April 9, 2019th

Dear Commission on Judicial Performance:

I just wanted to clarify something you mentioned in your letter to me. I didn’t mention the attorney Charles Smith IV as a specific attorney complaint, I mentioned him because Judge Novak said that if I did not accept him as my attorney, she was going to put me in jail. She beat me down and I was in tears, because I had been stuck with that attorney previously and he did nothing but yell at me. After he was forced upon me, she had him clear the courtroom and she went into about a ten minute barrage against me. She said things I did not understand as being for me. She attacked my mental health and just lit into me for no reason. She said such awful, strange things that meant nothing to me, but she said them with such rage and vituperation that I was astonished and perplexed and felt like I blacked out for a moment. My face was covered in hives the next day (the doctor said it was extreme stress).

Judge Novak hit me with such abject cruelty I was astonished. There was no reason for it. Her heckling of me (calling me “stalker” from the bench, and comments like, “no wonder the doctor is afraid of you”, were both untrue and had no place in a setting such as a hearing.) She interrupted me every other word and had what I said stricken. She made up charges against me so she could circumvent the DA from having his own trial for the false contempt charges, because he would have ultimately found out the restraining order case against me was manufactured. She railroaded me, so she could fine me and throw me in jail, so she could tell the DA there was no need for him to also have a trial. The problem was that I WANTED him to have a trial, but she took that right away from me. I wanted the restraining order case to be found out to be false and have it dismissed, so I could feel vindicated. Judge Novak never behaved impartial. She mocked me and ran down my mental health from square one. She seemed to delight in it. The attorney she forced on me, Charlie Smith IV, made a point of showing he was not going to help me. He did not mention a trial, and he did not prepare for one. He brought two legal pads. He is someone who hangs around the court, everyone knows him. He screamed at me and kept me quiet. He was Judge Novak’s attorney, not mine. She merely wanted it to look fair and even, but it was not, he was doing her bidding. That is why I mention the attorney, because Judge Novak threatened me with jail, if I did not take him. The entire case against me was fraudulent. It was being done to placate someone and obviously they knew Judge Novak could be bought. I have suffered so much. I never expected a judge to be so unfair. She didn't even make concessions for my health. I have MS, and a large lesion on my brain. Stress could cripple or kill me. She didn’t care. I have no problem saying she was trying to harm me, or worse. I have never seen such a display of abject inhumanity. She spoke to me as if she hated me. I had no chance. She should not be a judge. The fear I felt was horrible. I still suffer. I was a county law librarian, a paralegal and law student and worked in a law office. I cannot tell you in strong enough terms that what Judge Novak did to me was not justice. It was a horror show. Only mentally ill people behave as did she. She perverted law to satisfy her own objectives. I can still feel my fear from encountering her. The hives on my face spoke volumes. What she did to me was third world country behavior, not the USA. I will sign a sworn statement, or submit to any form of lie detection to re enforce anything I have said. No one should have that happen to them. It was draconian and egregious behavior. Scary and intimidating.  I pity anyone coming into her courtroom.

Sincerely,

How nice it would be to have someone think about me. I am so down in the dumps.

The things MP has MG say are like little "time bombs" They are designed to keep bothering long into the future. They are such pieces of crap people.

I watch happy movies to the end, sad movies up until the sad parts. I have cried so much already.

I have been hit with such sadness that I don't even feel like getting up. A person can only take so much cruelty.

Why does the wait need to be so long?

I am sad and in pain. I miss your sweet face. (Even the fake imperious one). Can't I just sign something that says you can shoot me if I make a wrong move? I mean really, this is all so silly. 

I'm scared.

You do know I sincerely love you, don't you?

It will be forever.

My grandmother always said daisies were her favorite flower because they were so friendly too.

I like all flowers, but it is nice for them to smell good too. Gardenias smell incredible.

Did I make the thing last longer because of my need to be polite?

Thinking about it makes me feel anxious.....

