Wall Street protesters: We're in for the long haul

[Razgovory]

I wonder if they had anyone worrying about Reptoids.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Or Red Lectroids.

[mongers]

Or Red Lectroids.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Or Red Lectroids.

[mongers]

Now that the occupation at St.Pauls has ended, maybe it's time for a bit of reflection on what, if anything was achieved; I've read a few interesting bbc/newspaper articles on the subject, of which I'll post link when I find them.

My understanding of the situation now, is many tent city residents have moved to the previously rather quiet Finsbury park site in Islington, some 1200 yards up the road from St Pauls. Their 'school of ideas', successor to the 'Bank of Ideas' was also emptied at the same time.

I know they're planing a community/schools outreach programme, where they go next I'm not sure: I've heard talk of doing something during the Olympics, but I assume, even the slightest disruption, won't be tolerated this summer.

I do know that some, really a breakaway group, are forming a political party, possibly called 'We Are London' and a planning to run a candidate in the London mayoral election, which i think is a thoroughly good idea, it's positive, participatory and could prove a good test of public sentiment regarding their movement.

Since we live in a parliamentary democracy, I've been pushing for running a candidate or two in any forthcoming parliamentary by-elections, wouldn't cost too much, I think about £1,500+ each and London Occupy still have substantial donations left iirc around £15,000 to £20,000, though how that might fund a election campaign could be a legal minefield.

[mongers]

Here's a video of part of their first GA meeting at St Pauls, since being evicted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxslgRjVzZs&feature=youtu.be

I don't know what to make of it or the 2+ 'factions' involved. 

[mongers]

..
I do know that some, really a breakaway group, are forming a political party, possibly called 'We Are London' and a planning to run a candidate in the London mayoral election, which i think is a thoroughly good idea, it's positive, participatory and could prove a good test of public sentiment regarding their movement.

Since we live in a parliamentary democracy, I've been pushing for running a candidate or two in any forthcoming parliamentary by-elections, wouldn't cost too much, I think about £1,500+ each and London Occupy still have substantial donations left iirc around £15,000 to £20,000, though how that might fund a election campaign could be a legal minefield.

OK I spoke too soon, the person or people involved seem to be extreme right-wingers of the non-tory party sort if you get my drift, with a some anti-UN/EU/everything conspiracy stuff thrown on top as a garnish. JFC

[mongers]

I had a brief 'chat' on facebook with the founder of this political party/movement on the matter of posting extreme right wing material. 

Turns out he was happy for me to leave the party, if I didn't agree with it. Which confused me a bit as I'd not joined anything and had only been encouraging him and others, on the occupy forum, to stand for parliament and the mayoral election.

Subsequently I've found out my 'leaving' the party (unlike on facebook) has decimated their party, well not to exaggerate, but then when from 6 likes down to 5 likes.   

[garbon]

Apparently the new big thing is that they are going to be occupying bank of america with furniture.

[mongers]

Apparently the new big thing is that they are going to be occupying bank of america with furniture.

?

[Darth Wagtaros]

Apparently the new big thing is that they are going to be occupying bank of america with furniture.

?

I recommend against even trying to understand.  You are on the precipice as it is.

[mongers]

Apparently the new big thing is that they are going to be occupying bank of america with furniture.

?

I recommend against even trying to understand.  You are on the precipice as it is.

[garbon]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120314/FINANCE/120319948

After a winter of regrouping, Occupy Wall Street will unveil a new, more targeted approach Thursday when it launches a campaign directed at Bank of America Corp.

In a symbolic protest against the bank's role in the foreclosure crisis, protesters will fan out across the city—and nine others across the country—and try to set up couches, chairs, rugs and plants in Bank of America branches. It's part of a new springtime strategy that will see the protesters put a strategic slant on their traditional Occupy tactics.

Last Saturday, in a test run of their "livingrooming" tactic, protesters set up furniture in a Bank of America branch in the city and sang "Our House/In the middle of the bank" before being escorted out. A video of the protest had logged 55,000 hits by Wednesday morning.

