Amidst reports of a lot of helicopter activity over NYC last night, the NYPD went in and rousted out the Occupiers last night. But why, seems to be the major question occupiers are asking. Why last night? Why this movement in NYC? And why are tarps and tents no longer allowed, while the Mayor is touting concerns for the Occupiers as one of the major reasons they were dismantled last night? Wouldn’t tarps and tents keep the occupiers relatively safe and healthy in the approaching winter?
None of this makes sense. It seems strange to shut down a largely peaceful movement when it has finally started to gain ground in mainstream media, and with some intelligible talking points. Where have the civil liberties of this country disappeared to?
Occupy Wall Street site did a moment by moment breakdown of the attack, with a promise to reoccupy.
New York magazine wonders about the city’s intentions for shutdown here.
Op-ed piece by occupiers in the Guardian UK – “Such a movement cannot be evicted. Some politicians may physically remove us from public spaces – our spaces – and, physically, they may succeed. But we are engaged in a battle over ideas. Our idea is that our political structures should serve us, the people – all of us, not just those who have amassed great wealth and power. We believe this idea resonates with so many of us because Congress, beholden to Wall Street, has ignored the powerful stories pouring out from the homes and hearts of our neighbors, stories of unrelenting economic suffering. Our dream for a democracy in which we matter is why so many people have come to identify with Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement.”
