Occupy DC (K Street) Part 2

The group of the leading intellectuals met by one of the larger trees in Mcpherson park. It was there that the future of the K street movement was planned. At the time I arrived they were in committee meeting which meant they voted on everything that the group did to keep a unified and inclusive front. Some of the things they voted on was the inclusion of a 2:00 PM clean up time as an effort to curb the use of curb the excuse by the police of sanitation reasons as a means to close the protest. 

The group realizing the position they were in frequently spoke of the police and how to engage them. It seemed that the effort remaining non violent one was a foregone conclusion, everyone participating in any actions with the movement was made aware of the risks of arrest and roles were handed out on ability to give time and positions the more risky actions were on a volunteer bases for those who did not mind facing arrest. As one member of the movement put it "I can speak for the camp over on Freedom Plaza, they are down for getting arrested, they get off on it." A light hesitant chuckle rose from the group at Mcpherson square. 

The democracy displayed in the group was direct and inclusive. For membership and the right to vote one simply had to walk into the group and raise one's hand  index and middle finger out moving the hand rhythmically for the right to speak and simply raising one's hand and wiggling all the fingers 'jazz hands' style granted on the right to vote. It was using this method that the group also declared it would have a radio station as well as a newspaper. 

It is my belief that the all inclusiveness of the group is what will lead it into problems in the future. It is because they are the 99% of the population, that will force their desires to be broad, and their achievements problematic and and non specific. The desire for jobs and equality sounds good on paper, and fits perfectly for a chant, but the real test of time will be how the group includes all the different groups and agendas that will wish to piggy back on the success of the initial occupy movement. How the group handles this while keeping its identity, which has yet to be discovered will allow us to see exactly what this group is made of and if it is meant to last. Even should initial success and change come about there is still the aftermath that will undoubtedly make some sections of the movement feel left out and ignored. Not everyone will be pleased. Can the occupy movement compromise in ways that congress has been unable to, that will be the true test of the movement, not the police enforcing sanitation laws.