IT Research Firm Predicts Protests in 2014 Bigger Than Occupy Wall Street

The IT research firm Gartner which seems to specialize in research related to “cloud computing trends” and “IT metrics” is also making predictions regarding public protest movements “larger than Occupy Wall Street”. Unsurprisingly, they state that this is directly related to negative reactions to economic disparity and unfairness. These predictions are not able to specify specific tactics but do predict the likelihood of growth in the underground economic sectors with increased bartering.

These predictions from an apparently staid firm not known to be politically oriented are particularly interesting to organizers of resistance to the current power structure. Those invested with the responsibility of being organized and capable of organizing others must be ready to offer their services at such key moments. The goal is not to “coopt” an existing movement but to serve and assist in keeping it on track and providing key services. VFP has served the OWS movement in the past as witnessed by members who were injured by police while inserting themselves between “civilian” and less experienced protesters and militarized police.

As Saul Alinsky said “tactics is doing what you can with what you have”. Often the organizer is faced working with mere wisps of resources preparing for the time when public discontent gives rise to the motivation needed for large numbers to take action. We may be facing an imminent recurrence of public outrage leading to action on the part of large numbers of the discontented. This makes it all the more vital that we continue working to prepare for that moment, educating the public on the evils of war and it’s costs and serving popular movements that can lead to the change that is needed in our current system.