The Occupy movement rapidly spreading across the United States made its way into Richmond, Va., recently. After several arduous General Assembly meetings, the participants of Occupy Richmond decided to occupy Kanawha Plaza, a lovely park in the city’s business district, on Oct. 15. Only about two weeks later, in a move typical of the Southern establishment, police on foot and horseback dispersed the peaceful occupation at 1 a.m., Oct. 31.
A police airplane circled overhead as Occupy members were ordered by armed officers to collect their belongings and leave Kanawha Plaza. When the police grew impatient, they moved in and used dump-trucks and bulldozers to destroy the personal belongings and supplies (including medical supplies) of the Occupy members and the homeless who were in the plaza.
Nine occupiers who refused to leave the camp were arrested. Local news photographer Ian Graham was also arrested for simply being in a crosswalk to take pictures of the police breakup of the occupation.
“My wrists are swollen and bruised by the cuffs,” he said after being released from jail on a summons and charged with “trespassing.” (Style Weekly, Oct. 31)
City law prohibits camping in parks, so Occupy members and supporters packed the Richmond City Council meeting on Oct. 24 to request that the local government allow the occupation that was already in progress. The request was denied, but the movement was unshaken and the occupation continued unpermitted. Mayor Dwight Jones even went so far as to visit the occupation to intimidate the demonstrators.
“As Mayor of this city, I’m going to have to ensure that the laws of the city are enforced,” he said. (CBS 6, Oct. 31)
On the night of Nov. 1, a candlelight vigil was held outside of the city jail to show solidarity with four arrested occupiers who were originally being held without bond. The next day, the courts changed their tune and released three of the four on bond. All four of the political prisoners were charged with trespassing and a city park violation.
On Nov. 2, chants of “Mayor Jones has got to go” filled the streets as protesters marched on Richmond City Hall in response to the raid of the occupation.
Occupy Richmond is clearly determined to continue its struggle. Heroic determination is what has won many of the historic victories for the rights of workers and oppressed peoples in the South, and this same drive to resist injustice will bring victory to the “99 percent” in Richmond and the rest of the world.
