Spokane7
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September 30, 2011 in City
Spokane protesters ordered to remove tents, placards
Protester, Jessica McPhail, tearfully tears down signage, ordered by the Spokane Police Department, at the corner of Riverside and Monroe, near the Spokane Club, Sept. 30, 2011, in Spokane, Wash. A group of protesters have occupied the area for the past three days.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
Occupy Spokane, the two-day-old action in solidarity with the two-week-old Occupy Wall Street protest against economic injustice, was visited this morning by police enforcing a city ordinance.
About a dozen protesters who have occupied the grassy median at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Spokane were told to remove tents and other “permanent” elements of the protest that are in violation of the city’s transient shelter ordinance, according to Capt. Frank Scalise, patrol division commander of the Spokane Police Department.
Unlike the Wall Street protest, in which participants complained of injuries from police excesses, there was little confrontation between Spokane police and protesters.
“The atmosphere is compliant and collegial,” Scalise said. “Nobody is being confrontational.”
Dave Bilsland, a perennial Spokane homeless activist and organizer of Occupy Spokane, said the tents in which some participants have been sleeping for the past two nights were part of the protest against disproportionate corporate control of the nation’s politics and wealth.
“These are symbolic of where everybody is going to end up if things don’t change,” Bilsland said.
Nevertheless, the tents came down, as well as tables, chairs and placards attached to trees or road signs.
Participants cited a range of issues confronting the nation, corporate greed, unemployment, lack of economic opportunity and economic inequality in the United States.
“The one thing we all have in common is that We Are the 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%,” according to occupywallst.org, the website of the national movement.
Rights panel poorly understood 
RedCedar on September 30 at 10:26 a.m.
I, for one, would like to read a little bit more about what the protesters are protesting and what they’re asking for. “Economic injustice” is rather vague. Are they asking for anything specific. Although I might not agree with them, this sounds like a very reasonable exercise of our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. I’m tired of protests being covered in the mainstream media only in terms of police action, arrests, or injuries. These are people who care about our country who are asking for something. Whether I agree with them or not, I’d like to know what they’re asking for.
misjustice on September 30 at 10:34 a.m.
Strange, the Protest Wall Street actions have been going on for weeks; all across the nation. And this is the first that the SR, the ONLY news paper for our area, has published anything about it ( that I have seen at least)…makes me wonder if the cops had not gotten involved if we EVER would have seen anything about it in our ONLY news paper?
To their credit, KXLY, two daze ago, did have a small article on their web page with a photo of two of the local protestors.
The_Seer on September 30 at 10:44 a.m.
usuncut.org
I remember a few months back when people dismissed these small acts of civil disobedience. Expect them to grow in both scope and size. There are plenty of young citizens who view a dismal future for themselves unless they lead a movement that restores the principles upon which this nation was founded. You remember, right? From your days as a public school student where you daily proclaimed allegiance to “liberty and justice for all?”
It’s coming and trying to stop it will be like trying to stop the tides of the oceans.
The_Seer on September 30 at 10:46 a.m.
My Peep!
I’m not at all surprised this is the first mention in our ONLY daily newspaper. It is the entrenched interests that the Cowles Clan embodies that fuel these protests.
Where’s OUR tax cut?
DeadHandsofChe on September 30 at 11:06 a.m.
misjustice: What do you mean the SR hasn’t covered the national Wall Street protests? There is something from September 23, 2011 and you actually posted a comment on it.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/23/speaking-for-the-99-percent/
The local protest (Occupy Spokane) is 2 days old. Here is a SR story from September 29,2011. It is the third item.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/29/in-brief-sheriffs-office-identifies-kayaker/
It is called the “search’ feature and it allows you to search the SR website.
Just because you didn’t see it in the SR, doesn’t mean they did cover it.
It really is a conspiracy - a conspiracy of lazy searching.
I can’t believe I am defending the SR.
Shadedmuse on September 30 at 11:09 a.m.
The transient permit does not apply here because they are not a transient camp but a Protest group protected by the first ammendment, theuy need to go next door to the Dederal building and file a federal law suit claiming the first ammendment has been violated. they have a strong case and could get millions.
DeadHandsofChe on September 30 at 11:15 a.m.
