New Occupy Movie The Fall of Occupy LA – by Tony McGrath Some thoughts after the screening
Scott Shuster
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thefallofoccupyla/113156167
The Fall of Occupy LA – by Tony McGrath
(Re-Revised and Extended Remarks after the Screening …)
The movie was spectacular, bringing back into focus with images and voice many important personalities and aspects of Occupy LA (OLA). Capturing the last few weeks, a time period which many viewed as us finally coming together and getting serious but still fraught with sectarian in-fighting and hopes by a few to be in charge and control the dialogue – a well documented fate for many left formations in the United States…
I remember the struggle of many to hold together unsustainable deteriorating conditions while centrifugal force, some organizations who had colonized OLA and select individuals worked to insure its destruction. Many believe OWS/OLA was dismembered as part of a concerted program by the government to contain the Occupy Movement.
Many parts of the complex up-swell in activism were left out - a necessity for a short documentary with such limited resources. Important aspects that come to mind are the role of organized Labor, the Interfaith Community, the homeless community and debates about reform vs revolution, the nonviolence statement, acceptance and privilege, subterfuge and political splits. Still the movie was very powerful, and left me very moved and longing for more. I am excited for a series of sequels focused on other aspects of Occupy LA and other works we know to be in progress.
It is hard to forget the massive media complex that built up around the encampment, after the raid, on the West Steps of City Hall, in Perishing Square and which has appeared at hundreds of new formations, actions and protests since.
The “people’s media” has grown to this day and includes a vast network of new media, independent media, citizen journalism and live streaming. All of which are raising a new level of consciousness and a call for active participation.
In honor of this tradition, Occupy LA should write its own story. Most important then, is the archiving and preservation of this vast catalogue of material for future works and further study. It is also important to gather the recollections and impressions of the many participants, repeatedly as they evolve over the coming years. This includes the creation of safe spaces for people to participate in this endeavor.
Like the story of so many other movements, will Occupy LA will devolve into a series of sound bites of "the Leaders, " be written out of history and become something you had to experience to understand?
I am of the belief that one of the most important consequences of OLA will turn out to be the many relationships forged of such charged intimate contact, between vast numbers of people who would not normally come into sustained contact with each other, particularity in such deeply emotional and passionate ways. I suspect we will be processing what we have experienced and learned for many years.
I don’t think it was reasonable to expect such a fledgling uprising to come up with a concrete list of demands. The Demands Committee and other Committees squandered a precious teachable moment. The problems our society, and the world faces today are too many, too complex and too varied to quickly list and agree upon in two short months. The exposure of so many to so much will take years to process and years of study. One thing is clear, we all share a glimpse of what these problems are. Our hope is that there is still time….
As I mentioned, I was quite pleased to see that the movie seemed to de- vilify Mario Brito for his work as one of a number of city- liaison and found a way to highlight his contribution and thoughtfulness. This particularly regarding the series of five meetings with City representatives regarding some Occupiers leaving the City Hall lawn willingly - in exchange for some permanent resources. Some more work needs to be done here around what actually transpired, who was involved and how the City acted in bad faith.
The same should be said of senseless vilification of Jim Lafferty and others from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). The NLG has stood by OLA in every conceivable way from Legal Observers, Non-violence Civil Disobedience Training, informing us of our rights, connecting us with resources & supporters to representing us in court to this very day.
Fortunately, many who once threw stones at the NLG have come to see the light and value the importance of the work they do. Clearly, this can be seen in their Yeoman's work on the growing Ferguson/Black Lives Matter Movement and in the recent settlement for those arrested on raid night.
The movie opened room for a discussion about many other important topics including decision making, leadership, inclusion, acting in a manner consistent with our ideals, how to work well together better and our failure or unwillingness to build permanent institutions. Most importantly will be lessons about building a mass movement – and what will that look like while building a new society.
My closing reflection, reinforced by many of the scenes in the movie that were conflict-ridden or showed our often ineffective folly, were of people devaluing the work of others, often insisting that they personally had the right to approve of the actions of others.
Many of the people who left Occupy LA, those who walked away or were chased away, did so because they did not feel that they could participate in a meaningful way and that their contribution was not genuinely embraced.
I am reminded of the quote by Edmond Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." And that’s what many at OLA often did when people were attacked - powerful leaders often protected their privileged position and stood by and did nothing.
Many thanks and much love to Tony McGrath for taking on such a challenging and worthy project. I can’t wait to sit down and re-watch the move – with a pause button, a pen and paper and a big bowl of non-GMO popcorn.
And thank you Clark and others for hosting such a wonderful screening and reunion of sorts.
Peace Especially Now!
Scott Shuster
Roberta Morris
April 5, 2015
Dear Neighbors,
As some of you know, all of us in the buildings on the Northwest corner of Rodney and Prospect have received “Ellis Act – No Fault” eviction notices. This means that not only do we lose our homes of up to 23 years, but there will be that much less affordable housing in the neighborhood.
We’re really sad, and, well.. some of us are really mad so we’re protesting these evictions and hope you can join us or stop by for any of our peaceful, legal protests on Wednesday April 8th . We’re starting with a press conference and short demonstration at 10:30 a.m. outside the landlord’s office at 7083 Hollywood Blvd (near LaBrea) and then demonstrating in our neighborhood at 5 p.m. in the triangle park at Prospect/Vermont/Hollywood across from Bank of America. Then we’ll be doing a legal sleep-in on the public easement (near the road) on the corner of Prospect and Rodney Dr. We’ll have flyers, information, petitions of support, a chance to meet other concerned neighbors.
We hope you can join us. In any case, we don’t want you to feel alarmed by this event. We’ll try to be as respectful as possible of everyone who lives nearby.We want you to feel informed and perhaps be active in preserving the character of our sweet neighborhood.
Thanks!
The Rodney Drive Tenants Association
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