There's a song at the end of this. I'll dedicate it to women in NJ's labor movement.
Today is the 100th anniversary of one of the most important moments in labor history, in women's history, and in American history. From AFL-CIO blog:
The Bread and Roses Strike
On Jan. 12, 1912, some 25,000 workers at the mills of the American Woolen Company in Lawrence walked off the job when the company cut their pay-already a mere $8 a week for the men, and less for the women and children-after the state legislature passed a law shortening the length of their workweek from 56 hours to 54 hours. Workers stayed off the job for months, enduring beatings from police and the Massachusetts militia, who spared not even women and children.
Massachusetts, not New Jersey. Yes, this is outside our coverage area, same as when I took note of the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (NYC). A history professor at University of Massachusetts calls Bread and Roses "the first Occupy"- "the 99% against the 1% of 1912." Income disparity drives the Occupy movement, now a crossroads. And Labor is in flux, weakened in some states as historic collective bargaining rights are being challenged to varying degree. Wisconsin. Indiana. Ohio. New Jersey. There's something in the story of this strike - led by women, and successful - that's still inspiring. Especially to women.
When I was very young, one of my mother's friends in the school integration movement outside Detroit (where we lived) gave her a song - Bread and Roses - she said reminded her of me: Bread and Roses. An amazing song, Judy Collins' silvery soprano and Mimi Farina's liquidy mezzo. And it's about the best compliment I ever had.
Late-night musical bonus. Listen - under the fold.
"A funny thing happened to the First Amendment on its way to the public forum. According to the Supreme Court, money is now speech and corporations are now people. But when real people without money assemble to express their dissatisfaction with the political consequences of this, they're treated as public nuisances and evicted." - Robert Reich
The never-ending battle over First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech, Assembly and Due Process continues today before Judge Mary C. Jacobson, Chancery Division, Mercer County Court. In November Occupy Trenton successfully obtained a temporary injunction that permitted it to maintain its 24/7 occupation across the street from the State House, but prohibited the use of tents and a generator there. Today the ACLU and lead lawyer Bennet Zurofsky are asking the court to end those prohibitions.
The idea of Occupy as a physical space has been beneficial but has served its time. As a movement that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1% its future is limitless but also uncertain. There was drama and symbolism in occupying space against authorities, but more important it created a message that resonated with Americans and brought supporters to its cause. Soon the sheer amount of work necessary to maintain an encampment while dealing with external and internal forces overwhelmed the ability of occupiers to promote the reforms in their list of demands. Now not having to defend and manage real estate should be a liberating experience and open up new opportunities, ones they must seize or face irrelevance. Even our NJ Occupy sites which have not been evicted must look to the future and evolve.
The Occupy movement retains its powerful message, equality for the 99%, but it is so broad that at each location participants must hone their issues and focus one-by-one on targets that are practical, supported by membership, and have a chance of achieving success. Those sites which built a strong contact list can set up workgroups approved by a General Assembly to address specific problems. They then review the issues, decide on the changes needed and meet with authorities who in some cases may even agree to make changes. Short of that, they then plan an event or series of events that will capture attention and support of the public, and they proceed to exert pressure.
Occupy Newark (ON) started with workgroups and with the goal of focussing on local problems. They attracted over 60 people to Sunday's General Assembly, but Newarkers can be a raucous group, with disparate cultures and agendas. With their energy going to providing a voice to each participant, managing services for a 24/7 encampment, and dealing with police, it is difficult for ON to focus on pushing the demands against the 1%. Occupy Trenton (OT) maintains a presence at the WWII memorial but has not marshalled the energy, desire or support to tackle specific issues. OT is surrounded by our state's executive, legislative, and judiciary headquarters, the lobbying offices of our most powerful groups, and in a city beset by problems. OT has many specific issues from which to select, and they have an opportunity to seek broader support and boldly press for change. Both groups remain viable. However, they must be less concerned about real estate and make organizational changes that allow them to concentrate on what will benefit the 99%.
