Nov 20
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
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)
Nov 19
The Curtis Brick fountain still doesn’t work. I went by there today on my way to a delightful brunch. Guess it wasn’t important during campaigning season. But, at least, it makes a great climbing toy for children! (sarcasm)
Whoever wins park’s board tonight is going to get a very firm request very soon…
Nov 19
I had to jump this cop today, his flower was too provoking!
So, I interjected in his #SacredCircle with his fellow Law & Fire enforcement officers. Think of the scene from The Commode Story in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.
Can I take your picture? The flower is the message I’ve been looking for- a member of the 99%! The other’s backed-off, quickly.
He smiled, and turned to strike a pose…
Nov 19
Dear Occupy Vancouver,
Below is a list of my personal demands. I expect that each and every one of you adhere to these principles, or you will not be welcome on my side of the sandbox:
1.) Violence, including property destruction, will not be a part of the OV movement, or any OV involved movement. Ever! But, strategic use of system jamming is welcome!
2.) We will not wear ninja outfits, balaclavas or masks on the front of our faces-unless in specific situations where it absolutely necessary. Because, in Canada, masks have a history of enabling the government to embarrass our movements.
3.) That we agree any/all provocative acts should have maximal impact on ‘the system’ and minimal impact on ‘the people’.
With that, the 99% will see we are not a threat, and will grow to love us! I promise!
Respectfully,
Greg Renouf
Nov 19
David Eby: Got a cream pie in his face
Shortly after the Olympics, Vancouver was entertained with a type of event I’ll label ‘Ninja theater’. Two participants of Occupy Vancouver were victims of a vicious cream pie attack by Black Bloc apologists…
The attack was intended for David Eby, the head of the BC Civil Liberties Association. He was accompanied by Chris Shaw, UBC Professor, author of anti-Olympic book Five Ring Circus
Eby & Shaw share at least four commonalities- both were involved in anti-Olympic protests, both are involved in Occupy Vancouver, both have spoke out against the Heart Attack incident, and both have had to brush cream pie off of themselves after a (supposed) Black Bloc retaliation.
I wonder what they have to say about our ninjas? Chris Shaw was the first to speak-out last weekend when I asked a panel of candidates if we should use riot squads to shutdown OV. His answer was quick, and the same as the other candidates- A Resounding No!
Guys, can you throw in a word or two about your opinion on the appearance of Black Bloc at OV a couple weeks ago? Why were they there, and how do we make sure they are gone?
That’s how my eyes go too!
Nov 18
One of the more controversial moments during the Olympics was an incident known inside the ‘professional protester’ circles as “Heart Attack”. You’ve all heard of this incident- a bunch of malcontents wearing ninja costumes smashed the windows of the Hudson Bay Company on Georgia Street.
There is something almost poetic about their choice of victim. The Bay was the tool used by the British monarchy to rape & pillage the original inhabitants of our country. And the “Anarchist Intelligentsia” have adopted a pro First Nations stance. This is made clear by the incident I mention in the letter I wrote the day after OV’s first planning meeting: Yellow card.
It was also somewhat ironic that The Bay was owned by an American company, NRDC Equity Partners, who were also the owners of Lord & Taylor. So, if they were after the Monarchy, they were a day late and a dollar short. That said, violent ninjas have never been accused of being too intelligent…
Or, are they?
If there is one thing that most people can agree on about Heart Attack, it is that it marked the official peak of anti-Olympic protests. The violence, and ninja costumes, made for very bad PR. The result was that it was acceptable to send police stormtroopers to eradicate the Olympic tent city.
I spoke last night with a couple of the ninjas who had attended Heart Attack. In retrospect, they understood the result of the shenanigans and hooliganism attacking an American retail company. Do you?
More to come…
Nov 18
If there is one thing anyone could look forward to in 2012, it will be the release of The Occupation Documentary by Rafferty Baker and Matthew VanDeventer.
I’ve seen them both at #OccupyVancouver just about every time I’ve been there. Their camera has already helped clear some of the ambiguity about the presence of the #BlackBlok at OV when they filmed a ninja hitting a police officer in the face with a ‘wooden dowel’
I haven’t been so excited about a movie release since Star Wars! Thanks guys!
Nov 18
Saxmaniac, Darrell Zimmerman, has made a cryptic announcement saying he has “single-handedly” resolved the Occupy Resolution for Occupy Vancouver!
Saturday Evening, 8PM- be there! (or be uninformed)
Nov 18
We had a coincidental visitor over the past week- Robert Redford had been filming something next to the VAG, and he stepped over to share a message with us. His message was simple: Can you guys shut up for the next hour and a half so I can film something here?
Now, if you check out Wikipedia’s entry on Mr. Redford’s Political Activity you’ll read the following:
“Redford is politically liberal, and has supported environmentalism, Native American rights, and the arts…..has been a vocal critic of Barack Obama for his lack of follow through on environmental policies. He wrote, “One reason I supported President Obama is because he said we must protect clean air, water and lands. But what good is it to say the right thing unless you act on it?”
Wow! That’s quite the resume! So, what the hell happened? Why didn’t he ask for a Mic Check, wave over the media, and make a statement backing the Occupy movement? Why didn’t he use his star power to give power to the people?
Why? Because he was filming a commercial enterprise on behalf of the propaganda arm of the 1%! That’s why!
Robert Redford, you are a hack- Butch Cassidy would have bitch-slapped you if he was watching! More evidence that the Hollywood intelligentsia are a complete waste of our movement’s time.
From now on, when I think of Mr. Redford, I will call him : “The Horses’ Ass Whisperer”
