Small Business Owners Fight Back Against Occupy Wall Street - Polidicks

Small Business Owners Fight Back Against Occupy Wall Street November 11, 2011 FOX [release]Small business owners and local residents fed up with the “Occupiers” at Zuccotti Park in New York City are planning a counterprotest and news conference of their own Monday, to make clear the crowd has long overstayed its welcome — and that businesses will not survive if the “occupation” continues. Flyers are being passed around at small businesses and residential buildings around the park in downtown Manhattan promoting a “Protest against the Occupy Wall St. and Mayor Bloomberg who does nothing to get them to leave.” The news conference is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. on the steps of City Hall. In recent days, shopkeepers, restaurant owners and others with small businesses located near Zuccotti Park have been quietly meeting to share stories of the damage they say has been caused by Occupy Wall Street: theft of property, vandalism, threats, violence and even incidents involving the throwing of fecal matter. The flyers were printed out by a 46-year-old unemployed teacher named Leslie who has spearheaded the counterprotest efforts. She asked her last name not be used out of concern the protesters would retaliate against her, and that her involvement in the counterprotest might negatively affect her job search. “It’s time for them to go,” Leslie said of the Occupiers. John Corstales said he planned to take the employees of his restaurant — Essex World Cafe, located a block away from Zuccotti Park — to the news conference. “I’ll bring all my people. These protesters—they’re not even protesters, they don’t know anything—they are horrible. They break things, they steal, I have to close my bathrooms and bring customers downstairs [to employee restrooms],” he said. “You should see what they have done to my gate, what they do every night when we are closed,” he said, referring to vandalism and damage to the exterior of his restaurant. One of his employees said the urination and fecal matter in the neighborhood are among the worst of the problems. A construction worker who works nearby said he saw someone defecating into a newspaper, which was then rolled up and thrown across the street. “What they do is horrible, it is just horrible,” Corstales said. He said he was particularly upset about an incident involving New York Police Inspector Anthony Bologna, who was reprimanded by the department following circulation of a video of him pepper-spraying protesters on Sept. 24. “He is the best captain in this neighborhood for five years. No better human being than him,” he said. Leslie makes no effort to conceal her disgust. “They say they are the 99 percent. Let me tell you, I’m unemployed and I lost my unemployment benefits after 99 weeks. I had to move in with my mother—I’m a true 99 percenter,” she said. A police officer who was posted at the perimeter of the park for seven days said he would be attending the Monday event out of uniform, “as a protester and fed-up New Yorker.” “After speaking with many of them, I realize they are unemployable takers,” he said, asking that his name not be used. “They just want to be able to tell their friends, ‘Hey, I was there.’ There is no leader, no voice. They have money in the bank but can’t agree on using it and no one knows who controls it. “I’m sick of it. Fed up like everyone else.” An email request for comment from Occupy Wall Street’s media contact was not immediately returned. Other business owners asked that their names not be printed out of fear of further harassment and vandalism. They said Zuccotti has become home to an increasingly violent and unsanitary crowd, including some looking to commit crimes. They also complained about the incessant drumming that has become synonymous with the movement. One restaurant owner complained protesters repeatedly sneaked in to use the bathroom. Others said protesters crowded into their establishment during last month’s snowstorm and refused to leave. Some local eateries have said they have had to lay off employees because business has tanked since the protesters arrived.[/release] Read more: [url]http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/11/small-business-owners-fight-back-against-occupy-wall-street[/url]

[quote]to make clear the crowd has long overstayed its welcome[/quote] The crowd hasn't "overstayed its welcome" until its demands are met. The US government so far has done next to nothing.

Really now, A Fox News article about a handful of shmucks who just call the protesters dirty and stupid? Fair & Balanced! Fair & Balanced!

