Rainbow/PUSH to Occupy Atlanta: Stop bickering with mayor over park
Three days ago, in the aftermath of the forced eviction of Occupy Atlanta from Woodruff Park, longtime civil rights leader Joe Beasley, the Southern director of Rainbow/PUSH, denounced Mayor Kasim Reed as an “unchristian” throwback who ought to be removed from office.
Beasley has befriended the movement, and was among the 52 arrested early Wednesday for refusing to clear out.
But a message just arrived from Rainbow/Push’s headquarters, putting a great deal of distance between the organization and Beasley’s harsh comments.
“Joe was not speaking on behalf of Rainbow or (founder) Jesse Jackson,” said vice-president Janice Mathis in a quick phone interview. “We love and admire and respect Joe. But the positions he was taking with Occupy Atlanta were not our positions.”
Here’s a healthy dose of the her statement, advising Occupy Atlanta not to pick a fight with the mayor:
The Occupy Movement is less than two months old. Its goals – fairer distribution of income, more meaningful regulation of banks and other global corporate interests, fairer criminal and civil justice systems, more consumer protections – are worthy, even noble.
But they won’t come from the mere act of occupying Woodruff Park or any other space. Eventually, those goals will be achieved (if at all) with a focused, peaceful, strategic effort to influence policy makers and others. It is unlikely that financial institutions or the Koch brothers will sui sponte reform the excesses that have up-ended the lives of so many Americans until there is sufficient pressure from consumers, regulators, shareholders or employees.
If the Occupy Movement devolves into name-calling and bickering over where to pitch the tents, they could miss the best opportunity that progressive forces have had in a long time to achieve significant movement toward a more just society.
In a state where both U.S. senators proudly voted against health care reform, where Leonard Drane is facing the death penalty for a murder to which someone else confessed, where homeowners have no right to a hearing prior to foreclosure, the Legislature recently considered authorizing the death penalty on a non-unanimous jury vote, where hard-earned lottery dollars are doled out to the scion of wealthy families, targeting Mayor Reed seems wasteful and naïve.
The Twitter, by the by, declares that Occupy Atlanta intends to return to Woodruff Park for a “general assembly” at 8 p.m. today.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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105 comments Add your comment
PMC
October 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
Reed has handled this situation as well as a public officer can handle it. You cannot reason with the unreasonable and he’s been more than fair and accomodating.
Ga Values...Just call me heartless
October 28th, 2011
3:37 pm
Looks like Jessie Jackson will be getting a bit of the “vig” from the Wasteline.
Shine
October 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
Well the Occupy group in Ga has officially been taken over by kooks. Rainbow/Push….gag.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
Comical…’fairer distribution of income,’….Mathis and protestors alike have the audacity and pig-headedness to think that yanking income away from the producers and redistributing to the leech class will somehow help our country. Read your history books people. Our country was built upon hard work, innovation and risk assumed not by the rich but by ordinary folks who wanted a better station in life. They did steal what they needed from others; they created it themselves.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
Rather, they did NOT steal what they needed from others;
SAWB
October 28th, 2011
3:46 pm
The Hobo Leisure Society really sounds greedier than the Wall Street Crowd. The Hobos want their debts paid by the government: pay my tuition, pay my student loans, pay my house note, pay my health insurance, pay me me me…
I guess it kind of does make a leftist head spin when they have the White House, the Senate and control of most major cities, but there is still no Utopia. Maybe they need to learn what these Democrat leaders have learned; the fact that resources are limited and as great as some of their ideas may sound they are impractical.
Centrist
October 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
Nonstop updates on the “Occupy Atlanta” misfits. This has and will be mostly a leftist media event, and small sideshow for the populace in general.
Independent voter
October 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
Kasim Reed seem like a angry black man when he had that press conference.
