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At the celebration on the lawn outside Irvine’s City Center last night around 11:30 p.m., a fellow activist (who was instrumental in securing the City Council’s support for permitting Occupy Irvine to occupy that lawn continuously) struggled gamely to back away from implying that I was an idiot. It was no use. We both knew that it was true.
I had just told her had assured a reporter from the Orange County Register, who was preparing to leave City Hall six hours earlier, that we of Occupy Irvine had no expectation at all that the City Council would act on our request for permission that night, because we weren’t on the agenda. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Sorry, reporter. How wrong I was.
Then again, who could have predicted what happened last night?
(Disclaimer: when I write “we” below so that it looks like I’m speaking for Occupy Irvine, I’m actually giving my own opinions and impressions; I can only speak for myself.)
Councilmember Larry Agran, perhaps, could have predicted at least some of it: he had clearly done his homework and arrived with a proposal — although it was certainly possible that a less compelling presentation by Occupy Irvine’s proponent would have led him to keep it in his pocket.
Did Mayor Pro-Tem Beth Krom know when the evening began that should would move, after hearing 42 speeches — some coolly analytical, some passionate, some heart-rending — to a proponent of permitting the occupation to remain in place?
Did Mayor Sukhee Kang, who masterfully managed the meeting, expect that he and the Council’s two Republicans would support such an extraordinary motion?
Did Councilmember Jeffrey Lalloway expect that he would get off the line of the night while demonstrating his willingness to tolerate free speech that he said he neither necessarily understood nor supported?
Did Councilmember Stephen Choi expect to speak movingly of his connection to the demonstrators based on his personal history of demonstrating against the old South Korean dictatorship back in the bad old days?
I doubt it. I very much doubt it.
No one among the Occupy Irvine demonstrators had expected a vote (having been told by some idiot that it was pretty much impossible.) No one anywhere, I’ll venture, expected a unanimous vote. No one, two weeks ago, thought that we could all end up with this result, with this degree of cooperation and unity, this quickly. On our 11th day of protest in Orange County’s financial capital, we secured an agreement for a permit through Wednesday Nov. 9, to be reviewed at the Nov. 8 council meeting for what we hope will be a 30-day renewal. (We’ll cross later bridges when we come to them.)
Last weekend, four people were taken into custody in Santa Ana and more were cited for misdemeanors in the morning. Yesterday in the early morning hours, the city of Oakland used extraordinary means — rubber bullets, sound cannon — to clear its Occupation from its park. Yesterday mid-day, the San Diego City Council actually walked out on its own Occupy demonstrators during a raucous and pugnacious public comment section.
And yesterday evening, the Occupy Irvine protesters came into the City Council Chambers respectfully, after ten days and more of setting up their tent city every morning and tearing it down and carting it away each night, and just talked. The speeches were not coordinated ahead of time; some drafts were scrawled moments before speaking, some prepared drafts were thrown away. We talked. (Declaration of conflict of interest: I was among them, but unlike some other speakers I don’t think that I made tears well up in people’s eyes.) And when the night was done, we has achieved an amazing victory — a testament to us, our broader movement, to the city government and police, our supporters.
Our business, from our base on the lawn, is largely public education and outreach. Our credo is that we want to engage Orange County in a way that fits Orange County’s ethos — polite and cooperative where possible, non-violent, and tenacious. We want to build connections in the community of Irvine and the communities around us. We want to change what people are talking about; we want to change what people know of their neighbors and their circumstances; we want to change what people believe is possible.
The success of Occupy Irvine comes from our willingness to build trust with city institutions, our commitment to non-violent change, and the city’s willingness to accept our good faith with its good faith in return. (That sprinkler problem looks like it was a mistake on the part of an outside contractor that, as a matter of cosmic humor, happened to come at the exact time one would want it to come if one wanted to drive away the protesters. But we stayed — and that which did not drown us made us stronger.)
We think that Occupy Irvine is a model — on both sides. It’s a model for demonstrators, who we’ve shown can work with a city, demonstrate good behavior and cooperation without compromising on our message, and show the city that we shall not be moved. It’s also a model for cities hosting demonstrations. Who would you rather be this morning — the public relations person for Irvine, or for Santa Ana, San Diego, or Oakland?
