Occupy Phoenix Updates
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- Jake_Leonard
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Clip FTA:
"Posted Monday, October 24.
The protest lost numbers this weekend—maxing out to approximately 250 people over Saturday and Sunday; this is only a modest bump over the week and a stark contrast to the ~2-3,000 protesters for the first day last Saturday. There is talk to push another wave of advertising for an upcoming weekend to boost numbers. But where the occupiers lack in numbers, they make up in entrenchment. There is a well-staffed and equipped medical canopy, an "info-tent," a media/IT tent (with internet-enabled WiFi), a socialist table, and an anrchist canopy. There is staff overlooking food and water that has been continuously donated, along with a steady group occupying the nearby roadway. Organization is developing, and the discussions go deeper than the picket-signs when in small groups. Those who have been continuously occupying Cesar Chavez have moved beyond being strangers with common beliefs to forming friendships and reliance upon one another.
A Former Councilman Makes an Appearance
Calvin C. Goode made a sudden appearance at Calvin C. Goode, former Phoenix Councilman of 22 yearsCesar Chavez park in the afternoon this past Sunday (the 23rd). Goode is a former Phoenix City councilman. He served the city for 22 years. He made multiple strong statements, and generally supports the Occupy movement.
"As long as you have a peaceful frame of mind... You are within your right to bring your concerns to the public... There are a lot of things that do need taken care of."
Calvin considered the Occupy movement, "appropriate."
To close his interview with those viewing him over livestream and the 30+ people who gathered around the media tent, Goode emphasized the importance of providing veterans with more and better benefits, as well as withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan—thus diverting military funds toward domestic problems. Furthermore, Goode felt that Obama's "heart is in the right place," but is essentially trapped by Republican gridlocking.
Attached at the bottom of this article are three clips from his open-interview."
There are more photos at the bottom of the article as well.
Cheers,
-Jake
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David_H [removed]
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David_H [removed]
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Jake_Leonard
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David_H:
Thank you for your kind words, David. I would certainly like to continue updating those I can reach out to as often as possible.
Yeah, these protesters are likely going to have it easy—but then, these people are also acclimated to 115 degree weather. After living in Phoenix for over 3 years (coming from the mountains of Pennsylvania), dealing with upper 30-40 degree weather is a stark (and bitter) contrast to the highs of summer. More importantly I believe is the relationship between the Sheriff and protesters... We'll see what happens once Arpaio realizes this isn't just a novelty event.
"Do you feel that ongoing involvement beyond that core group of protesters will be able to be maintained?"
If you're asking whether there will be a larger outreach beyond these devoted protesters, I cannot say. As I wrote, I would say that 40% of cars which pass by honk their horns in approval. Whether their numbers will grow is contingent upon their next major advertising campaign. I told the "media team" that even though I knew people who were in Phoenix at the moment, I still had no easy way of seeing if there was still a crowd to make it worth taking the light rail to Phoenix. Those half as interested as I am—those which these protesters aim to convince or at least bring awareness to—are far less likely to find info on coming back up there, and even less likely to take time out of there day to take a chance. I think they need to clarify that there is water, food, bathrooms, and still great interaction/dialogue.
I can tell you too that on a local basis, this Occupy movement is allowing for discussion to be made with people who would normally care less. Right now I'm engaged in four separate and very lengthy conversations with friends or acquaintances through Facebook. So if a protest (or a group thereof) is intended to raise discussion and begin communication—to combat apathy or ignorance—then these have succeeded.
- 7 months ago
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Jake_Leonard
