My thoughts about the “raid” and its perhaps illegally arrested martyrs is that it is a painful cleansing for a young movement, but a cleansing none the less. And Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Boston, and its supporters are still here, and committed to a cleansing and renewal of Democracy in the United States, and elsewhere. Our country has been largely hijacked – but I have not been hijacked – have you? My 99 year old father called from Detroit to make sure I was alright. He probably figured I was arrested (not). I filled him in on what was really going on in my opinion at least, and he gave me his insights, which is exciting if you think about it, both because he is still so actively engaged at 99, and due to his perspective. He said that real change is not about words and the labels placed on action, but about the effect of those actions over time. He should know. He lay down in front of Mack Trucks on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit to prevent scrap shipments to Japan in the 1930s. The plutocrats of his day choose top dollar for steel. My father & the other “unlawfully acting protesters” with him reportedly stated, “You bastards. That steel will come back in the bodies of your sons and your brothers.” And other statements and chants I won’t report here. And they were right.
Today I & Occupy Boston say to those who served the bidding of the banksters and the bought congress, “You bastards. You are selling democracy and your children’s futures to China for money.” And we will be just as right as my father and his fellow protesters were in the 1930s.
As for the police here in Boston, their job was done in accordance with the orders of their superiors, and that kept their jobs. What was done here in Boston was not lovely, but was more professional and less disgusting than in, say, Oakland or New York City, but no braver than any other raid under cover of darkness to shut up dissent.
The protest against the ultra rich purchase of our government (thank you Kochtopus and Co.) is not going away now, or any time soon.
As to those willing to put their bodies and lives in front of today’s Mack Truck of Corporate Dominance, and to fight the Orwellian shift of government towards facisim: Stay strong. Stay safe. And keep learning.
And if you, gentle reader, wish to become involved, watch this space http://www.occupyboston.org/livestream/ And a late addition, some are still arrested, per tonights General Assembly, and will be arraigned on Monday 12/12/11 – you too can contribute to the legal defense fund, if so inclined: https://www.wepay.com/donate/42546?utm_campaign=donations&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook&ref_uid=619908 Also, there is now a mobile “sign unit” and all working groups have alternate quarters – a big occupy has given birth to many, many mobile occupies – more to follow, I am certain.
And, on December 10, 2011 you are cordially invited to join a General Assembly discussion “what next’ on the Boston Common by the Bandstand at 7:00 PM. As of 8:00 PM tonight, it is ongoing.
