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Occupy Erie had Official Visitors again yesterday morning, for at least the seventh time since the middle of October. Each time they come, more gear is taken, more stringent rules announced. Canopies, tarps, sleeping bags, cardboard, and a child’s tent, all thrown into the back of a City truck each time. We are told we can get our stuff back, but it will only be returned to the proper owner. And we have yet to be told when and where to go to get it. Maybe this spring or summer. There has only been one arrest to date.
Today, a lawyer is expected to come to our GA. I am not sure who it is, or what he knows, or where he is from. But it will be a visit welcomed by all. While none have suffered at the hands of police, all have felt the arrival of General Winter, Joseph Stalin’s savior during World War II. And General Winter knows the Erie battlefield well. We hope the lawyer can help figure a way for us to be able to survive the repeated barrages of sub-zero cold, snow, ice and gale force winds that are the artillery of General Winter. So far, our only help here has come from Occupy Supply.
And what a great amount of help it has been! While the supplies sent have been greatly welcomed, the knowledge that this front in the Occupy Movement is not forgotten is a gift that warms us like the summer sun. Each time the City strips us of our weather protection, they harden our resolve to stay. Yet the less we have to defeat those attacks by General Winter, the more likely we are to suffer attrition.
I now have the duty of Occupy Supply Liaison. It is my job to show you what we have battled so far, and what we need to succeed in defeating General Winter. The best way to see the devolution of conditions is with pictures. The evolving spirit can be heard in the Erie City Council meeting we attended this week. I handed my camcorder off to a fellow Occupier to record the meeting. I have yet to edit it for length and relevance, and when I do I will post it here. But a quote to City Council from the Occupiers demonstrates the fortitude we have: “You think by taking our stuff and not giving it back will force us to leave when the weather really gets bad. But it won’t, we will still be here in the spring”
Occupy Erie, eye pokes and eye candy:
A rainy night at the Gazebo in Perry’s Square early in the occupation.
A view of the interior. Not much gear yet.
A sun day in late October at the Gazebo. The stone in the foreground is the Workers’ Memorial.
More gear, a little colder.
I said, “Too bad you don’t have any space blankets.” A very cold person said “Oh shit,” then opened a box of supplies with the forgotten space blankets.
A shelter, from the outside.
And the inside.
We had to take down the shelter.
And then we had to remove some of the clear plastic.
We had to move out of the Gazebo for a scheduled event. We set this up.
Add snow…
Then raid the encampment, take away the canopy, tarps, blankets, and god only knows what else. But it is still “Thumbs Up” for this Occupier.
After another raid, our camp.
Oh no! A tent is going up.
This is a big middle finger surrogate.
With no gear for rain or snow protection, we moved back to the Gazebo.
But we aren’t freeloaders.
My first Occupy Supply delivery as a Liaison.
This blanket will be put to good use. It came with several pairs of gloves.
We attempt to sway City Council to allow us to exist without harassment.
A number of people spoke to Council about Occupy Erie. Several were not part of our Occupation, but citizens that support us and our goals, which are also their goals. Several were leaders in the minority community, that have been fighting this battle much longer than we have. We thanked them profusely for their support, and the two groups are to talk and work together for all our betterment.
If our meeting with the lawyer is not fruitful in getting our gear back and having the City to allow us to set up at least tarps, then I would ask Occupy Supply to try to supply us with insulated coveralls or snowmobile suits. We have sleepers rotating through the week, and could share the coveralls so that whom ever is sleeping that night is wearing them, protected from General Winter. Thank you very much for your support.
Mark Haller, aka Mentatmark
24 Comments
Thanks for this, Mark. (((hug)))
Hey Mark, you guys are the best. Do what you can to keep those spirits up, I know it’s tough. Thanks for the update.
Mark, this is dynamite stuff and I’m so happy you’ve come aboard to take such an active role. It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas. Thanks so much.
Superb diary, Mark. I was up til 2 in the morning trying to figure out a good solution for Occupy Erie so that they could stay warm in things the police couldn’t seize.
The kind of determination Occupy Erie is showing, to keep coming back, is truly inspirational. We will get them help ASAP.
To all at OccupyErie you are making a worldwide statement by your perserverance! OccupyNewHaven stands with you in solidarity and WARM thoughts!
testing
thrilled to help Erie any way we can. thanks for the great diary, Mark
Yeah, very excellent diary and pix.
At the very least demand the Disney Princess tent back, or threaten to sing “It’s a Small World After All” until they do. 
Snark is not your forte.
great diary mark — tweeted and recommended with thanks
Great diary Mark and thanks for the report. Spring is around the corner.
I rarely use it, so I may be out of practice.
Thank you. I just got back home again, and have a few more pictures. As soon as I get them up on Flickr, I will post a link. I told them of the support you and OccSupp are offering. I will be at the Gazebo tomorrow and Christmas Day. I am not aware of the plans for Christmas Dinner, but a couple of people went to pick up the store card for the groceries from Warren today. I will keep you updated.
NewHaven as in Connecticut? I was there in 2009 for the United Electrical Workers’ National Convention. I think we protested in front of the Bank of America while we were there.
Yeah, only 87 more days…
received
Hug accepted with enthusiasm.
That is MAD, or Mutually Assured Destruction. I have seen too many heads explode from that song already. I am not willing to risk that level of escalation.
Just happy to help the Movement I have been waiting for these last (hmmm…when did Raygun fire the Patco people? August 5, 1981) thirty years.
Thank you Suzanne. It has been two months in the making, you could say.
I work second shift, and get off at 11:00 pm. I go to the encampment after work quite often. I make sure that they have stuff they need, let them sit in my Jeep to warm up and charge their devices up with my inverter, take them to the store or bathroom, whatever I can. I may not be able to spend as many nights as some, but I give what I have. We all keep each others spirits up.
Occupy Supply is THE lifeline for those fighting against those that think that new tactics are called for and argue for giving up the Occupation because of the conditions the sleepers have to endure.
Remember 15% heat loss through each armpit,(keep them down:), and 30% body heat lost from an uncovered head! Through those three body areas you can loose over 50% of your body heat! OEF (Operation Erie Freeze:) reminder.
Every little bit helps. Thank you.