He said the city spent like $300,000 because of Occupy Atlanta but he can spend tax paying money for helicopter following the Occupy Atlanta. I wondering why Kasim not helping the homeless situation in this city. I went to the park one day and I seen this from my own eyes the Occupy Atlanta was feeding the homeless people and they had a table for medical assistant for the homeless. I also seen them having workshop for the homeless helping them with resources for employment. So Kasim cant tell me anything about the Occupy Atlanta because he doing nothing to help the problems in Atlanta. Kasim use the police force to stop the crime against Ga tech students. Stop the police brutality against residents of Atlanta. Kasim fix the pot holes. Kasim help the homeless shelter for closing on Pine Street because the homeless people might be your neighbor one day.
SAWB
October 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
“small sideshow for the populace in general.”
Well, only until the football games start.
Chuck Doberman
October 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
“The Hobo Leisure Society really sounds greedier than the Wall Street Crowd. The Hobos want their debts paid by the government: pay my tuition, pay my student loans, pay my house note, pay my health insurance, pay me me me…”
Really? I haven’t read or heard ANYONE from the occupy protests say any of these things, only their critics. Do you have any way of backing this statement up other than hyperbole? I’d be interested to read your sources…
Atlantan
October 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
The Occupy folks have no respect for the rule of law and ironically want more government control (who else will enforce equal distribution of income, regulation, consumer protections, etc – where have I heard that before) Mao and Lenin anyone?
Reed has been lenient to the point that other groups might sue the city due to their unequal enforcement of the law for the Occupy folks v. the Tea Party folks (ironic isn’t it?).
Susan Wilson
October 28th, 2011
4:01 pm
Is it against the park rules to put up a tent during the day? For example, could homeless people put up a tent in the park everyday as long as they leave by 11:00 pm? I don’t know the rules.
SAWB
October 28th, 2011
4:01 pm
“Do you have any way of backing this statement up other than hyperbole? I’d be interested to read your sources…”
I suppose everything is open to interpretations, but it sounds like their demands support my post.
1.We demand greater democratic control in all spheres of life, from the home to the government, from the economy to the workplace. It is a moral, logical and political imperative that people should be in control of their own lives to the greatest extent possible.
2.We deserve an economic system that meets human needs, reduces economic inequality, shrinks the income gap, and doesn’t reward decisions that have a negative impact on society.
3.We recognize that the market will not regulate itself. What is good for profit is not always good for people or the environment.
4.We assert the right of every human being to adequate shelter, food, clothing, hygiene and other basic necessities.
5.We assert the right of every individual to adequate protection from the economic uncertainties of old age, accident, unemployment and other hardship.
6.We denounce all predatory lending and fraudulent banking practices and demand accountability.
7.We recognize that no society should allocate more resources to warfare than to the public good.
8.We demand a more democratic, publicly representative and accountable media.
9.We insist that the internet is a basic human right and as such should remain absolutely free and neutral.
10.We assert our right to public spaces and our right to freely inhabit them because they are essential to democracy and our right to assemble.
11.We denounce a criminal justice and for-profit prison system that relies on mass incarceration, especially when it reinforces the marginalization and disenfranchisement of people.
http://likethedew.com/2011/10/08/occupy-atlanta-general-assembly-draft-demands/
Chuck Doberman
October 28th, 2011
4:05 pm
Respectfully, imo your post is not representative of their demands… not even close. On the other hand we are all entitled to our opinions. Thank you for the link
Independent voter
October 28th, 2011
4:06 pm
I am not a Occupy Atlanta movement person for all of the people against them please go and visit.
People are fed up with the government helping wall street and banks. People are losen everything because of the 1% is becoming richer and 99% is becoming more poorer.
The rich can lose everything and become part of the 99%.
Atlanta is control by corporate and they telling Kasim how to run Atlanta.
Shine
October 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
Abe, they didnt have the federal reserve system inflating workers dollars value away. Some sort of regulation/redistribution is justifiable under the federal reserve fiefdom and cronyism and outrageous compensation for upper ups.
Sources...