Don't tell me, I know I am an idiot. I will walk into the ocean if I caused this to be so long. 

I always wish that Joe would buy the little bookstore back for Kathleen, but I suppose it would not be welcomed.   I just love the frosted part of the glass on the door. it reminds me of the lily

vines on my family crest.

I would so love to take care of you. You don't need to love me for me to take care of you.

I wish I could talk to you.

My heart loves you.

I'd love life to have a happy ending too....

I messed up so many times....crap! I know I am a fool. What can I do? Why do my mistakes turn out so bad? Do you know how many times I have kicked myself....really, really hard? Please don't hold it against me, okay? I am suffering so much.

I don't know what to do. I have pretty much warned people to protect you and keep an eye on you. I guess they just think of me as a nut. Well, I cannot understand cruel people. I just worry about cruel people being around you.
But, I so envy those who get to be around you each day.  It just eats me up. I am not proud of being jealous, but there must be a reason it seems to happen naturally.
I hope that when this thing is over, you will let me at least say hello and just look at you for a few minutes....I so adore you.

I wish I could know for certain what is going on. If you want nothing to do with me, please just end the thing and I will go away. I would never forget you, but I would just never see you. I cannot think that way though, because it hurts tmuch.

I love you.

I don't cry as much any longer, it is an eternal, internal pain that is just a part of me now.

You have had the most profound affect upon me.
I stand in awe of not only you, but in how you brought it out in me.

I live my life in a dream I wish to bring to life, but fear that it will never be realised.

The longing ache I feel for you puts a shade on all I do and how I perceive the world in which I reside

I feel a lethargy of interest in expanding my circle beyond you at this point, or any other.

I want nothing to interfere with the idyll of my memories of the time of knowing you.

I grasp greedily at each clue, or nuance that might point my thoughts of comfort and relaxation toward you.

My veil of protection and concern will cover you forever.

I am in debt to you for a true showing of caring and concern of one extended to another.

Even at your peril
which made it even more precious.

How could I not love you?
How could I not die for you?

I would do so without a second thought.

~Haviva


(c) HVM 2019

I wish I had the ability to express to you how much you mean to me.

When it's over, I will leave

After this time frame is over and I haven't heard from you, I may sell my home and get an elegant RV and travel. I have wanted to go to Canada, so I might do that.

I have no idea what you think about all this

They forged your signature and extended it without you. They said you were there when you weren't; it confuses me.

You know that I have become more outspoken in my feelings in writing, but I am more demure in person. I have also been in mourning and my sadness had to be expressed. I pray I have not actually lost you, because then my grieving will last for the rest of my days.

My mind will never forget you. I am so very drawn to you in such a caring, concerned way as well as a feeling of great joy and adoration. I enjoy being around you. You feel like someone I know well and feel a synergy with you. Together we seem to build up to something greater than our individual parts. It is exciting. So many varieties of melding of thoughts and discoveries. When I lost you, it felt like roots that had started forming were painfully torn away. I have felt unsettled since. It doesn't feel good. I feel like I am running on fewer cylinders. It is difficult to explain, but it must be what it is like when people say they knew someone in another life. I felt that long ago.

Please give me a chance.

I guess I shouldn't have watched "Bridget Jones".... now, I can't stop the tears.

I love you and it hurts so much.

I wish you could sneak over, or at least call....

Do you know just how much I miss you?

It is somewhere on a par with how much I love you.

I love it when Mark Darcy says, "oratorical fireworks" about Bridget's opening speech at the book launch. That gets me laughing every time.

It would be the absolute best to be able to talk to you in person and have such fun!

More "Bridget Jones!"

I'd like to know why that awful man always says, "You did it to yourself"? He knows that he is the biggest liar, but he wants people to think everything is their own fault. I doubt if anything makes him feel bad, but I guess he likes to deflect responsibility for the terrible things he does to people.

