71 Replies to "Video: Occupy West Seattle rally in The Junction"

• js March 13, 2012 (4:27 pm)

  Anyone know if it’s tying up traffic there?

• merin March 13, 2012 (4:30 pm)

  Traffic is fine…so far

• coffee March 13, 2012 (4:38 pm)

  Just drove through no problems.

• Nick March 13, 2012 (4:46 pm)

  These guys have sure been getting a lot of coverage…

• Terry March 13, 2012 (4:47 pm)

  I just dtove by. I’ve seen more people waiting for bus. I’m sure Chase bank is devastated.

• WSCitizen March 13, 2012 (4:51 pm)

  At least they’re downwind. I hate the smell of pachouli.

• kgdlg March 13, 2012 (4:59 pm)

  I just think it is so interesting that when there is a David vs. Goliath story against the evils of the banks, like Vera in White Center, people are all for protesting. But then a group like this tries to organize against a local bank that has done some really bad stuff, and people are so critical of them (the Occupiers). Fascinating.

• Rick March 13, 2012 (5:00 pm)

  Handful of the masses, 3 or 4 “oppressors” conducting business in the bank, 15 cops using their vacation time to make sure all goes well.

• JanS March 13, 2012 (5:02 pm)

  Whatever your feelings about this, remember that it’s your right to “protest” civilly, too. You can disagree with them, but they have every right to do what they do. If we all simply acquiesced and kept our mouths shut about whatever, others assume that it’s because people must feel that whatever is OK. Sometimes it’s not OK, and even if it’s a small gesture, it IS a gesture. I respect people who will stand up for what they believe in like this, even if it takes sarcastic remarks from others who think it’s not OK…much more than I respect the people who are ignorantly pegging these people in specific and untrue holes.

• CB March 13, 2012 (5:03 pm)

  Too bad people keep electing the same politicians who are bought and paid for by the big banks and the rest of corporate America. If you want change, stop re-electing these clowns.

• Ha, no. March 13, 2012 (5:08 pm)

  Dimon makes a ton of money. Millions. I get it. I don’t. So what? I don’t blame Chase for my financial position, I blame myself. I signed my mortgage, I choose how hard I want to work at my career.

  Experience has taught me that happiness and contentment don’t blossom from jealousy. Work on yourself, do your best, and find peace with what you have.

• W.S. maverick March 13, 2012 (5:20 pm)

  occupy try getting a job. these bums are doing nothing and the occupy movement is over, must be a few stragglers left

• Revel Smith March 13, 2012 (6:01 pm)

  Hear they are at Chase Bank as is SPD x 30. Update please!

• seewhatsealionsstart March 13, 2012 (6:01 pm)

  The “get a job” rhetoric is old and uninteresting. I work with two of the women who helped organize this event. They are very active in the community on a lot of projects and have spent all of their adult lives working daily for a more thoughtful and just world. I appreciate their, and anyone’s, efforts towards fairness and equality for all humans.

• BB March 13, 2012 (6:05 pm)

  Unreal man, it was so nice you had to say the same thing twice, just unreal man, you should come join us man, we’re not hurting no one.

• Brad March 13, 2012 (6:06 pm)

  I totally a agree maverick

• AndrewsDad March 13, 2012 (6:06 pm)

  I was in the area at 4pm when it was suppose to start and about 8 people were under the awning at Key Bank across from Easy Street Records. When I was walking back about 20 minutes later maybe 10 people were at the same place keeping out of the rain. About an hour and a half later I walked up to see if anything was happening and 2 Seattle Police officers were at the Chase bank, nobody else. I asked what had happened and they said about 15 – 20 people max were there for about an hour while the sun was out. They said mostly middle age and looked like teachers.

• Aman March 13, 2012 (6:10 pm)

  I was in the immediate area from approx. 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for a meeting at Shadowland Restaurant & Bar ( 4458 California Avenue). I had a “birds-eye 180 degree view” of the demonstration. I counted 40 people at the apex (approx. 4:45 pm.) of the demonstration (8 of the 40 were kids approx. 4- 14 years old.)

  All demonstrators were well behaved, friendly, & courteous. LOT’S of smiles & positive energy. Good police presence (no, they did NOT outnumber the demonstrators by ANY measure); Police I spoke with also in an upbeat mode.

  By 5:30 p.m. the rain, sleet, hail, and wind had ceased and the sun was out. The remaining demonstrators numbered approx. 30 people.

