Another iteration of Occupy Boston yesterday, my third. The main camp remains. With some reported violence last week the police had dismantled the second camp along the Greenway. Yesterday all seemed calm, even when the peace march reached Verizon and stopped to chant slogans, and later outside the Bank of America, a hated symbol of corporate greed and congressional and administration malfeasance. At this second site, I stationed myself between marchers and the bank, joining a surprisingly small phalanx of bicycle cops to stand between institution and opposition. Speeches, chants, waving fists, and the march continued. I filmed and photographed, prepared at any minute for violence. This reminded me of clashes in Israel-Palestine at spots like Bil'in, the Palestinian village which for more than 5 years has resisted the separation barrier, where one could not predict outcomes. The power of a crowd, a mass, a mob is not easily directed. Or might be easily directed by the likes of Sam Adams. Oh Sam, where are you now?

 

I believe the march had been planned by the Boston branch of the United National Antiwar Committee before Occupy Boston occurred, as a plea to end US wars. It turned into a march that supported Occupied Boston. Because of the multivalent nature of the march young people were not the usual high proportion.

 

Wishing to not bore myself or any possible audience I strove for unusual photos. One might be at the Army recruitment center, the march reflected in the glass wall with its Army signs. Another might the low camera angles. Another might be faces. I tried.

 

Walk, Chant, Stand & Sing, Boston Joins the International Day of Solidarity, Oct 15, 2011—Occupy (movie)

 

Occupy Boston

 

photos by skip schiel & teeksa photography

 

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