Presenting the nights format /Photo by Matthew J Shochat

On January 27th, 2012, at 6pm, about 150 Occupy Boston and Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered at The Democracy Center at 45 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge. The first couple hours were spent as a casual meet and greet between both parties. Food was provided by the Brookline Food Co-Op, founded fifteen years ago by Tom and Vicki Schnoes. The Brookline Food Co-Op receives donations from local restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets that would otherwise be discarded. The food they receive is used to help those who don’t have enough resources in order to feed themselves and their families, which include those who face homelessness, live in subsidized housing, and immigrants just coming to the US.

The Wall of Possibilities /Photo by Matthew J Shochat

At 8pm, everyone then got together as the presenters discussed what exactly would be happening that night. The form was described as a Non Structural Conference in which individuals place a paper on a portion of the wall with a time and place to meet, on a ‘Law of Two Feet’ format. These groups would then discuss the topic including educating others, troubleshooting issues, and expanding personal growth on socioeconomic issues. Such topics on the wall included “How Spirituality and Politics influence Occupy Movement?”, “Conversation on Facilitation Challenge”, and “Non-Violent Direct Action.”

For those who may not have found the event as engaging as others, Occupy Boston’s Screen Print Guild was located in the Library for anyone who desired to create prints. The event lasted until at least 1am before the crowd dispersed.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

On February 2nd, 2012, members of Occupy Boston gathered to support KnockOut Barstool in the quad between the Speare Hall & Stetson East Buildings) for a Speak-Out against Barstool Sports. Braving the cold, many in the crowd got up to share personal stories of mistreatment and concerns about the well-being of women in society.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

The crowd listening to one of the speakers. David “El Presidente” Portnoy had tried to address the crowd, speaking over someone else in the process, before being removed from the stage.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

The march winded its way from Northeastern University all the way to Newbury Street. Many local colleges took part, including Tufts, Boston University, Boston College and Emerson.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

Protesters gathered in front of House Of Blues on Lansdowne Street. They remained here for at least 45 minutes, speaking out against rape culture, perpetuated by Barstool Sports, and specifically against comments made by David “El Presidente” Portnoy over the internet.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

As the protest began to move down Lansdowne Street, many of the ‘Bros’ of Barstool Sports decided to show the protesters what they think of their efforts. The crowd eventually made it’s way back to Northeastern University.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

On Sunday, January 29th, 2012, several Occupy Boston participants and supporters gathered at Copley Square to show solidarity with Occupy Oakland after they were raided. This march was held simultaneously in 26 other Occupy towns and cities. The previous night, Occupy Oakland had attempted to take a vacant building, to convert it into a community center to provide education, medical, and housing services — they had been met by police with tear gas, rubber bullets, beanbag rounds and mass arrests..

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

The protesters took to Newbury Street in the cold.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

Protesters taking to Boylston Street.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

They marched all the way past the Garden and Common, before heading Downtown.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

Spontaneously, the group took back Dewey Square to the enjoyment of all.

Photo by Matthew J Shochat

At one point, a police vehicle got stuck on the sidewalk.

On January 16th, 2012, at 6pm, about 200 Occupy Boston participants and supporters gathered at the Arlington Street Church for Martin Luther King Occupied: An MLK Community Gathering hosted by the People Of Color Working Group (POC). The event was emceed  by Jimi Two Feathers. This event was kicked off by a performance by the Earth Drum Council Drummers, a group founded by Jimi and Morwen Two Feathers in 1990 which focuses on drumming as a tool for community-building, cultural awareness and personal growth, located in Concord, MA.

The next speaker was Wanjiku Mwangi, of United for a Fair Economy, who presented State of the Dream, based on the demographics regarding

Wanjiku Mwagi presenting 'State of the Dream' /Photo by Matthew J Shochat

income disparity, population growth, and debt comparison by race to paint a picture of the harsh realities people of color face regularly in society. Lizard Lounge poetry slam winners Janae Johnson and Porsha Olayiwola then shared passionate poetry addressing economic inequality and families in pain due to poverty and racism.

Brian Kwoba, a member of the People Of Color Working Group, next presented an excerpt and open discussion from a partial speech of King’s, dated April 4, 1967, which included:

 It is with such activity in mind that the words of the late John F. Kennedy come back to haunt us. Five years ago today he said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable.” Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin… we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

Fishbowl of POCcupiers /Photo by Matthew J Shochat

The next line of speakers were as follows: Kwame Somburu, 1968 vice-Presidential candidate of the Socialist Workers Party, presented us with “Reflections on MLK”; Optimus of the Foundation Movement whom lead the crowd through a wonderful hip-hop performance, where 2 audience members got to take part on stage, and the entire audience got to participate; and Carl Williams who gave an introduction to the 3-Strikes Law, a proposed piece of legislation that that targets habitual offenders which incarcerates our communities, and burdens our taxpayers.

Afterwords, legendary activist and Boston native Mel King spoke to the delight of the audience for 10 minutes on the significance between Occupy and MLK as movements at different times with similar importance. Two special performances from New England’s Dream Girls came immediately following. By 8:30pm, the event winded down with a massive cheer, and the crowd then dispersed.