This weekend Occupy Hartford and Occupy Providence will celebrate their 10th Anniversaries. It’s been ten years since Occupy Wall Street answered the call from Adbusters and thousands flooded Zuccotti Park in New York City on September 17th, 2011. Celebrations, Protests and Gatherings are taking place across the country marking the anniversaries of the individual occupy’s.

We in Boston are proud to have been involved in a moment in time and space where anything seemed possible. When so many different groups gathered based on common economic oppression. It is with deep admiration, respect and solidarity for all Occupies and Occupiers across the globe, as well as the many organizations that have been, and are supportive of our efforts that we say Thank You, and Happy 10th Anniversary!

Occupy Providence

Occupy Providence’s 10th Anniversary is taking place Saturday October 16th, 1PM at Burnside Park (People’s Park), 2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence RI. Here is a link to their fb event page. Occupy Providence: 10 Year Anniversary

They write: “Coming back together,
10 years after Occupy, and remembering those we’ve lost.
Some will arrive bringing a cause, and some will leave with more to do than they started with. At the 10th anniversary of Occupy Providence, we are coming back together in the park. It will be great to see everyone again. Moderated open mic.
We’ll be memorializing and celebrating the lives of those we have lost. In the spirit of Occupy, we want to hear about more causes—take a few moments to talk about a cause that matters to you, if you like, so we can all learn about things we can do.Some of us will bring food or drink. You might want to consider bringing a bag lunch for yourself and one or two for others. Please bring instruments or implements, such as drums and buckets, for a drum circle.”

Occupy Hartford

Occupy Hartford’s 10th Anniversary is taking place Sunday October 17th, 1PM at Occupy Hartford / Turning Point Park, Farmington/Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT. Here is a link to their fb event page. Occupy Hartford 10th Anniversary Reunion

They write: “It’s now been 10 years since Occupy Hartford set up at Turning Point Park. So spend the afternoon of Oct 17th meeting up with old friends for the occasion.”

Occupy Hartford had actions in 2014 centering around Sexual Violence, Monsanto and May Day. An action against War with Iran in 2020 and an action with Food Not Bombs in 2017.

We set out to celebrate our 10th Anniversary, not just patting each other on the back saying weren’t we great 10 years ago. We wanted to do something that would also affect a positive change in the community. Shining light on the need to change the name of Faneuil Hall, or at the least letting the people decide instead of Marty Walsh. We also wanted to bridge some divides in our own community. Overall we were successful.

BPD brought the cavalry, with helicopters and all. They not only brought hundreds of police officers, but had bike cops in reserve behind Quincy Market, a contingent of Park Rangers nearby and all parcels of the Greenway well guarded. Maybe they were feeling a little nostalgic as well. We have to compliment them on their effort to present a diverse front. We saw more female and POC police officers that day than we thought were on the force. Although they would not allow anyone to stay the night, and the public was prevented full use of the park, police did not harass anyone and were generally pretty friendly. We even saw one of them dancing when Keytar Bear was playing.

Nobody was hurt, there were no arrests, nothing was damaged. There were two tickets given. One for an inspection sticker and the other a parking ticket. We gave food and bottled water to many and were able to outreach to more. We had entertainment from Keytar Bear, BABAM and Eddie Emerson. And we had a Great Time!

We appreciate the participation of Boston Police, they helped shine a brighter light on the issue of Changing The Name of Faneuil Hall. No matter how many people might have shown up at Faneuil Hall, or spent the night there, it just wouldn’t have had the same impact without them.

We also appreciate the help of Kevin Peterson and New Democracy Coalition, Green Rainbow Party of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Peace Action and Boston Mayday Coalition. There were also quite a few individuals who did all kinds of things to help make this happen.

We Thank All who attended and participated. It’s the idea that a better world is possible that allows us to gather to make positive social change and to heal our communities.