Yesterday I went to OccupyDenver.org to find out what supplies were needed
and after loading up a plastic bin with various items, I drove downtown and
joined OccupyDenver.
Approximately 70 tents were set up on the grass in front of the capitol building
on land that is designated state park property.
There were canopied structures along the sidewalk for check-in, donation drop-off, and
Thunderdome, the kitchen that served hundreds of meals per day for the past several weeks.
While I was there, supporters dropped off cases of bottled water, cash, and small US flags.
People came by, made their own signs using available cardboard and a crate full of markers,
and protested along Broadway for a while.
I didn't make a sign because I had so many thoughts and issues and emotions in my head,
I couldn't focus enough to be coherent. Instead, I selected an enormous sign from the pile:
WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE?
For a couple hours I held that sign next to a woman who'd been inspired to her first political action
by the courage of those speaking out via occupations around the country.
She has a young son and we talked about the various ways things are royally messed up for our children.
She said, "No wonder there's no one message out of all this. So many things are wrong, how do you
pick just one?"
True, that.
Here's one of the many intelligent young people leading the way:
Here's one of the many senior citizens in attendance holding his I'M PROUD TO BE A MOBSTER sign:
While it felt good to connect with the 99% community, I felt down much of the time
because about a half-hour after arriving, I learned the CO governor, Denver mayor, and
CO attorney general had held a press conference saying they were evicting the protesters
that night. For their safety and well-being, don't you know.
Early this morning, police in riot gear descended upon #OccupyDenver and broke up
their camp. Twenty-three people were arrested and belongings were thrown in the trash.
Please check out this slideshow from Denver Post photographers.
This protest is far from over.
#OccupyWallStreet is still going strong and there are over 100 occupations taking
place around the country (and in several cities around the world).
Thank you to all the people who honked and waved in support yesterday.
And to the angry man who flipped us off as he drove by, I wish you'd consider this:
Tracy Abell 
Yay, Tracy, for getting out there and being part of the change. And you know, even though there are setbacks, like Denver evicting the camp–boo hiss boo–be encouraged by what is happening all over the country. This is not going away!
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You’re right, Lorraine. I was happy to read the letters in this morning’s paper because every single one was in support of Occupy Denver! That’s definitely a good sign.
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Occupy in the sky!
WOW! Who knew this was happening everywhere?
U Go Tracy!
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Re: Occupy in the sky!
It’s amazing. Occupy Des Moines! Occupy Chattanooga!
We are the 99%!
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The marchs were people doesn’t know what to say are the most powerfull. There is too much to say to limit it to a few words. When we had the march for peace and stop all the insecurity we all dressed in white and marched in silence. It was more powerfull than a thousand roars.
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That must’ve been powerful, Anabel. And wow, this line right here: “It was more powerfull than a thousand roars.” Beautiful.
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You inspire me, Tracy. If anyone epitomizes the axiom, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” it’s you.
I love that the movement is growing exponentially, and that the message is shaping itself organically, inclusive of the masses, rather than being orchestrated by a single source.
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The brave souls camping out around the country are the true inspiration, Melodye. But it’s wonderful seeing how much support they get. I just mentioned to Lorraine that my morning paper’s letters to the editor were all in favor of Occupy Denver. The movement is people-powered, and growing!
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Power to the people!
Are you a fan of Hugh Laurie (aka House)? You might enjoy this clip, in which he sings a protest song. It’s hilarious–and seemingly prescient– circa the early ’90s.
http://front.moveon.org/hugh-laurie-house-sings-amazing-protest-song/#.Tpmo5Bh8vQI.facebook
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I love Hugh Laurie (from way back in his Bertie Wooster days). Thank you for sharing that.
I think we are finding the answers now and those answers will come from the people most directly affected by what our government does in our name.
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YAY! I think it’s awesome that you are active in being and bringing about change.
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It’s awesome how people are taking direct action and creating indelible images. I hope change is coming.
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Breaking up the demonstration did nothing to address the energy that brought it to life in the first place. It’s like banning a book about a tough subject–banning the book doesn’t make the tough subject go away.
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You are absolutely right. Plus, it’s created a bigger backlash because the Gov spoke about protecting First Amendment rights and “you can be here from 5am to 11pm” but then those people were arrested after 5am and now the park is closed and guarded.
The tough subject is still the issue, with added emphasis.
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Thank you for being there in Denver, Tracy, and for sharing this with the rest of us. It’s inspiring to see people standing up for kindness, decency, and fairness in a world that needs these things so badly.
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Thank you for stopping by to read about it, Amy. People are standing up all over the world, saying Enough is enough.
Power to the people!
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Tracyworld!
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