Ostensibly, every protest does something “for the children” or future generations, however they’d like to put it. In all actuality, children have very little say in what the adults ostensibly screaming for them are screaming about. Except, not anymore, because Occupy Wall Street—now over a month old—is having a kids night.
The latest communique from Occupy Wall Street press man Patrick Bruner is titled “Families Plan Sleepover on Friday, October 21, Growing Support for Occupy Wall Street Community.” They’re going to be having a sleepover for protesting families, starting at 4PM on Friday and running until 11AM the next day. Of course, they are careful to note that they are doing this for this children to do…for the children:
With the Family Sleepover, Parents for Occupy Wall Street are Occupying to speak up for the ones without a voice and make real change, change for their children’s futures.
Futures, indeed! What does your pepper spray have to say to the children, New York Police Department? Who will your power washers wash now, Mayor Bloomberg? Etc.
The full release, below:
Liberty Square, NY — A second try.
The parent founded and run group, “Parents for Occupy Wall Street,” will be
hosting a Family Sleepover, from 4 PM, Friday, October 21st until 11 AM the
following Saturday morning—a second try after being forced to cancel their
planned sleepover last weekend because of a threatened eviction. With the
Family Sleepover rescheduled for this weekend, parents and families in the
greater New York City area are excited to demonstrate their support for this
growing movement creating real change for our children’s futures.Occupy Wall Street is a place for everyone, including families. At the
Family Sleepover, families and children will find arts and crafts, a
children’s music sing along, a pizza party, and a bed time story. With the
help of various teacher and parent groups, such as the “School for the 99%,”
and the Occupy Wall Street Outreach team, the Family Sleepover will have a
sectioned off Child and Family Only area at Liberty Plaza.Safety is the first measure on everyone’s mind. Security and strict
involvement rules will be taken at the event including a check in and check
out system with parent’s ID with a Parents for Occupy Wall Street security
person and an hourly headcount. All parents will be required to wear an
identifying T-shirt while working shifts around the hour. The police are
already aware of the group and will be checked in with hourly on the group’s
size and location.The group’s goal is to raise awareness of the diversity of people supporting
the movement. In the press, there is an assumption that the only people
supporting the movement are solely homeless or unemployed when that couldn’t
be further from the truth. With even a short visit to Liberty Plaza, you
will see all walks of life supporting the movement, including middle class
working families.With the Family Sleepover, Parents for Occupy Wall Street are Occupying to
speak up for the ones without a voice and make real change, change for their
children’s futures.####
fkamer@observer.com | @weareyourfek