I loved how you said my name.  It was music. It was all I heard from then on.
You blessed me and I will never be the same.

Courtrooms need cameras, so that the things like those done to me would be recorded.

All you need to do is nothing and I will be gone.

I love you and want to take care of you, keep you safe and make you happy. Is that why they are cruel to me?

Messenger....

I could never not love you.

My supplications to the moon in the midnight sky are always to seek your safety and to send you my love on the ocean's breeze.

My heart aches and my soul cries to see you again.

I would rather spend one moment with you than a lifetime with anyone else.

What I remember is that you made my life worth living and that you were so sweet to me. Each moment was a memory to be treasured. You will never know just how much life with you in it meant to me.

I very much enjoy a program called, "The Art Detectives". It is full of fascinating information. It's the kind of show that I find is the best.

I love you.

If someone had just said to me, "oh by-the-way some awful person thinks you need to suffer and be humiliated so that they can feel better about themselves and get some sort of revenge on you", I would have said, "how sad for them" and then I would have said, "whatever works!"

It's like you always knew me and saw more in me than anyone else, even myself. I feel like you believe and trust in me. It makes me feel so special.

I don't know why the bad things people say hang with me longer than the good things. I guess it is because I am so afraid the bad things will happen and the good will not. H

The promise to you I make in my heart, I make with my soul.~Haviva

It is a wild, windy/rainy day today. I don't go out into it, except to take my dog out. Much of the time when I go out in the evening I just stand in awe of the sky. It is incredible. I still feel like I am the walking wounded. Just that heaviness keeps me from wanting to do much. I mean, really, I feel as if I am waiting to get back to normal, if there IS a normal. I feel like if I have the opportunity to see you again, that will be the most marvelous day of my life. It's like a light was slammed off. I have spent this time with bad hanging over my head, because people kept feeding that lie into my head. People would be hard pressed to find bad in anything I do. I mean we all have different standards, but it takes malevolent intent to be bad and I have none. It is interesting how the people who set themselves up as the judges of others have very obvious bad intentions.  They don't see it that way, because they are self-centered and think everyone else should bow to them and ignore their predatory behavior.

I can't ignore it and it makes me worry for you. 

When I see you, I just want to be happy and carefree....and keep you safe and warm.

It is nice that since I put your picture where I can see it, I feel more relaxed.

My heart is extremely wise.
You are irreplaceable to me.
What hurts you hurts me too.
Like it, or what, I am here for you.
I hope we will always take care of each other.

Add a comment...

It is really hard to be stuck in Limbo, especially when it has been so long and the massive jerk likes to say cruel things to me. Did you know wars have been fought and over in this amount of time?

It is so difficult missing you. I hope you will remember me. Some times I get a kind of cold shock in my heart and I feel sad, because I think you won't feel like talking any longer, or laughing, or just looking....maybe you have thoughts elsewhere.

I think it is supremely difficult to go on this long in Limbo.

I am sure I am one of the most difficult people to go through something like this, but to be fair to myself, I only give as good as I get.

It is....you are beyond words. I Love your face and your sweetness.

Get away from them. They will hurt you. Are you a prisoner? Do they own you? I don't understand.

I would love to see you more than anything else in the world. You just captured my heart. You know I would do anything for you and half my home is for you. It is so weird that when I just got so much into being deeply in love with you, that you were gone. It has left me as raw as a heart that has been stomped on the floor. The pain is so intense.
Loving you was the most amazing feeling someone could have. Now, I am so sad and confused and mourning the loss of you, but holding hope. I will never love this way again. It was absolutely magic. I will always hope for your return.

If I were told by you that you didn't like me at all and never wanted to see me again....you wouldn't.

If I knew you would be there, I could wait without a fuss.

I adore you.

Simply,

Purely.

Forever.

Sometimes the cruelty that plays over and over on my head makes me want to die.
But, I recover. I am pretty tough in the end.

A private way to chat.

