Occupy Phoenix: not so easy to stereotype (Pictures)
David Sydionco, Reporter | October 24th 2011
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Over 2,000 protesters joined Occupy Phoenix's inaugural demonstration on Saturday, representing a diverse, and sometimes conflicting, range of beliefs, backgrounds, and demands for widespread reform.
Occupy Phoenix, a non-partisan movement that began its occupation of Phoenix's Cesar Chavez Plaza over the weekend, is indefinitely protesting "the collusion between the government and financial institutions," and economic inequality, acting in solidarity with New York City's Occupy Wall Street.
Attendees occupied from a wide range of varied viewpoints, ranging from involved students to members of the Arizona Tea Party Patriots.
Since the "Occupy" movement began in late September, critics have lambasted occupations for "lacking focus," as well as a form of central leadership, despite growing public support, including from President Barack Obama. "Few signs demonstrators were coalescing around a set of demands for change or had a desire to push the traditional levers of power," said Andrew Grossman of The Wall Street Journal.
However, it is this lack of a centralized message and leadership that members of Occupy Phoenix find to be one of their "greatest strengths."
"There is this common thread that unites us, which is a frustration with the current system. So, one of the long term goals that is emerging is separating the corporation, that greed, from the government," said Spokesperson Apollo Poetry, 27, remarking on the wide breath of issues Occupy Phoenix feels necessary to address.
Edward Medina, 18, a movement organizer and media team member, believes that the absence of a centralized leadership provides the opportunity for consensus. He asserts this trait allows Occupy Phoenix to "leave decisions to the people," creating outcomes that "benefit everyone, not just an egotistical leader."
Occupation attendee Moriah Costa, 19, agrees with this sentiment, claiming the Occupy movement is an example of a "true democracy."
"I think that the key to success for Occupy Phoenix is communication among such a broad spectrum. You can't agree with everyone, and the organizers at Occupy realize this," said Costa, who also serves as the campus coordinator for the libertarian Students for Liberty organization at Arizona State University.
One needs to look no further than J.T. Ready to witness this "broad spectrum" at play.
Ready, a member of the U.S. Border Guard and outspoken Arizona neo-Nazi, arrived to Saturday's protest clutching a fully armed combat rifle, spray painted with a camouflage pattern to match his fatigues. He, along with the accompanying, similarly armed "Border Rangers" was immediately surrounded by watchful Phoenix police officers. "We want to make sure people here understand that it is an armed citizenship that allows people to have their first amendment rights. These are our second amendment rights," said Ready, explaining his non-government-affiliated organization's decision to attend Occupy Phoenix's event. He also mentioned the "60,000" killed in Northern Mexico due to violence related to drug cartels.
Ready wanted to make sure fellow protesters understood that there were individuals serving to protect their right to free speech, even if they didn't necessarily agree with what they were saying.
"That's what true tolerance and diversity is about," said Ready. "We are also part of the 99%. We're definitely not Wall Street bankers, let's put it that way.
When asked if his weapon was loaded, Ready smiled, saying, "Absolutely, they wouldn't do us any good as boomerangs." Protester George Clifton is a prime example of one of those people whose rights Ready is claiming to protect, but not agree with.
Clifton, who appeared in a black suit and tie and holding a sign displaying his status as a veteran of the U.S. Marines and CIA, attended the event not to express dissent of U.S. economic equality, or Wall Street's financial irresponsibility, but for the support of immigrant rights. "The economic woes, or any other woes America has, I don't care about because we have done, and continue to do so much bad to people across the world," said Clifton with unflinching eyes, citing the unjust wars, financial abuse, torture, and rendition the United States has engaged in abroad.
"The real problem isn't the economy. It is the behavior of America as a country."
When asked about his military and CIA experience, Clifton broke eye contact. "Learned a lot, trying to make amends," he said.
Despite the 49 protester arrests that occurred over the weekend, as well as reports of dwindling numbers, Occupy Phoenix plans to demonstrate at Cesar Chavez Plaza indefinitely, with evening general assembly meetings taking place on a daily basis.
Cesar Chavez Plaza is located at 201 W. Washington St.
George Clifton, ex-CIA
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