This morning I woke up at dawn and looked out my window at the empty Zuccotti Park. Behind it was a stream of about 500 protesters and at least the same number of police officers in riot gear.
STORY: BATTLE NEW YORK! Police Empty Zuccotti Park Of Occupy Wall Street Protesters!
By the time morning had fully broken there were thousands of people gathering in the street. My first thought was a prayer for all the protesters, police (and myself) that there would be no violence on this day of protest.
STORY: Occupy Conspiracy! Mayor Admits Cities Coordinated Raids On OWS Protesters
This day is the first large scale response to those, like the Daily News, who threatened the movement to “Put up or Show up,” claiming that if they didn’t organize a big action immediately, the revolution would be assumed dead.
STORY: VERDICT! Occupy Wall Street Protesters Get Raw Deal From Courts!
Soon I heard the chants of “Who’s Street? Our Street!!” rising through my window. It reminded me of “Who’s House? Run’s House” and I got inspired.
STORY: SHOWDOWN ON WALL STREET! OWS Protesters March To NY Stock Exchange
Then, like I have done almost every day since the first day of their occupation, I went downstairs and joined them because this revolution is not only alive and well, it has only just begun.
I didn’t join the crowd to answer anyone’s threat or to prove a point. It actually seemed silly to me that the Occupiers were being challenged to retaliate in reaction to the recent raid on their home – as if something like that could kill what this movement has become. I was there simply to support a movement that I believe in.
My friends Fisher Stevens and Rebecca Chaiklin are documenting the Occupiers and were there with me capturing the march comprised of the most dedicated, pro-active, passionate, socially conscious activists I have ever seen.
Their community was destroyed, belongings trashed and their safety threatened by an influx of drug addicts, ex-cons and mentally ill individuals who came for the free food and clothing available in their tent city (who they compassionately provided for as best as they could). And some were even brutalized by the NYPD.
Yet, their love for this country and their conviction to stay in the fight for all that have been hurt by the current regime remains undeterred.
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I have no doubt the Occupy Movement will continue to grow as we protest not Wall Street itself, but the control of our government by Wall Street.
As of early this afternoon there were about 100 arrests I am hearing about, and as it goes on through the day into the night I pray that there won’t be a bloodbath to read about tomorrow in the news (or more likely on Twitter since the news isn’t reporting on this as they should be – shame on them).
Zuccotti may never again be the nucleus of this movement, but this occupation doesn’t need Zuccotti Park because its reach is global. They have planted the seed of change in this country and around the world.
They have occupied the media more every day and the minds of people far and wide bringing light to the issues that affect us all.
I saw first hand how powerful their reach was when I visited with Occupy Boston two days ago to read a constitutional amendment that the occupiers inspired.
It was presented to me by a high ranking Congressman who must remain anonymous for now. The amendment would require that elections for President and members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate be publicly financed.
Seeing this amendment be a part of our Constitution is a personal focus for me.
Every Occupier and protester has their own focus but they are all inter-connected. We all want a fair democracy back. We want this for our children and the time has come to demand it.
In order to get it, we will take to the streets and occupy. And when our occupations are destroyed we will re-occupy, because you can’t evict an idea…or a dream.
Despite the violence, today was a good day. I am blessed to say I was a part of it.
