Don't Forget the New Victims of NYPD Violence in the Occupy Wall Street Protests

A very good new site, Activist Post, has an article on a woman recently sexually assaulted by the NYPD, yet who the NYPD is charging with felony assault.

New York City's new mayor, Bill de Blasio, needs to demonstrate a change and stop the New York Police Department's persecution of political dissenters and gratuitous sexual assault. He is to be applauded for changing the police department's policy regarding stop and frisk. He must extend that spirit toward reforming how the police department interacts with protestors.

Appeal to New York City public advocate Letitia James on her behalf, one Centre Street, 15h Floor, New York, NY, 10007 (212) 669-7200

Woman Faces 7 Years in Prison After Altercation With NYPD At Occupy Protest

Drop the charges against Cecily McMillan. McMillan was sexually assaulted, beaten unconscious and into seizures by NY Police, but the city is charging her with felony assault over the incident.

Cecily McMillan, image source

Kevin Zeese
Activist Post

Occupy participant Cecily McMillan is being prosecuted for felony police assault and may face up to 7 years in prison. In reality, it is the NYPD that should be on trial for their assault on McMillan. The trial has already been delayed because of the credibility of the arresting officer; however, New York City should review the case and drop all charges against McMillan.
On the Sixth anniversary of Occupy Wall Street Cecily McMillan arrived at midnight to Zuccotti Park to meet some friends and go out to celebrate her birthday. Instead, she would find herself unconscious, in seizures and badly bruised.

McMillan was not in Zuccotti to protest, but she arrived as the police began to violently break up the crowd. She felt someone grab her right breast she involuntarily swung her elbow around and hit the offender in the face. It turned out to be an undercover police officer, Grantley Bovell. She was violently arrested, knocked to the ground, unconscious and began suffering seizures while she was handcuffed. It would be 15 to 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived. Photos of McMillan show bruises from fingers that grabbed her breast, a swollen eye and other bruises.

Officer Bovell has some serious problems in his history as a police officer including alleged police abuse. As PolicyMic reports:

Officer Bovell has been accused of brutality before. He was named in a lawsuit in the Bronx Supreme Court, filed by Reginald Wakefield, a young black man who was 17 at the time, that alleges the police maliciously used an unmarked police car as a weapon to knock him off his dirt bike in the course of a pursuit. In court filings, Wakefield said his nose was broken, two teeth were knocked out and his forehead lacerated following the encounter with Bovell and other officers on March 21, 2010. The suit is still active, according to court records.

And, now it has come out that he has some serious credibility problems, as a result if he testifies his credibility will be put in doubt. The District Attorney has provided McMillan’s defense attorney, Martin Stolar, documents that show Bovell was part of 500 officers tied to the infamous 2011 Bronx ticket-fixing scandal. Stolar told PolicyMic: “He was involved and internally disciplined.”

If this case goes to trial the NYPD should be put on trial by the defense and the full embarrassment of its response to Occupy Wall Street exposed. The NYU School of Law and Fordham Law School, issued a detailed report that found that the NYPD consistently wielded excessive, aggressive force with batons, pepper spray, scooters and horses. In addition there were mass arrests that were often arbitrary, gratuitous and illegal, with most charges later dismissed. NYPD has been sued by occupy protesters resulting in settlements of $50,000, $82,000 with more still pending. NYPD abuse of protesters is a long-term problem as the 2004 protests against the RNC shows. In that case the largest settlement for police abuse in history was announced last month -- $18 million. Videos show how the NYPD randomly picked people out of crowds during the occupy protests even if they were doing nothing illegal or were even involved in the protest.

And, it seems that there was a consistent practice of New York police officers grabbing women’s breasts. As anthropologist David Graeber wrote:

Arbitrary violence is nothing new. The apparently systematic use of sexual assault against women protestors is new. I’m not aware of any reports of police intentionally grabbing women’s breasts before March 17, but on March 17 there were numerous reported cases, and in later nightly evictions from Union Square, the practice became so systematic that at least one woman told me her breasts were grabbed by five different police officers on a single night (in one case, while another one was blowing kisses.) The tactic appeared so abruptly, is so obviously a violation of any sort of police protocol or standard of legality, that it is hard to imagine it is anything but an intentional policy.

But, put all of that history of NYPD violence against citizens and sexual assaults against women aside and just look at the McMillan case. Martin Stolar points out in a video that in order for there to be a crime there must be criminal intent. McMillan did not intend to assault a police officer. Her breast was grabbed from behind by an undercover officer, she reacted involuntarily by swinging around and hitting him with her elbow. An involuntarily reaction is not intent to assault someone. If there was any intent to assault someone it came from Officer Bovell, not from Cecily McMillan.

The New York District Attorney would be wise to drop all charges against McMillan before the trial begins on March 3. With the disclosures about Bovell’s past alleged police abuse and involvement in the ticket fixing scandal, their key witness is no longer credible. The history of police violence and sexual assault against woman adds to the credibility of the allegations of McMillan against Bovell and they are supported by photographs and videos. And, finally, the facts in this case do not support a criminal prosecution as there was no criminal intent.

It is time for the criminal charges against Cecily McMillan to be dropped. The NYPD has done enough damage, the District Attorney should not be adding to these injustices.

Kevin Zeese serves as Attorney General in the Justice Branch of the Green Shadow Cabinet

For more on this case see:

Justice for Cecily, the support group working for justice in the Cecily McMillan case.

Bizarre Prosecution Of Cecily McMillan For Police Assault Delayed, Popular Resistance by Kevin Zeese, February, 14, 2014.

This Occupy Activist Could Go to Prison for Standing Up to the Cop Who Grabbed Her Breast, PolicyMic by Peter Rugh, February 13, 2014.

Cecily McMillan's Occupy trial is a huge test of U.S. civil liberties. Will they survive?, The Guardian by Chase Madar, February 13, 2014.

Occupy Protester Who Suffered Seizure During Arrest Stands Accused Of Felony, The Gothamist by Christopher Robbins, February 10, 2014.

Activist Allegedly Beaten Into Unconsciousness By Police Faces 7 Years In Prison For Elbowing Cop, Think Progress by Aviva Shen, February 10, 2014.

100s Protest Zimmerman Verdict in San Francisco / Live Feed Chicago Protest

 USA Today, 12:26 a.m. EDT July 14, 2013 'System has failed': Crowds react to Zimmerman verdict

SANFORD, Fla. — Demonstrators exclaimed disbelief, one by one, as they learned on Saturday night that George Zimmerman was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin.
At 10:02 p.m. ET "Justice for Trayvon!" chants erupted from fist-waving people at the fountain across from the courthouse.
"The system has failed!" irate demonstrators started chanting.
The waiting game under way for the hundreds of protesters anticipating a verdict outside the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center was finally over. . . .
[Click to continue story at USA Today site.]

