Occupy Raleigh, which developed as a response to the Occupy Wall Street protests that began in mid-September and expanded through November, espouses policies which would greatly benefit many citizens if implemented. However, the organization is far from any degree of achievement.
Viktor Novak, an Occupy member, said everyone who attends Occupy protests has a different reason for attending. Some are against tax rates of the wealthy, some are present because the world isn’t being ‘green’ enough, and some simply appear because they are unemployed, unhappy, and ultimately disillusioned.
The exact purpose of Occupy remains unknown because every member complains of different issues and alternative methods to remedying these issues. However, what holds these people together is the general view that there is something wrong with current society and the general way things are going, and something needs to change.
On Oct. 15, members of Occupy Raleigh conducted a protest which resulted in the arrest of 19 protestors due to an expired permit. However, Occupy members refuse to back down.Novak said they are currently planning for their next course of action and many members are hopeful about the direction of Occupy.
However, it is unclear what the next course of action will be. There was some movement to consolidate forces across the nation and protest at a singular location, though this measure will probably do nothing but tempt federal force — tear gas or bullets — in retaliation.
According to Novak, Oct. 15 displayed early elements of class consciousness, the realization of one’s own rank in the social hierarchy which eventually leads to action in self-interest. These elements of class consciousness were evident in the last protest when protestors expressed grievances like the disgusting sum of money held by the top one percent of the population.
Right now, there is no doubt Occupy Raleigh is far from revolution. However, rebellion is exactly what the beginning of class consciousness will lead to. Right now, Occupy is relatively nonviolent. But sooner or later violence will be initiated, either by the police or by an Occupy member. The Raleigh police force already showed a certain degree of force in their arrests last Saturday. If the protests continue to grow, the police may resort to a more aggressive physical presence.
However, Occupy is far from a rebellion at its current stage. If Occupy ever wants to truly accomplish anything and really make a statement, it needs to solidify what exactly its grievances are, and more importantly, what the government should do about them.
Novak described Occupy as a giant discussion board, with people shouting their opinions on the current situation and throwing out general statements of how things should and can be better. If this is the case, Occupy is far from any direction in which it wants to go.
The ideological basis exists, but the ideal society doesn’t work. Time and time again the society has failed – see Russia, or even ancient Rome. Occupy members should be aware of the fact that even if the bourgeoisie give into all their demands, the class antagonisms will not be remedied. As long as this country is based on the ideals of the American Dream, class will exist and there will be constant struggles between the poor and the rich.
Occupy needs to define its demands and reduce these to something feasible to accomplish. Then Occupy needs to point its force in the direction of achieving those demands and focus on nothing else. Occupy has potential if it can convey what exactly it wants to people who can make it happen.
