Change Happens

Every once in a while an injustice occurs that you just can't let pass. Yesterday was one of those times.

The Oakland Police, in a rather heavy handed fashion, removed the "Occupy Oakland" protest from Oscar Grant Plaza (Frank Ogawa). An army of riot police, many from other cities, attacked the protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets. They destroyed the encampment and hauled scores off to jail There were also injuries among the among the occupiers including some that required hospitalization. I just couldn't let that go. I called off sick from my job (I'm not proud of that my boss is a good guy and I hated being dishonest with him but this is bigger then my job) and went to the march. There were a lot of people, at least a thousand and probably more. The cops were visibly tense. I'd like to think that it is because they share more identity with the protest then the corporate interests that put them on the line.

It was a very diverse crowd, all ages and ethnicities. There were the usual bunch of oddballs and anarchists but there were also a lot of older, middle class people. Unions were represented and I saw one woman wearing her Kaiser Hospital ID, (she is an RN). It was an interesting contrast to see the smiles and hugs and overall joy along with waves and honks of support from passing motorists, against the backdrop of stoney faced, helmeted riot police. It was truly illustrative of the disconnect between the ruling elite and the working people which have come to call themselves the "99%". I witnesses the occasional skirmish and I'm sure there were arrests but you have to expect that, we are fighting for our lives and the lives of our children. Emotions are bound to get intense.

They have stolen so much from us that we are starting to see a future that is becoming dark and scary. We have been fed so many lies that we are full to the bursting point. We have seen our tax dollars squandered on the mass murder of people who never harmed us at the expense of the lives, bodies and minds of our kids. They tell us how wonderful they are going to make things for us, invoking God and Country while they pick our pockets, rob our homes and rape creation. Now they have started an attempt to neutralize protest and kill the peoples ability to bring about change.

This is it, there is no tomorrow. We have to stand up and fight (peacefully and with love) if we are to have a future for ourselves and our kids. We have to show the lies for what they are and be bringers of truth. We have to reject the exploitation of the planet for profit and reject the rampant materialism that divides us and sets us against one another. We must look for spiritual health and happiness. I promise you won't find that at Wal-Mart.

It is our community. We built it. We keep it running. We must act with love and support to our working brothers and sisters, and that includes police officers who are part of our family too. If we are to have anything resembling a happy and livable future we must love our fellow beings and the cosmos as a whole first and put away the self centered worship of wealth. It is our only option.