Difficult to pull myself away from the livestream. I'm 61, dont remember anything like this

[xiamiam]

I marched in the late 60's. I marched against Iraq..in Sf with i think, 50 or 60k..or maybe even 100k..but we had a permit..and it was one day at a time
this is just extraordinary.. I am so appreciative

[babydollhead]

1. same here.

[femrap]

33. I've been waiting for

a Movement like this my entire life.

[Remember Me]

38. We all have been

All of us. This is what we're here for, I do believe. The sense of absolute exhileration I get from, say, watching this video of the projections on the Verizon Bldg last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxG4g62rnd8&feature=player_embedded

is a huge clue for me that this is where it's at.

We are all waiting for World unity and World Peace. I once had an extended and very vivid vision that led me to understand that Peace is not the absence of war, it's the absence of all oppression. And then I got an extended view of many of the different types of oppression from poverty and homelessness to illiteracy to refugees to all the normal ways we oppress others, etc. A world a peace, with NO oppression -- THAT is the world we all seek to live in (well, except perhaps for the oppressors, of course).

This is our time, and absolutely everyone participating or cheering us on knows that -- knows it consciously or knows it deep in our hearts.

WE are Too Big To Fail.

And in case anyone missed it, here are videos of what I believe are the two Anthems of our movement (esp. the first):

We are the Many by Makana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3BYw4xjxE&feature=relmfu

and

The Tide Is Turning by Roger Walters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqtNvgzWsis&feature=related

[femrap]

39. Wow....I hadn't

seen the shots of the Verizon Bldg. Gave me goosebumps. Nor had I heard the song by Roger. I heard the song by Makana when he played it during the Trade Summit in Hawaii....everyone ignored him. Can these 'people' truly be that dense? Or are they just so arrogant?

I'm hoping someone comes up with a Rock song for the Movement...something along the lines of 'We Won't be Fooled Again' by The Who. Maybe I'll work on some lyrics. Maybe I'll start w/ your ideas about Oppression. Corporate Oppression is something that nearly sucked my soul dry.

I like your vision.

[LoveIsNow]

2. Do you have a link?

What's going on?!

[mmonk]

4. here

http://www.ustream.tv/theother99

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. here, join us at: *** OFFICIAL #N17 Observation Thread! ***

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2329788

[malaise]

3. Ditto

I'm so proud of the youngsters.

[texanwitch]

6. Me to.

I knew the kids could do it.

I was to young for the Vietnam War protest, just missed it.

I had something to do today, it can wait.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. It is amazing! I love it! Right now I am proud to an American!

[xiamiam]

32. great day to be an American..and truthfully, I didn't know when I would feel that again..

but it is more than just us..it is humanity..and the fact that we are in this together, globally..the divisions that are created for profit are just that and today feels like most of us know that

[Warpy]

7. We would have done nearly anything to get this kind of support then

but the unions, the office workers, and people who were older than we were were all against us.

[PoliticAverse]

8. This is reminiscent of the 60's. n/t

[Contrary1]

9. 5000+ ?

In just one area. Foley Square full. Union workers on their way to join in! :applause:

[sabrina 1]

30. Police say over 32,000 now!

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. just joined....wow.

[Spazito]

11. It IS extraordinary!

I'm in my late 50's and have not seen this kind of unity, all ages, all walks of life, every ethnicity. It is very moving.

[lunatica]

13. They're awesome aren't they?!

I love them, and count myself lucky to be one of them. We are well represented.

I marched in SF too. I think it had to be 100K. I stood on the sidewalk and watched. It took 2 hours for the marchers to pass me, and they were walking normally. My feet were so sore from standing in one place for that long.

And then the media just ignored us. Well the OWS got their attention. It makes me proud.

[backtoblue]

14. me too

[Uncle Joe]

15. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, xiamiam.

[ljm2002]

16. I was right there with you in SF...

...and also marched in the 60's. But you're right, there's a difference with what's happening now.

