Operational proposal for #occupywallstreet

On Saturday, I was arrested near Union Square in the immediate chaos of the kettling.  I will not share who I exactly am to protect those mentioned below.  It may be controversial to say, but getting 80 people arrested is probably the best thing that could have happened to our movement.  Prior to this, the blue NYPD did not know what we were about.  They were in fact only being told that feds were coming and to prepare for a state of emergency.  They were left with their minds to run wild wondering what we are about and fearing the worst.  Told indirectly that we are terrorists and violent extremists, they of course did not feel safe talking to us in Liberty Plaza.

With us in cuffs however, they got a chance to watch us, to observe us.  To see that we're not screaming out Allah's name or anything.  They got to watch me and my fellow detainees debate and discuss, sing and smile and laugh.  After a while, they seemed to get curious.  Individuals approached us, always blue uniformed cops and seemed legitimately curious.  Invariably, when we explained our position they were in full support.  As a direct result, our treatment seemed to DRAMATICALLY increase and nearly instantly.  A captain who for his own protection will not be named had our cuffs cut off and replaced looser, our hands in FRONT of us instead of behind us, and allowed us to use the water fountain after hours with no water and physical abuse and torture.

Suddenly, we weren't being treated like Guantanamo terrorists anymore.  Our paperwork was done expediently and efficiently.  One officer shared contact information with me  and has been giving me a VERY valuable look inside the NYPD.  The explanations 60 people have a hundred officers who sat down and listened are circling inside the NYPD.  They individually are slowly realizing that we are the 99%, and so are they.  If you are arrested, do not speak about your arrest and demand a lawyer of course, but also realize this gives you a VALUABLE opportunity to sit down with a cop and have a peaceful discussion where they do not feel threatened.  The move we spread our message INSIDE the NYPD, the more hesitant the large groups of them will be to accept orders to violate the laws and our rights.  The more individual superiors doubt their orders will be carried out, the more consious superiors will be of our rights and the law.