Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
On Bad Behavior
Fox News reported today that an Occupy Boston participant inside South Station spit on a member of the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has confirmed that an officer was assaulted in this way near South Station and Dewey Square. Coast Guard has also confirmed that there are no allegations that this assault was committed by an Occupy Boston participant. Occupy Boston unanimously condemns violent actions. We are committed to nonviolence and consider conduct of this sort to be violent.
Some of our participants are former servicemen and women. One thing we all share is a respect for others in the 99%, including members of our armed services, many of whom stand with us in our pursuit of economic justice. This past Tuesday morning, members of the group Veterans for Peace stood between protesters and police prior to the arrests that took place at 1:30am. They stood in support of our right to free speech. They were pulled to the ground, their banners broken, and their bodies bruised. This also is reprehensible behavior—committed by Boston police officers—and deserves widespread discussion and media attention. We stand with the Veterans for Peace and the rest of the 99%, offering our solidarity for all those who have served and continue to serve to keep our country safe.
Fox’s portrayal of the Coast Guard assault was a rush to judgement, at best. Occupy Boston depends upon the fair and diligent reporting of individuals, independent reporters, and professional press organizations to convey important messages regarding our participatory democracy, our march towards government and financial reform, our ongoing nonviolent events, and our culture of inclusion.
Occupy Boston also faces the ongoing threat of authoritarian action, stifling free speech with brutality; this threat and this brutality also deserve regular coverage. For Fox’s message of violence to creep onto the media radar unverified damages Fox’s credibility and the credibility of those who have propagated this message. Few organizations reached out to Occupy Boston in reconciliation of Fox’s poorly researched content regarding Occupy Boston’s commitment to nonviolence, constructive aims, and positive intentions. They opted instead for sensationalism.
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Occupy Boston is the beginning of an ongoing discussion about reforming Wall Street and removing special interests from government. The continuing occupation of Dewey Square (outside South Station) is just one of more than 120 separate Occupy encampments in cities across the nation and a symbol for “Occupiers” everywhere who support real and lasting change. Video: http://youtu.be/ZpttXetMX78.
63 Responses to “Press Release: On Bad Behavior”
Hear, hear.
i spitter does not represent the entire movement anymore than 1 cop getting a bit rough represents the entire police force. if we dont want people to generalize us maybe we should be just a bit more careful with our own words
yes and no, dunster. I have always praised the Boston police in comparison with the NYC force, because of experience with both in protests over many years. For the most part the police in this area are mellow.
You are correct in that we should specify the SHOW of force on behalf of the city as excessive. iow, why is the city, state, nation rolling out small armies of brute force in riot gear to oppose peaceful protesters?
One spitter isn’t even necessarily part of the Occupy Boston group. Also, they were, how many communities do you know of in which 100% of the members behave properly? There are knuckleheads in every crowd. That doesn’t negate the aim of the majority.
We should keep in mind that this is Fox News we’re talking about. It’s a miracle that they sometimes even give tacit acknowledgement to any legitimacy as to the grievances of the protesters, though they rarely, if ever specifiy which ones they are. Their coverage is mostly mocking and of representing the protesters as largely being a bunch of unkempt hooligans who want America to be turned into Cuba/USSR 2.0.
Quite an apology u just made. This wad a confirmed incident maybe you should go occupy a job you waste of an american.
It happened. The Coast Guard affirms it. Bunch of maggots that attack woman, bunch of meale worm maggots that attack a woman in uniform. The 53% who pay the bill for you bums are getting a little tired of you lazy slugs. Try becoming a citizen instead of a wannabe hippie dredge on society. You are worse then beggars. Let’s face it, the cops are protecting you scumbags. Bring it on punks.
Sounds like you didn’t read the whole post above. Try reading it again, this time a little slower.
I guess he’s is a little young to remember the Viet Nam war protests. The average protester looked remarkably like one of these Occupiers. Don’t dismiss them based on their looks. He sounds more like the anti protester hard hats of the 70s. Today, many hard hats and union workers are in line with the protesters.
