From OWS - 'In Spite of Elections and "Camping Bans," Revolutionary Wave Grows' [View all]

[WillyT]

In Spite of Elections and "Camping Bans," Revolutionary Wave Grows
Posted 17 hours ago on Feb. 4, 2012, 8:41 p.m. EST
by OccupyWallSt


A look back at Occupy Oakland before it was razed.

<snip>

In a world devastated by poverty, austerity cuts, and bank foreclosures, community action like Occupy Oakland’s recent attempt to turn a derelict building into a vibrant social center for the needs of the 99% should be applauded. Instead, the agents of the 1%, in this case the Oakland police – already under investigation for excessive force – once again attacked. Using flash bang grenades, projectiles, batons, tear-gas, and other weapons, police arrested over 400, bringing total US Occupy-related arrests to over 6,300. As the Occupy Oakland Media Committee said:

“With all the problems in our city, should preventing activists from putting a vacant building to better use be their highest priority? Was it worth the hundreds of thousands of dollars they spent?”

Earlier this month, we celebrated 2011 and declared 2012 would be even bigger. One month in, we’re keeping our word, but the corporate media increasingly dismiss Occupy Wall Street as a dying movement. Covering events in Oakland (“Police use teargas on Occupy Oakland protesters”), the Guardian described OWS as “largely dormant lately.” The Washington Post stated that the Oakland protest had broken the “lull” in OWS.

But we aren’t dormant; we're escalating. The only lull has been in the media coverage of our continuing struggle to create a more just world for all. While the corporate media have shifted focus to the U.S. Republican primaries and Presidential election, government agents of the 1% continue their assault on Occupy camps - inventing new PR-friendly excuses like the "no camping" rule used to rip apart Occupy DC - to dismantle not only our rights, but our homes.

Misinformation #1: “OWS’s numbers are dwindling.”

Misinformation #2: “OWS was weakened by the eviction of our camps.”

Misinformation #3: “OWS has lost its purpose and focus.”

Misinformation #4: “The 2012 U.S. elections are eroding OWS’s relevance.”

Full piece with explanation here: http://occupywallst.org/article/election-or-not-revolutionary-wave-grows/