Occupy L.A.: Protest Group Will Move In at City Hall October 1

Corporate Trustees use fictional Identities to buy, sell and default on real estate : http://bradandjessie1970.blogs...

Corporations are not people? Tell that to the poor schmuck that works in the mail room at one of these companies just trying to make ends meet. It's amazing how socialism can only see in one dimension! Try a little critical thinking - in twenty-yeras you'll look back on this and realize, as did the hippies from the 60's did, that you didn't figure one thing out, but thought you knew it all!

Folks like economist Michael Hudson and former regulator William K. Black can give ample evidence to make a case for a large chain of fraud in the creation and marketing of mortgage securities.  We need to keep up the pressure in all media and on politicians.

After the S&L scandal in the 80's, a thousand bankers went to jail. But now they get bailouts.

The banks are demanding that the government sign an agreement that gives the banks blanket immunity and a small (for them) fine to cover all the mortgage fraud they perpetrated. All 50 state Attorneys General would have to sign it. 

California's own AG, Kamala Harris, is holding out, together with the NY AG and just a handful of others. They are under enormous pressure to cave. May I suggest you write to Ms. Harris to thank her for representing us rather than the banks. The email address I have for her is info@KamalaHarris .org.

I think the banks should be forced to give back all the money they stole and get heavily fined. Plus, even though the Supreme Court thinks corporations are people, corporate officers can still be jailed. Real investigations, indictments, trials and prison time would bring some closure to the millions of people who have been harmed by these predatory scoundrels.

This protest is a great idea, especially to gain media exposure. And I dont understand why so many are bashing republicans though. Im neither (libertarian with small L), but picking sides and party lines is the age old divide and conquer method employed by governments across the world throughout history. Lets get together and topple the banks. I am pro capitalism which encourages economic growth, but extremely against corporatism and state-ism, which is basically socialism if you think about it.

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

I never heard of "state-ism". If you mean communism, I'm not sure anyone's tried that yet. The USSR seemed to go straight to totalitarianism.

Democratic Socialism seems to work in Europe, but in certain countries, Britain for example, it's been dismantled to the point where there's now a huge underclass, an exploding prison population and no one can afford to go to college except the already rich because tuition has just tripled. The British government, overly influenced by corporate money and power, is in the early stages of selling off the National Healthcare Service. They'll be like the US in no time, except they got riots and we get peaceful protests.

I think most Americans would prefer democracy as their political system and well-regulated capitalism as their economic system together with a reasonable social safety net.

That would be worth working towards.

Outlaw lobyists, and then the corporations won't have the 'upper hand'!

The problem is much bigger than just lobbyists.. Check out ALECexposed.org about The American Legislative Exchange Council. It's an eye-opener.

And to see how corporations have corrupted government regulatory agencies read this, for an example, about the SEC (Securities & Exchange Commission), 'our' regulatory agency in charge of overseeing the banks http://www.rollingstone.com/po...

We've got to get corporate money out of our elections and the legislative process soon or we're sunk.

my mispelling of barain was on purpose because you assholes can't recogonize brains. I wish you guys the worst because that is what you deserve, BARACK HUSSAIN OBAMA'S WELFARE IDIOTS! DRONES.

Angry little Stevey.  Time for a bottle and a nap.

Go to bed grandpa.

Was your misspelling of "mispelling" on purpose too?

Sunday, 2 Oct - In light of the response I got to my original answer to you, I'm editing it to add:

Considering that you state you had a hidden purpose for misspelling "brain" as "barain", I was wondering if your misspelling of "mispelling" also had a purpose. I guess I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I understand that B has just posted on here to get a rise out of the supporters of this event rather than engage in any meaningful debate. 

Seriously, though, as a supporter of an 'organization' that did not even proofread its press release, you are going to go after him for his spelling? Those grammatical errors are seriously egregious and they DO dampen the credibility of this organization.  

The flyer published above also boasts very poor writing and lacked any sort of credible facts - just an eye-catching assertion about the top 1% taking all the wealth - which smacks of another sound bite in the class war. This portrays the group as ignorant and does directly hinder the credibility of this group. Why would I believe any facts or data they release if they cannot take care to spell correctly? 

It is journalistic responsibility for the writer of the article to [sic] the misspellings because it does speak to credibility.  

We are a country increasingly being 'educated' by soundbites that skim over the facts.  I think this is just a symptom of the demand for instant gratification - the younger members of our society seem particularly devoid in many areas of adult development like paying attention to the details. I am not even out of my 30's but particularly in political debates with younger people I find that they passionately argue for more liberal (trendy) positions using only sound bites that are based on fact but are truly just a surface skimming of issues that is fed to them by Maher, Stewart et al. 

