The National Gathering

Chicago, IL, May 20, 2012, #NoNATO Rally

It is Sunday. It is time to post another update on what I see (or am not seeing) out of Occupy. As reported last week Occupy is not dying. As I write this, there is a national gathering in Philadelphia to discuss common issues. We are still waiting on pictures, but it would seems it has met with the same Police resistance which we have seen in New York, Oakland, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, and many other cities.

Clearing the street, Chicago, IL, May 20,2012, NATO Rally

At this point I’ve no solid reports on how many have shown up in Philadelphia. One thing which has been reported is that there are representatives from all over the USA gathering there. Some are calling it a historic gathering. As usual, I am watching this from my Twitter® Cockpit. The #NatGat tag is as thick with trolls as there were flies at the Continental Congress in 1776. 

It is considered crass to hunt trolls any more, but one can chase ‘em down for sport. All in all, save for the occasional troll hunt (#OpTrollBait), twitter is pretty quiet (in comparison to many #OWS Direct Action operations); most of the action is happening in teach-ins and working groups with little hitting the net except when needed. There is one story that keeps popping up: Philadelphia’s mayor has instructed the Fire Department to cut off the National Gathering’s water supply. Have to hand it to Occupy. Collectively we have proved that the elected officials of every major city, no matter what race, are card carrying members of the 1% club.

Chicago, IL, Michigan and Cermac, May 20, 2012, NATO Rally

My guess is that the numbers at the National Gathering will grow between now and Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2012. All we can do is hope something good comes out of this national gathering in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.





Breaking News:

Last night about 9:00 PM CDST 37 Activist along with live streamers, were kettled, and arrested for blocking a highway in Philadelphia. Below are the official contacts for the city of Philadelphia, PA. 

(From: http://pastebin.com/S8FfwesH )

Not at Occupy National Gathering (occupynationalgathering.com) but still want to help beaten, kettled, jailed occupy comrades? here's how:

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter:

Tweet @PhiladelphiaGov @Michael_Nutter

Call 215-686-2181

FB: http://facebook.com/PhiladelphiaCityGovernment michael.nutter@phila.gov

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey

Tweet @PhillyPolice

Email police.commissioner@phila.gov

Call 215.686.3280 and 215-686-3367

tell them to STOP ATTACKING PEACEFUL OCCUPY PROTESTERS