Thirteen Occupiers Kicked Off of Greyhound Bus in Amarillo, TX by Driver, Don Ainsworth
At about 7:50pm thirteen Occupiers since named “The Amarillo 13” which were headed to Occupy Congress for the Jan. 17, 2012 event were kicked off the bus by the driver, Don Ainsworth. They apparently were boarding the bus and the driver noticed the Occupiers t-shirts and was rude to not only the Occupiers but also the other riders. They were on the bus for about 5 min. One of the Occupiers questioned why their bags were not loaded up and the bus driver told them to sit down and shut up. The driver then locked all the passengers including the Occupiers on the bus for over an hour until police arrived. The Occupiers and other riders were getting restless. The police arrived and attempted to negotiate with the driver to be reasonable to no avail. The driver only kicked off the thirteen occupiers and stated that “Occupy will not occupy this bus.” The driver also stated that Occupy was not wanted here or in D.C.
The Occupiers state that they were not doing anything to promote the removal. They were not doing any mic checks or being disorderly. The individuals paid upwards of $500 to ride Greyhound from California to D.C. Greyhound stated they will do the Occupiers a “favor” and allow them to board the next bus.
During the ordeal they misplaced one of the Occupiers tickets. Greyhound would not re-issue the ticket so they asked for donations via PayPal to fund the purchase of another ticket. After a few hours one of the Occupiers realized that he had the lost ticket. They raised around $100 of the $700 dollars needed to purchase the new round trip ticket. After the ticket was found they let the donators know via the live stream that they would put the money toward food or refund any donations if the donator wanted the money returned.
Shortly after the incident fellow occupiers watching the live feed of the ordeal sent about 20 boxes of pizza to the Greyhound terminal. In addition to sending the pizza others supporting the Amarillo Thirteen called the Greyhound corporate office, the Amarillo terminal as well as the CEO of Greyhound to express their discontent with the way the Occupiers were treated. The Amarillo Thirteen are asking individuals not to call the Amarillo Greyhound office but to wait until Monday and then call the corporate office at (800) 231-2222.
The Occupiers are able to get their tickets exchanged for another bus. The next bus is expected to arrive at 5:50am. At this point they have been able to stay inside the terminal. At about 1 am a new employee arriving for his shift seemed to request that they leave the terminal but they were able to stay after some discussion. From the reports they will be arriving in D.C. on Jan. 16, 2012 in time for the Jan. 17 event after experiencing an eleven hour delay.
UPDATE: The bus with The Amarillo Thirteen has left the terminal at 5:47am with no issues. They turned off the live feed while in transit. I will post updates as they come in.
Below Road 2 Congress has put a link to their updated itinerary
UPDATE: At 12:50pm The Amarillo 13 announced that they spoke with a representative from Greyhound on the phone. The Greyhound representative has stated she needs to talk to management but they will do everything they can to make up for the inconvenience their driver imposed on them. They will not be sure of the possible refunds until Monday as the executives are out of the office. The group has formed a committee to determine what an appropriate request from Greyhound will be.
UPDATE: At 5pm Road 2 Congress posted that Greyhound has provided a “hot bus” with only three stops on the way to D.C. The stops are Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville, TN. They should be arriving at D.C. at 3pm on the 16th.
UPDATE: 8:45pm The Amarillo 13 has left Memphis in route to Nashville.
UPDATE: The Amarillo 13 is expected to arrive in D.C. between 1:30pm and 2pm
UPDATE: The Amarillo 13 has arrived in D.C. at 1:25pm eastern time Jan. 16, 2012.
Amarillo 13 Live Stream:
30 Responses to Thirteen Occupiers Kicked Off of Greyhound Bus in Amarillo, TX by Driver, Don Ainsworth
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Greyhound is a disgrace if this driver isn’t fired. If nothing is done there should be a boycott.
What about the police? Why was the driver not arrested? Why did they allow passengers who had just been kidnapped to drive off with him? Why was a replacement driver not found?
Has ainsworth been suspended or fired? Are there any other cases of being kicked off?
