Hello everyone.
The news is short again. There's just not much reporting going on, and many of the things that are being discussed in the Corporate Media bracket are days or weeks old.
In personal news, I just got my first acceptance letter to a grad school!!! :D
Here's what I've got for you today:
-- Authorities in Washington DC have changed their story a bit. Originally, they claimed that a protester had thrown a brick at an officer, hitting him in the eye and possibly causing serious damage during one of the DC evictions. Now authorities are saying the object thrown was actually a liquid filled bottle, and that the protester may not have been intentionally aiming at anyone. The officer who was hit must wait for swelling to subside before the amount of damage is known. The protester resisted arrest afterwards, according to police, and they had to subdue him with a taser.
-- The Oakland City Council may be pushing to force officials, including the mayor, city administrator, and police, to crack down on protesters for breaking rules about blocking streets and holding rallies without permits. They voted on it last night, but results have not yet been made public. The council says police have been to lenient in letting small infractions slide, which they say is unfair to other groups who do file for the permits. The resolution was voted upon previously and failed to make it through.
-- Roughly 175 Occupiers marched through Portland (OR) last night, with 10 being arrested after a small group of protesters broke off from the larger group and began causing damage. Several vehicles were vandalized, and a glass door to a restaurant was broken. Many of the arrests were for disorderly conduct or interfering with police. Occupiers not with the smaller group decried the damage, saying they were upset that the other protesters would do such things.
That's all for today. I hope you are all doing well.
***Solidarity***
If you have news, or wish to contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Updates 2/6/12
Hello everyone.
The news is fairly quiet today again.
-- Occupy Eugene has set up a tent again, this time offering free medical care every Sunday to those who need it. The tent is staffed by volunteer doctors and medical assistants, who say they realized during the Occupation how many people weren't getting proper health care. They offer treatments and preventative medicine.
-- Occupy Oakland is holding a "Day of Action" today, demonstrating against police and filing into courtrooms to watch the hearings in which their lawyers will be offering evidence of unlawful arrests. Every news channel is abuzz about Oakland's recent flag-burning, which is the second in two weeks.
-- Tents and belongings are being packed up in Pittsburgh, as Occupiers prepare for their eviction deadline today. The protesters say there will likely be a large crowd of people come noon, the eviction time, but that all will be non-violent to maintain a peaceful presence.
-- Roosevelt University in Chicago is now offering a course on the Occupy movement, a political science class titled "Occupy Everywhere." The course includes lectures from those involved in the movement, as well as requirements to read the Occupy newspapers and attend General Assemblies held at the movement's meeting place.
-- The second Occupy DC encampment at Freedom Plaza was invaded by police yesterday afternoon. Maintenance workers removed tents they believed did not meet the ban's requirements, packing up belongings in bags while police waited just outside the park. The number arrested on Saturday has jumped from 7 to 11, but protesters remained peaceful Sunday, and no arrests were recorded.
That's all for today. I said it was short, yeah?
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
The news is fairly quiet today again.
-- Occupy Eugene has set up a tent again, this time offering free medical care every Sunday to those who need it. The tent is staffed by volunteer doctors and medical assistants, who say they realized during the Occupation how many people weren't getting proper health care. They offer treatments and preventative medicine.
-- Occupy Oakland is holding a "Day of Action" today, demonstrating against police and filing into courtrooms to watch the hearings in which their lawyers will be offering evidence of unlawful arrests. Every news channel is abuzz about Oakland's recent flag-burning, which is the second in two weeks.
-- Tents and belongings are being packed up in Pittsburgh, as Occupiers prepare for their eviction deadline today. The protesters say there will likely be a large crowd of people come noon, the eviction time, but that all will be non-violent to maintain a peaceful presence.
-- Roosevelt University in Chicago is now offering a course on the Occupy movement, a political science class titled "Occupy Everywhere." The course includes lectures from those involved in the movement, as well as requirements to read the Occupy newspapers and attend General Assemblies held at the movement's meeting place.
