'A Line in the Park' -- An Occupy Invite and Plea to Hopeful NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio

Well, the tide is flowing in your favor, Bill. Willy Thompson has conceded, and only one lonely Republican stands between you and Gracie Mansion. And, such press coverage!

News articles describe your candidacy as "reflecting the new New York," or less flatteringly as an attempt to leverage the credentials of an elected office whose basic function is to "call press conferences and denounce things."

The Nation magazine effusively endorses your candidacy as "an opportunity for New Yorkers to reimagine their city in boldly progressive ways."

There are thrilling, progressive threads running through these accounts and voiced in your own words: you are not going to add to the legacy of your predecessor, Michael Bloomberg. You will tax the rich. You will not allow uncalled-for "stop and frisk." You will not close hospitals needlessly. You will enable affordable housing, and ensure universal pre-kindergarten. The unions will finally have a friend in City Hall.

But, what about Occupy Wall Street?

Remember Occupy and its takeover of Zuccotti Park almost two years ago? Remember how Bloomberg and his police handled (and are still handling) these protestors? Do you remember showing up there, and what you said then?

The Wall Street Journal does.

Your losing opponent, Ms. Quinn, said that she would have been less "adversarial." Your likely Republican opponent, Mr. Lhota, said he would act more quickly "now that we know what can be done." (More pepper spray? More "kettling." More arrests?)

In that same piece, you were derided for castigating Bloomberg (back to the art of denouncing things) for his heavy handed approach and proclaiming your desire to "work to build spaces where OWS and government officials could communicate and discuss ways to address their demands."

That statement will be tested.

On Tuesday morning, September 17, Occupy will once again attempt to peacefully assemble in Zuccotti Park as part of a packed, day-long celebration of its second birthday.

On Tuesday morning, September 17, the police -- soon to be your police -- will be amassed, armed, and with pepper spray and kettling devices at the ready.

What happens this day will be either Bloomberg's final display of force, or your first demonstration of progressive rule.

Will we see you at the Park on Tuesday, Mr. De Blasio? And, on which side of the barricades?

Where will you draw that line in the Park?