[QUOTE=Pace.;33240558]The crowd hasn't "overstayed its welcome" until its demands are met. The US government so far has done next to nothing.[/QUOTE] Lol

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;33240617]Really now, A Fox News article about a handful of shmucks who just call the protesters dirty and stupid? Fair & Balanced! Fair & Balanced![/QUOTE] [quote]In recent days, shopkeepers, restaurant owners and others with small businesses located near Zuccotti Park have been quietly meeting to share stories of the damage they say has been caused by Occupy Wall Street: theft of property, vandalism, threats, violence and even incidents involving the throwing of fecal matter. [/quote] Not to mention the giant hordes of people probably aren't great for accessibility. Point is the operations of their businesses are being threatened.

[i]"Why! Why! Why! Mr.Glaber, why do you persist!"[/i]

[QUOTE=mastermaul;33240655]Not to mention the giant hordes of people probably aren't great for accessibility. Point is the operations of their businesses are being threatened.[/QUOTE] Well there's a few things to watch out for in this particular piece: Are the people who vandalized their store actually from the protest group or are they simply attributing all damage to the protest group? Fox News has every reason to run a story about how dirty and criminal the protesters are, so I wouldn't take it at face value.

And when even small businesses are being threatened by this movement, you should know full well that the Occupy movement has overstayed its welcome. Heck, I'm even hearing more reports of violence and possible violence coming from the Occupy Movement then I've ever heard about the Tea Party Movement.

[QUOTE=Glaber;33240704]And when even small businesses are being threatened by this movement, you should know full well that the Occupy movement has overstayed its welcome. Heck, I'm even hearing more reports of violence and possible violence coming from the Occupy Movement then I've ever heard about the Tea Party.[/QUOTE] That's because the Occupy Movement is a Movement and the Tea Party is a Party. :downs: Two different things. See you rated me dumb, it's really NOT dumb because a Movement is an action, in this case an action being taken by a group of people which may go on for an extended period of time. A party is a group of people. The Tea Party has not done any 'occupy' movements or any movements at all, hence the fact that you haven't seen any more violence from the Tea Party. Get your head out of your ass you luddite.

I personally don't believe the protests should stop because a few people are not making as much money. You think all these other protests that we've had in previous times didn't disrupt business? You think they didn't cause damage?

[QUOTE=Glaber;33240704]Heck, I'm even hearing more reports of violence and possible violence coming from the Occupy Movement then I've ever heard about the Tea Party.[/QUOTE] [Insert the sound of a jaw dropping here]

Protesting a protest? My god.

[QUOTE=Glaber;33240704]And when even small businesses are being threatened by this movement, you should know full well that the Occupy movement has overstayed its welcome. Heck, I'm even hearing more reports of violence and possible violence coming from the Occupy Movement then I've ever heard about the Tea Party.[/QUOTE] The TEA Party wasn't created to abolish any status quo, only to preserve it.

The original validity of the Occupy Wall Street movement's message isn't changed by the acts of a few stupid people. The fact of the matter is that corporate greed and corrupt banking practices are still running rampant and wreaking havoc in America. Fox News is just trying to protect its benefactors by belittling the movement.

[QUOTE=Glaber;33240704]And when even small businesses are being threatened by this movement, you should know full well that the Occupy movement has overstayed its welcome. Heck, I'm even hearing more reports of violence and possible violence coming from the Occupy Movement then I've ever heard about the Tea Party.[/QUOTE] that's because the tea partiers did ONE smart thing: they brought their guns with them

[QUOTE=Pace.;33240558]The crowd hasn't "overstayed its welcome" until its demands are met. The US government so far has done next to nothing.[/QUOTE] Technically it's private property so the owners have the say in that.

Why not capitalize on this and sell things to the protesters. As a small business it'd be easy to identify with the protesters, and hell, you could just use the fact small businesses are always threatened by big franchises and stuff. If you make it seem like buying your stuff is a form of protest, you'd be set.