Correction:
Just because you didn’t see it in the SR, doesn’t mean they didn’t cover it.
Sorry.
93bird on September 30 at 11:26 a.m.
The protestors in Spokane and around the country have absolutely no influence. Their “work” will prove as fruitless as my tomato plants after the first hard freeze. In a nutshell, they condemn what they call our nation’s “Corporatocracy”, and demand Obama “ordain a Presidential Commission tasked with ending the influence money has over our representatives in Washington.” Whatever that means. Look, these are the same hypocrites who used credit to buy diplomas, houses, cars, cell phones, travel, whatever. Once they realized they’d actually have to work to pay for their experimental lives, they dropped out and left the rest of us holding the bag. Now they’re mad that it’s tougher to defraud those still smart enough to have money, and protest their inability to be a part of the system they once decried. Talk about duplicitous. Right now there are only three strata of Americans. Those who have enough no matter how bad things get, those protecting what they have and scrapping to get more, and those who don’t understand the difference between earning and deserving. There is no rising tide of protest, no groundswell of disobedience, no Tahrir Square in Spokane. These are merely societal dropouts playing another $5 chip they found on the casino floor.
soccermomsusie on September 30 at 11:33 a.m.
I was enjoying my lunch downtown when I had to be confronted by the rude sights, sounds and smells of this protest. I could barely stomach my G and G. A video:
http://youtu.be/2PiXDTK_CBY
HIPPIES: GO HOME! BUY AN XBOX! SUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM CHANNELS! FACEBOOK YOUR FRIENDS!!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Shadedmuse on September 30 at 11:36 a.m.
I agree with Soccer susie by an XBOX play GTA 4 and then your qualified to Work for Spokane Police.
norpass on September 30 at 11:58 a.m.
Get out darn protestors! Spokane is NOT your town. Oh no it is not. Spokane belongs to the corporate and monied elite. Heck, you’re messing up their pretense. Besides, soccermomsusie thinks you stink. Spokane’s mojo Mayor Mary would probably agree. However, if you HAD any money you might not want to piss that away on an Xbox. Heck no. Buy PlayStation every time.
Golly, soccermomsusie evidently is clueless as to our constitutional First Amendment right. Figures.
The_Seer on September 30 at 12:18 p.m.
norpass: Suz is a satirist.
93bird: Your characterization of the New York and Spokane protesters could not be more wrongheaded. Where did you get the idea they are disgruntled consumers carrying enormous amounts of unpaid credit card debt? Corporations carry insurance to protect against losses, so the idea you were left holding the bag is only true if you are a user of a Massingale product. And I believe you are and I know you know what I mean. Right, delta bravo?
It’s alright though. Right after the corporatists are toppled the ones who betrayed their class are next. Line em up!
93bird on September 30 at 12:52 p.m.
In her August 23rd NY Times article titled “Gunning for Wall Street, With Faulty Aim”, Ginia Bellafante paints a provoking portrait of this protest and its followers. In it she writes:
“The group’s lack of cohesion and its apparent wish to pantomime progressivism rather than practice it knowledgably is unsettling in the face of the challenges so many of its generation face — finding work, repaying student loans, figuring out ways to finish college when money has run out.”
I find her assessment accurate and unfortunate. Also unfortunate are veiled name calling and threats of violence. If you’re going to call someone a douche bag, just do it. If you threaten to shoot someone, be prepared for the consequences. If you’re not good at rhetoric, brush up.
misjustice on September 30 at 12:53 p.m.
DeadHands; ha, ha, ha! Made ya look!
; )
The_Seer on September 30 at 1:00 p.m.
No one has threatened anyone with being shot. You made up that out of whole cloth, just like your characterization of the protesters. Expect to be called upon it.
93bird on September 30 at 1:05 p.m.
I quote:
“It’s alright though. Right after the corporatists are toppled the ones who betrayed their class are next. Line em up!”
misjustice on September 30 at 1:08 p.m.
I KNOW that the local Wall Street Protestors stink, Susie; they simply reek of public education!
DeadHands; I should have clarified that I meant the “local” Wall Street Protest. Merely picking up and running an AP story on the National Page does not count as “coverage” of a local event, IMO…especially when you are the ONLY daily news paper for the Spokane metro area.
