Occupied Washington Post Number 1

8/3/2019 Occupied Washington Post Number 1

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an AoOpato

A large majority o the American people consistently

support the ollowing agenda: Taxtherichandcorporations Endthewars,bringthetroopshome,cutmilitary

spending Protectthesocialsafetynet,strengthenSocialSecurity

and provide improved Medicare or all Endcorporatewelfareforoilcompaniesandotherbigbusinessinterests

Transitiontoacleanenergyeconomy,reverseenviron-mental degradation

Protectworkerrightsincludingcollectivebargaining,createjobsandraisewages

Getmoneyoutofpoliticsegovernment,dominatedbyeliteeconomicinterests,

is going in the opposite direction rom what the peoplewant. We eel that the people could rule their own destinybetter,morekindly,moreecientlyandcertainlymoresustainablythanthecorporateelitewhonowhoardthewealth and power.ebroadagendaforStoptheMachine:CreateaNew

World is to end corporatism and militarism and shitpower to the people.

TAx The rich ANd cOrPOrATiONs

How government unds itsel adequately to meet theneedsofthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesisoneofthekeybudgetquestionsnotbeingadequatelyaddressedinWashington.Americansknowtherearehugedisparitiesofwealthbetweensmallnumbersofextremelywealthy

Americans and the rest o usthe 99 percent

eU.S.peoplesupport taxingwealthyAmorethantheyarecurrentlytaxedbutinadthiswemustendwars,overseasoccupationsandgas-basedsourcesofenergy,allhugeprofortheelite.Allthesesourcesofcorporatepcontinuously devastated the environment o oTis must stop.

eNd The WArs, BriNg The TrOOPs hOmcuT miliTAry sPeNdiNg

Military spending is one o the most propareasofpolicyintheUnitedStates.SomemNBC(alongwithMSNBCandrelatedoutlets)byamajormilitarycontractor,GeneralElecthasredseveralonairpersonalities,likePhilbecausetheywerecriticalofwar.ePentagonsive multi-hundred-million-dollar military pbudgetthatgetsinformationintothemediaagreatdealtocontrolmediacoveragebyhavimilitaryocersas theprimary commentatair. Rarely is opposition to war included in tBeforeeverywarthereisamassivepropagandsupportthewareortresultinginaspikeofwfollowedsixmonthsorsolaterwithdisenchanopposition to war.

Americans almost never hear discussed the reality that we are the largest empire in toryyes,weareamassiveempire,butit

A MoveMenttoo Bigto FAilBy Chris Hedges

There is no danger that the protesters who have oc-cupiedsquares,parksandplazasacrossthenationindeanceofthecorporatestatewillbeco-optedby

theDemocraticPartyorgroupslikeMoveOn.efauxliberalreformers,whoseabjectfailuretostandupfortherightsofthepoorandtheworkingclass,havesignedontothismovementbecausetheyfearbecomingirrelevant.Unionleaders,whopulldownsalariesvetimesthatoftherankandleastheybargainawayrightsandbenets,knowthefoundationsareshaking.SodoDemocraticpoliticiansfromBarackObamatoNancyPelosi.Sodothearrayofliberalgroupsandinstitutions,includingthepress,thathaveworkedtofunneldiscontentedvot-ersbackintotheswampofelectoralpoliticsandmockedthose who cal led or proound structural reorm.Resistance,realresistance,tothecorporatestatewas

displayedwhenacoupleofthousandprotesters,clutch -ingmopsandbrooms,earlyFridaymorningforcedthe

