Tonight members of Occupy Boston and Occupy Harvard mic checked Newt Gingrich—former Speaker of the House (R-GA) and current candidate for the Republican presidential nomination—as he introduced his documentary A City upon a Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. The documentary was produced by Citizens United Productions, the lead plaintiff in the 2009 Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission which ruled that corporations and unions have a right to spend unlimited amounts of money on political advertisements.
Here’s the video of our mic check:
70 Responses to “Newt Gingrich Mic Checked by Occupy Boston and Occupy Harvard”
That’s awesome! Another example of a loony fringe group from Occupy Boston suppressing the rights of other people. Live it up guys and gals, December 1st will be here before you know it.
If you can’t see how wrong this is , you are truely brainwashed. Reminds of Charles Manson cult. Even to this day, they show up chanting for Charlie at their parole hearings. They too don’t know they are wrong. As a Tea Partier, I know there is an ongoing effort to come to your locations in huge numbers to shout you down. Expect us.
The Tea Party is named after an event where a group of people broke into a privately-owned merchant ship and destroyed all of its property while dressed as American Indians and you’re upset about some people heckling Newt Gingrich for thirty seconds?
It is not about 30 seconds. It is about being proud to supress free speech. You guys have really jumped the shark. I am not sure why your speech is more important than speech of others. You say that you are the 99%, but you do not represent me. Stop say “We are the 99%.” Stop speaking for me – you do not. The fact is that the tents have only accomplished one thing – helping everyone learn tthat the name of the intersection is Dewey Square. Or, with all of the peiople relieving themselves outdoors, should we call it Doody Square?
Yes, because it is stupid and childish.
Way to advocate for free speech while suppressing someone else’s.
“Free speech” refers to speech that is free of government censorship, not speech that is free of private heckling.
No, it means that all are entitled to self-expression. If you are impeding another’s self-expression, you are impeding free speech.
And looking moronic while you are at it.
This just makes your movement seem childish.
I thought upu loved, cherished and adored the 1st ammendment? More evidence that this occupy is campaign Obama and has a tyranical message.
The First Amendment protects citizens from government censorship, not private heckling.
Josh, you should be embarrassed personally as a graduate of Harvard and as a face of Harvard.
3 seconds of people shouting- not being heard. Way to go. Be proud- really showed them!
funny! I hope we see many more of these on both parties!
3 seconds of just a few people shouting makes it bold, not childish… but that’s obvious.
It’s so infuriating to me that a movement that wants to be heard uses this ‘tactic’
Shooting yourselves in the foot- how do you not realize this?
How is this different than a child acting out in class? If the message was strong mature and focused, it would stand a chance to make real change in the world- but as it is now, you stand only to further alIenate the movement further away
Cry ‘non violent ‘all you want. It won’t matter if you continue do peaceful bonehead stunts like this. saddest thing for me is that newt is exactly who you should be targeting. Anyone in politics. Imagine if the right wing embraced the 99% as a way to , if nothing else, win back the whitehouse?
No- impossible you say….
A protest is a protest. Sometimes you gotta go low when your fighting snakes. He needs to be inconvenienced to the point of despair in order to make him understand that we will not go away. A courteous and friendly revolution is not possible. These guys need to go. They are the corruption. This guy is in the top ten.
This guy is in the top ten
Yep and OB did nothing for their cause.
Don’t mistake me for someone who wants OWS to go away, I want them to think. Keep your enemies closer.
Art of war should be in the Dewey library if it’s not already
mic checks may seem childish and ineffective to many, but when you think of the fact that those around the world rallying for change are being “mic checked” too every day. but they are dealing with batons, arrests, mace and character assassination every day by the hundreds, words don’t seem that bad. it may be rude to many, even childish, but when you look at it through different eyes, you see people with passion for change that are finding a way to have their voices heard to a world that doesnt wasnt to hear them, in a non violent way…
Voices heard? I didn’t hear anything!!
