Quotable: Rep. John Lewis, Civil Rights Icon, on the Struggle to Win, and Now Protect, Voting Rights in U.S. | Democracy Now!

Rep. John Lewis, Civil Rights Icon, on the Struggle to Win, and Now Protect, Voting Rights in U.S. | Democracy Now!

Turkey Protests: Third Day of Anti-Government Unrest

Come on!  You gotta be kidding me.  At what point do cops forget that they too are citizens?  It's not as if they are paid millions of dollars to do their "job" (if you call knocking muthafuckas out with batons a job).

I am sorry to inform the future generation that each day since 2013 started, the majority of human activity has lead to a more rapid decline in the "love-thy-neighbor-as-you-love-yourself" territory.

We have no choice but to coexist; in the end, the truth of that will not have changed, no matter how many muthafucking "neighbors" you have bashed over the head with bats.  Dumb asses.

March on Bank of America TODAY 5pm (@OccupyHartford)

The Capitol Building of Hartford, Connecticut

If I am given an ounce of strength (which my Dysautonomia is not allowing me right this moment--"kiss my ass Dysautonomia!"), I will be attending this March for the following reason: 

"This is the moment I have been waiting for, since BOA was bold enough to take all of my invested money (which was in their “fine print” when I got sick and couldn’t make payment on my loan). Later to find that BOA was not making due on their own financial crisis. Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?"

~MissNikkiAnn, my comment was originally posted on www.occupyhartfordct.com 



March on Bank of America TODAY 5pm <<< Click link for more information on starting point, which I believe to be Turning Point Park, but please double-check that!

@MissNikkiAnn's FAVORITE Occupy Wall Street Protester's Sign -- Classic, To The Point, Straight...No Chaser

I think it gets right to the heart and soul of the issue--and had I been at this particular occupation site, I would have wanted one of my own.  My dad would LOVE this.  He'd want the t-shirt.

News Channel 8 (WTNH.com) Coverage of @OccupyHartford (@missnikkiann was interviewed)

Protestors camp out on Hartford grounds: wtnh.com

"Protestors camp out on Hartford grounds

Updated: Friday, 07 Oct 2011, 10:21 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 07 Oct 2011, 5:13 PM EDT

• Annie Rourke

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - A down sized version of what's happening on Wall Street came marching through the streets Hartford, because folks want to express their disappoints regarding America's financial situation.

The protestors want to occupy Hartford to show their solidarity and support for the movement.

"I've grown frustrated with the situation in America," says Missnikkiann Fulse of Hartford.

Frustration is at the heart of the protest. Folks said they are fed up with what they say is corporate greed and financial inequality. There were about 400 protestors, by their count, who came to camp out and occupy a park at Broad and Farmington in Hartford.

There is no chanting, but there is constant repeating of announcements.

"I've been to protests in the past, you get a little cynical about them cause you see the same people, that sort of thing, but you know, there's new people here," says Brendan Mahoney of Hartford.

East protestor had their own story, and reason for occupying Hartford. Fulse went to school, then graduated school, she got a job and paid for insurance, but when she got sick, her insurance dropped her.

"We get so comfortable with that illusion, and when it's shattered, and you get sick, and you no longer fit into the picture, it's crushing," says Fulse.

Folks agree that there's no longer an equal playing field.

"There's a very small minority of people who have far too much sway in power within the halls of government," says Mahoney.

They're hoping that small minority can't ignore what's growing larger by the day. The 99 percent who say they don't hold the power want to right the wrongs, because America deserves better.

"I love this country, I love, on a sense, our form of democracy, the fact that our constitution, you know, allows us to have meetings like this," says Mahoney.

A small group is camping out, and will be in the area all weekend. large crowds are expected for Saturday and Sunday."

*Original Source -- http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/hartford_cty/wall-street-protest-makes-way-to-hrtfd

Occupy Hartford March 10072011 @OccupyHartford

I am exhausted.  It ain't easy having a chronic illness (Dysautonomia) and trying to keep up with history in the making.  Sir (my Occupy Hartford people know his real name) and I are just returning home.  I can honestly say that today's march was one of the most memorable days of my life.  When Sir and I arrived, we were greeted by old faces and brand new ones, many brand new ones.  The effort is growing.  And though those within the group may get frustrated and tired, they're work is touching many people, causing them to alter their schedules just to be a part of this movement toward impending change.

