It has been said to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.  In the process, it is advisable to keep an eye out for pickpockets.

   From the earliest days of occupation we have all been wary of someone trying to usurp the movement.  After all, contrary to the mega-media opinion, we are actually a pretty intelligent, diverse group of people.  Collectively, we’ve seen it all and we understand how takeovers happen. 

   We saw it happen in the early days of 2009, when the Koch brothers bought themselves a three ringed circus and used it, with the full backing of Fox News, to redirect the national agenda to the bidding of the 1%.  Yeah, we’re not stupid.

   We’ve seen how both political parties played us against each other, while they were off grinning in the corners, as the lobbyists and CEO’s stuffed their pockets.  Yeah, we’re not blind either.

   Everyone’s tried to get a piece of us.  There’s this one couple back east who are even trying to trademark “We Are The 99%”!!!  To commercialize our movement!  An easy rule of thumb is that if they’re collecting money in the name of “Occupy,” they probably have nothing to do with us. 

   When any group comes around wanting to be seen with the occupation, particularly ones with political agendas, you can expect some instant push back.  Within our own ranks we do not even want leaders.  Command behavior is usually met with suspicion.  Respect is something that is gained and earned here.

   The movement is solely non-partisan, that should have already been made clear.  We’re not up for anyone telling us which way to vote, or using us to tell others.  Agendas are to be strictly left at home.

   Ready-made solutions don’t interest us.  It is better to take our time and find the answers for ourselves.  And that is done by following the process.  The process, which allows everyone to be heard on the issues and work towards consensus, is the only leader here.

   What those who are still trapped in the system don’t understand – why they can’t hear our demands – is that we are not asking for anything.  That would imply a power greater than the people.  Instead, we are changing the system and turning it on its head.  The usual methods of control and oppression are no longer going to work.

   Every time the police come out to bash our heads and break our camps our numbers are going to grow.  Until the point that their moral authority will have crumbled to bits and the whole world – 7 billion people strong will be standing together in the streets, using the People’s Mic in General Assembly.

   Don’t get us wrong, we’re happy for you to join us.  After all, you’re part of the 99% too.

Mark Lipman