Hey everyone -

I've been pretty busy working on a site that I think will help all Occupy supporters network and swell the ranks, so I've been kind of quiet lately… but I saw the news about the arrests.  :(  I called the Mayor's communications office, and it was the expected nonsense… they are willing to humor you for a couple mins, then they get annoyed… doesn't matter how calmy and rationally you present your concerns.

Anyhow, I wrote the following email and sent it to the Mayor; but since I don't have any faith in American government right now, I thought I'd share it here where at least it might be read.  :)

Dear Mayor Parker -

I'm writing to you today to communicate my frustration with the city of Houston over the decision made recently to arrest several Occupy Houston protestors over the presence of a tarp in Tranquility Park.

While I am not present at the group in Houston each day, I consider myself extremely sympathetic to the issues being raised by Occupy groups all across America.  I do not in any way speak for the group in Houston, I think it's important to state that.  But I've watched in dismay over the last couple decades as multi-national corporations grew increasingly powerful, and used that power to stack the deck in their favor at almost every turn in American society.  All throughout human history, we have seen the problem of the powerful oppressing those without similar means. Do we think that we've evolved somehow to the point where THIS time it would be different?  That somehow THIS time we can let the powerful elites run un-checked by the rest of the people who occupy this planet?  Will we ever learn?

Nothing about human nature has changed.  We're still the same race that we were during some of the most horrible chapters in human history.  African slavery, Roman slavery, the slaughter of American Indians, the Inquisition, the Crusades, Nazi Germany, religious persecution, Stalin's purge, to name some of the more known chapters.  More recently in America, we have watched African Americans continue to fight for equal rights and equal opportunities.  We've watched women endure lower pay for equal work, and suffer the indignity of sexual harassment at the hands of bosses in positions of power over their lives.  The examples of abuse of power go on and on.  To have a fear of power that is concentrated in the hands of a few is not only right, but it's NECESSARY for a healthy democracy.  And has ever the power in America been so concentrated in so few?

Regarding Houston and the Occupy movement here, this city has what I would consider to be one of the tamest Occupy groups. I did have a chance to attend one of the meetings in Tranquility Park and to meet many of the protestors in person.  These are really good people, and also important, they are on the right side of history.

I spoke today for a couple minutes with a Ms. Evens in your communications department, and the pattern of the call was predictable.  At first she spent some time trying to humor me, but it was immediately clear she wasn't really interested in talking to me — I was just a pain in her daily routine.  She quickly decided my couple minutes were up and it was time to more directly dismiss my call.  Because she was so eager to get rid of me, she missed an important point that I was trying to make — although I have no doubt she wasn't interested in it anyway.  Additionally, I have no doubt that since she decided I was just a bother to her day, she did not relay my message to you.  So, while I don't have much faith in email as a good means for communicating with government, I am trying this avenue nonetheless in hopes that my message will reach you directly.  This may not be a quick and simple message, but we don't live in simple times, do we?

The message I'm hearing from the city of Houston regarding the recent arrests of several protestors is that the arrests were warranted because, after all, the protestors "broke the law," although I don't think they were convicted of anything yet — so much for presumption of innocence.  But I wonder, can you see how it looks to citizens when multiple people are arrested over a tarp, intended to protect electronics during a bit of rain, while not a single person from Wall Street has gone to prison after nearly bringing our great country to its knees?

I was in California back when Enron scandal hit, I moved to Houston in 2002.  Do you have any idea how many of us there in California had to pay more than 100% increase in utility bills for an extended period of time, which many could not afford, because the misdeeds here in Houston by powerful 1% energy company elites created a mini electricity disaster in CA?  And of all the people involved, so few were held accountable.  What an omen of things to come, and even with 2008 behind us, I don't think we've seen anything yet in terms of the damage the arrogant elites will do to the rest of us in pursuit of more power and profits for themselves.

Meanwhile, putting a tarp over your computer in a park in crossing the line!?

When you have two classes of people… a 1% who is above the law, and everyone else who needs to submit to their authority, don't you think that's a recipe for disaster?  Surely you can see how that kind of situation poisons the general public's view of "authority" in general?

