Thursday, September 22, 2011

What Have We Learned From #OccupyWallStreet?

Okay, so I'm starting this blog to help with the Occupy Chicago protests.  Let's start off by enumerating the various pitfalls that cropped up with the #occupywallstreet protesting, as well as a few that are unique to Chicago and then go into detail as to how to avoid them.

  1. The anti-mask laws in NYC are giving the cops a prime reason to mess with the members of anonymous who wanted to protest
  2. Tent city torn down
  3. No permits
  4. Little media coverage
  5. Media coverage tainted by the lack of coherent message.
  6. Common perception is of radical (fringe) movement
  7. Low retention numbers past the first day
  8. Overzealous protesters harassing passers by.
  9. Illinois wiretapping laws


Okay, time to address the issues.

  1. It looks like the anti-mask law in Chicago abolished back in 2001
  2. If your tent is under 400 feet you don't need a permit.
  3. Apply for a right of way permit
  4. One of our news corporations shoots their news in front of a huge glass window
  5. This one's for the comments section, but we desperately need one unifying reason for the protest.  I believe USDoR is saying that we are protesting corporate personhood.
  6. Be smart!  I know your anarcho-communist collective desperately needs the press, but you need to keep this protest as narrowly focused as possible.  This is not the war, this is a battle, and if we treat it otherwise we will lose both.
  7. Tent donations.  Seriously, if the protest isn't completely miserable like the one in NYC looks we can probably retain a lot more campers.  Also, get Lupe Fiasco involved.
  8. This is on you guys.  Aside from constantly blasting Pink Floyd I can't think of a way to keep the mob from getting out of hand.
  9. Be aware!  Audiotaping, or videotaping with sound a police officer without their consent carries a 15 year sentence!  Find an app that lets you videotape cops without sound, or figure out how to turn the mic off on your phone or video camera.
Point out more flaws and solutions in the comments so we can make this the most effective protest it can be.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Thank you for doing this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Also... if we do fill out the permit what do we ask for and how do we fill it out. I am excellent at filling out forms, but I am not sure how to categorize this event...

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaskedBloggerSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Called the CDoT number earlier today. It turns out you need to file for a permit at least 15 days before the event starts, and it's actually supposed to be a parade permit of all things. They where very helpful, but it's kind of a moot point unfortunately. Sorry for getting your hopes up on that one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Christine Flores-CozzaSeptember 26, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    #6 is an excellent point. Thank you for compiling this.

    ReplyDelete

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