Above photo: From Twitter.
Berkeley, CA – November 20, Day 5: It has been a busy day. The occupation is growing. We have had a lot of food support. Tents are still needed. Blankets are still needed.
We have had channel 2, channel 7, the Dailycal, and KGO come by. We thank them for paying attention.
And finally, many old friends are showing up. People I have not seen protesting for awhile. My hope is on 12/1, all our old Occupy friends reunite here to hang out, and stand in solidarity with the occupiers. 1 day, 1 Bay Area convergence here at city hall. Spread the word on our “peasant uprising.”
Background from the Mercury News:
The City Council early Wednesday morning approved an ordinance regulating conduct on sidewalks that supporters said will make public areas cleaner, more orderly and less menacing.
Opponents blasted the ordinance as classist, racist, and a betrayal of Berkeley’s progressive self-image.
The purpose of the ordinance, according to a preamble, is to ensure that sidewalks are safe and accessible for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. But dozens of critics and three council members denounced the ordinance as a mean-spirited criminalization of homelessness and part of a drive by developers and the council majority to gentrify the city, especially the downtown area.
The 6-3 vote, with Councilmen Max Anderson, Jesse Arreguin and Kriss Worthington dissenting, took place after several hours of often angry public debate.
Outside the Old City Hall, where about a dozen tents were pitched in protest, homeless people and their advocates held signs with messages such as “Home for all,” “Being poor is not a crime,” and “Homes not handcuffs.