This is just not an effective way to cause change in this system. It does make us seem childish, it’s not a mature approach.
http://youtu.be/eYXlIYNNGgU HE IS A PUPPET!! http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/newt-gingrich-releases-fact-sheet-about-his-ties-to-freddie-mac/
Being a graduate of Harvard means someone should just go along with the status quo? Even more kudos to him for speaking out, then.
As soon as someone says Mic Check, the message gets delivered. Since the People have no access to these destructive foes, this is one of the few means by which we can speak directly to them. That is their choice; to never allow real engagement with the People, isn’t it.
IT IS ALL A LIE!!!! HE IS ONE OF THEM!!! HE WAS PAID 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS BY FREDDIE MAC!!!! DON’T BE FOOLED HE JUST WANTS “THE 99#’S SUPPORT” BUT HE IS A LIAR!!! DO NOT BE MISLEAD!!! HE IS A PUPPET!! PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYXlIYNNGgU WATCH FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS!! THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO NOT BE FOOLED AT THIS TIME! EVERYONE WILL TRY GAIN OUR SUPPORT IN THEIR UPCOMING CAMPAIGN, BUT REMEMBER THEY STILL ARE THE 15. PLEASE RESEARCH RON PAUL! THE ****CORPORATE MEDIA***WON’T AIR HIM FOR A REASON!!! RON PAUL 2012! AND READ THIS-http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/newt-gingrich-releases-fact-sheet-about-his-ties-to-freddie-mac/
15.- 1% !
on November 19th, 2011 at 1:15 am #
[…] the original post: Newt Gingrich Mic Checked by Occupy Boston and Occupy Harvard This entry was posted in Boston and tagged #occupy, citizens-united, dartmouth, […]
ironically, “The City Upon the Hill” is a utopian story in the vein of Utopia. Meaning it is a dream, not a reality. And it cannot be a reality in a pluralistic and remotely accepting society. It descends into fascism instead.
Childish? Embarassed? They let Callista give that rambling, overwrought paean to American Exceptionalism (and nobody even laughed!); then, when Newt started up, they gave a brief, concise message. I’d say they showed more than adequate gravitas given the circumstances.
Double whammy because I heard the Citizens United head honcho (David Bossie?) on Michael Savage practically frothing at the mouth about Occupy…now, if you want to talk about embarassing and immature speech, that’s one I would recommend checking out.
What was it they said concisely?
So what was it that they said concisely? Thanks
What they said was mic check. I heard it clearly several times. But it isn’t about the words it’s about the message. And I heard that clear too. Those words carry a powerful message. You must admit that.
I have nothing to do with these guys but I would rather seem as you say “childish” than be New Gingrich. Can’t get any more embarrassing than being that man. Seriously? You guys don’t see the irony in your comments?
newt gingrich is so corrupt he deserves not even a shred of common courtesy.
For my life, I do not understanding why OB needs to prevent people from speaking. How diametric is that to the goals of the group? That is unbelievable that you shout down people so that they cannot speak. We should start doing Mic Checks at every GA. Why not? How can that be the First Amendment? It is pulling away many people sympathetic to the cause. Really a bunch of morons acting like infants. We may not like Newt, but is he not allowed to speak? Can anyone explain why this behavior is important to the group?
Maybe to inconvenience him or embarass him. He does deserve no respect or common courtesy and should be challenged wherever he goes so that he gets the message. It was very specific and only the toad was interrupted. That was courteous enough for me.
Please show me an example of where this sort of behavior has ‘worked’ and sent a message. I listened 3x and don’t know what they were shouting
The message wasn’t for you it was for him. People are entitled to autonomous action and not every tactic will be perfect. it isn’t a tv drama going on here it’s very real and people like him should not be free from interference. If it is the only way to get at him then so be it.
