11/17/11: March across the Brooklyn Bridge

My story continues.  Sadly, i still did not have my real camera but thankfully I had my (new) phone!

(there were cops on every subway platform as I headed back into Manhattan.)

11/17/11 was a day of action for the OWS movement. After spending time at Zucotti Park that afternoon, I really wanted to be a part of the march across the BK Bridge.  Unfortunately, I had an appointment that took me to Park Slope and afterwards I called SK, BP, and KF and they didn't think I would be able to find them.  I decided to try.  I got on the 4 train and got off at Fulton (i'll admit, I almost chickened out and got off in BK heights to wait for them).  

I walked along the side streets until I got to Pace plaza.  There were hundreds of cops hanging out. literally, hanging out. smoking, eating, laughing.  The streets were barricaded.  I tried to wait for them at the foot of the stairs leading up to the BK bridge but the "sarge" said the stairs were closed. 

I continued on my mission, wandering around, looking for my friends in the crowd of 30-45,000. I started walking up the sidewalk and was taking pictures of the sites (a big road sign that said if you block the street, you will get arrested). I really didn't think I was anywhere near the group I was looking for.  I saw some UAW banners and started taking pictures because it is always fun to see fellow union members.

Then they started talking to me.  It was SK, BP, KF, MB and DS. I had found my friends, right at the foot of the BK bridge. It was pretty amazing. 

We crossed the bridge, chanting, cheering, skipping and laughing.  Even joking around with the cops once we got to BK side of the BK bridge (they were a lot more friendly). The most magical part of the walk was at the top of the bridge, looking around the city on a beautiful night, people yelling "tell us what democracy looks like" and us responding, "this is what democracy looks like" and then seeing the Verizon building displaying beautiful art. the "bat signal."