Love Check!

Submitted by Bradley Maxwell on

"Photo courtesy of Kyle McQueen"

Mic check!  Good, I hope I have your attention.  Last week, as we all know, everything changed due to the raid by the LAPD.  The stories of mistreatment continue to surface, and there are some arrestees who continue to be incarcerated (far longer than what was considered to be normal for protesting—until now).  It is natural to feel pain in this situation, whether one was arrested or not, though the arrestees have been more profoundly affected than those of us who escaped being arrested.  I know, for myself, that hearing about our friend’s treatment by the authorities, once arrested, and the tales of people being chased down and beaten outside the eye of the media, is disheartening to say the least.  It would also be ignorant of me to forget to mention the fear associated with the massive police presence at the post-raid General Assemblies.  I am currently hearing stories of people being arrested for minor infractions, and people have been ticketed for things as insignificant as honking their horns in support of Occupy Los Angeles.

I’m sure we all knew how difficult this movement would be to keep moving in the right direction; however, I didn’t see, as many others likely didn’t see, that our city would eventually turn up the pressure against the occupation in a way that would affect the Occupy Los Angeles movement as a whole.  To top it off, the city council has been passing resolutions that many occupiers favor, such as the ending of corporate personhood, so there seems to be a very strange bipolar attitude coming from the city of Los Angeles’s leadership.

That all being said, I think there is an important lesson, as well as opportunity being missed:  While it is easy to see that there is little friendship among LAPD and Occupy Los Angeles, this doesn’t mean that we are enemies.  And the two should not be considered enemies.  For one, they must feel what we all feel: that the dream that is America is surely in its last phase.  How can those officers with children have hope for the future when our government has been hijacked by banking and corporate interests?     How can these officers not see that perpetual war and globalization are destroying the United States?  The American dream is surely on its way to becoming an American nightmare.  If the police do not understand this line of reasoning, it is up to us to educate them.  While there are some officers, who will likely never budge from their stance of militarism, there are others who will.  I for one, could see sadness in some of the eyes of officers the day after the raid.  Of course there were those who were gloating, but nonetheless we should redirect our energy.  If we make the LAPD the enemy, we will never get those officers who secretly support the Occupy Movement to either come forward, or protect us from the officers that surely want to harass and intimidate us. 

So to end this, I want you all to think about this carefully.  I’m sure there will be controversy at what I am about to say, but I feel it needs to be said.  We need to seek peace with the LAPD.  For one, they are very, very powerful.  If we keep poking at “the beast” with a stick, we will surely be bitten.  Two, our fight is with the banks and multinational corporations—not necessarily all of them, but the ones who make their living off parasitic behavior.  You know, the ones who perpetuate starvation, poverty and violence on a global scale?  When Martin Luther King Jr. led the people against segregation, he kept civil rights as his focus.  I don’t think he stopped to put all of his energy in to fighting police; he kept his eye on target…just as we should do.  While the following statement is easier said than done, we should forgive the LAPD for their ignorance and for their abuses.  It’s what any man or woman who holds any real value of righteousness would do.  This is not to say the pain will automatically subside, but it will inspire others to rally around the Occupy Movement’s true concerns.  It is important that we remember a great many Americans are watching to see what the Occupy Movement does post-eviction.  If all the Americans standing on the sidelines see is anger toward the LAPD, and fear about the N.D.A.A. (currently making its way through congress), then that feeling will shape the movement, and ultimately kill it.  This is what the powers that be want.  The strongest emotion we can convey to the American people, is our love.  Love inspires hope.  I believe that if the people see our non-violent movement is based on love and understanding, then our numbers will continue to grow.  However, if we show the people our anger and ferocity, we will fail.  Anger, fear and suspicion increase division, while love, understanding and forgiveness inspire unity.  It is a very old formula, relevant to any time.

I end this with one final phrase:  LOVE CHECK!

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18 Comments

Very well said...