October 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
Chuck, here is an article that specifically addresses the fact that one Occupy protest was brought together specifically to address the issue of student loans.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45040659/
Sources...
October 28th, 2011
4:14 pm
And Chuck, if that is not what there demands are, can YOU provide a source that does state what their agenda is?
Independent voter
October 28th, 2011
4:14 pm
President Obama trying to help college students with loan and the republican is fighting against the president for helping. When people see this a no do congress they react by protesting.
Everywhere the Occupy Camp out they chase them away with police force this got to stop.
This country is land of the free and we treat our own people like garbage.
I really think Atlanta is ready for a white mayor because what have the previous black mayor do this city is to destroy and Kasim is doing the same.
Occupy is excuse....
October 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
For Hippies to do drugs.
SAWB
October 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
“Respectfully, imo your post is not representative of their demands… not even close. On the other hand we are all entitled to our opinions. Thank you for the link”
Well, as I said the demands are somewhat vague and as always the devil is in the details. I believe many of their demands, why worthy dreams, are simply cost prohibitive.
My big concern with this group is that they are going to grow impatient and possible result to activities that lead to violence. We already see it in other cities and I fear we are just one tossed bottle from a riot. I realize most of those involved are sincere and peaceful, but it only takes one nut. They need to go home and get involved in the political process.
Generation X
October 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Occupy is excuse….
October 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
Scott Olsen was not a hippy and I’m sure he doesn’t do drugs. Can to generalize a little more or is that how you typically refer to our war vets?
Denise Caldon
October 28th, 2011
4:24 pm
Many of my former University System of Georgia colleagues find it interesting that those who criticize the protests must have no problem with the millions of dollars filling the pockets of their employer – our State’s higher education system – the Board of Regents of the USG. They encourage you to read the article noted at the end of this post, and remember, there is more…much more hidden. Just ask their attorney, our state’s Attorney General, Sam Olens. He and his office just filed an Objection in the Fulton County Superior Court to the Motion that would have allowed you to finally read the ethical and fiscal violations by HIS defendants – the Board of Regents of the USG (now in the hands of SACS/COC). And Governor Deal just appointed Sam Olens the attorney for the new Ethics Commission Director! You really think that Attorney General Olens is going to disclose ethical violations by the very people he defends? Our elected officials may be that stupid, but most Georgians are not.In regard to Occupy Atlanta, see: http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/10/05/university-execs-deferred-pay-often-hidden-tops-7-million/
kjs
October 28th, 2011
4:26 pm
where hard-earned lottery dollars are doled out to the scion of wealthy families, – gee and i thought hope was based on your grades?
the Legislature recently considered authorizing the death penalty on a non-unanimous jury vote, – the operative word is CONSIDERED. come on jim, time to refuel on marble juice.
BOB FROM ACCOUNT TEMPS
October 28th, 2011
4:28 pm
Independent voter
October 28th, 2011
4:14 pm
obama’s student load program saves the average student $4.00 a month.
Chuck Doberman
October 28th, 2011
4:32 pm
@Sources
Since I’m not involved in the movement I can’t speak for it, only give an opinion. (a thought not shared by many, but that’s how I feel about it) I believe, however, that the list provided is somewhat accurate. I simply don’t agree with the hardline conclusions that SAWB reached while reading it
Mike
October 28th, 2011
4:33 pm
Yes Independent Voter, Mayor Reed is in some way being controlled by the money people. They are the ones who pay taxes and helped get him elected. I can imagine he got a few phone calls from the producers saying, ” O.K. Kaseem enough is enough, these occupier folks need to be convinced that it is time to move on”.
Apparently you and your utopic followers live in a dream world if you thought something else was gonna happen dude. The “doers” are the ones who get to call the shots. Not the “slackers”, thank goodness.
