October 22

Today, it rained a lot. Again. But there were still lots of tourists out and about.

I spoke to a woman from Britain who made a very heavy observation. She said that after the 2000 election, which everyone knew was stolen, people in Europe who oppose the Bush regime made a point to make a distinction between the US government and the people in the US. But after the 2004 election, and when Bush "won" again, people started to stop making that distinction...Think about it. As we say in the WCW Call, "That which you will not resist and mobilize to stop, you will learn--or be forced--to accept."

One man who talked to us is part of a group who stands in front of the White House every Saturday, puts on a Bush mask, waves around a monkey, and has tourists pose for pictures with him behind an "Impeach Bush" sign (photo above). He told us that he thought our encampment was really important, and really digs World Can't Wait because "we get it." That we get what time it is, that this will require more than protest as usual. And he really dug the fact that we were out here "serving notice" to the Bush Regime, but also that we were engaging and challenge everyone, including ordinary people and tourists AND activists to break out of business as usual. He told us that he is going to "suddenly remember" that he has a dentist appointment at 11 am on Nov 2, and join the resistance in Lafayette Park!

Today is also the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. 2 locals came to the encampment to mark this day with their own banner "The Police are the Real Terrorists." I apologize that the picture I took of them didn't come out!

And lastly, here is an interview with Eric. He is a homeless man who's been an active member of the encampment from the start. We took a break during the rain storm to do an interview. He talked about why he joined us, what it's like to be here doing this encampment, and urges everyone to step out on Nov 2.

Listen here.