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Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 02:13 PM Nov 2012

NY Times: Where FEMA Fell Short, Occupy Was There

Even the Red Cross is sending them donations to distribute!

After its encampment in Zuccotti Park, which changed the public discourse about economic inequality and introduced the nation to the trope of the 1 percent, the Occupy movement has wandered in a desert of more intellectual, less visible projects, like farming, fighting debt and theorizing on banking. While several nouns have been occupied — from summer camp to health care — it is only with Hurricane Sandy that the times have conspired to deliver an event that fully calls upon the movement’s talents and caters to its strengths.

Maligned for months for its purported ineffectiveness, Occupy Wall Street has managed through its storm-related efforts not only to renew the impromptu passions of Zuccotti, but also to tap into an unfulfilled desire among the residents of the city to assist in the recovery. This altruistic urge was initially unmet by larger, more established charity groups, which seemed slow to deliver aid and turned away potential volunteers in droves during the early days of the disaster.

In the past two weeks, Occupy Sandy has set up distribution sites at a pair of Brooklyn churches where hundreds of New Yorkers muster daily to cook hot meals for the afflicted and to sort through a medieval marketplace of donated blankets, clothes and food. There is an Occupy motor pool of borrowed cars and pickup trucks that ferries volunteers to ravaged areas. An Occupy weatherman sits at his computer and issues regular forecasts. Occupy construction teams and medical committees have been formed.

Managing it all is an ad hoc group of tech-savvy Occupy members who spend their days with laptops on their knees, creating Google documents with action points and flow charts, and posting notes on Facebook that range from the sober (“Adobo Medical Center in Red Hook needs an 8,000 watt generator AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”) to the endearingly hilarious (“We will be treating anyone affected by Sandy, FREE of charge, with ear acupuncture this Monday”). While the local tech team sleeps, a shadow corps in London works off-hours to update the Twitter feed and to maintain the intranet. Some enterprising Occupiers have even set up a wedding registry on Amazon.com, with a wish list of necessities for victims of the storm; so far, items totaling more than $100,000 — water pumps and Sawzall saw kits — have been ordered.


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/nyregion/where-fema-fell-short-occupy-sandy-was-there.html?pagewanted=all