Submitted by Nadine Hays on

Yes, like I have been saying we need to practice what we preach.  We need to love, even the police, if we want to get anywhere.  Strike up conversation with an officer.  Smile at him.  Let him know you are human and only want to make this world a better place.  If we can break down some of the barriers, we might actually start to communicate.

Love,

Mom

I think he'd agree too...

Submitted by batuka on

"There are certain things in our nation and in the world which I am proud to be maladjusted and which I hope all men of good-will will be maladjusted until the good societies realize — I say very honestly that I never intend to become adjusted to — segregation and discrimination. I never intend to become adjusted to religious bigotry. I never intend to adjust myself to economic conditions that will take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few. I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism, to self-defeating effects of physical violence. But in a day when sputniks and explorers are dashing through outer space and guided ballistic missiles are carving highways of death through the stratosphere, no nation can win a war. It is no longer the choice between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence…"
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (December 18, 1963)

Swietlik's picture

"make peace" does not make sense

Submitted by Swietlik on

Saying that "we need to seek peace with LAPD" is like saying the palenstinians need to make peace with Isreal...    The more powerful of the two entities is not interested in making any sort of reasonable comprimise or consessions.  What exactly is the author suggesting we bargain with? 

This is a non-violent resistance to an oppressive police state (among other things).  Like Ron Kovic said "when they hit is with thier clubs we will respond with love and dignity"  That does NOT mean we play nice and diplomatic with the LAPD.  Why?  Because their only interest is in making the occupy LA "problem" go away.

LAPD

Submitted by frankc on

Please keep in mind that the LAPD has always been a paramilitary organization ready to respond to various situations. We all just witness what they can do. The question I ask is why?We are not an armed gang threatening the police.What they did to our camp ,slashing hundreds of dollars worth of donated tents and supplies, was just done in SF.The Mayor and City Council made promises to us and did not keep them. Why are we such a threat and to whom?Ask that question. I agree that we don't want to antagonize anyone and overall occupyla people have been very nice to police officers. We need to ask them why and make sure we keep asking ourselves why.I think we are disturbing the plans of the 1% , a very powerful and influential one percent.Take one look at their history in the world, how they deal with "problems".Let's be nice, but not naive.

I think the world would

Submitted by Occupier0530 on

I think the world would benefit if the Isrealis & Palestinians did try to make peace.  You're arguing against that?  Essentially, I think that's what you're saying.  Seems foolish to me.

A_Moderate

 

Mike Peake's picture

“You never change things by

Submitted by Mike Peake on

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
― Richard Buckminster Fuller

I love your proposal to continue moving forward with the things that will create positive change. The police will come, certainly, and sometimes tear down what we'll build. BUT...like Lennon said, they don't know what to do about love and laughter...love and laughter obsolete THEIR system. We are winning!

"Whatever you do, take one more step out of your comfort zone." Dorli Rainey

alivia's picture

LAPD & Anger

Submitted by alivia on

I for one am incrediably angry with what they did and how they did it. To remember seeing dt LAPD walk through the camps smiling and chatting with Occupiers and the  seeing how fed up they were the day the notices went out and the raids... two totaly different images. 

 

However, I hear what your saying and in a way I agree. Make peace? Never or at least not any time soon. Battle them head on? No. Doesn't make sense. They will come at us again and again and again. But I do believe your right when you said we have to stay on and remember what and who we are fighting and why we are doing it. 

 

I will never forget reading the stories of those who were arrested and remember the only reason I was not there that night was because I was a little under the weather. One of those stories could have been my own and worse. So I won't go head to head with them, but I will never trust them again. Not until a new system takes over the corrupt one. 

I Occupy because I may be physically limited but I am not dis abled.

I Occupy because everyone should have equal opportunities.

I Occupy because I am not afraid to stand up to greed and corruption

Police will never show compassion.

