By Nadin Abbott / Special to the OB Rag / June 9, 2012
Photographs Nadin Abbott
Women Occupy San Diego held a permitted event Saturday, June 9th, at Civic Plaza (Freedom Plaza). The arts event, free and open to the public, also featured Mexican and Azteca traditional dances, political speeches – including one from Councilmember Marty Emerald.
Folkloric dances from the State of Jalisco, by the group Ballet Folkorico El Tapatio, were presented, along with Calpulli Azteca which performed four traditional Nahuatl Aztec dances, to the delight of all present, wearing complex traditional costumes, as well as braseros and some fire. The day ended with a circus act.
The Arts event was punctuated by Council Member Marty Emerald, (District-7) reading a declaration by the City of San Dieogo and presenting it to Women Occupy San Diego.
The Declaration celebrated the role of Women Occupy in making the life of citizens better, as well as their role they have had in putting events such as this together.
Council Member Emerald also emphasized that the lessons from Tuesday’s elections included that:
“we were reminded of the privilege to vote. We need to do a lot more to bring those numbers up and to lessen the influence of money.”
She added that this is “our call to action.” Citizens need to be educated on the issues and on who’s running, and we need to make sure the “right people are elected.” She added that the people present need to be force multipliers and that not only do we need to re-elect President Barack Obama to a second term, but also make sure to elect Congressman Bob Filner as the next Mayor of San Diego.
She also reminded people that Council Member Sherri Lightner needs to be elected, to maintain the 5:4 ratio and keep the Lincoln Club of San Diego and other special interests from running the city.
Rebecca Rojas followed Councilmember Emerald and explained to people the role of the National Lawyers Guild in recent events. She read from a recent decision in New York, where a judge emphasized the debt the nation owes to trouble makers, such as Thomas Paine, one of the Founding Fathers.
According to Stephanie Jennings, one of the organizers, one of the reasons for the event was to take back the negative media image. “A successful event would represent the true nature of the Occupy Movement.”
Martha Sullivan remarked at the end of the day that this was “a total success,” and and that the day was what a community event ought to be.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Some very nice photos on the above article. Was it publicly attended, and if so what was their response? It appeared that only the “middle class women” and a few OSD occupiers were there.
It was a mult-cultural mix of OSD planners and supporting non-profit oranizations, as well as civic minded leaders who were in attendance; viewed from my position there as an organizer of the Occupy Our Arts event while staffing the children’s art booth.
Member, Women Occupy San Diego (WOSD)
It was attended. At it’s height, 250-300 people. Given families of some of the acts ca,e as well, this was not just Occupy. They organized it, but it was not just Occupiers.
Could it have been advertised further like in the news or TV? It certainly merited it in my opinion. I feel like since the “City” has flushed out OSD, it is not taken seriously.