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/

A big day of football for Marcus and Tilly.

The Saints and the Patriots, both games in one day.
They settled in to watch the Saints and the 49ers first.
They expected that there would soon be snacks.

The Saints were one of their favorite teams.

They had watched the Saints win the Superbowl with tacos and nachos in 2010, and had a soft spot for them ever since.

The game started off with a bang!  

The mice were hungry.  Where were the snacks?

They began to protest.

In French. Possibly Cajun French.

The game was almost half over and there were no snacks!

The protest was effective.

Snacks arrived.

Just in time.

The mice were not feeling crabby any more, and relaxed with all the donuts to watch the rest of the game.

The beloved Saints lost, but not without many turnovers and a valiant effort.

Next up were the Patriots who played like champions.

It was a fun day of football.

More of Marcus & Tilly anytime http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloe-and-ivan/sets/72157623001687695/

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.

The Protester, cover of Time Magazine by Shephard Fairey

I am thrilled that Shephard Fairey made the illustration for Time magazine's Person Of The Year Issue.

Here is what he had to say

http://obeygiant.com/headlines/shepard-fairey-time-cover

A lot of critics are babbling on, I didn't put all the links, you can find them.

I first became aware that everyone is not a fan when I saw how an installation of his  in Providence was tagged and defaced.

This was too bad, it was such a treat to see it in the city at a construction site, until it was hit.

                           Shortly after that, he designed a new mural for Providence. 

Underneath the mural are the local landmarks used in the image.

Sometime before that he was arrested in Boston on the night of his Museum Opening.

http://www.woostercollective.com/post/was-shepard-fairey-arrested-to-embarrass-the-mayor-of-boston-a-first-hand-a

and created the iconic Obama Hope poster.

Which has been reworked for the Occupiers

http://obeygiant.com/headlines/occupy-hope

Some of whom have rejected it, feeling that it looks too close to the Obama campaign poster.

Before all of this, I had one of these

Which I took out of the frame and he graciously signed

The critics are being harsh,

whoever spray painted the poster in Providence was a hater, too

                      Shephard Fairey is living the dream of an Artist making a living and making a difference.

I am writing this in support of someone decent and creative.

Our local Occupiers could use some graphic inspiration for all their signs,

but that's another subject.

photos by Chloe C

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.