Nb 1 Nob 2011 OpWantondc.o Occupied

We sTANd WiTh The mAjOriTy:han N, Not copoat g

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t occupd Was2 November 2011

T dc Opatstan n soaB t etoa Boa ofT Op Wanton TT Op Wanton Pot

TherearetwooccupatiWashington,D.C.Weghtsame vision o a nation that prthe general welare o its peopout regard oror undue inromtheir access to wealth.cupied Washington imes,cretheoccupiersofMcPhersonand Te Occupied WashingtocreatedbytheoccupiersofFrPlaza,buildoursolidarityknowledgethatwesharetheo the majority o American NearlyfourinveAmerica

port passage o a constitutionalment to overturn theCitizens UFederal Election CommissionSCourtdecision,accordingto

vey rom Hart Research AssCitizens Unitedallowed corporaspend unlimited amounts o madvertiseinelections,greatlying their power to choose poand create the policies they

A 60 Minutes/Vanity Fashowed that a large majority oicanschoosetaxingtherichpreferredwaytoaddresstheYet most politicians have neto seriously consider this appEightypercentofAmerica

pose the Citizens United v. Election Commission Supremdecision,accordingtoaNews/Washington Postpoll. CUnitedallowed corporations tunlimited amounts o monevertiseinelections,greatlyeing their power to choose poland create the policies theyEighty-eightpercentofAm

supportedbanningbankbortaxingthemat50percecordingtoaBloombergpoafterthetaxpayer-fundedb

Yet these proposals werediscussedbyourelectedreprtives. And once again this eseason,thetwomajorparty

dentialcandidates,aswellmostinuentiallegislators,courtingthenancialsectoro millions o dollars in don

We the 99 percent dedemocracy that listens mwealththantopublicopunethical,illegitimateandestructive. We demand ttheAmericanpeoplebeheathebenefitofthe100p

B Kn Z

IthasbeenawhirlwindsincetheoccupationofFreedomPlazabeganOct.6.Wevehadralliesandprotests,closeddownbanksandtheChamberofCommerce,protestedintheHouse,Sen-

ateandattheWhiteHouse.Wevehadspeakersfromaroundtheworld,includingsomeoftheEgyptianrevolutionaries.esup-portfromtheDCcommunityhasbeenincrediblerestaurants,churches,unionsandindividualshavebroughtusfoodandwarmclothing.eOccupymovementhasstruckachordwithAmeri-cans ed up with the unairness o the economy and endless wars.eoccupationbeganwithanunpermitted2,000-person

marchfromthePlazatotheWhiteHouseandChamberofCommerce.WeshutthechamberdownwithajobsprotestandthenwentontoKStreet,thecenterofspecialinterestlobbyists,andtookthestreetsatrushhour.enextdaybeganwitharallyandprotestatGeneralAtomics,

themakerofdrones,followedbyahugeantiwarmarchandrallytothenewmemorialtoMartinLutherKing,Jr.AsecondprotestagainstdroneswasheldattheSmithsonians

AirandSpaceMuseum,wheretheprivatesecuritypepper-sprayedpeaceul protesters. We later discovered that there was an agentprovocateurwhoconfessedthatheinltratedOctober2011withintention o disrupting our protests.WecontinuedtoprotestthewarswhenthesecretaryofDe-fenseandchairmanoftheJointChiefsofStatestiedbeforetheHouseArmedServicesCommittee.isresultedinsevenpeoplebeingarrested.FreedomPlazawasorganizedtoendmilitarismandcorporat-

ismthesourceofourcurrentwars.AprotestintheHartSenateOceBuildingonOctober11focusedonbothoftheseissues.Peoplewereagainarrestedasweforcedatemporaryshutdown

ofalltheocesinthebuilding.WallStreet(nottheoccupation)gaveusagiftwhenitheld(canyoubelieve?)aWallStreetComestoWashingtonHealthcareconference.efocusoftheconferencewashowbusinessinterestscouldprotmorefromhealthcare.Dr.MargaretFlowerscon-frontedtheWallStreetinvestorsattheirownconference.WhileDr.Flowerswasinside,50otherspicketedoutside,focusingonhowWallStreetgreedkillsthoseinneed.AdaraScarlettdescribedhowher54-year-oldfatherkilledhimselfinordertopreventhisfamilyfromhavingmassivehealthcarebills.OccupyWashingtonDChasfocusedalotofattentiononthe