NBC Bay Area: July 14, 2013, 12:45 EDT

Local Activist Groups Protest Zimmerman Verdict

About 200 people protest in San Francisco following not-guilty verdict in George Zimmerman trial in Florida

[Click to continue story at NBC Bay Area site; photo above.]

The Grio: July 14, 2013: Chicagoans, Rev. Jesse Jackson react to Zimmerman not guilty verdict

 Birmingham News: July 13, 2013:

Occupy Wall Street live-streams Chicago march protesting Zimmerman verdict (live-streaming)

Bill Fletcher: July 14, 2013: Zimmerman and the hunting of Black Folks

    *  *  *

 

Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP Statement & Petition:

 

NAACP supporters,

A jury in Sanford, Florida has found George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin.

I know I am not alone in my outrage, anger, and heartbreak over this decision. When a teenager's life is taken in cold blood, and there is no accountability for the man who killed him, nothing seems right in the world, but we cannot let these emotions alone rule.

In these most challenging of times, we are called to act. There is work left to be done to achieve justice for Trayvon. The Department of Justice can still address the violation of Trayvon's most fundamental civil right — the right to life, and we are urging them to do so.

Sign our petition to the Department of Justice. Tell them to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman.

We continue to grieve the loss of Trayvon with his parents, his family, and all who loved him. Do not forget what brought us to this day.

George Zimmerman was arrested and charged because we would not back down when he was initially released. The Sanford Police Chief was removed from his post because we voiced our disbelief that he would overrule his detectives and block George Zimmerman's arrest.

And, perhaps most importantly, not a single state has passed a "stand your ground" law in 2013 — the first time in eight years — because we refuse to let the memory of Trayvon fade from the hearts and minds of America.

So, now we have a choice: We can be felled by our sorrows over the jury's decision, or we can turn our frustration into action. We can demand the Department of Justice address the travesties of this tragedy. We can take a step forward in our efforts to finally end racial profiling in America once and for all. What will you do, NAACP supporters?

For Trayvon Martin, for his family, and for all parents who suffer the horror of burying a child, sign our petition to the Department of Justice:

http://www.naacp.org/sign-the-DOJ-petition

Thank you,

Ben

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP                           

NY Amsterdam News, July 14, 2013, 1:10 AM: Black community responds to acquittal of George Zimmerman

Michael Moore tweets:  https://mobile.twitter.com/MMFlint/status/356242431991234560

"Had a gun-toting Trayvon Martin stalked an unarmed George Zimmerman,
and then shot him to death... DO I EVEN NEED TO COMPLETE
THIS SENTENCE?" – Michael Moore 

March on Wall Street South to Begin in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention

As of 12:30 PM, September 2, 2012, marchers will soon begin marching in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the March on Wall Street South. The march is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM EST.

This is only the third Democratic National Convention to be in the Right-to-Work South since 1932.

Thousands Expected to March in Charlotte, NC in March on Wall Street South to Raise People’s Agenda for Jobs and Justice to the Banks and the DNC

Live Streaming of the March on Wall St South!

NPR, September 2, 2012Occupy Plans Resurgence At Democratic Convention, by COREY DADE

Charlotte, Huffington Post tells us in the last 24 hours, was the site of another ejection of an Occupy Wall Street encampment: "Finally, by late January, the city passed an ordinance banning camping on public property, and police razed the camp."

Note that the mayor and the city council, by an 8 to 3 majority, are Democratic.

The Secret of the Sauce: What Democrats Need to Know About North Carolina's Kick-Ass Populism: A native explains how the people of North Carolina have been giving hell to fatcats for over 300 years. Lynn Parramore, August 27, 2012

NY Times: Charlotte's Plans for Democratic Convention Security Draw Criticism, August 9, 2012

Students to monitor protesters, police when Democrats gather in Charlotte
The National Law JournalAugust 30, 2012

Hands Off Occupy Charlotte
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/1/2012

The Coalition to March on Wall Street South stands in solidarity with Occupy Charlotte and the occupation of Marshall Park and supports Occupy Charlotte’s statement, which follows:

“Occupy Charlotte, NC, is calling for support of our peaceful Occupation of Marshall Park in the Wall Street of the South. During the Democratic National Convention our voices will be heard. Hundreds from across the country are already here. Thousands are on their way. Come and join us! This is the hour! This is the moment!

Any repression of this Occupation would be a black eye on the City of Charlotte and the Democratic National Convention at a national and international level. This would be a greater embarrassment to the City and the DNC than an inconvenience to us. The whole world is watching.

www.OccupyClt.net“

NYC Mayor Bloomberg calls NYPD "my own army"; Pepper Spraying ALEC Protestors; OWS Library Trashed

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had the original Occupy Wall Street encampment aggressively shut down. Also, the New York Police Department (NYPD) put the OWS library of a thousand or so documents into the trash. Organizers said that they could only salvage about 10 to 25 percent of the original library.
Bloomberg a few weeks later, in an apparently delusional moment, said that the city's police force was his own private army.
Given the mayor's inclination to micro-manage, we cannot help but think that he had a hand in choosing to have the police hastily dispose of the books. (Of course, very disturbing has been the general reticence by the general commercial media on this matter.)
This trashing of a library is what spurred me to upload the photo of the Guy Montag figure from Francois Truffaut's film version of “Fahrenheit 451” and Heinrich Heine's quote about burning books and burning people. What an irony that the same season that saw the disposing of a library into the trash also saw the violent abuse of people, including the pepper-spraying of non-violent protestors.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg calls NYPD "my own army"; Phoenix Police Pepper Spray Protestors Demonstrating ALEC
Hunter Walker, November 30, at PolitikerNY had the best piece on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's public boast on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, that the New York Police Department (NYPD) is "my own army".

In a speech at MIT [in Cambridge, Massachusetts] last night to discuss the packed sweepstakes to build a tech campus in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg said he prefers City Hall to the White House. Almost immediately after Mayor Bloomberg dampened recent speculation he’s eyeing a White House bid, he added fuel to the fire by explaining why a mayor would be the best person for the job.

Mayor Bloomberg’s recent criticism of President Obama for allowing the debt reduction Supercommittee to fail led many political tea leaf watchers to believe he’s eyeing a potential White House bid. To the dismay of those who hope he’ll mount presidential campaign, Mayor Bloomberg began his speech last night by discussing why City Hall is just fine by him.

