So I went to Occupy San Diego last night around 8pm. They were Occupying the downtown court area. I can't say that I liked it, though it was very intriguing. When we got there it just started to sprinkle. Some of the protesters were having a heated discussion with the police about whether or not they could put up their tarps or not because it had started to rain. The atmosphere was very charged. It made me nervous to be in the mix of what was going on, like a fight could break out at any moment.
Shorty after an assembly was called. Everyone was chanting, and calling out things like "every has a right to a home." It seemed like they had their own language or communication style. Then as the assembly was being called, the police broke it up. The protesters started to get riled up over this because it was a violation of their 1st amendment rights. The police ended up backing themselves against the wall of the building. The protesters were surrounding them, with cameras and phone out encouraging one another to get the police officers badge numbers because they had violated their 1st amendment right to freedom of speech. The officers were in a circle, backs to each other, as protesters got in their faces, snapping pictures and chanting. It was almost like if an officer would have moved it could have been seen as an aggressive gesture. It was really interesting to see this type of demonstration where everyone was so angry, passionate and charged up.
The police finally dispersed. Although there was enough protesters to have a food tent where they were handing out baked potatoes, it seemed like there were an over abundance of police there. In some ways I think that this contributed to the almost hostile energy that was surrounding the event at this time. If there were less police, protesters may not have felt so threatened, and would have had less to do and instigate. Shortly after the police dispersed protesters decided to move to the Gaslamp area.
I wonder if all of this will actually make a change...
I think that this experience was a good example of Conflict Theory in action. In the moment, protesters, who clearly felt like their right were being threatened and they were being pushed down by the present authority, were fighting against this oppression by attempting to take back their power from the police through non-violent, aggressive, confrontation and intimidation. Niether the police, nor the protesters were trying to compromise or give in, regarding the tent being put up because of the rain or the general assembly occurring. This definitely "spotlighted how domination and oppression might be affecting human behavior."
Christine Guerrero
You definitely picked an interesting time to visit! And I definitely think the increased police presence is egging the protesters on. I understand why police have to be there, but the amount of police officers they had there seemed a little over done. The protesters are just waiting for some real wrongdoing to happen to start a real fight or argument, which I hope does not happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your explanation of conflict theory and that the masses are being controlled and oppressed by dominated 1% of wealth with the help of the police. I really wonder how effective Occupy San Diego will be. I know they have the passion and the strong beliefs for the cause, but I think they lack actual goals to accomplish it.
Jessica Mew
I agree with what your saying about the police officers. It's like they are trying to just push each others buttons. The protestors are doing things just to get a rise out of the officers and the officers are retaliating and trying to use their authority over the protesters. It seems like it is at the point where they have forgotten why they are there and it is just a power struggle.
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteI feel like I see this in Poway all the time, there are about 3 or 4 squad cars pulling over 1 car, it is like they have nothing else better to do. I always felt it was because they wanted to show us civilians "who is boss" and it looks like this may have been the case at Occupy San Diego. It seems as though the police officers wanted to be sure that everyone, especially the protestors, knew that they held the power, and they would use it if they felt it was necessary. While I do not agree with violence I do find it fascinating that the protestors basically challenged the cops power and even backed them into a corner (figure of speech, I know it was not really a corner). It seems as though this was a constant power struggle between the cops and the protestors. The protestors felt oppressed (especially their 1st amendment) and felt the need to stand up to the cops. Good job for going there at such a heated time, must of been somewhat exciting to see it firsthand:)