Jimmy Farris, Congressional Candidate in Idaho deplores potential for violence
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The "principles" explicity approve of what is called "diversity of tactics" which is "occupy speak" meaning property destruction, baiting and fighting with law enforcement -- and worse.
While the document goes on to say the coalition called "March On Wall Street South" doesn't support violence, the wording combined with the record of such fringe Occupy groups as "Black Bloc" indicate otherwise.
Additionally, the "Principles" state twice that no public criticism or debates about the meaning of "diversity of tactics" will not be tolerated by the organizers.
A paragraph in "The Charlotte Principles" states, "One important tenet of this unity is to not take the bait from the media or the police to engage in public criticisms of other groups on any basis and to keep all debates or disagreements internal to our movement."
One person who plans on attending the convention as a protestor and asked to remain anonymous says, --the idea that such criticism of this or any other policy or plan must be kept "internal" to an undefined "movement" in-group is just plain repression. The fact that it's announced by some unnamed "radicals" doesn't make it any less repressive. I couldn't possibly
agree to or abide by it."
While most protestors planning on attending the DNC are committed to nonviolence, even if this includes --civil disobedience aimed at courting arrest", many protestors are anticipating coalition sanctioned violence.
"I don't care if participants are "pacifists" by belief", said another activist planning to attend, "overall political philosophies' or religious convictions are not the point. I'm concerned strictly with the "rules of engagement" for specific organized actions. And plenty of consistent experience shows that "diversity of tactics' is not nonviolent. And that actions billed as peaceful where such "diversity of tactics" are in the mix are not reliably that way."
While most activists are affirming "Wall Street South's' right to peaceful protest, they are also looking for other, reliably nonviolent ways to bear witness about the many peace and justice issues that may be forgotten in the convention halls.
"I can tell you this, nothing good ever comes of violence in any form. I think often times, it's as much an expression of ignorance as it of anger. When people lack the intellectual or emotion resources to deal with issues, they resort to violence. That someone would want to commit an act of violence at a event where people are gathered in the spirit of making our country a better place, I think is appalling," said Jimmy Farris, candidate for the 1st Congressional District in Idaho.
Calls and emails to OccupyWallStSouth were not returned.
The major march under the auspices of the "March on Wall Street South is scheduled for Sunday, September 2.
Jerry Nelson is a nationally recognized photojournalist who travels the country seeking out people, places and things that are working to make this country great again.