This entire "thing" has become false. It is unbelievable how much things have become falsified. It astounds the mind.

I believe there are two stories going. One story is that I am waiting for you, the other is that it is the most fake law ever brought to light...and darkness. I was ground into dust by the judge and kept away from a court hearing by having the court send my notice to the wrong address. They did not want me to see you. I went because a court clerk told me I was to be in court in a couple of days. I left at a bit after 4 am. I was late. I saw only your name on the case readout, not mine. I think that at the end, I will be told I have many more years to go and you will remain mute and I will die.

This situation has left me with an undercurrent of sadness. I have rather become fatalistic, but I will not sit back and let cruelty take over and harm someone I love. He needs to do what he pleases to be happy, but I will not allow anyone to harm him. I will always fight for him.

G, I would take good care of you, but I would do the same for anyone you cared about. You are always my first consideration and love. I do have a large capacity for love.

You have my heart.

*********************************************
I miss my former house!

G, I need to know what is going on, please. I don't think you are even being told the truth. If you don't like me, please drop the thing and I will never see you again. I am not someone who forces herself on anyone. I care about you so much, I will always be here for you and share what I have with you. I want you to be happy. If that does not include me, that is what I must accept. I would love to talk to you again and see you for a bit; it is all I have thought about for such a long time. I want to be assured that you are not going to be a victim of those predators. I have a very protective attitude about you. I would do anything for you. You know that. Please allow me to give you the gifts I have gotten for you over time. You will always hold the largest part of my heart and you are always on my mind. It helps to keep me going. Please don't forget me.

I have only survived this long
because
of the thought of
seeing you again.

Yes, I was rattled....

And then I fought back...
(Knee jerk)

In delayed time
my brain started
to work

and I finally tuned on.
(I felt like a fool)

You are my favorite writer
(of my life,)

please write me a happy ending....

I will never blame you for anything. I will always care about you. I will always protect you. I will always worry about you.
I will always love you. Just be safe.

Mr. Guasco's taunting finally made me snap.

Life would be
so much
easier
if I didn't love
you,
but I do
and I don't
need
easy,
I need
you

4w

I just wish I could be around you. It doesn't matter in what capacity. You made me feel enhanced, as if I suddenly had magical powers and the world became beautiful. I relate it to stepping out of Kansas, all dreary and dull, into Oz with all the vibrant colors. I sounds corny, but yes, I felt so amazing around you that I came from feeling half alive to better than I ever felt. In my mind I could accomplish anything, with your belief in me. I wanted to make you proud of me and to make you happy. Seeing you happy meant everything to me. It was the primary element that sustained my life.I feel like I have remembered every word you said to me. I remember the warmth of your eyes and how inviting they were and when I entered them I could relax and feel as if I never wanted to leave, because, they were a more lovely place that I had ever been. Home.
I still feel the same way, but the time away makes me long for you. I think of your kindness and how you did things to show your caring. I felt special and the luckiest person in the world because you blessed me with your extra attention and caring.
I miss you. I was so very blessed to have had the opportunity to know you. I know that if I could only see you as I left this world, that death would not be scary, because you were there to guide me and make sure no harm would come to me. Your caring would again go with me and see me through.
I will always love you and hold you in my heart. You will be my last thought.

4w

I have an anger that I harbor deep in places that don't like the crappy feeling! I am angry that there are people who feel it is their right to beat up on others merely because they can! But it isn't like a fair fight, because they have people who do their fighting for them. That brings up the word coward strongly to my mind.
People who don't even have the guts to fight their own fights, but instead have "hit men" do it for them, aren't even up to my level, because I have the decency to be willing to face my accuser, not just flip the the hit man a quarter tip and have them abuse me, maybe to my death. What would that person care about me, if I died? Not one bit, I would say, because they don't know what is being done to me, just as long I am removed from being a perceived problem. They have no respect for human life, it is merely a job. Something that could stop problems in the beginning would be to act like a decent human being. How can someone expect to keep someone else around if they are not given love and support and respect? If that is not given, then one could only come to the conclusion that they are only wanted for what they can give, not for the beautiful person they are. If people are not nurtured, they will die. I would take care of that person and they would never question if they were adored and the most important person in my life. I would cherish and appreciate everything he had to say and pray each night that he would be safe and know he was always loved, because I do. He is loved.