This long diatribe is just to point out that If you are passionate about your cause you should have enough respect for your message to mind the basics, like correct spelling.  I wrote this group off as purveyors of convenient sound bites to back up their beliefs without much concern for the finer details.  I cannot believe that is what they wanted me to take from their message?

The statement in question turned out to be from a personal blog. It was IMHO unprofessional in the extreme by the author (who is also the Editor of LAist) to misconstrue it as something official issued by Occupy LA. However, as you'll probably never revisit this page to read this, the damage is done.

Firstly, as I've already said, LAist does not identify the statement in question as a Press Release. It may have been an individual's effort in an email in response to the reporter or some such, we really don't know. Let's leave it to the LAist to identify the source.

Second, huge criticism, of a dismissive, rather than constructive nature, is being heaped on OccupyLA. Yet I feel confident that you, as an obviously intelligent individual, are probably aware of the massive and rapidly accelerating problems facing our nation and our planet caused, to my mind anyway, by the criminal actions of largely unregulated global elites, from close to 'game-over' environmental degradation to the unconscionable, intentionally-engineered disparity in income distribution (a sure indicator of the unhealthiness of a society). For the record, I did not note any facts that were not credible in the center column of the flyer. I also did not expect to find a larger-than-sound-bite-sized dissertation on the ills of the nation and the world on a 7" X 5" slip of paper.

I agree that responsible adults should be dealing with these problems, yet no one, not any branch or agency of our government nor any other national or world entity, public or private, has taken up the task. In fact, quite the opposite is happening. The 'responsible adults' are either doubling-down on what manifestly doesn't work (except for the few), engaging in hand-wringing or ineffectively nibbling at the edges of problems more vast than any we have ever encountered before. 

We've left it to young people to try to stop the madness and grope their way towards a solution for all of us, a job, I quite agree, they are in no way prepared to easily accomplish, especially with the added burden of the aforementioned criticism. At least they're trying. It might be realistic to "write them off" as you put it, if there were other, somehow more 'worthy' groups to turn to and support, but there are none. OccupyLA deserves our support and even more importantly they deserve to have us join with them, however belatedly, as is happening in New York now with the unions coming on board with OccupyWallStreet, to try to save our country and our planet before it is truly too late.

As I've said before, there is a General Assembly every day at 7pm. Consensus democracy, within a leaderless (but facilitated) group of 150+ individuals, can be a messy, lengthy, frustrating, invigorating, inspiring and enlightening business, but if you have the stomach for it, are willing to set ego and preconceived notions aside and have something positive to add I feel sure that (although I cannot speak for them) they would welcome you. You could perhaps offer your skills as a proofreader or flyer composer as a start.

More, better than I can say it:

http://www.truthdig.com/report...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comm...

you are all a bunch of left wing loons that are misguided by the left. If you would half a barain you would realize that we need the rich to employ us. you stupid pieces of shit.

barain?  Looks like the rich can't spell.

TROLLLOLOOLOLOLOLOLOL FOREVER ALONE TROLL TROLL seriously this isnt constructive "stephen b". the B stands for BOLLOCKS

 OCCUPY L.A. - How to have a legal, safe, meaningful, good time.

The applicable Los Angeles Municpal Code sections in everyday language.

http://suebasko.blogspot.com/2...

I don't agree with "working with the police", it gives them the ball which they'll use for prior restraint. Ditto with permits. "The right of the people to peaceably assemble" is the only permit needed. 

Why City Hall when there are so many conveniently located banks downtown?

Up_Against_the_Law and others have already answered your question (see above).

I didn't appreciate you reprinting the 'statement' complete with typos. What was the point?  To dismiss the misery inflicted on the world by the global elites and the few people who are trying to do something about it? Cheap.

Edited on 10/3 to add: Considering the replies I got to this comment, I realize I wasn't clear enough. I assumed the statement at the end of the article (introduced by the article's author as "Occupy LA adds:" was from an email, by someone or other, who was maybe responding to a query from the article's author, as the paragraph does not appear on the group's web site (which appears to me, in the main, to be very professional). Others assumed it was a Press Release, but Occupy LA has issued no Press Releases. If I am correct, I thought the author should have said it was from an email and identified the sender or corrected it before publication labeled "a response from a spokesperson". As published, I think it reflects unfairly on the group as a whole. I've emailed the article's author for a clarification.

It's not cheap.  It's journalism. It's the organization's responsibility to proofread their own press releases and the journalist's responsibility to quote them accurately.

Although I will say that, unless I'm going cross-eyed, "ethnicities" actually is spelled correctly.

"Ethnicities" is spelled correctly & I still say it was a cheap shot on LAist's part. I doubt that they would have printed the statement if it hadn't contain typos.

I support the protest and we'll be covering them tomorrow morning on KPFK, but I've got to say it's not cheap to included typos (and marking them) when quoting a press release. It's standard practice.

That said, ethnicities is spelled correctly and shouldn't be marked as misspelled.

Also, where did the OccupyLA statement/quote with the misspellings come from? I can't find it on any of their sites.

"quoting a press release"? LAist doesn't identify it as a press release. They didn't say where the statement came from.

That's why I asked where they got it.

LAist never replied to my two polite emails, however I found out from Occupy LA that the statement was from someone's personal blog (not sure if it was a blog post or reply) and in no way should have been been quoted as something official from Occupy LA.

Very sloppy "journalism" from the author, who is also the Editor of the LAist

I apologize, as I did not receive your emails; it's entirely possible you reached out while I was on vacation and not accessing my emails, and they may have gotten stuck in the backlog I'm still slogging through. In any case, all of the sources are cited in the post, and they all come from the "Occupy Los Angeles" site (occupylosangeles.org), some of which includes information presented on their site blog-style, including misspellings. At the time this was written, the "who we are" information was on the site's main page. Based on my look at their site right now, they have reorganized the site completely, which, unfortunately, makes that information harder to find. I assure you, however, that the Occupy Los Angeles site was the sole source of information in this post, and it was what they were, indeed, presenting to the public at the time, prior to the start of the "occupation."

I've emailed the author to ask her. I'll post the reply if I get one. Thx

*This protest is being brought to you by Urban Outfitters in cooperation with Intelligentsia Coffee*

That was smug.

http://www.truthdig.com/report...

I know - Was being funny.

I'm in support of opposition to the status quo in mainstream society.  I hope some meaningful changes come as a result of these protests.  But considering the depth and character of the average protester out there, i'll be surprised if they change anything outside of the flow of traffic.

You're making an informed judgment on the "depth and character of the average protester"? A neat trick considering that the occupation doesn't even start until Saturday.

Without claiming any special expertise myself, I'm comfortable rejecting the "depth and character" of the 1% in favor of the "depth and character" of any who oppose them.

If you are "in support of opposition" then join the occupation or afford them what support you can. They need funds, food, supplies, legal advice, etc..

Your "hope" that "some meaningful changes come from these protests" depends on you. This is a time where "nothing less than everything will do".

"If you are "in support of opposition" then join the occupation or afford
them what support you can. They need funds, food, supplies, legal
advice, etc.."

This has my attention.  I hope it gets off the ground and I haven't completely written it off. But like I said, I'll be surprised if anything comes of it.

Well, at least they're trying. I don't see anyone else taking up the burden.

Exactly. Just be there, and when you get home, it turns into "Oh, I've done my part, now it's everyone else's turn."

Not even - I'm won't be there.

I 'll be there. 

I might be marching in a group representing the 1%, (a bit of political satire), if so I'll be in a tuxedo. 

Come say hi!

What do "Billionaires for Bush & Gore" call themselves now? I know they're still around.

Just "The Billionaires" these days. We were invited by the organizers. I'm not sure if we'll just be marching or actually doing our shtick. 

See ya there!

Lovely!

For those suggesting the federal building: Why does the location of the protest have to be the object as well? Central Park has hosted thousands of large scale demonstrations, and I don't think they were directed at the NYC Parks Department. There are immigration reform marches and anti-war marches that go through downtown and Hollywood, but I don't think anyone is under the illusion that the Egyptian Theater can end the war. It's about gathering in a centralized public space to air grievances. Why is that puzzling?

And a minor aside: Why is wealth redistribution exclusively a federal domain? The federal government is certainly involved, but that states (and even localities) are still involved in taxing, spending, regulating, and incentivizing in ways that directly effect all residents. Arguably more so than the federal government. 

I agree. That local governments blithely pass on austerity measures, caused by the federal government's failure to regulate the financial network, to their citizens rather than protesting to the federal government themselves is a big part of the problem. Why does the buck never stop until it gets to the least powerful among us?

We want a SEPARATION OF CORPORATIONS AND STATE in the exact same way as we have a separation of church and state. 
WTF? You mean you want corporations to be free from restriction and regulation? Because that's the status of religion. They pay no taxes. They have special First Amendment protections.

I dont think you mean this at all, and it's a bit troubling that you would write such a poorly considered statement while the Whole World is watching. 

Get it together, youngsters.

Failure to get involved while reserving the right to criticize is a pretty lame stance considering The Whole World is Watching you too. "Good German" is an global epithet for a reason.

As I've said before, there is a General Assembly every day.

Edited 10/3 to add:

Also, it should be pointed out that the 'church/corporation' line you object to is from a personal blog by an individual with the username "Booj WaZEE", not from the group.

