Occupiers Beware, 99% Spring (which is not Occupy) Seems Like A Re-elect Obama Effort

thiscantbehappening.net

With hindsight gained by googling “MoveOn” and “co-opt” after the fact, I can’t claim that nobody tried to warn me. Many websites with left and even liberal politics had said in so many words, “Be wary of this organization called The 99% Spring. It is a Trojan horse for the Democrats.” I just didn’t read that anywhere in a timely fashion. I’ve had a lot of stuff on my plate lately. That’s my excuse. And in my ignorance, I responded to some spam about “nonviolent direct action training” organized by MoveOn and got invited to this 99% Spring thing on April 10 at the Goddard Riverside Community Center in Manhattan. Somebody even called me all the way from San Francisco to make sure I was a sincere seeker on the left and would be attending, along with 120,000 others in training sessions around the country.

Which I did. The meeting was a few blocks from where I live. The spam said it was “inspired by Occupy Wall Street.” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I was vaguely hoping that whatever The 99% Spring was, it would start a chapter of Occupy Wall Street on the Upper West Side, conveniently near my abode, and agitate for the Democrats and MoveOn to move left.

The first clue that my evening might go otherwise was the sign-up table, where there were a bunch of Obama buttons for sale and one sign-up sheet for the oddly named Community Free Democrats (are they free of community?), which is the local Democratic clubhouse. That killed the “inspired by Occupy Wall Street” vibe right there. No piles of literature from a zillion different groups, as there had been in Zuccotti Park. No animated arguments among Marxists, anarchists, progressives, punks, engaged Buddhists, anti-war libertarians and what have you. Just Obama buttons, which didn’t appear to be selling.

Let me first be perfectly clear again, this has NOTHING to do with Occupy. This is some Dem organizations trying to take Occupy's ball and run with it. Honestly I wouldn't have minded if the 2 groups (99% Spring and Occupy) joined forces on some issues maybe I still won't but this pisses me off. Occupy very clearly is angry with Obama and the entire elected Left along with the Right.

The main reason I share this info is for those ATS'rs that participate in Occupy, I'm guessing it's a pretty safe bet you'd not want to attend an Obama rally. I had planned on going to a local 99% Spring event tonight just to check it out but I don't think I'll be going now. Obama, barring any major disaster or blunder has the election sealed up anyway, I have no desire to support someone I perceive as a liar and part of the problem.

Sadly, this group will probably end up larger than Occupy. But at least they're separate now and this in my opinion proves Occupy hasn't been co-opted or else they wouldn't have needed to make a different group. Pretty slimy to try and steal Occupy's thunder though.

It most definitely is. There is a reason all the establishment, MSM networks support the OWS protests and viciously attacked the tea party.

reply to post by PvtHudson


Way to miss the point on so many levels. The media does not favor Occupy in the least...in fact has treated it worse than the Tea Party ever was. Also this is not a slam on Occupy, far from it.

Without fail, what the government/establishment touches turns to "explicative word for poopy"

reply to post by Kali74


This is not a "slam Occupy" forum, understood. However, many people have been feeling this way about "Occupy" from the start. It's nice that you are willing to point this out as being separate from "Occupy", but we'll see how well you can convince others that it's not just an Obama front as a whole. The majority of this movement seem to love the guy (Obama), another group who also tried to join "Occupy" aren't even allowed to mention other certain political figures without getting the boot.

Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by PvtHudson

 

Way to miss the point on so many levels. The media does not favor Occupy in the least...in fact has treated it worse than the Tea Party ever was. Also this is not a slam n Occupy, far from it.

You must reside in an alternate universe. The MSM I've see on a daily basis promoted and supported the OWS protests.

reply to post by Kali74




Im sorry Kali. Many here told you this was going to happen. There are MANY good,rationalized people that went to their local Occupy movement. I was there also. The problem is you could see it being hijacked. It was clear,with Unions,and those holding up Obama signs. Yes,there were those that were tired of Obama also. Its how the Tea Party was hijacked to an extent. I am sorry you are seeing this happen to your movement.

reply to post by sonnny1


It's not. That's what I'm trying to say lol!

The 99% Spring is not Occupy.

reply to post by Wookiep


If people actually looked to the source as opposed to the media commentary, they would know Occupiers nor the movement itself are very much NOT pro-Obama.

ETA Well at least other Occupiers who read ATS will understand what I'm saying. Would love for any of you to chime in ASAP lol.

reply to post by Kali74


Perhaps if more people were like you and involved in the movement made it more clear to the media and crystal clear in their youtube videos more people would be open to joining the movement. They could even include it in their "chants".

It happened to the Tea party;
Usurped by Republicans faster than you could say "bailout"!
Co-opted!

Oh, and from day one, the sane people at the protests and their thoughts fall into a media blackout.

Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by sonnny1

 

It's not that's what I'm trying to say lol!

The 99% Spring is not Occupy.

edit on 13-4-2012 by Kali74 because: (no reason given)

Well,all I know,is those like minded folks at Occupy,or this Spring movement are going to be inundated with Obama rhetoric. WATCH.......

reply to post by sonnny1


It keeps being said since Occupy started, hasn't happened yet and like I said in my OP...it's pretty clear MoveOn.org started this 99% Spring because they COULDN'T co-opt Occupy.

Originally posted by PvtHudson
It most definitely is. There is a reason all the establishment, MSM networks support the OWS protests and viciously attacked the tea party.

WTF? The only... ONLY channels I have ever seen reporting OWS fairly are RT and PressTV and on one rare occasion the BBC did as well.

Fox News and CNN tried to ridicule it as much as they possibly could




And you will find tons and tons more of the MSM mocking OWS...

And why is it that Americans think Occupy is a pro-Obama movement? then why the hell am I involved with Occupy in the UK? why is there an Occupy in just about every city in every country? does the whole world want to support Obama by camping out in protest? yeah, that makes sense.

Here is a picture of Chinese who 1) do not have freedom of speech and 2) must be supporting Obama as well as they are Occupy.




Germans supporting Obama!



There is Occupy even in Venezuela... they must love Obama too then?

And there is Occupy Cuba and Occupy Iran too... wow, Obama is soooo damn popular isnt he?

/sarcasm

reply to post by Kali74


So whats left,for those who believed in Occupy? Join this movement. We will see how many lambs,come to the slaughter....

reply to post by Wookiep


It is pretty clear and I'm one of a handful of ATS Occupiers/Supporters that have been very vocal about this.

reply to post by sonnny1


Um, no...Occupy is still going strong.

reply to post by Kali74


I find it very hard to believe,BOTH of these movements are NOT going to merge......

Sorry,that's my Opinion on it. Hope I am wrong though. Anyone that wants real change,wants Obama out,is good in my book.....

reply to post by sonnny1

reply to post by Kali74


Love it!!



I didn't see those signs where I was at though. More like Union,and proud,and recall Walker signs.......