It’s easy to fall into oppositional politics, but the enemies we face are not our city governments or our city police. Many people from Occupy Irvine were prepared to engage in non-violent civil disobedience to show the depth of our commitment to our cause. Among the core members of the movement, I don’t know that anyone would have predicted that it wouldn’t happen over our first 250 hours of occupation (the conclusion of which brought us to midway in our 42 speeches.) That’s been the pattern: sooner, or later, the clash arrives.
But not here. Not in Irvine.
I can assure you, it was not because either side of our face-off was a pushover. It was because we realized that we could do more cooperatively than having the kabuki of a conflict. Irvine shows itself to be a progressive and enlightened city, one worthy of leadership in the region. Occupy Irvine shows that this rare “suburban occupation”can work — and can perhaps encourage peacemakers on all sides in other communities to give the Irvine Model a try.
We — on the lawn and the streets, in the city hall and police headquarters — are not ultimately the story here. The story is what goes on in the hearts and minds of those around us, who don’t want to face the uncomfortable thoughts about the disintegration of the middle class, about an economic ruling class seemingly gone nihilist. One may hope that one won’t be affected, that if one closes one’s eyes all of this will go away.
But it won’t go away. We are confronting our reality; we will help others do the same.
A little while before I left the victory party (where we went through pizza like a swarm of locusts) last night, people from Santa Ana showed up: Theo, Matt, Sam, another of the arrestees. They congratulated us, of course, and we talked about Santa Ana. The protesters stood up for their principles; the city stood up for the rule of law. And yet did either side win — or did both lose? Each side did manage to show its resolve — but did much change for the better?
We had an interesting conversation, unusual for committed firebrand activists. Would the Irvine Model work in Santa Ana? Maybe it would — it’s certainly more possible, after what happened last night. And if it worked in Santa Ana, would it work in San Diego? In Long Beach, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland? Beyond California?
The more cities “get it right,” the less attractive it is to be one of the cities that gets it wrong. We started something last night. Irvine became a symbol of getting it right. Who knows how far we can go from here? I see no immovable barrier — no “hard block,” as we say in the park — on the horizon.
I reposted this to try (unsuccessfully so far) to get the picture up into the rotation, and I inadvertently deleted the post below, which I’ve copied here. Sorry, 2xindem:
The very modest Greg Diamond’s stock sure went up in the movement (assuming it could get higher.) He’d been urging many of the more impatient souls to keep to the law-abiding diplomatic model even when it seemed like a fool’s errand – and now it looks like he was right!
One thing *I* was right about was we shouldn’t have been just focusing on the three Council Democrats – the two Republicans are very nice and reasonable guys after all.
Let the record show that the first councilman to show “spirit fingers” on the dais was Jeff Lalloway. Stolen from American Sign Language by our ancestors in Occupy Wall Street, “spirit fingers” are a noiseless substitute for applause consisting of raising your hands and wiggling your fingers. Having seen us do that countless times, Lalloway first imitated us with a grin, then later said, “You people are kind of odd actually” and asked what that meant, whereupon he got an explanation. I predict many of our customs – spirit fingers, “hard blocks,” the “wrap it up you’re belaboring the point” lasso, and the “point of clarification” gesture, to enter the general public’s lexicon within the year – along with our more substantive contributions.
Lalloway firmly supported our right to free speech, offering that he himself is an activist, even if he doesn’t “understand what our message is.” “You guys have a sign I saw – it says ‘ONE WORLD’ – what the heck does that mean??” But “If you want to sleep on our lawn, then heck – sleep on our lawn!”
I teased Dr Choi about his notorious protest of Nancy Pelosi outside a Truman Dinner a few years ago (someone slapped a poster of Nancy photoshopped as Stalin onto his back and he walked around with it for a while.) But it turns out he was a protester from way back when it was really dangerous, under the right-wing South Korean dictatorships (hm, he should have turned out a Democrat.) He was somewhat incredulous that we were getting away with such an unprecedented thing, having the city’s ordinances somewhat bent and skirted just for our benefit, but he happily went along with it. Later he spent some time outside chambers chatting with me and the Rock Doctor (John Hoagland, my fellow musician who entertains with me regularly on weekends there at the “Village.”)
