Words From Liberty Square - Chris "Preach" Smith

(photo courtesy of Mista Stress)

I had a chance to head down to Liberty Square, home of Zuccotti Park
and the birthplace of the Occupy Wall Street movement this past Tuesday.
I went to garner interviews for Earthtribe TV and to fully ingest what was
taking place down there 38 days later. I had been by there in the second
week and was thrilled with the energy of the protests, but I still had some
concerns. I intended to make this a straightforward account of what I had
seen this last visit, but I saw some things that both gave me some hope
and also gave me reason to cast a sideways eye. I chalk it up to being
there on the scene when the bulk of the crowd had gone to march on a
meeting convened by Mayor Bloomberg. The best way for me to speak on
what I witnessed is like this:



To the young man, Jalen from Orlando who I spoke with...I'm glad you're
direct and clear about what you feel the goals of OWS are, and are more
than willing to help other newcomers get organized. I also think that you
represent the majority of folks down there, honest people who are sick and
tired of what's been going on.


I'm glad I saw more people of color involved in OWS...but I wish the folks
I approached were willing to share their views on camera openly. I did get
a chance to speak to the OWS General Assembly so I'm sure there will be
more to come on this topic. It was interesting to see older Black women
selling support pins. And I spotted the Puerto Rican flag in the middle of
the encampment, but no red, black and green. I still think a lot more can
be done in this regard as far as outreach, but they definitely are trying.


To this dude in the haz-mat suit...you are a reason why people cast bad
eyes on this struggle. I saw this dude run up on an NYPD officer and yell
at her for a couple of minutes. There's a reason why they call it CIVIL
disobedience. The whole of Zuccotti Park was surrounded by the NYPD,
complete with their 'eye in the sky' command tower I've only seen out
on 125th Street, and other hot spots in the city. We all know what went
down in Oakland. There's protest, and then there's direct provocation.
They don't need an excuse to hurt you in the name of protection and
service. Ask Occupy Boston. Ask Occupy Oakland and Occupy Denver.
Hell, ask Scott Olsen. Rubber bullets kill just as well. And the city would
LOVE for an incident to occur to clear you guys out. You're going to get
people hurt because you want to satisfy your ego instead of speaking
as part of the people. Take it down a few notches.

To the random people just walking around with 'DONATE' signs and asking
for money for bus fare on the fringes...find somewhere else to hustle.
You're like the gypsies.

To the people in the tent city...I understand how you feel. You're out here
to fight for people's rights, not to be viewed as animals in a zoo. Who knows
how many people out there were taking photos as souvenirs? "Hey, look at
the dirty hippie protesters!!!" Hanging up that sign saying 'We don't mind you
taking photos, but please consider donating to the General Assembly' was
a stroke of genius.

To the sewing station, the food distribution department, the library and most
importantly, the medical tent...you're doing amazing work. It was cool seeing
how you all operated. And most importantly, you did it with spirit and helped
everyone who asked.

To the overt druggies...you may think you're the movement. You may think
that you're sticking it to the system. But you're not. All you're doing is giving
the NYPD more reason to sweep you guys out of there. You're giving predators
more reason to attack you, just like what happened last Saturday with those
three coke pushers. You're making more work for the medics. And you give the
critics that much more ammunition. If you are addicted, get help there. The
staff's willing. Or keep it out of the park if you must indulge. (Personally I wish
you wouldn't at all.)

To the 'Layoff Santa'...you get props. Next time I'm down there we will speak,
seeing as how you were fielding five different interviews.



Overall, I walked away from Occupy Wall Street with a good deal of hope.
Because I know very well that this is the beginning. What OWS has done
is provide a spark for discussion, real discussion without disrespect or some
derision. I'm not overly romantic about OWS; it's the beginning of a long,
hard road. I would like to see them a bit more organized, and I do wish that
some of that energy could be used towards creating a true and stable third
party to contend with the Republicans and Democrats. I don't want OWS to
be seen as a party, or something one does just to gain some cred on Twitter
or Facebook. I've already seen a few groups use it to promote their movie,
or push a book. I don't want the Occupy movement to be seen as just another
way for some two-bit panderers to get laid. I think the hope I feel is that
Occupy Wall Street, for all of its flaws and shining facets, is a diamond-like
moment of possibility. Liberty Square and all that's taking place is just as the
name implies. It's the liberty to make your voices heard, and to make other
people realize they have that same power. Let's hope that OWS never totally
strays from that.