The.Face.Of.The.Revolution - A Check-In From The Road

Protesters March in Seattle's Westlake Park.

What originated in the hearts and minds of the American masses came to be on September 17th, 2011 as over 2000 Americans marched on Wall St. in protest of corporate greed, an out-of-control Fed, and a under-regulated Wall St. Those protesters would end up in New York's Zuccutti Park where they have occupied Zuccutti, night and day, since.

At the outset, major news media, aside from a few exceptions, failed to cover this organic and seemingly myopic movement. The movement's coverage was therefore left, in large, to the people. I learned of the movement through Instagram and the amazing Instagram feeds of Sion Fullana and Anton Kawasaki both New York based photographers specializing in iPhoneography. I later learned the good people of Seattle had joined the ranks of those occupying public spaces, in protest of America's oppressive economical powers, on October 5th as I rode the public bus into work. In the brief drive-by I saw hundreds of pitched tents in Seattle's Westlake park. (It should be noted that Westlake park is in the heart of Downtown Seattle's central business district.) As I drove by I felt immediately conflicted, my responsibility to work reigned supreme over my journalistic and artistic intrigue. I found out later that night that protesters and police ended up clashing, in a non-violent way, ultimately resulting in the arrest of 25 people. Yet, on October 5th when night fell on Seattle, those protesting in Westlake remained, and they have remained since! 

On October 6th, and coincidentally finding myself with two days off, I armed myself with my cameras and set-off to Westlake park to document, participate and artistically portray #occupyseattle. I remember thinking as I arrived how one could easily romanticize what was transpiring here. I guess what made me think of this was the sight of a young man sitting at a table, roasting his own coffee and smoking his own hand-rolled cigarette. His legs were crossed, his mole-skin journal and pen resting on the table while the steam from his coffee and the smoke from his cigarette met Seattle's cool Autumn air. At that sight, at that point, in that moment of time, I would have gladly traded my position for his. Throughout the last two weeks, as I've come and gone, I've seen this gentleman every time I've been at Westlake. He is one of the hardcore occupiers, those who say overnight. If I had to guess, as with many of the hardcore occupiers, he's homeless. And I find it somewhat curious that despite seeing this gentleman every time I've visited #occupyseattle, I've never photographed him. Maybe I will tomorrow.

That night and the nights after I find myself sitting in my bed looking for updates on #occupyseattle's facebook page. I sit and read in a comfortable and warm silence as the police, rain and supporters come and go. The police harass in attempt to break morale, the rain sends chills to the bone and the depleting supporters give the appearance that Seattle's own movement is on the verge of collapse! 

Then on a new day in a renewed effort they come! The students, the unions, the middle class they flood down on Westlake in thousands to stand with those who just the night before rested their head in sleep on the very pavement they now stand! It's a beautiful sight! And it's a beautiful thought to think that what is possible today, peaceful assembly, the right to voice your own government for redress, was made possible by the very voices which are echoed in our nations constitution, who like those now, sought justice and equality and a Democracy that worked for the people!    

 

I don't know what will come of this movement, this revolution. But I do feel, after observing for multiple weeks now that something is happening, something I've personally never seen. This movement's life is and is in the people. Should we all stand united, everything is possible!