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By Kerri Provost, November 15, 2011 10:30 pm

The viaduct — that eyesore that divides neighborhoods and requires repairs or removal — will be one site where local activists gather on Thursday for the “National Day of Action for the 99%” (also being called March and Occupy the Bridge for the Jobless).

Nationwide, people will be marching across bridges and in other public spaces to demand that Congress create jobs. Organizers say that “America’s crumbling infrastructure” needs to be addressed. Of I-84, they say “this interstate needs work and so do we. We could create millions of jobs repairing bridges and roads like I-84 in downtown Hartford, as well as schools and parks — fixing up our country will help us meet America’s education, transportation, and clean energy needs.”

Steve Thornton, who is with SEIU 1199 and will be taking part in Thursday’s action, noted that “public safety is not a priority” when it comes to government spending, “but tax breaks” have been in recent years. This action, he said, is designed to shine a light on “upside down priorities.” Continue reading 'Take it to the Bridge'»

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By Kerri Provost, November 3, 2011 1:47 pm

Some activists will be using November 5th as an opportunity to loudly and visibly protest Bank of America, but those behind Bank Transfer Day want less talk, more action.

Bank Transfer Day organizers write:

no actions scheduled at banking institutions are organized or condoned by this movement or its organizer. Please close your accounts in the manner they were opened: independently, with respect, without signage

Route for Saturday's march, courtesy of Occupy Hartford

In Hartford, activists will begin marching at 10 on Saturday morning from the Occupy Hartford site to several Bank of America locations. In a press release, Rebecca Burton from Occupy Hartford, states,

Bank of America has refused to use the money taxpayers ‘loaned’ them to help small businesses and homeowners here in Connecticut. We think that’s wrong, and we hope our protest against this bank’s selfish policies will help in the nationwide campaign to get everybody to move their money out of Bank of America–and the other ‘too big to fail’ banks.

Occupy Hartford says that this is a “solidarity action,” and that Occupy Wall Street and offshoot Occupy groups endorse Bank Transfer Day.

But, Bank Transfer Day organizers do not return the endorsement. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: Bank Transfer Day'»

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By Kerri Provost, November 2, 2011 7:40 pm

“Get a job” is yelled, again, from an SUV speeding by Turning Point Park during early evening rush hour on a day when many are still off from work due to the storm.

A group of fifteen activists — some camping at the site, some not — gathered at the corner of Broad and Farmington to rally in solidarity with Occupy Oakland in general, and Scott Olsen, specifically. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: Solidarity with Occupy Oakland'»

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By Kerri Provost, October 30, 2011 6:46 pm

They said they would not be deterred by the weather. Given the nature of Saturday’s storm, the Occupy Hartford bunch may have had a few advantages over the rest of us: no trees overhead and they already adjusted to being without power, aside from what the small solar panel could supply. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: Surviving the Storm'»

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By Kerri Provost, October 18, 2011 11:08 am

While morale seemed to be at a low last week, the threat of imminent implosion appears to be minimal now. Monday evening’s meeting involved around 40 people altogether, most of whom had not been involved just a few days ago. Among those speaking out: a man wearing a “Don’t Tread on Me” hat, another in a button-down, collared shirt, and a local postal worker, who informed activists that those he delivers mail to, in one of Hartford’s poorest neighborhoods, “don’t know you’re here.”

The theme of outreach emerged throughout the meeting. There was agreement that very little was going on at the Occupy Hartford site to engage “new blood.” The information bulletin board was not near the sidewalk where pedestrians would see it, but almost hidden from view toward the back of the encampment. Depending on the day, a passerby can receive immediate and accurate information from someone acting as a greeter, or, receive a mumbled “hello” only after the pedestrian has initiated contact. Another concern voiced during the meeting was that there are not enough picketers on the street. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: Signs of Momentum'»

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By Kerri Provost, October 12, 2011 9:08 pm

More than an hour into the Wednesday evening General Assembly meeting, a longtime activist told the group, “I don’t understand why we’re here. I know why I’m here.”

