Occupy Wall Street -- just venting

[PamNY]

My comments aren't political at all. I haven't made any comment about OWS, outside of complaining about their timing and describing that I was frightened by one of their marches (we didn't know the police were allowing them to march without a permit). I simply think it's interesting to observe.

As far as change and personal responsibility, this is the residential neighborhood most affected by 9/11. We are familiar with both change and personal responsibility. Having the World Trade Center collapse directly across the street from your home is a superb example of change; in fact, offhand, I can't think of a better example.

Restoring small, human things like the farmer's market after 9/11 was a real struggle. The market has huge symbolic importance to us because of that, and we don't take it for granted. If residents stepping up and making sure the market is okay isn't personal responsibility, I'd like to know what is.

I just got a forwarded email from the farmer's market manager saying that while business is down, overall OWS is being respectful of the market -- do you think there's any chance that repeated reminders from people like me have helped with that?

As far as personal responsibility, the people negotiating with OWS are unpaid community volunteers. If speaking with OWS about issues like noise from their drum circle isn't personal responsibility, what is? They honestly didn't know there was a residential community and were somewhat responsive to our concerns. They now are distributing written guidelines to new arrivals about being respectful of people who live here. How is it not personal responsibility to effect that change?

If I were going to make political comments, they would be about the fact that the noise and disruption aren't anywhere near the neighborhoods where the rich and powerful live. There is absolutely no chance that would be tolerated. Marching across the Brooklyn Bridge does nothing but inconvenience ordinary working people. Marching on Fifth or Park Avenues would be a whole different story.

I thought it would be okay to talk about the practical side of the situation here, but obviously not, so I won't post anymore.

[NbyNW]

Pam, I for one have definitely appreciated seeing your updates. I lived in NYC many years ago, back when some of the big financial firms were still located in lower Manhattan, and while I know the neighborhood has changed, your posts are the only place where I've seen anyone talk about the impact of OWS on local businesses and the farmers' market.

As a sidenote I've been fascinated by not only the duration of this protest but the social organization of it that has been reported. It will be interesting to see if anything constructive comes out of it.

[Biciclista]

are the crowds really big? or are there a few hundred persistent people?

I appreciate your sharing actually.

[PamNY]

People apparently come and go, but the crowd is usually a couple hundred, I'd guess. Not surprisingly, it's bigger on weekends.

NbyNW they do seem very organized. It took some prodding, but once they realized they needed community relations, it got done.

It will be interesting to see how winter affects things. They aren't allowed to use tents, and at least one person has already needed an ambulance for hypothermia. Probably just unprepared for sleeping outside; it hasn't been that cold.

Local story:

http://www.downtownexpress.com/?p=3507

[jyyanks]

I wasn't being political either. Like Pam, I work in NYC and personally witnessed 9/11. It's uplifting to see things over there thrive again and I think local residents should try to protect the small businesses that are there today like the farmer's market.

I have no issue with peaceful protesting but I do think its silly that they want to be taken seriously and then they walk around in big groups wearing zombie costumes. My post was not meant to be offensive but rather to add color to Pam's commentary.

[OakLeaf]

Since we've got the other thread going, I know a lot of us have seen at least the first episode of the Prohibition documentary. The parallels are hard to ignore. Can you imagine what would happen if they called for a "Hatchetation" of the brokerages?

(PS: if 700 people got arrested for crossing a bridge, and there's still anybody left at the park, I'd say there are more than "several hundred" involved.)

[PamNY]

(PS: if 700 people got arrested for crossing a bridge, and there's still anybody left at the park, I'd say there are more than "several hundred" involved.)

"Several hundred" is the average number I'd estimate were consistently residing in the park. All of the people arrested were released -- I doubt anyone is being held without bond. They weren't arrested for crossing a bridge; the arrests were for being on the roadway where pedestrians are not allowed. As I said the crowds are bigger on weekends.

Tonight at the Community Board meeting they said they have 1500, but I don't know how accurate that is or whether they were counting day trippers.