-- The second Occupy DC encampment at Freedom Plaza was invaded by police yesterday afternoon. Maintenance workers removed tents they believed did not meet the ban's requirements, packing up belongings in bags while police waited just outside the park. The number arrested on Saturday has jumped from 7 to 11, but protesters remained peaceful Sunday, and no arrests were recorded.
That's all for today. I said it was short, yeah?
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Updates 2/5/12
Hello everyone.
This is such an odd winter.
Here's the news:
-- Occupy Oakland marched yesterday, with this weekend only slightly resembling the past one. Occupiers marched toward police headquarters, only to be diverted into the city by a line of police. Occupiers marched and chanted for nearly two hours before ending up where they began the march. No one was arrested.
-- Occupy Austin regrouped on the steps of City Hall, two days after they were evicted. The protesters held a general assembly before police arrived to acate the plaza at the new closing time of 10 p.m., and Occupiers left without incident.
Occupy Honolulu has been targeted again by police, and they certainly aren't happy about it. You can read the article here:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/138708769.html
Occupy DC dealt with a day long eviction yesterday. While I did report on the initial move-in of police yesterday, there is more to the story, including three more arrests. Read about it here:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246881/news/world/seven-arrested-as-police-move-in-on-occupy-dc
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.
This is such an odd winter.
Here's the news:
-- Occupy Oakland marched yesterday, with this weekend only slightly resembling the past one. Occupiers marched toward police headquarters, only to be diverted into the city by a line of police. Occupiers marched and chanted for nearly two hours before ending up where they began the march. No one was arrested.
-- Occupy Austin regrouped on the steps of City Hall, two days after they were evicted. The protesters held a general assembly before police arrived to acate the plaza at the new closing time of 10 p.m., and Occupiers left without incident.
Occupy Honolulu has been targeted again by police, and they certainly aren't happy about it. You can read the article here:
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/138708769.html
Occupy DC dealt with a day long eviction yesterday. While I did report on the initial move-in of police yesterday, there is more to the story, including three more arrests. Read about it here:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246881/news/world/seven-arrested-as-police-move-in-on-occupy-dc
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Updates 2/4/12
Hello everyone.
We all knew it was coming. With Occupy DC being investigated by several congressmen to find out why they were still allowed to stay, we all knew it was only a matter of time before they forced their rules on the park service. And of course, they did. Early this morning dozens of police swept into McPherson Square, arresting four and tearing down tarps and tents. They said "It's not an eviction," as they threw away blankets and sleeping bags, sometimes taking tents that had nothing inside, the "vigil tents" that Occupiers are allowed to have. Occupiers made an agreement to remove the tarp, collapsing the "tent of dreams." They were surprised at the sheer number of police, as well as the fact that they brought mounted officers and a paddy wagon. I wish I was surprised at that. The four arrested were refusing to leave the central area of the park so the personnel dressed in Haz-Mat suits could clean.
Oakland has another protest planned for today, in a continuance of their series of Saturday marches. They will be marching on the Oakland Police Department to file claims of abuse at the hands of police, due to the events last week. Protesters were kenneled into a corner and told they were being arrested for failure to disperse, but many Occupiers are saying there were no previous announcements. They are saying that police officers used military tactics against the unarmed protesters.
In a bit of good news, Occupy Rochester can breathe easier for the time being. Protesters reached a deal with the city, allowing them to remain in their Occupation spot until March 11. Occupiers started the conversation with the city after being harassed by police, who repeatedly asked them for identification around 2 a.m. on Thursday. The city wants them to leave after March 11 to allow the planting of grass seed. Occupiers offered to do the job for the city, but the city replied that they would rather do it themselves.
