Nov 25

#OccupyHarper: PM, Coward & Anti-Bike Bully


One of the low-points  of my elementary school days was the moment some bully decided to kick the rims of my BMX bike. I was a geeky kid- kind of like our Prime Minister is today…

It may have been different if I was protected by a gang of men in well-pressed suits- that said, if it were Harper’s security detail, I’d probably be in the same situation. Despite the fact that I advertised Occupy Harper & Christie’s Photo nearly 24 hours in-advance on Facebook, they were completely unprepared for today’s events.

Three of Harper’s Stooges

It was a beautiful Vancouver winter’s day. The sun was shinning and the mountains were no longer hiding behind the clouds.  Our Prime Minister was hiding though- he sneaked in through the back door, and threw us a snarky wave when it was too late for the demonstrators to block him. We were okay with that, it is what we expected.

Beautiful day for a protest Officer!

We found out that he drove over the bricks of the seawall to get in. So, the crowd marched over to the other side of ScienceWorld in search for some rabble to rouse.  It was then that we realized we may be able to block Harper’s exit!

We don’t need no stinkin’ badges- we’re occupiers!

As time passed, the lack of police presence was resolved by a gang of six motorcycle cops. Then, some of the bigger VPD’s showed-up in their starched white shirts. Harper’s security people were pacing back & forth between the police and their handlers behind the gates. The more nervous they looked, the more we felt we were onto something!

Houston, we have a problem!

At one point, I go to the VPD and tried to test the temperature stating: “I don’t believe we are on a public highway. But, if you can show me any laws you quote we are breaking, I’ll do my best to get the crowds to move.  But, I will research these laws and we will come back to you if this was not right!” The look of anger on the starched-white shirt VPD was priceless. Stalemate! We were winning!

Is that a legal structure? ROTFL

After a while (and I believe after we had started effecting Harper’s schedule) the motorcycle cops started their engines and moved into a formation. They then say there idling and the crowd began to remind them of Vancouver’s anti-idling laws. A good time was had by all!

Fifteen minutes later I get a call from a fellow demonstrator who was on the other side of the building. He told me that Harper was making a mad dash trying to get away. Coward!

A group of us ran over to catch the people on the other side. I saw the PM’s car speed by just as I got there- with the sound of a large “CRUNCH” behind him. I walked to the parking lot, started taking pictures as I was walking. Then, suddenly, some bully cop lightly shoved me out of the way. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe it was legal for him to do that! Police violence!  lol

I’m too afraid to speak to occupiers!

I noticed, after Prime Coward Harper had sped away he had crushed some girl’s bicycle! And, apparently, he almost ran-over one of Vancouver’s finest. Pitiful.

Harper’s new bicycle policy- “Crush them!”

So, #OccupyHarper proved to the world that #OccupyVancouver is still here, and that we are powerful enough to shake up Mr. Harper!

And, to quote this camerman- Occupy Vancouver  is “Better than a food fair!” But, then again, you all ready knew that didn’t you?

One other cameraman who agreed- Better than a food fair!

Nov 24

Occupy Harper & Christy’s Photo Op!


We found out this morning that the Prime Borgmeister Harper is coming to Vancouver tomorrow for a photo op at Science World! And, apparently, Christy Clark will be there too!

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=4&pageId=47&id=4490

So, of course, we at Occupy Vancouver have been busy gathering people together for an event!  Come tomorrow, starting at noon! Bring something to make lots of noise with- pots, pans,  megaphones, children!

Make big, provocative, signs- something for the press to take pictures of- this will be our photo op too!

This will be a non-violent event- and there will, undoubtedly, be a lot of press! (Photo ops work that way, lol)  Here’s a link to the Facebook invitation:

https://www.facebook.com/events/164082993691034/

And, a link to a map for those who have never seen the big silver dome near Vancity HQ! View Map

Nov 24

Occupy Vancouver’s First Press Conference…

It wasn’t until Monday that I noticed how truly biased the press are against Occupy Vancouver- we really turned them off something fierce! One particular press member, Lisa Johnson, was rather impolite and sarcastic throughout the event. This was the first time I was disappointed by someone at the CBC.

Lisa has apologized to us for her negativity. I’d love to invite her to speak to us on how we can improve the delivery of our message! Because, ultimately, only about 15 seconds of the conference got airtime…

Nov 23

Update On The Curtis Brick Fountain!

I was at Grandview park again last night- went there for the GA, and to participate on the discussion for next steps.  While there, I met Penny Ballem, our city manager, and (I think) Aaron Jasper, the chair of the Parks Board.