[QUOTE=Glaber;33240704]And when even small businesses are being threatened by this movement, you should know full well that the Occupy movement has overstayed its welcome.[/QUOTE] Hypothetically I can go out and assault a thing, doesn't even have to be a business, and as long as it's within the vicinity of the protest area, you'll attribute it to the protests and go "gosh golly gee all this violence I think the protesters should go home".

[QUOTE=Squeaken;33240843]Why not capitalize on this and sell things to the protesters. As a small business it'd be easy to identify with the protesters, and hell, you could just use the fact small businesses are always threatened by big franchises and stuff. If you make it seem like buying your stuff is a form of protest, you'd be set.[/QUOTE] seems to me like the free market is working as intended here you DO like the free market don't you glaber

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33240907]seems to me like the free market is working as intended here you DO like the free market don't you glaber[/QUOTE] no sir the police need to come down and route these rabble-rousers out

[QUOTE=Squeaken;33240843]Why not capitalize on this and sell things to the protesters. As a small business it'd be easy to identify with the protesters, and hell, you could just use the fact small businesses are always threatened by big franchises and stuff. If you make it seem like buying your stuff is a form of protest, you'd be set.[/QUOTE] Because they don't buy stuff. When people running hot dog stands in California stopped giving free food to the Occupy movement there, the carts were vandalized and the owner's property was stolen. [URL]http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/11/07/socal-street-cart-vendors-hurting-after-occupy-group-splatters-blood-urine/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Squeaken;33240843]Why not capitalize on this and sell things to the protesters. As a small business it'd be easy to identify with the protesters, and hell, you could just use the fact small businesses are always threatened by big franchises and stuff. If you make it seem like buying your stuff is a form of protest, you'd be set.[/QUOTE] The protesters are blocking people who have money to buy things from buying things at their stores.

Glaber, I'd love to meet you in person to see if your opinions can actually match up with your lifestyle. On topic, this all seems to be less against OCW's beliefs and more over their organization skills. I believe Occupy DC is the most organized so far, and they did a terrific job of pre-planning everything before they did it. I think Occupy Wall Street's problem is that it was so sporadic, that it was near impossible to organize. If they tear everything down to organize, the police will see this as them packing up and move in to remove everything and everyone. They're just looking for an excuse at the moment.

[QUOTE=Ridge;33240970]Because they don't buy stuff. When people running hot dog stands in California stopped giving free food to the Occupy movement there, the carts were vandalized and the owner's property was stolen. [URL]http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/11/07/socal-street-cart-vendors-hurting-after-occupy-group-splatters-blood-urine/[/URL][/QUOTE] Yet another thing I'm pretty suspicious of, mainly because they cite Fox Nation as a source for that "protesters push elderly woman down stairs" thing they claim happened.

Jesus Glaber, why do you bother. Everyone crucifies you whenever you express any opinion... And, I think it's really funny how it seems these protesters can do no wrong. Everything happens to them, they are just hapless victims. [editline]12th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Megafanx13;33241074]Yet another thing I'm pretty suspicious of, mainly because they cite Fox Nation as a source for that "protesters push elderly woman down stairs" thing they claim happened.[/QUOTE] Jesus. You seem to have a massive grudge against Fox. It's like you're go to source when you want to dismiss someone's argument.

[QUOTE=dialogical;33241116] And, I think it's really funny how it seems these protesters can do no wrong. Everything happens to them, [b]they are just hapless victims.[/b][/QUOTE] the vast majority are can't really say the same for cops when you see a whole line of them swinging batons

I want to have an opinion, but I don't really know enough about the argument to create one.

[QUOTE=dialogical;33241116]Jesus. You seem to have a massive grudge against Fox. It's like you're go to source when you want to dismiss someone's argument.[/QUOTE] I go to the source because if the source is rotten, the entire argument tends to be rotten. Fox Nation is as unbalanced and misrepresentative as it gets, and the 'Fox News' section is only slightly better.

Misleading title glaber. These are business owners complaining about protesters vandalizing and screwing with their stores. Not business owners in general

Oh, Glaber.