My Take

I got up this morning ready to go to Des Moines to stand in solidarity with our brother and sister occupiers who were arrested. And they loved that we were there. At Peoples’ Park they made a beautiful poster for us and signed it.

8 AM. Quickly checking e-mail, I find one from Michael Moran, Parks & Rec Director, saying he and Tom Markus, City manager, were available to come to tonight’s GA.

Now, you may remember that I was opposed to getting a permit. I’m sure if you’ve been around me at camp, you’ve heard my opinions on it. Absolutely No Way! And I was so sick of talking about it every freakin night! But, obviously it was important and that’s why we did talk about it every night (even though you all didn’t just go along with my opinion, the best one.)

So I answered:

I'm looking forward to it.

The GA will be at College Green. Dress warmly, it's windy there.

Dammit! I’m supposed to send out the e-mail telling everyone that they’ll be at the GA. Password has changed. Who the hell has the password now?? I get on facebook, start texting, talking to people. That’s all I can do.

On to Des Moines.

About 30 miles from IC there starts up this terrible noise from my car. My wonderful 1992 Honda Accord, Delsi is getting old, but she never stops working. We pull off at the exit where the outlet mall is. Williamsburg maybe? We briefly discussed the option of saying forget DSM, we’ll just get some stuff for the occupation at Gap, maybe a little Tommy Hellfinger. Ah, but it’s an exhaust problem. On to DSM! (loudly)

WE SHUT WELLS FARGO DOWN! WE SHUT WELLS FARGO DOWN! WE SHUT WELLS FARGO DOWN!

Seriously, we all grooved over there, chanting out “WE ARE THE 99%” and “BANKS GOT BAILED OUT, WE GOT SOLD OUT” And there’s a sign on the door saying they were closed due to an unexpected emergency. DAMN RIGHT IT’S AN EMERGENCY!

WE ARE THEIR FUCKING EMERGENCY!

It was great. The peoples’ mic was used to tell personal stories and we got an (unexpectedly long, but still great) poem. As we walked back to the courthouse we waved through the windows to the suits.

The courthouse was quite a madhouse. We filled that sucker up. People talking to each other eventually reached a decibel level that had the gatekeepers telling us to lower the volume. It was pretty damn loud. But really, it was just a bunch of people talking; none of us were trying to be loud, but when you have that many conversations going in a place that has, what, 20 foot ceilings?

We packed the courtroom. We fuckin packed it. The court knew who we were and why we were there. It was mostly routine (so, so, so easy to say when you’re not the one going in front of the judge.) Most pleaded not guilty, a few pleaded guilty and read statements. There were some pretty awesome statements too. The first guy must have been about 70? And he was pissed! He went over quite a bit of the recent history of how we’ve been fucked. It drew a lot of applause. Of course, the judge then said no applause, but we always have our – jazz hands, twinkles – I’m not sure which is worse, we have to come up with a new name for agreement gestures. The last guy who pleaded guilty read from Letter From A Birmingham Jail. Awesome.

Delsi announces her presence to all as we make our way to Peoples’ Park in DSM. What a setup! Those people are here for the duration, they are warm, they’ve got a freakin livefeed, they are warm, they are putting tents inside of tents, using bags of leaves and hay bales to insulate. They’ve got two porta potties and a hand washing station. Their permit runs out in a few days.

No password when we get back, but Outreach Training and awesome food.

Time for GA.

Michael Moran and Tom Markus are not at the top of the agenda. And Tom didn’t follow my advice to dress warmly. By the time we're 45 minutes into the meeting he’s trying to warm his ears with his cold hands. Somebody gives him a pair of gloves.

These guys stood up at the GA and told us that they want to work with us not against us. The back and forth went on for a long ass time. This is what it finally came down to: they want us to get a permit (they talked to the city attorney about just issuing one and being done with it, but no, govt has processes too.) They are cool with us building shelters for the winter as long as we can eventually take them down, and that they are not so elaborate that building codes would come into effect.

Michael was concerned with us taking care of the park and was appreciative of the efforts we have made in that respect. Moving the tents, keeping it clean, having no alcohol, no drugs (xcept cigs) and non-violence. He talked about propane heaters instead of fire pits because of the drunks coming through the park.

Tom talked a lot about how much they wanted to work with us, talked about the community reaction (I’m gonna camp wherever I want without a permit) talked about how much the city wants to work with us, talked about mutual respect, local level government.

Damn! I’m starting to sound like a cheerleader and that’s not what I mean at all. I guess what I’m thinking is that Iowa City fucking rocks. How many places around the freakin US and the world are having incredible problems just in making their voices heard. How many videos have you seen of violence, brutality, and repression?

What finally clinched it for me though, was when I asked about the 30 day aspect of this permit. Michael said that was just an arbitrary number P & R came up with because they had never given a permit longer than 5 days. Again, GA back and forth. Now 4 month permit, keeping lines of communication open. And if we have problems with provisions in the permit P & R is willing to change them before we sign (as occupyiowacity.) 4 months, when people are getting their heads bashed in after 2 days?

So I changed my mind. I’ve gone from the system is so fucking corrupt that there is no level of government you can safely work with to FUCK!! are we fucking lucky or what!! What will it mean to our brothers and sisters out there standing their ground in some pretty goddamn adverse situations, getting beaten up and pepper sprayed, if we say,” Oh, so we can exercise our First Amendment rights without you going all militant on our asses? No fucking way. “

Seriously, did you ever think I’d make sure a complete turn-around in such a short period of time? I think we should all work on getting out to other occupations. We could go throughout Iowa, Wisconsin, oh shit, somebody else might have to drive if we want to talk over the exhaust.