You LaLa land “dreamers” are hellbent on turning this country into a third world nation.
dre
October 28th, 2011
4:33 pm
Another great job of weather forecasting by our local meteorologists. It’s 4:30 and the nearest rain is 350 miles away. So much for that 80% chance. LOL
Abe
October 28th, 2011
4:40 pm
Shine, are you kidding? Tell me in detail how the Federal Reserve is inflating workers dollars value away. That’s preposterous and drips with conspiracy; a common theme of the left. Educate us all as to how the Fed works and our banking system in general. Them tell me if the Fed has such power , why don’t they just buy us out of an almost zero growth economy; cure cancer; predict the 2nd coming; make a longer lasting gum; etc. Sounds like you are part of the 99% that wants a handout because you are too lazy to get off your duff and make your own way in the world.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
4:45 pm
By Shine…you too may want to read a little history to see when the Fed originated
atlmom
October 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
dre: 80% chance means that 20% chance of it NOT happening.
Anyway…the 99% are getting poorer? how you figure? don’t most people have cell phones/smart phones/cable tv/several bathrooms/etc etc etc in their houses? I don’t see it at all. I see us being way more prosperous than 30 or 40 years ago. The problem is that we all think that we should all be the 1% but we can’t be…by definition.
As for the occupy people feeding the homeless – that’s wonderful. GREAT. Y’all know that the government can’t solve our problems, don’t you? If you want ’someone’ to feed the homeless – then get up and do it. Our government does a lousy job at most things, except, for the most part, creating bureaucracy.
Generation X
October 28th, 2011
4:48 pm
Mike
October 28th, 2011
4:33 pm
“You LaLa land “dreamers” are hellbent on turning this country into a third world nation.”
It’s funny you should mention this point. I was under the impression the movement began because people (mostly young) were losing sight of dreams and don’t see much opportunity for their future. I feel a little responsible for my role in creating a country that is moving in this direction. Do you not?
“Apparently you and your utopic followers live in a dream world if you thought something else was gonna happen dude. The “doers” are the ones who get to call the shots. Not the “slackers”, thank goodness.”
Who exactly do you believe are the “doers”? I thought, as voters, we are all the “doers”. That doesn’t seem to be working out very well, does it? I think this is precisely one of the Occupiers’ messages you chose to ignore.
Jack
October 28th, 2011
4:57 pm
Can’t help but wonder how many of the Occupy bunch or their supporters ever voted. Or even know how use a voting machine.
Generation X
October 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
4:40 pm
I’m not sure if this will answer your questions completely but, it might help to shed light on the problems.
http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/10/26/bernie-sanders-federal-reserve/?section=magazines_fortune
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:00 pm
Gen X…if you have to ask who the ‘doers’ are, you apparently are not on of them. Grab your broom and get back to work!
Independent voter
October 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
I say give Occupy Atlanta a chance stop judgement on people you really have to be in there shoes.
They said Atlanta have a high poverty rate we should be focus on getting people from homeless to middle class but the rich people dont think that way.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:09 pm
Gen X…that article is bile. We’re supposed to take direction on how to run the Fed from a dedicated Marxist in Sanders?? Name all these ‘bankers’ that are running the Fed now leading us down the tubes. Further who do you suggest run the Fed? Would have a banker or two in the mix not be appropriate especially given their training, skillset, education, etc.? And who ever decided that a group of economists should ever guide policy, regulation and law for the Fed. If you believe that then you don’t know much about banking. Maybe you and your high school diploma should jump in there and shake things up…???
Generation X
October 28th, 2011
5:09 pm
Abe
The point is that we all should be the doers, as voting citizens. As my handle suggests, I came from a more prosperous generation when we felt we had a chance to succeed. I seized those opportunities that were ABUNDANT and I’m sitting fairly well at the moment. Unfortunately, that’s not the sentiment for many people today.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:13 pm
No, indepedent voter, that’s wrong! The rich just think you have bad grammar. You and Gen X should go out and start you’re own Fed. Better yet, your own country. We could call it the Island of Misfit Toys and feature you poor dolts on an animated Christmas Special. Get Shine to go with you.
