Social Gathering of the Year: Occupy

I guess the social gathering of the year was the "occupy" movement held in various cities and towns around the world. It all started at Wall Street, NYC. My experience with this movement is almost solely by watching CNN, although I was on the fringe of it one Saturday in October when I visited New Haven, CT.

It all reminds me of the sixties when there were a succession of issues addressed by demonstrations including civil rights and the Vietnam war. There was always my side trying to convince others that it was right to have equality for all under the law or the war should end. The sounds of MLK Jr. echoed in our ears as we stood staunchly before the Lincoln Memorial in silent vigil supporting the passage of the civil rights act. There was a twinge of fear as counter demonstrators associated with the neo-Nazi party protested  for the opposite view fifty feet away from us. There was joy and celebration as the civil rights act was passed.

I know the same thing is going on with the occupy movement. It all gets very crazy at times. Peaceful demonstrations can become violent. Sometimes people get hurt. But persistence is necessary to win the day and the years.



I liked the tents and the organization. The drums added sound,  but also annoyance. Guitars are better.

Are these demonstrations a party? If by party is meant a social gathering where ideas are exchanged, where there is a bonding among participants, where food and drink are shared, all for a cause or common aim, then occupy is a party.