79 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NY Times: Where FEMA Fell Short, Occupy Was There (Original Post) Luminous Animal Nov 2012 OP
This is so awesome! qanda Nov 2012 #1
Kick. Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #2
HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Nov 2012 #3
You are welcome! Check out this amazing photo at an Occupy Sandy distribution center. Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #4
This is what relief looks like! Cheers to OWS! (Occupy Sandy here) FailureToCommunicate Nov 2012 #36
Wonderful. UnrepentantLiberal Nov 2012 #67
Shared this yesterday. Great to see! Indpndnt Nov 2012 #52
Dammit, there is something in my eyes!! Melinda Nov 2012 #5
Yeah... I cried a little, too. Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #7
K&R me b zola Nov 2012 #6
Super Duper Rec! progressoid Nov 2012 #8
Also rec'd ...but cprise Nov 2012 #64
I am so grateful! ananda Nov 2012 #9
K & R Mme. Defarge Nov 2012 #10
Oh hold it right there nadinbrzezinski Nov 2012 #11
The heart and soul of Occupy, on display for the whole world to see! GliderGuider Nov 2012 #12
You got it! Zorra Nov 2012 #72
. myrna minx Nov 2012 #13
Wow, the Occupy Haters are conspicuously absent from this thread. marmar Nov 2012 #14
No kidding. myrna minx Nov 2012 #17
It might challenge their opinions nadinbrzezinski Nov 2012 #18
Aren't they though. Bravo Occupy! Raster Nov 2012 #50
Occupy is doing exactly what a grass-roots movement should do... Eleanors38 Nov 2012 #51
"We" are still around, just soaking in the self-aggrandizing by these guys... George II Nov 2012 #76
The New York Times writes a story and Occupy is self-aggrandizing? marmar Nov 2012 #77
Yes, you are correct ("The sh*t you read on DU sometimes)...like: George II Nov 2012 #78
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew as distribution center: Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #15
Beautiful photo! Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #19
Aaaaand you'd aleady posted it. So much for posting prior to actually reading an entire thread Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #21
Yours looks prettier! Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #22
Thank you so much for your contribution, LA. Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #26
Awww. And thanks for all you do! Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #34
:) Thank You-This made my day!!! DianaForRussFeingold Nov 2012 #25
Contrast with Romney's "Relief" campaign stop... FailureToCommunicate Nov 2012 #37
Breathtaking! myrna minx Nov 2012 #38
Fantastic! Wind Dancer Nov 2012 #16
Doesn't get much better! n/t jtuck004 Nov 2012 #20
Another article from SF Gate... Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #23
I love the idea of using the wedding registry justabob Nov 2012 #24
Glad to see the NYTimes ran this and actually did a decent job of reporting.Yay Occupy! n/t adirondacker Nov 2012 #27
OWS Movement. Our next candidates for public office should come from here. The Wielding Truth Nov 2012 #28
OWS...A growing force. Wall Street...no help. nt DippyDem Nov 2012 #29
There's Givers and then there is Takers! n/t adirondacker Nov 2012 #30
I forgot to post this from the SF Gate article Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #31
That is absolutely true. I can vouch for everything you say Raksha Nov 2012 #68
You'll know them by their deeds. Loge23 Nov 2012 #32
That post gets a rec from me... loudsue Nov 2012 #43
I am in femrap Nov 2012 #33
Wow, what a great write up! Good work OS! n/t cui bono Nov 2012 #35
The best part is not the supplies but the people-to-people contact starroute Nov 2012 #39
These are the people the righties said were lazy, dirty freeloaders? bluethruandthru Nov 2012 #40
Cheers for Occupy! horseshoecrab Nov 2012 #41
HATS OFF to Occupy! Politicub Nov 2012 #42
I am so pleased Hekate Nov 2012 #44
Change is possible, and rapidly. woo me with science Nov 2012 #45
Rapidly 99th_Monkey Nov 2012 #58
Thanks for sharing this. My heart is a little merrier and my load a little less heavy. TheKentuckian Nov 2012 #46
1000 points of light Z_California Nov 2012 #47
WOW wOW wOWS!! Amonester Nov 2012 #48
And where was the Tea Party, out of curiosity? Downtown Hound Nov 2012 #49
How do you spell relief? Beartracks Nov 2012 #53
Wonderful! agent46 Nov 2012 #54
Good for them! Direct action to help the needy is more constructive and useful. nt msanthrope Nov 2012 #55
The 99% has the ability to do this out of NOTHING, while the 1% can't THINK of doing for $$$$$$ benld74 Nov 2012 #56
Absolutely awesome OWS!! I just posted this on FBook. K&R 99th_Monkey Nov 2012 #57
.... DeSwiss Nov 2012 #59
why does it have to be either or? underthematrix Nov 2012 #60
NYT should be brighter than this... progressivebydesign Nov 2012 #61
Very good statement, FEMA shouldn't be expected to do all this. oldbanjo Nov 2012 #66
Yes indeed - there are THOUSANDS of people helping other people in NY and NJ... George II Nov 2012 #73
kick me b zola Nov 2012 #62
FEMA had to close due to bureaucracy. joshcryer Nov 2012 #63
More signs of deep changes! BlancheSplanchnik Nov 2012 #65
Very cool. blackspade Nov 2012 #69
Very proud of the Occupy Movement. Baitball Blogger Nov 2012 #70
What's this? An article about this in the dreaded "MAIN STREAM MEDIA"??? George II Nov 2012 #71
The RAINBOW PEOPLE are doing things too! Bennyboy Nov 2012 #74
Thanks for the link! Zorra Nov 2012 #79
This should be happening everywhere Kumbricia Nov 2012 #75

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
4. You are welcome! Check out this amazing photo at an Occupy Sandy distribution center.
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 02:50 PM
Nov 2012

I am going to pretend that the toilet paper I sent from the "wedding" registry is in there somewhere.

FailureToCommunicate

(13,968 posts)
36. This is what relief looks like! Cheers to OWS! (Occupy Sandy here)
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 09:08 AM
Nov 2012

Seems like orderly pews are finally a useful setup!

Melinda

(5,465 posts)
5. Dammit, there is something in my eyes!!
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 02:50 PM
Nov 2012

Oh wait - it's proud, happy tears. THIS is what social responsibility looks like.