Do you trust me?

I trust you with my life and everything I own.

I only ever want you to make the important decisions for me.

Even if it is to pull the plug on me....

You are the love of my life

Memories

I wish there were places here like that little place in Half Moon Bay, with really fresh fish. I got oysters there for a picnic on a cliff by the ocean. They, and champagne go so nicely together. Pate and a fresh French loaf are nice too. When I was in France as a kid, I took a loaf and unsalted butter, and road the train, and ordered a bottle of orange Pschitt. (Yeah, fun name!) It is nice there to get a rail pass and go to fun new places, and just feel carefree.

Faith~
The days are long, my life may be short
I hold your memory in tender resort
I can’t help but worry my heart over you
No call or visit is allowed to get through

The time I knew you was Heaven on Earth
To see you again; I’d give all I am worth
I knew that I loved you a long time ago
Even years spent away caused affection to grow

Sadness and turmoil makes everything dreary
I wrote and I wrote ‘til my poor eyes were bleary
I barely have slept in over two years
My concerns over you were the worst of all fears

I stay hidden at home with my life very small
I never have fun, and see no one at all
The trauma they did to my innocent life
Was a verbal attack of a hand with a knife.

I was handcuffed and chained and taken to jail
The MS I have, made me weakened, and pale
All I had on my side was faith from above
All I had given was kindness and love.
~Haviva

(c) HVM 2017

Hate House-
Each day I'm astounded by the outrage of life
Those living in fear prevent a narcissist's strife
People bow and they cower and put on a show To keep a massive sized ego from starting to blow

Scapegoats a plenty will litter the road
After bloviated sociopaths lighten their load
"Life isn't fair", they spew in my face
"It makes my life better, if you live in disgrace!"

"I'm rich and quite powerful, so I'm better than you"
"I'm stronger than God, and I know that it's true!"
"Keep your hands off the one that I own!"
"I keep him around to answer my phone!"

She'd grind me right down into dust if she could
I had the sheer gall to want his life good
An ego that big is not a nice mate
Who wants to live life in a house full of hate?

-Haviva

(c) HVM 2017

2017 thoughts

Listened to the nutrition program, and laughed about the "food porn" comment. As I had mentioned before I had been collecting cook books, but when I was packing to move, I knew the books were taking up too much space; heavy and had to lighten the load. The French Laundry cookbook is the one I still have, where I can find it; the rest are in boxes.
I do what you mentioned; I get a sense of the recipe, and then do my own thing with it; if I don't have all the actual ingredients. I would like to take a cooking class, or two; it would be fun.
I enjoyed listening to your recorded talk, but it made me miss you even more. It does feel like I am trying to communicate past enemy lines. I wish you would not follow every little rule, but if it meant back to square one; I certainly understand that. I miss you so much. It has been so long since I have spoken to you. Be well, sweet one.

2017

I feel so irrelevant.
It hurts not being able to say hi to you.
I really miss all the little things.

Time goes by slowly. Please don't let them make it longer. I know mean people cannot resist doing mean things, but they should not be able to control a person's life forever. On the other hand; if you don't want to see me again; please let me know. I will just sell my house, and take off.

That judge said that "something that was said in court made her (me) feel like killing herself." That was how many months ago? I had the Deputy come out last night based on that? If she sent him out, she is trying to hurt me somehow. She failed to mention that the attorney SHE appointed, cleared the room, and then she lit into me, with such ugly things that had no relevance to me. She could not care less about me. I know who has been behind all of this, and they are disgusting. They don't care about me, they want you. They want me away from you, because they know I would protect you with the last bit of life in me. They want it to seem like it is time away, but it is really so they can work on you, and take advantage of you.