Imagine the influence of many Occupy sites throughout the nation promoting the demands of the 99% by targeting local actions on specific issues the participants care most about. The opportunities for the NJ groups are numerous and can be selected from what other groups are doing nation-wide and then refined for the local situation. Occupiers cry out against the greed of the wealthy, so why not support the NJ legislative movement for a higher tax on millionaires? They see the heinous practices used in foreclosures, so why not select one of the most egregious banks and stage demonstrations in front of a key office and on a neighborhood block where the blight of foreclosure is most evident? They do not like how some of our largest retailers take advantage of employees, so why not target a "Big Box" company and push for a specific change? Our "prison industry" seems greedy and corrupt, so why not launch an effort at a corporate headquarters?
Failure to engage is what the 1% hope for, and it's a path toward extinction. With so many possible issues to select, it is not necessary to labor over the decision, but rather select a few which seem likely to achieve some success and develop a plan. Then get the local press involved, and as Nike says, "Just do it."
"All that stuff you've got on the wall, that's abstraction, 'Stop The Greed" and 'Eat The Rich'. We'll see what you do because talking is the easiest part." - Amiri Baraka, (father, poet, activist and more)
"People aren't going to sit out here with no demands. They want to know why they're here. After the romanticism goes away and it has to be protracted in the long haul, people are going to want to know, 'Why am I doing this?" Ras Baraka (son and current Newark Councilman) - Newark Patch
With occupation sites being restrained or closed nation-wide (Zuccotti Park lasted 59 days) it is about time for a new paradigm. In NJ we have two sites that Blue Jersey has been following: Newark (since November 18) and Trenton (almost two months.) The difficulties of attracting sufficient people to be on-site for a prolonged period are becoming increasingly apparent. Other past movements typically involve periodic meetings and brief spurts of intense activity. These two groups demonstrate tremendous resilience but dissipate a lot of energy on the routine effort of operating outdoor sites on an ongoing basis. With colder weather and snow it becomes even more of a challenge.
There is a lot of energy, determination, and planning taking place in Occupy Newark (ON) where the goal was not for a full 24/7 presence, but even closing down and reopening a site requires effort, coordination and transportation. This site, more than most, is focussing not on national or state issues, but Newark ones and is formulating plans to create change. It's a diverse group with passionate advocates for reforming education, housing, City Hall, job services and more. Angela, for example, obtained from Mayor Booker the large binder of the City Budget. She noted the high salary increases for top city officials while other city employees are being let go. She also pointed out that the budget includes amounts set aside for specific projects that might bear investigation.
On Monday afternoon in Trenton at the WWII memorial Edward and Dell were working out plans for improvements to the livestream system. There was a spirited discussion among six people on next steps: activities to carry out, how to address national and local issues, and the need for more outreach. A few blocks away their Tent City was unattended with a scarecrow-like figure placed outside to resemble a person. They currently lack sufficient volunteers for 24/7 presence at two sites, and some question the need for both venues. As with many organizations and particularly those that work through consensus there have been disagreements, people who do not carry out what they commit to, and others who get frustrated by the system or a sense of inaction. One core member looks forward to the national occupy meeting in June in Philadelphia to set out a clearer action plan, but he realizes that the meeting may not produce the boost he seeks. In the meantime Occupy Trenton can be proud of its longevity (soon to eclipse that of Zucotti Park), a successful court case, tech-savvy streaming, public education on key issues, and a dedicated core of participants.
In the next occupy diary there will be more on a new paradigm and the need to reduce the labor-consuming effort of occupying space. As Amiri Baraka said, "Talking is easy," and as Ras Baraka said,"People are going to want to know, 'Why am I doing this?'" On to Plan B.