Larry Agran sure showed his cleverness and erudition in shaping the old ordinances to the new realities and imperatives of maximum freedom of speech. Beth Krom got off the biggest laugh when she blamed the sprinkler fiasco on “an evil contractor.”
And I figure this could only be helpful (if only a little) for Mayor Sukhee’s run against the moronic John Campbell next year; in fact I startled him by addressing him as “Congressman Kang.”
This was the rare night when my level of respect for each Councilmember rose. I had had no idea of Choi’s history opposing the South Korean regime; I’d love to hear more about that.
It’s interesting that that’s something that, even 30 years later, he’s proud of. There’s a lesson there.
I won’t discuss my own stock — insider trading rules, you know.
I’m sure “Dr. No” will be more than happy to blab your ear off about that part of his life. While you are at it, ask him about the Northwood Night Stalker’s smear campaign against him in the 70th AD Repuglican nomination. Thanks to that loud, bespectabled, overbearing jackass, we got Spanky Wagner.
Ah, I’m sure nothing Dan C wrote had any influence on the Republican primary. Though you’re right, a real “liberal” blogger would have focused his fire on the more dangerous Wagner rather than the relatively harmless Choi.
We sure did.
You had me at the first few words. Nothing that the Northwood Night Stalker writes has any influence on anything. Unless you count the millions of laughs his name elicits when you mention it to various parents who have kids enrolled in the Irvine Unified School District.
You used Boss Agran and clever in the same sentence? Boss Agran only does things to suit Boss Agran.
Just saying Vern. I live in Irvine and have been a resident for many years.
Well, you’ll notice that what I wrote, “clever” and “erudite” doesn’t exactly contradict what you wrote. But that’s all I’ll say about Mr. Agran at this point!
“Beth Krom got off the biggest laugh when she blamed the sprinkler fiasco on “an evil contractor.”
The evil that you speak of is Emperor Bren, despot for life of the city council’s biggest corporatist benefactor. You might know them as The Irvine Company. How much do you have to tithe to him in order to camp on the lawn on Harvard Ave and Barranca Parkway? Or was that octogenrian bag of bones tranqulized when the vote went down? Either way, the Emperor will want his cut of the pie in lot rent.
The rule in Irvine has always been “what Emperor Bren wants, Emporer Bren gets.”
We’re not paying rent. Maybe he cares about Irvine’s good reputation as well!
No, the Emporer only cares about the money.
When you are not camping out in front of the Civic Center on Harvard and Barranca, take a trip a few miles north to the Woodbury Town Center, a creation of Emperor Bren’s company, and take a look at the empty store fronts near LA Fitness. The business plan of the Emperor’s company is that he would rather have these store fronts sit empty with his ridiculous rents rather than make the place attractive to business. Kind of akin to the “business plan” of Boss Agran’s taxpayer swindle known as the Not So Great Park of MasterPlannedistan.
Don’t be surprised if he decides to charge lot rent because Emperor Bren has never met a rent payment that he didn’t like. You may own your own body, but in Irvine the rules of who owns the land are different. In Irvine, Emperor Bren owns the land and the politicians.
Dude, stop saying Barranca. It’s Harvard and Alton. And I’m there now, all night. When are you going to drop by?
I can stop by if you promise to keep Emperor Bren, Spanky and Boss Agran at bay or a mimimum of 100 feet away from me. I don’t know if any of them reinstated the restraining order since all of this occupation went down.
Since you are in Irvine, let me know if you care to join “Occupy the Not So Great Park.” Think Wounded Knee ’73, only this time our demands are that we want a mega resort casino and make Dick Ackerman a valet parking attendant. In exchange for his services, we’ll let him drink all of the beer he wants on the casino grounds for free.
(Helpful illustration added by Vern, hat-tip to Bushala’s blog)
OK – Saturdays’ our next big thing – I’ll be playing music there with the ROck Doctor before & after our big march (between 11 – 3)
Greg, I am happy to hear about this. However, I disagree that there is a “right” or “wrong” way to occupy. For example, LA had a similar victory with winning support from the City Council. Is it successful? In the eyes of many, it is. But for critics and veteran activists who have been in the social justice community for 10+ years, approval equals control of the encampment. I just thought I’d throw that out there – since LA is having issues with control coming from the municipalities.
