On the first night that activists slept in the park on the corner of Broad and Farmington/Asylum, someone in the apartment building across the street shot BBs at protestors. Originally told they could not erect structures in the park, now, Occupiers have set up tents. Over the weekend, supporters have brought doughnuts and soup to activists.Word is getting out about the organization and action. The Unitarian Society of Hartford on Bloomfield Avenue displayed a sandwich board inviting activists with Occupy Hartford to worship there this morning.
Beyond Friday night’s march through Downtown, the activists have been troubleshooting. One longtime activist said some concerns about attitudes related to race and sex needed to be dealt with before they had the opportunity to blow up into major issues. Others have identified the need for a kids’ area in the park; some were working on scrounging up toys for kids. Creating a kid-friendly environment allows more participation from single parents in general and from women in particular.
On Sunday, someone with the Wellness Committee planned to lead children on a nature walk through Bushnell Park. The Wellness Committee was developed to help prevent activist burnout, as well as to ensure that their spiritual needs were being met.
Park Occupiers talked about the potential of running workshops in the future, including one on how to connect with the media. Among longtime activists, there was an airing of frustration over how long some of the meetings have lasted, and admitted that some of this was due to new activists who are unfamiliar with the consensus-building model. An expectation expressed both by those involved in Occupy Hartford and by those who have merely been observing is that there will be a thinning out process. Those with an impatience for a leaderless, process-heavy movement are expected to drop out, as are those whose belief systems do not jive with those of the rest of the group.
The activists have a meeting scheduled for early this evening; they have been posting meeting times on a sign along Farmington Avenue.
lobonick
a very good analysis. the occupy hartford site is growing like a spring garden. next week will be interesting as the hartford workers will be occupying asylum ave and farmington with their consistent traffic. the movement is highly organic at this time, but the seeds have been sown.
the city’s reaction will be interesting. i assume they are working on their game plan. if not, the city should start working on that quickly. it is safe to say that the movement has no plans on unoccupying in the near future. a compromise position would be best.
Jacki
Has anyone determined if the BB shooter was a child, teenager, or an adult trying to start a riot? Perhaps the BB shooter wanted to see the tents that the city said couldn’t be erected in the park in order to get the OCCUPIERS arrested???
Just wondering since there are “plants” infiltrating other Occupys in other cities to do nothing BUT stir up trouble…and make the peaceful OCCUPIERS resemble say the Vietnam War protesters in the 60’s which of course would destroy our credibility. Oh yes, were a riot to be allowed to be started by the infiltrators THEN the PRESS would be showing up, perhaps ahead of the police!
Kerri Provost
Jacki,
Hi. I am press and I showed up. I do not get the antagonism that exists toward the media. If you all want the press to show up, consider sending press releases *before* events occur, not after. But this antagonism, this coming out of the gates firing when there is no reason to, does not necessarily make the media want to show up. I had a wonderful conversation with some longtime activists today who agreed with me on this principle. I am hoping that their understanding of how to interact with others trickles down to those activists who can not even recognize sympathizers who are *also* the media and who would be glad to provide coverage if only some cooperation would occur.
Richard
Sorry I missed you today. I had no time to talk to the press as I was getting the food tent in order. Too Bad as I would love to meet a pressperson as wonderful as you.
Feeding the revolution is some mighty work. Soup and doughnuts!! huh! We have had many wholesome dishes sent our way by supporters real food, yes, for real food! Stop by for dinner sometime. In fact I will send you a special invite when we have our potluck. We have had all sorts of food donated by people. Food Not Bombs has been cooking up a storm this weekend and everyone knows they cook good. Our Food Committee is busy cooking, my partner did cooking today, friends are cooking too.
The person with the bb gun shot from the apartment house across the street so it was impossible to tell what!! was doing the shooting.
As far as the city is concerned no one knows yet. We have some very good attys from the National Lawyers Guild.
Today we held a Queer Caucus and have written our manifesto. Will send you a copy when it is published. Queers are such interesting folks, since we are here there and everywhere I guess we see a bit more than many others do, and are not afraid to tell it like it is.
I don’t know I am very friendly with many older activists myself included, started my career back in 1963, this type of a movement is a breath of fresh air. The heavy handed top down, oh no, isn’t that what we fight against isn’t that the 1%.
So many folks have been misquoted by the media myself included over the years that I just don’t bother anymore. Of course I do have media that I would talk to and you are on that very short list.
To answer Jacki’s concern, I think we have most of the people down and don’t anticipate any riot or smashing of the criminals windows. PEACE BABY PEACE. Until the day when indeed the walls will come tumbling down and all of americka will be forced to act.
Kerri Provost
I plan to keep dropping by, with or without special invites (though those help if there are larger events planned so that I know to get there on time) so maybe I’ll get to meet you one of these days.
The concerns about “the city” seem somewhat unwarranted to me, as this has support from at least two current city councilpersons and the COO. I am sure there are others. That does not mean people get to do whatever they want, but I think it is to their advantage to have people in power on their side.
I understand about not talking to some media because of being misquoted. My advice would be to take that on a case-by-case basis. There are some great writers at the Courant, for instance, and there are others there who have been known to just invent quotes. But I would not write off all the media or even an entire news outlet automatically. Maybe this is something that could be shared with activists — educate self on the finer points before sounding smug and insular. And if you really don’t want to talk to the media and someone asks, you and your organization will come off as a lot less snotty simply by saying, “I don’t think I’m the best person for you to talk to. Maybe (insert other activist’s name here) would be willing to answer your questions.” It’s polite and does not force anyone to compromise principles.
Richard
I learned many moons ago never be too cozy with the powers that be.
Kerri Provost
Not cozy…but I think that until given reason not to, it does not hurt to treat media and politicians as if they are already on your side. It is an election year, after all, and the majority of Americans seem to be very disgusted with bank bailouts and corporate greed. Politicians with any sense are not going to want to alienate a large number of voters.
Real Hartford » Occupy Hartford: A Community-Supported Endeavor
[…] woman requesting to remain anonymous donated $100 worth of gift cards from a local deli to Occupy Hartford. She works for a company in the neighborhood where activists have set up camp and does not wish to […]
Richard
“The concerns about “the city” seem somewhat unwarranted to me, as this has support from at least two current city councilpersons and the COO. I am sure there are others. That does not mean people get to do whatever they want, but I think it is to their advantage to have people in power on their side.”
DAY 4- Late Monday afternoon Chief of Police Darryl K Roberts came to Turning Point Park and told us that we need to take the tents down first thing Tuesday morning (Oct.11). At the same time, he also informed us that City Officials would like to have a meeting with us. During the General Assembly, the consensus was that we would take down the tents at 7am and meet with them Tuesday, late afternoon.
Kerri Provost
Okay, but like I said…does it make sense to start something with the assumption and attitude that those with political power will be against activists, or would it be more sensible to assume they are with you?
I question the “we are the 99” slogan because many activists don’t seem to be buying into what that really means. Cops are not bankers and are definitely not in the 1%. Some have even showed up at the park to express their individual support of the organization. My criticism is of the “strategy” that some have of alienating themselves from the start. If the movement is really about the people, then treat everyone as if they are equals, as if they are part of this supposed majority. Then, if an issue appears, act accordingly. But treating police and the City as the enemy when there has been support from both…that seems to contradict this organization’s message completely.