The 3-day old Occupy Newark promises a fuller occupation starting Friday, when Councilman Ras Baraka will pitch a tent and join the occupation of the city he helps lead. That will be interesting. Also interesting, the response - so far - by Newark's finest. Police Chief Sheila Coley saw occupiers Friday at homebase Military Park (across from NJPAC) and said they had a right to protest non-violently. But Occupy Trenton's already been to court to fight for First Amendment rights in the capitol city and goes back again, defended by ACLU-NJ Dec. 19. Given that it was ACLU-NJ's reports of widespread police misconduct that spurred a U.S. Dept. of Justice investigation of Newark police we will all have to watch out for the Newark occupiers, as for all occupiers' safety. Police are friendly now, but occupiers have to leave the park by 9pm. We hear City Council may address the ban on overnight stay soon. Councilwoman Mildred Crump also expressed support for Occupy.
Donations of food are gratefully accepted, just like at Occupy Trenton. But until occupation of Military Park starts in earnest on Friday, donated food (non-perishables only) goes to help Newark's homeless (check out this videovideo, which also features Crump). Later, Occupy Newark will need a lot of what OT's needed; tents, food, money etc. When they have a process, we'll let you know.
Meantime, I have to say I'm impressed with Occupy Newark's on-line rollout: www.occupynewark.org. Weirdly, another website also popped up (with a .com address) which Occupy has nothing to do with, trumpeting "Newark Occupy Movement Resources" but chock-full of commercial sponsored links looking vaguely like things occupiers might want. Cool to see corpo forces try to follow Occupy but go visit the real thing.
This morning's anti-fracking rally at the Trenton War Memorial started with words from the Deputy Director of Delaware Riverkeeper. She said, "Politicians view gas drilling as just another political football. We told them fracking is a public health issue, an environmental issue, and a civil rights issue. We thank Delaware Governor Markell who looked at the science and decided last week to cast a critical vote against fracking." As a result the Delaware River Basin Commission, which was scheduled to vote today in favor of fracking, cancelled their meeting.
Jeff Titel, NJ Sierra Club, said, "Today is a beginning not a rally. Next we will march to the State House. The NJ legislature banned fracking in our state, but Governor Christie vetoed the bill. Our message to the governor is to ban fracking in NJ and in the basin now. We ask the legislature to override this veto by the end of the year. If Woody Guthrie were alive today he would be singing, "It's not just our land but our water that's made for you and me."
Josh Fox, author and producer of the famed anti-fracking documentary Gasland, said with great emotion, "We won this round, but like an orchestra, we are just tuning up. There is more to be done regarding fracking, deep water oil drilling and coal."
Actress Debra Winger, more quietly but in a heartfelt manner, said, "We are celebrating a moment of victory. However, we know that while electricity through coal in our house may be clean, extracting it is not. We need to carry our message further."
At the end of the speeches an audience member reminded participants that Governor Christie does not support this movement. He uttered the words, "This is not the Governor's river. It's our river." And with that, the group marched to the State House to continue the rally.
Throughout the event there were references to the Occupy movement. Occupy Trenton provided continuous live streaming of the entire event and plans to add it to their video library here.
Today on Monday residents from across the Delaware River Basin will gather outside of the Trenton War Memorial (1 Memorial drive, one block from the Trenton Marriott Hotel) at 11:00 AM and then march to the nearby State House to protest against fracking. Sponsors and invited speakers include Josh Fox (Gasland writer and producer), Mark Ruffalo (actor, director and founder of WaterDefense.org), Deborah Winger (actress), Maya van Rossum (Delaware Riverkeeper), Jim Walsh (Food & Water Watch), and Jeff Tittel (Sierra Club NJ.
While OWS was demonstrating throughout lower Manhattan yesterday, with over 200 participants arrested, the Mid-Jersey Move-on Council joined the Nationwide Day of Action for Jobs and Economic Justice in sponsoring a peaceful rally on the steps of the State House. One of the eight speakers, Occupy Trenton's Alex Higgins, said "We need to spread awareness of why OT is here." He urged the rainy day audience of about 150 people to support OT and join its cause. This event marked a "coming out" for OT participants - the first time they worked together with other local groups in organizing a substantial event.