Every city is different. What works for one may not work for another. This was a message that was sent out to the Occupy movement from Zucotti Park just last week. I think Irvine is lucky enough to have Councilmembers who pretty much openly admit they don’t understand the occupation so therefore, hey feel free! What happens when they figure it out? I sure hope they are really on Occupy Irvine’s side. In any case, I think both Irvine and Santa Ana have done what is best within their given terrain.
And I hope the Irvine PD find something better to do than to start calling the encampment “smelly” and “unsanitary” (regardless if it really is or not) – because looking at a half dozen other Occupy site, that may be the next battle – perhaps as early as that 30 day period you have been given.
Best of luck. I hope to come down to the encampment sometime really soon.
Fair enough. Maybe we can agree that this is another model that can be used, one that’s especially well-suited for suburbs and places without a strong history of civil disobedience.
To me, the encampment is not itself the point. It’s what you do once you have the encampment that matters. We have visibility and stability now — and we can go elsewhere in the region at times during the day to confront them with the realities of the economy. “Being there” is just a start.
The two Republican Councilmembers who said that they didn’t really get what we were doing were a minority of the council — but they did themselves (and their party) proud. But had we not been who and what we have been, we would never have gotten their votes. They didn’t understand us, BUT we were sincere, benign, and engaged in serious protected free speech. It wasn’t a “ah, you kids go do your thing.” We earned that result.
The encampment is not smelly or unsanitary; more like fastidious. People appreciate what the council did and want to live up to Irvine’s expectations while relentlessly bringing these critical issues to greater public attention. People aren’t acting out here, they’re out being activists.
I hope that cities where land has been taken by force end up doing as well. Civil disobedience has its place — but it’s not usually as a first resort.
Most of us expect the good people of the Irvine occupation to be as clean and sanitary as possible, of course. But the issue is not whether or not it *really* is, you have to be wary the City can use to clear out campers.
The Oakland Police used the excuse as they teargassed and shot rubber bullets at non-violent protesters last night. I know of source who was there and the unsanitary conditions is the city itself, not the encampment. He swallowed teargas while just going outside his front door. Other cities have done the same kind of thing as far as coming up with reasons to clear out. That is *their* last resort. First its the law, then its “public safety” – as I know you are aware of the other ridiculous laws imposed on the movement since you posted them a week ago or so. NY Mayor Bloomberg tried this tactic at Zucotti Park and failed because of the mass support that phoned in support from all over the globe. Other cities haven’t been so lucky.
The LA Mayor and City Council have been cooperative up until this point, allowing protesters to camp out. Now the Mayor is saying it cannot continue indefinitely:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/10/occupy-la-mayor-antonio-villaraigosa.html
I know someone who was there a few nights ago – its not dirty from what they told me, although there are more people there just “hanging out” instead of organizing action – which by the way, happened because the main activists were pushed out/shut out by the Committees allegedly being directed by officials (unconfirmed – but, I have multiple sources alluding to this)
If the City does not understand long term, peaceful assembly – Irvine can run into similar issues. Its a victory what happened last night – but one that has to be taken cautiously.
Now I know you are more of a “work within the system” kind of guy (from what I’ve read) – you have won the support of the council but from what I read, the police officials don’t seem too pleased.
Although I hope it doesn’t come to this – many other cities have used the tactic of linking arms to protect their encampment (see: the raids of Boston which included the Veterans for Peace blocking police from camp, Denver, San Francisco and about a half dozen other major cities at this point) We’ll see what happens – but I would say a very important thing to do is connect with other local Occupy sites so when you run into trouble, help will be on its way.
First, I appreciate the advice and your broad perspective on the Occupy protests.
We’re working on a Memorandum of Understanding — I know, I know, but that’s what they’re called — with the City that will ideally avoid a lot of the problems others have faced, including what’s happening in LA. And I don’t know of any other Occupation that has better (hard-won) rapport with a city government than we do. So I don’t expect to get sandbagged.
