Relations between Occupy Philly and the City broke down when the movement decided Friday to remain at Dilworth Plaza.Managing Director Rich Negrin said that the group's decision was "incredibly disappointing and, we think, indicative of something of a betrayal of their original beliefs and cause."But, perhaps even more concerning, Occupy Philly's infighting has become so obvious that many relative outsiders to the movement, including Mayor Michael Nutter, have noticed. “Occupy Philly is fractured with internal disagreement and disputes,” he said at a press conference yesterday.“Occupy Philly has changed," he said. "We’re seeing serious health and safetyissues playing out on almost a daily basis … The people of Occupy Phillyhave also changed and their intentions have changed … and all of thisis not good for Philadelphia.”Radical 'hijacking element'Nutter’s assessment of divisiveness within the camp is all-too-apt. While Friday night, a two-thirds majority voted to stay at Dilworth Plaza, some longtime residents said that much of the crowd consisted of interlopers who show up when important votes are taken, but largely do not participate in daily decision-making.“At the Friday vote, you got a bunch of radicals to vote to stay when the majority didn't want to,” said Occupier Daniel Brouse. “They're looking for a fight. They're basically the same group of people who have gotten arrested so far. They're the fringe – socialists, anarchists and Ron Paul supporters."“There’s this hijacking element that is anarchic and wants to basically raze all structures and burn everything to the ground,” agreed Fernando Salguero of the now-infamous warming station. “Those saying they’re going to dig in their heels and, 'Bring on the tear gas,' that’s keeping Occupiers from moving forward. Food wants to go, the safety committee wants to go … I could go on.”“Votes are being stacked,” Salguero continued. “These are outside influences being brought in by a lot of anarchists, essentially to subvert the process,” he said, though he still believes direct democracy is the way to go. “There are puppet masters that have small movements of supporters that wave their hands [as a show of support] at certain times.”"There is concern that the more radical element might be gaining control and that that element is less about social justice and representing the 99 percent and more about something else," Negrin confirmed last Thursday. "It’s just kind of anti-establishment, anti-government, anti-everything. That is a very real concern.""I can't say this has happened," Kurtis Sensenig of the messaging committee carefully prefaced, stressing that it was only a personal observation. "But the dynamics have changed a little bit. I'm afraid moderates are being chased out by more radical extremists."Some people wish the camp had just voted to move"Hell, yeah we want to move across the street," Salguero said. "That'swhy we built across the street in the first damn place." He initiallyconstructed the warming station at Thomas Paine Plaza last Sunday because he figuredthe camp would soon relocate anyway, but was asked to leave by cityofficials due to a lack of permit.“It sounds like we screwed ourselves because now Nutter is not offeringthe place across the street, either. We should have moved,” said Brouse,whoclaims he has contacted the police and the Mayor's press officeindependently to discuss moving to Thomas Paine Plaza and is circulatingan onlinepetition advocating the same."I wish we moved and continued positive relations with the city," echoedSensenig. He said that his working group has attracted a lot ofphilosophical discussion around the decision. "Everyone there wasfrustrated with the decision-making process and with becoming moreconfrontational with the city," he said. "It's worth noting that a lotof people here wanted to maintain a working relationship with the city."Brawls and needlesThe camp has been home to several fights -- including one that broke outnext to the stage during Friday night's general assemblydiscussing the proposed expansion -- and a sexual assault, whichoccurred Saturday. EMS has been dispatched 15 times since Oct. 6., Nutter said.Brouse was assaulted last week while videotaping a fight betweentwo participants. He said that, in his experience, the fights are notgenerally perpetrated by other politically-active Occupiers, but by thehomeless and mentally ill. “We’re feeding them, but we’re not givingthem their medicine,” he said.“There are verbal assaults. Thefts are rampant – everybody has prettymuch had stuff stolen," he continued. "There’s privacy issues – peoplethink they can just go into your tent if it’s empty. People thinkprivate property is theirs to take.”"The main thing to stay aware of is when you open a community like this,with food, shelter, clothing -- it draws people," said Joe Polito."They are a part of the 99 percent, but not part of the movement. Theiractions are not representative of the movement."Polito said that drugs have also become an issue at the encampment. "Allthe junkies are coming into the camp to camouflage themselves with themovement," he said. "I've been finding needles and crack pipeseverywhere. While everyone else is sleeping, drug dealers come." ButPolito said that he didn't think the element would pose a problem as far as resistance to relocation. "Thejunkies and crackheads will flee before, see what happensand come back when it's over," he said. "They've always been here."“Occupy Philly has the same problems as larger society,” saidAmanda Geraci of safety and security by way of explanation. “Occupy Philly is not a utopia –it’s a microcosm."Both sides swear violence is not an option -- unless someone else hits them firstNegrin said that, though the city has no plans to remove the Occupiers by force – "We’re Philadelphia. We’re not Oakland." – he is worried about the possibility of violence. "I know that’s not going to happen on our side, but that’s a growing concern, based on what we’re seeing inside the camp, what they’re capable of," he said, citing some of the above assaults.At the same time city officials swear that no violent tactics will beemployed, so do proponents of staying, who are not are scarce by anymeans. While many who wanted to relocate say they will simply vacate at any sign ofconflict, those who voted to remain are ready to fight -- peacefully."We have to escalate our tactics nonviolently," said Occupy fixture EdO'Donnell. "We should force mass arrests to protest. We need to standour ground Tuesday and force arrests. It will be a body blow to them."Distrust lingered Sunday between the city and Occupiers, who did not have faith officials would keep their pledge of peace. "I think violence is a strong possibility, but I alsothink that, no matter what, we're going to keep on being nonviolent,"Geraci said."We're staying!" a protester who gave his name as Rel Freedmantriumphantly yelled as he walked past. "People are going to getarrested. I just hope it's not me."Many Occupiers echoed the city's sense of betrayal, claiming that the city's initial support was either a strategical ruse or a PR tactic. "We never had their support -- it was all lies," said Jesse Green of the facilitationcommittee. " just got elected -- 'Vote for me, I'm on your side! I'melected -- now they need to go.'""I don't think we ever had the support of the city," Sean Case agreed."I think they just tolerated us. But the movement is not here for thecity. People are here for the movement.""If they beat me up, I'll videotape it and make some money," he added. "I'm not afraid because I'm not doing anything wrong."When asked what would happen if protesters did not comply with his mandate to move, Nutter merely responded, "They'll find out."“This is our last bet for peaceful change in our culture," said Salguero, who continues to push for relocation. "And if wedon’t create it in our culture, things are going to get really, reallyugly.”Read more from the city's point of view: officials fed up with lack of communication
