Occupy NH Divides Over…?

by Garret Ean | Jul 17, 2012 | 4 comments

The first meeting of ONH, Arms Park, Manchester. 6 Oct 2011

I have been waiting to publish information regarding the status of Occupy New Hampshire as of the general assembly held on the state house lawn on July 15, 2012. Before I arrived at the scene, a clear division had formed and meetings were occurring between two separate camps. I noticed many familiar faces at the camp closest to where I had parked and began walking toward them with my camera rolling. Hearing what appeared by all indicators to be a productive discussion in progress, I set the camera down and tried to see who I could recognize in the farther crowd. Seeing both friends and strangers, I saw others in the movement whom I considered to be more failed politicians than impassioned grassroots organizers. Among the many who have come and gone over the span of ONH since its first GA on October 6, 2012, my observation would only place two or three individuals in this category. In all popular power struggles, it is these individuals who act upon opportunity to declare themselves the vanguard. Vanguardism in popular movements is dangerous in that it offers the revolutionary a sense of entitlement over the masses as had existed for the class which had been overthrown. If there comes to be a conflict over who truly represents the Occupy movement in New Hampshire, may we listen most cautiously to the loudest voices.

The individuals who seceded from the general assembly without engaging in any sort of consensus process are reportedly trying to retain the Occupy New Hampshire name by unknown means. There has been discussion of possible lawsuits pending against members of the group who did not participate in the ostracism campaign and secede from the main group. While I am still gathering information about what happened on Sunday and its consequences, information continues to be released by different parties. My raw footage from the inclusive circle (which welcomed all individuals) will be online by the end of the week. The seceding circle’s meeting was recorded through written notes and some still photography, but it is believed that no video exists. The meeting minutes, as taken by Katie Talbert, are the most complete public record of what occurred on the other side of the park.

http://www.facebook.com/occupynewhampshire/posts/280092588765528

Meanwhile, here’s a perspective from Rich Angell, a newcomer to the Occupy movement who describes himself as a periphery supporter from the beginning. Rich is from a more rural area of the state than most and has been involved with sustainable intentional communities since moving to New Hampshire for the Free State Project in 2007. He recalls the unwelcome reception that some gave him when he arrived.

Some accounts of the event with false information have been released, and there will be links to valid sources of information as well as corrections included in the post released with the full video.

This article originally published at freeconcord.org.