During my 11 hours at Occupy Philly (Cheryl Biren arrived at least two hours earlier) I learned that there were plans for a gathering a Rittenhouse Square for the following day, to reconnoiter, gather people and make plans, and then, the following day to meet in Kensington. We'd seen people packing and moving possessions and supplies.
My take is that the police will probably move in and start the evictions in the next day or two, perhaps when the occupiers are at the meetings away from the Dilworth Plaza, or perhaps, in the middle of the night Tuesday or Wednesday morning, when it is likely the numbers will be even lower. That's the way police departments trying to keep a low profile are doing it.
Once they clear the Plaza, it will be mostly closed for construction, unlike Zuccotti Park where it was re-opened, but tents and back-packs were banned.
This eviction process has hit many of the biggest Occupy Wall Street locations. I don't think it forebodes the end of the movement. Rather, it signifies a new stage that will emerge. Think of it as similar to a caterpillar going into a cocoon. The activity seems to cease. Time passes, and then, an incredible, magical metamorphosis occurs and a butterfly or moth emerges, ready to fly instead of walk.
There were many signs at Occupy Philly stating "the movement is an idea that cannot be evicted." If you've seen caterpillar cocoons, you know how dingy and grey they can look. You don't see the incredible transformation happening inside. I am certain that the Occupy movement is going through a metamorphosis stage-- one that will shock and amaze the world-- one that will take the movement to a higher, soaring level.
I know because I've gotten to know the people who make up the movement. I've seen their energy, their integrity, their passion and believe in a future that they will grasp and intentionally transform. They will do it as Occupy Philly faced the end of the encampment phase of their journey-- joyfully dancing, singing taking care of each other. One might look at the eviction of Occupy Philly through attrition as a sad or negative event. I saw something very different-- an energy, hope and intensity that will continue to shine, continue to give hope to the millions of 99 percenters who are being screwed by corporations, disavowed and betrayed by legislators and abused by police.
I have to give Philly's mayor Nutter and the leadership of the Philadelphia police department credit for avoiding violence and treating the occupiers better than most other cities.
I'm sure in the next day or two, Occupy Philly, the encampment will be gone. I do not mourn the loss of a caterpillar gone to cocoon. I will not mourn the loss of the old Occupy Philly. One member of their legal team mentioned an exciting idea-- flash Occupations... tents placed for a short time, with people occupying-- on the lawns of billionaires, in the high rises of the biggest corporate offenders. It made me think of the fake cardboard TVs you sometimes see in furniture stores. They could do the same thing with tents. Flash Occupations is just one idea. The movement will grow and mature and diversify, as the Is Occupy Wall Street Fetishizing of The Public Square fades and transforms. These are interesting times, worthy of your participation.
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