  NICE to see my fellow citizens out, braving the elements exercising OUR human right to free speech. Whether one agrees with them or not, THANK YOU!

• Greg McCorkle March 13, 2012 (6:11 pm)

  Dang! I missed the rally. Thought it was at 6….. my bad. When is the next action?

• jc March 13, 2012 (6:12 pm)

  Thank you, Seewhatsealionsstart, not just old and uninteresting, a sure sign of one’s ignorance of the movement and core participants. If you don’t support it at least do everyone the courtesy of posting relevant arguments.

• Genessee neighbor March 13, 2012 (7:10 pm)

  I drove through about 5 p.m. I did not appreciate one of the protesters pushing his sign up against my windshield as I was trying to turn right from Oregon onto California Ave.

• Jason March 13, 2012 (7:37 pm)

  I think it’s funny that people bitch about how terrible it’s going to be and then when it’s not terrible at all they lie about it, that’s right Andrews dad I’m talking to you. At its height we had 42 people, the spd was even enjoying themselves we had great conversations with passers by and the weather didn’t deter us one bit. A fun time was had by all if you truly walked by us 3 times you would have realized that. But I guess your just a troll if you hate us so much why all the energy of walking by us three times and all these posts on the blog?

  @genesse neighbor I am sorry that happened to you, the bulk of us were not trying to be bothersome to drivers by please don’t do like so many and judge an entire group by the assinine action of one.

• bsmomma March 13, 2012 (7:47 pm)

  I think there were more cops there than Occupiers. Do we pay for those cops?

• Ocelot March 13, 2012 (7:53 pm)

  I would like to remind those who are criticizing the numbers of protesters who were at this event that a) not only was it raining, sleeting, hailing, and cold today, but also b) there were a number of other events going on today targetting Chase, including a march downtown and trial support for the Chase 5, which included a steady head-count of 30-40 throughout the eight hours of trial today. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/322405331141611/
  https://www.facebook.com/events/371131716236401/

  By the way, one more thing about numbers: if we should know anything by now about cops, it’s that we can’t trust them with any information like that. It’s completely in their interests to underestimate the turn out for any action that targets institutions they uphold. For example, they lied to me about where I should go to catch up with a march after John T. Williams got killed, and I knew it as soon as they did it. Can we take the SPD’s numbers with a mound of salt? Thanks.

• orca March 13, 2012 (8:22 pm)

  I counted the protestors at about 4:20. There were 21 adults and some small children. If there were ever 42 people there as Jason posted, it must have been much later. There did not appear to be any more coming when I went by on the way to the Post Office. I stopped across the street and carefully counted as I was sure that the number would be reported as higher. It is amusing that they have almost doubled what I saw.
  All in all it was not much. All very peaceful. SPD were there in some number. I counted 7 SPD cars parked in area and the officers at Chase. There were several around the back in the alley.
  Not sure of number of officers as I did not count them.

• downthehill March 13, 2012 (8:32 pm)

  They were sanctimonious jerks when they “shut down” the port, and they are now. Agree with the issues, but to change it will require something totally different then the rehashed 60s stuff.

• Dina March 13, 2012 (8:34 pm)

  Hello! My best pictures of this event are on Flickr, linked in my name.

  Thanks to all my fellow citizens who came out to express involvement in the world we live in and concern for their fellow humans.

  Thanks to the young families who are teaching ther kids to care and to feel free to speak out in public.

  Thanks to the friendly, cool Seattle cops who respect the right of free speech and peaceful demonstration.

  Thanks for the cupcakes!

• AndrewsDad March 13, 2012 (8:43 pm)

  As I said prior I was there at 4 and about 8 people were in front of Key Bank staying dry. Walk back past around 4:15 and there were probably 10 still in front of Key Bank I took a picture at both times. As I said I went back to Chase around 5:45 and there were just 2 Seattle Police officers there. I asked if anything had happened and they said people were there for about an hour. I asked how many and 1 copy said 15, the other said 20 max. I never saw anyone in front of Chase as I was there at 4:15 and 5:45. The 15-20 number was given to me by Seattle Police officers. Not my number, theirs. I walked by 3 times because the first 2 I walked to the post office and back timing it so that I could see for myself how it went. Unfortunately nobody was doing anything at 4:15. So when I got done with work I decided to walk over again and once again nothing. So I asked the cops who were standing there. Not sure why the cops would lie to me by half. I also asked if anything happened and they said no, it was an older crowd and most seemed like they were school teachers.