U.S.ChamberofCommerce.Aftershuttingitdowntherst

day,webroughtourmessageback18dayslaterwhenweforcedthechambertolockitsdoorsagainovertheissueofforeclosures.echamberactuallyurgesmoreforeclosures.Amajorfocusisthebankingsystemthetoo-big-to-failbanksthatU.S.taxpayershard-earneddollarssavedfrombankruptcy.OnOct.15wesuccessfullyshutdownaBankofAmerica.eprotest,inconjunctionwiththeotherDCoccupationonKStreet,waspartofanInternationalDayofActionfromTahrirSquaretoTimesSquareinmorethan1,500citiesworldwide.TwoCitibankswerealsoshutdown.WefocusedonCitibank

becauseithasnotpaidtaxesinfouryears,hidingmoneyo-shorewhilebeingthelargestrecipientofTARPbailoutfunding.ecompanysexecutivesearnastronomicalsalarieswhiletellersearn$12.65anhour.Citibankjustannouncedanotherquarterofhighprots,whilecontinuingtoforecloseonhomesandholdbackloanstosmallbusinesses.

HowlongwillFreedomPlazabeoccupied?WhiletheNationalParkServicehasgivenusafour-monthpermit,thispermitdoesnotallowustooccupyFreedomPlaza.Weareforbiddentocamporsleepontheplaza,norareweallowedtocookorreceivepreparedfoodallofwhichwearedoing.eParkPolicehavewarnedusthatwecouldberemovedforoccupyingFreedomPlaza.eysaytheyaregettingpressurefromtheadministra -tiontoenforcetherulesagainstcamping.WearepreparingtodefendFreedomPlazaincaseofaremovalattemptinthecomingweeks.\Muchofthisandmorecanbeseenatoctober2011.org.

T Wk Opn Fo PazaPhoto by EllEn DaviDson

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t occupd Was Ps November 2

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OnWednesday,Oct.26,representativesfromfaith-basedcommunitiesthroughoutthegreaterWash-ington,D.C.,areametwithrepresentativesfromthe

Occupymovementtoshowsolidarity,establishclearlinesofcommunication,andcreateanactivesupportnetworkwiththeOccupymovementinWashington.Onbothanationalandlocallevel,faithleadersand

membersoffaith-basedcommunitieshavebecomeincreasingly aware the call or their support and directinvolvementwiththeOccupymovement.Furthermore,manyfaith-basedcharities,community

outreachprograms,andsocialserviceshavewitnessedrsthandthegrowingdemandofthose inneedofas-sistance as the economy has worsened.

Tese actors have created a sense o urgency withinfaith-basedcommunitiestomorecloselyalignthemselveswiththeOccupymovement,as itcallsforeconomic,political and social justice.DuringtheOct.26meeting,representativesfromthe

Occupymovementreinforcedtheheightenedawarenessamongthefaith-basedattendeesthataswinterapproachesthoseoccupyingWashington,D.C.,neededasignicantincreaseinlocalon-siteparticipationwithteach-ins,spe-cialevents,protestactions,andoutreacheorts.eyalsodiscussedthegrowingneedformaterialsupport(food,supplies,equipment,etc.)tohelpsustaintheoccupationthrough the winter.Representativesfromfaith-basedcommunitiesarmed

that they could play a vital role in strengthening andexpandingthereachoftheoccupationmovementinthe

capitalinanumberofimportantways,including:1) FaithbasecommunitiesorganizingamongthemselvestoincreasethematerialresourcesavailabletotheOccupymovementthushelpingsustainitthroughthe challenging winter months ahead

2) Faithbasedcommunitiescontributingtheirhonedabilities,knowledge,and experiencetoeectivelyproject compelling narratives that reinorce thecentralthemes(compassion,accountability,justice)oftheOccupymovementtotheirmembersandthecommunity at large.

