REPLY TO OCCUPY OLY REMOVAL NOTICE

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Bruce Wilkinson Mason County Progressive

OCCUPY OLYMPIA IS A SOLUTION NOT A PROBLEM
A response to the threat of removal of Occupy Olympia by the state

Occupy Olympia is a political encampment giving voice to the people and providing broad benefits to the city of Olympia. We have exposed the hidden reality of mass poverty and homelessness to the public while correctly identifying the culprits, the 1%, owners of Wall Street banks, multinational corporations and destroyers of our democracy. We've also demonstrated community based solutions that are fixing the plight of those with immediate need while progressing against the greater challenges facing the 99%. The state's implicit threats will not deter us from pursuing our cause and we are not surprised by their desire to send us packing.

Proudly providing direct food, shelter and health services has brought cost saving social benefits to our community and touched the deeply penetrating wounds inflicted upon our society. Everyday solutions are being implemented by real people, instilling hope in the hearts of the downtrodden. Our direct charity and support is helping families through the worst economic downfall in a generation as we enter a potentially harsh winter. Community members sharing tents side by side with the homeless bridges class divides superficially imposed by an out of touch elite. Clearly Olympia is safer, cleaner and more civil because of Occupy Olympia than it would be without it.

Politically we've held a dozen marches protesting the Wall Street banks and the extreme wealth divide that has been perpetuated by the 1% criminal class of fat cats. The extreme wealth discrepancy that has lead to 10 people in Washington state having a combined wealth of $101.5 billion while many of us barely tread water is finally being confronted. Practicing participatory democracy we have united together in a way that has left the 1% nervous. That the state is being used as the tool of these wealthy extremists to dismantle this popular social movement is shameful.

We welcome the state's overtures to finally come forward with support services although we are not holding our breath. We have zero tolerance for violations of our no drug or alcohol policy and have worked hard at implementing safety patrols and processes for removing those that violate the occupation's rules. Any and all incidents are swiftly and fairly dealt with by our determined volunteers who understand what an incredible challenge we face as we work to reform the basic structure of our society from the grassroots up. We are gearing up for protests against the deadly cuts being proposed by Gregoire and we worry that the slanderous hearsay being put forward is more politically motivated then safety oriented.

Going forward we will continue to work with all groups and individuals who wish to express their Constitutional right to free speech on the Capitol Campus and in all of Olympia. We respect the land we are occupying and continue to collaborate and cooperate with the workers who are cleaning the bathrooms and caring for the grounds. It is not our intention to suffer the wind and cold forever on that wet lawn by the lake but we are far from concluding because we have hardly begun.

Occupy Olympia Food Dispensary

Photo by Christine Armond

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

LINK TO HOW WE CAN HELP:
http://occupyolympia.org/how-can-i-help/