Hello Kevin,
Did you miss the part, that stated, “Coast Guard has also confirmed that there are no allegations that this assault was committed by an Occupy Boston participant.” It would do you some good to read the entire piece, not just what you want to pull out of the piece. I hope you don’t treat the 1st Amendment to our Constitution with such disdain.
We should condemn this action instead of trying to deny it or playing “yeah, but guys, COPS!!!”
The action was condemned in the post, as well as in the reporting on the Fox Nation link given in it. Besides, it’s not a denial to say that the Coast Guard has not alleged that members of the protest were the ones who spat on the woman from the CG. Also, even if it was, one can’t expect the OB organizers to have control of the actions of every person, nor for each individual act to represent the movement as a whole.
“OccupyBoston Media” Please quit writing to a mass amount of people on behalf of the Occupy Boston movement without consulting as many people as possible. Get up, get out of your tent, and join the GAs once and awhile. We need to be clear, we need to be transparent, and we need not adopt defensive “us” v. “them” tones in all of our press releases.
agreed, I am appalled that you felt it important to bring up the cops – it’s like a little kid whining
Another poorly written press release. It’s _the_ Coast Guard, or _the US_ Coast Guard, not Coast Guard. You state the Occupy Boston denies responsibility, then you sound like ticked off teenagers trying to explain away a bad grade.
This is almost painful to read. We’re watching the whole 99% concept circle the toilet as angry press releases are sent out again and again…
Fox has the initiative as Occupy Boston still has not come up with an actual agenda. I’m almost of the mind that it would be better to stop this whole effort, create a manifesto, and come back.
We’re not automatically responsible for every crazy in the subway just because we camp near there.
A manifesto? What is this the 60s?
I thought it was a movement dedicated towards ending the current perverse situation where one dollar is almost equivalent to one vote. Of course, there’s not even a resolution on that particular issue yet…
If you want to gain popular support, at least come up with some position that the public can get behind.
Nice try, Barry. What part of 99% don’t you understand? Math-phobic, are we? 🙂
Hear hear — thank you for this release. It is very impressive to see the movement stepping up and addressing allegations in a mature way, and working to maintain the image as well as reality of responsible and dignified behavior. That is what will continue to attract the support of more and more people, while the opponents continue to try to smear us.
Thank you, S. I concur. And appreciate the sentiment expressed without the typical tired tribal rant against Fox News, however entangled they are. The entire media, left and right is engaged in the same game-playing, so to play into any paradigm means they win.
1st The “report” was from FOX network that should say it all. Not exactly real news they look for anything that might be negative and hype it so it is like watching a Soap opera.
Other then that…..
No one should ever do that to anyone regardless, do not feed the TROLLS.
I dont know why people (fox news and zombies) think if one idiot college kid is being a dick and spits on a coast guard the entire movement is a anarchist rebel faction. No one was on any side of this three months ago. They get their info from somewhere. Ive been down there and have seen what these people are trying to do and they are trying to change your lives for the better. If you want to be lazy and sit on your couch, watch media and not even bother to see what is actualy going on at dewey sq, go for it but dont get in the way of people wanting to make the world a better place for everyone, including you. I really hope that everyone writing on these things has been down there and bypassed the media and have seen it for what it is. Get your heads out of the media. Ps dont grammar check this Fing post you idiot
I really hope they’ve been dogging the RNC with as much tenacity over the booing of an active duty soldier during the Republican debate. Have you, you guys?
right, it goes to show how much these people follow exactly what their leaders are teling them. I was neither democrat nor republican, msnbc or fox my entire life until i was out shopping last saturday on newbury street and saw the group coming my way and havent stopped following and learning about them since. and im absolutely appaled at the way fox, ect is bad mouthing this group of amazing people. I would welcome someone who has been down their and listened to these people and still feels like this is a group that shouldnt have your support to write in below me and tell me what your opinion is. Thank you in advance.
rmaclean, that is amazing testimony and follows my own true feelings in my heart. I am absolutely inspired by this group’s spirit and hear. I know that any group is liable to mistakes in the actions of one or two misguided people, but I know that the spirit is pure and has the best intentions for the freedom and well being of the huge majority of people. This is not a blind faith, but the result of observation and serious thought and consideration.
