Speak of a defining moment. Marine Corps Sgt. Shamar Thomas’s upbraiding of the New York Police Dept. just may have hastened evolution. (Video reproduced below.) The Egyptian army stood behind the protesters in Tahrir Square. Recently the Portuguese military came out in favor of the Occupy protesters in that country. If Shamar Thomas succeeds in swinging the military and the police behind OWS with his courageous face-down, well, Patrick Henry, (1) move over. Thanks to Said on 2012S.
#OccupyMarines are Preparing to Occupy America Nationwide
By Anomaly100, PoliticusUSA, Oct. 21, 2011
https://www.politicususa.com/en/occupy-marines-nationwide?mid=50
United States Marine Corps. Sergeant Shamar Thomas in a spectacular moment defended the protesters of Occupy Wall Street while staring into the faces of thirty NYPD officers, and now countless other Marines have organized in an amazing show of solidarity.
Sgt. Thomas’ gallant actions in standing up for American citizens being brutalized by the police were shown in a video which has gone viral with almost 2 million views. Marines have joined forces with #OccupyMarines in solidarity with the movement not just in New York, but nationwide:
“OccupyMARINES Are Currently Assessing The Current Situation To Ascertain What Is Currently Needed To Support OWS America. We Are Humbled At The Substantial Support OWS America Has Provided And Ask That Everyone Continue As You All Do While We Implement Organization Nationwide. As We All Know, ‘Occupy’ Groups Are Being Established Even Now And Would Like To See This Trend Continue.”
Their website OccupyMarines.org presents a post centering on continuing the Occupy movement throughout the upcoming winter. In their call for “Non-Active ‘Occupy’ Military Supporters Only” they’re organizing a dress code in order to identify their branch affiliation.
Instead of ostracizing the police, the Marines are attempting to reach out to them much like Sgt. Thomas did.
#OrganizeMarines states, “Security forces/police should be seen as potential recruits to our cause and message, not as adversaries. Ultimately, they are accountable to the people.”
During Sgt. Thomas’ bold speech, the police presence became suddenly solemn hanging on his every word. Perhaps the presence of Marines will awaken the Police force which has been overwhelming the protests.
Presenting their group and the Occupiers as a peaceful movement, no matter what, including verbal attacks and/or propaganda brought forth from those opposing the protest they state, “Defensive strategies never win. Do not respond to verbal attacks or hostile propaganda from Nay-Sayers by using the language of the opponent. Reframe.”
Meet Iraq veteran Alex E. Limkin:
“I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against enemies both foreign, and domestic.”
Veteran Alex Limkin said:
“There is nothing more central to a free and democratic people than the right to dissent, the right to disagree, the right to stand up in the town square and be heard… I feel quite sure that in standing in solidarity with the peaceful Occupy Wall Street movement, I am doing no less than upholding my oath as an American soldier.”
Sgt. Shamar Thomas was the catalyst in this movie-like scenario with our inactive military standing with the protesters side by side.
These Marines’ actions are the definition of patriotism – not donning flagpins or waving Old Betsy — actions speak Red, White and Blue louder than feigning patriotism by displays which are born from a strong partisan stance.
Naysayers stand back, the Marines are coming.
#OccupyMarines, we are humbled.
Blogger Extraordinaire Anomaly100 is the owner of and progressive mastermind behind FreakOut Nation.
Footnotes
(1) Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775: “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, Give me Liberty, or give me Death!”