you are clueless and probably lying. What IS a FACT is that your so-called 99% is not even 1%. End of story. Try and get the delusions under control.
@appletoad If you feel there are so few people supporting them...why do you feel you need to post about how they don't have support so often? Could it be you are trying to convince those of us that do own our homes that we shouldn't support Freedom of Speech in our own country?
It sounds a bit like you are afraid of the Occupy movement. If it was so over, you wouldn't have even read the article or posted anything. False advertising is what you are selling.
Thank you for providing us with who you are appletoad. You don't know me or my family so you call me a liar because I disagree with you. That's the same kind of thing the Nazi's did when anyone agreed with them. Yet I am grateful that you are so verbose and rant without substance. It's always nice to know in advance who the enemy is when revolution is on it's way.
The jails were crowded before ! What are they doing to make room for protesters they must be setting criminals loose to make room!
Let us hope so.
"For Sunday, in large, red lettering, the sign read: 'EVICTION CONCERT,' above the words, 'Party until the power gives out!"
This speaks volumes to the brainpower behind the movement. But, when deadlines pass, consequences should be enforced. As a worker and taxpayer who is paying for the extra police presence and the removal of the garbage left behind, I think consequences for defiant actions need to fit squarely into the picture.
In response to Ternan, #24.2, these people are not victims of our education as there are too many of the educated out there to disprove this statement; we do educate but one needs to want to be educated. Our educational system has parameters and most of the demonstrators buck all forms of boundaries as demonstrated by their actions.
What do you mean exactly? I find it rather arrogant when folks say they are paying for public services, like no one else is chipping in. Many of the protesters are paying for those same services in the very cities where they are protesting.
I am willing to watch, I am betting that they are pretty smart and that they can change things. If you are happy with Government run by Graft and Corruption then you probably don't want any changes. If you think Americans are given a fair shake then you will probably be unhappy with the changes. What I suspect is that you aren't willing to work for the changes you think America should make so you are more comfortable criticizing others instead of asking for what you want.
"no one needs to be educated"? You know I never knew anyone but idiots who claimed "Education don't make you smarter". IDIOTS.
Why the deadlines?
Just let them camp out peacefully and they will all go home in a few months.
What's the big deal? Put up some trash cans and some porta-potties and let them assemble and speak.
And you wouldn't care if they were camping on you front lawn?
Tell the cops to go home. They are uneeded and unwanted.
In my city the cops rarely pass by the demonstrators and the OWS cause no problems.
They use the restrooms in City Hall.
This is not a threat to anyone's physical safety.
The law should be enforced. Fine these criminals $1000/day for their violation of the parks of the citizens. The people are being screwed by the occupiers. If the occupiers resist the law, file criminal charges so that every one the anarchists has a felony charge on their record! Up the fine for the felony to $100,000. Somebody has to pay for these anarchists destroying the parks of the people and eating taxpayer dollars for police protection of the real 99%!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.
The revolution will be televised. You have no idea what is coming. This country will fight back at some point. And if you think the police and military are going to get away with killing Americans anymore than they do anywhere in the world you are sorely wrong. This country no longer has the American Dream and while I may not live to see it, the revolution is coming.
Your so-called 99% is not even 1%. You are beyond delusional... ows is a weak collapsing group of socialist losers. NO ONE CARES!
Robert is correct, history has shown that a revolution is always nearer than you think. As insignificant as these protests might appear, they do represent an underlying problem in this Country, and the problem is the government is out of control at many levels at the expense of its people. Money and corruption reign free at the highest levels. We shouldn't fear revolution if it is founded on principals and the betterment of man. Those in power as we've watched around the world don't leave willingly.
I can hardly wait for Tony Villar, the Mayor of Los Angeles, to follow up on his limp-wristed eviction notice. Honest to god I'm glad I no longer live in LA. On the other hand, apart from the traffic it's not a helluva lot better here in San Diego with all of the pandering politicians.
We were considered "troublemakers"when we marched for civil rights in the 1960's. We were considered troublemakers when we marched for women's rights. We were considered troublemakers when we marched to stop the Vietnam war. By who? The ultra rich, the right wing rednecks and hicks. And we won all those. But now it is time for the non violent overthrow of the corporate owned Government. It's time to enforce the constitution of for the people, of the people and by the people.
