Technology

Check Out Occupy Wall Street‘s New ’Illuminator’ Tactical Propaganda Vehicle

Occupy Wall Street has always had cutting edge gadgets and tech-savvy activists. Expensive Apple products were a signature of the movement from the start of the Zuccotti Park Occupation on September 17th, 2011.

But now Occupy has stepped up its digital game from laptops and webcams to a full-fledged “tactical propaganda vehicle.” It made its inaugural voyage around New York City last weekend.

Check Out the Illuminator: Occupy Wall Streets Tactical Propaganda Vehicle

Occupiers are calling it the “Illuminator.“ Perhaps a more fitting description would be ”the Occupy-Mobile,” as the OWS crowd is taking a few cues from the caped crusader for their mission.

It has its own Batman symbol — a floodlight that can project “99%” on any city wall, anywhere, anytime. The first time the signal appeared was this past November 17th, but now it is part of an integrated media system in a van specially tricked out for the purpose.

According to its webpage, its mission is to “smash the myths of the information industry and shine a light on the urgent issues of our time.” On its first night out, it apparently made quite a splash:

“Illuminator… rolled around NYC for 4 hours creating spectacles, first, at Liberty Square where we were greeted by three anxious cops. We… opened up The People’s Library, the bat signal shining bright across the surrounding buildings. After a brief but exciting first run, we packed up and moved uptown to The Whitney, where an expansive flat wall awaited our video projector’s presence. Passersby stopped to take video and photographs, but we couldn’t open the library as it was facing out into the busy street.”

Check Out the Illuminator: Occupy Wall Streets Tactical Propaganda Vehicle

The Occupy-Mobile has had plenty of expert help. Mark Read, the activist/artist behind the Bat Signal, told fast coexist.com that:

“We had to buy a 1,500-watt inverter and a huge deep-cell marine battery in order to power the projector because it draws 1,000 watts. Essentially, we had to reconfigure the entire electrical system of the van. Christopher Hackett, the founder of The Madagascar Institute–which has a 15-year history of doing DIY, dangerous art spectacles–took the lead on all that.”

So why, you ask, is Read so invested in this project?

“I’m doing this for a lot of reasons. To [let] people know that that the occupy movement is alive and kicking,” Read said. “The mainstream media on the whole tends to either ignore the very meaningful work that occupy activists continue to do, denigrate the movement as unfocussed, or demonize it as a bunch as violent anarchists.”

It seem Occupy is prepared not just for an end-run on traditional media, but all media and is creating its own media wing. Which begs the question, in preparation for what?

Check Out the Illuminator: Occupy Wall Streets Tactical Propaganda Vehicle

The internet is already abuzz with stories of the “American Spring” that is coming. Major proposed targets of the Occupiers include the G-8 and NATO summits, and the Democratic National Convention. There are even rumors of a 20,000 person “re-occupation” of Wall Street planned for this fall.

Check Out the Illuminator: Occupy Wall Streets Tactical Propaganda Vehicle

"An American Spring Awakens"

Even if it had a small fraction of that number, another coordinated direct action on Wall Street would be timed for maximum media and political impact, as it would be at the height of the Presidential race.

Occupy Wall Street, it seems, is just getting started.

In the mean time, you can watch a video of the Illuminator’s maiden voyage here, via YouTube:

Comments (123)

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  • Hickory
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:54pm

    Very green. Runs on B.S.

    Report Post » Hickory  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:19pm

      LOL, sounds about as useful as a turd in a punchbowl.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • TheCoffinMaker
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:32pm

      …excuse me young lady, would you please help me load this sofa in the van?

      Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
    • Thors Hammer
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:37pm

      It‘s time for us to ’occupy’ that van. They don’t deserve it, and I‘m sure they wouldn’t approve of the capitalist system that produced it.

      Report Post »  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:11pm

      Illuminator?

      Kinda freudian slip, dontcha think?

      Alex Jones was right, Weishaupt lives!

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:17pm

      Now that I think about it, they could have named it Lucifer, it would be synonymous.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
    • little big man
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:39pm

      A little sugar in the gas tank when no one is looking will do wonders for their engine.

      Report Post » little big man  
    • bigben357mag
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:44pm

      I can fix it, with a BB gun!

      Report Post »  
    • RightThinking1
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:53pm

      Rofl

      Report Post »  
    • The American People
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:06pm

      Wow Soros bought them a van and a hippy flashlight! nice. Anyone else find it funny that they expect THEIR freedom of speech to be respected while not understanding the fact that your not allowed to silence or infringe upon other people’s rights?? If they can shine a spotlight on my house and disrupt my family, then i can shoot out the light.

      Report Post » The American People  
    • Kaoscontrol
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:26pm

      With any luck it’ll only last as long as the Chevy Volt on a charge. 20 minutes maybe?

      Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:56pm

      Is it the Illuminator or the Illuminate?

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • SpunkyJones
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 10:28am

      what’s the carbon footprint?

      Report Post »  
    • 83plus
      Posted on March 7, 2012 at 9:15pm

      Now remember what the president said about inflating tires.

      Report Post »  
  • Jeff1000
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:54pm

    We are, the bottom 1%. We are, the bottom 1%.

    Report Post »  
  • Lotus503
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:51pm

    They sure know how to spend the money of Mr. Soros, don’t they?

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:59pm

      The OWS movement is alive and kicking.

      The question now becomes: who are they kicking and why? Heck, they’ve even turned on each other.