• Mike March 13, 2012 (8:48 pm)

  Ocelot, SPD is not a map service, they are not required, nor should they need to, provide directions to events. If you needed directions, you should have mapped it out ONLINE ahead of time.
  .
  That cop pictured above looks like he’s about ready to just go crazy doesn’t he? I mean, dang… he’s all Captain Kangaroo looking, totally a threat and trying to keep the protestors at bay. It’s almost like he’s about to go RAMBO and pull some Apocalypse Now crazy maneuvers on that crowd. I bet he’s eyeing little birthday hat lady or Rob Zombies long lost brother…

• Jason March 13, 2012 (8:59 pm)

  The Seattle police department that joined us today was more than wonderful. They were curteous, and seems to be enjoying themselves. I wish more of the Seattle police officers acted in this manner to peaceful protesters. That being said the protesters were also polite and curteous, i wish all protesters were able to be this peaceful and have this much fun at an event!

• Aman March 13, 2012 (9:04 pm)

  Jason’s estimates are accurate regarding the turn-out.

  I was in the immediate area from approx. 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for a meeting at Shadowland Restaurant & Bar ( 4458 California Avenue). I had a “birds-eye 180 degree view” of the demonstration.

  I counted 40 people at approx. 4:45 pm. (of the demonstrators 8 of the 40 were kids approx. 4- 14 years old.)

  The demonstrators were well mannered & focused. The police were chill.

  I was told by a demonstrator to think of this event as “Spring Training.”

  NICE to see my fellow citizens out, braving the elements exercising OUR human right to free speech.

  Whether one agrees with them or not, THANK YOU!

• Jason March 13, 2012 (9:04 pm)

  great pics Dina, would you mind if we posted some on our facebook page, or would you like to?
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-West-Seattle/313781775340469

• ohthehorror March 13, 2012 (9:17 pm)

  @AndrewsDad – oh please do tell us what teachers look like. I’ve known lots of them over the years and I wouldn’t have been able to pick them as a group out of a line up. Oh wait, the police told you that, right? Hopefully, Andrew isn’t homesKooled…

• miws March 13, 2012 (9:31 pm)

  At least one of Dina’s pics features an intrepid WSB Co-Publisher rushing to get his own pics! ;-)

  .

  Mike

• PamEvelyn March 13, 2012 (9:35 pm)

  I applaud all the people that took time out today to stand up for our rights! Change needs to happen. God Bless ’em for being out there! Thanks so much you guys!!

• george March 13, 2012 (9:44 pm)

  Thanks guys. I went and opened an account today at Chase, since they employ local West Seattlites and support local business, like a good bank. They treated me great.

  Where were you folks when WAMU needed this type of support?

• Jason March 13, 2012 (9:48 pm)

  @george where was chase for west seattleites when they decided to lay off over 3000 washington wokrers immediatly after acquiring WAMU?

  • WSB March 13, 2012 (10:32 pm)

    To the person who quoted police as saying the participants were there for about an hour: (A) To everybody on all sides, debating numbers/crowd size/etc. is fairly useless, believe me. I’ve covered events huge and tiny. I asked my co-publisher, who was there (with assistance from our sometime intern) to take photos and video (which I’m still reviewing as it’s been a busy night) for an approximate crowd count by the time they marched up to Chase, he said about two dozen. Looking at the wider photos I’m seeing, looks fairly accurate. Can’t speak to later but I **can** speak to the fact that protesters were still there at 5:35 pm – I was running late to get to the mayoral town hall (we were supposed to be there at 5:30 pm to be part of the community info fair) but drove through The Junction and pulled over immediately afterward to tweet that they were still gathered on the corners of California and Oregon: https://twitter.com/#!/westseattleblog/status/179727479081144320 – I have no way of knowing how much longer they were there, but “about an hour” would have been inaccurate – it was “at least an hour and a half.” Again, not that duration necessarily matters, either, one way or another. And if you go back and re-read the original announcement published here early Monday, I don’t believe there were promises of crowd size or event length – which tends to be the real test- it’s the news releases where organizers claim “hundreds of people will gather at …” or “thousands of people will gather at …” that tend to get groups of all stripes into trouble. – TR (still stuff to add here, for anybody interested, but first we’re finishing up the mayoral town hall story and publishing something else that got lost in the afternoon shuffle)

• Clayton March 13, 2012 (9:53 pm)

  Jason, many of those employees were immediately rehired. The rest were executives and others who took severance packages. Perhaps if you actually took the time to get to know anyone in the branch, most were actually employed by WAMU prior to the buyout.

