The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The Occupy Virginia Beach protesters won't be able to pitch tents on city property as part of the nationwide anti-Wall Street movement.
Virginia Beach officials on Monday rejected an application by the group to establish encampments at Town Center, Mount Trashmore or the Oceanfront.
"Overnight camping is not an authorized activity at any of the locations you identified," the response letter from the city's special events office reads.
Mayor Will Sessoms last week expressed concern that the encampments could pose a public health and safety hazard, because there aren't any public restrooms on-site and police would have to provide additional security.
"This is not the response we were hoping for," said Tom Palumbo, a member of the Occupy Virginia Beach group.
The protesters had wanted to set up a camp, which has been the hallmark of this movement, at Town Center, Virginia Beach's commerce hub.
The city did issue Occupy Virginia Beach a week-long permit for amplified sound at Town Center. Officials also waived the fees and application deadline requirements.
And protesters can exercise their First Amendment right to free speech day or night on any city sidewalk, said Rod Ingram, a city attorney.
Palumbo said Occupy Virginia Beach members will have to weigh their options.
"We're still trying to work with the city, but any number of things may be considered," he said.
They may decide to appeal the decision, merge with the Norfolk group, or practice "civil disobedience" by setting up encampments without proper permits, Palumbo said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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ATTN: CRITICIZERS OF OCCUPY WALL STREET, ANYWHERE
Only an act of misfortune (losing YOUR job/corresponding benefits with no family to help) keeps y'all from similar fates. Get a copy of the book NONE DARE CALL IT CONSPIRACY (by Gary Allen, 1971) for a dollar at Amazonbooks.com + S/H = for under 5 dollars: a crash-course re: history of BANKING in the U.S. since before the Am. Revolution accurately predicting 40 yrs in advance our present circumstances. With creation of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913 by Congress, a small handful of global bankers seized total control over the U.S. economy giving them the power create depressions/recessions at will, irregardless of what our economy is doing & TELL us the value of our dollar every day. Abolish the Fed Reserve and America stands a chance.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Will Sessoms IS a BANKER--go figure!!!
Assembling to protest is a constitutional right. One that each and every one of our military stand for 24/7. Are all of you going to say to our military members they are doing this for nothing? Better yet--are you going to allow Will Sessoms become the dictator this indicates he is?
Will-they call them port-a-potties. We would need no more police than you staff the beachfront with during your festivals, street parties, fun runs, etc.
Bottomline is this: A peaceful assembly IS a constitutional right.
He didn't say you couldn't
He didn't say you couldn't assemble. He didn't say you couldn't protest. He actually bent the rules to get through the process quicker for you. All he said was no "camping" on a city street. Don't try to turn this around to look like your rights have been violated or pull at heart strings by bringing up the military and singing your little sob story. You have the right to assemble. You have the right to protest. You have the right to be heard. You do not have the right to put up tents and sleep in the streets.
I actually agree with the cause, but these types of protests are ridiculous. "Sally" that works at Town Center has nothing to do with Wall Street corruption. Putting a tent in front of her store accomplishes nothing.
Actually, what the city did
Actually, what the city did was go through the motions and make people believe that the city of VB cares about these people's rights, but in reality, would have done better just spitting on them.
As has been clear up to now, they're welcome to march and protest... in a single file line. The First Amendment doesn't contain a "must walk single file down ye olde sidewalk" clause. The First Amendment doesn't have hours of operation. And the First Amendment even protects internet bullies like you. Amazing isn't it? Let's wait until someone threatens to arrest you because they don't care for your definition of the First Amendment.
Finally!
A pro OWS poster with a specific, coherent thought that's not fueled by unrealistic expectations or eny! Although I haven't reasearched the book you suggest, I believe it decries the move away from the gold standard. If that's the case, I'm totally on your side with this. In order to remain a viable form of exchange, money MUST be tied to something that cannot be manufactured at will. That's what maintains the order that keeps greedy power brokers in check and also what ensures runaway inflation won't occur. Thank you, sir, for bringing an intelligent thought to the table! If more messages like THIS were expounded by OWS, the world might actually listen!
the TRUTH
Please get educated about this movement. I see a lot of ignorant comments here. This movement is happening in every major city around the world. Wake up! Most of us in the movement have college degrees, many of us work, and bathe daily. I work 3 jobs, I'm in school, and I am supporting a family. This movement is about the corruption in government, huge corporations getting bail outs which were used to give millions of dollars in bonuses to executives. Our politicians don't represent us, they represent the corporations who bought them. You have been lied to, robbed blind, and duped, you are a slave. Even if you don't support us, we love you anyways and we will peacefully protest to make things right. Economic collapse is coming!
we live in the land of trolls and crybabies
occupy? you are dissatisfied so you run to the local mall, pitch a tent, and throw a tantrum. wow that is productive. newsflash discontent is the human condition. so the idea is to punish those who are more successful? to go back to some form of tyranny in which everyone inevitably suffers more? i suppose in some twisted way it is pursing someone's idea happiness by demanding universal misery. seems like a waste of energy. if you demand happiness be "distributed" by the mandarins much anguish is in store for all of us. here is an idea. get off your can and take care of yourself! not everyone is entitled to a car, cell phone, play station, high def, cable tv, a McMansion, et cetera et cetera at age 25. whoever says you are is a liar.
Whatchu talkin about willis?
stop getting your info from TV. try looking at an occupy website. I have not heard of anyone wanting money given to them, Corruption out of Goverment. OWS is pointing at who is lining the politicians pocket's. This is a GLOBAL protest. It's not just young college kids. It's your neighbors, it's the guy who fixes your car, it's your grandma's friend, its in Europe, its in Asia et cetera et cetera. All ages, all races, republicans, democrats. Of the people, by the people, for the people.
One nation, Watching Fox.
You blast OWS 4 for being whiners. Yet, all you do is whine about them. Unions are backing the movement. Follow the money to Occupy Des Moines and Occupy Lincoln. Just because they don't look like you, think like you, or go along with the rest of the herd doesn't mean they're drug addicts. I've been down to Occupy Norfolk a few times and have not seen one shred of intoxicants. I have not seen them screaming at people or blocking traffic. Please turn off your TV and think for yourself. Go down there and see for yourself. Your fear and ignorance is oozing through my screen. Dont be afraid, the police are there and FYI they support them for standing up for what they believe in. They are just like you and your only a layoff away from joining us