Shows how out of touch with the affairs due to the news offer up on the TV,that one maybe coming home ever night and turning on fox news and taking for more than it is a lie,propaganda.The other corporate news just don’t report.on what would educate us about what matters.What would happen if they showed the injustice of their own employer.That why Independ news, news that rely on money from people.Because if this driver had known the truth,that these people wish to return his voice to him in the democracy he is paying for.I believe these people have educated themselfs and understand the long struggle that is ahead of them.I took time to go down and learn what they are,and who they are,what they are doing.Even though I might not be at the ga.,I might go the way I feel,I will support them,and join their numbers when I can.People like this driver should be fire for discrimination,I feel he lost a great opportunity to enrich his self,something that everyone who discrimination against another,all they get is ignorance,a bus driver just about seen ever thing,it’s always for poor people way of transportation why did he mess with them and does his boss the same way.At least write him up.
Don’t watch “Fox” anything/anytime!
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So the driver is an ass. But do you really have to publish his name. If he gets hurt because of this, this publication should be held partly responsible.
No, they shouldn’t. If anyone gets hurt, the person doing the hurting is responsible, and no one else.
He’s a criminal who got away with his crimes. Responsibility is a bitch.
Who’s going to hurt the guy? But if you want to persecute people for disagreeing with your political opinions – and totally presumptuously – why are you entitled to anonymity? As Louis Brandeis said, sunshine is the best disinfectant. If people like this know they’re on candid camera, they might be more likely to behave themselves.
So Peter, a society in which everyone agrees and acts within your accepted interests only? He thinks occupiers are dickheads. Fine. Let’s see how you respond now that you have his name. Don’t want you to have my name,
that’s for sure!
Joe Schmoe: So what you’re saying is, people shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions? Huh. Interesting world you live in. I guess the anonymity shroud of the internet might’ve skewed your judgment on that one, but… in the REAL world… everyone CAN see each other. This little dick of a bus driver is not an example of a person with just some “interests” or “beliefs”. The reason people are so outraged by him isn’t because he doesn’t like “Occupy”, but rather HOW he behaves that indicates a severe, deep-seated psychological problem that impairs him and everyone around him (as evidenced here), i.e. a “danger to himself and others”. That problem? An appallingly huge amount of ignorance and bigotry. He’s the same kind of person that bashed gays and thinks Obama is a Muslim Kenyan Socialist just because he has a “different sounding name” and a “different color”. The kind of person that only trusts the words from the TV, because books are for intellectual pussies, and everyone around him is “in on the game against him”. Guy needs a reality check, and fast.
Those 14 people on that bus are my friends and fellow Occupiers, nothing they did warranted that driver to behave the way he did…there are discrimination laws in this country put in place specifically to prevent those with a modicum of power over others lives to disrupt them because of prejudice. Mr. Ainsworth should definitely face consequences for his actions. Potentially he put the lives of 14 human beings in peril and had the unmitigated gall to drive away from the Amarillo station honking the horn in a ridiculous victory salute. Greyhound needs to vacate that position in favor of another out of work American that can behave civilly and conduct himself with utmost professionalism. Shame on Donald Ainsworth and all those who fail to have a minimum of human compassion.
Nice work Greyhound! Kick those crusty hippies to the curb
hahahahahaha…
…
wait, were you expecting to be taken seriously? I’m kinda just showing you the same disregard you show for Occupy, so… I’m guessing you’re just the humor for the day
WHAT CRUSTY HIPPIES OLDTIMER
I know the riders didn’t do anything. And he should be held accountable by greyhound. My original point was that publishing his name will probably mean somebody will go after him outside of greyhound. The occupiers have shown their violent side (albeit a fringe).
A lot of people disagree with the occupiers and they are entitled to that. If you want to debate it, fine. But this driver will be persecuted beyond his company’s policies. That’s wrong.
And unlike a lot of occupiers, I do live in the open. No bandanas around my face. And I don’t vandalize property or keep the 99% from getting to their jobs to work. I’m 100% accountable everyday by my family, job and country. Just not going to give my name to the fringe.
