KEITH OLBERMANN: The general strike in Oakland -- and we have live pictures of what it looks like at the port. Let's show those as I describe this to you -- is proving to be a pivotal moment in the Occupy Movement. But a march around Wall Street today could prove, ultimately, to be just as significant as this action in Oakland you're seeing live. Not because of its size, but because of who the marchers are.
In our fourth story -- veterans of all generations, as well as active service members, marched on the sidewalks of lower Manhattan today to honor of one of their own. Led by friend of Scott Olsen and Navy veteran Josh Shepherd, who joins me presently.
In response to Iraq veteran Scott Olsen's injury, around a hundred members of the military amassed in New York's financial district this afternoon to show that they too are the 99 percent. After marching to the stock exchange, the protesters held a moment of silence to honor Marine and Iraq vet Scott Olsen, and then it was time for the veterans to step up to the proverbial "peoples' mike."
(Excerpt from video clip) VETERAN: I'm a two-time Iraq war veteran.
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: I'm a two-time Iraq war veteran.
(Excerpt from video clip) VETERAN: And this is the only occupation --
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: And this is the only occupation --
(Excerpt from video clip) VETERAN: I believe in. I'm a veteran and I am the 99 percent.
(Excerpt from video clip) JOSHUA SHEPERD: My friend Scott was injured last Tuesday.
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: My friend Scott was injured last Tuesday.
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: This is unacceptable. My friend Scott --
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: My friend Scott --
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: -- was utilizing --
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: -- was utilizing --
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: -- his freedom of speech --
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: -- his freedom of speech --
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: -- and that is exactly --
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: -- and that is exactly --
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: -- what they took from him.
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: -- what they took from him.
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: We are veterans.
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: We are veterans.
(Excerpt from video clip) SHEPERD: We are the 99 percent.
(Excerpt from video clip) CROWD: We are the 99 percent.
OLBERMANN: On the same day America's bravest marched as members of the Occupy Movement, Mayor Bloomberg of New York decided it was a good opportunity to once again paint the protesters as no-good troublemakers. Saying at an event today, "This isn't an occupation of Wall Street. It's an occupation of a growing, vibrant, residential neighborhood in lower Manhattan, and it's really hurting small businesses and families."
The mayor's comment is for out-of-towners and easily frightened children. Zuccotti Park is catty-corner to the World Trade Center site. The number of residents within sight of the Occupy headquarters might be as few as 20 or 25.
As mentioned, joining me now -- Navy veteran, friend of Scott Olsen, Josh Sheperd. Good to see you. Thanks for coming in.
JOSHUA SHEPERD: Thank you.
OLBERMANN: We heard from his roommate, Keith Shannon, that he's in rehab and he's said a few words. What do you know about how he is, and how he's responding to all that's happened since his injury?
SHEPERD: Well, we got a text from him a couple of hours ago. If you would like --
OLBERMANN: Please.
SHEPERD: I'll read it.
OLBERMANN: Absolutely.
SHEPERD: So he says, "What kind of pie?" And which goes along, "Occupy. I see the success there. Keep it up. Non-violent in the face of police brutality."
OLBERMANN: So -- we -- obviously that's great news, and it indicates among other things that he's -- he's coherent, he's just having trouble talking. That's the gist of this at this point?
SHEPERD: Yes.
OLBERMANN: Great. What would he think -- as we look at the pictures from Oakland and -- thousands now -- of people, in absolute apparent concord, if you will, with all of the people on the docks and at the port and no reports of trouble -- interaction with the police, some random breakage of windows, but we don't know how much that's connected with what's going on there -- but this kind of event would have been probably thought unlikely, at best, two weeks ago -- before what happened to him.
SHEPERD: Absolutely. I'm sure he's enthralled.
OLBERMANN: The idea of you being here today -- explain how that happened and why it was important for you.
SHEPERD: It materialized after -- there was just this collective rage from veterans expressed -- you know, through various media outlets, online, blog posts, photos, et cetera -- and so the mood struck, and Iraq Veterans Against the War was instrumental in coordinating this action and getting veterans out to New York -- to Wall Street -- to lend our support with our voices.
OLBERMANN: Did the police act differently than you've experienced previously, because you were in uniform?
SHEPERD: Well, that's interesting you ask. In New York -- or in Oakland, rather -- I expected the police to act differently, because I was in uniform at that point, as well -- as was Scott. You know, he had uniform items on. We were standing there with the Veterans for Peace flag. That didn't stop the police in Oakland. However, here in New York, everything went off without a hitch. We were able to march right up to the stock exchange, which is the international center of economic might. So, the police were very accommodating and there were no negative interactions. I couldn't have asked for a better activity.
OLBERMANN: When -- apart from what happened in Oakland, despite the fact you were in uniform -- when you hear people who are critical of Occupy say that, "Those aren't real servicemen. Those have to be guys who just bought stuff at Army Navy stores." How does that -- how does that make you feel about the rights that you fought to protect in this country?
SHEPERD: Well, you know -- they're free to say that. But it's insulting, a little bit. But I think it's very easy to say. You know, I hate to generalize, but I'm sure a lot of the people that are just spewing this stuff have not served. And, you know, like now -- our numbers are getting stronger and stronger, as veterans lending our voices to the movement -- it's harder and harder to deny.
OLBERMANN: Yeah. I think it's impressive that the first thing you said was that you're protecting their rights, too. I didn't expect that answer. It was a very good answer.
Last point -- the issues that face young veterans have gotten almost no attention since the Iraq war began, certainly, and the actions in Afghanistan. Do you see an opportunity here for these specific issues -- the poor conditions at VA hospitals, the overwhelming spread of undiagnosed PTSD and all of the other problems -- you know them better than I do, you can enumerate them better than I can. Do you see an opportunity in this, for these issues to really come to the forefront?
SHEPERD: Absolutely. And, you know, it's interesting that this opportunity has arisen, because it was something that Scott was incredibly passionate about. And, you know -- just a couple of weeks prior to his injury -- he was out at Fleet Week San Francisco with us, outreaching for these very same issues.
So, we are bringing attention to the fact that we are losing 18 veterans a day to suicide. One in three female veterans -- or female military members -- will experience sexual assault while they're in the service. These are astronomical figures that -- you know, the general public would be horrified to know. But they get no attention.
OLBERMANN: And here's another venue in which they may get that. Josh Shepherd of Occupy San Francisco and today of Occupy Wall Street. Great thanks for some of your time. Obviously for your service. And give your friend, Scott, our best.
SHEPERD: Thanks so much.
