Entering their 7th day a group of local Sacramento residents occupy Cesar Chavez Park. When asked what their message or agenda is they cannot give any type of clear and concise answer.
The group consists of people that are angry and want to blame someone as well as people just fed up with big corporations. The protesters claim is they are the “99 percent”. They are referring to not being one on the top 1% of the rich in the United States. While the reality is most of the “99 percent” are currently hard at work not protesting in a park.
Many of the protesters are breaking the law by occupying Cesar Chavez Park after midnight. Occupy Sacramento has planned a 4:30PM rally and then a march to City Hall. Speakers from the group said they will address the council at its 6pm meeting. They want the City Council to approve overnight stays at the park.
The Occupy Sacramento is part of a larger national movement started by Occupy Wall Street in New York. The protests in New York have moved away from a grassroots effort to one that is now organized by the unions.
Most agree that these protests will have little affect on corporations. The protesters are still buying their poster boards and pens from a corporation. They are buying their coffee from a corporations. They are organizing on websites, like Facebook, which are run by corporations.
These types of protests do show a frustration in this country. The Tea Party protests have been about government being too big. Occupy Sacramento is about corporations being too big. Can both agendas work together for a better America? Only time will tell.
You Lie,
Its the very people like you and your paper that have got us in this financial situation in America.
You couldnt have been there!! Did you see the signs, Or the chants, “You are the 99 percent” Signs that said Tax the 1 percent. We bailed you out, time to bail us out. A child holding up a sign. Stop the war.
You lie. Dont come back. We dont need you
The American people will rise up and get their due despite how the newsgroup (such as yours) distort the truth. Then we will come after you!
Then you will “come after” the news? So much for peaceful protests huh?
Right. That was a little over reach, i admit. It just pissed me off. Obviously they didnt go down there. But its ok I spread it across the nation. And you should be getting some responce
Sorry about the “we will be coming after you” statement.
Thanks. The protests are disorganized and not effective right now, but I appreciate the sentiment. With some leadership the momentum can be a powerful force. I hope that occurs.
I think when he said ‘we will come after you’ it was more a figurative statement similar to Jesse LaGreca’s unaired interview with Fox news about how the media is primarily corporate controlled and limits the information given to the public for political purposes. Jesse ‘went after’ Fox news in a way that demonstrated the media is partly to blame for not divulging the whole truth and distorting the facts for their own gain at times. I didn’t read into Todd’s statement that it was a violent threat.
He apologized. Case closed for us.
The purpose of both the Occupy Wall Street and expansions groups like Occupy Sacramento are not here to say that corporations are bad, or evil. The movement is not against capitalism, as the idea of capitalism is what makes this country so great, instead the movement is about Corporate Greed and the fact that the upper 1% in this country control the economic and political policies for their own benefits and the 99% of us are not being represented by our leaders because they are beholden to Wall Street and the upper 1%.
Excellent comment. I support that sentiment, but sleeping in the park is not going to bring about change. There needs to be some organization and leadership. To date there has been very little of that.
In the evolution of the human condition, leaders have proven to be the bane of almost any movement….we don’t need leaders, we need participants.
Every sentient being in the universe knows the difference between right and wrong. Again, we don’t need leaders to tell us that screwing 99% of people on the planet because you can, isn’t ok. We, the people of the earth are awakening to the notion that cooperation and Love leads us to harmony. Fear, hatred, greed, seperate us. We, the people of the earth, are INTENDING a new consensus reality which also includes the greedy, bloody bankers, though they may need to work in the garden to come back to their sense of shared humanity. The circle is big and will include all of us.
“The group consists of people that are angry and want to blame someone as well as people just fed up with big corporations. The protesters claim is they are the “99 percent”. They are referring to not being one on the top 1% of the rich in the United States. While the reality is most of the “99 percent” are currently hard at work not protesting in a park.”
Some of the hard at work, just wait until the work whistle blows to stand with their neighbors, their communities in solidarity against corporate run/influenced government.
Perhaps if this has little to no impact, with a little time, the employed may become unemployed. Ask those who were laid off in the past few years if they saw it coming.
I have been laid off and went and found a new job. It was at a large pay cut, but I still earned my wage. I am part of the 99% and I am hard at work. The people at the park do not represent me, but I do appreciate many are trying to make a change.
Actually
We have been after the news lately, did you see how FoX news Giraldo Rivera got “you lie” until he left.
Americans standing up Nationwide. And if you thing its people without a job or education! You havnt been there and are lying
Sorry i don’t normally watch Fox News. The article said nothing about people without jobs or people without education. You seem to be confused.
This article needs to be categorized under opinions. I don’t see anywhere on this page where you got your sources from. The writer is constantly stating this and that. Where are you getting the information from. Learn how to write a good article! One that isn’t biased.
What source would you like to get the information from? It’s an event that is going on right now.
Duh
Yes
Duh is right. The only source is the event itself. Stephanie would rather have an article that was pre-scripted based on some agenda.
