We’re talking about a democratic awakening. We’re talking about raising political consciousness, so it spills over; all parts of the country so people can begin to see what’s going on through a different set of lens. And then you begin to highlight what the more detailed demands would be, because in the end we’re really talking about what Martin King would call a revolution; a transfer of power from oligarchs to every day people of all colors, and that is a step-by-step process. It’s a democratic process, it’s a non-violent process, but it is a revolution, because these oligarchs have been transferring wealth from poor and working people at a very intense rate in the last 30 years, and getting away with it, and then still smiling in our faces and telling us it’s our fault. That’s a lie, and this beautiful group is a testimony to that being a lie.

When you get the makings of a U.S. autumn responding to the Arab Spring, and is growing and growing—-I hope it spills over to San Francisco and Chicago and Miami and Phoenix, Arizona, with our brown brothers and sisters, hits our poor white brothers and sisters in Appalachia—-so. it begins to coalesce. And I tell you, it is sublime to see all the different colors, all the different genders, all the different sexual orientations and different cultures, all together here in Liberty Plaza; there’s no doubt about it.

”

—

Cornel West, interview. Democracy Now!, 29 September 2011

A good response to people who keep demanding that the OWS protestors draw up some sort of platform of demands. That rarely happens in the early stages of liberation movements. At the moment, it’s about raising the consciousness of everyday Americans who have thus far accepted the notion that the U.S. is a democratic, fair, and equal society. It may be a strange notion to most Americans, but our country is one that—like the countries involved in the Arab Spring—is crying out for a democratic revolution.

(via downlo)

(via sp-a-m)

n8han:

NYPD setting off to arrest protesters they have just allowed onto the lower deck of Brooklyn Bridge

Anatomy Of A Greenpoint Bike Accident »

I also want to live somewhere this doesn’t happen. :/

n8han:

Michelle remembered why she stopped calling. “[Detective Almonte] was like, ‘Listen, you should be lucky you’re alive.’ ” This was the last time she spoke with anyone from the department. “It’s like you can play Grand Theft Auto in the streets and hit real people and ditch your car and that’s allowed,” she said. “Honestly, I feel like the only way that this case would have gotten more attention is if I’d been brain dead or physically dead.”

I want to live somewhere that this doesn’t happen.

Memphis Morticians. 

Psychobilly Luau Weekend is upon us!!

excited for Luau Weekend yet?? Klingonz on Saturday at The Bell House.

This is My City’s pace, this is Her life, I’m just standing by it, watching it, taking it in. I’m just smoking my cigarette, letting Her pass over me like the sooty clouds left behind after the M13 bus.

”

—

ellohell. 

4 Cool Things Ruined by the People Who Love Them

Streetsblog reader Mark Davis has put together a map showing how greenway-bound cyclists are funneled through the West 29th Street tunnel where Marilyn Dershowitz was killed on Saturday.

”

— Dershowitz Death Illuminates Dangers Faced By Greenway-Bound Cyclists (via n8han)

(via n8han)

Here’s the scene: 

We were enjoying the nice spring weather from our balcony. A friend was visiting on his bike, and he rode up on the sidewalk from the street to our front door. In NYC this is illegal. You are supposed to stop in the street, get off the bike and walk it on the sidewalk. Although he was merely coming from the street up to our front door, those few second were illegal. NYPD rolls up and tickets him for this ($150 fine or appear in court!). 

Meanwhile our neighbor walks by while this scene is unfolding. They exchange some banter. We all laughed. He keeps walking. 

From there everything escalates… Seems completely unnecessary to me…

At the end of the day, he was charged with harassment, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Welcome to an afternoon with the NYPD