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Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

blog.sfgate.com

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Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#61

Post by adventured »

stephencanon wrote: post #4
dannyr wrote: post #2

From http://www.sfbg.com/googleshoutdown : UPDATE 12:32pm: Various tips have streamed in that this shout-out was staged. Protest organizer Leslie Dreyer talked to us on the phone and verified that this person's identity was Max Bell Alper, a union organizer from Oakland. This person was not a Google employee, and Dreyer was not able to verify if Alper was there in the morning with the group of 20-30 protesters. The G…

The article linked here doesn’t mention the “faux Googler” at all. Not sure why you’re posting this comment on this particular article.

It elaborates on the nature of the protest that was occurring.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#62

Post by nhaehnle »

cynicalkane wrote: post #25
zxcvvcxz wrote: post #13

Anyone find it lame how people are tweeting about an incident instead of communicating with each other when they're like 10 feet away? Don't expect to reason with protesters if you're not even willing to talk to them. Way to be the uptight sheltered techies you're being made out to be. That being said, I don't think it's legal to block a vehicle, and protesters would probably be better served doing something producti…

I am not obligated to "reason" with anyone who stops me, illegally, and demands my attention. I don't see why it's different for the average Google employee.

You're not legally obligated, no. It would be a pretty damn good idea though if you wanted to be a positive force for society and mutual understanding.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#63

Post by djcapelis »

tedivm wrote: post #28
chaz wrote: post #6

Does anyone know what the sign "Fine $271; Total Fine (2011-2013) $1 Billion" refers to? https://twitter.com/maxbatt/status/410097083081695233/photo/...

I'm not sure about the $1billion, but the $271 fine is what we as regular citizens would get if we tried to pick people up from the bus stop. The complaint is that the two tiered system- one where normal citizens have to follow the rules, while corporations can do whatever they please- and the fine is simply one example of that.

> the $271 fine is what we as regular citizens would get if we tried to pick people up from the bus stop

Kind of. It's not very well enforced by the police for regular citizens either. Lax enforcement all around really...

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#64

Post by rubiquity »

dap wrote: post #54
ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

The corporate buses often stop at public bus stops, sometimes blocking MUNI buses from the stop.

As the article states, gentrification and "income inequality" (lol?) were the main reasons for these protestors surrounding the Google bus. I'm sure Google bus is an inconvenience for other busses but that wasn't why these people were protesting.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#65

Post by ryguytilidie »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

"The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street)."

I'm sorry but this is simply wrong. If you tried to pick up and drop off someone in a bus stop everyday, you would get ticketed for it. These buses do not. If you need to make things up to support these people it kind of worries me, especially when you seem to be mocking their opponents. I'm all for criticizing these protestors for certain things, but not so much for made up things.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#66

Post by DanielBMarkham »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

You want it spelled out?

FB and Google have a lot of money.

Somebody wants a piece of the political action. So there will be lots of hoopla, then a big check gets written to a pet PAC, then it all goes away -- until it's time to pay up again.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#67

Post by erikpukinskis »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

My guess is that the protests are targeted more generally at gentrification. People of privilege moving to the Mission, mostly ignoring the culture of the neighborhood and it's long-time residents, fueling out of control rent increases, slowly destroying a cultural landmark.

I suspect the damage has more to do with CA property tax and SF's NIMBy zoning laws than silicon valley bussing, but they do have a point that it's a real problem. Not sure what the solution is. This protest doesn't seem to be it, but I applaud them for taking a MVP stab at it. Time to iterate now, protesters!

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#68

Post by erikpukinskis »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

My guess is that the protests are targeted more generally at gentrification. People of privilege moving to the Mission, mostly ignoring the culture of the neighborhood, fueling out of control rent increases, slowly destroying a cultural landmark.

Granted, I think the damage has more to do with CA property tax and SF's NIMBY zoning laws, but they do have a point that it's a real problem. Not sure what the solution is. This protest doesn't seem to be it, but I applaud them for taking a MVP stab at it. Time to iterate now, protesters!

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#69

Post by Houshalter »

nhaehnle wrote: post #56
ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

Looking at the action critically, what is to be gained by calling attention to Google, Facebook, and others providing their own bus fleets? A bus fleet that works for everybody? You know, the kind of public transportation that is common in industrialized countries that have their act together when it comes to the provision of public services.

And are they aren't preventing anyone from doing that.

Re: Protesters block Google bus in S.F. Mission

#70

Post by kingnight »

adventured wrote: post #58
ChuckMcM wrote: post #48

It is entirely unclear what they are protesting, other than 'not working at Google.' The alleged trespass of using 'public infrastructure for private profit' is unsupported. People pick up and drop off people at the sidewalk (required, no stopping in the middle of the street). The staged appearance of a guy who is a union organizer (reported elsewhere) added a bit of melodrama. Looking at the action critically, what…

Not to mention those Google employees pay a lot in taxes. They fund that public infrastructure, more so than just about anyone else in fact.

Where is the data that proves that Google employees pay more taxes than what is proper for their individual incomes.
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