• Clayton March 13, 2012 (9:57 pm)

  I thought I made a valid point. Society outcasts those who fail to be presentable. If you do not fit into society’s standards, you cannot be disappointed when you are outcast.

• OP March 13, 2012 (10:24 pm)

  Two dozen, eh? Now who’s part of the 0.000000001%

• Nick March 13, 2012 (10:38 pm)

  Seems like they’re just protesting to protest at this point. I would try something a bit more constructive at this point, this has gone on long enough. Just sayin’.

• JanS March 13, 2012 (11:03 pm)

  Clayton, my dear. Why should anyone have to fit into your standards. Explain to me exactly what “society’s standards” are. Is it coat and tie? Is it wearing a dress? Is it wearing blue instead of green? Your statement is ridiculous. We are all individuals. Judging someone by what they look like, what they wear, is pretty childish and ignorant.

• Clayton March 13, 2012 (11:24 pm)

  It is perfectly fine by me if you wish to appear like a hobo, but do not make the claim you represent me. Do not expect me or anyone else to listen to you if you look like you are allergic to showers.

  Call me childish and ignorant but my point is not made invalid. People are more likely to listen to people who are presentable. Would I trust a heart surgeon who had a long scraggly beard and wearing baggy, worn clothes? No! Professionalism is important regardless of anyone’s utopian idea of what should be acceptable by society. As much as I dislike them, look at the Tea Party. They made their point and then the put on their shirts and ties and hijacked the 2010 mid-term elections.

• vashon March 14, 2012 (1:17 am)

  I sure hope somday I can be like clayton. I have spent enough time being likeable.

• thatsjarrod March 14, 2012 (1:54 am)

  “Occupy” is like Courtney Love. Every few months they have to do something wacky to remind us they still exist. Pathetic

• cj March 14, 2012 (3:56 am)

  Oh cool! and I missed it, sigh

  Tis one of the things I love about Seattle

• Jason March 14, 2012 (5:34 am)

  @clayton wow I am so glad I am not as shallow as you seem. A heart surgeon is no less a heart surgeon based on their clothing or the fact that they have facial hair.

• W.S. maverick March 14, 2012 (5:55 am)

  i think chase is awesome for buying wamu out when they failed to make it. just saying someone had to do it. And standing on the street corner will never stop corporate greed, big brass will always have it

• Kayleigh March 14, 2012 (6:16 am)

  Thank you, Occupy West Seattle, for having the wisdom to see that the status quo does not work for the 99%, and for having the courage to do something about it!

• phil dirt March 14, 2012 (6:41 am)

  Hey Occupy, don’t forget to occupy McDermott, Murray and Cantwell’s offices. They voted to bail the banks out!!

• humf March 14, 2012 (6:53 am)

  ugh. get a job. what is this guys rants supposed to do?
  ____

  I feel for the people trying to earn their living at the bank inside. Yes, life would be great if we could all stick our noses up at corporate America, but most of us need money, jobs, have a family to provide for, want to be working, responsible individuals.
  —–
  PS: Good comment Clayton!

• Dizzle March 14, 2012 (7:00 am)

  Those better have been locally, US made balloons and whistles otherwise you Occupiers are supporting large overseas based corporations and bringing down our local economy!!

  —-
  And let’s be honest about professionally looking people…I would bet that none of you would pick a dreadlocked, baggy clothed wearing person over a well-groomed suit wearing person if you needed a lawyer or some other type of representation. It’s nice to say on this blog about how you don’t see what people look but who they are on inside. I call BS; how many of you have moved seats on a bus because someone looked ‘sketchy’ or kept your head down passing someone of a different race on the sidewalk? You all have done it in one way or another!!

• carlton March 14, 2012 (7:36 am)

  Corporate companies rule the world. It is either you get with them or go do whtever. It is the new America. Kapiche!

• JoB March 14, 2012 (8:08 am)

  ROFLOL…
  it’s obvious too many of you didn’t bother to go take a look at Dina’s pictures.
  scroll up. she posted at 8:34 on the 13th.
  click on her name… that will take you to a flicker slideshow of the march.
  .
  one smiling guy in dreadlocks.. a couple of guys with beards…a few mom’s with kids
  and a lot of appropriately dressed middle aged folks braving the weather
  .
  If they didn’t carry signs you would assume they were the Sunday market crowd..
  .
  for this we make a fuss?
  .
  FYI..
  occupy happens somewhere in Seattle pretty much every night.
  no, they don’t protest every night..
  but they meet to talk and plan and implement solutions where they can
  .
  i don’t have the patience for their process
  that kind of consensus among so many people with dissimilar backgrounds takes time
  but at least they are looking for solutions
  .
  Are you doing as much?