I brought them over to the fountain, and explained the history, then showed them that it doesn’t work. I also mentioned that the dog fountain works downtown.

They gave me a semi-warm response, and said they would check if it is possible to make the fountain work.  I suggested that they change the tap and leave it slowly running during the winter.  Let’s hope they get sensible about this- it is not so long ago that Mayor Plasticman said the fountain would assure never again…

Nov 23

Make My Sergeant, Argent!

Click to Enlarge

One of my favorite characters at Occupy Vancouver has been Sergeant Argent. Wally is an old-world Canadian cop- the kind of guy who has a job to arrest people but he feels for them as he is doing it and probably gives some good advice along the way. He is a couple years from retirement apparently- let’s hope some of his colleagues can learn a thing or two before he he’s gone.

I went to Sergeant Argent the night I found out someone was threatening to de-occupy OV, and he helped circle the VPD troops to do a risk analysis and to watch after us on the night of the planned attack.

So, I won’t give him a nickname (sorry Officer Vogue), other than “one of the good guys”…

Nov 23

The People Don’t Trust the Government Who Don’t Trust The People…

There are tears on my face at this moment. On one side, our provincial courts have shut-down OccupyVancouver 1.0, and the city is working on turbo to make sure the movement stays shut down…

I feel like Chief Iron Eyes Cody, looking at the land as it betrays me, and some judge just threw a bag of garbage on my moccasins.

I know little about the person who made this decision- but I do know that Mayor Gregor reneged on his initial promise to us that the Occupy movement is a global phenomenon, and should not be resolved locally. He was my hero when he said that- now he is only Plasticman to me (the haircut, his company that pumps out 1000’s of plastic bottles each day, and the elasticity of his promises.)

As I shared with you on Twitter a couple of nights ago Mayor Gregor, the people don’t trust the politicians who don’t trust the people. If I were to distill the Occupy Movement to one single issue, this would be the one.

So, what are you going to do about this? You gave us permission to start it, you have some responsibility to having us find a way to keep Occupy Vancouver’s original spirit alive. Because, you & Suzanne put a lot of pressure on these kids in your cynical battle for ‘power’…

Or, were you full of it when you first said you believed in this movement’s right to exist?  WTF?

And, Judge, you’re smarter than all this- you are being used to oppress the voice of the politically awakened. You are not protecting those who are currently asleep- but, they will certainly not have much respect for you when they wake up. Is this the legacy you wanted to leave behind when you started your career?

Nov 21

No comment necessary…

Nov 21

Is CTV That Lazy???

And they call Occupiers lazy???

Correct me if I’m wrong guys, but this picture doesn’t look like Occupy Vancouver to me! Say What?

CTV changed the link to the whole  story now! Sly bastards….  Respect!  😉

Nov 20

Occupy Vancouver: Better than a Food Fair!

Marshall McLuhan would approve...

Was running down the stairs beside a CBC cameraman tonight at #OccupySkytrain. He looked tired carrying all that equipment, a soldier would have more support…

So, I said to him: “Is sure is more interesting than covering a food fair, don’t you think?”  He turns to me and says “Yes, but this is more work!”  My response- “But, it is worth it, don’t you think?”.

His smile made it clear…

Nov 20

The Battle Has Only Begun! (In response to my demands…)


Hi Everybody!

Yes, admittedly, my choice of language was inciting. I expect your list of demands to be inciting too! If they’re not, then you are probably not speaking from your heart! At this point in the game, smudging it all with political correctness seems quixotic…
It warms my heart to hear so many people could see through the cloud of offense and understand my intent. If you are still unsure, and need inspiration, please listen to The Beatles’ Revolution and have another read.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imb4tYOk8GE

Abbie Hoffman had it right when he threw his stack of bills over the traders at the NYSE. He showed the world what pigs the bankers are! We need to think this way too!

The only thing we need not do is anything that doesn’t give benefit to the 99%. So, great to shutdown the national banker’s convention but not so good to shutdown a retail branch in the future (though, that was fun!) Rather than block traffic for workers at rush-hour, block the road in front of the cement mixers that are helping gentrify our city!

But, be careful about blocking the gas trucks- I saw it happen in the UK, and it really pissed off the 99%!We are transitioning into phase two of our movement- whatever that may be. We need to enter this place with a new perspective, one where we analyze PR impact on the hearts & minds of the people we are working to help! If we can do this, we will undoubtedly, have victory!

Love you all! (even Harsha, I mean it)

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