I can’t help but think that if 10 Tea Bag Party folks were a walkin’ around in their tri-colored hats with tea bags stapled to ‘em and a carryin’ mis-spelled signs that they would have garnered much more coverage than the Wall Street Protestors; locally as well as nationally. I could be wrong about that, I frequently am. But I don’t think so…
Where’s MY tax cut?
Where’s MY H.U.D. subsidized mortgage?
Where’s MY golden parachute?
Where’s MY beautiful life?
The_Seer on September 30 at 1:28 p.m.
Line em up doesn’t mean shoot people. It means there will be an ordering of who will be held to account. You sound worried, 93?
jddavis on September 30 at 1:31 p.m.
Perhaps this group could have gotten a permit from the city covering the location and duration of their protest. That way, they would be in compliance with city ordinance(s) and would not have been rousted by the police.
jddavis on September 30 at 1:32 p.m.
MisJ—
“Same as it ever was…”
Bee509 on September 30 at 1:37 p.m.
No reason to protest because corporate welfare doesn’t exist, right? Right?!
The_Seer on September 30 at 2:07 p.m.
jddavis: You don’t need a permit to exercise free speech rights on public property. Right?
SpokaneSportsFan on September 30 at 2:32 p.m.
Free Speech Rights = Camping Out For Days on Public Property? Really?
DeadHandsofChe on September 30 at 3:16 p.m.
misjustice wrote:
DeadHands; I should have clarified that I meant the “local” Wall Street Protest. Merely picking up and running an AP story on the National Page does not count as “coverage” of a local event, IMO…especially when you are the ONLY daily news paper for the Spokane metro area.
Huh? The local protest has been going on for two days. You complained that the SR wasn’t covering it. The SR has two stories on it.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/29/in-brief-sheriffs-office-identifies-kayaker/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/sep/29/in-brief-sheriffs-office-identifies-kayaker/
2 day old protest = 2 stories in SR
I really don’t understand your issue with the supposed lack of coverage on this issue. I agree that sometimes the SR is a bit lacking in local coverage; however, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Go figure, a misinformed comment on the SR website.
Forward509 on September 30 at 3:18 p.m.
It is a ongoing protest. I still think the constitution applies sportsfan. Obviously your not going to ever exercise your voice other than in cyberspace. Its called commons and you don’t have to show up. Susie your a hate baiting troll who squeeks like a mouse. Heres a video of the rich wall street farts that control your strings.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/220894/20110927/occupy-wall-street-mock-protestors.htm
DickAdams on September 30 at 4:02 p.m.
The Spokane protesters are a group of rag tag homeless that are seeking help and the storm troopers told them to get off public property. Many of them are concerned that govmint is running amok, and they are absolutely, 100% correct. Even the none educated are smart enough to figure out our country is on the brink of destroying the greatest country in the world and is exacerbated almost daily with the leadership in Washington DC. A very sad commentary. I`m old enough (82) I can say for certainty, I shall not see any improvement during my life time and will go to my grave being very sad about it indeed.
Dazzeetrader11 on September 30 at 4:58 p.m.
Bums who should get jobs. Oh! I forgot…….Obama’s got the jobless rate up! Poor vagrants. Always complaining about the rewards given to people with jobs. Sad group.
Oh and the unemployment rate will be higher next week. Should these types be in High Bridge Park for the winter? Lots of fresh water down there. Nice breezes too;)
The_Seer on September 30 at 5:15 p.m.
dick: Have you even been down there? We all know you haven’t.
I just returned from where the real patriots of our nation have moved. They are not as you depict. I met several colleagues and other professionals who are part of a growing group of individuals and collectives who are going to take back this country for everyone instead of the scant minority to which you’ve pledged your unexamined fealty.
dazee: Fresh water? You obviously haven’t noticed all the storm water overflow drains that empty into Latah Creek. Oh, I almost forgot, you’d need to live here to actually know our reality. Go away, troll.
jddavis on September 30 at 5:33 p.m.
Seer—yes it is public property…etc. I know that in many places organizations are required to obtain a permit for an organized event from the local government. Things like port-a-potties, sanitation, and other concerns are addressed in the permitting process.