Anonymous is displaying its hacking prowess again, as the hacktivist group attacked the Boston PD website yesterday, taking it down and leaving their own message. Anonymous is apparently quite angry with how police handled the Occupy Boston movement, saying "So you get your kicks beating protesters? That's OK; we get our kicks defacing your websites - - again." While Boston PD claimed to have their "skillful technical staff" working to rectify the issue, as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the site was still redirecting to the PD's Facebook page. Also in Anonymous news, the group released an audio recording of a conversation between the FBI and the British Cybercrime Unit, intended on tracking down members of Anonymous and prosecuting them. The FBI said that the information was meant for law enforcement only, and was illegally obtained.
That's all for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
If you'd like to contact me, please do so at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
We all knew it was coming. With Occupy DC being investigated by several congressmen to find out why they were still allowed to stay, we all knew it was only a matter of time before they forced their rules on the park service. And of course, they did. Early this morning dozens of police swept into McPherson Square, arresting four and tearing down tarps and tents. They said "It's not an eviction," as they threw away blankets and sleeping bags, sometimes taking tents that had nothing inside, the "vigil tents" that Occupiers are allowed to have. Occupiers made an agreement to remove the tarp, collapsing the "tent of dreams." They were surprised at the sheer number of police, as well as the fact that they brought mounted officers and a paddy wagon. I wish I was surprised at that. The four arrested were refusing to leave the central area of the park so the personnel dressed in Haz-Mat suits could clean.
Oakland has another protest planned for today, in a continuance of their series of Saturday marches. They will be marching on the Oakland Police Department to file claims of abuse at the hands of police, due to the events last week. Protesters were kenneled into a corner and told they were being arrested for failure to disperse, but many Occupiers are saying there were no previous announcements. They are saying that police officers used military tactics against the unarmed protesters.
In a bit of good news, Occupy Rochester can breathe easier for the time being. Protesters reached a deal with the city, allowing them to remain in their Occupation spot until March 11. Occupiers started the conversation with the city after being harassed by police, who repeatedly asked them for identification around 2 a.m. on Thursday. The city wants them to leave after March 11 to allow the planting of grass seed. Occupiers offered to do the job for the city, but the city replied that they would rather do it themselves.
Anonymous is displaying its hacking prowess again, as the hacktivist group attacked the Boston PD website yesterday, taking it down and leaving their own message. Anonymous is apparently quite angry with how police handled the Occupy Boston movement, saying "So you get your kicks beating protesters? That's OK; we get our kicks defacing your websites - - again." While Boston PD claimed to have their "skillful technical staff" working to rectify the issue, as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the site was still redirecting to the PD's Facebook page. Also in Anonymous news, the group released an audio recording of a conversation between the FBI and the British Cybercrime Unit, intended on tracking down members of Anonymous and prosecuting them. The FBI said that the information was meant for law enforcement only, and was illegally obtained.
That's all for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
If you'd like to contact me, please do so at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Updates 2/3/12
Hello everyone.
At some point in the past week, my blog surpassed 10,000 unique pageviews! :) You guys are fantastic!
I need to address a few email issues I've been having before we can move on to the news.
First, if you email me, please, please, PLEASE write something about Occupy in the subject line. I get hundreds of spam emails a day, and sometimes your letters end up in with them. I have to sort through to find you. If you put "Occupy" in the subject line, I'll be able to pull your email out quickly, rather than hunting through one by one.
Second, please don't send me something like this: "Hey kitty I read your blog have you seen this yet *random link*." I am not going to click on that random link. I don't know who you are. I don't know which blog of mine you are reading (I have 3). I don't know what that link is, and I'm certainly not getting my computer infected by clicking on some random crap. I want to see any links you send me, so please take a few seconds to give me a little detail. If that email had read: "Hey Kitty, I read your Occupy blog. You should see what's happening in my town over in KY. The link will take you to our local news station's coverage of the event. *random link*." I am much more likely to click on that!
Third, write me! :)
On to the news:
-- Occupy Pittsburgh had been given an eviction notice, stating that they have to vacate the park by Monday. Occupy's lawyers say they are appealing the decision, in which a judge ruled that protesters have no right to take over BNY Mellon's private property.
