A Week at Occupy Washington, DC

By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News

30 November 11

Reader Supported News | Perspective

 

 

First Impressions

fter months of watching Occupy via livestream, I had to see for myself what exactly was going on. Early Thanksgiving morning I arrived at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC. I knew Freedom Plaza would be different than the other encampments since it was organized by experienced organizers and supported by traditional peace groups like CodePink and Veterans for Peace.

Although Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers remain, many of the original organizers have moved on.

Still, those who've decided to stick it out are doing amazing work. Among those who are in it for the long haul are some vets and a few Code Pink members. They are joined by a mix of long-time activists and first-time protesters. The encampment is also providing much-needed services to the area's homeless population. While the median age of the group is older than most Occupy encampments, a section called "Camp Lexington" is home to a predominantly younger crowd. On balance, the encampment is functioning quite well, and my survey of "what exactly was going on" is as follows:

Information

The information tent at Freedom Plaza, 11/30/11. (photo: Scott Galindez/RSN)

Many of the younger Occupiers work the information tent and do a wonderful job of greeting people new to the encampment. On my first night, I had no trouble finding the information tent, despite the fact I arrived around 1am, and they cheerfully assisted me in finding the tent I had arranged to occupy.

Clean and Safe

Contrary to all the reports you read about messy encampments, I was immediately impressed with how just clean and organized this encampment is. Despite no police presence the encampment is perfectly safe. A camp security team patrols around the clock. The park is in a major urban center, but I have only witnessed arguments. I have not seen a single incident of physical violence in the past week.

The Food

The culinary magicians, Tom and Jerry, 11/30/11. (photo: Scott Galindez/RSN)

The kitchen crew is amazing, well organized and well-equipped. They serve three hot meals a day. The occupiers are fed first, and then meals are served to anyone who wants one or needs one. Tom, the head of the kitchen crew, does a yeoman's job of bringing it all together. The food is cooked onsite and the kitchen area regularly passes health inspections. There are plenty of burners, but no oven, which worked out okay on Thanksgiving. In fact, Tom's deep-fried turkey was the best I've ever had. His crew also has real culinary talent. The bacon-wrapped shrimp on Thanksgiving was to die for. Another standout in the kitchen is Jerry. They are a well-oiled machine cranking out culinary delights. The Occupy Freedom Plaza kitchen gets 5 stars in my book. Note to Chef Ramsay: No need to turn this operation around.

The stove area in the Freedom Plaza kitchen, 11/30/11. (photo: Scott Galindez/RSN)

Comfort

That brings us to the camp concierge. He will not like that title, but Robert is the guy to go to if you need anything. He also maintains a locked tent where you can leave your valuables. He keeps track of who is staying in what tent, and can find space for someone in need, and the encampment does serve those in need. The many homeless in the encampment are welcome as long as they agree to not drink or enter the encampment intoxicated. Actually, that rule applies to everyone. It is an alcohol- and drug-free environment. Robert has amazing patience, especially after it rains. Many of the homeless head to Robert to exchange wet sleeping bags for dry ones. He does a great job of keeping the Occupiers well supplied.

The encampment's concierge, 11/30/11. (photo: Scott Galindez/RSN)

And those mainstream media reports that the occupiers are dirty and unwashed? Well, the Occupiers at Freedom Plaza can shower every day at the office of the Communication Workers of America. There is even a laundry crew that collects dirty laundry in the morning and returns it clean and folded.

This is a five-star Occupation.

Action

Now that we have covered the committees and people that keep the encampment functional, let's move to the Action Committee. They meet right after the General Assembly and plan actions. The encampment functions as a home base for direct actions around the city. Right now a major focus is to organize a visible action on December 6th in support of Occupy Wall Street's call for a national day of action on the foreclosure crisis.

On most days there is at least one action - today will be in support of whistleblowers at the EPA. The beauty of Occupy DC at Freedom Plaza is that within a few blocks there is an appropriate target for just about any issue you want to protest.

Future Plans

Freedom Plaza at dawn, 11/30/11. (photo: Scott Galindez/RSN)

The plan in DC is, quite simply, to Occupy for as long as they can. They are realistic, though. The National Park Service has issued a warning that camping is not allowed under their permit. As they watch city after city crack down on encampments, they expect their day will come. There is a second encampment in DC that I will write about in a separate article. It is a younger crowd and is always under the watchful eye of the US Park Police.

If you think you have a sense of what is going on based on media reports or watching the livestreams, you are wrong. Visit an Occupy. Don't just walk through and make a rash judgment ... stay a while, volunteer, attend a GA, take part in an action.

Occupations cannot be the only tactic, but what they have done is build communities of action all over the country. The key is continuing to work together, even if the Occupations end. Oh, and there is talk of an American Spring to be launched by a massive march on Washington that will bring together all of the Occupy movements.

Stay tuned.

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Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.