3) Faith-basedvoicessupportingtheOccupymovementstanding in direct contrast to many right-wing politi-cal and religious voices that have ostered a punitiveandreactionaryresponsetothosenegativelyaected

bythecurrentU.S.economicsituation4) Faith-basedcommunitieseducating,promotingandencouragingthedirectinvolvementoftheirmemberswiththeOccupymovementinavarietyofways.

5) Faith-basedcommunitiesoeringtheirknowledgeandcapacitytoarmthemorale,fortitude,visionandspiritualsensibilitiesofthosewhodesirethistypeo support

Afterlayingoutthesepossibilities,theparticipantsthenbrokeintofourworkinggroupstofurtherclarifytheseareasofcontribution,andtobegintheprocessoftakingresponsibilityforfollow-upactions.eworkinggroups

werematerialsupport,spiritualsupport,communication

eorts,andon-siteparticipation.Eachgroupdevelopedanumberofinitiativestocontributetotheoverallsupporto the movement.

WOrKiNg grOuPs iNiTiATivesmata sppot Wokn gop

Spearheadeortstoorganizefaith-basedcommunitiestoprovidemeals,donatedequipment,andsuppliestoOccupysites

Developacadreofpeopletodosupplyrunsandlaundryservices or occupiers

SpearheadeortstoengageplacesofworshiplocatedclosetoOccupysitestoinitiateorexpandtheuseoftheir acilities or occupiers

spta sppot Wokn gop

SponsorlisteningcircleswhereOccupyparticipantswho are conronting personal challenges and moraleissuescanbeheardandsupportedbycounselorsandriends.

Createregularinterfaithprogrammingforparticipantswho desire spiritual and religious interaction.

conaton effot Wokn gop

CreateaninterfaithspeakersbureauforOccupyrepre-sentatives and interaith supporters to educate and elicitsupportfromlocalfaith-basedcommunities.

Createanddistributealetterofsupportamongfaith-basedinstitutionstobepublishedinlocalprintmedia.

Assistinlocalpetitioneorttokeeptheoccupationopenandfreefromthreatofremovalbygovernment

ocials CreateanOccupyfaith&spiritualitywebsite/blogtopromote,educateandlinklocalOccupymovementtolocalfaith-basedcommunities.

On-st Patpaton Wokn gop

Promoteadonate-a-daywheremembersoflocalcongregationsorganizetotakeadaytoparticipateinOccupymeetings,events,andactions.

Promoteaninterfaithrapidresponsepledgethatcom-mitslocalfaith-basedinstitutionsandorganizationsmemberstoquicklyassembleatOccupysitesshouldsitesbethreatenedwitheviction.

Activelyencouragemembersoffaith-basedcommuni-tiestoparticipateatoccupationsitesbypromoting

within these communities.osewhoattendedwereexcitedandoptimisticbytheenergyandinitiativespresentedtosupporttheOccupymovement in a meaningul way.

The FuTure

Plansarecurrentlyunderwaytoexpandthemember -shipofthiseort,implementitsinitiativesandactivelypromoteitspresenceamongfaith-basedcommunitiesthroughout the region.Summary:AtthispointintheOccupymovements

short history it has managed to garner the sympathy and

moralsupportofalargesegmentoftheU.S.pNowthebiggestchallengeistoconvertasportion o this passive support into active and port.Suchanincreaseinsupportwillhelptheachieve critical mass within the nation. Te combyfaith-basedcommunitiesinWashington,D.portthelocalsitesoftheOccupymovementanother doorway that connects people to the mFormoreinformation,contactJamesLee,(4

8365,[email protected],orReMartin,[email protected]

James Lee is a member o the Network oProgressives-Washington, D.C.

Nw yok cop df Oto At hn ofOp Aban PottBy Adrw Js

Governor Andrew 1% Cuomo cant cbreakafter being protested by OccupStreet last week, this week his own policis refusing to arrest protesters in his bac

Occupy Albany protesters in New capital city received an unexpected ally oweek: The state and local authorities.