If you can point me to what you’ve read about police officials, I’d like to read it and bring it to the attention of the city. I’ve seen no indication that they want to throw a wrench into the works. This is not what they’re used to, but so far — some communications problems aside — they’ve been professional. They’re paid in part to worry about unusual activities; I expect them to do so. But I think they’ll get used to us.
I’ve told the city that in my opinion Irvine has been “marked” — and that if this indigenous occupation was beaten away then a new one would start, led by people from Los Angeles who recognize the importance of Orange County in this overall fight, and the appropriateness of Irvine as the base of that fight. I don’t think that they’ll want to stop us. We don’t need to ask others to come to our rescue; they will do so on their own.
I’m more concerned about being denied permits to demonstrate in neighboring cities like Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, where I could better imagine the councils not crediting our civil rights. That’s where we’d have our fights, if that happens — and they’d be more righteous fights, with a firmer legal footing, than getting run off by the Irvine police.
This, of course, is just my view, and the General Assembly may reject it. But I think that once it becomes clear how significant we can be in the battle for hearts and minds, people will appreciate what we’ve accomplished.
” I hope the Irvine PD find something better to do”
As a resident of Irvine, I’ve been saying that for years. Their usual job is harassing people who don’t possess the dominant skin hue within the realm of Emperor Bren’s and Boss Agran’s MasterPlannedistan.
Just don’t ride your bike on the sidewalk. They love writing bike tickets
civil disobedience has its place .. = so does jail .
So should this person go to jail?
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/tea_partier_uses_army_email_address_to_call_for_ci.php
if you break the laws of or acting crazy and destroying property . if your taking a leak in the park , warn them let it slide but make sure he leaves . this is the general thinking . what i have seen on the news from this crowd . especially in oakland . LOCK THEM UP
And what if you form a tacit agreement with rating agencies to rate investment instruments that both you are then know are candy-coated pieces of crap as AAA+, leading pension funds and other institutional investors to gobble them up. LOCK THEM UP?
Part of this exercise is to get people to calibrate their sense of what is criminal.
Along the lines of “what is criminal” and who is held accountable for breaking the law in America today, check out Greenwald’s new book.
http://politics.salon.com/2011/10/25/book_release_with_liberty_and_justice_for_some/singleton/
I am happy to say that I was wrong about the City of Irvine. My congratulations to them and to the Occupiers for achieving a place for an open forum to express the frustration and outrage that is felt about our current predicament.
Way to go.
It is just a temporary pacifier given to crying child Vern and Esq. Encino.
Soon they will yank it out of their mouth and then we will see if children get abused by the big brother or not.
LA is already working on that.
Hey Exile! Does all of this freedom give you Vertigo ? If so, you’re free to go, back to where they do home decorating with a Kalishnikov. Freedom is not always simple, but it beats the alternative.
Hey, we even give you the freedom to be the turd in the punch bowl.
Currently USA is most oppression regime in the world.
However, you are moron mongoloid and unaware of it!
And look who we put in jail. Small time criminals and pot smokers.
I think the big fish who crashed the economy should be frog marched out to the GrayBar Hotel for an extended stay. They are more of a danger to our society than the guy who needs the public defender. And it’s always the little guy getting the long sentence.
The lesson here is that if you do the crime…go big.
Thanks, D. Now we just have to make something of it!
Some like Stanislaw below think that it’s just a pacifier. It could be, I suppose, but so far it doesn’t suck. A week and a half of hard work bound people together. Now we have a message to share. Keeping to our “good neighbor” policy and spreading out our efforts along the coast, I don’t see why we’ll be stopped anytime soon. I think that a lot of people in Irvine may actually appreciate it.
My point is, based on my Bohemian wisdom, why doing that from the lion’s den.
You are like a sheep enjoining farmers food only to be slaughtered.
Obviously sheep is stupid…… are you?
Exile, right now I’m in France the birthplace of Bohemianism. Are there any sheep here that you want me to say hi to, for you? Most of the Bohemians here are gypsy pickpockets, not a group that I would want to align myself with. Maybe you should pick a different class of philosophers to draw wisdom from.
Anybody want to take a shot at a lib in France. Tee ball. 1st inning.
Learn moron mongoloid in the France.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia
Whenever Stanley is confused or loses a debate, he starts calling people “moron mongoloid”. Wear it like a badge of honor, Demagogue.