It's late, and I need some rest.  For now I am just going to post some pictures from the march.  Just know that as I am typing this, there are many fellow Nutmeggers who will be occupying Turning Point Park (corner of Broad and Farmington) through the night.  And if my health would permit it, I'd be there with them, just as I told the reporter from News Channel 8 (yeah, finally gained some mass media attention).

You're never too young.

Sir being interviewed by a young (very young) protester.  She asked him: "Why are you here?"

Po-po (police) on bikes.

Lots of mothers with babies and children participated.

Speaks for the cause.

Equipment for overnight occupation.

"Bosses Beware!  When We Are Screwed We Multiply"

News Channel 8's (abc) night arrival.

And into the night...

Please note that due to my disability, I was unable to take photographs during the actually march, it's impossible to push a walker with two hands and hold a camera.  So please search the internet for pictures of the march through downtown, I was blown away by how long the marching lineup was--remarkable.

"Be good.

Be patient--but not too patient.

Be in the moment of not being too patient.

There is a season for action.

If you are even partially capable, be there for that season."

~MissNikkiAnn, disabled but marching when possible

(and inspired by the elderly woman with a cane who marched right behind me)

*unedited post

Occupy Hartford 10062011 @OccupyHartford

As a chronically ill single mom, I am crunched for time and health.  If you are following my blog for Occupy Hartford, CT, USA information, you will find that I get right to the point, and there is no editing involved (not enough energy, time or good health right now...but maybe in the future).  So here we go....

Sir and I arrived a little late to yesterday the Occupy Hartford meeting.  There was a little confusion as to where the meeting would be held (Bushnell Park or Turning Point, Broa Street and Farmington Avenue).  Once I realized it was Turning Point (cause there was no one at the Bushnell and I used my Android to check Twitter for the location), we walked from the Capitol's parking lot to Turning Point.  Upon arrival, this is what we saw...

I jumped right into the mix and listened for information.  Here are some main points to consider:

1.  The first march will be held today, Friday, October 7, 2011 (10072011) at 5 PM.

2.  The Bushnell Park will be the starting point for the march.

3.  The route for the march was up for proposal.

4.  It was proposed that the march be inclusive, allowing for consideration and support of individual situations (people's work time, etc.).

5.  The issue of Connecticut not being a 24/7 kind of a place like New York provoked lots of discussion about how to deal with the limitations of the City of Hartford's most active and least active hours.

6.  There was confusion (which was resolved) over who the Turning Point land belongs to.  Turning Point is not the official name of the site that you see above, and there is some philanthropic history behind it.

7.  The Turning Point land belongs to the City of Hartford. 

8.  It was also made clear that The City of Hartford belongs to The City of Hartford and NOT the POLICE.

9.  The people were made aware that Ron Pitts (sp? and occupation?) supports the effort.

10.  Please note that The Hartford Courant is right across the street.

11.  Please note that no Hartford Courant staff reporters (to my knowledge) were in attendance.

Here are so photos...

And a few more...

I will keep you posted.

~MissNikkiAnn, unedited

Occupy Hartford Rundown from 10052011's Evening Meeting

By request, I will do a quick rundown on yesterday's Occupy Hartford:

1.  The crowd grew in size from my 5 PM arrival until my 8 PM departure.

2.  There were adults, children AND babies present.

3.  Cops were also present.

4.  Many held protest signs.

5.  Some stood on the Bushnell Park sidewalk and held up their signs for passerbys to see.  One of these was a young boy who could have been between the ages six and ten.  Instead of joining the other children (like Sir, my son who is six and was present) at play, upon his arrival, he took his sign and went right to the sidewalk to hold it up for passing vehicles to see.  The unidentified man who was with him, was further down the street doing the same.  

6.  A unanimous proposal was passed about not smoking with so many children being present with the group.

7.  They spoke about the morning's meeting.

8.  The various "Breadown Groups" (or committees) were recognized as such:  Expression, Finance, Food, Legal, Logistics, Media, Medical, Outreach, Research and Shelter.  I was having a hard time hearing when I think they mentioned (and voted?) on having a Strategy group.

9.  The lawyer stated:  "I am not here to tell you what to do.  I am here to make sure your rights to the Constitution are protected."

10.  I overheard a statement that "One thing we don't want to see here is a failure to communicate."  Eluding to the fact that this failure could prompt conflict with the police.