“I have my own army in the NYPD, which is the seventh biggest army in the world. I have my own State Department, much to Foggy Bottom’s annoyance. We have the United Nations in New York, and so we have an entree into the diplomatic world that Washington does not have,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

At first, Mayor Bloomberg sounded he was outlining why three terms as mayor was enough experience in public office for him, but he quickly switched gears and began characterizing City Hall as the perfect preparation for the White House because it allowed him to buck the Beltway establishment get real on-the-ground knowledge.

“I don’t listen to Washington very much, which is something they’re not thrilled about,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “We have every kind of people from every part of the world and every kind of problem.”

Mayor Bloomberg explained that, unlike Washington politicians, mayors are people of action.

“The difference between my level of government and other levels of government is that action takes place at the city level,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “The cities and mayors are where you deal with crime, you deal with real immigration problems, you deal with health problems, you deal with picking up the garbage.”

You see, according to Mayor Bloomberg, he and his mayoral colleagues are focused on results. It’s the rest of the politicians who are screwing things up.

“At the state or federal level, that’s where the real problems are. You see it particularly in American government at the moment where they are just unable to do anything, and yet, the mayors of this country still have to deal with the real world,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

Mayor Bloomberg closed by expressing the desire for someone with real, executive experience to arrive on the scene and change things in Washington.

“Unfortunately, people at the federal level or the state level typically spend their whole lives in politics, and they’ve never been an executive and it shows,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

* * *

Daily Kos reports that on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Phoenix, Arizona police pepper sprayed protestors demonstrating against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)'s States and Nation Policy Summit, "Pepper spray at the Arizona ALEC protest, Indigenous elder sent to hospital".

(The right-wing energy barons, the Koch Brothers, are benefactors of ALEC.)

Police drew attention to anarchists armed with nail-filled sticks. Occupy movement members said that the anarchists invaded their movement.

Most problems were blamed on a group of anarchists who were bused in from out of state. According to police, a few wielded nail-filled sticks. Seven were arrested.

* * *
Mediabistro, November 16, 2011: "Occupy Wall Street Library Evicted" [dumped in the trash by the NYPD]

Alternet, November 15, 2011: "City Attacks Information at Zuccotti: Books Dumped in the Garbage, Press Intimidated: Books dumped in the garbage. Press intimidated and shut out. These are not the signs of a functioning democracy."

"That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people also."
Heinrich Heine, German writer, 1821, whose works were burned by the Nazis in 1933.

Michael Moore's winter entrenchment strategy for more occupations: Occupy the Winter

From Michael Moore's website:
OCCUPY THE WINTER

A proposal to the General Assembly of Occupy Wall Street from Michael Moore

1. Occupy Our Homes. Sorry, banks, a roof over one's head is a human right, and you will no longer occupy our homes through foreclosure and eviction because well, you see, they are our homes, not yours. You may hold the mortgage; you don't hold the right to throw us or our neighbors out into the cold. With almost one in three home mortgages currently in foreclosure, nearing foreclosure or "underwater," the Occupy Movement must form local "Occupy Strike Forces" to create human shields when the banks come to throw people out of their homes. If the foreclosure has already happened, then we must help families move back into their foreclosed homes -- literally (see this clip from my last film to watch how a home re-occupation is accomplished). Beginning today, Take Back the Land, plus many other citizens' organizations nationwide, are kicking off Occupy Our Homes. Numerous actions throughout the day today have already resulted in many families physically taking back their homes. This will continue every day until the banks are forced to stop their fraudulent practices, until homeowners are allowed to change their mortgage so that it reflects the true value of their homes, and until those who can no longer afford a mortgage are allowed to stay in their homes and pay rent. I beseech the news media to cover these actions -- they are happening everywhere. Evictions, though rarely covered (you need a Kardashian in your home as you're being evicted to qualify for news coverage) are not a new story (see this scene I filmed in 1988). Also, please remember the words of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Toledo (in 'Capitalism: A Love Story'): Do not leave your homes if the bank forecloses on you! Let them take you to court and then YOU ask the judge to make them produce a copy of your mortgage. They can't. It was chopped up a hundred different ways, bundled with a hundred other mortgages, and sold off to the Chinese. If they can't produce the mortgage, they can't evict you.

2. Occupy Your College. In nearly every other democracy on the planet, students go to college for free or almost free. Why do those countries do that? Because they know that for their society to advance, they must have an educated population. Without that, productivity, innovation and an informed electorate is stunted and everyone suffers as a result. Here's how we do it in the U.S.A.: make education one of our lowest priorities, graduate students who know little about the world or their own government or the economy, and then force them into crushing debt before they even have their first job. That way has really worked well for us, hasn't it? It's made us the world leader in … in … well, ok, we're like 27th or 34th in everything now (except war). This has to end. Students should spend this winter doing what they are already doing on dozens of campuses -- holding sit-ins, occupying the student loan office, nonviolently disrupting the university regents meetings, and pitching their tents on the administration's lawn. Young people -- we, the '60s generation, promised to create a better world for you. We got halfway there -- now you have to complete the job. Do not stop until these wars are ended, the Pentagon budget is cut in half, and the rich are forced to pay their taxes. And demand that that money go to your education. We'll be there with you on all of this! And when we get this fixed and you graduate, instead of being $40,000 in debt, go see the friggin' world, or tinker around in your garage a la the two Steves, or start a band. Enjoy life, discover, explore, experiment, find your way. Anything but the assistant manager at Taco Bell.

3. Occupy Your Job. Let's spend the winter organizing workplaces into unions. OR, if you already have a union, demand that your leaders get off their ass and get aggressive like our grandparents did. For chrissakes, surely you know we would not have a middle class if it weren't for the strikes of the 1930s-1950s?! In three weeks we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the workers in my hometown of Flint, Michigan taking over and occupying the General Motors factories for 44 days in the dead of winter. Their actions ignited a labor movement that lifted tens of millions out of poverty and into the middle class. It's time to do it again. (According to the Census Bureau and the New York Times, 100 million Americans either live in or near poverty. Disgraceful. Greed has destroyed the core fabric of our communities. Enough!) Here are two good unions to get your fellow workers to sign up and join: UE and SEIU. The CWA are also good. Here's how to get a quick primer in organizing your place of employment (don't forget to be careful while you do this!). If your company is threatening to close down and move the jobs elsewhere, then it's time to occupy the workplace (again, you can get a lesson in how to successfully occupy your factory from my movie).

4. Occupy Your Bank. This is an easy one. Just leave them. Move your checking and your credit card to a nonprofit credit union. It's safe and the decisions made there aren't based on greed. And if a bank tries to evict your neighbor, Occupy the local branch with 20 other people and call the press. Post it on the internet.