Generation X
October 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
Abe
I know the CNN Money section is not for everyone. I apologize for wasting time trying to open your eyes.
Getouttahere
October 28th, 2011
5:16 pm
Employment workshops for the homeless? The vast majority of the homeless in Atlanta (and everywhere else) wouldn’t work a job if you paid them $60.00 an hour to taste pies in a pie factory.
cartoon
October 28th, 2011
5:17 pm
I wouldn’t put it quite that way, moron.
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
atlmom
October 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
Anyway…the 99% are getting poorer? how you figure? don’t most people have cell phones/smart phones/cable tv/several bathrooms/etc etc etc in their houses? I don’t see it at all. I see us being way more prosperous than 30 or 40 years ago. The problem is that we all think that we should all be the 1% but we can’t be…by definition.
Counterpoint: empirical evidence
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
Gen X…put the bong down. You sound like a wuss. I am in your generation but am tired of hearing rhetoric from wet noodles like you who just want everybody ‘to get along (read Rodney King)” and ‘to spread the wealth (read your pal Obama).” It sounds all PollyAnna-ish but you guys never really get anything done (you did say that you are SITTING fairly well…sitting I am sure is your preferred position…bending over maybe too). You spout all this sweet, warm fuzzy crap and take your cues from an out of the closet Marxist like Sanders. Admit it….you are a pathetic, oozing paratsite like Occupy!
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:23 pm
atlmom
October 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
Our government does a lousy job at most things, except, for the most part, creating bureaucracy.
The government does an excellent job blowing up brown people half a world away, and spending a trillion dollars a year to do it.
casper09
October 28th, 2011
5:24 pm
abe you seen like a lonely mserable human many of us work hard and do well for ourselves you need to get some angry management help. i feel sorry for you
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:25 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
Gen X…put the bong down. You sound like a wuss. I am in your generation but am tired of hearing rhetoric from wet noodles like you who just want everybody ‘to get along (read Rodney King)” and ‘to spread the wealth (read your pal Obama).” It sounds all PollyAnna-ish but you guys never really get anything done (you did say that you are SITTING fairly well…sitting I am sure is your preferred position…bending over maybe too). You spout all this sweet, warm fuzzy crap and take your cues from an out of the closet Marxist like Sanders. Admit it….you are a pathetic, oozing paratsite like Occupy!
You are just a common reactionary spouting worn out rhetoric. Try harder.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
BILLY MH…you and GenX must be suitemates. No?
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:29 pm
You really could take some pointers from ole Billy and his last few days….
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:31 pm
Exit this chat and go join the ding dongs in Woodruff park….IQ would go up in both places! Make take you some time to figure that one out.
BlahBlahBlah
October 28th, 2011
5:33 pm
“hard earned lottery dollars”
huh?
Reed Needs to Come Clean
October 28th, 2011
5:34 pm
Hey Kasim, Man up. Let your fellow Atlantans know you’re gay. That’s why Rainbow is covering your back. Get real
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:36 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:29 pm
You really could take some pointers from ole Billy and his last few days….
Be a greasy, morbidly obese shill doing a ton of coke with high priced hookers? Sounds like a conservative fantasy to me.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:42 pm
Seems like you know a lot about him…which conservative though? Marion Barry? Anthony Weiner? Ted Kennedy? Barney Frank (sorry he just ran a prostitution ring out of his home..or his lover did)? Our own Bill Campbell…aka Vegas Billy? I can keep going if you want….
Shine
October 28th, 2011
5:45 pm
Dear Abe the kook, you dont think creating dollars out of thin air makes the dollars in your pocket worth less? You dont think making sure we get inflation makes your dollars worth less?
The Fed was created by a bunch of fat cats on the Ga Isles, I think Jekyll or St Simons. A real black eye for Ga
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:46 pm
Yeah I can use google and Wikipedia too, keep it up man you’re getting the hang of it.
