protest

“The state can’t give you free speech, and the state can’t take it away. You’re born with it, like your eyes, like your ears. Freedom is something you assume, then you wait for someone to try to take it away. The degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free. – Utah Phillips

On a cool, drizzly evening, 100+ protesters were ordered out of Yale Park and off UNM grounds by university police, shortly after beginning their 6 pm general assembly meeting. The group was told that they no longer had a permit to assemble at UNM, and so would have to leave. The group requested permission for a five-minute meeting.

While the large group met, a few of us directed our attention toward the police. I explained to the directing officer my understanding that the permit was for the kitchen and overnight camp--neither of which were in evidence--and that we were simply exercising our first amendment rights to free speech and assembly, well before the university's curfew. (See local article from early October for context here: http://www.dailylobo.com/index.php/article/2011/10/protesters_meet_with_schmidly_rep).

The officer said I would need to take this point up with the university. He simply had orders that the Occupy group was no longer to be permitted on campus.

The group moved toward the sidewalk, chanting "Shame on UNM police!" and "This is what a police state looks like!" The group then moved across the street where they had permission from a nearby business owner to assemble. I remained on campus, took a walk around Yale Park, and talked with a couple of other people about the permit issue, while one remaining protester was arrested.

I wondered why 30 people were willing to be arrested the night before in violation of public curfew, while tonight with basic inalienable rights being trampled there was only one. Likely there are two different issues at play here--first amendment rights, and perhaps the broader concern of occupying public space by sleeping outdoors in it. (See an interesting and hopeful confluence of these issues here: http://www.occupy-oc.org/tears-stream-as-city-council-unanimously-agrees-occupy-tents-are-a-form-of-speech/#.TqigT-HMrYt.facebook)

I seriously weighed getting arrested also. A woman from the Journal took down my name for a photo I was in, and I began to wonder about the choices one makes. How is it possible to distinguish altruism from egocentrism? I then decided to rejoin the group across the street.

The meeting was quite energetic, and despite the worsening weather, lasted over 90 minutes. I generally found myself on the edge of the gathering, with one eye on sentry toward police in the surrounding area. Consensus was eventually achieved, my understanding of which is to meet for assembly again tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 pm at Yale Park on UNM campus. Those who wish to stand for their first amendment rights (and risk arrest) may do so. The rest of the group will reconvene off-campus for general assembly, and further action including seeking a place to re-establish a 24/7 camp.

To a number of us, this was less clear than other initial proposals, but due to worsening rain and chill, it was consensed. In addition, there is some legal action being initiated by the ACLU, in regards to our first amendment rights being violated. There was also an encouraging report that some UNM professors will be gathering tomorrow at Yale Park during the day for teach-ins related to these current events.

I found it to be a stimulating evening, with substantial issues being publicly considered by a thoughtful and courageous group of people. Perhaps the current push-back will help to define clear intentions for the ongoing protest. I wonder how it would be if a large and diverse group of folks, young and old, showed up for tomorrow's gathering. A coat and hat are recommended. Will the middle class represent? How about some professors and prominent local personalities come experience democracy in action?