This is exactly what I was going to propose. I propose that we start rallying for the recalls of mayors and police commisioners in cities where heavy handed tactics and violence were used against demonstrators.

So far, I think these are the mayors and chiefs needed to resign/be recalled:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg/ Commisioner Raymond W. Kelly: for the arrest of 1000 peaceful protestors and violations of the first ammendment allowing citizens to protest and assemble http://gothamist.com/2011/10/21/mayor_bloomberg_promises_to_start_a.php#photo-1

Mayor Rahm Emanuel / Commisioner Garry McCarthy: for the heavy handed raids on the occupy Chicago group http://www.alternet.org/story/152840/occupy_chicago_activists_face_second_mass_arrest%3B_rahm_emanuel_sends_nurses_to_jail_with_protesters/

Mayor Jean Quan / Commisioner Howard Jordan: Most notably for the October 24th raid and 25th rally where the Oakland PD used tear gas, flash bangs, and rubber bullets on peaceful protestors. http://zunguzungu.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/14th-and-broadway/

I should add I have joined in a facebook group calling for the recall of Jean Quan and they are currently setting up a website for this order. As soon as it is set up and all the details are there I plan on posting the link to rally for signatures for her removal. Cannot help them much more than that as being out of state.

The best way is to show that even though they try to deter us, their efforts will only make us stronger.

I think though it's still a major rallying point to get behind. I think it should depend on the severity of the response, and right now the Oakland raids are the ones that have angered me the most. I think we need to start reminding the 1% of the power that we the 99% have to reverse their sway

OK guys, I have found a very good first step in the battle against evictions. See my new discussion regarding Scott Olsen under Action Proposals. I have started a petition at the White House and the President will respond if we can get enough people on board. There is a legal mechanism here to use and it is much easier and quicker than a re-call election. Let's get moving guys..... this solution is in my opinion our best hope to get the police to "back off"!

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law

Enforce Our Equal Rights To All Public Property; All Public Property should be equally available for the use of every citizen. and closed only for routine maintenance.

How about resisting arrest and the demonstrators arming themselves with billy clubs? So that when the pigs come to try to evict demonstrators the demonstrators could first respond by refusing to move, linking arms or chaining themselves together, going limp etc. and if the elite's servants insist on trying to break it up and resort to violence, using their batons to try to scare the protesters away the protesters can fight back. All it would take would be for one incident in which pig brutality quickly turns into dozens of pigs getting hospitalized with concussions after being smothered in a sea of protesters' batons and they would be a lot more circumspect when it comes to resorting to violence. Take video footage of it and post it on Youtube with Radiohead's "Karma Police" as the background music ("This is what you'll get when you mess with us"). They're bullies. The best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them and retaliate in kind. Bullies are cowards at heart and it normally takes just one incident that backfires on them for them to quit their bullying.

Everyone has a right to defend themselves. Nobody should let themselves be anyone's punching bag. Don't instigate the violence but be prepared to use force to defend oneself and one's brothers and sisters against the force used by the police pigs if THEY instigate it. People can even make their own riot shields out of barrels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:J27_Shields.jpg

shields are one things, clubs another, brutal truth this is the second discussion in a row where i worry. not to say that your zeal and ardor are unappreciated, but please understand, that while i (and i hope that more agree) do not want martyr's, to retaliate is to justify oppression. my understanding is that this whole movement is to demonstrate and actualize democratic government in a society that has forgotten what it looks like. we read about, or are taught about, what this government is supposed to be, yet as realists say that this idealism cannot be realized. i think this is a lie, one told to us so often, not only by our government but ourselves, that we have begun to believe it. or rather used to believe it. the phrase, that it is what it is, has once more begun to stick in our throats as the innocent within us clamors to be heard, screaming why in the back of our minds. we have begun to address this, and must continue to, but in the spirit of that innocence. that bit of ourselves not held back or down by cynicism and despair. our anger must be understood and used constructively, not allowed free rein to lead us. for that is only petulance. we must see where it wants to lead us, and march solidly and deliberately there, while not losing ourselves, lest we become mindless automatons of it. which would be as foolish as being meek sheep led to slaughter by televised misinformation or slogans written by greedy propagandists. i think the idea of recalling is fine, as well as putting pressure on higher officials to protect the constitutional rights we have. if those officials want to display that it is a lie that we have been fed, then perhaps it is time for a new truth to replace it. but until we have exercised those options, we cannot know if our belief that it is a lie is justified.