According to the Albany Times Union, Nestate troopers and Albany police did not ada curfew crackdown on protesters urged Cuomo (D) and Albany Mayor Gerald Jenn

Mass arrests seemed to be in the cardJennings directed ofcers to enforce the on roughly 700 protesters occupying thowned park. But as state police joined thcops, protesters moved past the propedividing city and state land.

With protesters acting peacefully, locstate police agreed that low-level arrestcause a riot, so they decided instead tCuomo and Jennings.

We dont have those resources, and

people were not causing trouble, a state said. The bottom line is the police know pnot the governor and not the mayor.

Occupy Albany, an offshoot of OccupStreet, has seen its protesters remain amitted as those located at the New York least 30 tents have remained in the parthe weekend.

Andrew Jones is a staff writer/repfor Raw Story. You can follow him onter @sluggahjells.

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ownersofZuccottiParkandtheNewYorkCitypolicetobackdownfromaproposedattempttoexpeltheminordertocleanthe premises. Tese protesters in that oneglorious moment did what the traditionalliberalestablishmenthassteadilyrefused

todoghtback.Anditwasdeeplymov-ing to watch the corporate rats scamperbacktotheirholesonWallStreet.Itlenta whole new meaning to the phrase toobigtofail.Tinkeringwiththecorporatestate

willnotwork.Wewilleitherbeplungedinto neo-eudalism and environmentalcatastrophe or we will wrest power romcorporatehands.isradicalmessage,onethat demands a reversal o the corporatecoup,isonethepowerelite,includingtheliberalclass,isdesperatelytryingtothwart.Buttheliberalclasshasnocredibilityleft.Itcollaboratedwithcorporatelobbyists

to neglect the rights o tens o millions oAmericans,aswellastheinnocentsinourimperialwars.ebestthatliberalscando is sheepishly pretend this is what theywantedallalong.GroupssuchasMoveOnandorganizedlaborwillndthemselveswithout a constituency unless they at leastpaylipservicetotheprotests.eTeam-stersarrivalFridaymorningtohelpdefendtheparksignaledaninfusionofthisnewradicalismintomoribundunionsratherthan a co-opting o the protest movementbythetraditionalliberalestablishment.eunionbosses,inshort,hadnochoice.[DanielOliverio]photo:DanielOliverioeOccupyWallStreetmovement,like

allradicalmovements,hasobliteratedthenarrow political parameters. It proposessomethingnew.Itwillnotmakeconces-sions with corrupt systems o corporatepower. It holds ast to moral imperativesregardless o the cost. It conronts author-ityoutofasenseofresponsibility.Itisnot

interested in ormal positions o power. Itisnotseekingoce.Itisnottryingtogetpeopletovote.Ithasnoresources.Itcantcarry suitcases o money to congressionalocesorrunmillionsofdollarsofadver-tisements.Allitcandoisaskustouseourbodiesandvoices,oftenatpersonalrisk,to

ghtback.Ithasnootherwayofdefyingthecorporatestate.isrebellioncreatesa real community instead o a managedorvirtualone.Itarmsourdignity.Itpermitsustobecomefreeandindependenthumanbeings.

Martin Luther King was repeatedlybetrayedbyliberalsupporters,especiallywhenhebegantochallengeeconomicformsofdiscrimination,whichdemandedthatliberals,ratherthansimplywhiteSouthernracists,begintomakesacrices.King too was a radical. He would not com-promiseonnonviolence,racismorjustice.He understood that movementssuch as

theLibertyParty,whichfoughtslavery,thesuragists,whofoughtforwomensrights,thelabormovementandthecivilrightsmovementhavealwaysbeenthetrue correctives in American democracy.Noneofthosemovementsachievedformalpoliticalpower.Butbyholdingfasttomoral imperatives they made the powerulfearthem.Kingknewthatracialequalitywasimpossiblewithouteconomicjusticeand an end to militarism. And he had nointention o ceding to the demands otheliberalestablishmentthatcalledonhimtobecalmandpatience.Foryears,IlaboredwiththeideaofreformingtheexistinginstitutionsintheSouth,alittle

changehere,alittlechangethere,Kingsaidshortlybeforehewasassassinated.NowIfeelquitedierently.Ithinkyouvegot to have a reconstruction o the entiresystem,arevolutionofvalues.Kingwaskilledin1968whenhewasin

