Saturday, November 12, 2011

Accidental Tourist at Occupy San Francisco

Friday, November 11, 2011  (aka 11-11-11)

On my Facebook page I had posted that if I had money, I would travel to all the Occupy camps in the world, take photos and blog about them.

I normally take pictures of Occupy Oakland because it's a stone's throw away from my work, but today I had Veteran's Day off, so I headed to San Francisco to check out their camp.

MY TOP 3 PHOTOS OF OCCUPY SAN FRANCISCO:



And My Favorite:


This last sign seems to be indicative of whats happening at many Occupy Camps around the nation.  Other causes are hijacking the original message.  If only I knew what the original message was....

As I exited the Embarcadero Bart Station, dark clouds threatened rain. I didn't have much time to snap pictures, but at least OccupySF was within super close walking distance.

I noticed an immediate difference between the OccupySF camp and the Occupy Oakland camp.

1. OccupySF is somewhat bigger

2. OccupySF has less signs

3. OccupySF has way more white people.

A folksy reggae band that was performing at the encampment was like a shock to my system.  Most of the entertainment over at the Oakland camp have been hip hop artists.

There was also less anger in the air as I snapped away pictures.  No one shoo'd me away and I didn't hear any grumbling from mentally ill people about how they didn't want to go back to jail from inside their tents.

So, in some ways, it felt safer to walk through their encampment than in Oakland, but in other ways, it didn't feel like a protest. It just felt like a street fair with tents.  Granted their next march wasn't scheduled till the next day- I would be missing out on the action.

Across the Bay in Oakland, protesters marched in the rain and got amped up as they were delivered another eviction notice.  It could be any day now for round 3 with the riot cops. Third time's a charm? 

It's so beautiful in San Francisco, it makes me wonder...maybe it's too hard for the protesters to stay mad there.  How will they keep their resolve against those beautiful sunsets over looking the Bay?

Tomorrow is a march in Solidarity with Egypt in both San Francisco and Oakland.  As for me, unless Oakland decides to march through my neighborhood again, it will be a picture-free day.

Unless there's a raid.  Then I am all about the "aftermath" photos.

Nite.







4 comments:

amy@ Souldipper said...

These "Occupy..."s have such a lofty purpose that I long to finally see a flicker of change resulting.

Your efforts are so not in vain.

theresa said...

thanks amy!

Rosselli said...

I also agree that your efforts are not in vain. And as far as "What their original message was";
"...Adbusters, proposed a peaceful occupation of Wall Street to protest corporate influence on democracy, a growing disparity in wealth, and the absence of legal repercussions behind the recent global financial crisis."
The original message was a call to action. Some are still calling, some are taking action... and even though "Bank Transfer Day" was skewed in the media as people upset with some bank fee, we all (most of us... i hope) know it was much, much more than that.

theresa said...

thank u!