-- Occupy Portland (Maine) has also received an eviction notice, also for Monday. Several of the protesters say they are not leaving, and lawyers are trying to gain more time before the eviction, citing concerns with the number of homeless in the group.
-- Three members of Occupy DC are on a sleep strike. They are protesting the recent enforcement of a sleeping ban at the park, and know what they are doing can be dangerously unhealthy. The three men have been awake since Monday, and say they won't be giving in anytime soon.
-- Occupy Honolulu was dismantled yesterday by city workers, with tents and belongings being tagged and loaded into storage bins. One man was arrested after he dove into a tent, cut a hole in the bottom, and ran away with it before settling down in front of a backhoe. Police moved in to remove him and allow the backhoe to return to work.
That's all I have time for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
At some point in the past week, my blog surpassed 10,000 unique pageviews! :) You guys are fantastic!
I need to address a few email issues I've been having before we can move on to the news.
First, if you email me, please, please, PLEASE write something about Occupy in the subject line. I get hundreds of spam emails a day, and sometimes your letters end up in with them. I have to sort through to find you. If you put "Occupy" in the subject line, I'll be able to pull your email out quickly, rather than hunting through one by one.
Second, please don't send me something like this: "Hey kitty I read your blog have you seen this yet *random link*." I am not going to click on that random link. I don't know who you are. I don't know which blog of mine you are reading (I have 3). I don't know what that link is, and I'm certainly not getting my computer infected by clicking on some random crap. I want to see any links you send me, so please take a few seconds to give me a little detail. If that email had read: "Hey Kitty, I read your Occupy blog. You should see what's happening in my town over in KY. The link will take you to our local news station's coverage of the event. *random link*." I am much more likely to click on that!
Third, write me! :)
On to the news:
-- Occupy Pittsburgh had been given an eviction notice, stating that they have to vacate the park by Monday. Occupy's lawyers say they are appealing the decision, in which a judge ruled that protesters have no right to take over BNY Mellon's private property.
-- Occupy Portland (Maine) has also received an eviction notice, also for Monday. Several of the protesters say they are not leaving, and lawyers are trying to gain more time before the eviction, citing concerns with the number of homeless in the group.
-- Three members of Occupy DC are on a sleep strike. They are protesting the recent enforcement of a sleeping ban at the park, and know what they are doing can be dangerously unhealthy. The three men have been awake since Monday, and say they won't be giving in anytime soon.
-- Occupy Honolulu was dismantled yesterday by city workers, with tents and belongings being tagged and loaded into storage bins. One man was arrested after he dove into a tent, cut a hole in the bottom, and ran away with it before settling down in front of a backhoe. Police moved in to remove him and allow the backhoe to return to work.
That's all I have time for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Updates 2/2/12
Hello everyone.
Some Corporate Media outlets are in an uproar because of something that allegedly happened last week. Fox News originally reported that a bunch of Occupiers threw condoms on a bunch of Catholic schoolgirls at a pro-life rally. Now other media outlets are picking it up. Since it was Fox News that first reported it, I find myself simply shaking my head and sighing. Besides, if it even happened, they were wrapped, unopened condoms, not something disgusting or sinister. I just cannot personally see myself freaking out because someone threw something like that at me. "Oh, gross, a sterile, unopened, medical grade piece of latex! Ewww!" Anyway...
On to the news:
-- Occupy Oakland is back in the news again, this time with an accurate count of those arrested sitting at 409. Since police have finally released surveillance video of the protesters breaking into City Hall, they are asking people to call in if they know any of the people involved. (In an act of what I call pure hilarity, only 12 of the people arrested have been charged with anything. TWELVE. But we Occupiers are the ones wasting the city's resources. HA!)
-- Around 2 this morning, police moved in on Occupy Buffalo. The eviction of the camp came after the city and the Occupiers could not reach an agreement on the length of time Occupiers would stay. The city had proposed March 8, but Occupiers wanted the end of the month. Several people were arrested in the raid, but official numbers are not yet available.