Today I am one of those "old people" who got more conservative as I aged. I have an income of more than 100,000.00 per year in retirement. I worked hard and earned everything I have. But there comes a time when an honest person will admit that the American dream is dead for those who come behind me. I couldn't do today what I did thirty years ago because of corporate greed and corruption.
It's time, as my good buddy, Thomas Jefferson said, for revolution. We can't win with violence. There is no hope with violence. But it is time to take our country back. And you old right wing toads that think walking around a Tea Party demonstration with guns strapped to your side is "patrotic" are IDIOTS.
And now, thanks to your media Gods, you are considered idiots.
Please, tell me what the "cause" was all about?
You can't.
Protesting people who you aspire to be is not the way.
Get out and VOTE.
And get off the streets.
Robert - I agree with you. I am one of those ex-republicans that always did pretty well but like you I see that someone in the same position, as I was 40 years ago, today could not work hard and make a place for themselves like I did. My son will probably make it through this Depression okay but what about my grandson and granddaughter who will be out of high school in a couple of years? Perhaps between me and their Dad we can get them through College but will there be any opportunity for them after that?
I was one of the trouble makers and soldiers in the late 60's and early 70's and I know we did the right thing then and I believe that the young people are doing to right thing now. America can no longer afford a government run for the benefit of Corporations. We can't keep sending Legislators to Washington to vote according to the amount of Graft and Corruption the lobbyist are willing to support. We can't continue to fight futile wars when our education and health care in America is 35th and 38th in the world.
Absolutely correct Keith. Well said.
Sorry "viewer-ready". Every poll shows the Majority of Americans support the OWS and think the Tea Party people are the idiots.
I empathize with both the occupiers and the tea party and I think they can stand united on the issue of monetary corruption in government. Those who are portraying that they are on opposite teams are wrong. It's ironic but they are saying the same thing, just in different ways.
All the "occupy nothing" idiots should be gone now.
Perhaps they need to add "raid" to the pepper spray.
Hatred only causes more trouble.
Lame, immature and lame. What a mixed bag occubagers and yes totally lame. It looks more like a loser group of non-conformists and nothing of substance. Sad group of nothingness.
Yet, you cannot seem to stop talking about them. If they were so over and so lame, why are you talking about them? It seems they are making more of a point than you are willing to admit.
Communism is exactly what the Occupiers are groping for. Pack them off to the USSR. oooops... I forgot... that didn't work in Russia. And if any of you deny that the Occupiers are not born-again communists? You might take a look at Karl Marx's works, particularly his Communist Manifesto. The Occupiers absolutely personify his ideologies.
It's self-destructive, the way those defenders of Occupiers' are grabbing onto their coattails; they are wallowing in the slime of Ignorance. What, exactly do you think they are espousing? Do they really know?
The Occupiers and their sympathizers are the Do-Nothings of the 21st Century. As are any of us who romanticize these sad, ill-informed ploppers on properties not their own (aka theft). The Occupiers are a personification of inept thought processes that has become, in my opinion, downright evil.
If we believe in true human rights, we certainly cannot find that in their denial of our rights. And that is an evil.
If we are hampered, even blocked from our jobs, our schools, by their encroachments, that is an evil.
And their dirt and filth left behind when they move to another site close at hand, for us to clean up after them? That is literally a stinking evil.
We who work for our living, for our families, for our nation choose to earn our way, and we at least aspire to honor, integrity, and accomplishments that these people would deny us. We value decency and goodness and strive to attain it. Contrast that to what the Occupiers believe in. Well they sure sound like the "Me Me Me Generation..."
Obstructionists? Wickednesses? Downright Evils? These Occupiers are the living, breathing essence of those things. Perhaps they do not even realize it, not having thought their camping spree through. However, it must stop. And, frankly, pepper spray is too good for them when they link arms which blocks others to get to school or to work. If anyone does not define that as unadulterated intimidation... think again.
