It has been a long time since I was a cyber scribe. So when I asked my supervisor if I could "cover" the OccupySF march today in an official capacity, I knew that it was a stretch. Getting shot down never has bothered me, because in the end, it's asking that counts.
I did however get a :30 minute reprieve and I made it to Market and Drumm right as the noontime bells were going off - which was perfect because the protest was scheduled to start at 12:00. Started is probably not the proper word to use for something that has been going on since July in New York, if not since the haves split from the have-nots, but just give it to me. I am new to the revolution game.
After the initial crowd introduction, the organizers took a public vote and decided to march from in front of the FED on Market to Union Square and back. To my chagrin, they set 12:30 as the start time, meaning my time marching would be short.
A calming silence crept over the crowd as the organizers stopped talking into the bullhorn and peacefully turned to each other to begin preparations.
The protestors busily making signs continued to busily make their signs. Camera crews fidgeted in an effort to take a picture that encapsulated the organic movement's meaning. But the organizers made it quite clear with their stressless actions that they were under no pressure to incite a riot.
Some of the participants fidgeted, too, as they waited anxiously for additional instructions and chant assignments.
Including me.
iPhone in hand, I walked over to the poster lab, and began talking to one of the organizers.
Anna O. was how she identified herself.
She told me that she had been one of the original 10 people that came together in front of Bank of America on Sept. 11. - a week before the Wall Street Protests began.
I asked her her how she was able to time travel from Sept. 17th. I should have known: Facebook and Twitter apparently allowed her to connect with the Occupy Wall Streeters that had been calling for a national demonstration on that day.
She also blew my mind when she explained that the Occupationalists had been planning all this since July.
So much for being slackers!
Whatcha gotta say about that, Mr. Cain?!
The 11:25 seconds I spent with Anna O. were life changing. I recorded it all, with her permission and will have to go back and suss out some legit quotes. But the Cliff Notes version is that, in addition to the Occupation Movement history lesson, she helped me to understand a little better what I needed to do for my country, for my friends, for mom, dad and for my 2 buns.
So media tent, I will see you after work.
I thanked Anna O., for the time and promptly at 12:30 I went up to the girl holding the bullhorn and said, "It is 12:30."
She answered: "I know."
About :30 seconds later the dude in the green hat - I will find out his name tonight - took off with the dude in the hat with the feather in it - same deal - in the direction of Market and Spear.
And that is how it began.
For the next 15 minutes, I walked in the front of of the pack, sometimes chanting sometimes filming the occupation. And, yes, because you know I wasn't bullshitting when I said I was marching for everyone I know - including the not-so-bright voters - I helped fire up the crowd and even held the sign and marched at the head of the protest.
By the time we reached Montgomery, I handed the sign off to the guy in the hat with the feather - he actually took it from me, thankfully. And smiled at the guy in green hat holding the other poll and faded to the middle of the pack and waited, watching about 1000 people walk by chanting various pro-people/anti-corporate chants before ducking underground to catch the T Line back to Current.
I am not sure what happens next, but I do know it will be happening from the media tent on Market Street.
