Last Friday, I took the #4 train down to Fulton Street to video-explore the real time history-in-transit that is #OccupyWallStreet at Zuccotti Park/Liberty Square. Though I had been following the stories, the tweets, the memes and viral videos as they traversed social media, I had yet to head south and experience the events firsthand.
While I expected police personnel, signage, dancing, drumming, tarps and tents, there were many other unexpected observations that met the lens. For one, the plethora of cameras, both professional video rigs and high-tech digital SLRs, along with iPhones, cell phones and minicams of all stripes, recording the events. So many witnesses, so many eyes, so many stories being captured.
Beyond the obvious interest in the diversity of voices inhabiting the park, the "microphone check" information relay remains a fascinating instance of analog transmission in an otherwise high tech era of documentation. Because megaphones are prohibited, messages are repeated throughout the crowd, voice to voice to voice, in an echo effect that etches messages in the group mind. Old style shareware with a new twist.
Additionally, an active dialogue has been sparked about democracy, the economy, and equity that goes beyond the bipartisan politics to teach-in style conversations along the edges of the park. A bit of 3-D wikipedia, defining this millennial era of American history, live from New York.
Here is a video sketch of the peaceful events on that day, as they grazed my viewscreen, pre-sunset, just before it rained:
This "video sketch" is similar to pencil sketches on paper--quick notes, simple edits--a video observation screen. The #OccupyMovement has called on citizen journalists to crowdsource this narrative as an open dialogue with American democracy. These events, rich with colors, quirks, teach-ins, dialogues and performance art create a live display of "e pluriubus unim". So many voices. We are all invited to add to the mix.
And in the meantime, check out (and join!) the #OccupyWriters list for the #OccupyMovement: http://occupywriters.com/
The freedoms and rights are on a crash collision course. A face off occurred yesterday and the City of Oakland offices are closed today and tomorrow. A perfect storm of sorts...
Thanks for the updates...the videos of the violence have been troubling to say the least...free speech?
I *think* Occupy Oakland is going to be on the news again (within the next 48 hours)...just a *hunch.*
Pray or mediate...
Kathleen:
You are so welcome! We Oakland folks feel the love and support of the world. The writing coming from this historic shift is incredible. Please keep me posted, pun intended...
Best,
Melody
Melody, Thanks so much for passing this along...The OccupyWriters movement is off the charts! We have been watching and supporting you all in Oakland...thank you citizen journalists for being on the ground to hold onto the narrative....it's historic.
Kathleen:
BEST LINK EVER!!!
Thank you for sharing. You made my Saturday morning. I sent the Occupywriters link to hundreds of my writer/author friends.
I live in Oakland, so I am off to HELLA OCCUPY OAKLAND!!!
The word #Occupy has become an incredibly powerful meme, repeating and echoing with elasticity. We are part of a moment that is huge and it's linked to words that resonate.
Great post, Kathleen! I pass by the park twice a week on my home from my kids' afternoon activities. It truly is an amazing scene, even more so today as it rained and got quite windy out there. Yet, there they were, standing and even beating the drums at an acceptable tone. I admire their determination and spirit.
Hi Kathleen ~ your video and your thoughts are very inspiring, thank you! I wrote a blog last week about my own experience with Occupy Brooklyn and the big demonstration on Oct. 5th - from a slightly different perspective. As an older woman and a veteran from the 60s - I, like many my age have been overjoyed and reinvigorated by this Occupy Movement. My post, 'Standing In The Light #OccupyWallStreet' is for those among us who are perhaps overly sensitive types and not exactly young anymore - except in spirit!
http:/
Thanks for taking a look!...it's really quite an interesting scene down there...would love to see other writings/posts/photos inspiring this community...we are in the midst of something extraordinary that has gone global!
Kathleen - really enjoyed the video "sketch"
Nice work Kathleen, I enjoyed your observations both with words and video. Nothing like being there, right? I'd seen it on my screen so many times that when I actually went down there it was like, wow, this is really happening! Thank you for sharing ~