Hey folks sorry I didn't get to posting yesterday. I was really tired when I finally got to my computer after a busy day. Some thoughts about the Oakland strike:
I was really psyched that there were so many protestors who peacefully shut down several banks. Many businesses closed their doors in solidarity with the general strike and that was heartening to see. That they shut down the port of Oakland was beyond amazing and a great victory! Yay!
It is frustrating, however, to see the local anarchist group come into the protest and break windows and throw rocks/bottles, things like that. Those people wearing black and hiding their faces weren't part of Occupy. They were there just to cause trouble. What is even more frustrating is that some of the media called them "protestors" when reporting on those incidents of violence and destruction. They didn't make a distinction, and that gives a totally wrong impression of Occupy. Violence and destruction of property is usually the first and biggest stories that the media seizes on, so that tends to overshadow the message and victories of the general strike. I don't know how Occupy can keep these anarchist hoodlums away from the protests, however. I don't think they can. That fact frustrates me.
Thank you everyone who is keeping us up to date on all the latest details of the protests and political actions, and sharing your ideas. I am going out of town this weekend so I probably won't be able to post, but I will be keeping up as best I can and will be back next week to participate more.