5. Occupy the Insurance Man. It's time to not only stand up for the 50 million without health insurance but to also issue a single, simple demand: The elimination of for-profit, privately-controlled health insurance companies. It is nothing short of barbaric to allow businesses to make a profit off people when they get sick. We don't allow anyone to make a profit when we need the fire department or the police. Until recently we would never allow a company to make a profit by operating in a public school. The same should be true for when you need to see a doctor or stay in the hospital. So I say it's long overdue for us to go and Occupy Humana, United Health, Cigna and even the supposed "nonprofit" Blue Crosses. An action on their lawns, in their lobbies, or at the for-profit hospitals -- this is what is needed.

So -- there are my ideas for the five places we can Occupy this winter. Help the foreclosed-upon to Occupy their homes. Occupy your college campus, especially the student loan office and the regents meetings. Occupy your job by getting everyone to sign a union card -- or by refusing to let the CEO ship your job overseas. Occupy your Chase or Citi or Bank of America branch by closing your account and moving it to a credit union. And Occupy the insurance company offices, the pharmaceutical companies' headquarters and the for-profit hospitals until the White House and Congress pass the true single-payer universal health care bill they failed to pass in 2010.

My friends, the rich are running scared right now. You need no further proof of this than to read this story from last week. The Republicans' top strategist met privately with them and told them that they had better change their tune or they were going to be crushed by the Occupy Wall Street movement. They didn't have to change their greedy actions, he assured them -- just the way they talk and PR the situation. He told them never to use the word "capitalism" -- it has now been made a dirty word by the Occupy movement, he said. Only say "economic freedom" from now on, he cautioned. And don't criticize the movement -- because the majority of Americans either agree with it or are feeling the same way. Just tell the Occupiers and the distressed Americans: "I get it." Seriously.

Yes, in just 12 short weeks we have killed their most sacred word -- Capitalism -- and we have them on the run, on the defensive. They should be. Millions are coming after them and our only goal is to remove them from power and replace them with a fair system that is controlled by the 99%. The 1% have been able to get both political parties to do their bidding. Why should only 1% of the population get to have two parties -- and the rest of us have none? That, too, is going to change. In my next letter, I will suggest what we can do to Occupy the Electoral Process. But first we must start with those who pull the strings of the puppets in the Congress. That's why it's called Occupy Wall Street. Always better to deal with man in charge, don't you think?

Let's Occupy the Winter! An #OWS Winter will certainly lead to a very hopeful American Spring.

Yours,

Michael Moore
MMFlint@MichaelMoore.com
@MMFlint
MichaelMoore.com

Over 32,000 rallied in NYC on Occupy Wall Street 2 month anniversary

OccupyWallStreet.org reported in "November 17: Historic Day of Action for the 99% " yesterday (11/18/11) that over 32,000 people were in the marches and rallies in New York City on Thursday, November 17, 2011.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) estimate was 32,500.
NY1.com television reported Thursday night that the Police Department made the crowd size estimates from its helicopter surveillance of the crowds. At Foley Square, by this writer, there were at least six helicopters in the sky.
The crowds for the anniversary of the start of the Occupy Wall Street encampment at Zuccotti Park (Liberty Plaza) were in Union Square, Greenwich Village, Foley Square, the Financial District and the Brooklyn Bridge. Even though the march on the bridge was permitted, the NYPD arrested dozens on the bridge.
About 300 were arrested throughout the day.

Here is the DemocracyNow link for the November 17 coverage.
Huffington Post's coverage of OWS' return to Brooklyn Bridge.

Democratic Mayors, Govs, Repression Against Occupy Encampments

While the pioneering Occupy encampment of the year, our Arab Spring in the autumn, has been Occupy Wall Street, in a city with a Republican mayor, Michael Bloomberg, Democratic mayors figure prominently in the cities with crack-downs today, this weekend, this month, against the Occupy encampments.

Occupy Portland, under Democratic mayor Sam Adams, facing an eviction order for midnight tonight, Saturday, November 12th.
His explanation:

Occupy has had considerable time to share its movement's messages with the public but has lost control of the camps it has created. The cost to the larger community is rapidly increasing. The city itself finds itself at a turning point. Thus, the city will soon temporarily close Lownsdale and Chapman Squares to the public to put an end to public safety, health and crime problems, and to repair the park land.

--From KDRV, http://kdrv.com/page/230337
--Actually, one can read a more balanced presentation (with lengthy, uninterrupted statements by an Occupy Portland representative, Jim Olver) at the PBS News Hour site from Veteran's Day, November 11: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec11/occupyportland_11-11.html

My position is this: sadly, with human nature there is often violence and unkempt decorum. Since when have cities demonstrated an absolute record of totally preventing crime and litter? The first amendment, with its guarantee of free speech and assembly, has no exemptions for the prerogatives for police power.
Is it not interesting that this weekend is seeing an almost simultaneous police enforcement of curfew laws / organized repression of free assembly and free speech?

Occupy Oakland, under Democratic mayor Jean Quan, facing police eviction notices: Oakland Tribune: http://www.insidebayarea.com/top-stories/ci_19319311

Occupy St. Louis, under Democratic mayor Francis Stay: a federal judge denied a request for a restraining order to allow them to stay in Kiener Plaza through this weekend: KMOV video: http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Occupy-St-Louis-protesters-given-3-pm-Friday-deadline-to-clear-out-Kiener-133651343.html

Occupy Dallas, under Democratic mayor Mike Rawlings, facing a Saturday eviction order as well, in spite of video showing that a police officer pushed a protestor from a planter: NBC DFW: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/133717633.html

UPDATE: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ALSO:
Occupy Albany: New York State governor Andrew Cuomo (Democrat) has insisted that an 11:00 PM curfew be enforced this evening (Saturday, November 12th) at state-owned Lafayette Park. Yet, Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares (admittedly, also a Democrat) has said that he will not prosecute peaceful violators of the curfew. (AP at: http://online.wsj.com/article/APaf6a39e0a44d4544b30a84a9cbf6287f.html)

See the scene across the United States at more occupy events at Free Speech TV: http://www.freespeech.org/blog/daily-occupy-report-111111

CORPORATE MEDIA, PARTIES, THE 99%
Have the politicians, police, media forgotten that issues such as wildly out of control CEO salaries, evisceration of progressive tax rates, wealth gaps unseen for a century, went unrecognized, unmentionable by the corporate media or wannabe populist politicians, until the Occupy Wall Street movement arrived on the scene.
Notice that these local and state governments are run by Democrats. Whose party are they? Are they facilitating free speech by people from the 99% Or, by their exclusion of protestors from public assembly, are they more accurately seen as the party of the 1%. Rich people and corporations have spaces in which they can assemble and discuss their views. Cannot the sub-0ne percent people have their own speech in public places of their choosing?