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:47 pm
I’m pretty sure Abe is a td gimmick btw
Jezel
October 28th, 2011
5:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Shine
October 28th, 2011
5:49 pm
The fed eating the value of the dollar is a conspiracy of theleft? lmao! Yeah, liberals like Ron Paul,Jim DeMint, etc I guess.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
Hey that’s just from memory. Imagine what I could do with your intellect and Wikipedia! Probably sit around all day eating pork rines in an adult diaper ,picking my nose and popping neck zits! Whew…this is too easy!!!
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:51 pm
Shine, get back in your box. The adults are speaking!
Jezel
October 28th, 2011
5:51 pm
I am just so proud of what Wall Street has done for me in the past several years….I could…give them some more money to invest. If it had not just somehow disappeared.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:51 pm
td gimmick?
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:52 pm
Explain it to us Shine, you simpleton! This is like fighting blind midgets
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:52 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
Hey that’s just from memory. Imagine what I could do with your intellect and Wikipedia! Probably sit around all day eating pork rines in an adult diaper ,picking my nose and popping neck zits! Whew…this is too easy!!!
Yes but what’s the point, you posted a scattershot list of Democrats in various scandals, is that what you pass off as impressive?
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:55 pm
Wow Jezel! Now I know how it feels to be on the short bus…..shine, billy mays, gen x jezel. It’s the Special Olympics Debate Team and Anti Mensa all in one!
Shine
October 28th, 2011
5:56 pm
LOL! A starightjacket is hunting its owner. HIDE ABE HIDE!
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:57 pm
That’s weak Billy….all I can say is weak. You gotta give me something better than that. My parents taught me to not pick morons like you guys but this is too easy.
td
October 28th, 2011
5:57 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
Do not bother with Billy. He does not have the intellectual capability to debate or defend his philosophical views. All he can do is the typical liberal thing and bash people.
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
5:58 pm
Abe and td are the same pitiful person lmao
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:58 pm
…and in walks Shine with his wizard’s pen. Finished the last of his boogers and took the gloves off.
td
October 28th, 2011
5:59 pm
Abe
October 28th, 2011
5:55 pm
Wow Jezel! Now I know how it feels to be on the short bus…..shine, billy mays, gen x jezel. It’s the Special Olympics Debate Team and Anti Mensa all in one!
Just those poor window lickers.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
6:00 pm
Nope. I am much meaner than td. Do you guys remember Jugdesh and Clayton in the movie Animal House? I rest my case….
Don
October 28th, 2011
6:01 pm
What did we tell the egyptian gov’t about peaceful protests? The Tunisian? The Libyan? AND WE ARREST THEM IN THIS COUNTRY? Veterans are coming. They are surrounding demonstrators to protect them from our government, just as the protected Iraqis from theirs. It is unconscionable that we arrest nonviolent demonstrators. They are violating the law? You don’t think that Egyptians were? That said, picking a fight with the mayor doesn’t make sense, certainly in the way that they’ve done it. If there is a fight to pick, it’s over our hypocrisy.
Abe
October 28th, 2011
6:01 pm
I love it td! So long window lickers!!!!!!
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
6:03 pm
Totally busted
Shine
October 28th, 2011
6:05 pm
yep, one day I will get to eating used toilet paper like you superiors.
Al
October 28th, 2011
6:05 pm
the level of vitriol and rhetoric being tossed around on this thread is very typical of the regressive ignorance I have been unfortunate enough to encounter way too many times since moving here 5 years ago. this is now my home. I am not going anywhere. this is one of the most beautiful places a person could live, beautiful rolling hills and majestic mountains, pretty damn good weather to boot. a dark cloud has hovered over this beautiful land far too long. if and you don’t think there’s oppression still going on here you need to get your damn head out of the sand bless your heart.
