Occupy Angels

[Star Man]

The violent elements that smashed windows and spray-painted businesses pose a serious threat to the legitimate objectives of the Occupy Oakland movement. The press focuses its attention on the disruptions created by a small number of individuals and thereby discredits the legitimate goals of the peacefully assembling movement. The police and the City Council use the actions of the few as an excuse to attack the encampment and the peaceful protestors.

It may be that some of the violent, property-destroying cadres are agents provocateurs, or it may be that they are simply vandals (anarchists decry mindless property destruction). It does not matter. The violence against property must be stopped if the goals of the movement itself are to be achieved.

I propose that the Occupy Movement begin to police itself. The Occupy Movement should create a small force of individuals akin to the Guardian Angels who are committed to maintaining peaceful action by the movement. These Occupy Angels would liase with law enforcement. The Occupy Angels would be trained in unarmed combat and in non-confrontive communication techniques. They would have distinctive uniforms like the Guardian Angels red berets. Peaceful protestors themselves are often powerless to stop the few from acting violently, yet the same peaceful protestors suffer the baton blows of law enforcement while the perpetrators often escape unharmed.

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Star Man