Joan Baez Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Concert, NYC's Foley Square, Veterans' Day, 2011

Long time folk singer and peace activist Joan Baez gave a free concert on Veterans' Day, November 11, 2011. Occupy Wall Street Encampment/Zuccotti Park/Liberty Plaza to Foley Square.
The commercial media assiduously ignored the event, but contributors to youtube uploaded some of her great songs from the open air New York City concert:
Salt of the Earth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBDmEA6DmUE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT7dIsrhseI
Joe Hill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh1z-E5RDhM
from another vantage point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7tKT1Pxl1Q
Her introduction to her songs and Where's My Apple Pie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L7YpwLt6Ss

What an AlterNet Correspondent Experienced When He Asked Asbout NYPD Tower Over OWS (Zuccotti Park)

As the story at AlterNet
in "What Happened When I Tried to Get Some Answers About the Creepy NYPD Watchtower Monitoring OWS
There’s a metal monster looming over Liberty Square, but don’t ask questions about it or else. "
don't ask questions or else.

But there was something special about Officer Guzman. He wasn’t one of the 25 police officers I counted standing on the perimeter of Liberty Square that first wintery day. He wasn’t one of dozens more shooting the breeze with their partners inside a police van or sitting alone in a cruiser texting. Officer Guzman spent the day suspended in the air, two stories up, at the corner of Trinity Place and Liberty Street, inside a little metal box that goes by the name Sky Watch.
. . . .
“We have cameras for everything”
Officer Guzman seemed like the strong silent type. At least he looked strong. But what I can most vouch for was his silence. He preferred to let other officers speak for him.

Read on at the original article.

Bottles Thrown at Oakland Police, No Rationale for Tear Gas or Police Grenade Fired At Rescuers

Video interview between protestor and MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell includes the claim that protestors, on Tuesday, October 25, had thrown bottles and rocks at the Oakland Police.
Acts of violence against the police are unacceptable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHlHiNEZ1wA&feature=player_embedded

However, it is unconscionable that the Oakland Police have fired tear gas at protestors. One protestor, Marine Corps veteran or two Iraq tours, Scott Olsen, was struck in the forehead with a tear gas canister fired by Oakland Police.

And it is further unconscionable that the police fired a live grenade at protestors that rushed to the aid of Olson after the attack by the police.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZLyUK0t0vQ

NYC's Mayor Bloomberg Outlawing Free Speech By Coming Cracking Down on Occupy Wall Street Speech

SPEECH WITH A PERMIT IS NO FREE SPEECH AT ALL.
As this blog says, if permits are required to speak and assemble in public,
then there is no free speech.

We see this in action with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's second declaration of war against the Occupy Wall Street protestors at Zuccotti Park (aka Liberty Plaza).

In These Times, an independent left magazine publishing out of Chicago reported Friday afternoon,
Bloomberg Promises Crackdown on Occupy Wall Street"

The Mayor has declared himself "The State," akin to Louis XIV, with an entrenched commitment to the city's tradition of requiring permits for marches of more than 20 people.

The permit "must" --according to these monopolizers of power-- be obtained from the police department.
Here is the New York Police Department page on the rules of assembled free speech (permit application process).
Here is the actual application for collective free speech in motion (or a parade application).

SPEECH HAS A $25 FEE
If there is an assembly in a park, then there a $25 fee. There is precedence for this mayor's denying park assemblage even after an application. In 2004, on the occasion of the Republican National Convention, Mayor Bloomberg denied rally organizers' application.

ARRESTS ARE ON THE WAY
As In These Times noted:

The problem with these permits, of course, is that they can be denied or revoked for any reason, at any time. It makes the "disobedience" part of "civil disobedience" impossible by preempting any action.

"We will start enforcing that more," the mayor ominously stated when referring to the permits. The Post interpreted that as more arrests looming on the horizon.

MORE REPORTS IN THe NEWS:
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2011/10/21/live-blog-for-ows-day-35-bloomberg-says-occupiers-should-expect-crackdown/
COURT SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZED FREE SPEECH A THING OF THE PAST
As a commenter to the In These Times article added,

When we had rule of law and a functioning Republic, these permit processes and arbitrary denials were held to be unconstitutional. In Shuttlesworth versus Birmingham, the principle of rules for all or none was upheld. City officials can’t limit the rights of some and not others. They cannot arbitrarily set standards using “public safety” as a reason to limit our rights to gather.

The problem is that our courts, including the Supreme Court, are bought and paid for by the same plutocrats that control the Republican Democrat duopoly. Our public spaces are being privatized at alarming rates through gentrification. Privately controlled parks eliminate our Constitutional amendments/rights in one move.

Videos: 10/15 NYPD White Shirt Punching Protestor Only the Latest; List of Abuse Videos

A New York City Police Department (NYPD) upper level ("white shirt") was publicized, in video shown on television news, punching a protestor, in the October 15, 2011 Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City, with the highest number of protestors in Times Square.
(I do not associate with comments by the video posters or comment contributors.)

Yet a search produces several instances of police officers punching people.

Here is a list, chronological, from oldest, to newest:
Dates in parentheses are (UPLOAD DATES).

NYPD cops punch girl in face on 9.24.2011 (aftermath of punching, purported victim is held and carried by her arms by arresting officers, while she pleads, "please take his badge"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIM6p8aEgLA

NYPD Caught On Camera Punching #OccupyWallStreet Protestor In The Face (9/28/11):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzke07SiwFs

NYPD Cop [white shirrt] punches [female] protester in the face during occupy wall street - 14 Oct: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZrv6FkoSbM

NYPD Cop [white shirt] Punches [female] Protester at Occupy Wall Street, 10/14/11 (3 min version):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcJ31g0ScQ

#OWS Police Punch Protestors - March On Times Square (10/15/11):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa3f8-otGwY

HORSES USED AS WEAPONS!-Protesters document NYPD horses ramming in Times Sq. (10/15/11):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS2x7T926Z4

* * *
The most blatant of these police assaults is not yet available as a stand-alone video. This is a video currently being shown on the locally broadcast Times Warner cable channel NY1 (Video available!):

Updated 10/15/2011 05:16 PM
Two Dozen Arrests Made During "Occupy Wall Street" Protest, By: Erica Ferrari

Confrontations occurred between the police and protesters Friday. Violence was captured on video, as a high-ranking police officer could be seen punching a protester in the face. Another protester allegedly had his foot run over by an officer.

