Quick update

"The troublemaker is precisely the one who tries to force sovereign power to translate itself into actuality." Giorgio Agamben, Homo Sacer

Today marked the second week of the occupation of Wall Street. Mass arrests, pepper spray, and gruesome photos finally forced mainstream media to cover this unprecedented protest.

Friday night, the Chaplains met to discuss our next steps. We're making plans to return to our friends and allies in New York, and are planning meetings with other locals for Occupy Boston.

Despite efforts by Yahoo, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to hinder social media efforts, the movement is growing.

Protesting is not a crime. It's more necessary now than ever.

Stay tuned, rest well, and peace be with you!

You need to watch what happened today. And how you can help!

The woman operating the camera really did an amazing job keeping her cool in a terrible situation.

Protesting is not a crime. Putting tarps over computer equipment and handmade signs to keep the rain off is not a crime.

Everyone we met this weekend, everyone we talked to, was so smart, generous, and committed to peace. The occupiers have been working so hard in General Assembly meetings to stay organized, comply with police requests, and bring life and spirit to the occupation that we absolutely fell in love with our new brothers and sisters. This is what hope looks like. This is what Christianity looks like.

And, good news! Despite the police raids this morning, those not arrested have been joined by many more - tonight's meeting in Zuccotti Park/Liberty Plaza seems to at least one Twitter observer to be possibly the largest yet.

Here's what you can do:
Send supplies! Contact: support@usdayofrage.org 347 640 0925 http://bit.ly/oo538N
Send money for sleeping bags, generators and other supplies: https://www.wepay.com/donate/194073?utm_campaign=donations&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook&ref_uid=3285041
Send food! Do what Wisconsin did for their Capitol occupiers last spring and buy the occupiers an OccuPie pizza, made especially for the occupation by Liberato's Pizza in Lower Manhattan: 212-344-3464 ($15 for an OccuPie, they'll know what to do) or donate to the other food budget (so far soooo good!): wepay.com/donate/99275

Best of all, though? GO TO WALL STREET! And TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
There has been much frustration over the "media blackout" resulting in so little coverage of this joyful, earnest, determined protest made of so many different people who all believe in justice. As Christians, we're especially bothered that this beautiful expression and work of hope is getting so little coverage  in comparison to coverage of the Tea Party and their religious rhetoric of hate.

BREAKING: SOLIDARITY OCCUPATION GROWING IN SAN FRANCISCO (555 California). Can't make it to the East Coast? Go to San Francisco!
Can't make it to New York? Occupy DC beginning October 6! http://october2011.org

THE STRATEGY: We're especially calling churches and clergy to go in your denomination's religious drag-o-choice (collars, albs, stoles, choir robes, whatever!) down to Zuccotti Park. Your presence will make it impossible to dismiss protesters as just a bunch of malcontent whiny kids, which is the narrative used by both the Left and the Right to ignore this incredible demonstration. All over the rest of the world, Occupy Wall Street is a huge news story! You can make it so in the US by going there as something unexpected -- Christians.

All you gotta do is show up and sing. Bring food & water! You want to see what Christ looks like? Look into the eyes and hearts of the people there. There he is.

Come and see. We promise.

We went, we saw, and we are transformed for it. Our whole team is still buzzing with excitement. Harvard Divinity School is hearing all about it. Priests and pastors from around the country are contacting us. It's time, sisters and brothers in Christ, friends of God: Out of the churches, and into the streets! Let's practice what we preach!

Love, blessings, and the light and peace of Christ,
The Protest Chaplains

A prayer for justice

The occupiers spending the night in newly-dubbed "Liberty Square" (aka Zuccotti Park) are growing in numbers and coming under new pressure from NYPD. But spirits are good and the General Assembly meetings continue.

If you have eyes to see - this is God's dream of peace, equality, and harmony among different people coming into the world in a new way!

If you're the praying type, pray for Occupy Wall Street. And if you can get to New York, please do! Bring water & food while you're at it.

For Social Justice
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And the rich reveal the evil in their hearts.

From Saturday night. Marchers interrupted the leisure time of the aristocrats and the aristocrats turned ugly.

