Occupy Sacramento had two very successful actions this past week. One was in conjunction with the national "Occupy Our Homes" day of action, and the other was a local First Amendment Party. Both events demonstrated that Occupy Sacramento is still a vibrant force, one which is bearing witness to both corporate greed and unresponsive, illegitimate governance.
December 6th was "Occupy Our Homes" national day of action. Occupy protests in more than 25 cities across the country occupied foreclosed homes preventing banks from repossessing them, disrupted foreclosure auctions, and marched on banks to show the disgust with the foreclosure debacle across the country. In Sacramento, protestors marched on the Attorney General's office and then on a local branch of Bank of America. Occupiers in Sacramento, and across the country, were voicing their frustration with the big banks refusal to work with homeowners with underwater mortgages. Big banks such as Bank of America have pushed these foreclosures so aggressively, that there was a robo-signing scandal where it was discovered banks were foreclosing on homes without properly reviewing all the relevant paperwork, payments, and documentation. Meaning thousands or millions of homes were foreclosed upon unlawfully. In Sacramento alone, 11,000 homes are set for foreclosure.
The second major action came yesterday, with Occupy Sacramento's First Amendment Party. Occupiers gathered last night in Cesar Chavez Park to once again demand that the city recognize their First Amendment rights, specifically to peacefully assemble and free speech. 23 individuals were arrested last night, bringing the total number of arrests at Occupy Sacramento to 110. The night was festive up until 12:30 am. Protestors were singing songs of solidarity, and chanting slogans of the movement. Police didn't even try to remove occupiers until 12:30 am. Protestors encircled the Cesar Chavez statue, and sat down awaiting arrest. Police created a physical blockade, moving all media and press out of the park. Protestors were reading the First Amendment as arrests were occurring. It was certainly the largest arrest event at Occupy Sacramento, with the largest police presence and number of arrestees to date.
Occupy Sacramento is not letting the cold weather, or the cold shoulder of the mainstream media get it down. Occupy Sacramento is continuing to fight against economic inequality in this country, and for the full protection of Constitutionally protected rights. Occupy Sacramento, like Occupy groups across the country, is moving on to the next phase of the movement. There are now few large encampments still going on. Most occupy groups are now planning and enacting direct actions that challenge the status quo. Direct actions that challenge those in power, attack their interests, and draw attention to the current state of affairs in America. Don't think that Occupy is over, Occupy has just been reborn.
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