I think we're seeing a natural evolution in behavior due to instant mass communication and younger folk who have grown up with it, never lived in a world where it was not possible to instantly communicate around the globe. I think the youngsters are operating differently than we did / do, and their behaviors and organizational forms will continue to evolve in ways we cannot predict.

[MedleyMisty]

17. I'm 30

So I'm on the oldest end of the people who have grown up like that. And I agree with you, and I give you respect for giving us respect. :)

The other night I was talking to my husband about how some of the older people on here seem to think that oh, this is just the beginning, we're not anywhere near a revolution yet, they're just getting a bit of attention, it's not much at all at the moment.

Things happen faster now, with the instant communication that is independent of the biased media. Back in the 60s, how could Egyptians have marched to the US embassy in support of Occupy within a few days of that first raid on Oakland? How could the occupiers in DC have occupied the offices of the company that owns Zucotti the day after OWS was evicted?

The youth of Libya made a Facebook page calling for a day of rage on February 17 and seven months later Gaddafi was dead. Do not doubt the power of the internet.

[ljm2002]

25. It's a remarkable thing to watch...

...and it makes me very hopeful!

[malaise]

20. Well said

Now that they have stepped up I'm watching their approach to the crisis of democracy as it evolves. Like you said they have a technological advantage/
They earned my respect and it's time for us to let them run their movement.
If they ask for guidance fine, but they're tough, resilient, innovative and quite organized,

I love them.

[ljm2002]

26. You know what's interesting though?

When the police forbade the OWS people from using mics or bullhorns at Zucotti Park, they came up with a truly innovative and inspired alternative, the Human Microphone that has become symbolic of how the movement operates. It is also very low-tech. As in, no-tech. Talk about the Law of Unintended Consequences! And now it has spread to various "mic-check" actions around the country.

But it would not become instantly popularized like it has without the technology of instant mass communication.

Fascinating.

[xiamiam]

28. yes..and the power of everyone repeating the words is uncanny

it was supposed to be like this ..but who knew?..it evolved organically and is one of the most powerful exercises.

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. BINGO!

that is exactly what is happening

[LiberalEsto]

18. May Day 1971 in DC was a big one

Lots of police violence, mass arrests, innocent bystanders clubbed down.

[flamingdem]

19. Yes 10000 kept in an arena for a couple of days, stopping traffic, beatings

.. a different time but this feels familiar for sure

[TBF]

21. These young people give me hope. K&R nt

[kentuck]

22. The freedom fighters in the background are singing...

"Ain't Gonna Study War No More"...

[graywarrior]

23. Same here

Demonstrated in the 60's but this is...well, I have no words for it.

[Skittles]

24. I am very proud of these folk

WOOOO!!!

[Raksha]

27. Hell, I'm 65 and don't remember anything like it!

[WCGreen]

29. What I like about all of this is that they are sincere about their feelings

and beliefs.

They are passionate and are deeply concerned about their future as well the future of our country.

[fascisthunter]

31. Difficult for me, and I'm 39

and I sure as hell appreciate your post.

[EFerrari]

34. I remember "so many casualties in Viet Nam, so many in Berkeley"

on the evening news for long enough for it to make an impression on a pre-teen.

I'm also very happy I got to see this.

[pacalo]

35. I'm so proud of the protesters. I'm feeling exactly the same, xiamiam.

[Hatchling]

37. Marched in the 60's as well.

When Wisconsin was happening I went to a couple of local rallies in support. It consisted of aging hippies like myself and I wondered "Where are the kids?" I was frustrated. "Why aren't they here?"

Now I know. They were online getting ready for the most astounding life changing events I have ever witnessed.

I can't say that I am proud of them, that would be an arrogance on my part. But I can say that I am stunned with awe. I feel flooded with the brilliant light of this movement.

Yes, it looks like things are still going to get worse before they get better, but Occupy has brought a new sensation into my life, one I haven't felt in decades: Faith in the Future.