-- Occupy Honolulu was served with an eviction notice yesterday morning, giving them 24 hours to clear out their belongings. Protesters are still welcome to remain and hold signs, but a new law makes it illegal for personal property to be on public land. This law affects not only Occupiers, but also the homeless. Any unattended property will be confiscated by police.
-- Sydney police are at it again, arresting seven protesters yesterday for occupying overnight. Two of those arrested were 15 and 17 year old girls, which the police refused to comment on. They also refused to comment on the possibility that several of those arrested were homeless.
That's all for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Some Corporate Media outlets are in an uproar because of something that allegedly happened last week. Fox News originally reported that a bunch of Occupiers threw condoms on a bunch of Catholic schoolgirls at a pro-life rally. Now other media outlets are picking it up. Since it was Fox News that first reported it, I find myself simply shaking my head and sighing. Besides, if it even happened, they were wrapped, unopened condoms, not something disgusting or sinister. I just cannot personally see myself freaking out because someone threw something like that at me. "Oh, gross, a sterile, unopened, medical grade piece of latex! Ewww!" Anyway...
On to the news:
-- Occupy Oakland is back in the news again, this time with an accurate count of those arrested sitting at 409. Since police have finally released surveillance video of the protesters breaking into City Hall, they are asking people to call in if they know any of the people involved. (In an act of what I call pure hilarity, only 12 of the people arrested have been charged with anything. TWELVE. But we Occupiers are the ones wasting the city's resources. HA!)
-- Around 2 this morning, police moved in on Occupy Buffalo. The eviction of the camp came after the city and the Occupiers could not reach an agreement on the length of time Occupiers would stay. The city had proposed March 8, but Occupiers wanted the end of the month. Several people were arrested in the raid, but official numbers are not yet available.
-- Occupy Honolulu was served with an eviction notice yesterday morning, giving them 24 hours to clear out their belongings. Protesters are still welcome to remain and hold signs, but a new law makes it illegal for personal property to be on public land. This law affects not only Occupiers, but also the homeless. Any unattended property will be confiscated by police.
-- Sydney police are at it again, arresting seven protesters yesterday for occupying overnight. Two of those arrested were 15 and 17 year old girls, which the police refused to comment on. They also refused to comment on the possibility that several of those arrested were homeless.
That's all for today, everyone.
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Updates 2/1/12
Hello everyone.
Happy February, aka Black History Month here in the USA, and LGBT History Month in the UK.
Here's the news:
-- Oakland officials are hoping to calm down any future protests by banning people from returning to the plaza. So far 12 people have been hit with "stay-away" orders, demanding that they remain at least 300 feet away from Frank Ogawa Plaza or face up to six month's jail time for disobeying a judge's orders. Defense attorneys say the order has nothing to do with the misdemeanors the Occupiers were charged with, and that they will be fighting the ruling.
-- Occupy DC is still holding strong, despite an unwelcome visitor to the occupation spot yesterday. An unidentified man showed up at the encampment, taking scissors to the "Tent of Dreams" while declaring "This is my city." He got through a few of the ropes holding the tent in place before he was surrounded by protesters and park employees. He was led away and driven off in a police car, unhandcuffed. The Occupiers quickly resecured the tarp.
-- In other DC news, a judge has ruled that Occupiers must be given 24 hours notice before any eviction may occur. The park service is thus far unaware of any eviction plans. The ruling would allow protesters to appeal an eviction notice in court.
-- Occupy Miami was raided yesterday, leading to at least three arrests and plenty of video. During the livestream of the event, officers in full riot gear could be seen pushing protesters down several streets, lined up and shouting "Back! Back! Back!" as they used their shields to shove people. The arrests came as police were quickly advancing on the street. One Occupier was dancing in front of police when he was hit and dragged past the advancing officers to be detained. Two others fell when police were using their shields to push, falling under the police line and being arrested. The Occupation had been served an eviction notice for that night.
