my experience at the Occupation

[mellowtigger]

Life is unplanned. I have experienced unique events and learned unanticipated lessons during my Occupation of Minneapolis. I joined the Sanitation committee the weekend before this Occupation began on October 7th.

I have camped in the city. I learned that fresh water and reliable toilets are the first necessity for any human habitation. I learned that after 2 centuries, our government has made no provision for these necessities amongst the disenfranchised homeless. I learned that some people will destroy these valuable resources just to satisfy their own whims, disregarding all consequences. I learned that Minneapolis city and Hennepin county will actively evict people from sheltered underpasses into unsheltered areas.

I have slept amongst the skyscrapers. I learned that Minneapolis government actively prohibits suspended tarps or tents at any location, including government plazas and private back yards. I learned that sleep deprivation can account for the dazed and confused look among the homeless, without needing to conjure the phantoms of alcoholism or drug abuse. I learned that two rabbits Occupied the Hennepin County government plaza before I arrived. They survive on grass and human trash amidst the landscape of concrete and asphalt. I learned that some poor bird will slam into glass windows about once per week then fall upon the steps of the Hennepin county building to die.  I mourn them, bag them, and throw their corpses into the trash.

I have slept in a body bag. I learned that wind saps warmth and strength beyond what cold itself can do alone. I learned that moisture from breath and perspiration is itself a dangerous element needing attention in any winter survival strategy. I learned that I am more creative than my government, and I can benefit from my own ingenuity when government fails to serve the needs of its citizens. I learned that political protest can take many forms.

I have danced with native Americans. (video here) I learned that they begin with the basics, the four directions of the compass, just as the pagans do. I learned that heterosexual life includes a lot more continuity between generations than homosexual life. I learned that when multiple systems fail and the entire local environment is polluted with bad ideas and chemicals, the best choice may be to simply start over with a new paradigm in a new place.

I have protested at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis. I learned that they honor growth by erecting monuments to its name. I learned that few people understand how money is created in America, that perpetual growth is required or else the system collapses. I learned that when you find time to educate them, they agree that perpetual growth of debt is a root problem that needs to be removed.

I occupy.

I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm frustrated, I occupy alone in the small crowd, and I continue to work a part-time job.

I occupy nevertheless because the global crisis is already underway, and deep change is needed in our civilization.  I don't know how else to promote such change, so I occupy.