Occupy Knoxville.

[white_wolf]

I just got back from Occupy Knoxville and I thought I'd share my thoughts. I was very impressed by the turnout. We had over 400 people which is good for such a conservative area. The diversity was great as well we had people their teens to their 70s it looked like. One of the most inspiring parts for me was when a 15 year old high school sophomore got up and spoke. It was inspiring to see someone that young take in interest in these important issues.

As for the political views they ranged from liberal to full blown socialist. Some people were carrying signs calling for the end of capitalism and members of the Socialist Worker where there handing out their newspaper.

If you any questions about it, just ask me.

[Lucinda]

1. Very cool.

I hadn't heard about the event locally, but I've been in bed most of the week with a cold. I just get up, wander online for a bit and crawl back under the covers...I'm glad there was a good turnout.

[white_wolf]

2. If you're feeling any better there is a general assembly tomorrow at one in Market Square.

[Lucinda]

3. Thank you for the info! I'm probably out for tomorrow, I still have

a horrible sore throat and fever, but I will pass the info along to other friends in Gatlinburg. :hi:
I'll have to start watching local press online to keep updated.

[patrice]

5. Commit to the process. Be precise about how it works. It's difficult, but work hard at it, BECAUSE

it produces results that are the will of the working groups.

More people are learning to listen to one another and be respectful and honest.

[patrice]

4. The young people I spoke to want their own economy, not the Fed's but they are aware that we should

not hurt China.

They are way more aware of everything than many adults.

[white_wolf]

6. I know. It was very inspiring a kid about 14 or 15 was marching with us.

I was impressed. Much more mature and aware than I was at his age. The sophomore that got up to speak was much braver than me at his age, I could never have spoken in front of a crowd of 400+ people when I was 15. I love his reasons for being there: "I don't have a story of how the government screwed me over, I'm here because I don't want one." I should point out when anyone used government in this context we meant our corrupted corporate government, not government in general.

[patrice]

7. OKC, I'm pretty sure, is going to demand abatement of their school lones in this JOBLESS

economy.

And they are very very interested it appears in making it their own local work-cooperatives that determine the value of things themselves, because they own it productively together and direct it themselves.

[white_wolf]

8. That is something we should all demand.

I bring it up at the assembly tomorrow.

[patrice]

12. The non-violent old-timers out of Civil Rights and Peace are around them and they

are soberly admitting that no demand is worthwhile without being to do Civil Disobedience for it.

They WANT their OWN economy.

[Remember Me]

9. wow. I'm impressed.

Really. That's great. Do ya'll have plans for continuing? Was it just this one day, or -- ??

[white_wolf]

11. Well some people camped out and their is a General Assembly tomorrow at 1.

We are planning on this being a sustained movement, having marches and rallies as much as possible. We've already decided we can't just do this once and go home.

[WillyT]

10. K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

:hi:

:kick:

[patrice]

13. We're also helping the homeless and drifters. There was a fight about it, but the ones who are

right won, because they really do understand what's happening to us.

[Fire Walk With Me]

14. K&R!

[white_wolf]

15. I just saw this on the Facebook group so it is unconfirmed as of now, but

according to the group's page a local news outlet claims 1,200 were out tonight.

[socialist_n_TN]

16. Congrats wolf to you and my fellow Tennesseans

Get some flyers to pass out. :)

[white_wolf]

17. I'm about to head off to the G.A.

I'll be back with more updates. Thanks for the support.

[coalition_unwilling]

18. Wife and I are heading back to Occupy Los Angeles this afternoon. Between

3-400 people are camping on the lawn of City Hall as I write.

I will post more upon my return.

[white_wolf]

19. Oh, and I left out one tidbit from last night that I found amusing.

As we were marching through Market Square there was some guy reading Atlas Shrugged and trying his best to act like we weren't there.

[L. Coyote]

20. REC! Please cross-post major Occupy threads here:

***** OFFICIAL Occupy America BLOG
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2066540

[white_wolf]

21. Oh and I have to bump this for one reason.

We got mentioned on Democracy Now!

[graywarrior]

22. Awesome!

[L. Coyote]

23. KICK

:kick: