Occupy LA Targets Foreclosures, Bank Execs, Ports & Golf
As some of the 292 Occupy L.A. protesters are slowly bailed out of jail after Tuesday night's LAPD raid, approximately 230 still remain behind bars. Global unrest screams across the Internet, Occupy supporters demanding that the arrestees be freed and reminding the world that "Wall Street Banksters," as Occupy L.A. tweeted, are uncharged and free. With City Hall Park void of protesters, what will Occupy L.A. occupy next?
Mario Brito, an Occupy L.A. protester who was one of a few plaintiffs in Monday's lawsuit against the eviction, told L.A. Now, "Occupy L.A. will not die. We will live, we will move forward, and Occupy L.A. will only become stronger."
He explained that the group will shift its focus to a national moratorium of foreclosures. Occupy leaders are calling for a re-examination of the complex laws that clearly favor banks by asking courts to examine foreclosure documents, many of which they say are fraudulent or erroneous. Occupier Carlos Marroquin told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, "In California, banks don't have to prove they own the property, and the judge will grant an eviction. This is so wrong."
Aside from the foreclosures mission, brief encampments may pop up at city neighborhoods, banks, the homes of bank executives, golf courses and country clubs.
The Occupy movement has also coordinated national and regional actions. December 6 will serve as a day of action to "liberate" vacant foreclosed buildings. West Coast ports should prepare for the December 12 shutdown, a day that Occupy L.A. is calling "A Day Without Goldman Sachs."
Thought the occupation of City Hall Park, which occupiers dubbed Solidarity Park, was a powerful symbol of Occupy L.A., the "movement is not just made of symbols," said Brito. Occupiers admitted that maintaining the camp, including managing security and food, took a toll on their energy levels.
Without the duty of relentless land occupation, it sounds like Occupy L.A. can focus its energy on other members of the 1% besides City Hall.
