Slog Comments

Cienna: I participated in the demonstration, and my partner helped with organizing. As with most people who can reasonably be considered "part of Occupy Seattle" (given that it's not an organization and has no definition of membership), we've been heavily involved with some Occupy Seattle activities, and not at all involved with others. Last Sunday, after the Komen event, in response to your other post about this, I wrote:

A relatively small number of demonstrators were able to ensure that almost everyone who attended that event (i.e., those who arrived via automobile between about 5:15 and about 7:15) were thinking about the controversy surrounding the Komen Foundation when they walked in the front door. Those who could read fast enough also had on their minds a list of alternative organizations that support breast cancer research. Good job.

Karah, who also helped organize the demonstration, wrote:

The goal certainly wasn't to overwhelm the guests at Saturday's Gala with a bunch of angry protesters. We smiled and waved, did a few MicChecks, offered attendees pink flowers and handed out nearly 200 flyers with the information about alternative places to donate and facts on the Komen Foundation with URL's to research for themselves. Many guests were supportive and passerby's honked and waved in support as well. Goal accomplished.

@22 While it may have been true at some point in the past that big businesses were the major employers of America, large corporations have shipped so many of their jobs overseas that more people in this country work for the public sector and small businesses these days. Welcome to 2012, Ron!

40 people would have lined the block nicely, but about a dozen lined the only part of the entrance that was publicly-accessible. There were no bandanas, nothing unfriendly was said to anyone (except for the tough-guy hotel security clown telling me to leave when I went in to check room rates and availability, because I "was with those people out there and have no business in here"), and there were no giant boobs. I really wanted to dress up as a giant pink ribbon, but we couldn't make it happen in time.

Seattle Police Department, ever vigilant in their mission to serve, protect, prevent people from rocking the boat too much, and keep the downtown businesses happy, sent five police cruisers, at least a half-dozen bicycle cops, and a paddy wagon. There was no indication ahead of time that any of that was needed, none of it was used, and we taxpayers paid to have all those cops stand around and chat with each other after one of them briefly addressed demonstrators as we arrived on the public the sidewalk in front of the hotel.