OCCUPY WALL STREET

[atomiczombie]

I looked and I didn't see a thread on this particular subject, so I decided to start one here. I want to have a place to specifically discuss the Occupy Wall Street movement, rallys, and how it is spreading across the nation.

Here is their newly voted on platform/declaration:

Official Statement from Occupy Wall Street - this statement was voted on and approved by the general assembly of protesters at Liberty Square: Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.

They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.

They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.

They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.

They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.

They have sold our privacy as a commodity.

They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.

They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.

They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.

They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.

They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.

They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.

They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.

They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.

They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.

They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.

They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.*

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!

I think this movement is tremendously important and it's existence is an inevitable outcome of decades of economic injustices perpetrated by the government, banks and corporations in the US and around the world.

What do you all think about the Occupy Wall Street movement and it's message?

[dykeumentary]

I am thrilled that this is happening!
I don't know a lot about what/how is happening, so I am going to support these actions until I have a compelling reason not to (and first-hand account from someone I trust).

[SoNotHer]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I looked and I didn't see a thread on this particular subject, so I decided to start one here...What do you all think about the Occupy Wall Street movement and it's message?

I posted this in another thread this weekend. I've watched it a couple times now, and I find it mesmerizing as I do the movement, as I have the movie V for Vendetta and the books 1984, Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies, among others. I think it's more than high time we took on the 'bloom' of greed. "Maybe freedom's just another word for no one left to screw."

Indeed.

[imperfect_cupcake]

much better than the rioting that was the reaction here.

I'm rally glad people are shouting and calling attention. I hate the media barely covers it. I've seen nothing about it except on FB and it's a massive movement.

Thanks for posting!!

[Dominique]

I also was thrilled when I saw this happening over the week end. I was tempted to drive to New York and get involved. THIS is ssomething I feel very strongly about.

My wishing upon a star has been answered. There is a TOWN meeting scheduled for Saturday to inform willing participants of the mission and what to expect. I also checked, a permit has been applied for, and recieved, for a peaceful demonstration on the 15th, in the center of the business district. I WILL BE THERE!

[Cin]

Originally Posted by honeybarbara

I hate the media barely covers it. I've seen nothing about it except on FB and it's a massive movement.

Perhaps they shouldn't bother. Here is an article about CNN's show OutFront's coverage by Erin Burnett. Check out some of the clickable links in the article. The second link shows a clip of her interviewing some guy at Occupy Wall St. Another is an article by economist Dean Baker speaking to this new line of crap we are being fed about how the bailouts were actually good for us.

[T4Texas]

I see the Wall Street demonstrations as a good thing. It's time the people in this country stand up and say "we've had enough" from corporate America, and Government. Government was supposed to be by the people, for the people and it has become an institution fallen into the hands of a chosen few lawmakers who make the decisions deemed best for us without ever consulting their constituents. Politicians are out of touch with the average citizen just as corporations are out of touch with their employees. A good example is the recent news item about the congressman who was crying that he couldn't live on 400,000 a year.
They are too top heavy with salaries and bonuses for the upper echelon while making their profits on the backs of their workers who are always kept closer to the poverty line. Corporations expect your loyalty but are sadly lacking in returning it.Their attitude is, if you dont like it move on down the road and we will fill your place. Lawmakers and CEOs are so used to living the high life that they are reluctant to give it up and they honestly do not care about Joe Blow down the street. Im glad to see that there are people who believe this is wrong and are willing to go out into the street to say so.
I support them fully.

[Silvy]

I am from the UK and I've never watched the news when reporting about demonstrations of US citizens against banks, hedge fonds, sharks and monsters. Thank you all for your courage and conviction to show us how we globally have to stand together, reaching out for more ethical values and moral consciousness in capitalism and business.

[dreadgeek]

Originally Posted by Silvy

I am from the UK and I've never watched the news when reporting about demonstrations of US citizens against banks, hedge fonds, sharks and monsters. Thank you all for your courage and conviction to show us how we globally have to stand together, reaching out for more ethical values and moral consciousness in capitalism and business.

Silvy:

Actually, I think it is we Americans who need to think the rest of you lot for showing US the way. Years ago (during the time of Bush the Younger) I was wondering what it was going to take for Americans to turn out into the streets. After the election of Obama I still watched with, well, envy isn't too strong a word as people poured into the streets in France, Greece, Spain and the UK over attempts to Americanize the social safety net (in other words to make it threadbare) and various 'austerity' programs including hiking tuition at universities. Each news story I wondered what it would take or if we, as a people were so disarmed as political body that no one in elected office even had to lose sleep at the thought of our wrath. I started to fear that so many Americans were either so dispirited or so distracted that there was pretty much nothing that could piss them off enough to make them pour into the streets.

So a hearty thank you to all of you on your side of the Pond and on the Continent for reminding Americans that nations only work if the people do more than sit back and watch reality TV.

Cheers
Aj

[EnderD_503]

I fully support any show of opposition to bankers (globally) who, for their own benefit, continue to bring misfortune to the average person (globally). I think it's great this is starting to get more press, the more press the better. Maybe people will start thinking instead of following the status quo.

Originally Posted by SoNotHer

I posted this in another thread this weekend. I've watched it a couple times now, and I find it mesmerizing as I do the movement, as I have the movie V for Vendetta and the books 1984, Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies, among others. I think it's more than high time we took on the 'bloom' of greed. "Maybe freedom's just another word for no one left to screw."

