If you go to Wikipedia.org today, you get a black page asking you to protest. If you to Google today, you will find their logo blacked-out and a plea to protest. Wordpress.org, The Membrane.com and KingArthur.com have also *blacked-out* in support of the protest.
What has Internet intellectuals all in an up-roar?
Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S.
Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.
The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late.
Tell Congress: Don’t censor the Web
Fighting online piracy is important. The most effective way to shut down pirate websites is through targeted legislation that cuts off their funding. There’s no need to make American social networks, blogs and search engines censor the Internet or undermine the existing laws that have enabled the Web to thrive, creating millions of U.S. jobs.
Too much is at stake – please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA.
– Google
Wikipedia Homepage Blackout Protesting USA Legislation
Google Homepage Blackout Protesting USA Legislation
PHILADELPHIA, PA — When the police raided Occupy Philadelphia at Dilworth Plaza surrounding City Hall, it was obvious there had been a change in command. The Philadelphia Police went from being cordial to being aggressive and violent. What was the cause for the change in demeanor?
An eye witness noticed the strong presence of Homeland Security officers. These officers had not been part of the community. They had not developed relationships with any individuals. Instead, Homeland Security brought terror to the streets of Philly. Bicycles and horses were used as weapons injuring many protesters. One of those arrested commented on the use of violence against ladies of smaller stature and other violent targeting practices.
When questioned about Homeland Security timing the raid on Occupy L.A. to the exact minute, Police Commissioner Ramsey chuckled and said, “We’d like to think they followed our lead.”
Many people have asked, “What is the Occupy Movement about? Why do you occupy?” These are no longer the pertinent questions. Now, the most important questions for everyone to ask themselves are, “Do you want the federal government conducting military exercises on their own citizens? Do you want the U.S.A. invading it’s own cities?”
Here’s what I was filming when I was trampled by the Philadelphia Police. Super scary to watch the chaos again. You can see the horses start to get freaked out right before the police charge the crowd of protesters and journalists. ~Vanessa
Experience the terror the Occupy Philly protestors faced when being charged by police horses. Filmed by indy media journalist, Vanessa Maria.
Video of cops on horses charging occupiers, and an interview with Occupy Philly Media reporter after she is injured. #ows #eviction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU5p2GxPvkI
Kayla talks about getting assaulted by bike cops and the police tactics of violence and intimidation she witnessed during the night of eviction, 11/30.
Police Attacks
Police attacked and arrested a member of our finance team who did absolutely nothing. Protesters remained peaceful. The police were violent. — Occupy Philadelphia on FaceBook
Simultaneous Raids
Occupy Wall Street Camps in Los Angeles, Philadelphia Dismantled in Massive Police Raids
Some 1,000 police officers raided the Occupy Los Angeles encampment in a park outside City Hall over night, arresting scores of people and evicting what has been the largest Occupy camp in the country. Meanwhile Occupy Philadelphia protesters vacated their encampment this morning after more than a thousand police moved in and warned them of mass arrests. We get eyewitness updates on both raids from National Lawyers Guild legal observer Ken Montenegro in Los Angleles and Occupy organizer and activist Jeff Rousset in Philadelphia. “[Philadelphia’s history of free speech and democracy] changed this morning at around 1 am. The city shut down the subways; they barricaded all of city hall, about two blocks in every direction; and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of cops poured in. They forced everybody off the plaza,” Rousset says.
PICTURES
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Ramsey
Wounds Inflicted by Philadelphia Bike Police at Occupy Philadelphia
Over the past month, I have become embedded in the Occupy Philadelphia movement. Originally, I wrote an article entitled “Occupy Wallstreet? Occupy Yourself!” (www.widgette.com; October 7, 2011) From there, I traveled to Wall Street to encounter the protest in person. A few days later, I became actively involved at the Occupy Philly location at City Hall, Philadelphia.
Patty Hearst in a Symbionese Liberation Army publicity photo
When you become embedded in a story, much care must be taken to remain objective. One example would be Patricia Hearst and the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). On February 4, 1974, 19-year-old Patty Hearst was kidnapped by a “urban guerrilla group” known as the Symbionese Liberation Army. The SLA wanted to swap jailed SLA members for Ms. Hearst. The attempt failed. On April 3, 1974, Patty announced she joined the SLA and assumed the name “Tania”. On On April 15, 1974, Patty was photographed carrying an M1 rifle as she robbed a bank in San Francisco. Since this time, she has become a well-known example of a victim of Stockholm Syndrome.
With this in mind, I attempted not to contribute to the gang mentality of the Occupy Movement.
On October 23, 2011, I was witness to the protest and eventual arrests of 15 Occupy Philly members. Deeming the spectacle as unethical behavior by the protesters, I refused to give the event any press coverage. Then, on November 7, 2011, I was covering the protest and arrests of protesters at the Comcast building. Again, feeling the protesters were not acting in the best interest of the movement, I reached out to offer positive press to the Mayor and the Police Department. I contacted the Philadelphia Police Department’s Public Affairs and Media Relations office, as well as, Mayor Nutter’s Press Department. My concerns over a non-confrontational move were voiced along with two requests to ensure a smooth transition. The Mayor’s office asked if I had a dead-line. I responded, “Prior to the expiration of the permit on November 15… or it will be too late.” Both offices promised me call-backs. The phone conversations were followed-up with the following letter:
To whom it may concern:
Pursuant to today’s telephone conversation, thank you for your assistance. As you suggested, I did contact the Mayor’s Press Department.
It is my desire to coordinate press in two ways:
1) Obtain any positive *copy* covering the Philadelphia Police Department and the Mayor’s office. Any statements, press releases or related materials that can be edited and/or redistributed to news organizations would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for any information that will help substantiate that the Philadelphia Police have been doing an excellent job at Occupy Philly, as well as, being civil and cordial.
2) An on-camera appearance by representatives from the Police Department or the Mayor’s Office. Besides praising the Departments on camera, I would like to review the *move plan* offered to Occupy Philly by the Mayor. If we could shoot on-location Thursday or Friday during a picture perfect day, I would like to meet.
Questions include:
* Where can Occupy Philly move? [The area will be filmed.]
* Will there be electric?
* Does Occupy Philly need any permits? Permits to move? Permits to play music? etc.
* Can the move start this weekend?
Thank you. I shall await your advice.
Since that time, I have not heard back from either the Mayor or the Police departments. Instead, Mayor Nutter held a press conference November 13 claiming there has been no communication on behalf of Occupy Philly. Now, the encampment has no alternative but to wait for a confrontation.
Press Conference at Occupy Philly
November 14, 2011
~ 1PM
by Daniel Brouse
CITY HALL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
On November 13, 2011, Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter held a press conference changing his posture on the Occupy Philadelphia movement. During the show, he reversed his position on the protesters being allowed to obtain a new permit when the current permit expires on the 15th. Following is the response from the Occupy Philly Press Team:
CITY HALL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
November 13, 2011
by Daniel Brouse
The infamous Jesse Jackson visited the Occupy Philly encampment to show his support. In town for the Joe Frazier funeral, Rev. Jackson advocated for a Joe Frazier statue. Saying that Rocky Balboa is a fictitious character, he encouraged a monument be dedicated to a true hero of the working class.
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