DROPPING IN ON THE TENTS >>>
This morning, as I stood in the light rain at the corner of T-town's Pacific Avenue and 21st Street, I wondered how the folks at the Occupy Tacoma Community branch of the Occupy Wall Street movement would receive an outsider.
The reception went well.
Sitting in a small, white tent next to the sidewalk on the north side of Pacific Avenue were Nikki Weatherhead and Joy Bonney. They offered me shelter from the rain.
They occupy Pignetti Pugnetti Park. They were willing to dialogue.
Some 15 tents were arranged in the park - in an orderly fashion. The grounds were neat and clean - a concern for being green is very evident.
On the iron fence surrounding the park was a sign that read, "99% Grade A Human - Not For Sale."
So, I asked rhetorically, "What's with the encampment?"
"We're in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protests," Bonney pointed out.
Bonney, in a polite manner, pointed out to me that she has five part-time jobs and an occupation. Five.
In fact, most of the individuals populating the movement have jobs, she added.
Members of the T-town community who stand in solidarity with OWS don't have plans to leave anytime soon.
"We are peaceful; we want to hear from all voices; we're going be here for a while; we are the 99 percent," Bonney continued. "We want to form a real democracy."
My inherent sense of skepticism went off like a Roman candle.
What the hell is a real democracy? Who defines "real"? And is such a political structure possible? Can anyone in this movement show any evidence of any such political/economic system of governance ever functioning to the benefit of all?
Dialogue involves competing ideas that can challenge prevailing thought. A reading of the history of democracy illuminates.
Bonney said corporate greed had to be contained and campaign financing needed to be reined in. Affordable health care and education would be nice too.
OK. No argument here.
Then again, the Roman candle side of me wanted to add that the very Wall Street institutions that seem to house the 1 percent of fat cats that the OWS protesters in New York City and Tacoma and other cities are pissed off at also provided the majority of campaign money to put the current occupant of the White House into that residence.
Perhaps Pennsylvania Avenue is where the protests should be, not Wall Street. I'm just saying.
"If we put politicians in office who care, the laws will change," Bonney added.
I agree. Then again, politicians are like everyone else - some care, some don't.
Speaking of laws, I asked her about how the police have acted toward the Occupy Tacoma movement.
"No problem. Their concern is for our safety," Weatherhead said.
Every so often folks driving by in their cars offered hand signs of support. Others made suggestive hand signs and, occasionally, offered advice of the verbal kind.
"Get a job!" and variations on that theme is what we usually hear," Bonney informed me with a chuckle.
I repeat - and to be fair - Bonney has five part-time jobs. Most of the people comprising the Occupy Tacoma Community have jobs. Their beef is no matter how hard they work, corporations focus only on profit at the expense of "we the people."
When I asked about funding for the encampment in the park and the movement's website, Bonney said that donations came from community organizations and citizens.
She also went on to tell me about the movement's General Assembly. While thoughts of the French Revolution crossed my mind, she explained that citizens who wish to speak are allowed to.
I also learned there are various sub committees within the protest movement, that issues are discussed. Eighty-five percent majority must be in favor for a decision to pass.
The movement's discussions are open to the public, and the Occupy Tacoma movement meets at the First United Methodist Church on Sixth Avenue at 6:30 pm on Sundays.
The morning was getting on, and the rain was beginning to let up, and I had to get going.
I told Weatherhead and Bonney I agreed with some of Occupy Tacoma's goals, but I also told them that I am skeptical of how their aims will take shape.
My Roman candle is far from out.
They said they understood, and I was welcome to attend the General Assembly.
That's democracy at work.
Check the movement out at www.occupytacoma.org.