Indeed.

Not surprised that Anon are still in this. But I was disappointed with the lack of "We are Anonymous. We are Legion." ending.

o/ Anon

[Glenn]

Here in Chicago "the greedy pig crisis" is also picking up steam. There were only 100-200 people, but there were more positive reactions coming from evryday folks just passing through like bus and cab drivers, honking, and cheering. My favorite were the sanitation crew who were drumming and dancing on the back of their garbage trucks lol! "Truth may have a wretched existence, but lives longer than a lie."-Anon

[ruffryder]

The federal reserves has 1 billion $1 coins. I say we need to use them up! They have cost 300 million to make and they continue making them. The government is wasting money to make money and the taxpayers are paying for it.

"Some 2.4 billion dollar coins have been minted since the start of the program in 2007, costing taxpayers about $720 million. The government has made about $680 million in profit by selling some 1.4 billion dollar coins to the public since the program began."

More of this story can be seen here http://www.npr.org/2011/06/28/137394...t-nobody-wants

[kannon]

Originally Posted by SoNotHer

I posted this in another thread this weekend. I've watched it a couple times now, and I find it mesmerizing as I do the movement, as I have the movie V for Vendetta and the books 1984, Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies, among others. I think it's more than high time we took on the 'bloom' of greed. "Maybe freedom's just another word for no one left to screw."

Indeed.

fight club is another one. Although they get a little destructive and blowup all the financial institutions. Woops.

[SoNotHer]

When I went to bed, there were a couple comments in this thread.
By morning, it had multiplied and spread. I'm so charged that this is happening and people are beginning to question the concentration and abuse of power.

Fight Club is another one that offers some response to dehumanizing corporatization. The metaphors and allegories are there.

Originally Posted by kannon

fight club is another one. Although they get a little destructive and blowup all the financial institutions. Woops.

[SoNotHer]

"..where once you had the freedom to object...you now have systems of surveillance....if you're looking for the guilty, you only need look into the mirror."

Here is the petition asking Mayor Bloomber and the NYC police to allow protesters to peaceably assemble without fear of brutality and arrest:

https://act.credoaction.com/campaign/ows_2/

[AtLast]

Demonstrations are starting to crop up all over! Unions are getting involved. YES WE CAN!!

[Cin]

There's hope in the air. Finally. People are beginning to stand up together. Together is strength.

Here is an article about the American Dream Movement and Van Jones and his take on the Occupy Wall Street protests.

http://www.alternet.org/vision/15261...n_epic_battle/



If you are in NYC this might be something you don't want to miss.

OccupyWallStreet Union March From Foley Square on Wall Street

Posted Oct. 4, 2011, 8:36 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

On October 05, 2011, at 3:00 in the afternoon the residents of Liberty Square will gather to join their union brothers and sisters in solidarity and march. At 4:30 in the afternoon the 99% will march in solidarity with #occupywallstreet from Foley Square to the Financial District, where their pensions have disappeared to, where their health has disappeared to. Together we will protest this great injustice. We stand in solidarity with the honest workers of:

AFL-CIO (AFSCME)
United NY
Strong Economy for All Coalition
Working Families Party
TWU Local 100
SEIU 1199
CWA 1109
RWDSU
Communications Workers of America
CWA Local 1180
United Auto Workers
United Federation of Teachers
Professional Staff Congress - CUNY
National Nurses United
Writers Guild East

And:

VOCAL-NY
Community Voices Heard
Alliance for Quality Education
New York Communities for Change
Coalition for the Homeless
Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP)
The Job Party
NYC Coalition for Educational Justice
The Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center
The New Deal for New York Campaign
National People's Action
ALIGN
Human Services Council
Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State
Citizen Action of NY
MoveOn.org
Common Cause NY
New Bottom Line
350.org
Tenants & Neighbors
Democracy for NYC
Resource Generation
Tenants PAC
Teachers Unite

Together we will voice our belief that the American dream will live again, that the American way is to help one another succeed. Our voice, our values, will be heard.


Here is a list of past present and future #occupy cities.

OccupyTogether.org probably has a more updated list but the site seems to be down. At least I can't log on at the moment. So I took this list from a blog:

[http://october2011.org/blogs/kevin-z...ccupy-together


An article that some might find interesting.
http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/...o-the-streets/

[weatherboi]

It has organized here! We/we will be marching Saturday!

[weatherboi]

Laziness maybe, I don't know why I haven't done this sooner!!!My personal accounts will be taken care of asap but my business account will take a couple of weeks to organize.


Location: Occupy Wall Street

More Info: • Open an account with a Credit Union before 11/05
• Wire transfer your funds to the new account online on 11/05
• Follow your bank's procedures to close your account

To find a credit union near you:

http://www.ncua.gov/dataservices/findcu.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=281139538577206

[Dominique]

[QUOTE=weatherboi;431625]Laziness maybe, I don't know why I haven't done this sooner!!!My personal accounts will be taken care of asap but my business account will take a couple of weeks to organize.

I closed all my accounts with my bank jan. 2010 after 30 years with them. And you know, they never even asked me why.

I joined a credit union and they sent me a $2.00 bill and welcomed me to a different way to handle your money. Which prompted me to write a nasty gram to the banking institution I was with for 30 years for never asking WHY I left.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the credit union and the SHARED services.