-- Occupy Chicago is outraged at the behavior of a police officer, and the law that protects him. Currently, Illinois has eavesdropping laws that prohibit the recording of police. On Sunday during a march, a woman was recording the events when a police officer began to yell at her, using "sexist and verbally abusive comments." The woman was videotaping the situation, at which point the officer took her phone, erased all the video footage, and turned it off, telling her that recording police is a class 4 felony. Legislation to remove the law is heading through the system, but it is unknown if and when it will begin to take effect.
-- Tim Pool is the well-known Ustreamer in NYC, who often records the events of OWS for over 24 hours at a time. He has apparently been receiving threats from all sides, and is worried for his health. Read this article for more info:
http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/31/10282654-cameras-no-longer-welcome-at-occupy-wall-street-attack-highlights-conflict
-- Susie Cagel is a cartoonist/journalist who is the first reporter to be arrested twice in Oakland. In this article, she gives her side of the story; what she's seen and how things have really happened. Check it out:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/occupy-oakland-after-2nd-arrest-comics-journalist-susie-cagle-shares-her-on-the-ground-experience/2012/01/30/gIQAAu7UgQ_blog.html
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Happy February, aka Black History Month here in the USA, and LGBT History Month in the UK.
Here's the news:
-- Oakland officials are hoping to calm down any future protests by banning people from returning to the plaza. So far 12 people have been hit with "stay-away" orders, demanding that they remain at least 300 feet away from Frank Ogawa Plaza or face up to six month's jail time for disobeying a judge's orders. Defense attorneys say the order has nothing to do with the misdemeanors the Occupiers were charged with, and that they will be fighting the ruling.
-- Occupy DC is still holding strong, despite an unwelcome visitor to the occupation spot yesterday. An unidentified man showed up at the encampment, taking scissors to the "Tent of Dreams" while declaring "This is my city." He got through a few of the ropes holding the tent in place before he was surrounded by protesters and park employees. He was led away and driven off in a police car, unhandcuffed. The Occupiers quickly resecured the tarp.
-- In other DC news, a judge has ruled that Occupiers must be given 24 hours notice before any eviction may occur. The park service is thus far unaware of any eviction plans. The ruling would allow protesters to appeal an eviction notice in court.
-- Occupy Miami was raided yesterday, leading to at least three arrests and plenty of video. During the livestream of the event, officers in full riot gear could be seen pushing protesters down several streets, lined up and shouting "Back! Back! Back!" as they used their shields to shove people. The arrests came as police were quickly advancing on the street. One Occupier was dancing in front of police when he was hit and dragged past the advancing officers to be detained. Two others fell when police were using their shields to push, falling under the police line and being arrested. The Occupation had been served an eviction notice for that night.
-- Occupy Chicago is outraged at the behavior of a police officer, and the law that protects him. Currently, Illinois has eavesdropping laws that prohibit the recording of police. On Sunday during a march, a woman was recording the events when a police officer began to yell at her, using "sexist and verbally abusive comments." The woman was videotaping the situation, at which point the officer took her phone, erased all the video footage, and turned it off, telling her that recording police is a class 4 felony. Legislation to remove the law is heading through the system, but it is unknown if and when it will begin to take effect.
-- Tim Pool is the well-known Ustreamer in NYC, who often records the events of OWS for over 24 hours at a time. He has apparently been receiving threats from all sides, and is worried for his health. Read this article for more info:
http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/31/10282654-cameras-no-longer-welcome-at-occupy-wall-street-attack-highlights-conflict
-- Susie Cagel is a cartoonist/journalist who is the first reporter to be arrested twice in Oakland. In this article, she gives her side of the story; what she's seen and how things have really happened. Check it out:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/occupy-oakland-after-2nd-arrest-comics-journalist-susie-cagle-shares-her-on-the-ground-experience/2012/01/30/gIQAAu7UgQ_blog.html
***Solidarity***
To contact me for any reason, please email me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.
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