Go to http://wh.gov/THQOnce and sign the petition. If enough people sign this petition, the Executive Branch will have no choice but to be with us. This is the best solution at this point in time...

I'm with greenboy. Although I literally share your thoughts Brutal_Truth, it's really the reason I don't go on the front lines and protest. I know I would grab a stick and beat the crap out of anyone bringing harm our way. And right now that's what Fox and the other media scumbags want. If the day comes for violent revolution then the day comes, but now is not the time for that. Now is the time to keep our eye on the prize and prevent the 1% from trying to make us mess up like they've been doing.

jpcoble i tried signing that petition but the link is broken, 404 error. and i can find no reference of it anywhere on the site at the moment.

hmmm makes you wonder...

http://wh.gov/THQ

I just tested this one and it works on click-through. It looks like I accidentally put the "Once" too close to the URL. 25 of the signatures came within the first hour and then it stopped getting responses. I do not know why. I wish I had more time to tweet and put comments on other sites to get the word out about it, but heck, I work 7 days a week - if that weren't the case, I would be camping at one of the protests myself.

It would be really good if as many as possible could help with this effort. From a legal perspective, it is a really good idea to use mechanisms within our government to fight off the part of the local governments that are trying to kill our movement...

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law

Regarding my mention of camping out with the protesters:

It would be very difficult to control anger. And, the 1% is well aware of this. I do not know exactly where to find it, but if memory serves me correctly, it was the Buffalo Beast that had a contibutor several months ago who made a phone call to Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin. It was during the massive protests there. The caller identified himself as David Koch (of the infamous Koch Brothers). Scott Walker being the dumb pawn he is (and hopefully, soon ex-Governor) took the bait. One of the things that the fake David Koch mentioned was the idea of planting "instigators into the crowd in an effort to have the protest turn violent so that the police would have good reason to move in and clear the demonstration and also destroy public support for the Wisconsin movement." Scott Walker said that they had actually being thinking of doing exactly that. It was absolutely shocking. The story and the recording is certainly still available somewhere on the internet. I will note that my anti-virus issued a warning on the Buffalo Beast website though.

What I fear more than anything is that these crooks will actually try things like what was insinuated in the above-mentioned recording. It is obvious, if you listen to the recording, that Scott Walker would have seen this as normal conversation amongst the far right.

It is absolutely essential to remain non-violent AND that we use the legal systems as well as boycotts, divestiture of any investment in many non-desirable institutions, and move our money from large banks to small banks and credit unions.

My question now is: WHERE ARE THE OTHER LAWYERS!!! Those that are committed to this movement could actually do some good!

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law

we don't just need more lawyers, we need engineers, teachers (accredited no offense), and a slew of other professionals to at least give support by providing whatever their expertise can give us. though we might be dedicated to finding these answers with or without such support, many people don't seem to understand what a small amount of time in active participation, related to their field could provide.

I am reposting my response to another discussion thread on the congress effecively censoring the internet against the movement because I think the two issues are related. I would appreciate your feedback.

Unfortunately, they have the economic power and can scare the hell out of a lot of people. Some of you know me from my writings on the primacy of economics over politics and the need to establish a new economic system while capitalism is still around and lashing out. This is a strategic issue. Under the current facade of democracy is a fascist global state that will not hesitate to clamp down old style even as most of the population wakes up to its true predatory nature. As established media loses control of "the herd" vicious dogs are let loose.

We should use their desperation to the benefit of the movement and expose their true nature - avoiding overreaction. But ultimately they will go as far as lifting the curtains and revealing their fascist face and iron fist just as they have done for years around the world - i.e., America welcome to the rest of the world! That is why we must already think strategically and move quickly from a reactive protest and resistance phase, identifying the true nature of the problem (as I suggested global economic system failure of capitalism - spearheaded by US similar to the fall of Rome, which represented the climactic regime of the classical slavery economic system). We should then move quickly to a constructive phase of building the foundations of an alternative global economic system based on sustainable economic principles. Otherwise, we risk to be eventually swept into the "dark ages" similar to the aftermath of the fall of Rome.