The theme of "Jobs Not Cuts" ran through the message of the other labor union and anti-war speakers. Carol Gay, President, NJ State Industrial Union Council, said, "More cuts won't help; we need more jobs programs. There has to be an end to attacking the social safety net. We need to reinstate the millionaires' tax. The occupy movement is shining a light on greed and inequality." Rev Robert Moore, Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action, had as his theme,"Jobs not war."
Occupy Trenton participants have steadfastly maintained a policy of not aligning themselves with only one specific political group. Nonetheless, there is a growing realization that to increase their supporters and to achieve goals envisioned in their message they must participate with others and organize events that capture public attention. After the speeches Alex Higgins pointed out that while other occupy sites have members with experience in direct action activities, OT does not. They need people with this expertise as well other talents to sustain and grow their embryonic movement.
Now with two venues - at the WWII Memorial and a nearby Tent City - the logistics for 24/7 operation require more on-site volunteers and people who can participate regularly in their workgroups and GA and not only plan projects but carry out the specific tasks. Individuals are wearing too many hats, with Edward maintaining the "face" of OT at the Memorial, Maureen stepping up the publicity, Sam planning the Tent City community, and Alex interacting with other organizations. Their involvement yesterday with local progressives was another step in their process of maturation. The need for jobs and economic justice today cannot be clearer.
While Occupy Trenton's efforts in our state are ongoing, another occupy venue in NJ is just beginning.You can join today's debut of Occupy Newark and read about the event here or on facebook. You can also learn more about Occupy Trenton at their website.
Didn't catch this Washington Post piece from a few days ago, about the OWS marchers who came through New Jersey a few days ago on their way to D.C. Apparently, they got a pretty chilly reception when they came through Princeton.
Washington Post reporter Elizabeth Flock is embedded with a group of occupiers, who are now through NJ and into Delaware. They plan a D.C. arrival Nov. 23, the day Congress considers extending the Bush tax cuts.
What happened outside the Princeton bar, after the fold.
Our own NJ Occupy Trenton shares those messages of income inequality, a need for jobs and a reform of both political and corporate structures. However, so far participants have not transferred those concerns into an agenda and action that might achieve change. As a result they still lack the actual support of sufficient bodies, funds, and skills to sustain and grow their movement.
What helped OT the most was the attention its members received over the illegal State Trooper confiscation of property, which for the moment increased dramatically their livestream viewership. Also the court hearing which reaffirmed their rights and brought about the return of the property proved beneficial. In the case of OWS the police inspector who pepper-sprayed innocent women and Monday's late night heavy-handed police park assault likewise re-energized occupiers and gained them new supporters.
In the case of OT the few number of participants at the memorial at any one time have allowed them to escape harsher treatment from authorities. Also without having undertaken any significant direct actions they are viewed more as an irritant than as a serious threat to the power structure across the street and the corporate lobbyists in the neighborhood.
Today at 12:00 in their headquarters at the WWII Memorial Park they plan a National Day Of Action Jobs Rally with speakers from the Northwest NJ Peace Fellowship, New Jersey Work Environment Council, NJ State Industrial Union Council, Coalition for Peace Action, and MoveOn.org. For more information on the event go here.
This event today can bring more attention to the problems. Perhaps it will also be a step that energizes them and new supporters to bring about the changes they seek. The biggest challenge OT faces is not what damage the power structure may inflict upon them but whether their actions make the power of their ideas powerful enough to galvanize more supporters and achieve meaningful results for New Jerseyans. Time is not on their side. Rather than falling into the complacency of maintaining a movement and risking a decline, they have an opportunity to rise to the moment - a time for action.
