Occupy Salem, in common with its sister movements across the nation inspired by Occupy Wall Street, claims to have no leaders. Occupy Wall Street began September 17 in New York City’s Zucotti Square as an ongoing series of protests against corporate excess and income equality. Occupy Salem, in concert with the larger movement, strives to carry its message by presenting a living example of pure democracy and transparency, where everyone has an equal voice.
Michelle Darr, local activist and owner of Salem Bicycle Taxis, has held the permit, out of legal necessity, that has allowed Occupy Salem to inhabit a portion of Willson Park on the State Capitol grounds since October 10. She was also responsible for setting the spark that ignited the local movement. A tweet she sent out resulted in a meeting of the the group’s organizing structure, the General Assembly, at Riverfront Park in early October, and led to the subsequent encampment or “village.”
“It is not a camp,” Darr states, referring to the gathering of a dozen small tents and several larger temporary structures housing a kitchen, medical tent and supply area. The permit, granted contingent to an agreement with the State Park Service that demonstrators move the smaller tents every night to a church parking lot across the street,has allowed the encampment, which initially met resistance, to stay for almost two months.
Now, Occupy Salem, like others, including Occupy Portland and Occupy Wall Street, is facing imminent eviction by State parks officials, who have notified Darr that they will not extend the permit at Willson Park beyond the end of this month. They cite, among their reasons, the inevitable problems that have developed as a result of offering food and medical resources that attract a portion of the population with many needs, and the attendant social ills of substance abuse and public disruptions. The Parks Department sees these unintended developments, arising out of the original protest, to be incompatible with the purposes of a state park or with first amendment rights to free speech and assembly, according to Peter Bergel of Oregon Peaceworks, who is working with Darr.
Darr, who began a fast on November 17 as her “prayer” that the encampment will be allowed to continue in some form, has appealed the decision but is prepared for changes that may mean altering or moving the current incarnation of Occupy Salem. She, along with the members of the general assembly, including local activists, legal professionals, students, union members, the unemployed and at least one member formerly allied with the Tea Party, also see this challenge as an opportunity to evolve and grow.
Under discussion is a possible change of focus at Willson Park toward an emphasis on education and outreach. This would include an ongoing presence on the Capitol steps and a re-focusing towards political messaging and strategy. The group is also attempting to find an indoor meeting place to accommodate a larger segment of the community, who may want to participate as the weather makes the outdoor gatherings more challenging.
Darr and others would like to maintain the “services” aspect of the movement, which she sees as essential to addressing the imbalances of the current society, but shift the location of these efforts to Marion Square Park (referred to as Occupy II), and to a shift from overnight camping to providing services during the day. Marion Square is a natural venue, according to Darr, as it already attracts homeless youth and others who don’t necessarily feel comfortable on the grounds of the capitol or feel their interests are not being represented in the nightly assemblies to address strategy and concerns. Darr stresses that these services will be offered in the spirit of “working with people” to help them empower themselves, without the sense of “doing for them.” Services will ideally include food, medical and legal assistance. “Everybody has something to contribute.”
In what is being referred to as “Occupy the Community,” Darr, along with other members ,have made efforts to build alliances with other groups. She recently attended a meeting of the Marion County Republicans where a proposal stating opposition to Occupy Salem was introduced and then withdrawn. The resolution included a point by point denouncing of the perceived lawlessness of the local effort, but did not receive enough support at the meeting, according to Jan Williamson, chairwoman of Marion County Republicans. Darr challenged the assembly with questions, such as, “How many of you are uncomfortable with … corporations’ avoidance of paying fair taxes?” and, “How many of you are sick of bailing out big banks?” She also congratulated conservative talk show host Bill Post, who was present, for initiating Occupy Scio, meant to be a spoof on Occupy Wall Street and others, but which Darr perceived as sharing values with her group, such as buying locally, banking locally and supporting local farmers. Though Darr was allowed to speak at the closed meeting, Williamson states that Marion County Republicans doesn’t support the method by which the protesters are getting their message out. Speaking on behalf of her group, she expressed her perception of the various encampments around the nation as being lawless, drawing police presences, resulting in unnecessary strife and conflict, and also expressed distaste with the physical appearance of many camps which she described as eyesores that hurt local business. She does support their first amendment right to free expression, and thinks that Occupy Salem might differ from other locations in its attempt to abide by the law.
Another aspect of “Occupying the Community” involves an effort to reach out to local businesses. “‘I am the 99%’ is the glue of this movement; to the extent that people can relate at all, … we are all in this together,” says Roberta Cade, who is involved with getting local businesses to display placards supporting Occupy Salem in their windows.
Ultimately, Darr remarked, the movement both locally and nationwide is fluid, like mercury. Any attempt to disperse it will only result in more activity.
