Scenes From the Bridge of Occupation in Milwaukee

Cold weather was not a major factor for supporters of the Occupy Wall Street Moment, or the 99percenters as they are known in some circles, as they "Occupied"  North Avenue Bridge in Milwaukee Wisconsin this last Thursday.  In fact, it may help signify the seriousness of the issues the local Occupy movement were out marching and protesting about.  There was also a strong presence of pro-recall, anti Governor Walker protesters as well, as their unhappiness with the current "pro big money" for "big money government", both state and federal, was expressed with the march to and occupation of the North Avenue Bridge over Interstate 43.
As I experienced the events of the day on the bridge myself, and took in the situation, I thought of a few things that need to be said, or in this case, written.
I was impressed with just about everyone I encountered over the course of the event. I was impressed with the organizers of the event Occupy Milwaukee.  They displayed excellent judgment along with strong leadership in the form of  keeping everyone safe and keeping the peace to the best of their ability.  I was also impressed overall with the Milwaukee Police Dept’s handling (with the backup of some Sheriff’s Personal) of the situation throughout the course of the day.  They showed restraint and generally respect for all present and simply kept the peace.  This in light of the way some of the events around the United States were handled by their Law Enforcement agencies and the violence that ensued at many of them, the MPD clearly showed that it was not necessary.  Watching footage from around the county, many scenes reminiscent of the uprisings of recent in the middle east were brought to mind as armed security forces aggressively and without concern for the safety of the public or the general peace moved on protesters using excessive force. Many departments throughout the U.S. showed displays of unprofessional Law Enforcement standards of conduct of legal severity.  Not so in Milwaukee on this day. 
In the one truly dangerous incident, both the organizers and the police reacted quickly.  After dark, a man driving a white van ran the barricades of the west side of the bridge and drove erratically through the crowd at a relatively high rate of speed.  He was quickly arrested by the police.  While this was occurring, many in the crowd began to surge toward the Van, but were held back by organizers.  I did hear of 4 other arrests, but they were deemed no danger to the overall  bridge occupiers.  I could not confirm that they were even formally with the protest.
As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues to spread through many walks of life, I was struck by the utter diversity of the Milwaukee Bridge protesters that day.  Literally from every social and economic background, it was a crowd that definitely reflected America.  You can see for Yourself.