Plu-to-cra-cy Plu-to-cra-cy
Means government for the rich Is what we're up against
Keep everyone else in the ditch And you can't stay on the fence
in Congress and in State House halls Becase we're losing this class war
They vote the way /the money calls And the rich are taking more and more
Words and music by Bennet D. Zurofsky (Attorney, Musician & Progressive)
After a stop in Princeton, OWS marchers on their journey to DC arrived in Trenton and spent the night at Occupy Trenton's new Tent City. Earlier in the evening Sam was the lone participant keeping the fire burning in front of of the just opened venue. On the City Planning workgroup he has sketched out ideas on designing the layout for the camp. He would like to see separate tents for media use, library, GA/workgroup meetings, kitchen, sleeping and more. To maintain 24/7 the two venues - across from the State House and at the park - will require more donations, on-site volunteers, planners, and people knowledgeable about urban camping. Tent City, in the shadow of the Trenton Battle Monument, is in North 25 Park at North Warren St. near Tucker St.
Earlier in the afternoon at the WWII Memorial Bennet Zurofsky served as the impromptu resident musician playing and singing such songs as No More, Plutocracy, and This Little Light of Mine. Working with the ACLU and lawyer David Perry Davis, attorney Zurofsky is the lead lawyer in the Mercer County Court case which upheld the rights of the occupiers and resulted in the return of their confiscated property. Another court review of the injunction is scheduled for December 19. (Docket C-72-11)
Later in front of the tent fire progressive Zurofsky commented that the occupy movement is changing the conversation from reducing the debt to reducing income disparity. "There is fear on the part of establishment power that they will have to give back. But as Brecht said, 'First you have to feed the people; then you worry about the rest.' Many today are without a home or a job and feel there is no place for them in society." He emphasized that it is important that more of us get out, volunteer our time and skills, and support the occupy movement.
Another song played by Zurofsky was Vicky Ryder's (adapted by the Solidarity Singers) No More:
You bankers and you CEOs Today we pledge to occupy
You used us all to make your dough. This land you think that you can buy
Today your time is up; you've got to go! You've robbed us blind, you've bled us dry
Today we say no more! Today we say no more!
Occupy Trenton provides livestreaming of their two venues at their website. Come and join them. You can follow the progress of the OWS march to Washington at NYCMarch2DC.
This is Scott Olsen. Marine. Iraq War veteran. Shot in the head by a police projectile in a raid of Occupy Oakland, California authorized by the city's mayor.
The raid, chaotic and harsh, was almost immediately televised via live stream to Occupy cities around the world, and later seen on commercial television. I posted the video below. The mayor authorized the crackdown, in which Marine Olsen was injured, and then she left town. She denies her men used rubber bullets or flashbang grenades. But his injury is consistent with a head injury caused by a projectile known less lethal bullets, which are used by police in riot guns used to disperse crowds.
Olsen has had brain surgery. He can move, and he can write, but he still cannot speak. He was wearing a Veterans for Peace shirt when the insult came to his brain on the streets of Oakland. Veterans for Peace.
There is something wrong here.
I started off writing a post about how it's easier and more emotionally satisfying to wave the flag on exactly two days a year - Veterans Day and Memorial Day - and think of vets for about 12 minutes and be done. I mean no disrespect to local observances of those events; I attend my local events every year, and my town's events mean a great deal to their organizers and to me. But the diary I started off writing was about how we don't listen to vets enough. My best day in Washington D.C. is going to the WWII memorial, scouting around for really old guys, and asking them questions. Ditto, the Vietnam Memorial there, and some of my best conversations have started off having to listen, again, to why Jane Fonda's a commie. If you can get past that, it is an enriching and illuminating conversation to listen to men and women tell you about their lives, and experiences. So different from those of us who never signed up, never got drafted.
There isn't any better use for my tax dollars than to provide every advantage and leg up for people who helped build the country we now know. And that means paying quicker attention to medical needs specific to the wars we've sent them to - Agent Orange and its destruction to the bodies of Vietnam vets. Loneliness in WWII and Korea vets whose friends are gone. Head injuries, mental stress, and suicide risk for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
But we're not listening hard enough to our Scott Olsens, either. Or to people like Marine Sergeant Shamar who confronted NYPD officers at Occupy Wall Street, and now is calling for former Marines to don civilian uniform and join the Occupy protests as OccupyMARINES
Bill Orr just wrote about the gathering that will bring together Occupy Wall Street participants with those at Occupy Trenton, vets and peace activists. It's where Scott Olsen would be today if he was well. He'd be wearing that Veterans for Peace shirt.
