Occupy Atlanta- Observation of the Masses
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- ashgallagher
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Observation of the Masses
"MIC check!" ("MIC check!")
The crowd responded with some sort of wild enthusiasm, like that of an allegiance to a great leader, for which none seemed to emerge. It was surreal. But that's the price one pays for not having a proper sound system.
The call and response, they called it the "People's Mic" and they told me was a way of making sure everyone in the group heard the message. Then again, I kept wondering why they just didn't use the bull horn a little more. By the second night, they had progressed and the Assembly Meeting etiquette was in better use. Not everyone has the ability to form short phrases for the rest to follow along. Still the system required - follow one, follow all.
The first day of the first weekend with Occupy Atlanta was coming a close. I had spent the afternoon and the better part of the evening wandering the park, looking to shoot photos and more importantly, seeing just how many of them I could get to come on camera and tell me about why they were living out of tents in the middle of the city.
A warm Saturday afternoon grazed the skin and a slight breeze reminded me it was fall, as such; there were some who told me it was the "American Fall," a response the "Arab Spring." I was aghast at the comparison. The Arab world - Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria -- all came together against oppressive regimes, not whimsical financially ignorant governments who ran a campaign on hope or war on terrorism. The people's right to protest has never been questioned, nor anyone shot and killed. Perhaps their rhetoric was only meant to draw attention to the masses. Their inspiration to gather in a square, in the city streets and chant - it was coming from peoples across the globe who were brave enough under governments of totalitarian rule. And if they could do it there, why was this generation -- here-- not going out and practicing their very First Amendment Right? I had hoped it was that and not the former.
The Atlanta protesters, following suit with the rest of the country, fell into a movement that started in New York- on Wall Street no less, and their grievances began with the banks. Of course for some, it was the Federal Reserve, others objected to Capitalism itself. The dissatisfied group even went so far as to protest the Death Penalty and the Founder of Coca Cola in the name of anti-racism.
Their first night out, Civil Rights Activist and Representative John Lewis attempted to address the crowd, even praise them. But after a matter of debate - in form of the People's Mic, and blocks made against a government official addressing them at all; they turned him down. As it were, there has been more outcry against their decision-- than for it - particularly because he was a Civil Rights hero and is esteemed high in this city. Lewis later said he wasn't offended, but then again, he hasn't responded to any other invitation to return. Ironically, a man who understands protesting better than anyone, was unable to offer any alliance. In recent days, even Andrew Young has come out and stated there needs to be leadership among the protesters and that it's an emotional outcry rather than a movement.
The propaganda being used to help rally protesters seems to have questions of its own. While it may be well intended, it seemed to lack a clear message on how to deal with outsiders or critics or even Police officials. In fact, one of the brochures seemed very distrusting and reiterated lines that read, " Police violence isn't meant to provoke us, it's mean to hurt and scare us, " another line read, " "Police can't be trusted. They may be ordinary workers, but their job is to protect the interests of the ruling class. As long as they remain employed as police, we can't count on them." and even lines that had no follow up explanation or 'how to' read, "the United States was founded on the extermination of indigenous peoples...for counter occupation to be meaningful, ... it should embrace the history of resistance extending from indigenous self defense and slave revolts."
Ironically, there have been no reports of arrests or even stiff threats by any police officers in the area. In fact, most have been very kind, admittedly by many protesters and have only asked them to care for public property in exchange for making the park a camp ground. Even after police forces showed up and rumors that the Mayor would come down himself this past week, there were no riots and the tensions dissipated. Now, sources say, the Mayor plans to evict the protesters Monday evening - the October 17th. And the group's response? While many are determined to stand their ground and stay, Assembly Meetings have proposed inviting the Mayor to stay a night with them, which he told the AJC he was, "praying about it."
The Occupy protests seem to be stumbling forward and trying to govern by the masses. However, there doesn't seem to be acknowledgement that the masses needs representation. While the group works positively to create committees and sub-groups to deal with various problems and concerns, their organization and system of vote could continue to improve. Even major networks have poked at their mannerisms. Their demands are forming and there are groups that know what they exactly what they want, others may not be so sure. It seems divided between older and younger.
There is much to learn from the 60s movement(s) - from the Women's Rights activists to the Civil Rights activists to the Anti-War Activists. Even the Hippies and their psychedelics and music provided revolutionary ideas, that changed the way society was run. And certainly this group might find inspiration from that very era.
I will say this - I find it profound that there are this many people who coming out of the wood work, young, old and recognizing there are changes that need be made. No matter what side of the political line you're on, and even if you're not on one at all, there is always a need for people to be willing to step outside what they think is safe and comfortable to make change happen. It's been 4 decades since the country has exploded with such fervor. While different political lines want to blame each other and point fingers - the people have decided they're done with it, and whether it's a bunch of Hipsters, Gen X-ers or Tea-Partiers: something is happening and it's finally breaking through the surface.
----------------------------
Video Credits:
Music: Sister Speak "Honestly"
Photo Journalist: Ashley Gallagher
"MIC check!" ("MIC check!")
