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The General Assembly in these protests is the exercise of First Amendment rights.
The press and other news media is virtually cut off to all but those with a lot of money to pay for print, distribution and the airways. Meeting on the internet is unsatisfactory. Unemployed people, homeless people and the poor do not have adequate means to pay rent for very small apartments and houses we
The tents are part of the First Amendment rights of this movement because living as a group on public property is the only way that people without money can assemble in a meaningful way at this time of crisis.
The protestors have found a new way to communicate and transmit information about politics.
What they are doing is no more dangerous that having barbecues in the park with electronic loudspeakers hooked up for a party. Happens every weekend, every summer in American cities coast to coast.
And they aren't camping in an area with bears.
As for the alleged crime, I'm surprised there hasn't been more. Within the same time period as OWS has been operating and within about five blocks of my house, there was a murder and if you extend the distance a few blocks there were instances of breaking and entering, especially cars. Crime is a presence in cities.
In fact, it is also a presence in college towns which have there share of people arrested for drunkenness and disturbing the peace.
The justifications given by the mayors for closing down the Occupy movement's activities have no merit. The mayors may prevail in court, but sooner or later, they will fail.
I remember back when Elvis' gyrations were expected to bring the end of the world.
Obscene they said. You can't do that.
The reaction to the Occupy movement reminds me of that age-old conflict between the old who hang on to the old ways and feel threatened by anything new.
This too shall pass.
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