Memphistosupporta strikebysanitation

workers.Bythenhehadbeguntosaythathisdream,theonethatthecorporatestatehas rozen into a ew sae clichs rom his1963speechinWashington,hadturnedintoa nightmare. King called at the end o hislifeformassivefederalfundstorebuildinnercities,whathecalledaradicalredistributionofeconomicandpoliticalpower,acompleterestructuring o the architecture o Ameri-cansociety.Hegraspedthattheinequitiesofcapitalismhadbecometheinstrumentby

which the poor would always remain poor.Callitdemocracy,orcallitdemocraticsocialism,Kingsaid,buttheremustbeabetterdistributionofwealthwithinthiscountryforallofGodschildren.OntheeveofKingsmurderhewaspreparingtoorganizeapoorpeoplesmarchonWash-ington,D.C.,designedtocausemajor,massivedislocations,anonviolentdemandbythepoor,includingthewhiteunderclass,or a system o economic equality. It wouldbe43yearsbeforehisvisionwasrealizedbyan eclectic group o protesters who gatheredbeforethegatesofWallStreet.ThetruthofAmericaisunderstood

only when you listen to voices in our im-poverishedruralenclaves,prisonsandtheurbanslums,whenyouhearthewordsofourunemployed,thosewhohavelosttheirhomesorcannotpaytheirmedicalbills,ourelderlyandourchildren,especiallythequarterofthenationschildrenwhodependonfoodstampstoeat,andallwhoare marginalized. Tere is more realityexpressedabouttheAmericanexperience

bythedebt-burdenedyoungmenandwomenprotestingintheparksthanbyallthe chatter o the well-paid pundits andexpertsthatpollutestheairwaves.Whatkindofnationisitthatspendsfarmoretokillenemycombatantsand Aghan and Iraqi civilians than it doestohelpitsowncitizenswholivebelowthepovertyline?Whatkindofnationisitthatpermitscorporationstoholdsickchildren hostage while their parents ran-ticallybankruptthemselvestosavetheirsonsanddaughters?Whatkindofnationisitthattossesitsmentallyillontourban

heatinggrates?Whatkindofnationisitthatabandonsitsunemployedwhileitlootsitstreasuryonbehalfofspeculators?Whatkindofnationisitthatignoresdueprocess to torture and assassinate its owncitizens?Whatkindofnationisitthatreuses to halt the destruction o the eco-systembythefossilfuelindustry,doomingourchildrenandourchildrenschildren?America,LangstonHugheswrote,

neverwasAmericatome.eblackvotemean[nothing],the

rapperNasintones.Whoyelect/SatanorSatan?Inthehingischanging,/WeaintgotnOrlistentohip-hopartistTa

Backinthe60s,therewasforblackpoliticians,andno

morethanweeverhadbeforcommunities are so much worspeoplediedforustovote,Imthathistory,butthesepoliticiaintouchwithpeopleatall.Polthetruthtome,itsanillusion.Hopeinthisageofbankrupt

comes with the return o the laclassconictandrebellion,langhasbeenpurgedfromthelexi

liberalclass,languagethatdenemovement. Tis does not meatoagreewithKarlMarx,whoviolence and whose worship oas a utopian mechanism led tformofenslavementoftheworbutwehavetolearnagaintothevocabularyMarxemployedtograsp,asMarxandAdamSthat corporations are not concethecommongood.eyexploiimpoverish,repress,killandlimoney. Tey throw poor amihomes,lettheuninsureddie,

lesswarstomakeprots,poisolutetheecosystem,slashsocialprograms,gutpubliceducationglobaleconomy,plundertheU.Sand crush all popular movemseekjusticeforworkingmenaneyworshipmoneyandpowasMarxknew,unfetteredcapirevolutionary orce that consumandgreaternumbersofhumanitnallyconsumesitself.edea

copoaton a not onn wt toon oo. T pot, pot, po

p, k an to ak on.