No, I believe she’d rather have some SOURCES. Maybe a by-line even. Obviously you haven’t been talking to everyone or you’d know that “When asked what their message or agenda is they cannot give any type of clear and concise answer.” Is NOT true of all of the participants. Maybe you just decided to ask a random handful. Maybe some didn’t know, maybe some were just checking out the event for the day. Regardless, it’s just plain untrue.
Sources? It’s an event and we reported on the event. Who would you talk to if not the people at the event? What is untrue about asking people at an event what their goal is and reporting what they said? There may be other people we did not talk to that have a clear and concise message, but we don’t have the resources to speak with everyone.
This article is a sham. I suppose next your going to tell everyone that smoking cigarette’s is good for your health, remember that!
Smoking is bad for your health.
Were not that Stupid!
Who is this “we”?
Matt your are being dense.
Your article is a lie, Good down there and get some truth. Dont go after the wacko protesting the law against smoking in the park. Go interview the mother, the union member, the teacher, then you would have an accurate article.
Hope to see you in the trenches
Where is the lie in the article?
I stated it above for you, just so you know.
You stated what?
Entering their 7th day a group of local Sacramento residents occupy Cesar Chavez Park. When asked what their message or agenda is they cannot give any type of clear and concise answer.
Well this is where i say go down there.
There are leaders and we do have a message. I am not going to tell you again. Quit being lazy and go down there, interview the teacher, the union member, interview the WORKING people
where is the lie? I have emailed and commented on the movement’s site. No reply so far. I asked in person and everyone has a different set of goals. You still can’t point out a lie in the article.
Different sets of goals, or a REALLY LONG list of grievances? Our goals are discussed at general assembly meetings, at multiple points throughout the day. How is it that I’ve had full time employment every day of the protest (today being my first day off) and still managed to attend multiple assemblies? Everyone may have a different list of personal grievances, but we are working towards a common cause. How about some serious gonzo journalism. For one, much of the sign material is recycled, the coffee bought from LOCAL coffee shops (yeah, not the starbucks across the street) and given out for free (Have you stopped by Cafe Freedom, for one of Brandon’s excellent espresso drinks?), and not to mention the networking which is organized on every level from individual to worldwide broadcast on ustream. Darn, users get advertised to before they watch their video. Yes corporate interest paid for a bit of communication, but are you going to take legitimacy from the Libyan and Egyptian groups that organized on Skype? You may have posted lots of facts, but they’re only facts in print. In reality your journalism is slanted and biased.
Trevor you do realize that the local coffee shop buys their coffee from a corporation don’t you? It’s great that sign material was recycled, but it was still purchased from a corporation. The point is protesting against corporation while surfing the internet from a MacBook is a bit ironic don’t you think?
The group consists of people that are angry and want to blame someone as well as people just fed up with big corporations. The protesters claim is they are the “99 percent”. They are referring to not being one on the top 1% of the rich in the United States. While the reality is most of the “99 percent” are currently hard at work not protesting in a park.
Again Nationwide and at CEsar Chavez, most have jobs. They are just getting off of the couch to do something. Go see
The Occupy Sacramento is part of a larger national movement started by Occupy Wall Street in New York. The protests in New York have moved away from a grassroots effort to one that is now organized by the unions.
Another lie, we are not organized by the unions, they are part of the movement, along with the military, and regular people
The New York protests have been organized by the unions now, no one said anything about the Sacramento protest and union organizations. Sorry you are factually incorrect.
Well I guess I dont need to point out any more. You are too lazy to Source at the source.
You know nothing about the movement until you see for yourself.
Or you could stick to your lies and misinformation.
There is not one leader, there are lots of the,
Its like talking to a wall talking to you. Done with talking to a wall.
Todd why do you type replies without reading what you are replying to? I have asked and every time there is a different answer. Now you resort to name calling instead of providing insightful comments. Maybe you could instead point someone here that can say what the goals are of the protesters.
If there’s no point to these Occupy protests, then why are they popping up in every city across the country? There’s obvious wrongs with our economic system. This isn’t to support Democrats or Republicans. There’s an OccupySacramento Twitter feed and Facebook page with links to live video streams. Contact them as they’ll provide you answers. Don’t just go to the nearest idiot who’s there for the party-aspect. Not 100% of the people are justifying the movement and the media exploits the idiots of the group claiming “this is Occupy Wall Street” and “Occupy Sacrament.” As you said above, you’ve been laid off and found a new job. You are the 99%. The people in the park don’t represent you. Well, not everyone represents the movement. There are ignorant people who don’t know how to answer a media’s question of “why are you out here? What are you protesting?” But thanks for finding those ones.
We have asked in person as well as comments on their website and via email. I appreciate what you are saying Chris, but at this point the protests do not have a direction, goal, or purpose. At least not as a collective group. The momentum is great though so let’s hope they can get some sort of leadership in place before too long. I do agree we have issues with our economic system. We need to get money out of government (fundraising) and you will see a huge change in the way corporations operate.
The “Occupy Wall Street” protests are gaining steam and pose a direct threat to the Tea Party movement and our very way of life.
