In case you were wondering whats going on across from Gladding Hall in Monroe Park, there’s an anarchist action taking place called “Occupy Monroe Park”.
From Facebook event page:
In a time of mass layoffs, increasing criminalization of homelessness and immigrants, gentrification, rising tuition costs, union busting, foreclosures, legislative attacks on the reproductive autonomy of women, rampant homo- and trans- phobia, an ever increasing gap between the rich and the poor, a still-prevelant system of institutional racism, and constant police surveillance and repression, there is only one option for those who seek to maintain their dignity and their hope…… RESIST!
The capitalist system will crush us all unless we refuse to be crushed. Take back the world that is being stolen from you!
Bring camping gear and your aspirations for a better world. The occupation starts NOW.
Is that Michael Jackson in the picture?!
Well the communist/socialist folks, under the guise of anarchy (which sounds way cooler right?), are certainly trying to take advantage of our tough economic climate. Way to roll a bunch of unrelated issues into one stand against evil Capitalism. I have to wonder if I was ever this misguided when I was college aged?
Foolishness!
Looks like it could be fun to me. They have good weather until late tomorrow night.
Although I am not strictly anti-capitalist, I think there are plenty of things to gather and protest these days- stuff that is not getting reported by the mainstream, corporate media. Now how effective these protests are is another question.
From Liberty Underground News:
“President Obama’s Republican defense chief Robert Gates was quoted in al Jazeera this morning (Sunday?) saying both the US and Afghan governments agree on the US military involvement in Afghanistan after the planned 2014 “end of combat operations.
This appears to be another scam like the one in Iraq, where we still have over a hundred thousand troops and contractors after the “end of combat operations.”
They must think most citizens have forgot Obama’s promise that the troops would be withdrawn in 2011. Later this year we expect a small number of troops to be withdrawn in an elaborate scam to make it appear this promise is made good. It is a scam because Obama has had several troop “surges,” so any meaningful “withdrawal” would at least bring the troop strength below what it was when he moved into the White House.If you increase troops and then withdraw part of that increase, it’s still an increase.
The other major Afghan scam over the past 24 hours is President Karzai’s refusal of General Petraeus’ apology for the deaths of Afghan children last week. This was intended for local Afghanistan consumption, because Karzai is seen as a US puppet by his people, taking power while the nation was occupied by invading foreigners who still occupy the country. Behind the scenes Karzai is begging Petraeus to stay in Afghanistan, knowing the Taliban would slit his throat if the US troops left.
Protesters in Kabul yesterday made their positions clear with signs reading “Death to America–Death to the Invaders,” and “Death to the Government of Hamid Karzai.”
Just received a press release on this. I have redacted the contact info on it due to previous requests.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 8, 2011
EVENT DATE: Monday, March 7, 2011
MPO
The Monroe Park Occupation Corner of Main & Laurel
Local Group to Occupy Monroe Park until Demands Met
Richmond, VA—On Monday, March 7, starting at 4 p.m., a group of local residents began occupying Monroe Park in the hopes of sending a message to the local government and to finally put an end to the maltreatment of Richmond’s homeless population.
Their Facebook event page, created just an hour before the occupation began, states, “In a time of mass layoffs, increasing criminalization of homelessness and immigrants, gentrification, rising tuition costs, union busting, foreclosures, legislative attacks on the reproductive autonomy of women, rampant homo- and trans- phobia, an ever increasing gap between the rich and the poor, a still-prevalent system of institutional racism, and constant police surveillance and repression, there is only one option for those who seek to maintain their dignity and their hope- RESIST! Bring camping gear and your aspirations for a better world. The occupation starts now.”
As of last night, 25 people from all walks of life camped out on the cold, hard ground inside the eight acres of the 160 year-old park, experiencing first-hand what it was like to be homeless. According to one of the organizers, the occupation will continue until all of the group’s demands have been met. Among their demands, the group hopes to stop the city from closing down and destroying homeless camps.
To help support the group, people are encouraged to join in with the camp-out or to bring food and drinks to the park.
DATE & TIME: Monday, March 7 • 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Monroe Park
620 W. Main Street Richmond, VA 23220
###
Yeah, personally, I disagree with this ‘demands’ stuff and find it counterproductive.
IMHO, while the neighborhood has been very tolerant of the homeless and certainly not all homeless camps are problems, I know neighbors who have had serious issues with some camps and squatters, including one on the river that hosted an armed robber that invaded a resident’s home.
They could have left it open as simply a protest against the foreign wars, Wall Street greed, and homeless issues and received a lot more public support without making ridiculous demands. But, like I said before, I question just how effective public protests like this are these days anyway. This is not Egypt or Madison.
Some of the demands are pretty tongue and cheek, I don’t think they are expecting everything they say to be taken seriously. I do appreciate the light-hearted attitude.
Yeah, ok, along those lines I will cheer them on.
Stomp Stomp Dave suggested bringing some pie for Occu-pie Monroe Park.
Scott, Aunt Bee is telling me that Andy is boycotting the peas in his Tuesday dinner and that Howard has been helping Opie with his maths. Oh yeah, more importantly I saw an ambulance on Laurel St. today, North Laurel, but please tell me that counts. More personally, I like your “gather and protest” idea and your other blowholeisms in dese here comments. First we gather and then we protest! Crazy Baldhead, out of of our yown!
Not everyone can be Otis.
Barney Fife: If there’s anything that upsets me, it’s having people say I’m sensitive.
I was under the impression that the park closes at dusk. The police should come and toss them out on their asses.
Scott, while you bring up some good points to protest, this group is clearly grandstanding for additional media coverage and seems to be protesting Richmond government. While there are quite a few loons on council and in the mayor’s office, this kind of protest will not be effective. The only really effective protest would be to vote these kooks out. Oh, never mind these protesters probably don’t vote and probably have never registered to do so.
Pingback: MoveOn.org Protest In Monroe Park On Tuesday ‹ Oregon Hill
Well looks like the squatters are just early for best friends day. More crappy Graf art and stinky sidewalks to follow. I feel bad for the dogs of Squatters, so I’ll be on the lawn of the Robert E. Lee statue protesting the release of all dogs being forced to live with dirty squatters that have ipod and Assuck patches on their buttflaps.
Pingback: Occupy Monroe Park group ‘Busted’ ‹ Oregon Hill