Poetry reading on the State House Steps at noon on December 23, 2011
The Voices of Dewey Poetry Protest

Over sixty poets have read their works for OccuPoetry. The 12^th reading will be joined by Pedro Melave, and lead by local journalist and author Susie Davidson, who began the OccuPoetry series. Davidson has had over 150 poems published in national and international poetry magazines. Melave, based in Providence, R.I. is both a poet and union activist. Fred Marchant, professor of journalism at Suffolk University, George White of Brookline, Carolyn Gregory, Anna Aufseeser, Marc Goldfinger, Blaine Hebbel, Elizabeth McKim, Aspie Chris Robbins, Nai-jeer Watson (Nuff said) and Ruby Poltorak will also be among the many poets at Occupoetry. Gary Hicks, a Boston poet who has relocated to California, has sent in a poem about the Occupy movement that will be read.  Malave arranged both a formal permit and a PA system for this Occupoetry event.

http://poetmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupoets-boston.html
http://jasonbreitkopf.blogspot.com/2011/10/impressions-on-occupy-boston.html
http://masspoetry.org/2011/11/08/blog-november-8-don-mclagan/

At noon on December 15th 2011, 40 protesters gathered at Dewey Square in opposition of the passage of the National Defence Authorization Act (or NDAA). This day had been chosen for two reasons: First, that congress had passed the NDAA the day prior. And Second, that it was the 220th birthday of the ratification of the Bill Of Rights.

At 12:30pm, the march began to move outside of Dewey Square with protesters chanting “No Trials, No Way, Veto the

Historical marker at former Federal Street Church site

NDAA!”,  and “Military Detention, Police State Invention.” When the march reached the former site of the Long Lane Meeting House & Federal Street Church (which is now occupied by a branch of Bank Of America), there was a moment of silence for freedom which is in jeopardy if the NDAA is signed into law.

The march then continued to the JFK Federal Building where the Rally and Speak Out began. By his time, the amount of protesters had grown to 60. Several speakers, including members of the ACLU of Massachusetts, American Friends Service Committee – New England, Boston United Antiwar Coalition, Amnesty International, and journalist Ayesha Kazmi, all of whom spoke about the dire implications this bill would have on our rights and liberties as American citizens.

MBTA's Civil Disturbance Unit

In a moment of irony, the MBTA’s official Civil Disturbance Unit, a large jet-black bus outfitted with surveillance cameras, armor, shields, and an arsenal of tear gas and pepper spray grenades, which was built for the purpose of intimidating malcontents, stopped directly in front of the ongoing protest to the shock of the crowd. For a moment, there was complete silence while people gathered themselves in an uncomfortable moment. A moment later, the Civil Disturbance Unit drove off, and the Rally and Speakout continued until dispersal.

At the Parkman Bandstand

On December 17, colloquially known as Twitter hashtag  #D17, the Occupy movement’s celebrated its official third month birthday. At Occupy Boston, protesters took to the streets in what is titled as the Ironic Pro-Corporate March, themed to put a satirical spin on supporting the 1% – corporations, and even banks. This march, again satirical in nature, maneuvered its way through Boston, and was in response to a statement made by Mayor Menino in which he said he wouldn’t like Boston to be an unwelcoming neighborhood for corporations.

Occupy Boston’s #D17 activities began at the Boston Common Parkman Bandstand, moving through the Common and onto Beacon Street. From Beacon Street it went to Arlington, Newbury St and finally Boylston St., the heart of Boston’s shopping district lined with multinational chain stores, before heading back to the Parkman Bandstand in the Common. Marchers carried signs such as “Money is my life,” and “Privatize More Stuff.”

Several known Occupy chants were changed to fit the nature of this march, including “Defeated, The People, Will Never Be United!” “Who needs Free Speech anyway? Hit us with some Pepper Spray!” and “Ignore us. Keep shopping!”

Marching down Newbury Street

Shoppers and pedestrians look confused as protesters marched through downtown Boston during one of the busier shopping days.

The questions we at Occupy Boston want answered from our city officials are, “What is Boston doing to be a welcoming neighborhood to small and family owned businesses? How are city officials making sure these corporations are paying living wages, have safe and respectful work environments, provide health insurance to their employees, are not union busting, and are paying their fair share of taxes in the city of Boston?”

Monday at noon at the Tip O’Neill Building (10 Causeway Street, North Station T stop) a Rebel Alliance of freedom fighters from Occupy Boston, City Life/Vida Urbana, and the Bank Tenant Association will rally against the HUD eviction policy known as “vacant conveyance,” which is turning the office of Housing and Urban Development toward the Dark Side.  City Life will bring the giant vampire puppet known as Count Bankula. Occupy is calling forth a Jedi flash mob.  Occupiers are encouraged to bring signs, lightsabers, Jedi robes and hoods, but lacking those all you are required to bring is yourself.

“Vacant conveyance” is a little-known policy that forces banks with mortgage loans insured by HUD to evict tenants when they foreclose to get their insurance, even when the tenants could otherwise afford to stay in the property (Visit CLVU.org for more info). The Alliance seeks to shed light on this harmful policy, and to pull HUD back from the Dark Side.

Justice engaged destroys inequality – if the force is with you, join us Monday to show support. For more information, email Katie Gradowski from Occupy Boston Outreach, at katie.gradowski@gmail.com.