Well done OWS, well done.

cprise

(8,445 posts)
64. Also rec'd ...but
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 12:05 AM
Nov 2012

The 1% will use stories like this to argue against FEMA. They will say is proves that emergency response should be left to local people.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
11. Oh hold it right there
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 03:23 PM
Nov 2012

Read here this morning that Occupy is an ineffective group of dirty hippies!!!!

Now back to the real world. This is part of disaster response, and would not have happened under bush. Find the effective on the ground organizations and work with them. They know the ground better than you do nine out of ten times. Tricky part is finding the fraudulent ones.

Occupy is a very effective on the ground organization. For me it was the Frente Campesino and the on the ground neighborhood groups.

Now NYT. Of course they are making this up...

 

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)
51. Occupy is doing exactly what a grass-roots movement should do...
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 03:17 PM
Nov 2012

and everyone is the better for it.

Politics isn't just about demonstrations, voting and writing your congresscritter. It is also helping in-depth!

When the next disaster hits, we should be ready and emulate Occupy.

George II

(67,782 posts)
76. "We" are still around, just soaking in the self-aggrandizing by these guys...
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 07:38 PM
Nov 2012

....there are DOZENS of organizations providing relief to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, but I haven't seen one boasting or patting themselves on their backs simply because they're doing what any sensible, caring person or organization might do.

There's the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Kitchen Corps, the United States Marines, Hope For New York, Coney Island Lighthouse, Red Hook Recovers, Staten Island Recovers, the Salvation Army, and many more.

They're ALL providing relief services.

marmar

(76,945 posts)
77. The New York Times writes a story and Occupy is self-aggrandizing?
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 07:41 PM
Nov 2012

The sh*t you read on DU sometimes.


George II

(67,782 posts)
78. Yes, you are correct ("The sh*t you read on DU sometimes)...like:
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 10:49 PM
Nov 2012

....your antagonistic chip-on-the-shoulder post to which I responded:

"Wow, the Occupy Haters are conspicuously absent from this thread."

It's not about the NYT article, it's about the chip on the shoulders of the so-called "Occupy" folks, who beat their chests about how good and righteous they are. This wasn't the first thread about the braggadocio of the "Occupy" rabble, to wit:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1781918

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021778163

Don't see the Red Cross bragging, or the Doctors Without Borders bragging, or the many other organizations helping out, etc. etc. etc.

DO SOME GOOD for the sake of doing good, not for talking about how "great" you all are!!!

 

Fire Walk With Me

(38,893 posts)
15. The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew as distribution center:
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 03:44 PM
Nov 2012


One priest involved in the overall action said "This is what a church is for."

Thanks for the article!

justabob

(3,069 posts)
24. I love the idea of using the wedding registry
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 04:28 PM
Nov 2012

to get the items they need. That's pretty clever. Yay Occupy!

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
31. I forgot to post this from the SF Gate article
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 05:33 PM
Nov 2012
"We always had mutual aid going on," she said. "It's a big part of what we do. That's the idea, to help each other. And we want to serve as a model for the larger society that, you know, everybody should be doing this."


This is true. The Occupy camps were far more than a protest space. It was a space to provide food, medical care, mental health services, and support amongst the Occupiers and for anyone else who needed these things. As a community that involved music, art, education and necessities, it was very successful. Foreclosure actions, debt relief, and disaster relief is a natural extension of mutual aid and skills learned in the Occupy camps. It is nice to see Occupy in the news again but it is good to remember they never went away.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Occupy-Sandy-Onetime-protesters-find-new-cause-4025491.php#ixzz2BrD9cQxh

Raksha

(7,167 posts)
68. That is absolutely true. I can vouch for everything you say
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 07:41 AM
Nov 2012

because my daughter was actively involved with Occupy Oakland and several other Occupy movements last year.

Re "The Occupy camps were far more than a protest space. It was a space to provide food, medical care, mental health services, and support amongst the Occupiers and for anyone else who needed these things. As a community that involved music, art, education and necessities, it was very successful."

Yeah, they were "very successful" until the Occupy camps were busted in what turned out to be a well-coordinated crackdown. But even after the crackdown the other activities and services continued, albeit lower key and less publicized.