Submitted by Argus on

I see your sentiment on making peace with the police, but one must remember that these police will never be our friends. First of all they are tools of the state and the powers that be. They are ultimately here to protect capital. It is obvious that the occupy movement has made some people scared in government because there was definitely an order to destroy and when the FED has a $7 trillion bank bailout fund and the Pentagon gave $500 million worth of military equipment to the police, with a 400% increase in orders for next year, it is quite difficult to consider the police friends. Essentially they are tools for fascism. I am not talking about the individuals, but the role of police. If they were our friends they would put down their weapons and join the movement, but we have yet to see that anywhere. Instead what I see is state funded terror and the police are the tools. So good luck making peace, but I will not make peace and I will not call them my friends.

tired of being told what will encourage more to join us

Submitted by C.J. on

You think that staying positive and focusing on corporations will encourage more people to join us. Since we're all autonomous, have fun doing that.

But I'm tired of the police repression. I'm tired of being threatened with arrest simply for being part of a facilitation committee meeting or trying to attend a GA. And I'm tired of the military budget increasing year after year while social services are slashed. I'm tired of Congress gutting important treaties, like START - meant to stave off nuclear war, because the military spends money in every Congressional district in the country. Sorry if you think talking about these things lowers our credibility in your mind.

The corporate dominance of the government is directly related to the military stance of the United States. I refuse to separate the two issues because you think one is more compelling than the other. You want us to follow in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's footsteps and I can tell you with certainty he would not yield his rejection of war to make "progress" on civil rights issues. Nor would he give up his critique of the pursuit of wealth over justice and community.

I'll keep working to build the beloved community. You can keep nagging us for telling the truth - we all maintain our autonomy in this movement, so that's you're right.

You're Sexy, You're Cute, C'mon Take Off Your Riot Suits

Submitted by entropyaccelerator on

That was the best chant I heard during the Dec 3rd protest. 

It made the people under the riot suits laugh. 

I too was sickened at the psychological terror inflicted on unarmed citizens, and I too am sickened that protestors' hands were tied so tight some will have nerve damage, maybe the rest of their life.

It was brutal. 

But in Syria it is worse. In NYC it is worse. In Seatlle it is worse. And here in Los Angeles, as history can tell us, things can get much, much, much, uglier.

But I don't think it has to be that way. Every blue hand of ours, every human forced to go so long without a toilet he has to urinate himself and be humiliated, gives us the moral high ground. 

It gives us more ammo to throw at our real fight- our real focus- the 1%- the banks, the few who sit at tables and blithely discuss the starvation of millions. 

So yes, the LAPD is completely out of line. Let's continue livestreaming it. Let everyone see this disproportionate force, and most importantly, let's continue showing everyone just how unecessary it is. 

Let us create a social environment all over Los Angeles in which it is acceptable for an officer to take off his badge, and replace it with one that says 99%. Let us take seriously the sadness that I, too, saw in some officer's eyes the day after the eviction, as some officers strained to hear the people's mike. 

And everyone who was arrested that night, is a hero. I only hope that we can stay peaceful and focused, so that every blue hand isn't for nothing.

CitizenJourno's picture

The eviction, OLA and LAPD

Submitted by CitizenJourno on

LAPD is comprised mostly of locals. It's union. And it has a tough job to do. The best relationship is one of mutual understanding. LAPD ratcheted up the pressure to reduce the crowd to those who were committed to the movement to the point of arrest by their own choice. Almost anywhere else the eviction would have happened with far more serious injuries or perhaps even deaths. Just ask a Syrian.

Occupy was never about the park. It is about bringing change. Move on to targeted actions that keep that happening. Successawaits in ways beyond the lawn.

Photo

Submitted by Kyle McQueen on

I am a supporter of the movement and this is a wonderful article, but the photo used is my property and no proper consent was granted to use it.  Would you mind adding a "Photo courtesy of Kyle McQueen" under the photo?

sorry I'm siding with the cops

Submitted by sa1975 on

Sorry guys, I'm siding with the cops for a few reasons.  The protesters who were maced/beaten by the NYPD did not see it coming.  Nobody thought those cops would be that harsh.  Scott Olsen didn't know he would get a rubber bullet to the head.

