Occupy

I wonder if they were harrassed if they'd leave?? It's silly at this point...if they even knew what they were standing for it might be different. But if you ask 10 different people, you get 10 different responses. And they fight the big corporations while they eat their food, wear their clothes, and use their warming devices. It's all kind of OFF to me.

I understand protest for change - it has worked in the past. BUT what I don't get is these people living in tents in completely unsanitary conditions. I say protest during the day, go to a public restroom to do your business and quit costing tax dollars to clean up after you. I also think that people need to accept a little personal responsibility for the current economic climate. Big business did NOT do this all by themselves.

I am not against protest. I think they need to have a schedule and alternate people. I am concerned that some people are out there to cause trouble and make everyone look badly.

They are fools and are acting foolishly. Way before they even started "protesting" my son was reading that there were going to be some people who were going to cause chaos simply for the reason for causing chaos. There was going to be no purpose behind it except for seeing how much chaos and damage they can cause. I thought that sounded ridiculous to me but he read it from reputable sources so it made me wonder how this would work.... NOW I SEE!!

I think it's fine to protest peacefully and make a statement...but IMO...other than costing the tax payer money to clean-up after these people nothing productive has been accomplished....Let's see an agenda, plan of action and let's start the change or yep go home!

USA Today is citing "Fights are erupting among Occupy Wall Street protesters, so much so that one corner of Zuccotti Park has emerged where protesters say they won't go for fear of their safety, the New York Daily News is reporting.

Police officers also have been warned of "dangerous instruments" being concealed in cardboard tubing, the News says it has been told by unidentified police sources."

This is a reputable news source, much better than the Huffington Post...

According to the NY Daily news....those in Zuccotti Park have "....decided they need some rules all the same. And if you dare break them - you’re out.
The group has formed its own security detail to enforce a code of ethics mapped out during their general assembly meeting Monday. “If you want to be part of our group, you have to be civilized,” said Paul Isaac, 45, who is part of Occupy Wall Street’s security team. “Unfortunately, some people come to disrupt the peace.”"

The laws are supposed to protect both sides in rallies and protests. In some cases, there are blatant issues and in others...it's a he said/she said game....they need the press so they are making their claims so they can keep the press/media on them.

It saddens me that Libby was spit upon. That's not how civilized people should conduct themselves.

I could go on....

"Disagree" is O. thing, "harass" is quite another, don't you think?

As far as Libby's response, sounds like it IS a police issue, there IS harassment and the police should be doing something to make sure the protesters are allowed to continue in a peaceful manner.

Can you cite a few articles, J.?
The protests here have been very peaceful.

I am quoting blogs? Where did I cite/quote a blog in this response?
I have tried googling your subject and I can't come up wth much--actually nothing....that's why I asked you to cite something as a reference point.....

So....your original question is inaccurate...the site you sent to me was an article about homeless people getting the occupiers free, donated food & other articles....not about the protesters complaining about being harassed at all. This is such an ODD inaccurate post--you're talking about 2 different ideas completely! What's your point?

I haven't read the same articles you have, so I don't know the full extent of the "complaining." If it amounts to threats and harrassment, then I think the protesters are within reasonable bounds to ask for police protection.

The Occupy Portland movement has had to work very hard to maintain a peaceful presence, because some harrassment is extremely pushy and threatening, especially through the nighttime, and the demonstrators have actually seen anti-protesters come and dump trash, damage public property, steal possessions. Those are illegal actions no matter who is doing them.

(ADDED, after checking in with my on-site sources: They are also being overwhelmed by the homeless moving in to take advantage of whatever sanitation and food systems they set up. Since many of the homeless are also mentally ill, threatening behavior and loud arguments are becoming a fairly common occurrence. The occupiers have great tenderness toward those homeless, and yet recognize that the potential for non-peaceful reactions is rising constantly. It's a delicate balance. You moms can choose, or not, to see me as a citizen-journalist. I do trust my sources, who are from my religious community.)

If it's just a matter of the protesters insisting that police make anti-protesters stop saying the protesters should go away, then I agree with you, J.. That would be hypocritical. Please send me a link to the news stories you've been reading. I'm curious, and I'm also interested in making this important protest as peaceful and positive as possible, a genuine contribution to national dialogue.

Than cite something J.! YOu keep referring to phantom articles that no one has read or heard of.

I hadn't heard of what you're talking about so I wanted to educate myself. This is what I found.....

I saw there have been reports that in an attempt to undermine the movement, police have been telling people to "take it to Zocatti" and there have been reports that prisoners being released from Rikers have been rerouted to release in front of Zucatti. The protestors biggest security concern right now is with keeping themselves safe from security concerns from WITHIN the park, between each other and the criminal element the police have redirected there..

"In an attempt to maintain peace and institute some measure of security, park-dwelling occupiers convened on Monday to discuss safety and security concerns. Among the issues discussed: What sorts of incidents should the police be involved with? How should the security working group -- one of nearly 80 groups to have sprung up since the movement's inception -- handle violence or theft in the park? What role should the community watch working group play? Should OWS welcome anyone who wants to join them in the park, no matter how unstable his or her behavior appears?

As with other logistical issues occupiers face, from managing the communal finances to preparing for winter, reaching consensus is a critical challenge for the movement, which tries to gives every participant a voice. But safety issues also pose specific difficulties for occupiers, who want to be involved in making the community safe, but often lack any security experience.

At Monday's meeting, a member of the facilitation working group -- who had helped organize the meeting -- announced to the crowd, "We all know that safety and security concerns are growing more and more dire by the day," then laid out a proposed six-point plan to deal with individuals who pose a serious security risk.

Currently a number of working groups are already devoting themselves to safety concerns. In addition to the security group, there is a community watch that patrols the park at night, a peace council, a community alliance and a mediation team." - Lila Shapiro

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I would agree. If they are complaining about others who disagree..that is indeed hypocritical. Free speech goes both ways, if you want it for yourself you accept that others will have it too. Nothing wrong with protesting for change, but being a protester doesn't make your opinion more valuable than any others or give you extra entitlements.