I was tempted to say that the national "occupy" protests have reached their first crossroads, but I don't think that is accurate. Getting started and maintaining all this time has more than likely had a number of crossroads already. But I see several looming. And, it isn't that the movement can't make it through these junctions intact, but it definitely has some risks.

One of the crossroads that is currently being encountered, at least in some places, is that the "authorities" are going to start trying to clear them out of the ground that they are "occupying" based on this or that local statute. Apparently something along those lines happened in Boston in the last day or so. I would guess that if this makes the protesters "go away" that we will see other mayors take the cue. I am sure that the protesters are aware of this. I get the feeling that they aren't going to go away so easily. Nevertheless, it isn't going to be easy to stay.

Another crossroads that they are facing, is that, the more that the movement grows, the more difficult it is to control all the actions and messages of folks who are attracted to the spectacle of the ever growing crowds. I have seen this before on a smaller scale, but here it seems to be becoming a national movement, and actions and messages purportedly in conjunction with and in support of the movement are going to be coming in from every direction with increasing frequency - and some of those may be misguided or for the purpose of sabotage.

These are difficult moments in the progress of a movement, and it will be a challenge to the folks who initiated the protests and are trying to guide it's growth. Hopefully the folks leading have the vision, the compassion, the courage, and persistence to keep it up and keep it focused. They have begun something that has the potential to be a real catalyst for change, but it also could fade away like it never happened, just another segment of the "15 minutes of fame" show. That would be a shame, although those involved in the organizing of this can feel proud for what they have accomplished even if it went no further.

But the system overreacting to the protests and appearing to want to shut them up stands a good chance of backfiring and creating sympathy and more support. But it is important that the protests not turn violent, be creative in a positive way that captures the public's and the presses' imagination, and casts those trying to silence them as heavy handed and oppressive - some of the very things to which the protesters are trying to bring attention; So while there are crossroads and challenges ahead, there are also opportunities. Good luck to getting it right, and to being able to handle things when they go wrong.