Shame
I don’t think three seconds of heckling by six grad students is going to keep a former Speaker of the House and current favorite for the Republican presidential nomination from speaking. He finished his introduction, showed his documentary, is regularly interviewed on major cable networks, appears in Republican candidate debates almost weekly, and could have an editorial accepted at any newspaper he chose. We heckled him for three seconds. Breath.
Be proud josh. Your message was heard loud and clear???
Did you really make it through 7 years of higher education? It’s becoming harder to believe that with posts like That.
I’m not the one capitalizing my pronouns.
Parody
This mic check didnt work too well but that’s ok. Still a good thing to try. Notice how he tries to downplay Americas class issues by saying we’re all just 100 percent! Keep up the good fight, occupiers
What’s next? Don’t tase me bro. Boring. Fuels the perception that your whiny brats.
Anything will fuel that perception for people who already believe it.
Why do they feel this way?
The longer te movement doesn’t think they need to sway votes , the longer it’s spinning it’s wheels
It is refreshing to hear that you’ve assembled reps to meet with the RKG meeting. Electing folks to speak on behalf of the group sounds familiar. Oh yeah- that is what democracy looks like. Somebody said be careful about getting tied up in city politics. I disagree. That is where you and all of these occupiers need to be. Disrupting traffic and antagonizing police is old. Get out of the tents and into the ballot box.
What don’t you understand about the word “protest” Is this strategy any different from the Tea Party disruptions of town meetings a few years ago?
Yes. They shut town halls down and co-opted them. We heckled someone for three seconds then left quietly and respectfully.
I’m more concerned about this “exceptionalism” that they’re talking about. That kind of ethnocentrism is so so dangerous. A race or religion wouldn’t be tolerated saying they were better than the rest… I certainly don’t think a culture (or country) should be tolerated either. That breeds hate.
“Yet today, many misunderstand why America is an exceptional nation.” That, right there, is where you lose me. If something is exceptional, it doesn’t need to be explained.
It is entirely appropriate to mic check Gingrich. Newt Gingrich and Citizens United argued for establishing corporations as “persons” and the consequence is that these “paper persons” are now able to drown out the speech of millions of “flesh persons” by pouring unlimited funds into our political process.
Understand now?
How did this mic check accomplish anything. I’d love money out of the electoral process. How did 3 seconds>student police accomplish anything?
It got on the front page of CNN.com for a while, which means that many more people had a chance to think critically about Gingrich et al’s policies. I’d say that’s accomplishing quite a bit for three seconds of heckling.
Ok josh pulls through with one value response. 3 seconds of self recognized heckling did get you on CNN for a bit.
To think it then got people to think Critically about Gingrich is not only egotistical, it’s most likely not accurate.
Your proof?
This type of action is why the public is sick and tired of you.
It accomplishes nothing and makes you look entirely childish. No one is ever going to respect some whiny baby that interrupts people as they speak.
How would you feel if someone stood outside of your General Assembly and just laid on the horn for 15 minutes? You would be whining about your free speech being suppressed, lack of respect blah blah blah.
Are you not trying to start a dialogue? You may want to listen to what people have to say if that is the case.
Have you guys mic checked a democrat yet? Just curious. You should post that video.
Keep up with those first amendment cries. Just when I thought you guys could be any more hypocritical you bring it to a new level. Juveniles.
You’re just like Obama – so much Hope squandered.
It is said relentlessly that the Occupy movement lacks a clear message. The only message on display for the public in the Occupy London movement in Canada was that the protesters were torn apart by their own internal bickering, indecision and fear of confrontation with the police.
Their lack of unity, focus and squabbling ultimately sank them and they are gone. Read how it all went wrong here:
http://www.josephcouture.com “How To Blow A Revolution: The London Model”
You loons crack me up. You got banned from camping out in Harvard Yard and this is what you come up with?
What’s next, go to a Romney cmpaign speech and hold your breath till you turn blue?
Ha ha ha ha ha. Losers.
Good job, I was a little unhappy that Boston hadn’t mic checked anybody yet.
