Five Years Hence, Beyond Occupy Retakes the Plaza.

Well, at least for four hours.

It was five years ago today that intrepid Occupiers pitched tents on Oscar Grant Plaza, likely figuring they would be rousted in days, if not hours. Little did they know.

Two days ago, on October 8th, 2016, in celebration of that event and everything that came afterwards, while tents did not reappear on the Plaza, popup structures full of photos and art did show up.

Posters, t-shirts, and banners from Occupy Oakland and Occupy San Francisco’s histories were on display as well, all viewed by some 150 people in attendance.

They were accompanied by amazing musical performances by The Brass Liberation Orchestra, Occupella, Dave (Redd) Welsh and Gigi Winter (all intimately connected with various aspects of Occupy) and Ashel Eldridge, TrioCambrio, and Khafre Jay.

There were poetry readings by Sarah Menefee (Occupy SF, First They Came for the Homeless) and David Kubrin.

There were brief talks by activists describing once and current work, including Uncle Bobby (Oscar Grant), Shonda Roberts (Fight for $15), Debbie Notkin (Occupy Oakland Foreclosure Defense), JP Massar (Strike Debt Bay Area & Oakland Privacy), John Torok (Oakland Livable Wage Assembly), Mike Zint (First They Came for the Homeless), Margaret Rossof (No Coal, Sunflower Alliance), Pennie Opan Plant (Idle No More), and Effie Rawlings (Occupy the Farm).

The Oakland Light Brigade made an appearance, thanks to Susan Harman, and an incredible slide show projected on the face of City Hall capped the evening.

Kelly Johnson put into hundreds of hours organizing the event, and hundreds hours more putting together the photos and art.

Sandy Sanders, who has done much art work for Occupy and other activist events these last years, designed the Beyond Occupy poster advertising the event, and also the Occupy Oakland and Activist Timeline poster that was displayed at the event. Unfortunately, being out of state now, he could not attend.