• S March 14, 2012 (8:37 am)

  Just go away and don’t come back. The last time a protester (WTO) got in my way I almost ran them down. I don’t care if you have the right to protest. You don’t have the right to impede on my life and my ability to get around.

  Clayton is right in his comments. If you look the part people will listen and give you respect, but if you look like a homeless person no one is going to look your way.

• Jason March 14, 2012 (9:25 am)

  @dizzle i have never ignored someone based on their race, i have never been so judgmental of someone based on their appearance that I moved away from them on the bus. I guess i am not a bigot or a racist, perhaps you are.

  @s did anyone at the protest yesterday impede on your life or your ability to get around? didn’t think so then why would you imply that you’d “run them down”?

• AndrewsDad March 14, 2012 (9:31 am)

  I have never said I know for a fact that there were 20 max. As I have stated repeatedly, I saw about 8 at Key Bank at 4 as I was walking to the post office. When I was walking back from the post office around 4:15, I walked past Chase, no protestors were there, maybe 5 cops. I then walked past a group of about 10 once again still at Key Bank. At 5:45 I walked back to Chase to see if anything was happening and there were just 2 cops there and no protestors. I asked if anything happened, once again I never personally saw 1 single protestor at Chase. The one cop told me about 15, the other cop said 20 max. I asked how long were they there and they said about an hour. It was an hour an a half between the 2 times I was at Chase. So the protest at Chase had to happen after 4:15 and ended before 5:45. All I am trying to say is this is what I saw and what I was told by those I spoke to who were there. I have zero interest if there were 2 or 20 or 200 people there. I don’t care, I am just trying to relay what I saw and what I was told by the police. Regarding the teacher comment, as I made it clear, yes, that is what the police told me. They looked like a bunch of teachers. I believe I said to the cop the group I saw seemed to be older than I expected, most looked around 50. I was expecting more 20 year olds.

• S March 14, 2012 (10:43 am)

  @Jason

  Yes they did impede on my ability to get around. They slowed traffic up and case congestion. One of them ran out infront of me and gave someone in the car next to me something.

  The people almost ran down was the WTO people not the dumb occupy people.

• Jtk March 14, 2012 (11:25 am)

  you will never believe what happened… I went to Chase this morning, They said they were closing their doors for good because of all of the 40 people that came out yesterday to “protest”…. way to go protesters… that time and energy WORKED…. BAAAHAHAHAHAA….
  ……… I kid of course…….
  Good LORD!…

• T-Rex March 14, 2012 (12:50 pm)

  So the Occupy people don’t like the fact that the CEO of Chase makes big bucks but its OK for people like the late Steve Jobs and Bill Gates to be beyond wealthy?

  Just sayin’….

• Nick March 14, 2012 (12:53 pm)

  I always find it a bit disturbing whenever I see little children at protests and things like this, no matter what they’re protesting or which side they’re on. You are older and mature and have a right to stand up for whatever you believe in, but please don’t bring all your kids to join the mob and hold signs about something they know absolutely nothing of. There’s a fine line between teaching your kids, and brainwashing your kids.

• Terry March 14, 2012 (1:08 pm)

  Wow, that human microphone video ia painful to watch.

• Anita March 14, 2012 (1:33 pm)

  I couldn’t be at the protest yesterday because I was working but I want to put a word in for the Occupy movement in all its forms. My eyes have really been opened by things I have learned about the way the system works since I have been taking part here in Seattle. Right now I am reading a really excellent book by Ellen Hodgson Brown, J.D., *The Web of Debt* which gives the history of the role of financiers and central banks in producing the kind of bad economy and social conditions we are now seeing (with 1/2 of the people in the country below or near the poverty line). A lot of the people in West Seattle are still doing better than that and are not directly aware of the people who are suffering and may not understand how the big banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America and others are right in the middle of the destroying of American life as we have known it. That’s why we’re protesting at the banks and there are lots of other efforts going on as well which are much less visible. Such as the several million people who have moved their money out of these banks, lawsuits, etc. Hey we agree with the Tea Party and many others that “It’s time to take our country back” with government by the people and for the people! All the people.