Is this where the bailout money went? So these people could refine their disdain for the other 99% of us? It's not just offensive. It speaks of the sickness-of-soul that we all suffer from. What makes these sneering people on the balcony different is that they can afford to be cruel. If we are going to see a better world, we need to open our hearts to one another, share what we care about, encourage one another, form new relationships, and forge new alliances.

This isn't just spiritual woo-woo talk. We joined strangers Saturday to sing, march, and chant, and the new friendships, conversations, and mutual expressions of hope energized and enlightened us. Now we're back in Boston, talking to all kinds of people, and people who never would have thought twice about Occupy Wall Street are discovering that they, too, would like to be part of the protest.

GET YOURSELVES DOWN TO WALL STREET. Every body counts. And if you can't, do the world a favor and stop, think before you dismiss this protest and all protests, and consider: What could the world look like if we quit allowing the banks to control our democracy? What if we undid the corporate theft and gave public money back to... the public? And what if religious voices joined those of anarchists, socialists, Marxists, international organizations, and all who crave justice?

The love we saw, felt, and shared on Saturday is the one and only thing that can change the world. We call this love God. You can call it whatever you want. But call it something, and cry it from the rooftops. Cry it in the streets. And let justice roll down like waters (Amos 5:24).

Love, peace, light, and hope to you all!
The Protest Chaplains

WATCH OCCUPYWALLSTREET

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, SISTERS AND BROTHERS!

Watch live streaming video from globalrevolution at livestream.com

This morning the occupiers seem chipper, in good spirits. The cops' strategy seems to be just to keep the protesters on the move so quickly that no one is blocked. The bank workers seem mostly confused and a little irritated, but some are asking questions. The road is blocked off so that only the sidewalks are accessible. Funny thing is, this means that pedestrians are all mixed in with protesters...

Love and peace to you, campers!

Yesterday, we saw what we recognize as the face of God in the meetings, the marches, the creativity, and the hope you shared with us. You, occupiers, are one family, one nation, one beautiful people, united near and far with the millions of supporters around the world who call you sisters and brothers. Together, we are so alive!

You inspired us. You sang with us. You chanted with us. And we are still with you, even from Boston.

This morning, at churches all over Boston and beyond, Christians heard about what we saw and felt and lived with you. We prayed for you and continue to do so. Even if you don't believe in that stuff, good vibes can't hurt, right?

We know your feet hurt and your voices ache because ours do too. We know you're exhausted but inspired. So tonight, as you settle in, full of pizza and good will, consider pulling your group together and doing the following meditation. Have one person read it. And let the silences sink in - go slow, don't rush.

EVENING MEDITATION FOR THE SECOND DAY OF OCCUPATION
As we close this long day, let us breathe in the peace that surrounds us underneath the city noise. There is calm here, underneath the sirens, the engines, the tension, and the talking. Listen for the silence, and breathe it in.

(silence)

Let us bring to mind the pleasures of today: new friends, productive conversations, creativity.
Imagine that the warm feelings of gratitude are a soft blanket. Relax into the gratitude.

(silence)

Let your heart, stomach, guts, bones, and muscles all fall gently into this warm, dark, quiet space. Let the gratitude wrap around you, protecting you, holding you safe.

(silence)

In this space, bring to mind your frustrations, fear, tension, pain, irritation.

(silence)

As you take a deep breath, imagine exhaling all of those frustrations. Let them dissolve into the night air. The silence, and the gratitude, still hold you. You can let go of all that has not been done today. Release the day. Exhale.

(silence)

Imagine the millions of supporters around the world standing guard around Zuccotti Park or wherever you are sleeping. We are watching, praying, protecting you. You may let yourself rest in the hearts and love of this great family.

We are one family, breathing, hoping, becoming more alive together. Peace be with you. Good night.

THANK YOU AND MORE TO COME

(from Flickr)

The Inter-and-No-Faith Dinner Blessing in Zucotti Park.

KEEP IT UP, CAMPERS!

We've got some photos up on our Flickr account. http://www.flickr.com/photos/protestchaplains/

More to come...