Today's demonstration was about 100 or so protesters marching down K Street NW, and blocking the intersection at 14th. This is a block from my work, so I could see and hear it from the windows, and at some point walked over to observe and take some pictures.
Streets were blocked with heavy metal newspaper boxes, trashcans and chairs, and the Occupiers stood in the boxed intersection in the pouring rain chanting. Police had all four sides cordoned off with police cars, horses and ultimately a wall of police facing off. It was pretty non-confrontational - protesters chanted and sometimes taunted, police watched them stone-faced and sometimes took the bait. There were easily an equal number of protesters and police, and an even greater number of spectators taking pictures with their phones. But you can't block traffic forever, and eventually police began clearing media and bystanders to sidewalks, and then told protesters to also clear the street or face removal.
At this point, as I understand, police rode a bunch of horses slowly into the center, scattering a good number of protesters who did not enjoy facing off against a large imposing animal. Soon enough the protesters played their role and lay down in the street. And the police played theirs, giving them warnings, and then began removals and arrests, as protesters again played their part resisting arrest in acts of civil disobedience. I checked Twitter a few times - #OccupyDC - to see how the scene was described, and I was a bit disappointed to see the tweets, while overall accurate, seem more sensational than what I had witnessed,
I'm quite proud of my city in the handling of OccupyDC. There hasn't been evictions of the tent cities. McPherson Square park (and Freedom Square a few blocks away) have codes of conduct posted by the protesters, including how to interact with police and respect the park. Likewise, park police have posted signs of what is and is not allowed (generators must be cordoned off, for example). DC's mayor and Council has expressed support - as long as health and public safety are not threatened. So far there has not been pepper spray, raids or helicopters as in Oakland and Atlanta.
The methods are a bit fringe-y for me, and the messengers far too scraggly to be effective. But the principles of the movement speak to me - even with my iPhone and Starbucks and desk job. Long live Occupy!
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