The protests began a few weeks ago and now it is clear that the “Neo-Com” far-left, Marxist agenda is behind these protests. The “Occupy” movement is based entirely on CLASS WARFARE. They claim to be the “99%” of Americans who are fed up with the “1%”, but in reality they are anarchists and Marxists who are demanding more and more entitlements from tax-paying Americans.
Consider this: The Tea Party movement is the most influential political movement to come to our nation is many years.
The Left MUST derail the Tea Party movement in order to achieve its political goals in 2012. In order to do so, they have created a counterfeit — the “occupy” movement. Now, they are using the media to place their “occupy” movement on equal footing with the Tea Party movement and reduce the Tea Party to “just another protest movement.”
So far, the strategy is working. The “Big Left” union leaders and the liberal media are pushing this “occupy” movement to center stage. And politicians like Obama and Pelosi are getting on board.
Those involved are using a lot of “revolution” language, but don’t be fooled. The leaders of the Left have one real goal — destroy the political impact of the Tea Party.
From all of the Tea Partiers I’ve talked to personally in Sacramento have come to recognize that the two movemnts have quite a lot in common as far as goals are concerned.
That’s good to hear. What are the goals of the protesters?
For those lovely protesters that are throwing out the vulgar language, your comments will not be approved.
What is with the right and “unions.” Is it now a dirty word? Only about 12% of the American population are in public or private unions. What is the problem?
Unions are less relevant in a global economy and yet they fight to keep their power. Make no mistake most unions are no longer looking out for the common worker. It’s all about greed, money, and power. It’s the vary thing these protesters are complaining about.
As i figured out hours ago, This guy is one of the complainers, sitting on their couch watching TV and eating their Bon Bons.
Regarding the unions
You are amazingly good at making up stuff.
Before Reagans trickle down economics and break up of the unions. The American dream was a family could be supported by a union job.
Now a certain group of people in this country have bought and paid for our political process, replaced our high paying jobs with Wal Mart, Home Depot jobs. Now a two working member family struggles to put food on the table.
So again. As I said before we have no leaders (thats why it is so big) The biggest them is Wall street and the top 1 percent after making record profitts, lowest tax rates in 65 years, my sign said We bailed you out, now bail us out.. Tax the 1 percent more. This is the last post i am going to make. If you want more info go down there. No one will respond to you e mails
Who is complaining Todd? I agree, I am amazing thank you, but not for making stuff up. You still can’t show one lie, not even one. You may not agree, but you continue to talk about lies where there aren’t any.
Who should bail you out Todd? My tax dollars? You see I am one of the 99% not the one 1%. Actually I am part of the 53% that actually pays income taxes. I don’t take handouts, I work hard everyday to support my family.
It’s too bad no one will respond. We sent reporters down there and all we got was vague generalized statements and everyone had a different message. I am glad you have yourself a sign and have the time to sit in a park today. I worked 10 hours today and earned my salary which also generated tax revenue. I went out to lunch today and spent some of that hard earned money. Then I cam home to work with my kids and their homework. My day is just wrapping up at 11:15pm. Not once today did I ask for any sort of bail out. It does not sound like you can say the same thing. I am part of the 53% and proud of it.
I’m not the most radical of people, but as an economic sociology nut, I certainly felt the need to participate. The inequality and the squeezing of labor in this country is outrageous. Big corporations are the largest proponents of this and sadly, thanks to Citizens United, our political system is largely dependent on big corporate donations. There’re so many fundamental issues wrong in this country and no one is doing anything about it. This is the overall idea of many who’re out there protesting.
As for the movement itself, I always leave and wonder what will exactly end up of Occupy _____. A friend put it this way, “Even if nothing comes out of the movement and it just goes away, it will have still been successful as a tool for expressing concern.” There hasn’t been quite a widespread populist uprising like this for quite a while.
Personally, I feel the movement really should focus on cleaning up the political system (see: overturn Citizens), as it is very hard to tackle many of the other policies we hold dear. It is quite perplexing to imagine what collective action the movement can take at this point.
Excellent post Richard. I agree something needs to be done. IMO the first step is to figure out how to take money out of the election process. Elections are bought and paid for at least at the state and national levels.
What do you call a nation when most of the people are controlled by a few? If you don’t know return with me to the night of the long Knives. I can tell you why the people in these protest can’t articulate their grievance. Because there are to many. Talking heads set the agenda and the rest of us are on the side lines with no voice. When the times comes we are unprepared but all you have to do if you were really wanting to find common ground is look at people’s wallets. They are empty because our economic system has fleeced us at every turn. The problem I have with the movement is finding a voice that can speak and make it clear what demands common cause and sense. It should be the foundation of our country to treat people fairly which in itself is am·big·u·ous remember slavery.
Why do you feel controlled? I follow the laws, but other than that I am free to do as I please. The system needs to be changed, but I still don’t understand this victim mentality so many people have.
The hippies just need to go home.
Summary of the OWS demands:
- To make the companies accountable for the crimes committed that started the money fiascos in the first place.
- To make them also stop sitting on the money that they are hoarding and not recommitting back into the country that helped them get that money in the first place.
- To get big corporations and their money out of our politics.