However, it should not go unnoticed that Occupy The Stage is extremely disappointed with the June 7th posts made on the original Facebook page for Occupy New Orleans. We do not support "taking Jackson Square" and would like it to be clear that the people posting instructions to do so on that poorly managed Facebook page have never met us in real life, have never come to a general assembly, and have never attended an action with us. The page has called for a reoccupation and a taking of Jackson Square rashly and with no planning or consensus. Someone who manages a Facebook page - a page that we consider "hijacked" - has given admin privileges to people we do not even know, and they are sending messages recklessly.
We are not interested in lending our credibility to calls for action that are nothing short of attacks on the local artists.
We do not trust people who threaten the local community by announcing that they will "take Jackson Square" or "reoccupy" it.
We will be happy to march and rally with anyone who wants to show solidarity with Turkey, but we absolutely refuse to disrupt the artists, buskers, musicians, tarot card readers, or other members of the 99% whose livelihoods depend on Jackson Square. We worked hard with MACCNO to make sure Jackson Square stayed open 24/7.
Showing solidarity with Turkey does not require disrupting the local community, especially our friends the musicians and artists.
We look forward to participating by contributing to a creative demonstration and solidarity march, and we are extremely supportive of Occupy Gezi.
However, we are locals, and we have been here a long time, and we choose locations for our actions more wisely.
The last time we held a march in Jackson Square, it was to celebrate our role in the ACLU lawsuit that won the First Amendment for the entire city during the Super Bowl. At that time, we showed support for the local artists, tarot card readers, musicians, and buskers, much like we did with our Second Line Protest in support of live music on April 25 of 2013.
We consider those who work in Jackson Square our friends, our allies, and indeed, we know many of you.
Expect Us, but on the good friendly terms you've met us on in the past.
Jackson Square is the people's square, and we will NOT take it from the people.
~ Occupy The Stage