Help Protect Local Occupy Groups From Government Attack
By
on
We all have seen the sad spectacles of police — under orders from political leaders — using cruel and unnecessary violence to evict and punish local Occupy groups, along with the courageous nonviolence some of these Occupiers have shown.
Indeed, the bowing of heads while suffering direct pepper spray were as inspiring as any scenes from Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement in India. And, we all have wondered — What can we do?
Well, the good people of Boston have shown us one thing we can do. Read this beautiful story from our friend Ben Manski about how they stood in solidarity with the Occupiers to prevent an anticipated police raid to break up their camp.
And then, please consider joining me in signing the First Amendment Pledge with others: http://firstamendmentpledge.org/
Dear friends,
The word was that at midnight last night, the Boston Police were going to move in and shut down the free assembly gathered in Dewey Square, also known as Occupy Boston. That didn’t happen.
Instead, thousands of Bostonians put on their warmest winter clothes, and headed to Boston’s financial district. They stayed there into the wee hours. Jill Stein, and many of her supporters, were among them. Read to the end to see her short report from the scene.
Americans are defending our free assembly rights the best way we know how: by using them. In Wisconsin, where Governor Walker is attempting to close the State Capitol — Fighting Bob La Follette’s “Temple of Democracy” — to public protests, the protests have stepped up.
And over 1,000 have already signed, in just the first day, the First Amendment Pledge of Non-Cooperation with Police Repression. If you haven’t signed that yet, please do so now. And then, please, forward that website on to everyone you know. The First Amendment Pledge website is here: http://firstamendmentpledge.org/
Ben Manski
Following is the report Dr. Stein sent early this morning:
“I’m just back from Occupy Boston. By 11 pm last night, Occupy Boston was overflowing into Atlantic Avenue, dancing to the drums, singing with the dixieland band, Veterans for Peace flags waving. A real celebration as democracy triumphed over police state repression.
The crowd was still surging in size as I departed at 1 am. Police were keeping a low, unthreatening profile. For the time being at least, the strength of the crowd warded off any police attack on the encampment. It was very uplifting to see people taking the defense of our imperiled freedoms so seriously.
A special thanks to the liberators of Dewey Square for courageously defending our right to a just economy, and our freedom to assemble and speak out for economic justice. Tonight showed just how powerful we the people are when we stand up for what we deserve. Here’s hoping for a lot more of that to come.”
~ Dr. Jill Stein