It’s not enough to say, “yeah but Y did X so it doesn’t matter, neener neener,” or “Oh, a local FOX affiliate ran this story so it clearly must be false.” This isn’t US AND THEM. Not every criticism is coming from a troll. We need to remain consistent and not contradict ourselves, and we need to police ourselves and make sure that people who do unacceptable things like this do not feel welcome at Occupy Boston.
Spit on a female member of the Coast Gaurd?! I believe it. Try doing it to a male Coastgaurdmen when you are alone. Stop embarrassing my country. I think your group is now the 1% and the rest of America is the 99%. Your non directional want to be movent is getting tiered quick. Your group is a disgrace.
So you just believe everything Fox News tells you? Your loss. An unexamined life is not worth living.
Why do you think you represent 99%??? Perhaps .000000000099 of 1% and that’s it.
I can’t wait until you fools have to get jobs and have an arrest on your resume. Good luck with that. I can just hear your excuses now, “I really thought they were after me, I was scared”.
In the meantime, it cannot rain, freeze or snow enough for me. Are you folks tuff enough to put up with real weather, like the troops who protect you do? This isn’t your Mommie’s cellar.
Who is paying for your phones and ipads? Who is giving you food (some communist, perhaps Soros or the SEIU). Do you know they are getting paid for being there and you are not?
Suckers, your cause is being usurped.
Unfortunately, you are responsible for your lowest common denominator. As the lowest of you acts, so shall you be judged.
Is that really true, Patrick? I have a great respect for the American people, despite the history of genocide of indigenous people, racism, slavery, sexism, and exploitation of the working class … yet I see the great spirit of the country as it stands, with all its mistakes and criminals and misguided people. Is this whole country to be judged as the worst murderer, even while it includes Martin Luther King Jr. and Madame Curie and Robert Kennedy, and all the common people who every day act out of love for their fellow human? I think that you need to revise your standards of judgment to be more realistic. There may be one or two misguided people who act out of their anger and preconceived notions of people’s roles, one may say “Fuck you” to the cops, while not realizing that they act from compulsion for their own salary to the powers that direct them, or to the lies that they learned in high school or their bosses, or their parents … this is a mixed bag, and this is the reality. We need to proceed from reality, and move toward what is really a better future, with some forgiveness and desire to teach those who are less able to act from love for whatever reasons. This is not a perfect movement, but this is by far not a perfect country. Still, I love it and I believe it can be better. As a patriot, this is how I will proceed.
Yes, it is true.
You are missing a sense of scale in your analogy. You are correct that singular acts when compared to hundreds of years of the collective history of millions of people do not give reasonable correlations.
However, that is not the case with your “movement.”.
Since you have in no specific way defined yourselves or your objectives, we must then assume that any participant acting in your vicinity is “one of you.”.
You gave given us no way to distinguish.
You know what they say about people who “assume” Patrick?
I thought not.
Of course you are responsible for the acts of one of your own.
Just like the NYPD or the BPD is responsible for the acts their own.
Everyone is quick to jump on any instance where the authorities may have overstepped, but if it comes to light that one of the 99% may have been in the wrong it is the media bashing them, or we folks that disagree with you are just brainwashed puppets.
Stop the double standards please.
You should try spitting on me and see what happens. Get a job
Again with the arrests… please, go on to other matters… the more you mention it, the more pathetic you guys seem… Grow up. You got your lumps, now learn from them.