As such, police were out in full force Saturday, as protesters planned to march up to Times Square after gathering in Washington Square Park.

"We are going to enforce the law when it's violated," said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Bloomberg, NYPD Set 10/14 Showdown w/ Occupy Wall St. (OWS) When 10/14, 7 AM Deadline Comes?

CALL TO CLEAN PARK, 10/13; CALL TO MASS AT PARK AT 6:00 AM TO DEFEND THE PARK
NYC MAYOR SETS FRI., 7:00 AM EVICTION TIME
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to evict the protestors at 7:00 AM on October 14, 2011 from Zuccotti Park (nee & renamed Liberty Plaza). The ruse for this anticipated showdown between the New York City Police (NYPD) and the Occupy Wall Street protestors is to clean the park.

Occupy Wall Street has resolved to clean up the park in the night of Thursday, October 13. This afternoon it has begun carrying out its plan to beat the 7:00 AM deadline to encounter the NYPD's eviction of protestors.

It will be interesting to see whether the cleaning committees beat the deadlines and yet still see the aggressive police eviction of the protestors. Peer elsewhere on this blog's posts this month and you will see a Soylent Green still of protestors being scooped up.
We see the following so far:
New York Times: "Facing Eviction, Protesters Begin Park Cleanup" http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/told-to-leave-protesters-talk-pre-emptive-strategy/

From the Associated Press:
Publicity of a public call to defend the park at 6:00 AM:

The protesters' response was to plan a demonstration for an hour before they are supposed to evacuate Zuccotti Park while it is cleaned with power washers Friday morning. They believe the effort is an attempt to end the protest, which triggered a movement against unequal distribution of wealth that has spread across the globe.

Protest spokesman Patrick Bruner sent an email to supporters Thursday asking them to join the protesters at 6 a.m. Friday to "defend the occupation from eviction."

It this a Gulf of Tonkin type of Resolution ruse to provoke a confrontation with protestors and provoke a token violent response from a small number of protestors, and then to cast them in the media as violent, so as to set up semi-military police actions against the protestors

ARE THE NATION'S MAYORS COORDINATING?
In the same general week of Bloomberg's NYPD eviction of park
comes news (from "The Nation:" "The OccupyUSA Blog for Thursday, With Frequent Updates" blog by Greg Mitchell) of a Denver plan to forcibly evict its protestors:

3:40 Denver campers to be evicted, state governor states. “The governor made the announcement at a press conference with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, who read out the law that forbids overnight camping. The three alluded that police action was imminent but provided no details. ‘We’ve been talking to the group every day since Monday,’ Hickenlooper said this morning. ‘And every time we’ve talked to them, we’ve told them it is illegal and unsafe to camp in the park.’ But the protesters, along with some homeless people who have sheltered in the park, have said they’re not going anywhere. ‘This is beyond the governor and the city,’ said James H. Andresen, 58, from New York City.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg Planning "Sweeping [OWS] Park" -Soylent Green Days of Occ Wall Street Battle?

Image of police scooping protestors in the 1970s futurist, dystopian film, "Soylent Green."

Will Mew York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg engineer a Soylent Green showdown, or a back-handed approach to sweeping free speech protestors from Zuccotti Park [Liberty Plaza]?"

The peoples' cleanup, already begun.


Bloomberg Announces Zuccotti Park Cleanup While Meeting Protestors: Demonstrators Say Mayor Pulled A Fast One And Is Trying For A Clear Out

October 12, 2011 11:59 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Wall Street protestors are being told they will have to pack up and leave — at least temporarily. However, some activists are now accusing Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who personally stopped by Zuccotti Park on Wednesday, of dirty politics.

Greeted by a mix of cheers and jeers, Bloomberg ordered the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrators to get out of of the plaza long enough for the area to be sanitized on Friday morning by Brookfield Properties.

However, protestors say the cleanup sounds more like a clear out.

After 26 days of food, trash and other debris piling up high for pickup or recycling, Bloomberg’s office said while protesters “have a right continue to protest…the last three weeks have created unsanitary conditions and considerable wear and tear on the park.”

“Like wear and tear on what? On marble and concrete? Like how do we wear and tear that?” asked Will Schneider.

Schneider is not alone in his skepticism of the mayor’s cleanup plan. Other occupants are also none too pleased about the his announcement and told CBS 2′s Derricke Dennis that they were keeping the area clean by themselves.

“We are working 24/7; we do not rest. We encourage cleanliness. We encourage everyone to take care of their belongings and pack it up neatly,” said Lauren DiGoria of Clifton, N.J.

Protesters said the city has been trying to get them to leave for weeks, and with this plan to clean the park in stages on Friday, many say there’s now a clever excuse.

But the owner of the park, Brookfield Office Management, claims the area has not been maintained. It wrote to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, saying “conditions at the Park have deteriorated to unsanitary and unsafe levels.”

For video and more of the article, see the WCBS-TV site.

Echoes of Tompkins Square Park battles between police and squatters and protestors, in 1988, 1989, 1995.

See: Radio journalist Paul DeRienzo's site: http://pdr.autono.net/tapecat.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/03/nyregion/protest-in-tompkins-square-park-draws-300-officers-and-16-arrests.html
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/31/nyregion/riot-police-remove-31-squatters-from-two-east-village-buildings.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
The last reference: "Using a tanklike armored vehicle and carrying riot gear, hundreds of officers moved in . . ." --on squatters in city-owned buildings. Shades of Soylent Green?

Occupy Wall Street September 30 General Assembly's Declaration and Resolution

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press. They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit.
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad. They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts. *

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!

*These grievances are not all-inclusive.

Update 10/1/11 – Minor updates to some wording in the facts.

BREAKING: Washington Square Park Occupied; NYPD Midnight Showdown over 12 AM Curfew

Occupy Wall Street Protestors have taken Washington Square Park, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York, NY.
The area is adjacent to New York University and is near Cooper Union and the New School, so the area is an attractive magnet for college students.
As NY1 and other minor news outlets point out, a potential showdown looms, as the park is closed for a midnight to 6:00 AM curfew.
Correction: Gothamist gives the curfew as 1:00 AM.
Will the New York City Police Department (NYPD) make this a scene of police brutality against protestors? Make your call: was the violence by night-stick batons, pepper-spray mace, tossing protestors head-first over a metal fence or scaffolding, or charging demonstrators with motorbikes, as shown on the videos on this page? Does the conduct of the officers evince the NYPD's motto of Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect?

