Occupy LA-Living in A Lack Of Conflict-Documentary by DB2
As the second Occupy LA micro-documentary is encoding, I have some time to reflect on what I have learned so far about Occupy, as a whole. The self described movement is at an important phase. The follow-on phase. Each Occupy has its own character. I am in a position to well illustrate only Occupy Los Angeles. Even that comes from my own perspective if set aside as best I can yet still through my 18mm optical / digital soda straw, so to speak.
Occupy LA certainly has its unique character. For one thing it is, at least for now, there with the blessing of the city council. This removes an immediate source of tension or conflict. The city administration puts up with some inconveniences and unusual sights and smells as they enter and exit the city’s center of power. City food inspection authorities have been satisfied. There is a price in the lack of conflict, the (as of October 17) lack of even one arrest.
“Movements”, like this one – with its popularity founded in economic anger & recession angst most often thrive on conflict. Every use of pepper spray is news. Every scuffle. Each parry and riposte in the mutual provocateurs chess game makes for news, more media, more ratings, more drama – as the opponents match each other; move and counter-move.
Alas, there sits Occupy Los Angeles. Peaceful, determined, and overlooked.
No arrests on the grounds, no fights, certainly no riots. Just the occasional march or, ‘sit-in’, event which have caused a few gentle arrests with little fanfare. So, we see what an irony non violence provides a movement. How a fullness of civility and cooperation has been translated into the collective yawn at editorial desks globally.
The common Occupy Global goals of economic repair & redress are undeniable. The differences between cities like Los Angeles, New York and Rome are inescapable. So today I present to you an interview with Lisa Clapier who well illustrates the nature of Occupy Los Angeles. The blessing of a peaceful event should outweigh the lack of mainstream media enthusiasm.
Please indulge us a moment and absorb the flavor my home town has accented Occupy with.
