What is it?
Well, we have demonstrators, drummers, some tents, and of course, the cops. Everyone has an opinion, but it appears the end goal is change. The articles I read mention a lack of goals. This thing grew into much more than was expected.
I have always been a fan of the band RUSH. Perhaps my favorite lyrics by them are...."If you choose not to decided, you still have made a choice." Regardless 'why' these people gather, they stand on one common ground. Seeking something different.
Protesting has been a means to get attention for years. My world here in prison is no exception. We are governed by a set of rules. Most often referred to as Chapter 33. The problem with any protest is how often violence rears its head. This is especially true during protests on my side of the fence. It's hard enough to run a peaceful protest out there. Try protesting with convicts. This is exactly what happened at the prison I am currently serving time at.
The prison system is over budget. So, they quit giving us a napkin at meal time. Instead of one piece of fruit with breakfast, they give us juice. It's easier to water down and stretch the juice supply rather than providing fresh fruit. Instead of the required serving sizes, they short us on portions. We call it 'shaking the spoon'. Your walking out of chow as hungry as you walked in. Only thing different is that now your pissed as well. It's like giving a coke head a half gram....a half-hour later he'll be pissed and calling back for more. Well, someone decided to protest the feeding schedule. Or the lack thereof.
I read where Occupy Wallstreet had to resort to the people's mic. That in itself is empowering. Protesting in itself is to have your voice be heard. So activating the people's mic is like a call to arms. A form of unification. This is exactly how word is spread on this side of the fence. I first heard about a sit-down at reck yard. Word traveled by the people's mic.
This compound houses 1,500 inmates. The idea was a peaceful protest. Nobody eats the midday meal on a set date. Like any protest, the big question is.....who will show up? Or in this case....who won't show up?
Of 1,500 inmates, only 40 or 50 some ate at the chow hall. An hour later the warden, assistant warden, and the food director came to address the general population. Over the next week our compound went on high alert. Officer manpower doubled and even trippled. All movements were controlled movements. Any persons involved with organizing this movement, were locked up and shipped to different prisons.
All this because of a peaceful protest. Unity is not tolerated here in prison. That activates code red. Whether there is a display of violence or not. For the record our portions of food were proper size for about two weeks. Currently, we are back to the old 'shake the spoon' method.
Unity is a powerful weapon. I hope that Occupy Wallstreet is able to accomplish something. Even if it only boils down to individual gratification.
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