FOX shouldn’t have pushed this stupid story and you’re right to be upset by it. But even worse… Since this movement is flat as a pancake in terms of hierarchy, there’s no way to make a rapid response to other media (you should have lists of editors and writers who are sympathetic to the cause).
Find a spokesperson… I know it’s against the debilitating ethos of Occupy Boston, but remember… some people really are better and wiser than others in these matters. Some people know how to handle situations that a consensus can’t deal with so rapidly or so well. You have a lot of people in your camp, I’m sure several can serve as a spokesperson on a rotating basis. If you don’t learn how to play the media, the media will continue to play you… and, like it or not, you need the media more than they need you…
That being said… the media still needs and wants a good story… that’s why it’s important to develop a method of beating them at their own game…
Henry…so true…you have any ideas? This is a topic dear to my heart. But people are watching! We’re doomed, because they totally game this…!!
Find the similarities, not the differences. Anything that separates cannot be truth.
http://youtu.be/TX1N3opw5eI
on October 14th, 2011 at 11:02 pm #
[…] On Bad Behavior Fox News reported today that an Occupy Boston participant inside South Station spit on a member of the Coast Guard. Coast Guard has confirmed that an officer was assaulted in this way near South Station and Dewey Square. Coast Guard has also confirmed that there are no allegations that this assault was committed by an Occupy Boston participant. Occupy Boston unanimously condemns violent actions. We are committed to non-violence and consider conduct of this sort to be an act of violence. Some of our participants are former servicemen and women. One thing we all share is a respect for others in the 99%, including members of our armed services, many of whom stand with us in our pursuit of economic justice. This past Tuesday morning, members of the group Veterans for Peace stood between protesters and police prior to the arrests that took place at 1:30am. They stood in support of our right to free speech. They were pulled to the ground, their banners broken, and their bodies bruised. This also is reprehensible behavior – committed by Boston Police Officers – and deserves widespread discussion and media attention. We stand with the Veterans for Peace and the rest of the 99%, offering our solidarity for all those who have served and continue to serve to keep our country safe. Fox’s portrayal of the Coast Guard assault was a rush to judgement, at best. Occupy Boston depends upon the fair and diligent reporting of individuals, independent reporters, and professional press organizations to convey important messages regarding: our participatory democracy, our march towards government and financial reform, our ongoing non-violent events, and our culture of inclusion. Occupy Boston also faces the ongoing threat of authoritarian action, stifling free speech with brutality – this threat and this brutality also deserve regular coverage. For Fox’s message of violence to creep onto the media radar unverified damages Fox’s credibility and the credibility of those who have propagated this message. Few organizations reached out to Occupy Boston in reconciliation of Fox’s poorly researched content regarding Occupy Boston’s commitment to nonviolence, constructive aims, and positive intentions. They often opt instead for sensationalism. […]
I’m LOVING the duplicity of the “OccupyBoston” people embracing UNION support!! OMG Really?
The public HATES Unions!!
Way to look desperate!
(Ya’ll know they don’t really give a rats behind about the dizzying number of Occupy “causes” – right? They’re just promoting their own causes – which is more membership to take money from, and use for themselves! )
I may be a hostage of SEIU – but they do NOT speak for ME — nor any of my coworkers!
Scab. 🙂
As a PR professional (6 years on the job), I wanted to post a quick comment regarding the protest and the press coverage it has received – I just hope this won’t sound redundant to anyone!
Evidently, you’ve all seen that the press is focusing mainly on the ‘mixed messages’ and the ‘lack of focus’ of this movement. This probably feels incredibly frustrating to people who are taking part or supporting it. On top of that, given what took place in the world of finances over the last three years, undermining the movement is almost unbearably insulting.
But there is a silver lining to this, and this is where PR comes in. The press coverage you are receiving is driven by companies or groups of interest who are investing so the story will be told with this specific angle. Right at this moment, hundreds of journalists are receiving calls and emails from communication agencies, pitching them on the ‘lack of focus’ keypoints on the behalf of their clients. This is why the coverage we get only revolves on this point, because there is a concerted effort behind it. Sounds terrible? Well, that the way things work.
