Justin Stone-Diaz – the Last “Hard Grounder” Occupier Standing in New York City?

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First, let’s define terms as understood by people in Occupy.  A “hard grounder” is represented by the occupiers who – despite all odds – physically take and keep a space…and then move on to another space when “persuaded” by New York’s Finest.

As defined by Justin, Occupy has always been sorted out into different and sometimes distinct groups.  The “front-liners” (aka Hard Grounders) who were supported in spirit by the “Bottom Liners” (aka the academics and grad students who formed working groups).

I can make the case that Justin is singular in the way that he stands in for, and up for, the Occupy Movement almost from Day One and seems to move effortlessly among the factions.

As example, at this moment he and other stalwarts, are involved in “Occupy Sandy.”  For those not up on activist doings, Occupy Sandy was mobilized by Occupy the day following Hurricane Sandy.  They were the first on the scene and served to help both the Red Cross and FEMA to help dig out, and to feed, the storm’s victims.

For the first time, there were no police barricades keeping Occupiers out.  In fact, they were gratefully welcomed.

So, how do you go from being people on the outside, to people on the inside?  Is Occupy going through a metamorphis?  Is it a healthy one?  These are just a few of the questions asked of Justin Stone-Diaz in this “15 Minutes of Fact” piece for WGRNradio.com.

What will catch the listener’s ear – and interest – is Justin’s view of Occupy’s evolving role.  He makes a strong case that Occupy has gone from “Occupy 1.0” to today’s “Occupy 3.0” and on its way to “Occupy 4.0.”  Simply put:

Occupy 1.0 – Zuccotti Park.  Occupying in Opposition.  Fighting against the rules of the state.

Occupy 2.0 – Post-Zuccotti.  Occupying without Location.  Flash mobs.  Mini-encampments.  Lots of small group meetings, more Internet.  Micro sites.

Occupy 3.0 – Occupying Communities, i.e., churches and halls.  Occupy Sandy as the nexus of people-helping-people, feeding and supplying the citizenry, bonding and appreciating.

Occupy 4.0 – Occupying with Intention. To be exampled in Kalamazoo, MI, August 21-25, 2013 where buildings or entire blocks will become a new “ground zero” for the movement (http://interoccupy.net/natgat2/).  Is it possible to create a “new city,” i.e., buying ravaged blocks and giving them back to the people?

These are just slivers of thought that Justin takes time to expand on in this 15 Minutes of Fact interview here on WGRNradio.com.  It is safe to say – “Enjoy.”