As Occupy Protesters' Camps Are Broken, Pause to Consider What They've Accomplished

​Wait. The "occupy" part of Occupy may be over, but that's not the story. The story is what the movement has accomplished already.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has evicted Occupy from Zuccotti Park. Our own mayor is making it plain that the Occupy Dallas camp behind City Hall is soon to go. A story in The New York Times reveals that that the Occupy eviction actions around the country are concerted, if less than meticulously coordinated.
The story reports: "Portland's mayor, Sam Adams, said the United States Conference of Mayors had organized two conference calls 'to share information about the occupying encampments around the country.' He said participants on the calls were eager for advice on how cities were handling demonstrations."

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Protestor Accused of Assaulting Cop Now Accused of Punching a Fellow Occupier

Earlier this morning, Occupy Dallas posted to its website an item headlined: "OccupyDallas supporter assaulted." That supporter: Glynn Wilcox, who was among those who helped hash out the agreement between City Hall and the protesters that allowed them to camp out behind Dallas City Hall.

And according to the account, written by Occupy Dallas spokesman Michael Prestonise, and subsequent interviews, Wilcox was assaulted by none other than Stephen Benavides, the very man charged with assaulting a public servant and resisting arrest after that off-duty Dallas Police officer appeared to shove him from the planter at the downtown Bank of America.

According to Wilcox, Prestonise's account and the Dallas Police report, several Occupiers and their attorney, Jonathan Winocour, were meeting at BuzzBrews in Deep Ellum Tuesday evening -- just an informal, what's-next planning session. But at some point their "political discussion" (per DPD's account) turned into a full-blown argument, which turned into an assault on the Commerce Street sidewalk. Says Wilcox: "It just went down the rabbit hole pretty quickly."

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Statement from Stephen Benavides About 11/15/2011 Assault on Occupy Dallas Protester

Action Alert : Arrest Bush Thursday in Las Colinas! 11/17/11, 5:00pm

What? Protest to call for the arrest of George W. Bush for war crimes and candlelight vigil to remember the war dead.
When? Thursday, November 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where? In front of Irving Convention Center, 500 Las Colinas Blvd, Las Colinas, TX.
Why? We must hold government officials accountable for illegal actions, so that subsequent administrations won't commit the same crimes. Accountability deters recidivism!

On Thursday, November 17, George W. Bush will be speaking at the Irving Convention Center at a fundraiser for Real Choices, a group whose mission statement says, "Who can save one life?" Please join us at 5:00 pm for a peaceful, nonviolent, silent protest reminding people of the thousands of lives that have been lost due to the policies of the Bush administration and to call for the arrest of George W. Bush for war crimes.

We will be doing street theater, reprising the "March of the Dead (http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/medea-benjamin-death-marchers-haunt-new.html)," in respect and mourning for those killed at the hands of the Bush administration. All you need to bring is yourself, DRESSED IN ALL BLACK (or as dark as possible). We will provide everything else: the white death masks and placards with names and ages of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to wear around our necks, as well as signs and banners which speak to our message: ARREST BUSH; WAGING WARS OF AGGRESSION IS ILLEGAL UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW; MR. BUSH - TURN YOURSELF IN!; BUSH CHOSE DEATH FOR 5,000 AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND THOUSANDS OF IRAQIS; GOT HYPOCRISY?; TORTURE IS ILLEGAL; TORTURE IS IMMORAL; TORTURE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE; ARREST CRIMINALS - DON'T PAY THEM TO SPEAK; IRAQ: HOW MANY LIVES?; WAR IS TERROR; WE ARE THE 99% AND WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!, etc.

As it grows dark, we will have a candlelight vigil (materials provided), followed by some chants and song.

There is no public parking anywhere near the convention center, so you can either: 1) meet us at 4:30pm at the Corner Bakery (118 E John Carpenter Fwy # 100, Irving, TX) for last-minute briefing and to consolidate cars (which will then park in the parking garage), or, 2) just park in the parking garage at the convention center and then join us outside in front of the building (we will be out there by 5:00pm). Try to make it by 5:00, but if you have to be late, that's okay, just drive directly to the parking garage and then come outside to meet us
.
Co-sponsored by CodePINK Greater Dallas and the Dallas Peace Center.
Contact: jharris866@aol.com; ttrr@sbcglobal.net


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ACTION ALERT : Silent Protest of Donald Rumsfeld at Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus this Friday at 6 pm

********ACTION ALERT, ACTION ALERT**********

Silent Protest at Collin County Community College Spring Creek Campus this Friday at 6 pm. Come out to protest the hosting of Donald Rumsfeld (former U.S. Secretary of Defense and master mind behind the War on Iraq) here to promote his book 'Known and Unknown: A Memoir'......... Known: We do not condone his policy, his book, or his actions! WEAR WHITE And see you there at 6PM SHARP!!! Keep the PEACE!!!



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Occupy Dallas Can Stay if They Don't Break Any Laws Future violations could result in eviction

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

Occupy Dallas may be permitted to remain at the camp adjacent to City Hall through the Dec. 14 agreement, the group's attorney, Jonathan Winocour, said Wednesday morning.

Winocour met with city lawyers again Wednesday after a federal judge refused to grant Occupy Dallas a restraining order on Tuesday to block the city from evicting them from the camp.

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Press Release: OccupyDallas supporter assaulted

Dallas, TX, November 9, 2011 — Among the issues facing the Occupy movement across the country, the actions of the radical few who seek to incite violence against fellow protesters and police officers is one which is continually denounced. The non-violent nature of these peaceful protests remain a key to their success in raising awareness of the corruption on Wall Street.

     During an off-site dinner meeting at a local cafe in Deep Ellum Tuesday night, supporter Glynn Wilcox was physically assaulted by Stephen Benavides, despite attempts to bring calm to the aggressive situation. The unofficial gathering at BuzzBrews centered around discussion of the issues facing the OccupyDallas movement. As a dozen members of the group, including supporters Wilcox and attorney Jonathan Winocour, engaged in conversation, an argumentative Benavides approached and began criticizing them for their involvement. "You're not a part of the 99%" shouted Benavides. He went on to demand the expulsion of two members of the Media work group on the grounds that they were 'elitists' and criticized them for inadequate food preparations at the camp.

     As Wilcox and the other members present attempted to de-escalate the situation, Benavides lunged forward and violently assaulted the supporter. After striking him in the face several times, Benavides turned and ran from the scene. The police were called immediately and several statements were made by witnesses.

     This episode of violent rage highlights the issue of radical individuals attempting to incite violence among fellow protesters.

The members of OccupyDallas continue to denounce violence as a method of protest and voted weeks ago that any show of violent force was grounds for immediate expulsion from the camp. Files have been charged against Benavides for assault by Wilcox. Another member has also filed charges against Benavides for making threats of violence.

     For more information, contact Michael Prestonise at 214-293-0548 or news@occupydallas.org. More information, including additional multimedia content, can also be found at www.occupydallas.org.

Occupy Dallas, city officials to meet.

DALLAS (AP) - Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says city and Occupy Dallas officials will meet after a federal judge cleared the way for the city to close the demonstrators' campsite near City Hall.

Protesters failed to get a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent the closure. The mayor though said no action would be taken Tuesday at Occupy Dallas.

Rawlings says city attorneys will discuss the "next steps" with the group's legal representation Wednesday. He says public safety and health conditions are a "paramount concern."

The city last week alleged protesters violated an agreement allowing the campsite. The city noted reports of an alleged sexual assault of a child at the site, the removal of a baby over possible endangerment and trespassing arrests.

Occupy Dallas officials say protesters are abiding by the deal.