• KD March 14, 2012 (1:34 pm)

  OKAY!!! Now after almost 200 comments, I think it’s time for ‘Jason’ and ‘AndrewsDad’ to meet at opposite corners in WS Junction, ten gallon hats on, holsters slung off their hips, and just before sundown.., oops I mean haildown.., no, sleet-snowdown… Oh you know what I mean! The “all way walk” light changes at the intersection of California & Alaska, they both slowly, reaching for their holsters at the signal change…..,and faster than lightning, wait for it….., GRAB THEIR I-PHONES and start whipping out text’s to each other via the famous WSBlog while the good townsfolk of West Seattle cower in the the protective shades of Easy Street, Cupcake Royale, SuperSupplements and the occasional Metro bus shelter! When it’s all over, we all gather down to the old Charlestown to share in Alki Fish & Chips/Marination Mobile food, and share plans of opening ChaseStarbucksDicksVeganKorean drive-thru…, with AndrewsDad & Jason as co-CEO’s !!!!! And the beautiful,charming West Seattle peninsula kingdom lives happily TOGETHER again. The End!….. I mean, AMEN!!!

• MSW March 14, 2012 (5:19 pm)

  Oh…great. I had to walk by these nitwits every day on my way home from working downtown. These people are nothing but trouble and now they’re in my neighborhood. If you don’t like the banks don’t use them. No one is forcing you!

• W.S. maverick March 14, 2012 (5:39 pm)

  occupy this ! occupy the farmers market for only coming once a week occupy easy street for still selling cds occupy ace hardware for not being as big as home depot

• Joe the Plumber March 14, 2012 (8:38 pm)

  Proud to be as shallow as Clayton. occupy a shower once in a while and dress like a grown up. maybe get a job like one and the American dream is still within reach.

• Lonnie March 15, 2012 (7:09 am)

  @MSW, we’ve always been in West Seattle, we live here, and that is why we’ve started doing actions in West Seattle. I’m sorry if “your” neighborhood is not as homogenous as you thought it was or would like it to be.

• Erik March 15, 2012 (2:53 pm)

  And the whistleblowers have been busy the last couple of days:
  .
  1st slamming Goldman Sachs:
  http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1145875–goldman-banker-slams-rip-off-culture-as-he-quits-job
  .
  and now JP MOrgan:
  .
  http://comments.cftc.gov/PublicComments/ViewComment.aspx?id=57019&SearchText

• Kristin March 15, 2012 (10:42 pm)

  Three cheers for the whistleblowers! They are doing the right thing.
  –
  I wanted to chime in about the comment Nick made about involving children in events such as this, as those were my kids you saw in the pics (here are a few more of my photos). I have thought long and hard about this, and do not take it lightly for sure. I would never take my kids to an event that I thought would not be safe or kid-friendly. I knew this event was going to be both, and they were THRILLED to be able to come with us.
  –
  As parents, we have an obligation to teach (and model) the values we believe are important. It is an incredible opportunity and also an incredible burden, but one I gladly took on when I became a parent.
  –
  The signs my kids were holding were ones they had made by hand themselves (with my help spelling/writing), their own words, what THEY wanted to share and carry. “Be kind” “Be fair” and “Be Peaceful”. Pretty much huge and daily issues for children in the 3-5 age range, so quite developmentally appropriate. Would you consider those statements to be “brainwashing”?
  –
  I would never give my kid a sign to carry that had a message she did not understand or was not from within her (which would include anything about Chase or banking or Occupy, for that matter). Someone did offer one of my girls a 99% sign and she wanted to wear it, so that’s fine with me, too.
  –
  My kids are little and at an age where they want to be with us, want to imitate us, want to do what we do, so letting them join in on a neighborhood family-friendly event is a no-brainer for me. We hang out in the junction all the time, why would I not take them to this when we went last week and will go again tomorrow for whatever else we enjoy doing there? As they get older and are start to form their own (perhaps dissenting) opinions about things (or maybe just don’t want to hang with the 30-50 something peace & justice activist crowd, haha) I would certainly not force them to attend anything political or issue-related that they did not want to be a part of.
  –
  For now, I am glad to be able to show them by example my values (which includes social justice, education & outreach, gathering with friends & neighbors in person to discuss issues important to us). My kids had a great time waving their signs, playing their instruments, getting tons of attention and encouragement from the police and other activists, and eating cupcakes. Win win win. Looking forward to our next family event with Occupy West Seattle.

Sorry, comment time is over.