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Showing posts tagged Occupy Wall Street
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#OccupyWallStreet rediscovers the radical imagination
Why are people occupying Wall Street? Why has the occupation—despite the latest police crackdown—sent out sparks across America, within days, inspiring hundreds of people to send pizzas, money, equipment and, now, to start their own movements called OccupyChicago, OccupyFlorida, in OccupyDenver or OccupyLA?
There are obvious reasons. We are watching the beginnings of the defiant self-assertion of a new generation of Americans, a generation who are looking forward to finishing their education with no jobs, no future, but still saddled with enormous and unforgivable debt. Most, I found, were of working-class or otherwise modest backgrounds, kids who did exactly what they were told they should: studied, got into college, and are now not just being punished for it, but humiliated – faced with a life of being treated as deadbeats, moral reprobates. — The Guardian
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The #OccupyWallStreet movement is neither Democratic nor Republican, it recognizes that both political parties are bankrolled by the wealthy and bow to their demands. It is a populist movement that seeks prosecution for those who lied before congress about the failure of the “too big to fail banks”, it calls for real reforms of Wall Street regulation, in particular the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall act. It calls for the revoking of “personhood” for corporations via Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad; it calls for oversight of the money which the American Taxpayer gave for bailouts. It calls for measures to curb the off-shore “tax-sheds” of corporations and the ultra-wealthy which do business in the United States of America, and a fair tax rate for the rich, in general. It joins with Unions, and all laborers in general, in order to ensure a fair wage for American workers, and unites with all those around the world who are sick of the rule of money and not the rule of law.
Democrats will try to use the Occupy Wall Street movement and manipulate it for their ends, but this movement is really just in protest of the failures of the Democratic party to represent the “left” within America. The Tea Party views government as the problem, the Occupy Wall Street recognizes the government as just a puppet of the wealthiest 1% and seeks to adjust the power order in the United States through non-violent, constitutionally legal, reform as is every true Democratic citizen’s duty.
99percenter via businessweek.com
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Roemer: The Occupy Wall Street candidate? (Politico)
“It’s disturbing. The Wall Street protest is unshaped, unfocused, but there’s a lot of power in it. We need the courage to go back to conservative principles — that is, the reward of hard work, the sense of fair play, the belief in individual strength rather than government solutions. To me, the Wall Street protests reflect all these sorts of things.” — Roemer
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…Clashes between the police and protestors flared on various streets in the Financial District.
At about 7:40 a.m., a man was seen being led away in handcuffs on Broadway. Moments later, a woman who said she was his girlfriend identified him as Michael Rivas.
Shortly afterward, at Maiden and Water streets, police officers were seen taking four people into custody, placing them into a police wagon. One of those men appeared have a gash on his forehead and blood running down his face.
At one point, it appeared that as officers tried to keep the crowd on the sidewalk, a bag of garbage, was hurled from the crowd and hit one officer in plain clothes. That prompted that officer and another to wade into the crowd and apprehend a man.
The crowds marched in roadways, accompanied or pursued by officers on foot or riding scooters.
Near the corner of Beaver Street and Broad Street, officers wearing helmets leaped from scooters, tackled a man to the ground and placed him in handcuffs. At the intersection of William and Wall Streets, officers stood behind metal barricades as protesters filled the street in front of them. Some protesters waved mops and brooms that had been used earlier to clean Zuccotti Park.
Near Broadway and Exchange place, officers drove scooters into a crowd of marchers.
A police spokesman said that officers had taken some people into custody on Friday morning, but said he could not immediately confirm the number of people taken into custody or describe the circumstances.
The New York Times, “Cleanup Of Zuccotti Park Is Postponed” (via inothernews)
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At 6:45 AM, the #OccupyWallStreet movement won a major victory – for now. This morning at Zuccotti Park, the feeling was electric.
It was incredible to see thousands of people gathered at Zuccotti Park at dawn. Thousands more made phone calls to Mayor Bloomberg in the last 24 hours. Because of the outpouring of support, the plans to evict Manhattan’s newest neighborhood were scrapped.
But they could come back any time. And as it gets colder outside, the protesters will need shelter. So far, they haven’t been allowed so much as a tent or a portable bathroom.
We’re calling on Mayor Bloomberg to pledge his support for the First Amendment rights of the protesters, and allow them to stay as long as they have a voice to be heard.
Click below to sign a petition to Mayor Bloomberg.
We’ll deliver the petitions to Mayor Bloomberg. The world is watching: please forward this message to friends and family all over the nation.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has forced America’s attention on to the real crises we’re facing. Persistent unemployment. The growing income divide. Corporate influence on government. The financialization of everything. The movement’s growth and persistence is a testament to how big these problems have become.
It was only a week ago when Mayor Bloomberg announced he’d allow the protesters to stay as long as they wanted. We’re calling on Mayor Bloomberg to make good on his word, even if that means setting up tents or shelters.
The Mayor needs to stand up and defend the occupiers’ First Amendment rights, even if he doesn’t agree with their message. That’s the job.