The author of the LAist article introduced the line thusly:
"Occupy Los Angeles describes itself as a grassroots movement. They articulate their demands as follows:" which is highly misleading to my mind even though there is a clickable link that takes one directly to Booj WaZee's blog. There are Comments there that also point out to Booj WaZee the silliness of his/her "demand". However, the point is the line is not something official from the group, just one person's opinion. Occupy LA has no "List of Demands".

Yeah that one was a WTF to me too.  A lot of these protesters aren't really that political - they are new to this, but are feeling anger.

What they're demanding is basically the reform that Common Cause fights for.  These radicals are actually pretty moderate.

"These radicals are actually pretty moderate" 

It's certainly a comment on the status quo that the desire for good schools, healthcare, decent jobs, a clean environment, a social safety net, a fair justice system, up-to-date infrastructure, rational & open debate, reasonable regulation of industry & the economy, transparency in government, honest elections & public servants, peace, democracy and opportunity is seen as "revolutionary" and is met with police crack downs.

Young people have been told in no uncertain terms that they have no future. That they did not accept that is a reason to celebrate and support them.

LA is a financial center.  A lot of money moves through here.  But the occupation is about Patriots expressing their anger over the out of control financial system which is devouring our way of life. This is about restoring Glass-Stegall and preventing fraudsters from gambling with our deposits, knowing our taxes will pay for their losses.  It's not a right wing or left wing issue. It's about keeping America strong.

For details on where the occupations are taking place and where the sparks of the revolution against the corporate traitors are starting, check out

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2...

Okay, protesting on Wall Street makes sense because Wall Street is the center of the American financial industry. LA is not a financial capital, and even still most of the financial companies' offices are around Bunker Hill, not City Hall, which is just full of underpaid bureaucrats stretching what little money they have to work with way too thinly. This makes NO sense. I really admire the Wall Street protest but this one seems seriously misguided! If you really need to, protest outside the Federal Building like everybody else!

If you have some constructive input come to the daily General Assemblies

I think a lot of these occupiers would support the city workers and fight against cuts.  They are not protesting City Hall - they are occupying some public space, turning it into a political space.

That's because you're uninformed. The number of cities where there are occupations is nation wide and increasing every day -- literally every day:

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2...

Good luck everyone!

Protesting about a federal issue outside of City Hall? That makes as much sense as protesting outside the Central Library.

It's easy to be dismissive isn't it? Lets you off the hook. 

Did you make your concerns known re protest location during this week's General Assemblies? It's not too late to offer constructive criticism and alternate views. There's a General Assembly every day.

Unless you think the global elites are going to keep you as a pet in their palaces, I suggest you get on board.

The goal is to be like NYC's occupation - that is not a protest at a location, but an occupation that's like a base camp.  People will go to protests, to support them, and return to the base camp.

Probably because you're a Republican and lack the IQ needed to cogitate on wiping your own ass.

Me a Republican? LOLerpalooza! 

if they protest outside the actual federal building, they might get shot.

Protests like this are generally about the media exposure. If it makes national news, it reaches national ears.

unfortunantly the media has choosen not to cover it.  i hope it grows to the point that they cant ignore it.

Well, not everyone has the means and money to go straight to the source but we can still make our voices heard from across the country. Also, it might inspire more people all over the US to start their own protests in their states, cities and towns. A nice domino effect.

"Corporate greed" brought us the light bulb, hybrid cars, the proliferation of the Internet, renewable energy sources such as solar, and decentralization of journalism as exemplified in this blog. American businesses are also the greatest benefactors to worldwide relief and other charitable organizations.

Of course, there have been abuses as well, such as the recent bailouts, and what is generally referred to as "corporate welfare."

Though I respect their right to peaceful protest, I find Occupy Wallstreet's blanket labeling of all corporations as "evil" and "greedy" to be disingenuous and misleading.

Robert Hawkes,Your original post said, "Protest Fail".

Editing to totally rewrite your post without labeling it as such after you've received replies is cowardly and dishonest. 

You should have let your original post stand and if you found you had something more to say you should have inserted "Edited to add (& the date)" before your additional comments.

And BTW, not every business is targeted, hence the name "OccupyWallStreet.

P.S. to the LAist Editor: Please lock the "Edit" button after a post receives a reply like other sites do. Thank You.

http://xo99percent.wordpress.c...

You shitting right wing corporate traitors can only wish. The revolution is here. Chose which side you're on, pal.

Why is choosing sides always the only solution?

I think it's like the impoverished citizens vs the incredibly wealthy ones, trying to decide who is in the wrong. Democracy is choosing sides, bro.

Because silence is complicity, because all evil needs to win is a few good people to do nothing, because http://www.truthdig.com/report...

STFU, idiot! You can't say such a thing with truth if it hasn't happened yet but I bet it will make a big impact here and I hope it does.

Way to go Jessie - way to impeach your credibility with your inability to express yourself in an analytical and critical manner.