Shine
October 28th, 2011
6:09 pm
Well Al, take yo arse back to paradise where ever that was.
jimbolini
October 28th, 2011
6:21 pm
I think the Mayor is doing a real good job over all. I’ve been here 15 years and this Mayor and the previous one have turned the corner after all the mismanagement , greed and corruption of past Mayors. Although early on with this situation I wonder why he gave them until Nov 7th? You know it was going to get out of hand and the bill for all this is not in the current budget. This group and others across the nation need to be in Washington with this protest. Do they have a clue???
Dane Lusley
October 28th, 2011
6:26 pm
The mayor has been more than accomidating but as usual the extreme malcontents and anarchists are taking over the “movement” and refuse to acknowledge law or logic. Supposedly there was someone roaming the park with an AK47 which led to a rethinking of the city’s tolerance. Another example of why leaderless groups with relatively peaceful intent are hijacked by those with more direct intentions and a reign of terror typically follows.
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 28th, 2011
6:29 pm
Dane Lusley
October 28th, 2011
6:26 pm
Supposedly there was someone roaming the park with an AK47 which led to a rethinking of the city’s tolerance.
I think you’re just spreading disinformation, but you were probably one of the people calling the Tea Partiers who brought guns to political town halls “patriots.” STFU.
Dane Lusley
October 28th, 2011
6:34 pm
Billy, as I indicated “supposedly” I heard it from the mayor himself yesterday on an NPR interview. I never indicated I saw or even beleive it, but this is gun loving Georgia. The current law allows anyone to carry a gun in public as long as it is visible. Incidentally I agree with the “occupy” basic argument, the financial industry is not our friend, they are parasites. But if your a group that wants any level of legitimacy, you don’t alienate those that may be receptive, in this case the Atlanta mayor.
Rainbow/PUSH to Occupy Atlanta: Stop bickering with mayor over park
October 28th, 2011
6:45 pm
[...] Article source: http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2011/10/28/rainbowpush-to-occupy-atlanta-stop-bi... [...]
ab
October 28th, 2011
7:32 pm
Billy Mays
There was some nutjob roaming around with said gun, he was on the news.
Donaldo
October 28th, 2011
7:51 pm
This morning I was out early taking my son to his job before I go about my day, and I saw thousands of people out and about I presume going to work. This is what most responsible folk are doing, so I suggest the media limit its coverage of this group, the media feeds this stuff, I suggest they cover the hundreds of volunteers working in the shelters and food kitchens so that the 99% can see people who contribute their time & work for others. I think most of us got the message of this group, not it is up to us to take responsible actions, if we don’t we have only ourselves to blame, not Wall St.
tim
October 28th, 2011
7:52 pm
It’s time to occupy KASIMS FRONT YARD!
kfinley
October 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
I applaud mayor Kasim Reed for his leadership! Please remember, he said that he has a heart for the protesters. That’s why he handled the woodruff park situation with such care. I appreciate Joe Beasley’s contribution to the civil rights movement. But let’s not confuse the unfocusued efforts of thee “Occupiers” with the organized effort to abolish the racist ideals of America during the Jim crow south. I believe their heart is in the right place, but they’ve taken aim in the wrong direction.
td
October 28th, 2011
8:03 pm
tim
October 28th, 2011
7:52 pm
It’s time to occupy KASIMS FRONT YARD!
Please do. A division in the Democratic party would be just about perfect right now:-)
Isis5761
October 28th, 2011
8:34 pm
If I was young enough, I would have been there. People are beyond frustration. Joblessness, Homelessness, Hunger and anything else to survive are becoming more and more out of reach. Occupy wherever has brought some of the issues to the forefront which needed to happen to
make people take a stand. We’re at a very serious turning point in the history of this country. If the far right takes over any more we will not be the good part about America that we all know and love.
the original and still the best John Galt
October 28th, 2011
8:35 pm
The armed citizen exercising his Second Amendment rights scared Reed. Statists are always scared by citizens with firearms. Hence the Second Amendment.
And, all you Obama voters, td is right- your votes won’t count at all here in Georgia.