I am in full support of exercising First Amendment rights, as long as other laws are considered for obvious reasons.
What if a group you belonged to wanted to have a protest or demonstration at the same time and location? who would have “the right” to assemble there?
Kivaari on September 30 at 6:21 p.m.
There is no first amendment right to occupy public spaces if it creates a problem. No one is denied their free speech rights at all. City and county owned property is owned by the public corporation. Just like a private business the owner operator of the property can establish rules on its usage. A “public street” or “public space” has rules of use, obey the rules and you can freely use the property. That is why an INCORPORATED local government can pass laws and regulations. I always find people that claim they are “citizens” - so they can do what ever they want on public lands - after all they are taxpayers. The majority of the taxpayers don’t support misuse. Go pitch a tent in the middle of a street - it is public property. Well, so is a median, park or parking lot owned by the city or county. Follow the rules people.
Kivaari on September 30 at 6:38 p.m.
The protestors don’t like corporate greed. Odd thing is most people with a retirement plan depend on corporate earnings to support their pensions. It is odd that so manypeople think coporations actually pay taxes and should pay more taxes. Corporations only collect the taxes from the customers, and pass then on to the government at a huge loss. Raise taxes, and all they need to do is raise the price of the goods and services to offset the taxes and the bookkeeping expenses. That way the stock holders, including most retirement accounts, get less. The stockholders who would pay taxes on their investment incomes, have lower incomes, so fewer taxes are collected. All public retirement systems lose money when corporations get punished. You want to make life better for all of us? Stop with corporate taxes, prices go down, earnings go up (and get taxed) and retirement investments grow, ensuring a better and more stable economy. It is basic economics that the commie crowd and anarchist just never learn. Even the Chicoms use capitalism to own us. We just are too dumb to know it.
Dazzeetrader11 on September 30 at 6:52 p.m.
Seer….how can you say that! I drove by them yesterday in my new S600 Benz! lol:) I almost had to run over a toe or two when they obstructed by line of sight. Losers all of em! You’d fit right in with your close communist friends.
misjustice on September 30 at 7:31 p.m.
@ 10:34 a.m. I stated “that I have seen”…I missed the In-Brief, link to Sheriff Office Identifies Kayaker was a real tip off to the local Wall Street Protestors story…So, sue me!
; )
Geez, I stand corrected!
Where’s MY tax cut?
Kivaari on September 30 at 7:47 p.m.
Seer, Would it be OK if the protesters were TEA Party people expressing their right to free speech? Well, TEA Party types respect the law so they would protest in an orderly fashion. That is the difference between the idiot leftist-anarchist-socialist-commies-freeloaders and people that believe in the constitution and rule of law. The leftist cause harm to people in the name of justice, yet they don’t know how to pay the bills without resorting to class warfare. One thing about the leftist, most of them have no clue about how government works, yet they want to destroy it. Most don’t know how to replace it with anything except tax the rich and spread the wealth. A true workers paradise - with equal misery to all - except the bosses at party headquarters.
DickAdams on September 30 at 8:04 p.m.
As usual seer, you don`t know what your talking about. You asked if I had ever been down there. I`ve been near where the homeless are protesting “there”, you nin come poop. You have a big mouth with your telling the rest of the posters, re comment, “we all know you haven`t” speaks volumes and fortifies my thinking that your logic is moronic. Most of the comment writers question if you really are a teacher. Seems to me from what I`ve read in the opines, most join me thinking you are a phony. A yellow one to boot using a moniker to hide behind and remaining anonymous.
DeadHandsofChe on October 01 at 8:01 a.m.
misjudtyice wrote:
I missed the In-Brief, link to Sheriff Office Identifies Kayaker was a real tip off to the local Wall Street Protestors story…
The very nature of the In-Brief section of the SR means that it contains more than one story.
Once again, just because you didn’t read it in the SR doesn’t mean the SR didn’t cover it.
misjustice on October 01 at 4:35 p.m.
I stated that I may have missed it in my 10:34 a.m. post, AND I said at 7:31 pm. that I “stand corrected”… read closely…geez. DeadHand…what more do you want? My first-born, male child?
So what do you think about the local Wall Street Protestors? For them, against them? Or don’t know?