On Thursday morning, July 5, 2012, the Guitarmy set off on a 99 mile march from Independence Mall in Philadelphia, with Zuccotti Park in New York City as their destination. This video was taken as they gathered together to prepare for the march.

Stream videos at Ustream

This is OccupyFreedomLA's livestream covering the National Gathering in Philadelphia this July 4th evening, and it seemed like a great march, but as of 9:50pm EST they are surrounded by police and not being permitted to move. Oy.

No exact count on number of police present now, but best estimate is hundreds of them. They have blockaded the marchers in a plaza, and are armed with batons and flexi-cuffs and for whatever reason they look prepared to start arresting people again. It was clearly a peaceful march.

Several livestreams have gone blank in the past minute or so, it's 10:06pm EST, so here is an alternative stream that is still running, in case OccupyFreedomLA gets cut off as well:

Live video for mobile from Ustream

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It's 10:12pm EST and according to Twitter #NATGAT, the first arrest of the night. Many tweets say marchers are not being allowed in Love Park do to a shooting earlier today. I don't know if this is accurate, or any details of any shooting at this time.

• The Occupy National Gathering kicked off on June 30th, 2012 with a myriad of workshops, speakers, and a peaceful march against corporate personhood, making stops at Wells Fargo to protest racist predatory lending, Fox News to confront corporate profit at the expense of the peoples' airwaves, and ended with an attempt to set up a space away from Independence Mall - in a park behind the Second Bank of the United States, located at 4th and Chestnut. This was promptly -- and brutally -- followed by a National Park Service raid, which included the assistance of the Philadelphia police department, on approximately 150--200 people peacefully assembled for a redress of political grievances. The raid resulted in one arrest.
• The Occupy National Gathering working group strongly condemns this disproportionate law enforcement response - a trend repeatedly played out against the movement across the country - but will continue to urge Occupy protesters to remain nonviolent despite federal and municipal authorities' unwillingness to display restraint in the face of peaceful protesters.
• The Occupy National Gathering working group feels that disproportionate law enforcement response needlessly exacerbates peaceful protesters. We do not want this, and neither do the people who are visiting this city to enjoy their holiday weekend.
• ONG working group has publicly and repeatedly stated that we do not wish to disrupt people's holiday plans. We hope that the Philadelphia police department and the National Park Service share this sentiment as activists continue to arrive in Philadelphia to peacefully exercise their First Amendment right and people from across the country come to enjoy vacations.

[Via]

Twenty-eight arrests have been confirmed Sunday night during the ongoing Occupy National Gathering in Philadelphia, after a small, impromptu march followed the closing of Franklin Square where most of the gathering's activities have been centered. Two of the people arrested were livestreamers, Jesse Hadden of Occupy Portland and “Cowboy Mike” of Occupy Philly. Two of the people arrested were also medics.

Many tweets claim Philly police on bicycle patrol kettled those participating in the march, and then violently began to arrest them, possibly looking to target as many livestreamers as possible. Many also noted that the police far outnumbered the Occupiers. Journalist and livestreamer Tim Pool noted that the Homeland Security Department tactical vehicle was following close behind. Several tweets stated that there was a similar tactical unit at the last “mass arrest” in Philadelphia.

Pool reported, according to a Philadelphia police captain, arrests were for “obstructing a highway.” All would be issued summary citations and then would be released in about 2 hours. All were held at police headquarters -- known as "The Roundhouse" -- where other Occupy members gathered to wait in support for their release.

This second video is marked Part Two of the arrests:

From June 30th to July 4th, the Occupy movement will convene the Occupy National Gathering in the vicinity of Philadelphia's Independence Mall for a week of direct actions, movement building and the creation of a "blueprint" for a democratic future. The National Gathering will kick off with a massive march in solidarity with Healthcare-Now! On July 5th we will conclude with a 99 mile march from Philadelphia to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.

Check out the Occupy National Gathering's Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/OccupyNationalGathering/

[Note: This is the full-length documentary.]

"This documentary is an invitation to you to participate in positive change," reads one of the title cards in "American Autumn: an Occudoc," which was shot on the front lines and meeting spaces of the Occupy Movement in New York, Boston and Washington, DC, from its earliest days through the end of January 2012. ​ With interviews and insight from key organizers, thinkers and activists including Medea Benjamin, David Degraw, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Lee Camp, Naomi Klein, Nathan Schneider, Ashley Sanders, Vlad Teichberg, Sgt. Shamar Thomas, Dr. Cornel West, Kevin Zeese and many more, writer and director Dennis Trainor, Jr weaves commentary and a fearless style that often puts the viewer right between the police and the protesters.

The film includes an original score by Goldi, a member of the OWS Guitarmy, and the legendary punk band FUGAZI supplied additional songs.

[Language may not be suitable for work.]

Reports of Occupy's death have been greatly exaggerated. The Occupy National Gathering will be held at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, June 30 - July 4, 2012. Come be part of history.