Yesterday Jodie Evans from Code Pink led a group of about 35 people for the “Occupy Venice” protest at Windward Circle. Announced just days before, messaging on the groups website was unclear as to the date and time which could have contributed to the low turnout. A facebook message came late in the day Saturday. Protestors supported the 99% messaging similar to the Occupy Wall St. and Occupy LA initiatives, but also sported “Make Out, Not War” flyers. Solomon, long time Venice Boardwalk performer brought the strongest voice and message to the protest, and a few rubber snakes - giving it true Venice flair. Nationwide although numbers and cities are growing with people joining the protest, messaging is still vague. In this mornings press the movement was being categorized as an “emotional” response, in contrast to having any concrete initiatives or ideas. Someone suggested yesterday that everyone take all of their money out of the banks, get rid of credit cards and debit cards and pay only using cash so that the big banks don’t have access to your money. The suggestion was met with a blank response. Tony Vera was on scene and shot this video.
How, precisely, is the messaging “vague?”
People are unhappy with the system as it stands. Crony capitalism, interventionist foreign policy, and on and on and on… While they don’t have concrete solutions to these problems - participants identify that there is, in fact, a problem. That’s the first step. And showing up, filled with sadness, anger, exasperation, or just to be a part of something - that is an emotional response.
But as such, they are assembling now to draw attention to the problem - expressing their frustration, pain, suffering, and unyielding belief that something can and should be done in numbers large and small around the world.
I’m really unsure if the message is “vague,” or if some people would rather avoid addressing the very obvious message instead…