HOWEVER, a bunch of people went to City Hall the night of the eviction knowing FULL well that the cops were going to be there to arrest anyone who did not leave. 

When a tornado strikes, you take cover.  When you see a tsunami coming, you evacuate seeking higher grounds.  Just because you might have the moral upper hand doesn't mean you should tempt fate.  THEN after that DEMANDING $5000 from random supporters!  

That's BEFORE the stupid 17 year olds demand you buy their pipe.  WTF?  

Yeah right moroon!  I'm going to go to an event that has already attracted negative attention from the cops to supply for a minor.  

THIS KID JUST PROVED THAT WHATEVER HE WAS SMOKING IN THAT PIPE MAKES YOU RETARDED.

Good grief!  I went to a bank protest, not a "supply underage kids with narcotic paraphanalia" gathering.  I didn't offer.  I left the Bay Area to get away from people like this...  

I'm sure somebody stuck their neck out with that bail.  If this was unpreventable, I'd offer some sympathy.  

But it was all preventable!  I don't have anybody's donation bail money for a preventable arrest!   

But you all got much more of a warning than drivers do before getting slapped with a DUI.  Yes Drunk driving is playing rush and roulette, but that too comes with a hefty chaarge.  But nobody wants a DUI!  

Nobody intentionally goes out attracting negative attention from the cops!  

If they kick you out, you leave, figure out where to relocate your GAs and meetings- then come back.   Don't go to jail.  Don't collect $5000.  

btw, was bail really $5000 each or were you trying to con money for...well nevermind. 

The city of LA tried to negotiate with OLA.  I don't think the Mayor is in love with Wall STreet with the interest rate swaps making his budgeting issues a huge problem with his job.  The cops were trying.  They have to take orders.   They would probably rather be in Woodside or elsewhere tackling violent criminals.  

We all know that cops are pigs.  WE already know that.  But we don't get iniebriated and play rush and roulette with the law to prove it!    Which means, NO I CAN'T AFFORD YOUR BAIL.  

And lastly, who purposely victimizes themselves at the beginning of a huge fight?  Being out $5000 each and caving in to pretenses that the public may already have about you is putting your efforts on the wrong foot.  

And the drugs.  OMG.  HEY LOOK EVERYONE!  THE RAINBOW GATHERING IS GOING TO HAMMER IT UP AND DEFEAT RACKETEERS WHO CAUSED THE GREATEST SCANDAL IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!  We're Saved!!!  

I find ample comfort in knowing that you all can dose as hard as Wall Street.  If you can't beat them, join them.  Right?   It's not like you need a movement or anything to escape reality...Please reference Venice Beach and Sunset Blvd/Hollywood to see what I mean.  

OCCUPY JUST MADE THEIR MOVEMENT ABOUT THE COPS (and drugs), NOT DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE.  

Sleeping on the lawn at City Hall was a funny idea, that's why I liked the movement in the first place.

I mean, if you gotta settle the score with somebody- pitch a tent in their lawn and sleep there until everything gets resolved.  If you due child support-sleep on baby daddy's lawn.  If a friend won't pay you back, pitch a tent and sleep on their lawn.  We don't know if it will work, but it's origional! 

But it's dead now.  Sorry, I can't take the group seriously which is unfortunate understanding the potential it has to actually get somewhere with the banks and the lobbyists.   I don't have a beef with the cops  I don't even have a beef with kids who like narcotic paraphanalia- as annoying as they are.  My beef IS with the banks.  

