OccupyAustin: some major infighting and problems

[Dragonbreathp9d]

The rumor mill has been terrible since the start, but things came to a head recently- as soon as I learn any FACTS I will let you know- but honestly- this could be the end of OA.

But I myself and several others have already committed ourselves to working on nation stuff as well as helping other Texas occupations if this is the case- we that are working hard with some of the most brilliant and passionate people that I have ever had the privilege of working with will not let petty bullshit stand in our way of changing the work for the better

[Dover]

1. So sorry to hear that. Maybe it's about concerns of perception? Here's what I heard last

TIN, TX (KVUE) - It's the Occupy scene some have grown accustomed to. Friday afternoon, Austin police made another arrest. This time, a man failing to obey a criminal trespass ban from City Hall.

"It's tough for people to come out and get the sense of things when all you see is that," said Occupy organizer Dave Cortez.

It's a perception Cortez and others are trying to change. The day after Thanksgiving, a Family Fun Black Friday event replaced the protests on City Hall plaza. Local band Unsocialized played to a crowd of a few dozen. Other kids played in a cardboard castle.

//

Starting saturday, Occupy Austin will expand a few blocks north to the Texas Capitol. The new location also brings new rules. Occupiers will only be allowed to sleep two hours at a time. Tents will not be allowed. ..cont'd

http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/Occupy-Austin-expands-to-Bee-Cave-Capitol-134517953.html

[TBF]

2. While the Occupy movement has been brilliant for raising consciousness,

of course these kinds of problems are going to happen with no organization. Several communists have commented from time to time on this board - they point to groups like KKE in Greece who are organized and effective.

We have a real challenge in this country since the hard left was wiped out in the 50s ... my mom will tell you the protests she witnessed in the 60s were not so different from today's OWS. Folks hung out and police got violent (Kent State). Then it shut down (just as we are hearing rumblings of now). Same old, same old. To get past this is going to take more serious resisting/planning. Calling for "jobs" and an end to economic inequality is not enough, they will pepper spray us if we get in their way, and ignore us otherwise. We are going to need to forge bonds with unions, and perhaps some of the more militant groups (aka Black Panthers) in order to organize on a wider scale and hold some regional strikes.

Props to Oakland for making their way and doing some of this - but that is a working class area and just one city. They had more of an idea of what they're doing there and what they are up against.

[Earth_First]

3. Are they legitimate problems that need to be addressed?

Or is the infighting over petty, inconsequential items?

Is it possible that an outside force is attempting to divide you?
Has this possibility been addressed?

[2pooped2pop]

4. caution

I don't know what you might add later and I want to hear the updates, but please remember this site is monitored. Don't put info on here that could be used against us. I'm not saying you have or you will. Just remember "they" are watching.

and I am very sorry to hear that your camp is having problems. There will always be disagreements whenever more than one person is involved. Hopefully a way will be found that works. Perhaps it is just time for the camp to move into a new phase. Good luck.

and remember "occupy" is on everyone's lips these days. Your camp has already achieved it's goals. Anything else is gravy. So don't despair if camp is dissolved. You got the right idea to keep moving with other camps and other activities.

:fistbump: