Michael Swickard
The Occupy people all over our nation have our attention, but we will not be bullied, we will not be intimidated, and they cannot come on private property and attack New Mexico citizens without the full response of angry citizens being directed at them. If they want to change the political process, do it right: Get elected and lead us to a better world.
From Occupy Santa Fe’s statement about last week’s protest of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s dinner for legislators:
“… OSF understands the continuing corruption of our democracy is a matter of sheer survival with 146 million Americans at or below the poverty line. A noisy interruption of the ALEC $250 dinner is mild compared to the economic, social, and environmental devastation caused by corporate domination… ALEC members choked two women protesters with their own scarves while simultaneously punching them in the back, one by Representative Kintigh of Roswell. Following them to the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, an ALEC member punched a male protester in the face, and shoved another male protester to the wall in a chokehold. Four security guards from the Eldorado Hotel contained the violent ALEC legislative member.”
I was not there, nor have I spoken to any of the participants. However, I am gravely concerned about two things: First, that a peaceful group of elected New Mexico legislators on private property were subjected to a frightening, violent interaction. Second, that the Occupy Santa Fe group was able to barge into a private dinner.
If the Occupy Santa Fe protesters had remained at their protest outside the hotel, it would be a non-story. Instead they came onto private property, a hotel dining room and caused a fuss. They called causing a fuss civil disobedience, but they are wrong.
Be noisy, be in the face, be on public property. Step onto private property without permission and it is not fine. The hotel, while open to the public, is still private property. The protestors have no right to walk into any store, restaurant or hotel without permission.
The authorities and security forces were absent. That left it up to the legislators to protect themselves. There is a charge of excessive force against Rep. Dennis Kintigh for removing at least one person. He is a New Mexico certified police officer and a retired FBI agent. That he felt compelled to act speaks volumes as to the safety of the legislators in the room.
Run against incumbents
Where do we go from here? I hope Occupy Santa Fe troops are not trying to force the legislators to huddle behind protected walls. We have a great citizen Legislature. Aanyone can walk almost anywhere in the Roundhouse without hassle. Now, the dialog may have started to try to contain the “terrorist” effect of protestors.
I do have to protest this statement in the protestor press release: “…the continuing corruption of our democracy is a matter of sheer survival with 146 million Americans at or below the poverty line.” So half of all Americans are at or below the poverty line? Yet most have a house, car and cable. How is that poverty? I suspect the fragile population is closer to five percent, and yes, they do need our prayers and our help.
Also, the New Mexico Legislature has been firmly in the hands of the Democrats since before World War Two. The Occupy Santa Fe group was yelling at Republicans who rarely, if ever, have any say in what the Legislature does. If corporations have bought the New Mexico Legislature, protest the Democrats.
I would like to give some honest, helpful advice for the people in the Occupy Santa Fe movement. Stay on public property. We hear you and, dare I say it, I agree with some of your more reasonable concerns. I have raised them myself as to money and politics.
Importantly, if you really want to make a difference, go to each legislative district and put up a candidate against the incumbent so that, a year from now, all 112 members of the New Mexico Legislature could be newly elected Occupy members who will completely cleanse the political process. Do the change right.
The Occupy people all over our nation have our attention, but we will not be bullied, we will not be intimidated, and they cannot come on private property and attack New Mexico citizens without the full response of angry citizens being directed at them. If you want to change the political process, it is open to you to do so. Do it in the way that our U.S. and New Mexico constitutions allow: Get elected and lead us to a better world.
Swickard is co-host of the radio talk show News New Mexico, which airs from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday on a number of New Mexico radio stations and through streaming. His e-mail address is michael@swickard.com. Editor’s note: For more on last week’s incident, click here, here, and here.