Gothamist has live stream video from the protest. As one can see from the Gothamist site, the NYPD wagons are ready.
Excerpt from Gawker.com posting:

Occupy Wall Street Expands to Washington Square Park

Occupy Wall Street is growing! The demonstration, entering its fourth week, has gotten a little too big for Zuccotti Park downtown; today, at around 3 p.m., it founded another encampment in Washington Square Park (they're holding a General Assembly right now).

In most senses it's a smart move: Washington Square Park is a lot bigger than Zuccotti, and it's in a neighborhood dominated by NYU, so they'll have a steady supply of college kids. And the food is much better in the Village, too. (Also: chess boards!) But, as with everything Occupy Wall Street, it's unclear exactly what the plan is; Washington Square Park is a public park (Zuccotti is privately owned but publicly accessible), and theoretically protesters won't be allowed to stay past sunset. One representative told the Post that the group didn't plan on testing the curfew, but another says they "plan to stay... and form a second permanent occupation."

The Whole World is Uploading!: Masked NYPD Charge OWSers with Motorbikes

The Whole World is Uploading!

The revolution began; the NYPD began the counter-revolution!
Police brutality by the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

See the Youtube video, embedding, uploaded at right:
Posted, Thursday, October 6, 2011, by TrutherTube2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9IK-hSbbi4&feature=related

Al Arabiya: Wall Street protesters fed up with both parties

Al Arabiya, October 7, 2011, which picked up story from AP and photo from Reuters

Wall Street protesters fed up with both parties

Despite plans by U.S. President Barack Obama to push for a $443 billion jobs plan that would be paid partly through a tax on the wealthy, Americans are protesting the growing disparity between the rich and poor in the country. (Photo by Reuters)
By AP
New York

Their chief target is Wall Street, but many of the demonstrators in New York and across the U.S. also are thoroughly disgusted with Washington, blaming politicians of both major parties for policies they say protect corporate America at the expense of the middle class.

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which began last month with a small number of young people pitching a tent in front of the New York Stock Exchange, has expanded nationally and drawn a wide variety of activists, including union members and laid-off workers. Demonstrators marched Thursday in Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Anchorage, Alaska, carrying signs with slogans such as “Get money out of politics” and “I can’t afford a lobbyist.”

“At this point I don’t see any difference between George Bush and Obama. The middle class is a lot worse than when Obama was elected,” said John Penley, an unemployed legal worker from Brooklyn.

The protests are in some ways the liberal flip side of the conservative, anti-tax tea party movement, which was launched in 2009 in a populist reaction against the bank and auto bailouts and the $787 billion economic stimulus plan.

But while tea party activists eventually became a crucial part of the Republican coalition, the Occupy Wall Street protesters are cutting President Barack Obama little slack. They say Obama failed to crack down on the banks after the 2008 mortgage meltdown and financial crisis.

“He could have taken a much more populist, aggressive stance at the beginning against Wall Street bonuses, and exacting certain change from bailing out the banks,” said Michael Kazin, a Georgetown University history professor and author of “American Dreamers,” a history of the left. “But ultimately, the economy has not gotten much better, and that's underscored the frustration on both the right and the left.”

Obama on Thursday acknowledged the economic insecurities fueling the nearly 3-week-old Wall Street protests. But he pinned responsibility on the financial industry and on congressional Republicans he says have blocked his efforts to kick-start job growth.

“I think people are frustrated and the protesters are giving voice to a more broad-based frustration about how our financial system works,” he said at a nationally televised news conference. “The American people understand that not everybody has been following the rules, that Wall Street is an example of that ... and that's going to express itself politically in 2012 and beyond.”

The president has been pushing for a $443 billion jobs plan to be paid for in part through a tax on the wealthy. Republicans have resisted such tax increases.

Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Herman Cain have criticized the anti-Wall Street protests. All the Republican contenders have also pushed back against the demonization of Wall Street. They accuse the Obama administration of setting regulatory policies that have stifled job creation and say his health care overhaul will prevent many businesses from hiring new workers.

In Zuccotti Park, the center of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, activists expressed deep frustration with the political gridlock in Washington. While some blamed Republicans for blocking reform, others singled out Obama.

“His message is that he’s sticking to the party line, which is “we are taking care of the situation’ But he’s not proposing any solutions,” said Thorin Caristo, an antiques store owner from Connecticut.

But Robert Arnow, a retired real estate worker, said the Republicans need to tell their congressional leaders, “You’re standing in the way of change.”

Quayzy Cayusso, a Web designer, didn’t watch Obama’s news conference even though it was broadcast on TV monitors at the protest site in New York.

“He’s a cool president, but he was given a hard task,” Cayusso said. “He should get some gratitude for what he’s done so far, but he’s been overlooking jobs and not putting much effort into that until now.”

Al Arabiya, October 7, 2011, which picked up story from AP and photo from Reuters

OWS Pop-Up Art Show Set for Sat. 10/8/11, 3-9, at 23 Wall Street, NYC

From an email:

I am writing to invite you to a remarkable moment. Protest artists from all over the city - and the world - have converged onto #LibertyPlaza. You've seen their vast collage of signs, tshirts, video projections and more. Now it's time to take them to Wall Street:

On Saturday, Oct. 8, for 6 hours only, Wall Street will be occupied with art. Not profiteering or credit default swaps. Not disenfranchising The 99% to prop up an unaccountable elite that peddles in influence over our schools, neighborhoods and public spaces. Just art. #OccupyArt.

The site of this magnificent exhibit couldn't be more symbolic: the historic JP Morgan House, gutted and left for years to decay as our financial system collapsed. Inside 23 Wall Street, steps from the world's largest stock exchange, another exchange is happening. A peaceful, non-destructive exchange of creative ideas.

Please come join us from 3-9pm at 23 Wall St. as we, the occupiers of Wall Street, exhibit #NoComment: a pop-up art show inspired by the #OccupyWallStreet movement.

See also these links:
http://www.nocommentartshow.com/
An art show will appear at 23 Wall Street, opposite the New York Stock Exchange:
http://occupywallst.org/article/no-comment-art-exhibit-inspired-occupy-wall-street/
excerpt from the above:

A fledgling arts community has sprung up in the niche world of Occupy Wall Street, showcasing musicians, dancers, visual artists and spoken word performers, not to mention the thousands of words and pictures that have emerged from the weeks of protest.

“It’s really only a matter of time before a New York Times culture reporter comes down here,” protester Paolo Mastrangelo told Raw Story about the virtual artist’s colony the protest has become. “People show their art, the whole park is a stage, there’s a library, people play music and recite poetry. It’s only a matter of time before there’s a feature on the front page of the Times art section.”