"We are moving furniture into Bank of America lobbies across the city and country to demonstrate that we should be foreclosing on the bank, the bank shouldn't be foreclosing on our homes," said Karanja Gaçuça, a member of Occupy Wall Street.

A website, FTheBanks.org, is also up and running, detailing the "Fight BAC" campaign against Bank of America.

"For too long they've preyed on us—but now, we're turning the tables," the site reads.

The protesters are planning a series of targeted actions against the bank leading up to its annual shareholders meeting in May. Other tactics will include encouraging companies and individuals to move their money out of the bank; a weeklong series of actions next month directed at the bank's board members; and a people's shareholders meeting to run alongside the official one.

A research team that includes former Wall Streeters is studying the bank's financial reports and trying to bring together plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against the bank.

"It's the first time a group has sat down and said, 'We want to run a campaign,'" said Austin Guest, an Occupy Wall Street member. "It's great running around and doing schizophrenic actions, but we decided to sink our teeth into one campaign."

The group's goal—to get the federal government to break up the bank—is a reach, but Bank of America does have plenty of problems. It has been hobbled by billions in mortgage-related losses, and it isn't clear how much the damage will ultimately total. It will cost untold billions to settle the many lawsuits it faces from investors whom BofA sold securities backed by mortgages that had robo-signing and other deficiencies. The bank has undergone several shifts in management and its stock price was hammered into the single digits.

A Bank of America spokeswoman declined to comment.

There you go.  On twitter they were asking for donations of furniture.

[mongers]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120314/FINANCE/120319948

After a winter of regrouping, Occupy Wall Street will unveil a new, more targeted approach Thursday when it launches a campaign directed at Bank of America Corp.

In a symbolic protest against the bank's role in the foreclosure crisis, protesters will fan out across the city—and nine others across the country—and try to set up couches, chairs, rugs and plants in Bank of America branches. It's part of a new springtime strategy that will see the protesters put a strategic slant on their traditional Occupy tactics.

Last Saturday, in a test run of their "livingrooming" tactic, protesters set up furniture in a Bank of America branch in the city and sang "Our House/In the middle of the bank" before being escorted out. A video of the protest had logged 55,000 hits by Wednesday morning.

"We are moving furniture into Bank of America lobbies across the city and country to demonstrate that we should be foreclosing on the bank, the bank shouldn't be foreclosing on our homes," said Karanja Gaçuça, a member of Occupy Wall Street.

A website, FTheBanks.org, is also up and running, detailing the "Fight BAC" campaign against Bank of America.

"For too long they've preyed on us—but now, we're turning the tables," the site reads.

The protesters are planning a series of targeted actions against the bank leading up to its annual shareholders meeting in May. Other tactics will include encouraging companies and individuals to move their money out of the bank; a weeklong series of actions next month directed at the bank's board members; and a people's shareholders meeting to run alongside the official one.

A research team that includes former Wall Streeters is studying the bank's financial reports and trying to bring together plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against the bank.

"It's the first time a group has sat down and said, 'We want to run a campaign,'" said Austin Guest, an Occupy Wall Street member. "It's great running around and doing schizophrenic actions, but we decided to sink our teeth into one campaign."

The group's goal—to get the federal government to break up the bank—is a reach, but Bank of America does have plenty of problems. It has been hobbled by billions in mortgage-related losses, and it isn't clear how much the damage will ultimately total. It will cost untold billions to settle the many lawsuits it faces from investors whom BofA sold securities backed by mortgages that had robo-signing and other deficiencies. The bank has undergone several shifts in management and its stock price was hammered into the single digits.

A Bank of America spokeswoman declined to comment.

There you go.  On twitter they were asking for donations of furniture.

Thanks, now to.   

[garbon]

Looks like protestors chose tonight to act up again. I wonder if it had anything to do with getting drunk on St. Patrick's Day...

edit: ah, 6-month anniversary. OWS might get some news coverage given new complaints of police...brutality(?)