DAILY GRINDER: Best Quotes from Last Night’s Occupy Philly Rally
Occupy Philly got together last night to, they said, stand in solidarity with Occupy Oakland, who were sprayed with rubber bullets, bean bags and tear gas on Saturday, when they tried to occupy some vacant property. Four-hundred people were arrested in that city. So, in response, Occupy Philly and other groups in cities around the country marched against police...
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A View from Inside the Overnight Raid and Arrests of Occupy Philly
Image: Matt Petrillo Around 11 p.m., Fox 29 sent out a Tweet saying a police sweep of Occupy Philly’s Dilworth Plaza space was “imminent.” That made sense. One night earlier I’d asked two police officers if it was worth staying at Dilworth for the night. “Are you guys going to break this up tonight or what?” One told me they wouldn’t know until...
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Occupy Philly’s Conversation Moves to Post-Dilworth
The main point of conversation at tonight’s General Assembly was what we’ll call “After Occupy.” Demonstrators seemed mostly concerned with what happens as soon as what most believe is an inevitable police sweep-through of Dilworth Plaza, whether it happens tonight or tomorrow or next week. Police presence had died down some since earlier today, as had...
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Scenes from Occupy Philly on Eviction Day
If you’re curious about what’s happening at Dilworth Plaza right now, check out these photos from PW staffer Michael Alan Goldberg. Hundreds of Occupiers are protesting their eviction, which was supposed to happen at 5 this evening. There aren’t a whole lot of cops right now, but we suspect that the city will strike when the buzz dies ...
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Are Menacing Posts on Occupy Philly’s Facebook Page from a Philly Cop?
This message was posted and deleted Saturday night. 5:00pm Sunday is the deadline for Occupy protesters to clear off Dilworth Plaza. Someone going by the name of Mike Sidebotham—whose profile indicates he is a Philadelphia police officer—posted a menacing message to the Occupy Philadelphia facebook page Saturday evening. He posted the notorious photo...
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Occupy Philly Plans For Eviction, Encourages Mass Participation
Occupy Philly has until 5 p.m. today to vacate Dilworth Plaza. As you’ve been reading in PW, that’s only likely for some participants. And there’s been little to no talk from the city on what to do with the homeless population. Last time I talked to a homeless resident about this very idea, he asked if it had suddenly become illegal to become homeless—“and...
Continue Reading![How Does Occupy Philly End? [UPDATED]](http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/files/2011/10/DSC_0213_013-150x150.jpg)
How Does Occupy Philly End? [UPDATED]
Last night, Occupy Philly voted to reject the city’s permit offer to move from Dilworth Plaza and occupy Thomas Paine Plaza from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. until December 20. The group says they want to appeal the permit, though on Monday, Deputy Mayor Rich Negrin forcefully said the group has until 5 p.m. today to officially declare to accept the new permit. The city has...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Drexel Student Arrested in Egypt Protests
One of the Americans arrested during the Egypt protests, Gregory Porter, is a Drexel University student and resident of Glenside. He and two other Americans were accused of throwing firebombs from a rooftop within the university compound near Tahrir Square. ‘International and area studies’ probably doesn’t sound like one of those majors where you could...
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Occupy Philly Likely To Decide on Move Tonight
An active Occupy Philadelphia member “strongly” believes there will be a vote at tonight’s General Assembly on whether or not to move to Thomas Paine Plaza and/or to take up the city on its offer for a 9 a.m.-7 p.m. permit. The Occupation has already decided to “relocate” to Thomas Paine Plaza without the restrictions set by the city — and before...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Occupy Philly Told To Move; Offered ‘Non-Occupation’ Deal
I can’t really remember; what’s a kick in the groin feel like, again? Oh, right: The City of Philadelphia has decided Occupy Philly cannot keep their tents or protest at City Hall. And they can move to Thomas Paine Plaza, so long as they don’t bring their tents and only hang around from—get this—9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (And no video games until you’ve finished...
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