Indeed, a pop-up gallery hosting art inspired by Occupy Wall Street, called “No Comment,” will open across the street from the New York Stock Exchange. Twelve removable, graffiti-covered walls will surround the gallery and then will be displayed near the protest’s heart at Zuccotti Park.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/06/occupy-wall-street-fights-vampire-squid-bankers-with-art/

Occupy Wall Street Spreads to Nationally (Other Cities): Over 850 Cities

Occupy Wall Street movement spreads, to 847 cities: Democracy Now: U.S. "Occupy" Movement Grows as Protests Reported in 847 Cities; Obama Notes "Frustration": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEVxmTfoLU4

Alternet placed the movement in 853 cities: "99% vs. 1% -- The Latest on Occupy Wall St. Movement: 853 Cities Across the World Shoring Up for the Long Haul": http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/676648/99_vs._1_--_the_latest_on_occupy_wall_st._movement:_853_cities,_report_from_the_ground_in_nyc,_occupy_providence_plans_set/

Comprehensive list follows: NOTE scheduled for for upcoming protests.

Occupy Ashland, OR continues: http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111007/NEWS/110070314/-1/NEWSMAP

Ongoing Occupy Portland, OR continues, (Friday, 10/7 report) through weekend, with protestors camping in Lownsdale Park; apparent schedule conflicts with Portland marathon being worked out: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/occupy-wall-street-hartford-protest-131346368.html
Thousands marched on Thursday, 10/6, photos and video: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/occupy_portland_holds_massive.html

Occupy Seattle, WA, marched Friday, 10/7, despite mayor's directive: http://www.kirotv.com/news/29418238/detail.html
police violence video: Police Turn Violent At Occupy Seattle Protest!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfnVgK5Q4_o&feature=related

Occupy San Francisco, CA, protest march: Wednesday, 10/5, drew 800: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/06/MN121LDU5B.DTL
camp broken up in midnight hours, very early Thursday, 10/6: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/07/BAFA1LECD5.DTL
video of force used by police: Police Brutality at Occupy SF encampment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g-XMxKTiww

Occupy Los Angeles, CA, ongoing, growing, This weekend, Occupy Los Angeles could gain even more traction. A music festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday at noon at City Hall, and additional actions are expected., scheduled for Saturday, 10/8: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/smc-students-helping-occupy-los-angeles

Occupy San Diego, CA, marched Friday, 10/7: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/131294549.html

Occupy Tucson, AZ, scheduled for Saturday, 10/15: http://www.kvoa.com/news/occupy-tucson-rally-scheduled/

Occupy Denver, CO, Friday, 10/7, rapper Lupe Fiasco stopped Occ Denver: http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2011/10/lupe_fiasco_occupy_denver.php

Occupy Dallas, TX (10/6): Occupy Dallas Day One Part 1 of 2 - UNN Newsroom with Alex Ansary:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq225MN7uvU&feature=related

Occupy Houston, TX (10/6): Civil Rights era protestor leads spiritual song: Occupy Houston spiritual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UufJlQZTqz4

Occupy Chicago, IL (10/7): Two weeks in, Occupy Chicago Is Gaining Momentum: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ryan-williams/two-weeks-in-occupy-chica_b_1000574.html
Occupy Chicago protest march scheduled for Saturday 10/8: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/143f1ee3c080446a963411da09a47431/IL--Occupy-Chicago-Anti-War-Rally/

Occupy Detroit: organizational meeting scheduled for Monday, 10/10, occupation to begin, 10/21: http://www.heritage.com/articles/2011/10/07/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4e8f557205c1c526554023.txt

Occupy Cincinatti, scheduled for Saturday, 10/8, to rally at 11:00 AM at Lytle Park and march to Fountain Square: http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111007/NEWS0108/110080321/At-least-500-expected-Occupy-Cincinnati-?odyssey=nav|head

Occupy Cleveland, OH Friday, 10/7: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/occupy_cleveland_supporters_se.html

Occupy DC (Washington, DC), Thursday, 10/6: rally at Freedom Plaza: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/occupy-dc-protesters-rally-in-freedom-plaza/2011/10/06/gIQATeeLQL_story.html

Occupy Nashville, TN, Friday, 10/7, with VIDEO: http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/18045
Occupy Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Wednesday, 10/5: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/oct/05/occupy-wall-street-spinoffs-coming-knoxville-nashv/

Occupy Atlanta, GA: Woodruff Park, Friday, 10/7: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/occupy-atlanta-draws-newcomers-1196718.html

Occupy Miami, FL: protest scheduled for Saturday, 10/8, at the Torch of Friendship, in Downtown Miami's Bayfront Park, at 1:30 p.m: http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21005570127679/occupy-wall-street-movement-expands-to-so-fla/

Occupy Ft. Meyers, FL, organizational meeting scheduled for Saturday, 10/9: http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-10-07/Occupy-Ft-Myers-Holds-Meeting-Sat-Night

Occupy Boca Raton, FL and Occupy Lake Worth, FL: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/occupy-groups-emerge-on-south-floridas-political-left-1897449.html

Occupy Philadelphia, PA, scheduled for Saturday, 10/8: "The "Let Freedom Ring" march will start off from Dilworth Plaza, next to city hall, at 2:30 p.m. and end at the Liberty Bell site on historic Independence Mall.": http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/Occupy_Philly_Plans_March_To_Liberty_Bell_100711

Occupy Atlantic City, NJ, at the Bank of America branch on New Road and Bethel Road in Somers Point, scheduled for Sunday, 10/9, 3 PM: http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/news-and-views/Occupy-Wall-Street-Comes-to-South-Jersey-131350508.html Contact: 609 442 2407 or 609-675 6322, occupysouthjersey@yahoo.com

Occupy Hartford, CT, Friday, 10/7: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/occupy-wall-street-hartford-protest-131346368.html

Occupy Boston, MA and Occupy Wall Street, New York, NY, Friday 10/7: Ivy League professors speak to anti-Wall Street protesters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-usa-wallstreet-protests-idUSTRE7966BO20111007

Occupy Maine (Portland): in two different location bases: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/occupy_portland_holds_massive.html

"The New York Times" began its reportage with a series of derisive articles. It is beginning to tone down the contempt: Occupy Anytown, U.S.A., Thursday, 10/6: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/occupy-anytown-u-s-a/

Contrary to what some in the corporate media are saying (illustrated by Noami Klein on Democracy Now, 10/6, regarding debut of Erin Burnett's glib dismissal of the movement), the protests do have objectives, see this post at the Washington Post: What Occupy DC wants: Less corporate money in politics: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/what-occupy-dc-wants-less-corporate-money-in-politics/2011/10/03/gIQAgUj4IL_blog.html