The good news is that, if people are spending resources in changing the perceptions towards this movement, it means that it bothers them or they feel threatened by it. They know that this needs to be squashed from the start because it has potential to do damage. If things pick up much more, it will be more difficult to handle, in particular if credible public figures or interest groups begin to rally to the cause.
So what is the proper response to something like this? Here are a few pointers:
-Don’t discuss the ‘mixed message’ thing don’t address it at all, this would only create more negative coverage for you -Don’t respond to it either by emphasizing that you have a focus, this will be a sign of weakness (you change the movement because of critics) -Clarify your message, turn them into soundbites. Get the most articulate people you have in front of the cameras and make sure they keep it on a positive and righteous tone -Peaceful and respectful protest only, but you already know that -The Dodd–Frank bill failure is one of the most blatant evidences of abuses in the US financial system, this is a great way to get credibility!
Hope this helps guys
Bless you, Loe…keep the pointers coming!
The memes are pathetic…and as you say, evidence that they feel threatened. The sad thing is, the memes fill the heads of many of the 99% who imagine them their own thoughts.
Loe,
I agree with you on the media attitude, but I do think that a focused base of priorities is the way to go. Every successful campaign stays “on message” and the message should focus on the financial issues but also include “among other things”… With all of the activists in the movement hasn’t anybody read Saul Alinsky? If it was good enough for Axelrod, it should be good enough Occupy.
The media is the real battlefield as far as public opinion goes. There’s no substitute for the streets, but most people are not going to go anywhere near the streets. Also, if television crews want to do interviews, tell them you’ll only go on Live TV.
If this spitting incident turns out to be true I suggest you pack your shit up ASAP.
yawn. I’d say nice try, but…
Tell your family you belong to a gang of criminals who spit on people that protect our city. I hope your proud of yourself. A disgrace. I thought that form of behavior would never resurface in this country.
can we occupy a place where more of the 1%ers hang out? maybe we should relocate to a country club or golf course. on the weekends i feel like its only janitorial staff and 99%ers that see us
I am a US vet. I served for 18 years, and to those who scream that everyone that supports this protest is a jobless hippie, I have held my job for the past 13 years. I take maybe one sick day every 2 or 3 years, but I realize that should the company I work for fold I am screwed. I will be 47 years old compeating in a horrible job market. My insurance, taxes, and cost of living go up every year with less and less benifiets for me. Perhaps one person did this grevious act, perhaps not, the fact is I see no group message from the movement to target service members (sadly which we did see during vietnam), instead I heard a huge out cry at the treatment of the vet. groups during the recent incidents. One thing which we do have to do as a group is make sure those that say they are repersenitive of the group conduct themselves in the manner in which the group wants to be viewed. If you see someone acting negatively (do not be surprised if some are plants to cause agitation) round them up and stop them. We are a group of hippies,students, union workers, nurses, common workers, professionals, veterans, and every other label that people want to place on people…..We are one thing here….Americans!
Assuming this incident is true, I would put money on it that the offender was an agent provocateur planted by either Fox or some other right wing or government group.
Paranoid? No. It’s already happened and the offender bragged about it in his magazine. Why was this covered onlyby Fix? How were they magically in the right place at the right time? Tipped off by the agent perhaps? planted the agent perhaps?
I just put this comment on that FOX News article: There are a lot of military people inside the Occupy Boston camp. And nobody attacks anyone. I go in there and speak out against every leftist sacred cow. I criticize the unions and defend the rich. I speak in favor of nuclear power against “green” energy, in favor of capitalism and free markets. And I am not the only one. I feel totally at home there. These are good people.
Crumb speaks the truth… I’ve had some great civil conversations with the people at the camp. We have our differences but the main thing we agree on is the destructive influence corporations have on our country. If that was the only message and it was actually broadcast in a cogent manner accompanied by an actual plan that would effective positive change, the presence of a more conservative minded people would be present. But the PC agenda prevents the movement from being embraced by the majority of Americans. And the majority of Americans are conservative in spirit. Especially as they get closer to middle age, have families, and turn their attention to the future.
