STERLING COMFORT: SUSAN B. ANTHONY AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS ARE ROLLING IN THEIR GRAVES

Sterling Comfort: A public
employee who lives in Rochester, N.Y.

Rochester, N.Y.-- Hey! Sterling Comfort here. You know something is seriously wrong in America when average everyday people who have the option of sleeping in the comfort of their own beds instead choose to sleep in parks all across our nation. That takes courage and that takes character. If you ask me, we need to embrace all those citizens who overtly represent us by showing a sign of solidarity. Where ever you live, drop off some food or stop by and just say hello to the occupiers. Better yet, join them. After all, they are doing this for you.

Bravo to all those who are braving the elements and subjecting themselves to police arrest and brutality! It takes huge personal sacrifice to commit to something so important-- and when there is risk involved it only complicates the matter. Considering what's been happening to the middle class for the past decade, it's about high time people took to the streets. You know the old saying: desperate times require desperate measures.

Of course, the main reason the protests are so necessary is because governments across America -- at the federal, state and local levels-- have, to varying degrees, failed to deliver for the American people.

It's not because our representatives are spending money that we don't have, or that things can never be fixed. It’s just that we have misplaced our collective priorities. As a nation, we are not broke-- far from it. There is a widespread sense that government does not reflect the will of the majority. Really, it is a type of modern-day colonialism.

photo: Ove Overmyer

And like the colonial masters of old, here too we have mayors and police chiefs cracking down on those who dare to challenge the status quo. Frankly speaking, it is so ironic that such a progressive city like Rochester, New York has a mayor that is doing just that.

Rochester Mayor Tom Richards is a nice guy but his uncompromising stance against our citizens, the same people he took an oath to protect and serve, is mean-spirited and dangerous. You know it’s kind of funny-- when I was in New York City last month while the NYPD clashed with demonstrators, I heard one angry grandmother say to a cop, “please don’t mace me or arrest me. I’m here to peacefully save your union pay.”

Not finding common solutions and remedies while ordering the arrest of peaceful occupiers is reprehensible. The irony here can’t be overstated. Our mayor is perpetrating crimes on the very people who are oppressed to begin with. These folks are not criminals-- they are occupiers who are demanding someone listen to them. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: occupying is one of the bravest and most patriotic things any American can do to show love of country.

The alleged justification for the heavy-handed tactics and the many arrests stem from violations of access, sanitation, camping equipment and a curfew law in Washington Square Park. Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard said what looked like excessive use of force was necessary as a matter of public safety and security. That is one of the stupidest things I have heard. Chief Sheppard, please do not insult our intelligence again.

Just for the asking, I’m sure the bordering churches of Washington Square Park would oblige occupiers any way they can. And, I’m sure there would be public support to install portable johns in the park if necessary.

If people are peeing in the bushes write them a ticket. If local governments and occupiers have converging viewpoints, let them convene, talk it out and come up with a remedy that suits everyone. Sending in the riot police violates the very principles upon which this country was founded and any public official with responsibility for ordering such action should seriously consider a future working in the private sector.
 

On Nov. 2, 2011, Occupy Rochester was joined by hundreds of
residents who marched from Washington Square Park to  City Hall to ask
Mayor Tom Richards to go easy on demonstrators. photo: Anne Tischer 

Sure, our public spaces are for every one's use, but that includes people exercising their First Amendment rights whether or not the rest of us find them agreeable or to their disliking.

Elected and appointed officials who fail to grasp the broader message of the Occupiers are playing with fire. Not just with their political careers, but when they engage in overly-harsh tactics, they risk fomenting greater unrest. There is a deep unease across this country, grounded in the fear that the American dream has slipped through our fingers.

We have the right to free assembly and free speech in this country and absent a genuine threat to public safety, such as typhoid plague, there is no justifiable reason to remove demonstrators from a public space.

If only Rochester's very own civil rights icons Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass were alive today to witness what our local government was doing to our residents. I wonder how Mayor Richards would handle those emails and phone calls? This is also a wake-up call to our city council-- can you help to facilitate change and a remedy? Why are you so silent? And, while I'm at it, three cheers to Monroe County legislator Carrie Andrews-- she happens to be one of the most principled elected officials to walk the hallowed halls of the County Office Building.

Well, right now I’m off to bring some bagels and coffee to the occupiers in Washington Square Park. See you later. Look me up again sometime, ok?