As more veterans begin to return to their homes in New Jersey, they face grim job prospects, a weak economy, dysfunctional government and increasing wealth disparity. They will find strong support from the Occupation movement which is rapidly becoming a forceful countervailing voice for economic and governmental reform.
Occupy Wall Street Marchers on their way to Washington arrived in New Brunswick last night and plan to be at Occupy Trenton in the WWII Memorial across from the State House late this afternoon. Members of Occupy Princeton and Occupy New Brunswick along with other local organizations will be joining them in the march to Trenton. Some New Jerseyans, including the Coalition for Peace, are also planning to join OWS in their forward march on Saturday into Pennsylvania.
"Got Our Stuff Back!" Following court orders to return OT property confiscated by State Troopers, a truck arrived yesterday at 4:00 PM. Rather than bringing the items into the memorial, workers dumped them along a back road two flights of stairs up from the memorial. Some stuff, including an IMac computer, had been damaged. The process was documented by video.
"Got Our Tent City" OT received a permit for their tent city and started setting it up last night amidst the rain. They plan to have it available for use tonight by OWS marchers and as a second venue for their activities. The Trenton Battle Monument will also be the backdrop to OT's second location where tents and other structures are allowed. It will add a workable space for a media outlet, for larger meetings, and for tired Occupiers to rest undisturbed. Tent City is located at North 25 Park (N. Warren St. near Tucker St.)
For the most up-to-date schedule information go to OT's website or NYCMarch2DC. or twitter at #occupythehighway, or call OT at (609) 222-4790.
You can greet the marchers in Trenton. Occupy Trenton is in contact with OWS and may set up a few tents Friday night for the marchers at a nearby park. OT is awaiting word from the city on their application for a 24 hour / 30 day permit at the park. ACLU NJ has been helping OT with the permitting process, but it's not clear yet when the permit will be issued or what restrictions may apply. OT expects OWS in Trenton Friday before 5pm, as the marchers are walking 9am to 5pm - "bankers' hours."
For the longer term the planned park would serve as a second site - a tent city for OT - particularly useful because the recent court order prohibits a gas generator, erecting structures and sleeping at the War Memorial. OT is exploring using charged car batteries, inverters and/or an extension cord from a neighbor to power their media equipment at the Memorial. Troopers have not yet arrived there to enforce the court orders nor to return confiscated item, but their "visit" is anticipated shortly. Over the next few days OT has invited progressive groups to set up tables at the memorial.
On Friday OT expects to welcome veterans for the day, as well as the marchers. Stay tuned for further OWS developments and updates on this "new historic journey" through our state at OT's website or OWS' website or NYCMarch2DC. or twitter at #occupythehighway. This time the "oppressors" are not another country but our very own 1%.
In the Occupy Trenton case, after Judge Mary Jacobson (Mercer County Superior Court) issued her "reasons" for granting "limited, temporary relief," she later published more detailed specific orders which paint a less rosy picture for the occupants and their rights to free speech. The "Orders" impose difficulties in maintaining a 24/7 presence and live streaming. There will be a further court hearing on December 19 on the occupants' lawsuit (Docket C-72-11) seeking a temporary injunction.
The good news is that the State Troopers must return the confiscated occupants' property by November 14. Also the the troopers are restrained from enforcing the rules in the Zawacki letter (created on the fly), but with significant exceptions which prohibit occupants from:
Erecting structures in the park (such as a tent for shelter against the cold)
Accessing electrical outlets in the park (even though they have agreed to pay the electric bill)
Use of a gas generator (important for operating media equipment to maintain live streaming which occupants had argued was an important component of their right to free speech.)
The court further ordered that they may maintain a continuous 24 hour presence in the park but that "nothing in this order shall be construed to let them sleep in the park," which conjures up images of them being evicted or arrested if they fall asleep at night.
