Burnside Park no longer Occupied. Jan 30, 2012

Burnside Park no longer Occupied. Jan 30, 2012, a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

They have moved inside. I am grateful about this.  Now they can continue warm and dry.
Providence is still Occupied, just inside.

Family Protest Portrait

Three generations of McLoughlin women protesting together with Occupy Providence.

Providence, Rhode Island

January 28, 2012

Occupy Providence, January 28.

More than 100 days now, and moving inside for the Winter. Sunday they are breaking down the camp for the move inside. Saturday there was a march through the city, and a celebration.

People started to get ready for the march. It was a festive day, with face paint and some silly clothes.

The guy in the wheelchair is one of the people I have been concerned about in my campaign for them to move inside for Winter.  I am relieved that this is happening.

Of course there were drums. 

Power for the people arrived in a wagon. Marine and RV batteries.

She had stickers and feathers and markers for everyone to get festive.

She was also occupying a big toy rat.

One of the tents in the camp.  The tents are coming down on Sunday.

Part of today's celebration was an Artolution, with canvases up with paint for anyone to use.

Occupy PVD on the move

As the group took over some of the street, the police went by.

That's all, drove by. 

The city of Providence has acted in the true spirit of Roger Williams in how the authorities have accommodated and negotiated with our Occupiers.

There are more pictures from today over here http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloe-and-ivan/

Marcus and Tilly Occupied the fence in the park during the evening commute. It was cold out, and a storm was coming. They brought hot coffee in the thermos. They had natural fur coats to keep warm.

  a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

They stuck around for a while to talk to anyone who had questions.
The city was generally in agreement and supportive of two mice out in the frigid night.
The mice were encouraged by the response.
Marcus was aware that there might be professional repercussions.

What do you mean, housing is a human right?

What do you mean, housing is a human right?, a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

What do you mean, housing is a human right?
Marcus had never seen Tilly so agitated.

They lived in a cigar box.

They did not complain, complaining spoils a lot of days.
They both worked hard to pay for the cigar box.

"Am I not a mammal and a brother, too?"

The original quote, carved into a Wedgwood medallion, became one of the first social campaign slogans.
It helped gain support for the Abolitionist movement in the United States and abroad.
The slogan and many versions of the kneeling figure was printed on scarves and ribbons, struck into medals,
fired onto ceramics and reprinted in many publications of the time.
It was an effective campaign, winning many hearts and minds to the just cause.

http://www.librarycompany.org/artifacts/images/Struck%20into%20Metal/Anti-slavery%20medallion.jpg



Our Occupiers have many causes. 
I want them to Occupy somewhere inside so none of them freeze to death.  
Stay warm!   Chloe

Occupy Providence and a few thoughts about leadership and coming in out of the cold.

Occupy Providence, a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.
Our people have done well.
Our city has handled this well.
Our police have shown restraint and have been helpful.
The messages are getting out and people are thinking.

I stayed for a GA the other night, a general assembly.
There are problems in the park with campers who do not share the same ideals.

A proposal was put forth about circling the wagons, or the arrangements of the tents, for safety.

Some people felt that the proposal was divisive in language, and excluded some of the campers.

At the end of the meeting, the proposal did not pass, and some of the people from the safety group said they were going to leave.  It was very emotional. 

There have been problems that the safety working group have had to call rescue.

There have been problems in the camp that have nothing to so with the protest.

There have been drug and health and mental health related situations.

There have been encounters with people who have documented offensive backgrounds.

No revolution has ever been a tidy legislated change.

The first sketches can look rough and messy.

I think that in the end, it is inspired leadership that turns the tide.

I do not know why the idea of no leadership is so strong.  In looking for examples of brave women leaders and revolutionaries, I came upon the news of the recent death of Laura Pollen, leader of the Women in White protesting unjust arrests in Cuba.  The world has lost a conscientious and committed leader.

 These ladies also hold to the idea of no hierarchy within their group, like our occupiers. 

This is puzzling to me, when her leadership was so apparent. 

Our Occupiers have made a community and created a network of communication and comraderie.

That community can be better sustained inside during the Winter.  Group actions are not dependent on freezing in the night, being assaulted by the nieghbors in the park, and being misunderstood by many of the working people they are raising issues for.

Get inside.  Winter is coming.

Much love, Chloe C.

An update:  Feb 9, 2012

I was reading this today, and think I am understanding more about the idea of "leaderless" and why they want it so.

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/09/146636605/wael-ghonim-creating-a-revolution-2-0-in-egypt

btw, our Occupiers are inside now. 

Meanwhile, outside in our city

It's on.

But my son's wedding is the priority this week.

Here is a pic of the sculpture when it is not being used
as a flagpole or a bulletin board

I love this sculpture.

This is a monumental tribute to a mediocre General.

A lot of people liked him, but he was not a good General.
General Burnside was also Governor of Rhode Island,
and built a very original house on Benefit Street.
Have to go get a picture.