News Coverage #Ophx #N17
Occupy Phoenix had some hits and some misses today. Our attempt at Occupying the Light Rail wasn’t well received by the media, our Flash Mob went undocumented, and our Teach-in’s at the Plaza in the evening weren’t even on the radar. However, there was a MoveOn and Union backed Occupy Event off of 15th Ave and Indian School that was praised in the media! They said it was so well organized and it featured more ‘camera friendly’ Phoenicians.
THANKFULLY, some familiar faces from Cesar Chavez Plaza were there to spread the word about our Free Speech Friday! The Fox 10 news anchor even did us a solid and advertised OUR Occupy Event at the other Event, thinking that we are one in the same. It’s pretty clear that ALL of Phoenix has a common goal, despite our lack of a major progressive presence.
And that’s the thing… aren’t we one in the same? Don’t those people believe in the same things we do? Do we have to ‘convert’ them and force them to be FULL TIME Occupants of the Plaza, or should we embrace the other organizations that are here in the Valley and work side by side with them?
We’ve heard a lot of fear rumors about others hijacking OPHX. Well, I hate to say it… just like you can’t arrest an idea, you can’t hijack it either. We need to find ways to open up to others without competition. People are craving action! They want direction! Can we do this while maintaining our own voice? Can we do this and work with others within our unique leaderless movement?
We already know that the Media is going to come see what all of this Free Speech Friday stuff is all about. We need to be out in droves! Have our signs! Have our friends! Have our families! Everyone who is breathing needs to be at the Plaza for the March at 4PM followed by a Rally of *hopefully* epic proportions! Spread this all over. Leave flyers at work. Put them on cars. Plaster them all over campus! Occupy will NOT disappear just because they want us to!
*EDIT from OCCUPYVIDEO. Here is the news story referenced above:
23 Comments on “News Coverage #Ophx #N17”
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November 30, 2011 at 8:26 pm.
Dear Tips — many thanks for your gracious reply to my msg re location of OWS/Phx. I had in mind a park like the one with the “floating flower” (I don’t know its name) between Central Ave. and 1st Ave, across from the YMCA on 1st and the ASU bldg. at 411 North Central. It’s quite open and visible from light rail riders, cars, and foot traffic from both of those 2 main thoroughfares going in 2 different directions. I have been to the OWS/Phx site (by car, and finding a parking place was a real production), as well as to Zuccotti Park in NYC by subway. It’s perfectly situated on a block bounded on all 4 sides by busy foot, car, bus and NYC tour vehicles. The Occupiers are not required to gather in a tight knot with their signs on the sidewalk to wave and shout at cars to get their attention on a one-way street heading OUT of downtown. That is the difference I thought was significant. I realize of course there’s only one NYC, but that park I mentioned above on Central Ave would be a primo location for OWS-Phoenix!
November 27, 2011 at 10:05 pm.
You can come out in droves and have your signs, however as long as you try to work within a broken government absolutely nothing will be done. This is the reason people are screaming about having an agenda, and the agenda should be to re-structure the current government:
Revised Term Limits for Politicians – no more than two 2 year terms.
A Cut in all Politicians’ Pay, Social Security and Healthcare, All politicians’ salaries, Social Security benefits and healthcare costs shall not exceed the current middle-class medium of their respective states. This is the only way they will fight for the middle class.
A Restriction on Outsourcing American Jobs, no American business will be allowed to outsource more than 20% of its workforce.
Criminal Charges for Anti-American Businesses and Bribed Politicians. Any business that interferes or attempts to push its own agenda through our political system will be considered anti-American and treated as a criminal enterprise.
An Immediate Removal of Current Representatives and Moratorium on Congressional Actions. Did you know at this point in our history it is impossible to remove a member of Congress? This needs to change.
As evidenced by the steady decline of our country and rampant corruption of our current political system, our present government has shown it is no longer for, but against, the people. It is neither willing nor capable of reforming itself. We the 99% must have the agenda to reform the government.
JAmerica – CivilianAuthority.org
@civauth
November 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm.
You need an agenda? Read on, from the New York Times . . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/opinion/sunday/kristof-occupy-the-agenda.html?_r=1
November 20, 2011 at 10:50 am.
I find all the revolutionary but also Im affraid that the main point of the message is being loss due to un organization. Which is the main reason why the media will not cover it. PEOPLE YOU NEED TO HAVE A AGENDA . Make your demands known and stop idleling blindly with no real direction. I understand your opinions and frustrations but without proper structure this whole message and movement will be lost due to a misunderstanding . So get organized come up with solutions or you might as well put up a white flag because idle chaos and a movement without structure will fail. Thankyou ,
Goodbye
sincerly your friend anonymous
November 19, 2011 at 1:13 am.
I am astonished to learn that OWS has not joined with Move On and the Unions. In NYC OWS is one big cauldron of every ‘ism’ or idea you’ve ever heard of, and more. OWS is not an organization, it is a Movement! That’s why the media are having such a hard time pinning it down and putting it in its little slot. That’s not going to happen. It’s also unfortunate that Occupy Phoenix has been relegated to its present location in a remote spot away from light rail and ASU students, but what’s done is done. UNITED WE STAND!
November 18, 2011 at 11:05 pm.
Claire, I am sorry you were not aware. Caesar Chavez Plaza is right in downtown next to 2 lightrail stops. It is literally 1/2 a block from the light rail that comes from ASU to us
Please feel free to hop on the lightrail and join us. You can find Light Rail Routes at the bottom of this page under WHERE WE ARE. I hope this helps 
Please feel free to join us any day, someone is there 24/7 that can talk/answer questions or just occupy in solidarity with you and others 
November 21, 2011 at 4:38 am.
ASU’s State Press did cover both the light rail demonstration and the flash mob. The story can be found here. http://www.statepress.com/2011/11/17/group-of-occupy-protesters-take-to-the-rails/
November 18, 2011 at 2:11 pm.
Julia thanks for your continued Coverage of Occupy. I really enjoyed doing the flash mob and am hoping we can do more soon.
November 18, 2011 at 8:06 pm.
Did you happen to get any video or even photos of the flash mob? I didn’t get to participate and I LOVE flash mobs
would love to see.
November 21, 2011 at 4:39 am.
I think that’s the point, Living Being, and I agree. Luckily, we’re doing much better job of working together on these issues and erasing any schisms that might have developed, starting this week with these events! See you all at the rally tonight.
November 18, 2011 at 12:26 pm.
I may be under the false impression that we’re not about exclusion. Whether or not the organization “Move-on” is co-opted, the group itself is comprised of living human beings. And those living human beings are out there on 15th Avenue with the same chants and signs that we use. Who is perpetuating this schism, and how does it work to anyone’s benefit?
November 18, 2011 at 8:04 am.