Edward Anthony Salter, a stalwart, articulate occupant since Day 1, said this morning he has not yet sorted out the issues nor figured out the consequences of the judge's orders. Occupants today have been discussing less attractive alternatives to the important gas generator, including solar and bicycle driven. Edward pointed out they do have an identified location as a second venue for a tent city in a larger park. He added, "We have an injunction, but one with double talk. This stuff is easy to overcome, but as a result of the orders there is so much tactical, complicated work we will have to do. It's unfortunate that even the State Troopers will have to deal with this lack of clarity. There needs to be more clarity." Kevin Riordan published a thoughtful profile of Edward in today's Philly.com, which Edward particularly liked because "it deals with actual people."
Occupy Trenton, the 24/7 protest against vast economic disparities now one month old has won its case against the state. Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson has validated the free speech rights of the Trenton protesters maintaining active vigil through all weather. All the supplies confiscated from the occupiers October 14th must now be returned to them by Nov. 14. That's computers and keyboards, cameras and signs - the very elements that define their exercise of this unique protest - as well as the stuff that supplies the occupiers themselves, like medicine, coolers, food and the warm clothes taken from them.
OT's case was taken up by ACLU-NJ Legal Director Ed Barocas and cooperating attorneys Bennet Zurofsky and David Perry Davis. Barocas:
"This is a victory in our efforts to secure full free rights for Occupy Trenton. The state cannot arbitrarily create restrictive policies just because it does not like how people are using a public space."
That public space is the World War II Memorial Park directly across from the State House and within sight of legislators and visitors going in and out. Judge Jacobson granted a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing some of the "rules" issued in a letter from Raymond L. Zawacki, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, a letter protesters say was read to them but not shown to them.
The Judge granted a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing some of the "rules" issued in a letter from Raymond L. Zawacki, the Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in response to the Occupy Trenton demonstration that began in Veterans Park on October 6. The ACLU suit claims the state imposed restrictions that, as lead attorney Zurofsky said, were essentially "made up on the spot" after the state saw what was happening on West State Street, didn't like it much and scrambled for a way to put an end to it.
The Judge confirms the protesters must be allowed to maintain continuous 24-hour presence at the park, but tents and other structures may not be set up.
But I digress. Mitt Romney will be the likely sad-assed leftover eventual candidate of the GOP largely because that magical Republican, Gov. Chris Christie, has sprinkled his more interesting fairy dust on him. There's no word whether Christie hisself will be meeting up with Mitt when Romney zooms up close to the Jersey border tonight, because Christie doesn't always tell us regular people when he leaves the state to do his political voodoo. But Romney will be at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philly tonight to raise big bucks for his campaign. If there's one thing we know our Guv likes to be near it's Republicans with fat checkbooks, but we have no word he'll be there.
In a Nashville case which bears similarity to the Occupy Trenton suit now before the Mercer County Superior Court,
(CNN) -- A judge told Tennessee officials on Monday to stop enforcing new rules that have been used to arrest Occupy protesters in Nashville. The decision was a victory for the fledgling movement and for the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which sought a temporary restraining order to block a curfew put in place last week. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger issued the order, which state officials did not fight.
"Political expression deserves the highest level of protection and it was unacceptable for the state to suddenly shut down protesters' speech and forcibly oust them from Legislative Plaza that has long been used as a place for peaceful expression," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director at the ACLU of Tennessee.
The Trenton case for which we are awaiting a verdict also seeks an end to enforcing new rules (based on the Zawacki letter which appears to have been created out of thin air) and takes place in a plaza across from the State House. Political expression does deserve the highest level of protection, and Occupy Trenton has used its space to protest in a peaceful manner.
With the snow and cold it has been rough sledding and sliding in the past few days at the World War II Memorial. Occupiers temporarily had a tent but it broke. Their generator has been on and off. They have also used a bicycle generator (good exercise) part of the time. One of their slogans recently has been JOBS NOT WAR. They are keeping the place clean and working at strengthening their communications.
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