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Note: The opinions expressed by the moderators and members of this discussion board do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Occupy Together or Occupy Wall St. In the spirit of free information, open discussion, and the freedom of expression, members are able to speak about issues relating and directly pertaining to the Occupy movement. You will be banned for hate speech or intentional misinformation and please refrain from any violent rhetoric; this is a peaceful movement. Thank you.
Own the Flag
  • spatztakesaction January 2012 +1 -1
    I was really disappointed to see that some Occupy protestors had burned the American flag at Oakland City Hall. I can't imagine anything more stupid and self-defeating. How many of the 99% in this country do you hope to win over when you do this? When you burn the flag you are playing right into the hands of the 1%. They want the rest of the country to believe that you are nothing but fit-throwing, self-absorbed children. That's not the message you want to broadcast to the nation, is it?

    The corrupt elites LOVE IT when you burn the flag. You're doing their dirty work for them. They want the American public to think that the Occupy movement is a minority, a bunch of hoodlums, un-American. You're working for the 1% every time you burn the flag.

    Ask yourself why you protest. Do you really want to win this fight? Or do you want to give up your power to others so you can keep protesting?

    Own the flag. Own the narrative. Occupy the message. Imagine the powerful image of protestors draped in American flags confronting the police with their tear gas guns. Tell the world that YOU are America.

    The Egyptian protestors were carrying their country's flag - because they know it's theirs. They wrested it from the hands of Mubarak and carried it proudly. Don't tell the famillies of those that were injured and killed in the revolution that a flag is "just" a symbol. Symbols are ideas. People fight and die for them.

    Take up the flag. When you carry the flag proudly you are claiming what is rightfully yours, you are taking your power.

    And to all the many Occupiers who ARE splashing the streets with the red, white, and blue - Right On!

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