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Occupy Columbia Evicted November 16, 2011CODEPINK South Carolina Columbia, SC | ||
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Wade Fulmer's report back: OccupyColumbiaSC Evicted by "Teapist" Acting Governor Wednesday night in heavy rain and darkness, OccupyColumbiaSC, including veterans, families, students, was evicted from the statehouse grounds. After 33 days of this SC movement's peaceful presence on public grounds, the governor held a press conference at 4 p.m. dictating that occupiers were to leave by 6 p.m. SC's expensive governor of tea party spill and less than a cup of experience suddenly announced that Occupy Columbia did not have permission to occupy and demonstrate on statehouse grounds. Statehouse tolerance of Constitutional rights of assembly and speech had now changed to imminent eviction, quite notably just days after evictions and arrests taken against OWS protesters in many cities including New York, Oakland, Portland, Austin, and others. 23 of the more than one hundred protesters were arrested tonight. Dozens of state troopers moved to push protesters off the grounds, off the public sidewalk, while those who would choose arrest moved to the area of most light, the fencing around the Confederate flag next to the Confederate Memorial. The rain continued as they were arrested without resistance yet they were charged with trespassing and also disorderly conduct. This veteran was there and observed absolutely no disorderly nor disrespectful conduct by anyone. Having been present often with the occupiers, I have witnessed only nonviolent, respectful, issues-based discussions, and have observed only clean grounds and orderly organized equipment and tables as was allowed. The governor has chosen to deny our First Amendment rights. We shall peacefully assemble for redress of grievances, to seek justice against corrupt poli-corporate government greed, to right the priorities from party-lobbied wealth and moneyed wars to jobs, care, and livelihoods for all, for our military families. In her statement, Gov. Nikki Haley seemed obsessed with decorum to suit legislators, with toilet paper supposedly collected by security in the bushes. The portajohns she did not mention. There in the shadows of SC's statehouse are stagnant ignorance, monuments to bigots, and the governor's arrogant plutocratic order to evict citizens of conscience, citizens who have had enough of state and federal sellouts, who seek to meet human needs not politicians' greeds. Yet, everyone should know the CITY of Columbia does support our nonviolent citizens, our Constitutional rights. In response to dreadful state and national nonrepresentation, the Movement of Citizens by nonviolent actions, by Constitution, by genuine pursuit of truth, equality, and justice shall prevail. Occupy Columbia, the Our Nation building Occupations from coast to coast are here, are serving, are speaking, shall be heard to resolution. Occupy. |
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