I have a hard time thinking about it, because it gets me so agitated with fear. Please be safe.

More Old Posts


I am going to get back to riding my exercise bike, and not just use it as a coat rack... :-)
I have just been so sad that I could not face getting on the bike. Everything is neglected. I had to exercise like mad to lose weight before, plus eat tiny bits of food. I was always on the verge of passing out. I wanted to please you so much. Our air "high five" certainly pissed off that assistant, but I loved it. I know that things were being watched by then. It had not been pleasant. I don't know how that behavior can be justified. As long as you though well of me; that was all that mattered to me. You are the one who matters to me. I like your way of thinking about various subjects, and I like your environmental ways. You are subtle about it, but it is there. I saw somewhere online that you are a Greenie, like me. I really feel so close to you. I know you are supposed to forget about me, but please don't; it would be the best thing I could think of to see you again. I feel so awful missing you so much. I have bitten all my finger nails off my right hand. It has been THAT awful. These last few months will not be easy either. Please don't let them pull the rug out; It has been awful waiting, especially with people taunting me. I know you suggested the wheelchair, because CS would never have been so thoughtful. I think the books I got were from you too. Maybe a stretch, but they seemed like a clue. I do love you a lot, you know? I loved the cute things you did, and the sweet way you treated me. I feel so connected to you. I wish you could be here for Thanksgiving. Then my thanks would be nonstop! I want to hug you for a very long time.

Old entry from 2017
Please understand that this has been such a difficult time. I sometimes react. The taunts by the judge made me feel like I wanted to find any way possible to have her know that I am not the bad things she said about me. It tore me up. Hearing her say you were afraid of me, made me feel sick. Everything in me wants to protect you. I was made to worry for your safety. I have had so many people yell at me for no reason. People who were supposed to be on my side yelled at me. It was confusing, and frightening. I don't understand it. I am sorry if I reacted in a way that was not the best. .I am only human, but one who cares for others more than myself. Some days I am lucky to not harm myself. I have been down to the lowest of my life. I make mistakes. I am so very sorry.

When it all started: 2016
I guess I have maybe written enough pretending we were having a nice little back and forth. I just seem silly, I guess. I was just trying to keep up my spirits and vent a little. It has been a difficult time.
People set out to hurt me. They did. They ground me into dust, and left an empty shell. I hope someday they will stop and think before they want to try and harm someone, and not do it. They really can find more fulfillment caring about people than destroying them. We are all just trying to get by in life, and if we can find a bit of happiness along the way; it should be celebrated. We should celebrate the happiness and blessing of everyone, because that will promote peace and harmony.
I loved someone. I did not do anything wrong, nor said, or did anything, but I was severely attacked by people who are not really nice people, and who just love revenge without reason, but I guess it makes them feel better. It is called being a scapegoat. I hope it made them feel better. At least some good came from my pain. I guess; even though it is positive re-enforcement for twisted, and cruel thinking.

They can enjoy their holidays feeling clear and happy knowing they hurt an innocent person, so desperately badly that at times they did not want to live; while the victim sits at home alone, and makes do. It should keep them happy for awhile, until their self-esteem wanes again, and they need to find another scapegoat to make them feel in control, and happy. As long as they are happy, is all that matters to them.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas. Glad I could be of service.

I love you and will take care of you no matter the obstacles, no matter the hurdles, no matter the problems. Trust me as I trust you. I will be strong and you will be strong.

Dry Eyes~
The light I lost from in your eyes
Left me a world I now despise
The place I gained when I found you
We both created from joys we knew

I do not like this cold harsh place
I want the comfort of your face
My time left in life may not be long
But you my love, could keep me strong

I dare not even breathe your name
Or cruel dark forces will cut me lame
They get their pleasure from taking it away
Which makes me sob most every day

How can I live from Heaven now Hell
I must admit I don't do well
I call to you when I'm alone
But in the end it's just a moan.

