Is Occupy reaching critical mass?

[DFab420]

Has the OccupyWS movement that has swept the nation, nay the world, begun to reach it's critical mass of shit taking?

Reading today here and around the interwebs I am beginning to see the signs that "peaceful protest camps" may start turning into large scale forceful movements within their own cities respectively.

Here we have

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=2183628&mesg_id=2183628">Oakland PD doing their best jackboot impression

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5037871">Occupy SF basically ignoring the police now

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=2183445&mesg_id=2183445">OccupySD getting the shaft from the local government

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=2179715&mesg_id=2179715">And here we have the entire Occupy ArmedForces saying they will run protection for the protestors...

All this leads me to believe we have now begun a series of events that can no longer be controlled. With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty. Not to quote V to much but it rings true.

There is a mounting hositilty towards the Occupy groups. The only thing TBTP know is force.

remember the last part of ghandi's quote..

Then the fight you....

Are we ready for that fight? Do we have the stomach for the violent part? Thoughts??

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Any supremely ugly act on the part of TPTB will only exponentiate support and sympathy for #Occupy.

#Occupy grew to its current size without media support. Imagine what would happen if something worse than what we've seen got on the news.

And if the bad guys come up with something big to make them look bad, watch it divide the nation (but still toward the positive goal).

[lindysalsagal]

2. I went down there sunday and it was entirely calm and peaceful.

I think they're so deep into the raised consciousness, that "touble" is unlikely. The vibe was not confrontational in the least.

These people mean it and they know that is has to remain totally peaceful.

I think they'll be fine, having been down there myself.

[H2O Man]

3. naw

[JuniperLea]

4. Not yet...

And NO VIOLENCE! Ever! There is no need!

[Fumesucker]

5. Violence is what would delegitimize OWS faster than anything..

I'm sure you were just being sarcastic...

[Imajika]

6. What matters is if they move public opinion and effect elections...

If these occupy protests don't drive or at least shape public opinion, they won't have accomplished much other than allowing folks to blow off steam.

If people actually vote differently (more progressive) because of them - even by 1% point in elections, then they will have been a success.

[tama]

7. No violence please

The soviet block collapsed without or with very little violence (yes, I'm aware of the various counter examples, but none the less). If given choice, that's what I prefer for the collapse of the "other leg".

In Albany, "Under pressure to make arrests, police and troopers push back"

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Under-pressure-to-make-arrests-police-and-2232934.php#ixzz1bqOVIzeW

[Warpy]

8. Probably, it's why local governments seem to be acting together

to shut them down this week all over the country.

I guess the goons didn't work.

OWS has already succeeded in getting a lot of people to start thinking about some very uncomfortable truths and start questioning people what can be done about them.

Anything else at this point is pure gravy.

[Selatius]

9. It won't reach critical mass until the Great Recession becomes the Second Great Depression.

This is just the beginning of the game if depression is where we're heading. A lot more people will wake up when they've lost their jobs and their homes to the banks.

[Odin2005]

10. OWS is mishroom. Squash us in one place and we pop up somewhere else.

[jimlup]

11. You are correct to attempt to think this through and I honestly don't know...

I like the mushroom proposal but I would also say it is imperative for us to disavow violence of any form. That is the only way we can ultimately win. That way when they try to pin it on us it can't stick.

[quaker bill]

12. And the Ghandian example

is "and then they fight you" ... but you don't fight back... and then you win.

[KharmaTrain]

13. The Fad...Yes...The Substance...TBD

As one who vivdly recalls the marches and protest of the 60s and 70s I saw the anti-war movement morph into action in many forms including the ecological movement, women and LGBT rights and racial equality. Unfortunately I also saw the movement become a fad...cool to say you sympathize but when the lights turned off they wilted away. The sad result was the malaise (not the DUer of course) that led to the "Raygun revolution" of the 80s. Many who tuned out of the system rather than staying involved that led to 30 years of national decline.

I'm hopeful for the Occupy movement but on a smaller scale. I hope there are some groups that will work toward political action and real results. Symbolism only goes so far...

[tcaudilllg]

14. Buy bulletproof vests.

No one requires sacrifice.

What is really needed at this point are strong attitudes at local and state party meetings. When the mayors finds they aren't welcome at the monthly gatherings, they will shift their attitudes in a hurry. Also, it's at the party meetings that you make a name for yourself (AFTER making a name for yourself in the community). It's time to get the local NON-BUSINESS AFFILIATED LEADERS -- the Liz Warrens of America -- on the front pages. Swap out career pols for community organizers town by town. Use an occupation to draw out the beast, and then forcefully decry them at the party meetings and divide the party. Let the community people heal the breach and grow strong.

[Remember Me]

15. Mounting hostility toward the Occupy groups?

By whom? TPTB?? Yes, but not so much mounting. The hostility was always there and WILL always be there: a steady foundation of hatred for ANYone who bucks the system and dares challenge their hegemony.

Here's the way it works: the "fight" part need not be violent. But if it is, it damned well better be TPTB that are responsible for that violence, and the Occupy groups understand that.

NO VIOLENCE on the part of the Occupy groups. Period. They (we) can only win with non-violence. Again, the Occupy Groups understand that.

Will violence be done against them? Invariably -- unless they (we) give up and go away. But each and every instance of violence (if it becomes known, and most of it will), will dig a bigger hole for TPTB. That is the WAY we win, in fact: their over-reaction and our non-violence = public support and even outrage.

We already have public support; they know that and they also know that IF they can make us seem less credible, or "violent," we will lose public support. But there are too many videophones these days, too many Twitter accounts, too many of us here at DU, too many supp-orters everywhere for that to work. It's OVER for them, though it may take a while for that to fully unwind.

Why?

THE PEOPLE ARE TOO BIG TO FAIL.

So, to answer your question: the people who DO have the stomach (or the poor timing or luck) for being on the receiving end of the violence will be there; the others don't have to be but can support in innumerable other ways.

Here -- watch this with Chris Hedges; it's phenomenal: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x626281