Occupy Denver full of shit, Denver anarchists not so much
Yesterday, there was a fairly decent showdown between the DPD and protesters in Denver. You'll notice, of course, that I didn't say there was a showdown between Occupy Denver and the DPD. Because those in Occupy Denver, having as minimal an understanding of the First Amendment and civil disobedience as they do of math, only participated to the extent of doing DPD's work for them. This from the Denver Post (and a great slideshow here):
The first midafternoon confrontation had police and state troopers shoulder-to-shoulder pushing a group of marchers off the state Capitol steps, which is out-of-bounds to protesters without a permit. Some of the Occupy Denver sympathizers then raced to set up tents in Civic Center, where city officials have allowed ongoing food tables and sleeping bags but not sleeping structures.
Those who resisted the removal of tents, food tables, and etc. were not Occupy Denver. They were too busy screaming "shame" at those who were actually engaged in defending their rights. And, although both Occupy Denver and the DPD have been quick to characterize those who resisted the removal of those tents as violent, that's horseshit. Civil disobedience demands, well, disobedience.
Not to be a prick, but that kinda means you don't do what you're told. It means standing on a broader principle, like, say, that aforementioned First Amendment — namely "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"– and not fucking being told you don't have that right by goons, state-employed or no.
As usual, both here in Denver and elsewhere, there are a number of folks who don't understand their own rights. A commitment to non-violence does not mean an agreement to allow one's rights to be abrogated at will by the state. Nor does it mean that one won't, when necessary, engage in self defense.
Those in Occupy Denver who were snitching out activists who had the guts to do what they never would, they're a joke. They're easily co-opted, and the worst kind of gutless. Which is why I've expressed some measure of hesitation about the Occupy folks. I've seen their kind before, and I've made it my goal in life not to be anywhere near them, under any circumstance. They're not worth working with. Hell, they're not worth conversing with.
Fact is, here in Denver, it looks to me like the Occupy folks have no more interest in the courage of their own conviction than they do in actual social change. They're greatest interest is in feeling really good about themselves in between planning their next organic meal and sipping their Starbucks latte. It's a movement of personal purity, and nothing more.
That said, you did find resistance yesterday, and of the best kind. But it wasn't found in Occupy Denver. It was found in the likes of Denver Anarchist Black Cross, Colorado Street Medics, West Denver Copwatch, and other loosely affiliated groups which were largely attacked, while used, by Occupy Denver. If you need to support somebody, support them.
Update: Oh, and this seems apropos. Fuck the Law — Riot Now!
[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]
