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that is basically going to be used for a large Holiday Festival that has tables, entertainment, and lot's of people from the city in attendance. The proposal to move to another location that is still very visible as an occupied location, to have an information table, or even a chance to be in the parade and/ or have a presence as a performance on the stage during the festival would showcase the movement in a positive manner. Having Occupy Dayton continue camping while the festival is taking place in the same area may cause them to lose support for their occupation.
On top of it all, I would think the moving of camp for 3 days would be safer to those who are camping out anyway. Having a lot of people trampling thru one's "occupied" camp may not be the safest thing for those who are Occupying. People who are less aware of the community rules, those who may want to steal their items, and other's who are on the right may take the opportunity to clash. destroy, and instigate the group.
I notice that those who were disrupting within the group and who were opposed to moving the camping place for 3 nights had scarves over their faces.. The really loud guy who shouted out like a petulant child looks more like any instigator or a provocateur, than an occupier. I noticed that he spoke loudly, then tried to say "F-You, I'm out of here.. thinking that his "group" was going to walk away with him. When no one moved to follow his loud mouth asshole way, he stood on the outside of the circle shouting out over others, creating tension. AND then he started saying specifically, that they are in solidarity of OWS. OWS doesn't negotiate with the Govt. They occupy. 99% and OWS, etc. By bringing up OWS in NY, he's tying his loud mouth asshole interruption of the GA onto the NY group and it makes them look like unreasonable people who are not considering the 99% in the community who are inf favor of he movement.
I feel the older gentleman was correct in speaking about using strategy to be successful. It doesn't make sense to hold ground on an issue like this one; especially, if educating and looking for more support for the "occupation" is a goal. AND eventually, is it not the ultimate goal to live in a fair and free democracy? Isn't it key to get the people power in charge, rather than monied interests ruling our govt? It seems to me that the Occupy people have support from the mayor and the council and the police and the people of Dayton. So, it would seem that an annual festival that the city enjoys for 3 days during the Thanksgiving break and marking the beginning of the Holiday season is something that would draw in people and money for those with Main St businesses. It only makes sense that camping in the middle of the public square alongside the festival activities doesn't seem to be most beneficial to all of the city inhabitants.
It seems that the GA for discussing the camping location during the festival for Dayton is on Saturday. The Occupiers should make an announcement asking for members of the community to come to the Saturday GA and take part in the discussion of whether to move or not for those 3 specific days. This way, the community can involve itself democratically within the Occupation. AND more people showing up to participate in discussions, would help the movement to grow and possibly gain more actualized support along with more boots on the ground in general. This could go badly for the occupation. They are in a public space that everyone should be able to use. If they insist on making the public space to their own almost to the point of exclusivity, then they are usurping other people's constitutional rights as well....
This is a delicate balance of keeping the message positive; making an impact, educating and gaining more support; and being respectful to all people within the community.
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