Please piss on Robespierre’s grave for me.
Nelson this blog is attracting real lumpenproletariat lately like flies on shit.
It must be your REVOLUTIONARY spirit when you get la déportée communarde.
Stupid one too!
FUNNY same thing happens when vern ,anonoster , diamond and all the other libs on here .
There has been name-calling in both directions. And the only reason I highlight it is because people like YOU are the ones who constantly piss and moan about it, like it only happens from one side of the political aisle.
If you’re going to take the time to bitch about it, at least be fair. You know, like that cable news show you watch.
Hey Anon,
I kind of figured that Exile had short-circuited and went to the “I’m rubber, you’re glue defense”. He amuses me.
And to Exile,
This is an American blog in English. Bohemianism in ENGLISH was first referenced in France in the 19th century encompassing art, literature, and lifestyle. Some people aspired to it, and some still do.
And quit acting like a MORONGOLOID.
FYI, idiot and demagog the Bohem, Bohemianism and Bohemia are not synonymous especially when invented by a drunk France communist in 19 century.
Learn from the CIA where Bohemia is for thousands of years retard.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ez.html
Exile,
Forgive me for thinking that when you write the word Bohemian, that you mean Bohemian. Read what you posted. I don’t have the Moronogloid to English secret decoder ring.
We welcome you to this great country of ours with open arms.
Please have respect for our language and culture.
as in….
(which we’ll probably do as a singalong Saturday…)
“(which we’ll probably do as a singalong Saturday…)”……… Hmmmmm
To bad, Stanislav Star can’t perform at Bolshevik gathering.
Oh you just can’t teach America culture, can you? I tried.
But, if I’m not here this time tomorrow… Carry on, carry on.
As good a time as any to re-post me and Stanislav doing “I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” earlier this year…
LOL. WTF?
I am truly impressed by Stanislaw’s ability to stay in character, if not key.
I was rehearsing Joe Cocker arangma, however, Vern Nelson destructed me with is High pitch screaming voice and playing his piano one octave to high.
The idea here was to show that Vern Nelson does know how to sing and I have proven that.
I am confused!
It was actually John Beluchi arangama.
Your problem is you just didn’t understand what Joe Cocker is really saying:
Stanley, stop being so adorable.
“Your problem is you just didn’t understand what Joe Cocker is really saying”…….. Hmmmmm
Let me guess Che Nelson.
Unlike you, I have met Joe Cocker and Ringo Starr one on one in my rock ‘n’ roll years as laser show producer. So I have pretty good idea.
However, your reference to Woodstock is fare cry to “OCcupation”.
Keep dreaming, it is good for mine.
No seriously watch that last video, it’s funny. Joe’s misheard lyrics, all illustrated.
That’s one of the funniest videos I’ve seen this year. It is sacrilege, of course.
ANON you mean mslsd . i dont piss n moan i leave that to the libs and their 1000 pieces on occupy . i react to the vile of hate and isults that people like you do on here .
“1000 pieces on Occupy….”
We won’t hit that milestone until at least Thanksgiving!
“We won’t hit that milestone until at least Thanksgiving!”……… Hmmmm
On Thanksgiving, Guy Fawkes and hid Band will bring you a turkey because your movement will be desolated as was Rock Plymouth Colony ran by pilgrim communists.
Or my band could claim the Civic Center property as sacred land, begin our own occupation and impose our own version of eminent domain as was done to us in piecemeal 200+ years earlier in North America. Once we establish our occupation, we can call in the construction workers to tear down the Civic Center and build the mega resort casino with the mega buffet and water park that will make Irvine a premiere tourist destination over those pricks in Anaheim who have a resort with a stupid mouse as their mascot.
“Or my band could claim the Civic Center property as sacred land”……. Hmmmm
If you do Fawkes bring extra tepee, feathers, war drum and pipe for me I will join you.
I’ll be your Little Big Man.
I’ll bring Russian Vodka.
That Mouse is really stupid, too. I can’t even remember being so little I didn’t think so.
I’ll bring the peyote and sage.
“I’ll bring the peyote and sage”…….. Hmmmmm
Do you think that we can smoke them out?