Occupy fiasco is a becoming a playground fight
There is a little thing called respect. Let’s take a step back for a second and remember the playground days.
There are always bullies and victims. There are always conflicts and most get solved easily without questions being asked of the underlying cause. Fighting back never really works, but it’s funny how when everyone’s yelling in each others’ faces, nothing gets done, no-one feels better, and people end up hurt. And then we all feel guilty, because we have to think about what happened after.
Halifax is a small town. It’s the sort of place where you can and will recognize faces everywhere you go. You smile, you say hello, you hope you eventually remember that person’s name. We all have our different professions but we are all the same people who go to Moosehead’s games, concerts, Remembrance Day ceremonies or protests.
I have never been to a protest in my life. I have no particular desire to do so—it’s not my way of expressing myself or my way of making change. To some, the Occupy movement is a hassle; to others, it’s a global necessity to ignite change that cannot wait. Some just don’t care. All of these people go to school together and live together. They’re standing behind you in line at the Tim’s and cutting in front of you during rush hour.
When police arrested Occupiers on Remembrance Day and beat protestors into police vans, they offended the people they live with. There was a role for both parties in that park. There was a chance for negotiation, a certain understanding, and resolution. Civil conflict is not a simple thing that can be beaten up and taken away. Recall the playground: punching your problem rarely solves it.
Occupiers are not blameless in this: the stories from that day are not without conflict and provocation. As the Chronicle Herald has pointed out, an occupation of anything pushes the limits of free expression. There are constructive ways to solve problems and Occupiers must in the future be more aware of these: shouting outdated protest slogans over negotiation is not helpful. Occupiers must respect their cause and their role in it: replacing solutions with righteous anger accomplishes nothing.
Police arriving in vans, then standing and watching as if ready for a mob riot is nothing but intimidation. There was no attempt made to resolve anything. It’s more polite if you ask before you start dragging off someone’s belongings. Treat people with respect and the situation is easier.
Disagreeing members of a community came together. That was not about camping, as the mayor has said. It was a question of principle. The mayor and council had one side of a fight, Occupiers another. The result was just about as ugly as watching children squabble over toys in a playground. There was far too little maturity on display and the calm ones are always left to watch and wonder why.
The police and the mayor failed their community on Nov. 11. So did the Occupiers who forgot the ideals they are supposedly fighting for. There is nothing democratic about screaming and yelling—that is just as oligarchical as money, only the power goes to whomever has the louder voice. There is nothing democratic about dragging people away, no matter their perceived status or provocation. That is tyranny.
The playground is broken and desperately needs some adults to come and supervise—not to enforce, just to be calm, rational members of this small town and find a common ground everyone can share, where we can make change without disruption. Everyone involved in this ongoing squabble needs to march inside and sit quietly for half an hour and think. Then a few apologies can be issued and we’ll all think twice next time.
Mayor Kelly? Occupy NS? We’re looking at you to explain yourselves. And do think before you speak.
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