Amy Rothenberg Photography: November 2011

Great Merging Marches

UC students, Occupy Oakland protestors and many more came together, forming a proactive amalgam of walks of life. I saw people from every aspect of education, age, race, gender, etc. engaged in dialogue with one another, accommodating and standing proud and loud. Almost everyone had a fire in them that you could see in their eyes, that was reflected in their actions, and sent a vibration that could give you goosebumps.

I watched as the two rivers of protestors came together in front of Sproul Hall, merging and spilling into one another, from opposite sides of the campus, without hesitation, with fervent joy, and shared outrage. Sproul Hall, home of the UC Berkeley administration is located on the open boundary of the UC Berkeley campus where it joins Telegraph Ave. It is its own little border town, or portal as some may see it. And on this particular day it was open and welcoming to all, no lines, no invisible thickness or forcefield to separate people. The open ports were now visible, lacking distinction and going in all directions. Every space, if not occupied physically by someone, was filled with opinion and positive support. No end and no beginning.

When Occupy Oakland flooded in from Telegraph (a street that bloodlines directly from Oakland to the UC campus, trailing up to Sproul Hall and stopping there), right after UC students marched in under the iron arch, energy swirled and demand of supply took off! My heart started racing faster, and the honest collective immensity of everyones vigor emerged and surged as the night went on, getting me and everyone around more engaged and in the moment. Many people were singing, some were making posters with whatever supplies they could find, and some people were doing homework while others were on loud speakers talking about revolution and chanting. All were clambering, creating, and acting together. I couldn't help but be amazed.

The people are a true inspiration. One of the facets of the protests that inspires me most when I come across it, is people actually living by their words. It seems to be a struggle with many obstacles, but I feel compelled to do that as best I can in my life as well. It felt wonderful and empowering to have that present in so many people in the same place at the same time on this particular day of action. It was awesome to witness it and talk with people about the changes that they believe in and are working towards. I wish for everyone to feel that strong and glorious support within themselves on an everyday basis, crowd or no crowd.

The drive and reasons that have seeded Occupy are not something to be taken lightly, nor is the need for better education and a system that supports education for all. We are aching for a world where people won't have to question whether or not they will have the opportunity for quality education/education in general, rather a world where they know they will have the right to education, and that it will be fairly/generously provided and accessible to all.

This movement is the last straw, and the first of many steps towards a more beautiful world. Prime concerns like healthcare, environment, housing, and education should come first, the first supports in the solid foundation of a healthy social system. The people are powerful, the people are one. We will find justice one peaceful way or another, whether it's loud or soft, long term or short term, big, medium, or small - even one person at a time if we must - "When there's a will, there's a way," And there's no giving up...

Occupy UC Berkeley march had a completely different feel than the rest of the Occupy marches I have been to thus far, something that really felt like it had come from a more central place. I don't really know how to put the feeling into words, so maybe some pictures will help ---