Loge23

(3,922 posts)
32. You'll know them by their deeds.
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 05:44 PM
Nov 2012

Occupy is saving lives in Rockaway, a devastated community still without power and little government assistance.
Just wondering what Goldman Sachs is doing to help along with the legions of WS punks with their 6&7-figure salaries.

starroute

(12,977 posts)
39. The best part is not the supplies but the people-to-people contact
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:19 AM
Nov 2012

It's about climbing 23 flights of stairs in the dark to knock on the doors of people who are trapped in their apartments because they're too old or sick to walk down, to get them the food and medication they need to stay alive, and to let them know they haven't been forgotten.

It's about working with neighborhood organizations -- and even with one motorcycle club -- and putting a public face on the 99%.

It's about discovering the real-world application of all those skills that were worked out in the "sandbox" of Zuccotti Park a year ago -- feeding large numbers of people, distributing clothing and other supplies, and caring for the homeless.

There's a cold winter coming with anything between 10,000 and 40,000 people who have no homes as a result of the hurricane, and that may be beyond Occupy's ability to deal with through simple people power. But they may yet come up with something -- and at the very least, they won't stop reminding the rich and powerful that there are still citizens in need.

bluethruandthru

(3,918 posts)
40. These are the people the righties said were lazy, dirty freeloaders?
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:25 AM
Nov 2012

Wow....hard to believe the right lied about something!

horseshoecrab

(944 posts)
41. Cheers for Occupy!
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:28 AM
Nov 2012

This is a wonderful write-up in the NYT.

Even more wonderful is that Occupy is doing this good work for the people! Love this!

Politicub

(12,162 posts)
42. HATS OFF to Occupy!
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:31 AM
Nov 2012

The movement is coming into its own beyond protest.

Without Occupy, there never would have been a discussion about the 1%. I consider the movement vitally important to Obama's reelection.

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
45. Change is possible, and rapidly.
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 11:46 AM
Nov 2012

One of the biggest LIES that we are constantly fed by the oligarchy is that we must be helpless and patient and resigned...that all of these problems are just too big for us and the powers that be are already doing the best that anyone could do...

The people are waking up.

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
58. Rapidly
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 07:57 PM
Nov 2012

and one of the biggest lies, is that "change takes such a very lo-o-o-o-ng time to happen".

Yes. Rapidly..as needed.

Downtown Hound

(12,618 posts)
49. And where was the Tea Party, out of curiosity?
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 01:56 PM
Nov 2012

Oh yeah, too busy crying and contemplating suicide because millionaires have to pay more taxes.

benld74

(9,881 posts)
56. The 99% has the ability to do this out of NOTHING, while the 1% can't THINK of doing for $$$$$$
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 05:59 PM
Nov 2012
for Occupy


Where's the reports on the large corporate 'people', out there where they are needed, by the people who are theor customers!? Has anyone heard anything like that in the news? Except for AB canning water to be sent, I have NOT.

progressivebydesign

(19,458 posts)
61. NYT should be brighter than this...
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 08:54 PM
Nov 2012

A Federal Agency must operate within specific guidelines, rules, and protocol. A group like Occupy, which cannot be sued, cannot be held accountable, can accomplish things that large organizations cannot. it's that simple.

George II

(67,782 posts)
73. Yes indeed - there are THOUSANDS of people helping other people in NY and NJ...
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 02:22 PM
Nov 2012

....and none of them are looking for accolades or "credit" - it's what people do in a time like this.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
63. FEMA had to close due to bureaucracy.
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 09:41 PM
Nov 2012

Can't have government workers putting themselves or others at risk by staying open during a storm...

This is what makes self-organization so powerful.

George II

(67,782 posts)
71. What's this? An article about this in the dreaded "MAIN STREAM MEDIA"???
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 01:10 PM
Nov 2012

So, they're not as monolithic and useless as many around here thing, eh???

 

Bennyboy

(10,440 posts)
74. The RAINBOW PEOPLE are doing things too!
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 02:56 PM
Nov 2012

Not to diminished the efforts by Occupy, I want to shout out to the RAINBOW people for this. https://www.wepay.com/donations/279990407

They were down helping with Katrina as well. They have huge kitchens that are protable for the Gatherings so they are putting them to use to help people in the region hardest hit. One of the broadcasters on KVMR.org was on today. And he is taking time off to help with this. He is a chef in the rainbow gathering Kitchen and told the story of how they are feeding hundreds of people every day.

So if you can donate. Thede guys re on the street, in many communities and the more $ the better everyone will be and the more people will be fed.

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