I /h/a/s/ had a Dilemma.

[lagilman]

EtA2: If true - hah! The People, United! Also, Vocal! RT OccupyWallStNYC #OCCUPYWALLSTREET
Glory! RT @CBSNews: Cleanup of NYC park housing #OCCUPYWALLSTREET protesters postponed, deputy mayor announces #ows  (6:40AM)
------
EtA: the decision's been made, mainly by default. But thanks for the feedback, folk. I know I can support them in other ways... but I'm still not going to be there when needed tomorrow morning, and that's going to bother me for a while, I suspect.

---------------------
Bloomberg is telling everyone to evac the Square* "for cleaning" (never mind that the occupiers have already started cleaning/maintaining the area, inc. using a power washer!) and set up new rules that, if anyone's even allowed back in, after, would make the occupation impossible, if followed.

The Occupiers plan to resist, and are calling for people to stand with them. There is a large part of me that wants to join. But the stand is called for 7am tomorrow... and at 9am I'm supposed to be heading for Maryland, and Capclave. Even if i didn't assume I would be arrested, there's no way I can manage both.

I am... seriously torn. How can I say I support them if I don't show up when needed? And yet... I have committed to this weekend, I have financial obligations to it. It's my job, to be there and support the new book.


Damnit damnit damnit. And I need to decide now, if I'm going to cancel plans.

Oh LJmind, what advice have you to give?




*The park is maintained by a private corporation, yes. But as I understand it, their charter/lease requires them to make the area available to the public 24/7, same as any other public space int he city. So telling people to get out because it's 'theirs,' is against their lease with the city... they can close a building, and lock gates, but not bar an open space.

Comments

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Based on the coverage I've been hearing about this situation on NPR, I hear there are lots of protestors who go to their day jobs and then show up for the protesting after work or on the weekends. They're not sacrificing their jobs for speaking out. You've made a significant financial commitment in your planning for the convention and attendance can both directly and indirectly affect your income. I think you should keep your plans as they are and not risk them. You've been supporting the cause. You need to support yourself, too.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I think there is more than one way to be a supporter. There's no reason you can't talk about this at Capclave, let your opinions and known facts spread, and get a ripple effect.

I don't think that one weekend is going to make or break this.

And I also think you should stand by your given word, in this case the commitment to attend Capclave. Isn't that part of the point, that people are standing by their word to the best of their ability and being screwed, and nonetheless those people are continuing to stand by their word to the best of their ability?

[rkbwrites.livejournal.com]

Personally I'd say yes go for it if you're weren't going to Maryland tomorrowy.

But, you are going to Maryland, so I'd suggest no.

Besides, who sez the Occupiers won't be there next week...I foresee them keeping this up right through the New Year...

[lagilman]

The concern is that, if they clear the area, the new 'rules' will allow them to keep crowds from returning peacefully to occupy. So it's important to hold ground NOW.

[seachanges.livejournal.com]

I guess the question then becomes are they in danger of not having enough people to hold the Square? If that's the case, and what they need is more warm bodies, then forget what I said below and go to the protest.

Damn, but I wish I could be there! Were I able, I'd fly up and stand beside you in the street.

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

They will need you in the park after the weekend. Go when you can.

[lagilman]

If they succeed in clearing the park, we may not be able to get back in. Mind you, other locations would be easier to hold.....but then the Street could ignore us (out of sight = not a serious threat).

[seachanges.livejournal.com]

Supporting the protest is important, yes, but so is your ability to support yourself. And as someone else pointed out, you can also support the protest by speaking about it; raising awareness of what is happening is every bit as important as actually taking to the streets.

[lagilman]

Yeah....although I lose my temper when confronted by fiscal cluelessness in person, so I'm not sure that's a good plan..... *is rueful*

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing.

The other side is happy to be ignorant, and things could get... interesting... if you're confronted with one.

[phantomminuet.livejournal.com]

Meet your obligation for Capclave. Then, when you come back, do a water and soda run to the folks still holding the Square.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

I would go to the convention and look for other ways to support the protesters and the cause.

This issue won't be won or lost in a single weekend or in a single park. It's won in the minds and hearts of the people, over time. I am very heartened to see people--young and old and of every walk of life--standing up in protest, and writing in protest, speaking in protest, posting their pictures in protest.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

If the protest has "legs", it'll be a game of whack-a-mole. Close down the square, the Occupiers will pop up somewhere else. That's what we did in the 60s.

If Bloomberg can shut it down, it deserves to be shut down.

Go do your job. Join them next weekend, wherever they are then.

[lagilman]

the problem is that THIS is where we're up Wall Street's nose. If we move to, say, Union Square, as has been proposed, we're out of their way and they can pretend we're not happening.

[gonzai55.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...

How were you going to Maryland? If you're flying, stick with the convention. Train/bus? See if they'll let you switch to a later trip, and then go to at least some of the protest. Driving? Go to the protest and drive down later.

Leastways, that's how I'd do it, were I going the opposite direction.

[lagilman]

I'm catching a ride with someone else, so am on their timetable. And at this point, it's moot, since they're expecting me...

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, having heard about this over on The Consumerist, they're cleaning the park in 'thirds' and only requiring the people to leave each 'third' so it can be cleaned, then they'll be allowed back in again.

At least, that's the plan. Whether it actually happens that way, remains to be seen.

Me, I'll continue to support from afar, as that's what I can do best.

[lagilman]

The problem isn't the evacuation itself (although the thirds thing is new to me) but the fact that they're instituting new rules, post-cleaning, to make it unlawful to bring in a tent-like structure or sleeping bags - or even lay down to sleep. In effect, refusing them the basic rights given to homeless people on every other street!

And, in doing so, give them a way to arrest/harass anyone trying to occupy for more than a few hours.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they actually imposed the new no camping rule before the word about the cleaning came down, but after the protesters had already taken up residence.

Which will make things difficult, sure, but I firmly believe they (the protesters) will find a way to adapt and overcome. You know, the old Marine saying, Semper Gumby and all that.}:)

[lagilman]

I figure, I'm used to going without sleep during deadline hell, so am willing to hold a tarp over people who can sleep standing up....

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

And I'm willing to bet there's a good number of them who have perfected that art}:P