The crowd responded with some sort of wild enthusiasm, like that of an allegiance to a great leader, for which none seemed to emerge. It was surreal. But that's the price one pays for not having a proper sound system.
The call and response, they called it the "People's Mic" and they told me was a way of making sure everyone in the group heard the message. Then again, I kept wondering why they just didn't use the bull horn a little more. By the second night, they had progressed and the Assembly Meeting etiquette was in better use. Not everyone has the ability to form short phrases for the rest to follow along. Still the system required - follow one, follow all.
The first day of the first weekend with Occupy Atlanta was coming a close. I had spent the afternoon and the better part of the evening wandering the park, looking to shoot photos and more importantly, seeing just how many of them I could get to come on camera and tell me about why they were living out of tents in the middle of the city.
A warm Saturday afternoon grazed the skin and a slight breeze reminded me it was fall, as such; there were some who told me it was the "American Fall," a response the "Arab Spring." I was aghast at the comparison. The Arab world - Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria -- all came together against oppressive regimes, not whimsical financially ignorant governments who ran a campaign on hope or war on terrorism. The people's right to protest has never been questioned, nor anyone shot and killed. Perhaps their rhetoric was only meant to draw attention to the masses. Their inspiration to gather in a square, in the city streets and chant - it was coming from peoples across the globe who were brave enough under governments of totalitarian rule. And if they could do it there, why was this generation -- here-- not going out and practicing their very First Amendment Right? I had hoped it was that and not the former.
The Atlanta protesters, following suit with the rest of the country, fell into a movement that started in New York- on Wall Street no less, and their grievances began with the banks. Of course for some, it was the Federal Reserve, others objected to Capitalism itself. The dissatisfied group even went so far as to protest the Death Penalty and the Founder of Coca Cola in the name of anti-racism.
Their first night out, Civil Rights Activist and Representative John Lewis attempted to address the crowd, even praise them. But after a matter of debate - in form of the People's Mic, and blocks made against a government official addressing them at all; they turned him down. As it were, there has been more outcry against their decision-- than for it - particularly because he was a Civil Rights hero and is esteemed high in this city. Lewis later said he wasn't offended, but then again, he hasn't responded to any other invitation to return. Ironically, a man who understands protesting better than anyone, was unable to offer any alliance. In recent days, even Andrew Young has come out and stated there needs to be leadership among the protesters and that it's an emotional outcry rather than a movement.
The propaganda being used to help rally protesters seems to have questions of its own. While it may be well intended, it seemed to lack a clear message on how to deal with outsiders or critics or even Police officials. In fact, one of the brochures seemed very distrusting and reiterated lines that read, " Police violence isn't meant to provoke us, it's mean to hurt and scare us, " another line read, " "Police can't be trusted. They may be ordinary workers, but their job is to protect the interests of the ruling class. As long as they remain employed as police, we can't count on them." and even lines that had no follow up explanation or 'how to' read, "the United States was founded on the extermination of indigenous peoples...for counter occupation to be meaningful, ... it should embrace the history of resistance extending from indigenous self defense and slave revolts."
Ironically, there have been no reports of arrests or even stiff threats by any police officers in the area. In fact, most have been very kind, admittedly by many protesters and have only asked them to care for public property in exchange for making the park a camp ground. Even after police forces showed up and rumors that the Mayor would come down himself this past week, there were no riots and the tensions dissipated. Now, sources say, the Mayor plans to evict the protesters Monday evening - the October 17th. And the group's response? While many are determined to stand their ground and stay, Assembly Meetings have proposed inviting the Mayor to stay a night with them, which he told the AJC he was, "praying about it."
The Occupy protests seem to be stumbling forward and trying to govern by the masses. However, there doesn't seem to be acknowledgement that the masses needs representation. While the group works positively to create committees and sub-groups to deal with various problems and concerns, their organization and system of vote could continue to improve. Even major networks have poked at their mannerisms. Their demands are forming and there are groups that know what they exactly what they want, others may not be so sure. It seems divided between older and younger.
There is much to learn from the 60s movement(s) - from the Women's Rights activists to the Civil Rights activists to the Anti-War Activists. Even the Hippies and their psychedelics and music provided revolutionary ideas, that changed the way society was run. And certainly this group might find inspiration from that very era.
I will say this - I find it profound that there are this many people who coming out of the wood work, young, old and recognizing there are changes that need be made. No matter what side of the political line you're on, and even if you're not on one at all, there is always a need for people to be willing to step outside what they think is safe and comfortable to make change happen. It's been 4 decades since the country has exploded with such fervor. While different political lines want to blame each other and point fingers - the people have decided they're done with it, and whether it's a bunch of Hipsters, Gen X-ers or Tea-Partiers: something is happening and it's finally breaking through the surface.
----------------------------
Video Credits:
Music: Sister Speak "Honestly"
Photo Journalist: Ashley Gallagher
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- groups:
- Community
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- tags:
- Atlanta, Occupation, Occupy Wall St., Occupy Atlanta