There’s a violent side to the fringe of numerous organizations. It’s nothing special to Occupy, Christians have been dealing with it for years.
Anyway, this driver may or may not be persecuted for holding a bus filled with people hostage for an hour. Such is life. Articles are posted every day that reveal names — that’s what happens when you’re over the age of eighteen. It comes with being an adult.
Sucks when you pull something stupid and get yourself on the national news. Don Ainsworth should’ve thought about that before he acted like a fool. So should the Petkovs, whose name was spread through the news after they tormented a terminally ill 7 year old girl. The list of people who may or may not have experienced negative things outside of work after landing themselves on the news is pretty gosh-darned long, and whether that’s right or wrong, it’s how things have been for quite some time.
I think it’s a little neurotic to hide your name because you’re afraid that some violent, deranged protester will physically harm you.
Just a “heads-up” for those saying that there is discrimination involved. According to US law, discrimination only applies to employment, housing and education, and only applies to members of protected classes (women, minorities, disabled people, gays). While the driver may have been involved in harassment, or some other violation of the law, any attempt at prosecuting for discrimination would be a waste of time. I am only bringing this up because rallying for discrimination in this case only undermines your credibility, as it shows that you are not knowledgeable of the laws.
I applaud Greyhound’s response, giving them a direct bus. That’s a good response.
As for the bus driver, he must be that unthinking Limbaugh listener.
This reminds me of the months preceding the Civil War
Yes the Driver of the bus dosen’t realize he is included in the 99%.. I know people like him who listen to Fox News and listen to the Limabaugh type of loons.
These workers just don’t see themselves as part of the 99% but rather think that the %50 million dollar a year Limbaugh is just ‘one of them’.
I recall this strike………The Amalgamated Council was forced to strike again in 1990 in a labor battle that became a bitter 39-month conflict that wasn’t settled until 1993.
http://atu1700.org/our-history-0
Your assertion that the “occupiers” have shown their violent side is a gross exaggeration. 99.9% of the violence involving OWS has been perpetuated by police officials. Maybe .01% have been involved in property destruction but as for assault or battery you need to look no further than the boys in blue.
Would love to welcome you to Knoxville,and to show you how to get a shower for cheap in DC. hostelworld.com
[Sarcastic]
Yeah… cause anyone possibly protesting our current level of government corruption and inability to carry out the will of the people must only be a hippy that hasn’t showered to the point of being “crusty” and deserves to be dehumanized and kicked to a curb.
Glad to see your true colors on supporting the dehumanization of protesters. Your children must be proud.
Simmer down Ryan. I think you are reading negativity from marj where none exists. I know after being stuck on a Greyhound bus for several days in a row I would appreciate shower like most people. Greyhound doesn’t stop for “shower breaks”
It’s an all-too-common stereotype/talking-point of anti-Occupy folks: “take a shower, get a job”. I got the same negativity vibe from that comment as Ryan, but I guess it might’ve been with good intentions… *shrug*. I just shrug it off now, I’ve read it so often. =P
Actually, I’m pretty sure Ryan was responding not to Marj, but to the comment by comically named “Voiceofreason,” applauding Greyhound and urging them to “Kick those crusty hippies to the curb.” Note the attention Ryan pays to the words “hippy” and “crusty.”
Hey, if you stop by our local Occupy Fresno group and I’m there (well, admittedly I’ve only been there for one event), I’ll show you how to build and fix computers, build a website, diagnose and repair electronics, fix your car, drive it more efficiently, show you some cool tricks for saving energy, show you some stuff about your cell phone you didn’t know, and maybe even get some information about how today’s government and economy works (and we work on facts, not opinions), so you’d be as outraged as we are! Everyone’s welcome
Yes I stand corrected. Sorry Ryan. I’m guilty of rushing to judgement, not you.
That driver should be under arrest for false imprisonment and Greyhound (and the driver) sued for the same.
Texas Penal code:
Sec. 20.02. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly restrains another person.