Occupy Florence

Sometimes I just feel left out by living overseas.  Did you know they don’t do fireworks on Independence Day nor do they eat turkey on Thanksgiving here?  I know!  Well, I wasn’t going to be left out of the whole “Occupy” movement so I packed the fam and a girlfriend into our top of the line tricked out Volvo SUV and went to go demonstrate on behalf of the 99%.

Sadly, only the 1% could afford a tent, but came out to support.

We didn’t want to change the underlying theme of the occupy movement in America, so we went forth with no clear leadership nor agenda.  Although we thought about making this guy our Grand Pumba because of his complete awesomeness.

Here, beside the organic market, we found our tribe.  They and their dogs were also obviously angered about somethings the government is doing…or not doing.  I can’t remember. 

Even the pigeons were pissed about the turkeys getting all the glory.  This is how they take on their one percent. Cannibalism.

Signs of this unofficial occupy movement were everywhere.  This urban art, for example, said in English, “Gentrification and tourist speculation are killing our home town”.  That sounds like a problem. 

Then there was the rubbish.  My Gawd!  How can people live like this!

We bedded down for the night, sure that sleeping in a public place for one night would change the government and basic human nature.

Our Sweet digs

The children protested for more toys, trick-or-treating at least five times a year, more Christmases and less apple sauce passed off as snacks.

We woke in the morning to theft

and violence

The cops came for our children!

Roo offered to drive

 

The cop car was powered by gas

Occupy Florence was roughly as successful as all the rest of the occupy movements. I'm so glad I can still celebrate my American heritage, even while living overseas.