If again I'm once more blessed
You'll see me at my very best
You will not see a teary eye
I'll just present a happy lie

~Haviva


(c) HVM 2018

Uploaded: Wed, Oct 12, 2011, 10:01 pm

Palo Altans protest at Bank of America

Residents voice solidarity with Occupy Wall Street demonstrators

by Sue Dremann / Palo Alto Weekly

More than 200 people demonstrated in front of Bank of America at 2600 El Camino Real in Palo Alto Wednesday (Oct. 12) in solidarity with the OccupyWallStreet movement. Photo by Sue Dremann/Palo Alto Online.

 

SEE MORE PHOTOS

Outraged over job losses and corporate and bank bailouts, more than 200 protesters lined El Camino Real in Palo Alto in front of the Bank of America on Wednesday evening.

Seniors, middle-aged, laid-off Silicon Valley employees and some younger folks gathered in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which has been staging an ongoing protest in Manhattan and other large cities against the bailouts, job losses and tax benefits for the wealthy.

Drivers in rush-hour traffic honked loudly and gave thumbs-up as they passed by, as the demonstrators cheered. The protests began at 5 p.m. and lasted for two hours.

Bank of America was chosen as the symbolic location for the Palo Alto protest because it is the nation's largest bank and the recipient of more than $45 billion in federal bail-out money, said Paul George, director of the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center in Palo Alto, which organized the protest.

Demonstrators said they are tired of gridlock in the U.S. Congress, and rewarding of banks and mortgage lenders, which they blame for the erosion of jobs and disenfranchisement of the poor and middle class.

Gerry Gras, a laid-off Palo Alto software engineer, said he lost his job two years ago because of the economy. But "if I had a job I'd want to be here," he said, noting he would probably be working long hours that would prevent him from protesting.

Cheryl Petrovich, a former paralegal who is now disabled, said she had joined the demonstration because she is tired of Republican stonewalling in the U.S. Congress.

"There's too much of an inequity right now. With the Republican Congress, there's no progress at all," she said.

Gras waved an American flag. It's stars were replaced with corporate logos: General Electric, Coca Cola and major news networks.

"I think things are not going to be the same afterwards," he said of the growing movement. "I don't know where they are going, but they're not going to be the same."

While protesters said they support different causes, from global warming policy to health care reform, the main theme of concern was what many called the "99 percenters" -- those Americans who are not in the top 1 percent of wealth they say controls the country.

"I really think that people, if they don't know all the numbers, they do know the economic inequality in this country," George said.

"One percent of the population owns 40 percent of the wealth. No other country in the industrialized world comes close to that. That doesn't happen by circumstance. People know they aren't getting fair treatment. Americans are fair-minded people and people don't like it," he said.

Car horns blared, one after the other, as they passed by.

"We've been getting a lot of beeping. Even the police driving by have been giving us the thumbs up," George said.

Barbara Weinstein and Vikki Velkoff said the protest was a way to connect with other people and to give voice to the difficulties people are facing.

"It's really important for people who felt isolated in the face of all the miserable stuff going on to come together," Weinstein said.

Velkoff, an early-phase drug-development researcher, was laid off in December along with hundreds of others when Roche in Palo Alto closed its facility. She will start a new job next week, she said.

"It's good to know there are others thinking along the same lines," she said.

Inside the Bank of America a security guard peered through the glass and scowled. Workers glanced nervously toward the protesters. A bank spokesperson could not be immediately reached.

George said the protests will continue in Palo Alto, and he knows of others who are organizing through the Internet and through groups such as MoveOn.org.

"The Occupy Wall Street movement is a truly grass-roots, a truly spontaneous movement. I have no doubt this will keep going in every little town and burg. It goes back to the sense that wealthy corporations and Wall Street are being treated differently from the rest of us," he said.