Occupy Milwaukee announced today that as part of the evolution of their movement they will end the occupation of the Riverwest site where they have been operating for the last five months. The OCCUPY MILWAUKEE campsite at the corner of W. Locust and N. Bremen Streets will be returned to its former use as a neighborhood park and, along with members of the Riverwest community, Occupy Milwaukee activists will help restore the park to its original condition.
Occupy Milwaukee began in October 2011, 173 days ago alongside Occupy Wall Street. Inspired by Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Milwaukee took possession of the park last October soon after their inaugural rally at Zeidler Park downtown that drew several thousand people to protest income and wealth inequality and corporate control of the government. Since that date we’ve protested banks, taken the streets, held teach-ins, built alliances with oppressed communities and stood n solidarity with workers who are fighting attacks from the 1% and Governor Walker. Milwaukee understands that it is the rich to blame for the economic crisis and Occupy Milwaukee is here to make them pay.
Since the beginning we wanted a public space to occupy, an expression of free speech that gives us visibility and a place to organize. When we first gathered at Zeidler Park, the police were there to intimidate and threaten us. About 100 police surrounded our meeting as we discussed occupying the park. We’ve had to struggle to maintain Garden Park. The Department of Homeland Security and other agencies have worked on a nation-wide crackdown of the Occupy movement. Hundreds of our brothers and sisters across this country have been arrested and beat up. A Wisconsin Army Veteran at an Occupy protest in Oakland? was struck in the head with a teargas canister and nearly died. Yet we maintained one of the longest-standing occupies in the country.
Occupy Milwaukee is now focused on a spring uprising. We’re starting off with a clear victory, the Group of 8 (G8) moved their meeting from Chicago because they’re afraid of the the news that our movement will bring. We’re letting go of the occupation of Garden Park. We will occupy our next target when we need to.
The camp will be officially closed on Saturday, April 7th with a cookout and music. More details are available on the Occupy Milwaukee Facebook (community) page.
Come celebrate one of the longest running occupations in the country and help us build for more actions and events this spring.
On April 7 there will be a potluck and music to celebrate our Occupation and Occupiers at Riverwest Garden Park ! Bring a dish to pass!
FaceBook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/105951239538435/
Saturday, April 7 Schedule:
10am – park cleanup and reseeding.
1pm – Teepee removing ceremony – Bring your instruments!
2pm-4pm – Cookout/potluck and Group Discussion
5pm – General Assembly/Tasks
Occupy Milwaukee's first march on the banks October 15, 2011, Milwaukee.
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