“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.”

Thomas Jefferson

It seems a spark has been lit spreading open rebellion against the greed and corruption in the corporate world and its control of the political process. The movement started in Zuccotti Park (formerly Liberty Plaza) and spread like a chain letter to over a 100 U.S. cities and worldwide. Early on the movement was met with skepticism and “dirty hippie” epitaphs but now garners over 52 percent approval from those following the story closely. In New York City that number approaches two-thirds. Given the shoddy corporate media coverage, as more people begin to follow this story closely, these numbers are sure to grow.

We might have a movement, or as Jefferson suggested an attention to public affairs. Having spent a few days here in Washington D.C. attending October 2011 and Occupy DC, a bus trip to New York City to get a first-hand view of the birth of the movement seemed important.

Watching the distorted news coverage of Occupy Wall Street that seemed to purposefully paint a negative image of the occupy movement, I was surprised by the size of the location and scope of activity.

What I saw in Zuccotti Park  was much different than what the mainstream media portrayed and 180 degrees from right-wing Fox News coverage. If I were part of the 1% rather than the 99%, I would be mildly concerned. While barely a month in the making, these people have entrenched impressive organizational strides. They are discussing serious issues searching for a consensus that can jell into a platform for radical change in our politics and society. These people are for real.

Some of the impressive infrastructures I noticed were basic but well implemented like a kitchen and pantry…

A well stocked “People’s Library” started by Betsy Fagin, a graduate of Vassar and Brooklyn College.

Basic necessities in this area called “Comfort Station”  including hats, mittens, sweaters and boots seem to be stockpiled, portending a protracted stay.

Does this level of sophistication look like the work of “dirty hippies,”  or committed activists seeking what Jefferson called a “spirit of resistance?”

This movement is taking place in a surprisingly small plaza. Yes there are trees, but to call it a  “park” doesn’t capture the setting. This is a cement enclave near Wall Street and The World Trade Center Memorial, the size of a city block minus much of the block taken up by wide sidewalks. They are operating at close quarters.

Bordered by Broadway, Trinity Place, Liberty Street and Cedar Street, this area was heavily damaged by the 9/11 attack. I would describe the actual “occupy” area as half of a football field in size. Yet it contains this rich mixture of people, ideas and purposes united around a rather simple yet profound banner, “We are the 99%.” Within this confine occupiers sleep, eat, discuss politics, organize and plan their systematic changes.

Beyond the basics described, I witnessed several serious working groups discussing a range issues.

Inside the “Think Tank” a group was in the midst of debating a health care agenda.

Toward the front (Broadway) of the plaza, a group of 20 or so were discussing women’s issues in the Zuccotti Park version of Robert’s Rules of Order with hand signals and the now familiar short sentence style repeated by others so everyone can hear. I listened for an hour or so to this highly functional collection of people.

Just maybe there is an awakening. Still relatively small but poised to grow. After 40 years of relative political dormancy, during which the 1% have garnered a whopping 40% of the wealth of this country as well as a stranglehold on our political process, perhaps there is a recognition that it is time to become attentive to public policy.

The chant, “What does Democracy look like?” and the reply, “This is what Democracy looks like!” might just make Jefferson smile…

“If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.”

Thomas Jefferson

Update 10/19

New poll out today, “Some 59 percent of adults either completely agree or mostly agree with the protesters.” As more people hear about the movement, the numbers go up. From the same poll…”Almost two-thirds of respondents—65 percent—said they’ve heard “a lot” or “some” about the rallies, while 35 percent have said they’ve heard or seen “not too much” or “nothing at all” about the demonstrations.”

Update two

Take time to read this article by Glenn Greenwald (previously a constitutional law and civil rights litigator in New York). He speaks of a climate of fear which extends to participating in political demonstrations. His blog is a great read.

Update three

From this expanding map of protest hot spots and reported arrests you can track the movement’s growth in the U.S. and worldwide. Click on the dots for details from more than 445 locations. Plus if you scroll down the site, there are several income inequality charts that graphically illustrate the problem.