Occupy the Snowstorm! Yesterday was day 43 of Occupy Wall Street, and we were hit by a freak snow storm. As is “the new normal” in this era of rapid climate change, record breaking extreme weather and storms are happening everywhere. It was particularily unusual to have a huge snowstorm like this while trees were still in full leaf, causing serious power outages affecting 1.8 million people, according to the New York Times. At Occupy Wall Street, it also offered a taste of the challenges ahead when a more lasting winter weather settles. Spirits were strong with the people I interviewed, and the love was alive. There is some question as to how long we can stay, especially as conditions worsen. There are those that hope the movement will simply disappear. Not likely. Yes, no doubt we will contract, but let’s use the coming changing season to go deeper, plant our roots and then burst up with the spring sun, and take this movement even further. Indications that we are in for the long run include a planned gathering of Occupy Together movements from all the different cities on July 6th, 2012. There will be some hardy souls who keep on camping through the winter. For those of us who just can’t do that, keep coming down, bring hot chocolate, music, and winter fun. Check out one of the Occupy Winter facebook pages for ideas of how you can help. We are just beginning. The time is now. Stay warm and stay strong!
About
Dedicated to chronicling the heart in Occupy Wall Street and beyond. Direct images and words from the people’s movement brought to you by filmmakers Velcrow Ripper and Ian MacKenzie. Velcrow has been covering the story in NYC since the first day, and Ian is on the “Occupy Canada” beat. Please share widely. The feature documentary, “Occupy Love” will be in theaters 2012. Love is the movement!
Join Occupy Love on facebook at Occupy Love
Follow Velcrow on twitter @Vcrow
“Velcrow Ripper is the John Lennon of documentary filmmakers.” - Michael Markwick, SFU Communications
Velcrow Ripper is a lot like his movies — friendly, hopeful, full of electrifying ideas. He is an award-winning filmmaker with dozens of films and videos under his belt, including Scared Sacred, named one of Canada’s Top 10 movies of 2004, and winner of the 2005 Genie (Canadian Academy Award) for best feature documentary. Ripper’s newest movie, Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action, has been wowing audiences around the world with its investigation of how we are connected to each other and to this planet. This award winning film’s message of hope and change is delivered via magnificent visuals. -Liz Braun, Toronto Sun
IAN MACKENZIE – Co-Producer
Ian MacKenzie is a new media producer based in Vancouver, BC. He has a background in video journalism, and has produced a number of segments dealing with topics as diverse as eco-consumerism, peak oil, and music culture.
In 2009, he worked on Word Travels, a travel reality series airing on OLN, CityTV, and National Geographic. Ian has also directed and produced short films, including an animation based on Ray Bradbury’s The Pedestrian, as well as The Killing Fields, inspired by a visit to Cambodia’s Tuol Sleng prison.
More recently, Ian produced the full-length Spiritually Incorrect, based on the live stage show of author/activist Alan Clements. Ian is also the creator of the spiritual travel magazine Brave New Traveler.
His first feature documentary is One Week Job, chronicling the epic journey of one man working 52 jobs in 52 weeks. Visit his blog ianmack.com
