"Report" from Occupy Philadelphia...

[PCIntern]

...so I work about three blocks from the encampment and have frequently walked over there to commune a bit. People here are certainly dedicated and in it for the long run. Most Philadelphians who walk past, stop, read the signs, nod/smile a bit and keep moving. The other day part of the group marched to Penn to protest that vile Eric Cantor, coming up Walnut Street and getting a fair amount of attention from the working folk.

Yesterday, some went to bank branches and handed out leaflets in a very peaceable manner. When I went to make my bank deposit, the nice young lady behind the counter said that this whole business was "her first protest" in her lifetime, and that she was kind of indifferent to the actions taken by the protesters - that she didn't expect this methodology of protest. I've known her a while and I replied that the actions which they were taking were within the law, that they were non-violent, that the fact that she was talking to me ABOUT the protests in this fashion was testimony that they were at least moderately successful in getting into the consciousness of the working folk without negative associations AND that they were working-class people as well, albeit ones with political beliefs which moved them to participate EARLY in a movement AND that these efforts were designed specifically to promote understanding and solidarity. I talked a little about my youthful participation in the Civil Rights movement (she was African-American) and the Peace movement when I was older and much more active (and endangered). She listened attentively: all this while I was awaiting Customer Service for a problem with my account. When we finished, the thanked me and said "So I've learned something new today." I could tell that some of the other tellers were listening as well.

Now yesterday, I treated a police officer who is a long-time patient: he and his family are among my few ultra-RWers who preach the gospel according to Rush and he's assigned to the protest during daylight hours. Of course, he spoke sneeringly of the group, but did mention that there had been no trouble with anyone and almost all were respectful of the police and that (amazingly!) there were signs THANKING the police for their efforts. This seems to have made a (very small) dent in his prejudice. He said that when the folks go on a march, that the homeless raid the tents for stuff: I asked him if they shooed the interlopers out, and he said, yeah when they can. Not bad for a storm trooper, actually.

More sometime if anything happens here....

[annabanana]

1. "some of the other tellers were listening as well. "

I can't overstate how valuable this is as a technique to convey information. Sometimes, on a checkout line, I talk into my cell phone about the #occupy movement.. The eavesdroppers don't need to know there's no one on the other end.

[PCIntern]

2. Ed Zachary right...

Political movements are promulgated by subtleties...sloganeering and loudmouths are often rejected as "salesmanship"...best to be matter-of-fact.

[wakemewhenitsover]

3. K & R

ty for the evocative, detailed report.

:thumbsup: