The group seems to applaud Congressman Lewis' work but, as one member suggests, they feel it is important to stay "on point" with the main purpose of their meeting. Do you think they should have allowed the Congressman, who has come out in support of the group, to speak? Also, what is your overall impression of the Occupy movement? Tell us in comments!

The root reason for the, “Occupy er’s” and the “99% er’s”. Gaze upon it if you dare. Maybe this will help make the danger of fiat money clear. Imagine you and me are setting across from each other. We create enough money to represent all of the world's wealth. Each one of us has one SUPER Dollar in front of him. You own half of everything and so do I. I'm the government though. I get bribed into creating a Central Bank. You're not doing what I want you to be doing so I print up myself eight more SUPER Dollars to manipulate you with. All of a sudden your SUPER Dollar only represents one tenth of the wealth of the world! That isn't the only thing though. You need to get busy and get to work because YOU'VE BEEN STIFFED with the bill for the money I PRINTED UP to get YOU TO DO what I WANTED.

That to me represents what has been happening to the economy, and us, and why so many of our occupations just can't keep up with the fake money presses.

P.S. No matter how much real money people can put together to build their countries the way they want, there are those that can print up what ever it takes to dictate their way.

He wasn't turned down. They took a vote to see if people wanted to stop the meeting to give special priority to Mr. Lewis, but couldn't reach consensus. He was invited to speak afterward, during the time set aside for anyone to speak their piece, but he couldn't stay. Did you even watch the video?

While I disagreed with the decision to make Rep. Lewis and Sen. Fort wait till after the agreed-upon agenda to speak, which was not convenient for them, I understood that the main reason was to maintain the integrity of the group decision making process that had previously decided that statements that were not proposals or related to proposals be made at the end. I feel the lack of flexibility on this point was a mistake, as it would be interpreted as insensitivity to the black community, already underrepresented at the meeting, and failed to recognize the importance of Lewis's support for the movement (which he had announced earlier in a news release).

So the "non leaders" with their self important agendas kept John Lewis from inspiring Occupy Atlanta and offering his solidarity in person.

I have been thought of as a person on the left for most of my life. After living in Atlanta since 1970 I am not at all surprised by the ignorance, lack of tactical and public relations sense displayed by the Occupy Atlanta bullhorn bozo and his mostly white clique. I've seen this same crippling preordained agenda in so many movement liberal meetings in Atlanta over the years that I now detest trying to work with liberals.

Using an amplified bullhorn and the "human microphone" together really made the movement look even more stupid..., like a mindless bunch of Chinese Students chanting from Mao's Little Red Book.

Using the consensus method in a large group, among other things, empowers attention seekers and the lowest common denominator. It is a disaster to try to use it with neurotic white middle class Americans. It is obvious to me that some pre existing organization has taken over “Occupy Atlanta’. I have no doubt that I know some of the participants from earlier fiascoes.

Screw Atlanta liberals and the crippled horse they rode in on. This is an absolute public relations disaster and the Right is already exploiting it to the max.

Ever So Sincerely,
Michael D. Adams
White Guy
Atlanta

Actually(actually)...If I was Congressman John Lewis I would not care to speak into a microphone previously spoken into this obvious crackhead. This is bad press and will not garner support. Actually there were people leaving and thought it was dis repectful. Give me one reason/purpose to embarass the man,morons.

I think Occupy Atlanta dealt itself and the whole OWS agenda a blow by not allowing Congressman Lewis to speak. The movement is asking for the government to recognize the plight of the 99% and when Rep. Lewis, being a great congressmen responded to his constituents concerns and asked to speak to them, they claimed they had to reach a consensus. A consensus is a plurality, not an absolute majority! The protesters were stupid, yes... stupid for asking a member of congress who has earned the respect of EVERYONE b/c he has actually placed his life on the line for equality to wait while they sit in the dirt and coalesce on whether he should be allowed to speak. I heard someone screaming Rep. Lewis was the same as anyone, but their treatment of him was disrespectful and rude, and no way to treat a fellow person, much less one who was in struggle before these douchbages came out of a cold dark hole, that was their mothers womb.

Hmmmm, The Domain registration for occupyatlanta.org has a phony address and three phony or unusable phone numbers. I'm still waiting for a reply from the email address in the registration which is: occupyatlanta@gmail.com.

You may confirm what I am writing here: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/occupyatlanta.org

All very nice comments and soo very nice. But the question is really one of politics: If both fort and lewis came to speak at this rally, wait to speak. if you were just breezzing in to make an appearance than the crowd showed what they thought of that. it is the fault of the pols people who thought they could get face time for their politicians without putting in the "work" and staying with the protestors all day. Now here is the interesting thing: this breeze by concept exists in our community: the VIP "leaders" will come hammer out some inspiring words, rhyme some words about uplift and get back in the limo and leave. the middle class, white weed head who lives in east atlanta was NOT going for that. kudos to them for not wanting to be pimped out. cascade patch readers: learn the lesson:)

They hurt the movement instead of helping. They are sounding like rocks in a can...making noise. That's it. What is your complaint? NOW WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTED MAJORITY SOLUTION...THAT WILL WORK?!?!

IM LISTENING...BECAUSE I SEEK A CHANGE AS WELL BUT I HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO QUESTION OUR OPTIONS.

I happen to see the News coverage of this event! and I was Offended by how that reacted to this ICON who almost Lost hism life for us... back in the very much informative civil rights days.....Plus I also agreed with the actual inside supporter Michelle, that was at the event and shared how she would NOT continue to attend...because the way they SO Dis-respected Freedom Rider Icon, & Cong John Lewis...trying to say he was with them, or was there to listen and take the report back to congress etc...They were to me!... so VERY foolish with there actions, I thought there protest was to get the US Gov't to begin to hear and listen to them....

It looked like acult... Perhaps they made their point... Congressman Lewis needs to talk to his colleagues in Wash DC... Things are getting crazy!!!!

Lots of interesting comments! For those who are quiet: Watch this video. In my humble opinion, Occupy Atlanta seems to applaud Congressman Lewis' work but, as one member suggests, they feel it is important to stay "on point" with the main purpose of their meeting. Do you think they should have allowed the Congressman, who has come out in support of the group, to speak? Also, what is your overall impression of the Occupy movement? Tell us in comments!

They came across looking like a bunch of buffoons wiggling their fingers in the air and droning back every word someone said. Anyone who opposes this struggling movement will make sure this video gets played endlessly on tv. You just jumped the shark, Occupy Atlanta.

You tube has a video of OWS Atlanta refusing to allow Cong. John Lewis to speak and the comments are 100% against this group, with over 7300 comments and 185,000 views and counting. So simple to unglue megaMike from the microphone and allow the congressman to speak. Now they all look foolish. IMO, IJS.LMBO. However OWS must go on. Atlanta just needs another representative who doesnt think the movement is all about him. Get over yoursel Dude.

Occupy Atlanta was trying to make a point... Capitol Hill has had time to get it together.
They caused the problem. Congressman Lewis understood...They didnt want to her him NOW that there is crisis.. They want him to listen the the masses first... the Speak.

They did not want to hear him first.. Listen...then speak.. (spelling corrected)