Shine
October 28th, 2011
8:37 pm
Hey Donaldo, look at these people who have no one to blame bu themselves. Republican snobs are amusing at the least. http://www.google.com/search?q=pics+of+food+lines+in+the+great+depression&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=UEqrTsXZEcP9sQKbq4SdDw&ved=0CCUQsAQ&biw=683&bih=419&sei= d0qrTrOlDYHIsQKwy5GXDw
JR
October 28th, 2011
8:38 pm
I believe Mayor Reed has shown exceptional leadership. As an Atlanta taxpayer, I am proud of the excellent planning by Mayor Reed and the precise coordination with Police Chief Turner which resulted in a peaceful and respectful clearing of Woodruff Park. The Occupy Group needs to apologize to the Mayor – he was more than accommodating and does not deserve the anger directed toward him by this group.
Shine
October 28th, 2011
8:39 pm
Obama will win the electoral vote so no Republican votes will be meaningless in Ga. Stay home and save your gas!
ab
October 28th, 2011
8:59 pm
The armed citizen exercising his Second Amendment rights scared Reed. Statists are always scared by citizens with firearms. Hence the Second Amendment
FYI this dude was there to support Occupy Atlanta in his deranged mind. A normal person would find it alarming to see this guy wondering around with a dangerous gun. I would have shut it down as well if I saw this guy.
td
October 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
Isis5761
October 28th, 2011
8:34 pm
What kind of a dream world are you living in my friend. I am over 40 years old and there has never been a time the far right has been in charge of Washington DC. Now on the other hand the far left had its turn 3 years ago and the American people totally rejected there vision last year.
Dusty
October 28th, 2011
9:34 pm
Attention: New location for Occupy Atlanta. Pitch your tents in the parking lot in front of GEORGIA EMPLOYMENT CENTER. They will help you leave tomorrow for south Georgia to dig the sweet potato crop. Go for it!! Levitate those potatoes!!
whatdoiknow
October 28th, 2011
10:47 pm
I make every attempt to visit OA to pick up chicks . . . Reminds me of my hippie days. That Davis chick, although in need of a good economics lesson, is hot!
tom
October 28th, 2011
11:18 pm
Don’t dismiss the feelings of these people. Many people in our country are not taking to the streets because we are working 3 jobs trying to support our family – but nonetheless we are just as frustrated. I have lost a third of my pay in 3 years in my primary job. Republicans and Democrats alike are drinking the Kool Aid. The people who did this to our economy are making record bonuses after I BAILED THEM OUT. The last governor left office a millionaire and left me nearly bankrupt. Classic.
The people downtown are an odd group – but they do represent a HUGE percentage of our population that is VERY FRUSTRATED with Obama selling out and the status quo.
Many postings mention “history” – well do please go back and read history. When a large amount of the people feel this marginalized – radical voices can find an audience.
DON”T DISMISS THESE PEOPLE as so many are doing. They may be like the wierd wave that comes before the Tsunami.
td
October 28th, 2011
11:42 pm
tom
October 28th, 2011
11:18 pm
Um, like whatever…talk to the hand silly goose. Trix are for kids!
BILLY MAYS HERE
October 29th, 2011
12:28 am
BILLY MAYS HERE… just reminding everyone to not reply to td and his gimmick account Abe.
double
October 29th, 2011
1:09 am
Billy I know this Abe is not TD. TD can spell simple words like RHIND.Even if he is the unwashed chitterling.
Are you listening Jim?
October 29th, 2011
8:25 am
Why do you let trolls take over your blog? double, Abe and td are the same person. I assume he might have access to multiple IPs or he is simply changing his name. He has prevented any meaningful discussion.
Harold
October 29th, 2011
12:15 pm
Occupy Atlanta resulted in the homeless de-occupying Woodruff Park. Thank you!
pami
October 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
The second I heard the guy say he was going to levitate a building (afterall it had worked with bubbles and dandelions), the movement lost all credibility with me.