      There “IS” no OWS movement. There “IS” a bunch of undisciplined moral reprobates acting like 7 year olds across the country, though. Doing what pre pubescent children do, every day.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:50pm

      LOTUS503: I was getting ready to post the same thing.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:14pm

      The White house has helped George Soros make billions in insider trading, he will spend million to fund OWS. I really do think this is a indirect way obama is funding OWS.

      Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
    • JayCee
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:23pm

      Yes, they are well funded by the 1%.
      Like Ben and Jerry’s too:

      http://gothamist.com/2012/02/28/occupy_wall_street_sees_cash_infusi.php

      Report Post »  
    • Patriot of My America
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:05pm

      The really good thing about Soros is he is old, and really close to the long dirt nap. Tic Toc. George…

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:56pm

      we try to make light of a very disturbing situation. if these things continue during the summer, there will be hell to pay. intimidation will reign, cars will be pooped on…hide your young women…
      OWS seems to believe they are in the middle of a modern day woodstock and all there is merriment…

      Report Post »  
  • Arbroath7
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:51pm

    What they fail to take into consideration is that the average New Yorker won’t take kindly to sombody shining a bright light in their bedroom window. No doubt a well-aimed shoe (or some other handy projectile) would crack the lens on that projector. One other thing; notice that they called it “The People’s Library”? Where else do we hear things named “The People’s (insert government-controlled institution name here)?” Yep, no mistaking where this bunch wants us. They just want us ruled by a different 1% … the PARTY … and guess which one?

    Report Post » Arbroath7  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:48pm

    Hey Occupiers! Project much????

    100% creepy.

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • Slayer
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:45pm

    This will be cute for a few weeks and then it’ll be, “Oh, the #occuslobs are shining their light again.”

    Report Post » Slayer  
  • Balthazor
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:44pm

    If I ever see one of those things in my neighborhood, I’m taking it out.

    Report Post » Balthazor  
    • dogma
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Did you ever see the show“ Have Gun Will travel”?

      Report Post »  
  • caligulaboy
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:42pm

    Let me hazard a guess. The “Library” or as they likely say it “Lie-berry”…is full of communist propaganda?

    Report Post »  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:42pm

    If they shine that light on my house, I’m shooting the light out.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:17pm

      First the light, then the driver…. “I swear officer, I was blinded by their stupid spotlight, so I thought the guy was pointing a gun at me, so I had to defend myself…. How was I supposed to know he was just smoking a joint…”

      Report Post » OniKaze  
    • ShirouZhiwu
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 7:59pm

      Or you could respond to their 1,000 watt flood light with a 1,000 watt laser. No ballistic evidence.

      Report Post »  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:41pm

    How can they keep telling such LIES they DON’T speak for 99% of the people they are LUCKY they speak for 50% ..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • The Sergeant Major
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:08pm

      I’m the 2% and I speak for myself. Why are they being allowed to “shoot” a projected beam of light? What will happen if they engage law enforcement with it?

      Report Post » The Sergeant Major  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:41pm

    Occupy Apple! Rise up 99ers and destroy your Iphones, Ipads and Ipods in protest of the richest company in the world.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:05pm

      They would all be handicapped then. Under ObamaCare we could legally post-abort them.

      Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:39pm

    Obama voters always wanna share the wealth….. Just not the labor !

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:35pm

    .
    Where’s a kid with a sling shot & a rock when you need one?……

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • bifgroovey
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:34pm

    The little children suckling on the government teet are upset that they can’t take more money out of my paycheck. (Yawn)

    Report Post » bifgroovey  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:30pm

    Just stop manufacturing projector bulbs and give them one of those mercury laced curly bulbs.
    Go Green…it won’t be seen.

    Report Post »  
    • Kaoscontrol
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:40pm

      Those projector bulbs aren’t cheap– $300 minimum. Just curious…I wonder how long the projector would operate if a capitalist accidentally spilled their soda pop on it…

      Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:02pm

      Or a neighborhood kid was out plinking with his pellet rifle.

      Report Post »  
    • Patriot of My America
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:10pm

      The projector bulbs are LCD and will last longer than the Van will.. Need some Sugar… One pound should do it.

      Report Post »  
  • Dumpster Baby
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:29pm

    The Occupy movement stole my grandmother’s walker and raped my dog.

    Report Post »  
  • @leftfighter
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:28pm

    If I happen to pass something like that burning on the street, I wouldn’t waste urine on putting it out.

    Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:27pm

    There is big, BIG money behind the occupiers. Big money and big plans.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Interesting is it not that the leftist propaganda news services still refuse to run articles on the truth of the Occupy bands and those supporting/funding/leading them from behind the scenes? Of course as these same news services are in the pocket of Obama and friends they will be used to make the Occupy ‘useful idiots’ look like victims when the chaos is started in full the closer we get to the elections.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:24pm

    All made by evil corporations and run on BS and hot air?

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • Obama Bin Lying
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:24pm

    If these people are so poor….where did they get the money for this thing?

    Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
  • Ranger G
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:22pm

    Heck, we’re the 99% that either work for a living or are looking to do that–they’re the 1% of professional anarchists whose prescription for society is tear it down and oh, p.s.: support me.

    Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:19pm

    This is what malcontents look like.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • sWampy
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:16pm

    These guys 100% support Obama, 99% of Obama’s financial support, and media control comes from the 1%, yet these guys hate the 1%, they aren’t very bright are they?

    Report Post »  
    • Patriot of My America
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:08pm

      Stupid is as Stupid does. Forrest Gump…Ur doo… H#ll yeah they are not the sharpest tools in the shed. They are being used like sex objects and discarded… Oh, my. Oh, my.

      Report Post »  
  • T-2
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:16pm

    is that a soy powered van?

    Report Post »  
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