If you haven't been paying attention to Oakland, California, now might be a good time to do so.  Watch the video of the protestor who was shot by police with a rubber bullet because he had a video camera.  All caught on tape.  Watch the video of the Iraq war veteran whose skull was fractured by a police tear gas canister, even though he was just standing there peacefully.  Watch the video in New York of a police officer spaying pepper spray into the face of a women who was just standing on the street, likely because the office just like hurting women… he quickly disappeared back into the crowd after spraying her.  And consider that NONE of these shows of force by police happened during the violent rhetoric of Tea Party protests.  Where were the police in riot gear when the Tea Party crowd showed up at rallies with assault weapons?

As Mayor, you have an opportunity to be a leader … and to be on the right side of history.  As I told Ms. Evans, this movement isn't going away.  (She responded by thinking that was a "threat"… which makes me wonder if people in government are so defensive of the establishment that they're a part of that they can't even communicate effectively with citizens anymore.)  The point is (and was), the Occupy movement has struck a chord in America AND abroad, there is a deep truth to what it is saying, and so many of us feel it.  We KNOW that we live in an Oligarchy, and we KNOW that democracy is broken.  You, as mayor, have an opportunity to champion this cause and be on the right side of history.  But if you are in agreement with the arrest of protestors over a tarp, while failing to champion their very just concerns, then you're picking the wrong side of history.

Steve Jobs reportedly warned Rupert Murdoch that he was "blowing it" with Fox News.  He warned him that his legacy would be one of tearing down instead of building up.  You are mayor of one of the top 10 cities in the most powerful country in human history.  That isn't hyperbole, that's simple fact.  You have a HUGE megaphone, and you could use your time in this remarkable position to champion the 99% at a time when they desperately need leaders, instead of presiding over the arrest of people with tarps in the rain.

I hope you'll consider what I wrote.  I would be more than pleased to hear back from you by email, and even happier if it were possible to meet with you in person someday to discuss the importance of the Occupy movement in America.

Kind regards,
Michael R

Occupy X,

While I agree with ALL you said here I do disagree with the fact we keep trying to get the powers that be involved in this movement. There has been NOTHING from these people but lip service. One day they are for one day against. I tend to believe that government wakes up every day, licks their finger, and holds it in the air to see which way they should go.

After the arrests the other night I was so disappointed. I haven't been able to attend all the functions, I haven't been able to devote the time I would like to the movement. This just reinforces my opinions and angers me to some degree. If the reports I saw concerning the arrest were accurate then I am surely confused at why the officers earlier in the day helped and direct the occupiers on how to set up the tarp and then waited until Sheila Jackson Lee left before they stormed in with over 20 officers to remove the tent.

Ive only been in Houston for a couple years now and don't know the "players" in this city but I can tell you just from what I have seen and heard that the "players" are really good at the game here. They try and pacify us in hopes we will go away. They figure that if those folks loose their electrical equipment then they will give up. If that doesn't work then they will push a little more. Eventually you'll see sights here like you see at Occupy Oakland, Occupy Tulsa, Occupy Nashville, etc… Its only a matter of time.

From the times I have been downtown I have seen NOTHING that would justify the police to "raid" the camp. And thats what it was…a raid. Dont get me wrong..I am pro police, pro civil servant.. but some of these folks are either too dense to see we are protesting FOR THEM or they are filled with so much hate that it blinds their vision.

