At Occupy Long Beach, Social Justice Means Taking From Those Who Have The Very Least.

A visit to Occupy Long Beach reveals that the protesters are not only taking food and blanket donations meant for the homeless, but they are keeping those food donations for themselves. Lincoln Park, Long Beach, CA. October 24, 2011. Many thanks to Beth and Bobby for their willingness to be interviewed for this short video.

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  News & Politics

[sporatica1]

>> No, in my mind many of you have a true goal - but you are outnumbered and the result is taking up space and expecting other people to provide your necessities while you do it. Long Beach began closing parks at 10pm many years ago. None of you cared until it affected something you wanted to do. And that's the way it goes. Poverty is not going to end in your lifetime or your children's lifetime. Choose your battles wisely or you're just spinning your wheels.

[phenomenalclassic93]

"How is taking up the best lawn area and shadiest part of the park fighting for them?" you've got to be kidding me if you're trying to make that into an issue.

but recognizing what you said, what in your perspective is fighting for them?? how do we get people to recognize these issues upfront?? because in your mind, this is more about taking up people's "personal" space rather than recognizing the issues that put people in poverty in the first place.

[sporatica1]

>> How is invading their safe place fighting for them? How is placing them in constant view of the police fighting for them? How is treating them as if they're children, dolling out their own supplies fighting for them? How is taking up the best lawn area and shadiest part of the park fighting for them? Don't say... "now they can sleep there," becuase the majority have been sleeping elsewhere for years. And as soon as you leave, your special privileges leave with you.

[phenomenalclassic93]

we're not complaining about homeless people. if anything we're fighting for them. read peacefulanarchy's comment.

[sporatica1]

>> --- No, noticing injustice and inequality is not whining. Complaining about homeless people "stressing" your resources is. Especially when the occupy movement portends to be about "righting injustice and promoting equality" between those who have a great deal and those who have less - In the case of the occupy movement, it is fast becoming those who still have some, "whining" about sharing with those who have nothing left. You don't see the hypocrisy in that?

[phenomenalclassic93]

so noticing the injustice and inequality in this country is whining???

[sporatica1]

On 10-28 I took, jackets, blankets & food to the homeless. I arranged a time so they could gather the people who were most in need and help unload the truck. Within minutes, one of the OLB members walked over and quietly took a full case of Top Ramen and 6 large cans of Tuna. I asked at the info booth and was told by "sunrise" that it would be put on the table - It wasn't hers or his take for the table. At the very least, he could have identified as OLB and asked - not just take it.

[sporatica1]

Julie, I texted your response to one of the homeless at Lincoln Park. Here is the reply.

"Only a couple of people have gotten any of the blankets-and our friend shadow gave us food one time and the lady said y r u giving them"

[sporatica1]

Biased? Your group was destroying public property. Do you do that at home? You are spoiled and selfish. You knew people stayed in that park for safety & you invaded their safe place. You eat in front them, and pat yourselves on the back for sharing a little or skipping a meal. You bask in the self-righteousness of fake sacrifice. Are you so obsessed with being a part of OWS that their humanity doesn't matter? You'd rather accuse me of planting them than take a walk across the park.

[sporatica1]

The police bend the rules because you scream harassment every time you don't get your way. Your group whines about the homeless stressing your resources when most of those resources are DONATED. Are you incapable of feeding yourselves? Do you not have any blankets on your beds (Excluding Nate) Were you begging for food, blankets, water, coffee, & snacks b4 moving into the park? How did you eat b4 occupying? Who fed & watered you then? They're homeless, what's your excuse?