Occupy D.C. Braces for Camping Ban

The two sites that comprise Occupy DC -- McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza have remained long after many high-profile occupations across the country have been disbanded -- sometimes violently -- by police in riot gear wielding clubs, pepper spray, tear gas, and even flash grenades.

In January, Congressman Issa, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Interior demanding to know why the National Parks Service had allowed D.C. protesters to violate a no-camping rule.*  The letter explained that the McPherson Square had been recently restored, and the campers were damaging the grass.

Issa also called for a congressional hearing.  After the hearing, National Parks (that is, the Obama administration) agreed to enforce the no overnight camping ban, but tolerate tents that were symbolic of speech and not used for sleeping.   Any sleepers would be evicted from McPherson Square Park. (Incidentally, city laws don't prevent sleeping on the sidewalks as long as the sleeper doesn't pose an obstruction.)

Why was sleeping tolerated long after other Occupy campsites were disbanded?  With the approach of an election year, the White House did not want to alienate a politically conscious group comprising many who voted for Obama in 2008.

It can also be observed that keeping Occupy DC alive, even as the administration gave nodding approval to the destruction of other Occupy sites, enhanced the prominence of Occupy DC.  You can imagine how this might have served the interest of the administration.

"Occupy Wall Street" is as much a problem as an opportunity for the Obama administration.  Wall Street has given more money to Barack Obama than any other politician -- Republican or Democrat.  In 2008 Wall Street accounted for 1 in 5 dollars spent by the Obama campaign.

The genius of Occupy Wall Street was targeting the parasitic financial institutions that brought ruin to the economy and continue to suck the oxygen out of the American political system.  OWS drew attention to grotesque income inequality; to the fact that an industry that provides few social benefits dominates politics and the economy.   The Obama administration would surely have liked to have focused the energy of the Occupy movement into support for the Democratic Party, directing anger away from their Wall Street benefactors and towards the obstructionist politicians of the Republican Party (also in the pocket of Wall Street).

However, Occupy DC had been careful to target the tentacles of the corporate dominance.  Protesters targeted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, banks, lobbyists (McPherson Square is on K-Street).   In spite of its proximity to the political establishment, Occupy DC remained true to the founding principle of the movement.

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* One wonders how Congressman Issa's committee found time to investigate damaged grass, but not the financial industry.   

Undercover Police Infiltrate Occupy Supreme Court Protest

January 21st marked the second anniversary of the Citizens United Vs Federal Election Commission ruling that has made it easier than ever for corporations to fund political campaigns.

Occupy DC staged a demonstration in front of the Supreme Court challenging decisions such a Citizens United that have served to further entrench political power in the hands of corporations.

OWS Protesters Occupy Congress

Jan. 17th marked the first day of a new session of Congress.   The Occupy or OWS movement scheduled a rally to coincide with the opening.

The decision was not without controversy.  Occupy began as a movement directed against Wall Street, against the too-powerful institutions that have come to have enormous influence over Congress.   To shoot at mere political representatives could be seen to miss the target.   But then again, it is argued that in today's corporate state it's hard to say where business ends and politics begins; if Congress is viewed as an extension of Wall Street, bringing Occupy Wall Street to Congress seems like a sensible idea.

One fact besides the weather made it convenient for demonstrators to come to D.C. in the middle of January:  two "Occupy" encampments have remained in the city.

Tax dollars at work.   As usual, security was excessive.

Protesters outside Rayburn Office Building.  Other protesters went inside to meet with their representatives.

Occupy General Assembly at Washington Monument

Police helicopter shines its spotlight on the General Assembly.

Protesters gathered near the Washington Monument for General Assembly (GA) the evening prior to  Occupy Congress.

From the monument you could count four helicopters hovering over the city below. President Obama had been moving around town.  One helicopter approached the monument every ten minutes only to back off before it got really close.  After the passing of the motorcade along 17th Street adjacent to the World War II memorial below, only this helicopter remained in the sky.  Suddenly it flew over the protesters and shone its spotlight directly on the gathering.  Protesters turned to face the light.

The banner proclaims the right of protesters to hold their meeting.   

General Assembly at the Washington Monument.

The White House (not visible) is to the far right.  The GA was streamed on live video to the world.