que hace un hogar?

i write from thousands of miles away, both physically and mentally. but i am thinking about my friends in washington, dc tonight.

i remember one bright day in early october, i wandered to mcpherson square, expecting a large crowd. or structures. or something. i arrived and didn't even see a sizable crowd mingling. was i in the wrong place? i walked toward freedom square, met some friends and walked back. we commenced a GA with about 20 people. and though there were some scuffles about whether the "people" from "new york" should be mediating, things went smoothly.

one main topic of discussion was sleeping. everyone was aware of the national park service regulations banning camping. instead, people suggested, sidewalks were fair game. eventually over the course of 2 weeks. people began sleeping on the ground in the park. using cardboard. using sleeping bags. eventually, a few tents went up. i was out of town for the weekend at the end of october, and when i returned, it was like a different place. dominated by tent structures. a true home to sleeping quarters. and even when the occubarn was pulled down, mcpherson kept its atmosphere of collegiality and homeyness.

then, one night, awake with a cough, i watched the livestreaming of zuccotti park being evicted. and i thought to myself, "i'm not sure how dc got lucky, but we have such a respectful relationship with our enforcers." i chuckled lightly at the the general assembly in mid-october when the fire department came to remove the generator that was being used for meals and technology. after our amazing attorney JL intervened, the fireperson walked away with an arm raised shrugging "power to the people."

as other life concerns began to take hold, and as the direction of occupy dc moved away from my specific tactical preferences, my face became more scarce at mcpherson square. but i've maintained a vested interest. i truly care about what happens there. i have friends, acquaintances, and colleagues at mcpherson. i know of at least two occupregnancies. i am invested. not only in the people, but in the project.

and so, from thousands of miles away, i awaited news today, of what would become of mcpherson, as the national park police began, for the first time in four months, to enforce the camping ban. and it seems the spirits are still good. the hopes are still high. this is not the end. and i won't be surprised in two weeks, when the attention is gone, and sleeping bags start slowly creeping in again.