Establishing a new economic system is crucial because it gives us an existence outside of capitalism. This would make capitalism and its financial disasters crushing the growing impoverished world population increasingly irrelevant for those who could survive outside of it. Many of us don't realize it but we support global capitalism and its various tentacles from the banks to corporations to government to the military industrial complex. We do that by our purely economic activities (i.e., being employed directly or indirectly, making purchases, and paying taxes - all of which are various forms of capital generation, fuel for the system). You can see that our politics mean little and the ultimate effects, as long as capitalism is the only system around, follow the profit motive in spite of anyone's intentions. By establishing an alternative economic system we hit the system and the capitalists where it hits most - their pockets. This not only weakens them, reducing the damage they inflict on the species and the biosphere, it also establishes a genuine power base (i.e., economic rather than political) from which the movement can launch its politics, proving by example that a better future is possible, as it struggles to embody the whole of our species.

I propose that we quickly help to establish occupy neighborhoods, start block watch groups where the people living in the neighborhood or apartment, etc. introduce themselves to each other exchanging contact info. Plan regular activities to get to know each other and extend that from local to global issues with focus on economics (not politics, culture, religion, etc.). Seek out the unemployed and the economically severely challenged. Establish (however imperfect and incomplete at first) a system of sharing skills and resources respecting people's needs and abilities as much as possible to supplement your economic "work" within the system. In particular, address survival issues such as alternative food production (e.g., communal gardening), water (e.g., rainwater collection, well water, water purification and conservation, etc.), energy (e.g., alternative energy, energy conservation and efficiency, etc.), health (e.g., holistic / herbal / nutritional medicine, prevention), security (neighborhood watch, alternative conflict resolution, neighborhood communal insurance, etc.), shelter (e.g., alternative living arrangements, alternative architecture / materials / local natural and recycled products appropriate for climate, etc.), household goods (e.g., free cycle, recycle, repair, alternative use, etc.), etc. etc. It is also very important to network with other neighborhoods (or socioeconomic units, possible pre-communal units) to reach a better balance between needs and resources as well as improve productivity and safeguard the growing new society, eventually reaching a "critical mass" capable of relative independent survival outside of the capitalist society. Thus, gradually but systemically moving out of capitalism, increasing sharing (removing private ownership and the profit motive - basis of "individualism") and cooperation (basis for "social consciousness") with emphasis on science and technology (to improve productivity and effective problem solving).

The scenario is obviously hypothetical and needs experimental verification, but starts from real-life ground conditions without any necessary elaborate preconditio(e.g., master computer, a vanguard political class or party, a regime change / “revolution” or worker’s state). It is driven by the survival motive (a very powerful force) of the participants faced with the near collapse of current system urging them to action (without reaction). But unlike most dysfunctional survival motives that are too often based on individualistic selfish motives and turn individuals withdrawn and defensive and isolated (i.e., imprisoned in the small world of the ego), this one demands the opposite, reaching out in sharing and cooperation, developing a new social indeed global identity, liberating us from the ego and dignifying our lives. This combination of survival on a personal and species level would indeed be a very power force for change (numerous experiments on brain research and social psychology especially in the last few years give support to this).

Furthermore, the scenario uses the possibilities increasingly available and related to the increasing economic failures of capitalism (e.g., army of the unemployed and impoverished, severe corruption in all institutions of capitalism from food and water to health and security, environmental degradation and climate change, waste and pollution, etc. and above all science and technology). It has the wind of history behind it (i.e., the survival motive) and grows organically from the ashes of capitalism.

The spark needed to start the prairie fire may have already been kindled.

Sorry Greenboy but defending oneself doesn't justify anything and you're arguing that we should allow ourselves to be punching bags, something I can't ever agree with. If we go out and initiate violence against police then that would surely be playing right into the elite's hands not to mention just plain wrong. But I really don't think any American watching on t.v. or on youtube would object to demonstrators who video evidence would prove were being non-violent and were attacked by the pigs simply fighting BACK. There is an ocean of difference between demonstrators initiating violence and peaceful demonstrators being beaten and simply fighting back to defend themselves.