I have a job and so does my wife. In fact, we have great jobs with a a combined salary close to $200,000 per year plus stocks plus health insurance plus paid vacation days plus other benefits.
And we still support this movement. And we still are part of the 99%. We support the movement because we can about the rest of the community in which we live. So, do note that not everyone that supports this movement is jobless. We support the movement as we care for our community, our city, our countries, and our world. We are not selfish to look the other way when the 99% of those among us are suffering. Just because we do not feel the paid doesn’t mean we are insensitive to others’.
I was born into a poor family in a third world country. When I was a child, we had running water for just 2 hours a day and there was electricity for only half the day. I achieved all that I can because of education. Actually, it is because of “affordable” education. My entire education (schooling and under-graduate degree) cost me less US $1000. It is because of those opportunities given to me, I am here. And I want these opportunities to exist for generations to come.
When the country and the rest of the world are becoming so rich-centered, when education, community development, support, health, etc., programs are cut in order to bail out banks with billions of tax-payer money, when the rich (sometimes I am one of them) keep getting richer and richer and the poor getting poorer and poorer, there is something wrong.
It is inexcusable to takeaway the few opportunities that exist, access to quality education being one among them, just to pass the money on to the rich in the form of record corporate profits.
Ditto. My husband and I are in the same demographic and we support the movement.
Can you hippies get out of Boston and start an Occupy Cambridge. None of you are from here, none of you are wanted here. I am part of your so called 99% I am also part of the 53% that pays my taxes and the 95% of ACTUAL city residents that think you fucking bums need to stop squatting, you’ve started a conversation no go back to the suburbs.
I am from Boston. The Mayor’s daughter lives almost next door to me. My children have always gone to Boston Public Schools. Occupy Boston is the best thing that has happened to this city for decades.
You and your ilk are parasitic whores and America-hating liars.
Leave the fucking country, hippie.
You rock man.
Fuck the hippies!
I am still love bombing them over on FOX Boston in response to those who believe this story:
I remember during the first Iraq war back in 1990. Some big ships were docked in Boston getting ready to go over. There was a sailor who would march with us in our anti war protests. He would tell us he flies the helicopters and had survived a crash. I was suspicious so later I asked some sailors from his ship about him. I found out he was a sort of janitor. He had schizophrenia or something and everyone probably up to the captain covered for him and let him keep his keep his job. I always thought that was the coolest thing to do.
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/occupy-boston-protesters-spit-on-coast-guard-member-20111013
“Yes, all stories showing us to be America-hating, disrespectful little hippies are false! Planted by the enemies of the proletariat!”
Lying about reality won’t make it go away, lefty.
lol. Funny, you little America-hating, Blame Whitey witch hunters have no problem condemning the Tea Party for some incident you thought you heard your cousin tell you about them once.
Hypocritical little liars.
This is just to encourage people participating in the occupy movement to share their individual/personal stories about what informed their decisions to participate. Tell your story and it might encourage more people to join the movement when they see a story that mirrors their situation. NewsParticipation.com is a site that can help bring these stories out and all you need to do is speak into a video camera and upload. How has the Wall Street influence over our government affected you personally? Have you lost your home, tell the story. Have you lost your job to offshoring? Tell your story. Are you a student who’s about to graduate with crushing student loans? Tell your story. Are you a parent who is afraid you might not afford to educate your children? Tell your story. When others hear these stories, many will see themselves in the stories and be motivated to act.
The movement needs these sorts of stories to put a human face to its activities. A lot of people see the media coverage and all the see are a bunch of people with placards that say all sorts of things. It’s easy for such people to be deceived by the stories they read and hear on the mainstream media. With individuals telling their stories, it brings the reality closer home to other people.