11.  It was agreed that occupation would begin at most a week from Wednesday (10052011) and at least by Saturday (10082011).  But upon my departure three hours in, they were still unsure.

12.  From what I could see, aside from myself and another unidentified photographer, there was no "blatant" media representation.  I did upload live video footage to www.keek.com, but am in talks with Keek now as to why my videos did not post.

~MissNikkiAnn, keeping you posted

Occupy Hartford's Victory Against the Po-Po (Police) by @OccupyHartford

"The following is a report back from Josh. Official minutes from the 5:00pm G.A. should be following soon. (dave r) 

 The Assembly ended with a difficult consensus that the occupation would begin this Friday. 

There was also consensus that committee meetings would take place at the agreed occupation space at Turning Point Park tomorrow at 8:30 am and 5 pm. 

We also came to consensus that, because there were several people who wanted to begin the occupation tonight rather than waiting until Friday, we would march in solidarity with them to the site. We did so and were accompanied by the Hartford police. 

After most of the group who did not intend to stay the night dispersed, the rest of us (maybe 20 people or so) were informed by the police at the location that we would be arrested if we were in the space after 10 p.m. Peter Goselin from the National Lawyers Guild was there representing us and asked the police if there was any place on city property that we would be allowed to sleep out. The answer was no. The police actually suggested that we go to the capital building, but this was just a matter of passing his problem off onto the state police that are in charge of the capital grounds. 

We immediately contacted Councilman Luis Cotto, who phoned the mayor in hopes of resolving the situation. Before Councilman Cotto arrived, the Swat police showed up with a High power sound machine to drive us out of the park. Things were becoming tense. 

While waiting for word from the Mayor and the city we held an emergency meeting and consensed around the fact that rather than challenge the police to arrest us as 6, we would leave and wait for the larger occupation. 

The city manager (who arrived after being contacted by Councilman Cotto) determined that Turning Point Park is NOT ACTUALLY CITY PROPERTY and belongs to the state. The Hartford Police left immediately, as they no longer had jurisdiction over the land. At this point the Governor’s office was informed by the city of what was taking place. No State Police arrived and there was no discernible reaction from the State. 

With this new information, those of us still present called another meeting in order to decide how to proceed. While the State Police did not arrive or react, we decided it was conceivable that any individual state officer driving around might notice the tents and take it upon himself to do something about it. Rather than risk this possible confrontation with only a few of us there, we decided to leave the space and wait until the full occupation begins on Friday as there is obviously much greater strength in numbers. 

I personally took tonight as an enormous victory. The Hartford Police cannot bother us in the place that we have designated as our occupation space. Seeing them leave after having threatened to arrest us was fantastic. The reaction of the State remains to be seen, but from what I understand Luis has opened a channel of communication with the Governors office regarding this. As far as Hartford is concerned, we have already occupied Turning Point Park! 

 -- 

 -Occupy HartfordCT"

Click this link to view the original post.

Occupy Hartford: 10052011

Today I was lucky to be present for Occupation Hartford's meeting at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford, CT, USA. Being that my health is what it is (lacking in good health), I never would have imagined that I would witness, first-hand, this historical moment in the making. If you are a MissNikkiAnn's House reader, you know that I have been following Anonymous (Anon) for a while now, long before they (and their idea) became mainstream.

I remember watching their first video, knowing that what I was witnessing was novel. I wanted to be a part of that novelty in anyway possible, so I blogged and tweeted Anonymous's stuff, and even participated in their mass media boycott (which should still be on my blog's main page). So when I got word from WESU's 88.1 FM that Occupy Hartford would, indeed, being happening, I just knew that I would have to be there in person, with my Android, getting some footage.

No, I was not and am not feeling well at all (I am actually in the middle of a Dysautonomia flare), and this was the perfect reason to get out there with my walker and Sir. Being a chronic illness patient means having to deal with a system that wishes you didn't exist, so I went (shouldering all the pain and symptoms), to be sure that a movement such as this one got the spotlight that it needs to flourish.

Occupy Hartford represents all of us (middle and lower class alike, sick and chronically ill, children and adults) who have been left behind by a system that wasted our hard-earned resources. This is what fed-up America looks like...

I will keep you posted.

"Be good.  Be patient.  Be willing to be in the moment."  

~MissNikkiAnn