And I think people have a lot more respect for someone who after getting smashed in the head with a billy club starts swinging back and bashes the pig in the head than they would for someone who cowers and covers their head and gets beaten to a pulp rather than lift a hand to defend himself. And this goes double for someone not lifting a hand to defend someone else getting beaten. Because you can identify with someone defending themselves more than the average person can identify with Ghandi. Being beaten when not resisting and just laying there and getting beaten some more sure generates sympathy, in the same way that seeing a kid getting picked on by a bully generates sympathy for the victim. But letting oneself be used as a punching bag, to me at least, doesn't inspire that much respect. That little tin badge doesn't give anyone the right to assault someone. Again, I am NOT in any way advocating demonstrators resorting to violence of their own accord but ONLY being armed with billy clubs for their own SELF-DEFENSE. I get what you are saying but I can't advise anyone that it is better to get beaten without trying to defend yourself than it is to fight back. To do so I would have to be advising someone to do something that I myself wouldn't be willing to do. If someone hits me in the head with something I don't give a damn if it is a cop or a regular citizen, I'm going to beat the slop out of them, period. Besides, why do pigs beat demonstrators anyway? Because they think they can get away with it, they think the demonstrators don't have the balls to fight back. If they are proven wrong I think it's a pretty safe bet that they will not continue to reflexively resort to violence against non-violent demonstrators but will try to find other avenues of addressing the situation.

The Best Defense can often be a good Offense. In the context of the occupation, this "offense" may very well be to take a proactive stance. It appears that the 1% are making a big deal out of disruption of the businesses and residences around Zucotti park. Within reason, why can't we attempt to peacefully find common ground with these residences and businesses. As crappy as that may sound, please read on - cooler heads often prevail in the end.

The 1% have even said that one business has had to go out of business due to the protests. Of course, this is bull! If said business were so weak financially that 1 1/2 months of protests put it out of business, it was probably going to go out of business anyway. This particular business may want to take a look at the terrible deals they probably made with BANKS!

Now, back to the cooler head: Why doesn't someone make a list of all businesses within 1 block of Zucotti Park. Then, break it down into Mom & Pops and Large Corporate Businesses. Then, consider which businesses they would prefer to work with. Then, make some deal for payment for public restroom facilities and furthermore for discounts for food and other supplies (think Occupy Groupon). Such a program would help offset any losses by the businesses and at the same time, prevent what appears to be the chief complaint against the occupiers (public urination, etc). Of course, the movement will have to make an economically feasible (for the occupation) bargain with these businesses. The money could come from contributions from others in the 99% - I believe there is already close to $500,000 in contributions.

The other complaint seems to be coming from the residents near Zucotti, regarding noise. First, these people moved into a "hustle bustle" environment when they moved near Wall Street - this isn't the Upper East Side. However, adjustments regarding drumming, etc could be made - such as only between 8:00 AM and 8 PM on Week Days. But again, I note that these people chose to live in this area. I have strong doubts that the noise is a real problem for them.

Just a few ideas on how to find common ground. The longer the protest goes on and the longer it stays non-violent; the stronger it becomes.... This is an extremely important movement. Our future depends on it - The teachings of Tsun Tzu (Art of War) are that we should always keep the high ground in order to maintain the support of the people!!!

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law

Brilliant idea, didn't read the whole thread sorry. Maybe find a forum where these petitions can be found and tracked on the site if possible to increase accessibility. This is a perfect example of how we can use the already existent tools of democracy to solve injustice.

it depends what state you reside, there are certain states that have decided to evict everyone despite overwhelming proof that no one owns those notes... at least that is what was happening when I lived in FL

Janmarbol,

There is still hope for you. Florida Law doesn't control (in the end). Who has the paper is controlled by Trust Law in the State of New York. Almost every Pooling and Servicing Agreement (associated with all securitized mortgages) is set up under New York Trust Law. Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution, a state must give full faith and credit to the laws of another state. So, in the end, your matter will probably be resolved (along with the rest of the country) at the United States Supreme Court. Hopefully, we will have an honest court by the time that matter arrives. Currently, you would lose. However, should a couple of justices die in the mean time and be replaced by true Judges/Lawyers; you will win in the end. It would be the largest case in American History since the loss to homeowners accross the country (due to foreclosures without the appropriate paperwork) is estimated to be $2.7 Trillion. There is great concern amongst the powers above, that doing the right thing in this matter could cause an economic catastrophe. At this point, I do not know what to tell you...

However, I will note that I have been referring to another matter: the eviction of those occupiers from places like Zuccotti Park. However, your matter has to be dealt with too - your matter is one of the primary reason that I involve myself with the Occupy movement....

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law