This is how it should be done! So proud of the people of Baltimore. Shame the violent thugs of Oakland didn't think before they acted and as a result they critically injured a young Iraq Veteran.

I hope that many will refuse to participate if the mayor refuses to learn from the mistakes of her Oakland peer!

Mayor Rawlings-Blake is trying to get this done quick, to head-off a groundswell of public anger that may take a few days to develop.

There are obviously powerful interests that feel threatened by these protests.

I'm shocked and saddened that the Mayor feels the need to appease these interests. Now it's becoming clear who's side she's on - and it aint ours!

If she succeeds in forcefully closing down this expression of free speech, I predict it will rise up even stronger - and angrier.

This is the best thing I've read all day.

I wonder if the mayor got any letters of support for the "occupation" from small business owners in the vicinity of this mess.

And they said that the Unions were useless tools corrupted by corporate greed. You rock Mr. Grecco!
"The People United Will Never be Defeated."

the53.tumblr.com

This is the real movement. The Occupy group does not represent me, and I'm definitely part of the 99%.

I wish they would listen to the rest of us that want the trash cleaned up. We used to visit the Inner Harbor at least once a week (usually for dinner). So far the occupation has cost the owners of the restaurants in the area around 100$ per week. I'm sure I am not alone in this. We no longer take clients there. We no longer take friends there. We are ashamed of what was once the tourist jewel of our city.

Greg,

I applaud those on the 53% site for stepping up, getting things done, and not complaining about it. The majority of this country is working incredibly hard to get by.

I'm not advocating you shouldn't work hard. I'm saying that you should not work as hard as you do to be where you are. Some of the folks on the 53% site are working 3 jobs and just getting by. They don't have healthcare. One sick kid could ruin them.

I don't want that for you. If you are working 3 jobs, if you are working 80 hour, 90 hour weeks, I want you to be rich. I want you to not worry paycheck to paycheck. You deserve that. You deserve better.

You are the 99%, but you should really be the upper 20-30%, once that 1% expands like it should.

What you should be ASHAMED of is the POVERTY surrounding your JEWEL...... How, Sad you can't get to your steak dinner .... Look a few streets over they can't afford to eat there!!!

Thank you for this article. I am excited by the way that public employees, like police and firefighters, are finding their voice in this conflict . I'm one of those folks who tends to assume that they are just tools to be used by powerful interests. It is important for me to hear that the police are not personally interested in hurting people, and public health officials want their force to be used as a last resort. The reasonable and respectful request to use negotiation (and other forms of civilized engagement) with citizens involved in a protest is a new view on public servants for me, and renews my hope for democracy and my country.

This is awesome for Baltimore!

Please help fight for Occupy Oakland as well!

http://www.change.org/petitions/attorney-for-the-department-of-justice-california-northern-district-investigate-oakland-police-actions-102511-against-ows-protesters
Sign this petition for Scott Olsen an Iraq War Veteran for Peace who was brutally attacked by Oakland Police on October 25, 2011

Dear Citizens of Maryland,

The "Robin Hood" mentality is something. Rob from the rich so I can get it without having to work for it.

Dear Occupy Baltimore protests - have you seen the salaries of the folks signing this letter. Let's see them distribute their wealth.

Where was Occupy Baltimore and other protesters when the Democratic Party was in charge of both houses of Congress during the first two years of the current administration - NOTHING.

Protest in DC. Protest infront of the White House.

The Prepsident, Senate and Hourse are your real problem not people who have been smart enough to make it big.

Just because you don't have the smarts to get rich doesn't mean it should be given to you.

You want to start a revolution - start with the PEACEFUL (that's right I said peaceful) and (that's right I especially said) CONSTITUTIONAL over through of this government.

Lawlessness will gain you nothing only by following the law can you make a difference.

Think about it Citizens.

Concerned Citizen, WAKE UP! You have been blinded by the lies that you have been fed.

You are a part of the 99%. Those of us like myself that work hard for a living, pay our taxes and understand that we are just one illness away from being on public assistance and broke get what this movement is about. The Rolutionary war was faught because the settlers of this country were being taxed to death by the king and by the India Tea Company that collected all of the taxes from small businesses and didn't allow the masses of the the Colonies to make a living and get ahead. That is happening again in this country. It happened during the roaring 20s and caused the Great Depression. It happened during the 2000s and caused the Great Recession. It's still happening as the rules haven't changed. Until they change this Movement is the ONLY way that we are going to have our voices heard. The 1% have bought many of the politicians and several of the Supreme Court Justices. It's time for the masses to have their voices heard. The fact that you have your head in the sand you can't see the truth is only an example of how the Main Stream Media has failed this country because they are owned by the Major Corporations that also own our Politicians. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! It's past time to take to the streets and make change happen! It will happen whether you like it or not, Change is happening.