1. THREAD: I spent tonight at the new occupation in Lower Manhattan, not so far from Occupy Wall Street, which I covered nearly nine years ago for the now defunct Village Voice. Much is the same, much has grown anew & beyond that occupation

2. The art making is just spilling into the streets. Literally. Music, sound, live jazz, posters, stations to make protest art—it feels close to Athens (especially Exarchia) or Black Rock Cify

3. Speaking of Exarchia, I got to finally meet the artist and writer @mollycrabapple, who I’ve been dying to meet, especially since we just missed each other in Athens this winter & since she wrote about Exarchia https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/the-attack-on-exarchia-an-anarchist-refuge-in-athens

4. What is happening here is akin to the anarchy of Exarchia—a non-state centered form of horizontal politics expressed through mutual care, community and direct democracy. I had come to meet @SherryTalksBack & loved meeting @mollycrabapple & @whitney_hu.

5. A common complaint about Occupy was it had no clear demands. This was my true, but this occupation’s beginning demands are clear: Defund $1 billion from the NYPD and put that money into Black and Brown communities.

6. There is high quality, delicious food being given away freely. Reminds me of Middle Church—ppl want a place to go and meet ppl to talk & eat & discuss how to make the world better, esp now! A big political myth occupations expose is that we LACK, when we have abundance.

7. The occupation is Black led, mostly by Black women. But many genders & ppl w many abilities are involved. They demand respect for Black trans women & ppl w disabilities.

8. #Occupy2020 is different from #Occupy2011 in that is is clearly and commandingly being run by Black young ppl. The politics out of the bullhorns & in the mix checks is so sophisticated. You can really see what a decade has allowed for growth.

9. As night fell, Black women organizers prepped everyone for bed. There were hundreds gathered, & organizers explained how to band together by ability if NYPD comes during the night. The cops were guarding empty Zucotti nearby & mostly flying in choppers/inside City Hall here.

10/10 I saw many dear old friends, met new friends & got to have political convo & actually eat w others. 99% mask usage. A beautiful night. (Photo by @SherryTalksBack)