"All that is necessary for evil to prevail in this world is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke (It is noteworthy that Karl Marx despised Edmund Burke, and called him a "vulgar bourgeois." )
The Occupiers chose not to use legal process. The Occupiers continue to choose to break our laws. These actions are not good, and they harm thousands of us Americans.
Well, if we believe in just being the best we can be, in wanting goodness to prevail not only during these holidays (Ramadan, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving/Christmas, to name only a few), but all of this year and years ahead, we can do something, and should, and must.
There are alternatives to breaking the laws of our land which will work one heck of a lot better for the good of our nation (aka us and those who depend upon us). It's easy. Just obey our laws. They work. And they work for goodness, not wickednesses.
A whole lot of babble to say nothing sir. The system is broken. The system only allows the ultra rich and corporations to have real access to their government. I earn more than 75% of America in retirement but even I can see that there is going to be NOTHING but a third world country in the USA in another 50 years if the citizens don't do what OWS is doing. I care more for my grandchildren than you obviously. But some people are just self delusional and selfish. I just don't happen to be one of them.
I love how some people are some complacent with 'the way things are' OBVIOUSLY this system isn't working. Oh well, lucky you if you have it better off in life and don't have to worry about money or paying the bills. Lucky you. I would hardly call the Occupy people lazy or just people sitting on their ass, I think they are actually off their ass (because they are STANDING up for the people and what's wrong with this nation right down at your local city hall) they are off their behinds away from their computer screens and actually standing out in front of their local city hall screaming "YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK!" in a peaceful way. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? Last I checked this was America and I could have sworn that was one of the first rights you get in this country...or is that passing away with time as well? Have people become so satisfied with crap that all they want to do is sit up at home behind their computer screens and complain about what's wrong instead of actually DOING something about it.
I love how people just start ranting and raving about how the OWS people are a bunch of bums. I guess the people in the 60s were a bunch of bums too.... it sounds absurb that black people could have the same rights as white men doesnt it? the people who are coming down so hard on these people at the OWS protests are the same people who are keeping this country in the gutter... and they obviously dont understand what non violent protests accomplish....well we will give you all a history lesson...
The people in the 60s were a bunch of bums. These occupy protestors are a level above the drug culture of the 60s. What legacy did the 60s bums leave us? The breakdown of the family unit, disrespect of our military who we all saw on September 2011 what these men and women stand for. The best that came out of the 60s generation came from people who were busy changing the course of history through their work. This is how America has always been.
"The best that came out of the 60s generation..."
....was the music. Nothing comes close today.
Weirdscience - I am one of those soldiers and protesters from the 60's. My life turned out okay and none of those social problems you mentioned affected me at all.
I still respect the Military, I just don't respect the Warmongers who run the military.
Finally Philly acts like the mature city. They should, they are the oldest city.
I grew up in Philly and it has always been a liberal City. Who cares about a few Wall Street freak outs? Philly rocks and it's good to see that the police don't over react.
Silly clueless fools and losers. They have accomplished nothing other than to insure a Republican in the White House in 2012. Time to sweep them up, arrest them, and put them on a chain gang for six months. That should sober them up. They should also be billed for cleaning up after them and for the extra cops. Cops should gas them, pepper spray them, beat them, shock them, whatever it takes to round up these animals and stop them from bothering tax paying citizens. They are NOT the 99%... they are not even 1%. What a joke!
@appletoad - for a group you keep saying are over and never worth anything in the first place....you cannot seem to stop talking about them.
They must be doing something right.
Hang in there Occupy. You are the little engine that could. Leave them there. They are harmless, except to Obama's re-election.
People without vision or historical knowledge never change. Societies always change. For the better or worse they always change. Appletoad wants to live in the 1950's obviously but as someone born back then, I have seen more change in this country than at any time in the history of the USA. Change, along with technology is inevitable. The only consideration is whether the citizens demand that change be for the betterment of all or the few. By sticking your head in the sand and denying that change is going to happen is to support the very few. And it never works out in the long run. Revolution is on it's way.
reminds me of the guy who draws a line in the sand; "I dare you to cross this line"...he keeps re-drawing lines.
@The Beev - As much as you protest about the protesters...they must be getting a point across or you would have stopped long ago.