I am the Occupy Albany Member that posted the much discussed “wanted poster”. While I am an active participant in the group and often recognized as such, I did so independently without the knowledge of ANYONE at Occupy Albany. They were largely unaware it was even there (as most were doing typical holiday stuff rather than following every Facebook post) until the post was picked up by the Times Union on Friday. Since then, many have voiced their disapproval of my actions to me personally. They rightly removed it as soon as they collectively became aware and someone with administrative access to the sight was able to remove it. I should have removed it myself as soon as I woke up and read the article in question. I would have been the only person at liberty to get it done any sooner than they managed. It is unfair of this article to condemn the Occupy Albany community on the whole for the production of the graphic, its posting or its delay in removing the material. It is also unfair to assert that they should try even harder to disavow what I did as an individual. Mr. Mishler is correct to ask what else they can do to disavow my independent actions. Should they flog me naked in Academy Park? They should not be asked again to disavow or distance themselves any farther as I am here to take the personal responsibility that is mine and to apologize for my actions and trouble they may have caused.
The Editorial Board is right to object to the posting. But, that commentary should be directed at me personally. I posted it with my own name and have given other media interviews on the issue. I did what I did alone and the blame is mine alone. I made the poster while I was still very angry after being one of the protesters sprayed. Allowing that anger to drive me was totally at odds with the occupy movement and its ideals. I regret ever having produced the poster. I also regret posting it to OA’s site as it has brought them much undeserved criticism.
To be clear, I meant no implied or other threat to Officer Gorleski or anyone associated with him. Those familiar with the large number of other posters I have made since the occupation began, know that I am a satirist. I have depicted the Governor as an emperor on his coronation throne and I have shown the Mayor as a green faced Grinch. I am not a literalist. I am a satirist. I thought that a wanted poster for a police officer as opposed to one coming from them was a visual twist that would help me make that point that I believed (and still do) that the Officer in question needed to be held accountable for his individual actions that night which included flying into a rage, yelling obscenities into the crowd and then unleashing pepper spray into the faces of a large number of peaceful protesters, many 10 to 15 feet away from either the tent or the officer and his horse. I did not foresee that people would interpret is as some sort of threat or call to action. That was my mistake and one I regret. I also did not consider the way such a thing could “go viral”. My other posters have, to my knowledge, only made local rounds and limited ones at that. So, my apologies to Officer Gorleski, anyone associated with him that may have been bothered and to Occupy Albany, who’s core and assiduously non-violent message of getting money out of politics and restoring some basic economic justice IS AND WILL REMAIN what they are about.
I would be happy to submit the same to the Editorial Board or to speak with any of its members about reworking this comment into a full letter to the editor if that would make satisfy their demands for further acts of contrition. It was my sword, if anyone should be asked to fall on it, it is me. Occupy Albany’s message has not changed and your continued support of the group and its activities is deserved.
Comment by Bradley Russell — January 1st, 2012 @ 8:53 pm
