OccupySF protesters, which included labor union leaders and activists, held an emergency meeting at Justin Herman Plaza last eve in preparation for an expected raid by police on protesters encamped outside the Federal Reserve Bank. Photos by Luke Thomas.
By Kat Anderson
November 18, 2011
Last night, OccupySF had taken on a whole new countenance. Tents were lined up like bon-bons in a gift box, the bocce ball court was cleared and raked, the media, first aid and kitchen tents were organized and inviting, and the atmosphere was both relaxed (because it appeared there would be no police raid) and expectant (because folks were feeling renewed about the movement).
When I first arrived, a pow-wow of participants was engaged in introductions of the many organizations that were represented (Labor Council, ILWU, UHW, Coalition on Homelessness, etc). Individuals were invited to identify as newly visiting or having been with OccupySF for a while. The congenial crowd then did a run-through of linking arms and creating a human chain in anticipation of protecting the tents in front of the Federal Reserve.
OccupySF protesters practise locking arms.
Next, participants marched to the Federal Reserve and practiced ringing the tents and locking arms while shouting, “We are the 99 percent!”
OccupySF protesters head to the Federal Reserve Bank.
OccupySF protesters lock arms outside the Federal Reserve Bank.
Supervisor Jane Kim was on-hand at Justin Herman Plaza to observe. She quietly opined with those who conferred with her that police action was unlikely. She had been with Mayor-elect Ed Lee earlier and knew he was not issuing any immediate orders. Police officers at the scene were calm and respectful, though they did put the kibosh on blaring music through the loudspeakers. No dancing in the plaza last night, but we still enjoyed the afterglow of an evening well-spent.
District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim and Kat Anderson.
The Hunger Site
November 20, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Someone have a link to these Avalos comments?
November 19, 2011 at 8:29 pm
@Jerry – I don’t read Avalos’ comments as any kind of reversal at all.
He’s just concerned about the movement losing its focus.
November 19, 2011 at 7:32 am
San Francisco has the right to adopt reasonable laws to permit it to maintain a clean, safe, publicly accessible public space as long as the laws are not unreasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. SF public officials — fire department, health officials, etc. — have determined that Occupy SF is a health and safety nuisance, a legal predicate for eviction or severely restricting Occupy SF’s protests, which will probably include prohibiting the erection of tents, the use of gas or other combustible materials, and the accumulation of garbage and human waste in public places. Thus, the First Amendment rights of the Occupy SF movement would not be violated as long as it abides by reasonable rules established by SF for any further protests/demonstrations. Occupy SF will either have to disobey the eviction, abide by the laws established by SF, or adopt different tactics.
Whatever happens, hopefully Occupy SF will not lose the spirit and determination of the movement.
November 18, 2011 at 10:17 pm
I recognize a lot of these labor union people and the most shocking thing is that I know the track record of some of them and can only be suspect as to why they decided to get involved with the Occupy movement.
These very people such as Tim Paulson have taken a self-serving political stance against the 99%. Then there is the current politicians just as guilty.
I thought John Avalos was beyond self-serving, and then I read his statement to C.W. Devious as to the Occupy movement once he lost the election and wasn’t riding the Occupy coat tails in to office on the Keith Olberman Countdown show.
The day that Occupy America realize that politicians are not our friends, occupy anything will only be a blip on the American news channel until a new crisis of a bomb blowing up in the streets.
It is a major corporate media call as to what people are talking about next. Not the people. That is why we are here now.
When I write my opinion piece here it is like singing a gospel to a gospel. Sing out loud and sing out proud: America is tired of the status quo.
Now we have an opportunity to find a common solution in pushing back against the 1% that keeps the flow of the status quo.