Night 5 - Occupy Montreal

Not everything is what it seems, don't judge a book by it's cover and yes, sometimes what it looks like is exactly what it is. Read between the lines but don't read too much into things.

General assemblies are mentally exhausting....sigh...

I got there so late I had given up on attending. But as I got off my bike, started filming and walking accross the encampment, I could hear the loudspeaker and see a massive crowd.

Many were passerby's who took an interest in what was happening, then decided to get involved. Many appeared to be professionals, students, unemployed, punks, hippies & some white collar workers. Most folks seemed frustrated, yet patient with the process of listening, which was good; since many speakers found it challenging to stay on topic and to keep it short & sweet. I made a joke to one fellow that this was why the House of Commons is so slow with actual action.

I arrived with an open mind, intending to only observe, think and learn. Of course, it ended up that I couldn't keep my mouth shut and took to the mic a few times. I get the multiple issues and how they tie together, much like an ecosystem, if one thing goes off balance, it affects the whole. Alot of people say the original imbalance is stemming from capitalism, but I don't think it's true. I don't think it's the system or any system that is the problem, the issue is that we are all human and no one is perfect. I think the core is selfishness. Imagine what the world would be like if Bankers, Corporations, & Leaders became selfless?

The GA starts at 6pm every night, except saturdays it is at 1pm. Tonight it ended at 9:30pm, making it the longest general assembly yet, with the largest turn out. The progress is slow, but #occupymontreal,  is only in it's 5th day. I am praying that we can get our protest movement to take off the way #occupywallstreet did, I pray we can get organized enough to do something useful & constructive.

It was interesting to see how the homeless have intergrated themselves into the protesters. In some instances this is just people freeloading, but in other instances you get an opportunity to see the person & the mind inside the "homelessness". The homeless are almost taboo, most people do not take time to talk to the homeless, they are untouchables, they have no voice. Here at the GA, suddenly they have a voice, and their voice matters, the homeless are relishing this. Unfortunately many of them appear to be mentally ill, but some of them have something valid to offer in what they have to say. Some of the anarchists appeared to be there for the excitment, and take advantage of the free food, but many others turned out to have brilliant minds that are well researched and well thought out. "Knowledge is power".

I have recorded portions of the dialogue at the GA which I will post as soon as I am able to on my youtube channel, 5WindsofVenus.