This summed up the sprawling discussion among 30-35 Occupy Hartford activists. A proposal was made to march against Bank of America on Friday, go out with a “bang,” and end the camping segment of the movement. After most people weighed in on it, several times, this was dismissed for the time being. Caron, a school nurse, called the proposal to stop occupying the vacant lot on Friday “premature,” but like many, was not opposed entirely to coming up with some end date. Another said, “it’s important to realize people can’t camp out forever.”

The proposal sparked emotional responses from several who have been camping since Friday. Alice — who camped out every night except for the first night — said that the suggestion to end everything already sounds “like you’re not appreciating what those of us sleeping out are doing.”

That it could snow in October was a main reason cited for why the group should pack up. One man jumped in, saying, “I went through this in 1978,” and experienced snow. He said, “we slept in the cold. We improvised. . . . y’all got better things than we had. Y’all got tents.” Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: “I don’t understand why we’re here”'»

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By Kerri Provost,

From yesterday’s  City Council meeting minutes, prepared by Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library:

24. Occupy Hartford. Resolution in support of Occupy Hartford and for continued dialogue that would reach a resolution allowing continued exercise of democracy to continue. (Cotto, Torres) Passed

To those just tuning in, it may seem that the ultimate goal of Occupy Hartford is not to bring attention to economic injustice, but to erect a tent city on an otherwise vacant piece of land.

Though not reflected in other media accounts, some individuals in the group have been pressing for other activists to pick their battles and stay focused on the reason for their gathering.

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By Kerri Provost, October 10, 2011 8:05 pm

A 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 draw attention to herself. A small group of women came to the park on Monday afternoon to donate soup and a blanket. Others have dropped off vegetables and volunteered to cook for the cause.

Marla, who has been involved with Occupy Hartford, is no stranger to requesting donations. She started Bright Star Vision in 2005 as a way to help a village in Ghana. Her organization has established a library and built a kindergarten, among other things, in the Volta region of Ghana. When we spoke this afternoon, she expressed her desire for there to always be greeters along Farmington Avenue, explaining that all types of people walk by, including those who would like to contribute. Another activist with the group agreed that to a passerby, it might seem too intimidating at first. They understood how a few friendly faces could make the organization more accessible. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: A Community-Supported Endeavor'»

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By Kerri Provost, October 9, 2011 4:15 pm

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. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford: After the March'»

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By Kerri Provost, October 7, 2011 9:15 pm

“Hartford schools don’t have any money, but CEOs are making thousands of dollars per hour,” Frank O’Gorman answered when asked why he took part in the Occupy Hartford march that snaked through Downtown during evening rush hour Friday. The few hundred protestors walked from along Bushnell Park  to Gold Street, Main Street, and then Asylum Street; they ended in “Turning Point Park,” the former location of Hartford High School, on the corner of Asylum and Broad Street.

Julia B. Rosenblatt of HartBeat Ensemble, marched with her family. Explaining her participation, she said, “I’ve had enough.” Rosenblatt added that she is “thrilled” about the action taking place. Nicholas Wolf of Hartford said that the march is about “economic inequality.”

When pressed about what actions the organization would be taking beyond sleeping in the park near I-84, nobody seemed to know much. Rosenblatt said that the “plan is being made as it goes,” but she did say there would be more outreach to those in the community who, because of lack of internet access or being too busy trying to support their families, are so far unaware of Occupy Hartford. Rosenblatt said flyers would be distributed and that people would stand outside of places frequented by locals, like the Stop and Shop, Wal-Mart, and libraries. O’Gorman added that outreach committee members would also head to community centers and churches. He called this march the “official kickoff” for the group.

The protest, Wolf said, was “a visual of a problem that exists.” That problem, he said, was “disenfranchisement.”

The march received attention from the captive audience of people at bus shelters and people stuck in traffic. One man, driving a large, gleaming black SUV stuck his head out the window and hollered for activists to get out of his way; at this point, protestors were crossing a street, which the police had blocked so that they could do so safely. Continue reading 'Occupy Hartford Delays the Friday Evening Exodus'»