Eviction and arrests 11/16/2011

On Wednesday November 16th Occupy Columbia's Free Speech rights were violated by SC Governor Nikki Haley. At a 4 p.m. press conference inside the state house she announced that the protesters would be evicted at 6:00 p.m. Her speech was comprised of numerous lies concerning the occupation and condition of the state house grounds. She asserted that protesters were using the bathroom on the grounds (Occupy Columbia has had it's own Port-o-john for over two weeks), there were mattresses on the grounds, that shrubbery had been damaged and that there had been over $17,000 worth of extra security needed since the protest began. As for the expenses, the SC Budget and control Board had said a week earlier that there had been no added expenses concerning the protest. On the same topic, it was explained that there had to be an extra police officer added each night. It is almost certain that if an officer had been added that he would have been compensated $17,000 for one month. On top of that, this has been a peaceful protest so the need of any officers at all is not necessary. The Occupiers have not had one arrest over there entire protest. The 2 to 3 arrests that may have occurred were of people not associated with Occupy Columbia. At roughly 6:10 there were between 19 and 23 people arrested without incident. The protesters sat on the ground surrounding a monument on the front lawn as a thunderstorm began. They were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention center approximately eight miles south of the state house. The city of Columbia refused to let the State house security use the Columbia jail because the city of Columbia, along with the mayor and police chief believed that the arrests were unjust. Mayor Benjamin said multiple times that he would not have arrested the protesters and that their 1st Amendment rights had been violated. All of the arrested protesters were released by 3 a.m., and rumored that the bail was on recognizance bond, meaning they did not have to pay a cash bond and they were trusted to return for their court date. There will most likely be a charge filed against Governor Haley for suppressing freedom of speech. The constitution says that people have the right to peacefully assemble and that there shall be no ad hoc laws to prevent it. This new rule that the governor had enacted is exactly that. Ad hoc means for one specific purpose, and this new rule of having the protesters leave at 6:00 p.m. was created specifically to stop their assembly. Currently, there is still protesting during the day and the Occupy Columbia general assembly meetings, which have always been at 7:00 p.m., are now held across the street from the state house in a parking lot at the corner of Gervais Street and Assembly Street.

Occupy Columbia Day 14, October 28, 2011

Friday was another stellar day for protesting but the forecast calls for rain overnight. At 2:00 p.m. Bob Guild, an environmental lawyer, gave a teach-in about the proposed new Wal-Mart on Assembly Street. Occupy Columbia has set up an entire committee to monitor this development. It appears that the property to be bought includes Rocky Branch Creek, which often floods. Should the property be developed for a big box store this would become an even greater issue. Rocky Branch Creek also appears to be a major contributor to flooding in other parts of Columbia. Should it be re-channeled or impeded further, the flooding would probably worsen. These concerns don't even begin to address the impact a Wal-Mart would have on local mom and pop type stores.

Need a costume for Halloween? How about the Frankenfish?

Aquabounty Technologies is asking the FDA to approve their genetically modified Atlantic Salmon. The company is currently "raising" the eggs in Bay Fortune, a small Eastern Canadian town and shipping them to Panama to be grown. This growth period will be twice as fast as a normal salmon. See a side by side photo and the source article >here. You can also sign a petition if you follow the link.
If allowed this fish/creature will be the most genetically modified animal available as a food product. One proponent of the Frakenfish spun it like this: "Do we only want to be buyers of these technologies from other parts of the world". By technologies, I think he meant food.

Mikhail Gorbachev relates to the Occupy Movement, says America needs Perestroika

Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev says he has seen public unrest like the Occupy Wall St. protests before; just before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He said “People are asking ‘why do our leaders want to decide everything at the expense of the people?’”. President Gorbachev also notices the lopsided budget that fuels the military-industrial complex. Read more >here.  

Occupy Oakland sets Wednesday November 2nd for general strike

In response to the recent police brutality and Oakland general lack of respect for the 1st Amendment, Occupy Oakland voted to ask for and enforce a citywide general strike on Wednesday November 2nd. They are asking all businesses to shut down, or else they may be the subject of a march.

Occupy Columbia Day 12 Update - October 26, 2011

Wednesday was another successful day of protesting on the picket line with GREAT weather and a ton of traffic! At general assembly we were excited to add about a dozen new members from our Hispanic community. One of Occupy Columbia's devoted Hispanic members reached out to these people on her own. We need more of this!
We also had another group join us today. They represented the 1%. One of our most active occupiers, who is also a Marine veteran engaged them in polite conversation. It appears that as a child of the 1%, one of the  visitor was peeved that his father now had to be driven to his job in NYC in a bullet proof car. It is a little confusing if this is supposed to be blamed on a peaceful protest. Definitely a must see video. The last line is a
kicker!
  

Occupy Columbia Day 11 Update - October 25, 2011

On Tuesday we had a special visitor at "Our house"! Texas Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Perry stopped by whilst out on the campaign trail. We first had to wait on the Governor to meet with the SC legislature and Governor Haley. A good contingency of occupiers occupied the second floor State House lobby for his press conference. No signs are allowed in the State House one reporter Tweeted that badges were given out so that Governor Perry could tell "Us from them". Coincidentally, Governor Perry had just unveiled his new 20% flat tax plan and tax code simplification. His new plan will be so simple that you can file on a piece of paper the size of a postcard. (pictured below). The Governor also railed against industry regulation of most any kind, repeating his general party stance that regulation and taxes are job killers. However, it has been proven through research that taxes do not kill jobs. A lack of demand for goods and services kills jobs.
Later in the evening the first movie night was scheduled to start at 7:30.