I (sort of) disagree

Submitted by Occupier0530 on

In response to the comment above this one:

I think this movement needs to evolve, and I think we saw a step in that evolution yesterday in DC.  The drug problems you mention are indeed a problem, but I don't think I can agree with you about the police thing.  Bail being set at $5,000 for these misdemeanors is absolutely absurd (cruel and unusual punishment), and I'd argue unconstitutional.  I don't even know if the arrests were constitutional.  You shouldn't be allowed to arrest anyone for protesting unless they get violent or unruly.  You can't really trespass on public property as well.  So, while most of the cops that night seemed to have their hearts in the right place, I don't think I can allow to you to get away with saying that the protesters were in the wrong by standing fast to their 1st amendment rights. 

Also, reports of the manner in which the arrestees were treated during and after the arrests would indicate criminal acts by the police.  A peaceful person, who is willfully allowing him or herself be arrested should not be treated like a war criminal.

So, you may have been offended by some of the bottom feeders in the occupy movement, but I encourage you to keep collecting information, keep protesting for your concerns, and hopefully move the movement toward a more mature status.  Don't forget this movement is young compared to former ones.  It's only been two months.  We've got the attention of some of the public, and as more of the general public joins us, I think you'll see a change in the type of people, and the ideas that pour into the GA's and general discussion.

A_Moderate

 

Rhonda's picture

Miss. Understood

Submitted by Rhonda on

Hi All

I am here because I support the movement and I cried as I watched many being arrested and I am sorry it happened.  

There is an image that has burned in my memory from the first day at Occupy Wall Street NYC.  You may remember it too.  There was a protester with a dollar bill taped over his mouth, his sign read "If I voice my opinion, I may lose my job"  Well many of the LAPD may be in that same position and it would be difficult or would possibly cost them their career, families, homes etc. if they refuse to follow there job responsibilities.  Have love for them, these are the ones that may sacrafice everything if or when things get a lot worse. All people need to be treated with respect, Right?  It is what we want too, Right?

Also, like in every walk of life there are people that do things that are morally questionable and this includes police officers who used force that was not warrented and they will at some point have to be accountable for that, but that is not our mission, Right? This is going to be the most difficult time of the movement and many are sacrificing to show the world the injustices all around us, And I thank you for that.  The whole world is watching.  Now is a time to bring about awareness.

That said I think that serveral issues have arouse from the initial occupy movement of the 99%.

I have visited several sites in California although I spend the most time in LA and have observed what has been going on and this is what I see.

There are occupiers for the movement.

There are Homeless Occupiers for the movement.

There are Homeless Occupiers that do not care about the movement.

There are homeless individuals that have mental health issues.

There are Protesters that come when they can.

There are artists of alll kinds for all kinds of reason (love it)

There is the main media and the police (thinking they are in contact)

Unfortunetly the main-stream media is not reporting honestly. I spent eviction day at LA watching them and who they were talking to and what they were filming and they are reporting as the woman above who sides with the cops states above. (this is how they want the movement to be portrayed) This is why during the initial stages of the movement it is so important we have independent reporters and our own camera's rolling. But we have to rely on social networking, youtube, Ustream to get the truth out there.  And although all the name calling and blurred vision of many individuals for a multitude of reasons ie. ignorance, jaded information, police presenence, drugs, and image are difficult to accept, their mere anger alone is actually good for us, yes I said that. Why? because they are talking about it! And you know what they say, all publicity is good publicity.  Which also means  people like myself are important too, because when people ask me I tell the truth and when people don't ask I talk about it.  We all have a roll to play in this movement and we have an opportunity to Change The World, WoW, that is a big Order, really big, so it won't happen over night.  Lets not get discouraged and lets continue to move forwrd with our protesting. 

In the meantime, what is next? Where do the homeless go? How do we re-build a new community that never lets this happen? I wish I had the answer, I don't, but I am looking into several options for many people and so are others, but until  that time we have a difficult time to get through. But I think I can safely say, we are in a long fight and leaders will arise that will speak the truth and people will listen.  But if we are aggressive and ingage in battle without proper armor, rest assured they will divide and conquer.  We can't let that happen.  I think our armor is Peace-Love-Hope-and Understanding So lets continue the peaceful demonstrations and not lose focus on the main issues.

 Peace & Love to All  

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