March 1, 2012 - Guests at Mitt Romney's fundraiser were treated to an energetic (and fun!) Occupy-style demonstration on the sidewalk in front of the Meydenbaur Center in Bellevue, an affluent city on what we in Seattle call the "Eastside" (east coast of Lake Washington).
Lots of pictures below. If you have trouble with images, view the entire set of Romney protest photos & videos on Flicker.
Please add to or correct my info if you were there!
Noisy protesters blocked the sidewalk with street theater for several hours-- startling folks getting off the bus there-- while Bellevue police guarding the entrances stood impassively by, not interfering except to clear the driveway to the underground parking garage for guests' expensive vehicles to enter. So congrats to Bellevue Police for keeping things cool!
We focused on a corrupt system that allows the richest 1% (actually more like .001 percent) to use their money to influence elections and public policy to benefit themselves, to the detriment of the vast majority of the American public. Out of 100+ demonstrators, many people of color participated. That's exceptional, since Seattle and especially Bellevue are overwhelmingly populated by white people.
My working group is "Get Money Out of Politics," a subset of Occupy Seattle that's focused on reversing Corporate Personhood and the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. (OS does not necessarily endorse all of GMOP events. When we invited Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott to speak, a majority of OS General assembly voted not to endorse.)
Members of the state org Washington Public Campaigns are involved in this movement as well. Explanation: After Citizens United--What Now?
GMOP ("Gee-mop") exhibited walking "Corporate Persons" and a "SuperPAC Person" -- making it clear who has the money and power. Founding member Denise H. conceived of and constructed the cardboard CPs and their moneybags; I designed their logos and signage.
I believe Washington Community Action Network contributed the huge "Corporate Constitution," "RMoney" signs, and a "Flat Mitt Romney" who invited the 1% to join him after treading on a "Red Carpet" laid over the 99%. A big THANKS to the stamina and theatrics of all those playing roles!
Above: A Corporate Person has no problem stepping on the 99% to gain access to the candidate (below, with other "supporters.")
Above: The organizer in black was outstanding in her leadership and humor.
Above:The SuperPac Person featured info about the major Presidential candidates' PACs, including Obama's.
Above: me with demonstrators in the background. I distributed the round "We are the 99 PERCENT" neck signs in different colors--they were grabbed up quickly. So I'll make more!
The demonstration went on til twilight. Above: police keep an eye on the demonstrator closest to the entrance.
Video above: We ended with an extra-loud chant "so the 1% inside would hear us" (though I doubt it, in their insulated banquet room.)
Seattle P-I columnist Joel Connelly showed up, stayed quite awhile, and wrote up the event the next day. He erroneously stated that no such protest occurred outside the recent Bellevue Obama fundraiser, and was swiftly corrected in the comments. Photos of that demonstration
UPDATE! Excellent report on Reuters blog!
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