Can we please also mic check Bill Clinton, who is appearing in the Prudential Center Barnes & Noble on Monday? It’d be great to get some “bipartisanship” here. And Obama needs a mic check too, since he’s been ignoring the people now for a couple years.
I flagged the video for ‘hateful and abusive content’. I suggest everyone else who’s reading this do the same and pass this on. Oh, and I won’t be responding to any other comments. Especially from that unemployed Moby lookalike Eaton.
Wahhh, wahhh, wahhh, cry me a river for poor Newt Gingrich! He was a key player in cutting taxes on the rich so that over the past 15 years the income for the bottom 90% has risen an equivalent of $1.50 per hour, while the income of the top 0.01% has risen the equivalent of $10,000.00 per hour.
WHERE WAS THE VOICE OF THE 90% WHEN HE DID THIS TO US? He mic-checked us for his entire career so I find it “childish” to defend him. Really, HE is the person you guys are going to step up to the plate to defend?
I support mic-checking Gingrich, Rove, Cheney, Bush, Abramoff, and any other greedy thieves, warmongers or other criminals who have HAD THE MIC FOR TOO LONG!
I’m a supporter of OB, have participated in GAs, and have participated in the Strategies, Proposals, and Positions working group, which has produced draft statements of purpose, one of which is making its way to the GA for vote. (See the wiki.)
OB needs a written common purpose to help guide its actions. The purpose of OB is to expand freedom for the 99%, not to prevent anyone from the 1%, such as Mr. Gingrich, from speaking.
The action publicized at the OB site was not, to my knowledge, discussed or approved at a GA. OB has not approved a strategy of heckling. Heckling will get in the way of our legitimate goals.
An accountability problem exists if a prominent post at the OB site can hail an embarrassing heckling incident as a “mic check”, when OB has never to my knowledge had a discussion about the heckling strategy.
OB’s base of support includes teachers. The job of teachers is neither to heckle students, nor to heckle other speakers, nor to allow heckling in class, whether of themselves or of students or other speakers. A heckling strategy invites our adversaries to send their employees to heckle us, as a Tea Partier threatened in a previous post.
Gingrich will not be silenced by hecklers, because he has guaranteed access to the mainstream media. But we will be silenced if we invite heckling, because we don’t have guaranteed access to the media. The irresponsible post with its embarrassing video invites heckling of OB. Is the Media Working Group willing to be accountable to the other participants in OB?
On the surface the video seems to indicate that Gingrich wasn’t prepared to speak and that he or others paid people to drown him out and to discredit Occupy. Posting this video with a favorable comment makes it easier to point the finger at OB as an anti-free-speech effort. I request that it be pulled down.
^^ hope restored ! Thanks!
accountability problem exists- it sure does.
Removing the post won’t make it better- learning from it will.
This is what all revolutionary organizations have done to the opposition. The Nazis used it beautifully… but I guess because your intentions were far more pure than it’s okay. The more people who see the stupid video will agree with the last audible sentiment: Go back to your tents…
Yes, heckling Newt Gingrich for three seconds is *precisely* like the Nazis. How insightful.
Why do you keep saying three seconds? I know math is not a top priority at the Divinity School but I assumed simple addition and subtraction was a skill that would not elude the 99%.
on November 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 pm #
[…] Hampshire this afternoon. A few minutes into his speech at the high school, a protester shouted “mic check,” and others joined in with shouts. The crowd quickly drowned the protesters out with chants of […]
on November 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 pm #
[…] into public service. A few minutes into his speech at the high school, a protester shouted “mic check,” and others joined in with shouts. The crowd quickly drowned the protesters out with chants […]
on November 24th, 2011 at 1:11 pm #
[…] get into public service. A few minutes into his speech at the high school, a protester shouted “mic check,” and others joined in with shouts. The crowd quickly drowned the protesters out with chants of […]
on December 30th, 2011 at 6:04 pm #
[…] Newt Gingrich Mic Checked by Occupy Boston and Occupy Harvard […]