Wednesday, Nov. 9. It seems like what has become another normal day in downtown Boston. I was on my way to the Occupy Site, when I ran into about 150 people from said Occupy marching through the streets of downtown. Police on bicycles cleared intersections to allow the marchers to flow through freely. Police and Occupiers working together seems to be common in Boston since the arrests of over 100 people last month. Those arrests were over Occupy Boston expanding its encampment. That expansion did not happen. Boundries have been set, with both sides respecting them, and the original encampment remained in tact and still flourishes today. Across the river, Harvard students set up tents in the main yard. The Provost responded by putting the Yard in lock down. That is, he is allowing the Occupiers to stay and express their right of free speech and assembly, but he does not want outsiders taking part. To enter Harvard yard right now, which is normally open to the public, one most have a valid Harvard ID. Harvard University police are posted at every entrance to the yard. This is a much different reaction to what happened across the country, when U of C, Berkley students set up tents on their campus. Berkley police were called in, and they beat the Occupiers with riot batons and drove them off the campus. And one town over, Oakland, was a war zone last week. Thankfully, things seem to be much calmer here in Boston. Maybe city officials are keeping a hands off attitude and hoping that the coming cold winter will drive Occupiers indoors. Who knows for sure. Meanwhile Occupy Boston goes on, with lots of support from community volunteers. The various working groups keep a steady supply of food on hand to feed anyone. Volunteers wash dishes and keep the place relatively clean. Even city inspectors from the Health Department came down and found no serious violation in the food or medical tents. There is entertainment as well. For example, on Wednesday afternoons, there is an hour of theme poetry. The theme for this week was Veterans and their war experiences, to pay tribute as Veterans Day approached. Veterans for Peace, who have been very supportive of Occupy Boston, hosted this event. Janice Connolly, a Vietnam Vet, read her poem, Purple Heart and Silver Stars. Janice act Chad begin v/o Chad Urmston, singer/songwriter from the band State Radio paid tribute to the Vets4Peace later that day. Chad song In between Chad Urmston and the Veterans Poetry reading was radical political Saturist Barry Crimmins. He started by talking of his friend, Howard Zinn. Barry act 1 Barry Crimmins addressing Occupy Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 9. He went on to express how mainstream media distorts the movements issues. Barry Act 2 Barry Crimmins at Occupy Boston. Elaine Bernard is the Executive Director of the Labor and Work life Program at Harvard University. She did a presentation on the benefits of Unions, then took questions. She did have an amusing response to one of them. Elaine act Chad act 2 Once again here is Chad Urmston with State Radio’s song Big Man. His presence was quite popular, as the crowd swelled to over 100 to hear him sing. Chad song Julian Weisser is a student at Berklee school of music. He came down to hear Chad Urmston. He also shared his thoughts and compared Occupy Boston to the original on Wall Street. Julian act Back to Chad song Occupy Boston, now well in it’s 2nd month, has really developed into a working alternative community right in the heart of the Financial District. They have free University lectures, a free library, entertainment, free press, working groups and more. It’s a friendly place. All people and ideas are welcome. For a schedule and more info, visit their website, occupyboston.org, or drop by Dewey Sq. across from South Station any time. For the Boston Community reporters project, I am Chuck Rosina.