Your letter to the mayor was nice, thoughtful and "should" make any rational person think about which side of this movement they should be on. Id bet she never sees it, and if she did it would go in file 13. Government will humor us and allow us to do just so much before they come down hard. The only way to make sure that doesn't happen is to GROW this movement. The more of us that show up , even if its just a day a month, will show Ms Mayor that she needs to get on the right side of this. Im not holding my breath because there are those that get on this forum, those that "say" they support whats going on, that sit in their basement and wont show up cause its raining, or its cold, or dancing with the stars is on…What we need is for people to put down the iphone and come out tomorrow and march!!! I have to admit I am guilty of the above actions as well although i dont watch dancing with the stars and wouldn't admit it if I did but you get the gist! :-)

We get almost NO coverage on the Occupy Houston protest, when the media does come and show whats going on its like 2 people standing in the park downing someone or something that has recently happened. Houston faces an uphill climb in trying to get this movement off the ground due to several factors…main one being the demographics here. Big Oil, Big finance, bigots, racists, on and on. Even on this forum, while i try to be civil and courteous to others with negative opinions, you see trouble makers and people who just want to stir the pot. They want to turn us against each other. That's how movements are broken.

I agree this movement, and particularly Occupy Houston, does not need a "leader" nor do we need to settle on a set of demands but we do need a clear cohesive message…We should pick a subject or a person, one a week, and march on that group, person, or topic. I for one would like to see the religious leaders in this town put their money where their mouth is and for ONCE defend those that cannot defend themselves. Its THEIR job to do that and they have been silent for the most part. I send letters all the time to clergy asking them "why aren't you leading your congregation downtown on Sunday's and demanding that the less fortunate in this country, Hell in this city, be given equal rights and an equal chance". HPD arrested 4 people the other day..2 for a tarp and 2 for jay walking…seriously? The corruption in the city, state, country is astounding and HPD is sending 20 armed police officers to remove a tarp, and enforce crosswalks. Why isn't our mayor calling for the police commissioner to resign? Why no investigation into these arrest? You know the answer and so does everyone else. The opponents of this movement have very deep pockets, they are coordinated, they will do and say anything to turn public opinion away from Occupy, and if this movement doesn't get bodies in the streets on a more regular and larger basis that is exactly what will happen.

Personally this action by HPD, and the lack of action by our local government has caused me to step back and want to get even more involved in the occupy movement. Ive read some of the post on this forum and we get too involved in the minutia and sometimes forget the bigger picture. We can support the occupiers financially, lend our voices, print flyers, donate needed items, all that stuff they are asking us to do but until the middle of this country gets behind it and actually turns off the TV and gets off the couch and SHOW UP we will eventually be shunned and it will fade. Not a very optimistic view I know but look at the tea party today (yeah i know its not the same) but a movement is a movement and if it doesn't continually grow it shrinks. I want to encourage ALL of the people who are on the side of equality for all to join the march tomorrow and again on the 17th. Turn off the tube, put down the iphone, pick up a sign and walk! Id like to see 300 people tomorrow. UH students??? all of you should be there. YOU'RE age group is the reason we are doing this. You think its bad now????? Wait 5 years and see where you are. NOW is the chance to change things and if you don't do it nobody else will. People in this country need to stop hoping someone else solves their problem and DEMAND the problems be solved. IN the words of Jack Kennedy " our problems are man- made. Man can fix these problems"

Putting my soap box away…for now!

stay civil stay united

Good thing I didnt get behind this movement to gain "followers". Thats part of the problem we have all been "following" I respect your opinions Katie but I have been in several political campaigns. In one I was actually the the guy that got the emails that were sent to the prospective congressman. My job was to screen the ones that didnt agree with his platform. Politicians may be influenced by the volume of letters they recieve but not by the content. Trust me those that disagree will always get their own place in the file but the intended recipient is always protected from those.

And as I stated in a different post. If you dont agree with me then dont respond. I will do the same! But thanks for the input. I do read all I can.

Thanks

Greg

Ramsingh,

The arrest were after the elections. Which is normal. Your absolutely right! Politicians are out for their jobs not yours (ours). Although, as in most areas, there are some good and some bad (good ones are becoming extinct tho). The bad ones give them all a bad name so we generally lump them into the "puppet" category. The bad ones are bought and sold daily which is MY main complaint. My reason for getting involved with occupy is to get money out of politics. we just dont have the same influence as the 1% and it isnt fair that we dont. But I agree with you the best way to get media coverage is for something to go wrong….that's what sells…that's why we watch Nascar! lol… The solution is to keep occupying…show determination. Eventually we will effect the 1%.