Occupy Houston

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Tonight on the radio, there was an announcement that Michael Moore was in Houston for his book tour and that he would be visiting Occupy Houston afterward, so I decided that now was the time to make my first visit. Upon arriving, there was an announcement that he was too tired and would not be coming tonight. I hope that he can make it tomorrow before he leaves. It would mean a lot to the protesters.

I just have to say that I was so excited to be there! There were about 100 or so people and a lot of smiles. There were a few police cars parked on the corners of the park. Everything was calm and peaceful. I'll post a few pictures later on and plan to return again this weekend. :)

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1. A few pics:

[AllenVanAllen]

2. I've got one to share.

I was sitting on the cool grass during an Occupy security meeting and thought I'd get a shot of the vista.





Hey, onestepforward :loveya::hug::loveya:

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4. ...

:loveya:

*Most of you don't know, but this is my husband (and photographer) who wanted to add a picture he liked :)

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3. Sunday

I went to Occupy Houston this afternoon and stayed until the evening. Less people overall today. Several families and individuals came by to visit. It was inspiring to talk with folks. This is a very determined group :)

This is the next big event:



A few things have changed. TSU (Texas Southern University) will also be participating and the march from UH to Tranquility Park may change re: too far.


A few photos from today:













Come out sometime if you can!

:hi:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. University of Houston, towards Calhoun?

Good school.

I attended there 73-74 and 74-75.

They had 25,000 students then.

Your basic large state school.

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10. That's the one!

It looks like they've grown to around 40,000.

[sonias]

5. Thanks for the pics!

:yourock:

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7. You're welcome!

I hope to go back soon!

[ceile]

6. Thanks for posting the pics!

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8. You're welcome!

Thanks for looking at them :)

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11. 11 arrested tonight at Tranquility Park

http://occupyhouston.org/2011/11/8070/

UPDATE: We have a rough timeline of the situation available. All times are approximate.

8:30pm: Approximately three Houston police officers approached Shaun, a sustainability and peacekeeping volunteer, calling his tarp a structure in violation of city ordinance. The previous night HPD advised us on how to put up a tarp and not violate ordinances, so Shaun refused and stayed with other Occupy Houston members under the tarp.

9:30pm: Approximately 13 HPD officers are present at Tranqility park.

10:00pm: Approximately 18 HPD officers are present at Tranquility park.

11:00pm: Approximately 27 HPD officers in approximately 19 squad cars arrest seven members of Occupy Houston. Some had to be carried away.

HPD officers were in communication with Burke, a councilor working with Occupy Houston, advising on how to remove the tarp and items under the tarp, and how to avoid arrest. Shortly after Occupy Houston members were arrested Burke and his wife were seized then arrested by HPD officers for jaywalking. An HPD squad car was blocking the crosswalk at the intersection of Bagby St. and Walker St. at the time.

A majority of HPD offricers refused contact with Occupy Houston members requesting officer name, and badge numbers.

Those awaiting arrest used the people’s microphone to recite Amendments one through fourteen of the U.S. Constitution and HPD’s mission statement.

Damn! More information at the link.

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12. Police now just waiting until it rains so they can arrest

protesters who try to protect their supplies:

http://occupyhouston.org/2011/11/another-houston-occupier-arrested-november-15-2011/

ANOTHER HOUSTON OCCUPIER ARRESTED – NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Occupy Houston protesters were frustrated today by the ever-widening definition of a “tent” as articulated by City Hall and HPD. At approximately 3:00 PM, the occupation site at Tranquility Park was approached by several uniformed officers from the police and fire departments, including a police captain and Fire Chief Galvan. Protesters were instructed to remove tarps placed over tables which were being used to protect food, electronic equipment and medical supplies both on top of and underneath the tables from today’s showers. The practice has been permissible throughout the duration of the occupation, which has now exceeded a month, and today the tarps were suddenly deemed “tents” and therefore in violation of the current policy. The protesters refused to remove the tarps, forming a line and chanting, while police forcibly removed all tarps covering the tables. One occupy participant was arrested in the process and remains in custody.

The action occurred only a few moments after today’s City Council meeting, where several occupy participants commended City Council and HPD for their respectful and cooperative disposition during the past several weeks before requesting action on the increasingly contentious issue of the use of tarps, tents and canopies in the park. It is exactly one week since 6 other protesters were arrested over a tarp being used to protect similar equipment, and three weeks since the last appearance of the protesters at a City Council meeting, where they requested permission for the use of tarps, tents and canopies. Also addressed during the incident were some concerns of the fire department over the use of extension cords, with which the protesters respectfully complied.

This is a small event, considering the gut-wrenching police abuse and brutality at larger OWS cities, but it fits into the pattern of police/city officials harassing and sometimes attacking peaceful protesters.

Here in Houston, the 4th largest city in America, the number of protesters is extremely small and non-threatening. They are such a peaceful and thoughtful group who would make anyone here very proud. It really angers me to hear about an arrest for trying to protect property from rain. I am not happy with Mayor Parker right now.

It will be a few weeks until I can return due to prior plans, but I look forward to it. If it wasn't a 60 mile round trip, I'd be there more often. Off to write my Mayor now.

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13. Houston Occupiers block downtown roadway and get arrested

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2011/11/police-arrest-dozen-protesters-near-downtown-bridge/#1833-1

Houston police arrested about a dozen protesters Thursday during a march that ended at a downtown bridge.

About 200-300 people affiliated with the Occupy Houston movement and other advocacy groups met at Market Square Park about 4 p.m. then moved out to their destination at the Travis Street bridge near Commerce.

When they arrived, 12 members suddenly linked arms and sat in the intersection, blocking afternoon commuters from leaving.

“A non-violent movement’s best weapon is disruption,” said Carl Gibson with Occupy Houston.

“We’re going to peacefully disrupt society and let people know that are voices are going to be heard,” Gibson said.

HPD officials said they asked the protesters to leave the intersection and took them into custody only when they chose not to.

“The vast majority of these protesters exercised their First Amendment rights peacefully. We appreciate that,” said HPD spokesman Kese Smith.
-snip-

Nice slideshow at the link!

[sonias]

14. Bless them

I hope there are some good defense attorneys willing to defend them pro-bono.

Very nice slideshow!

:applause:

We had http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2011/11/18/five_occupy_austin_protestors.html">five arrests in OccupyAustin last night.

[PDittie]

15. Most of those were SEIU

Who also perfomed the "Janitors for Justice " action here a year or two. They arrange legal representation and bail money in advance, among other preps.

Wondering why nobody posted anything here about Occupy Dallas' eviction.

http://brainsandeggs.blogspot.com/2011/11/occupy-dallas-got-their-turn-last-night.html