Why Flag-Burning Bodes Ill for OWS

[nobodyspecial]

20. Do NOT dishonor the work of King by comparing

this OWS action to it.

He -- and made sure his followers -- did not provoke law enforcement by getting in their faces and taunt them. They silently held their places, were respectful, courageous and dignified. They did not throw things at police. They did not vandalize. They did not fight back. They did not steal.

I did watch the videos from Oakland and there is no comparison. And as much as people here disagree, this is what will be the downfall of OWS. It's not that people don't want to be on your side. OWS makes it hard for people to be on their side. Believe it or not, most people value safety and security and law and order. Those scenes scare the hell out of them -- and they aren't scared of the police. Argue theories and philosophies all you want, but people make decisions with their gut.

King succeeded because he ensured actions -- at least on his sides' parts -- were peaceful and nonviolent. When cops did move in with clubs and hoses and dogs on peaceful crowds, it was obvious who was being victimized. Those photos and coverage is what solidified support. When you see people dressed in homemade riot gear taunting cops or people with masks burning flags, it is no longer clear who is innocent.

I think OWS would gain a lot more support if they DID follow the playbook created by King.

And a movement gains strength by meeting people where they are and bringing them forward, not by insulting them or assuming they just don't get it. Many of us get it. That does not mean we have to support violence and vandalism.