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#OccupyWallStreet
V FOR VOCIFEROUS An Occupy Wall Street protestor flashes a peace sign as she is shoved by NYPD officers during a march on Times Square in New York City October 15. The NYPD made at least 74 arrests; demonstrators would later move south to Washington Square Park. (Photo: James Keivom / Daily News)
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Dear Reader,
Albany County DA David Soares is standing up for the First Amendment.
Thank him for doing the right thing.
Across the country, mayors and police departments have started cracking down on Occupy protests.
In Atlanta, the mayor revoked an executive order allowing the protesters to stay on Tuesday afternoon. Just after midnight, police swept Woodruff Park, arresting the 50 peaceful protesters who stayed behind. [1] The same day, Occupy Orlando was kicked out of their park behind the Chamber of Commerce building. [2]
In Oakland, California, the situation was much worse: police raided and cleared the camp at Ogawa Plaza, arresting 75 people. They used tear gas, concussion grenades and batons to attack the peaceful crowd that came out to show solidarity that night. [3] One protester, a veteran who served two tours in Iraq, was struck in the head by a tear gas cannister, leaving him in critical condition.
But that’s not what happened in Albany. Over the weekend, as Albany’s Mayor was considering whether protestors should be cleared from their encampment, Albany County District Attorney David Soares announced he would not prosecute anyone arrested for nuisance violations while exercising their First Amendment rights at Occupy Albany.
Take a moment to consider the respect that this elected official is showing for the First Amendment. He could have said nothing. By speaking up, he helped make it easier for the Mayor and Police Chief to make their decision as well — to allow the Occupiers to “freely assemble.”
Sign this petition to thank David Soares for standing firm for First Amendment rights of the citizens of Albany, New York and America.
The Working Families Party supported David Soares in his ground-breaking initial campaign for office in 2004, and we’re prouder than ever to have done so. The First Amendment trumps curfews and administrative regulations. As long as people have grievances, they should be able to non-violently voice them.
The 99% is rising up. Since 1979, the only segment of society to have its share of national income increase is the top 1% [4]. It’s about time everyone else had a share of society’s wealth and a fair shot at economic security. Demonstrators gathering across the country are saying the same thing: our economy is out of whack, and “trickle down” is a fraud. We need shared sacrifice, and shared prosperity.
David Soares could have earned a “tough on crime” merit badge for his re-election campaign by convicting hundreds of protesters of trespassing. But instead, he chose the high road. He let them have their voice. As Keith Olbermann said, he “made news by not making news.” [5]
It was the right decision. Sign this petition to thank him for his support of the First Amendment.
Too much of the media attention has focused on protesters a police, but that’s not what this movement is about.
It’s about two serious questions: why were the banks and financial corporations allowed to gamble and lose and then be repaid by taxpayers, and what are we going to do to create a society that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Take a moment to thank David Soares for doing the right thing and letting Occupy Albany exercise their First Amendment rights:
http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4954
Thank you for your tireless advocacy,
Dan Cantor
Executive Director, WFPKaren Scharff
WFP Co-Chair, Citizen Action of New YorkPS - The WFP relies on donors like you to help us keep fighting for economic justice, the First Amendment and elected officials like David Soares. Can you chip in $15?
SOURCES:
1. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-20125634/occupy-atlanta-camp-cleared-dozens-arrested/
2. http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/october/333944/Occupy-Orlando-protesters-kicked-out-of-park-overnight
3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/25/occupy-oakland-raided-by-police_n_1030603.html http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_19188125
4. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/charts-of-the-day-whered-all-the-income-growth-go-to-the-1-percent.php
5. http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2011/10/25/olbermann-thanks-albany-da-for-making-news-by-not-making-news/Why Albany isn’t Oakland
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The 99% speaking up! Occupy Wall Street!
I am 25 years old. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2008. I moved into my sister and brother-in-law’s 1 BR apartment in NYC to look for work. After 1 year of job searching I only landed temp/freelance jobs or unpaid internships. I applied everywhere including Rite Aid, restaurants, McDonalds, etc. I had to go on food stamps to be able to eat. I am over 20k in student loan debt, and don’t have the option of moving in with my parents. My sister kicked me out because she was no longer able to support me and was afraid the landlord might evict her if he found out I was living there. I moved in with my boyfriend and we barely made ends meet in 2009. It took him one year to find a good job (paid time off and benefits) with a Master’s degree. Despite all this I know I am one of the lucky ones.
I worked 2009-2010 a total of 3 jobs, none of which paid well or gave me benefits, and I didn’t need a degree to work there. I was laid off from all of them because they could no longer afford to pay me. In 2011 I have had some freelance work, but not enough to support myself. If it wasn’t for unemployment I’d be unable to pay my bills. My unemployment runs out at the end of this year.
I never had health insurance and am deathly afraid of getting sick. I have never owned a car because I can’t afford it. I don’t have credit cards because I know they will put me in more debt.
I’m terrified of what will happen to me if I don’t land a job by 2012.
Yet I’m happy to know I’m not alone.
I am the 99%.
occupywallst.org -
Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs
Greg Smith is resigning today as a Goldman Sachs executive director and head of the firm’s United States equity derivatives business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. — Read why @NY Times
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Now on view at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica is a three person show featuring...
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Laughing in Mongolia