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theGulfofMexicoistheperfectmetaphoror the corporate state. It is part o thesamenightmareexperiencedinpostin-dustrialmilltownsofNewEnglandandtheabandonedsteelmillsofOhio.ItisanightmarethatIraqis,PakistanisandAfghans,livinginterrorandmourning

theirdead,enduredaily.WhattookplaceearlyFridaymorninginZuccottiParkwastherstsalvoinalong struggle or justice. It signaled a stepbackwardbythecorporatestateinthefaceo popular pressure. And it was carried outbyordinarymenandwomenwhosleepatnightonconcrete,getsoakedinrain-storms,eatdonatedfoodandhavenothingasweaponsbuttheirdignity,resilienceandcourage.Itisthey,andtheyalone,whoholdoutthepossibilityofsalvation.Andi we join them we might have a chance.

Chris Hedges, ormerly a New Yorkimes correspondent, writes a regular

column or ruthdig.com and is theauthor o many books, most recentlyEmpire o Illusion: Te End o Literacyand the riumph o Spectacle.

continued from previous page

What happens to a dream deferred?/Does it dry up/like a raisin in the sun?/Orfester like a sore/And then run?/Does itstink like rotten meat?/Or crust and sugar

over/like a syrupy sweet?/Maybe it justsags/like a heavy load./Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes

B la Pnkn

Thestrugglesforeconomic,political,andsocialjusticeofeverydayBlack,White,Brown,Red,andYellow

peopleshasbeen,andremains,along,arduous,andprotractedone.elegacyofBlackAmericainthisregardhasbeena particularly sterling one.

Te wealthy elite o this nation havealwayssoughttomask,co-opt,anddistortthe history o these ongoing struggles.

Sincethe veryinceptionof thisnation,color,gender,andclasshaveconsistentlybeenusedbytheaforementionedwealthyelitetodivide,stie,andburyrevolution-ary movements. Tis is nothing new.However,thewealthyelite(nowknown

asthecorporateelite)have,likemadscien -tists,consistentlytweakedtheirinsidiousdesigns against ordinary everyday people.eirobjectivetodivide,distort,stie,and

burygenuinepeoplesmovementsremainsprecisely the same.EvenastheUnitedStates,andhuman-

kindasawhole,haveenteredintothe21st

century,thecorporateeliteofthisnationhas dipped yet again into its hypocriticalandbloodybagoftrickstoneutralizethelegitimateyearningofBlackAmerica(andeverydaypeopleofallcolors)foreconomic,political,andsocialjusticenationallyandglobally.A newtrickwasneeded.eessenceofthattrickwasputforthbythecorporateeliteintheformofthearticulate,nominallyblack,defactoWallStreet-backedBarackObama.Itwasdecidedthatthemosteective

waytoneutralizeBlackAmericascultural,political,economic,andsocialstrugglewouldbetopresentuswiththeillusion

ofchange,butwithabsolutelynorealsystemicchangeatall.us,whilemanyeveryday people o all colors were euphori-callycelebratingandbamboozledbythisillusion,theclockwasinfactbeingturnedbackwardsbythecorporateelite,bywayoftheirarticulatetool,thecorporate-brandBarackObama.Underthecorporate,prot-drivenaus-

picesofBarackObama,joblessnessamong

everydayBlackpeopleinthisvirtually tripled. Te incarcerofBlackpeopleundertheOba(includingtheprivatizationo

hasmorethandoubled.eratpeople attending colleges and uhas,andcontinues,torapidlydwunconstitutionalso-calledPahasbeenextendedandenhanctheU.S.programofinternationpingandtortureknowneuphasextraordinaryrendition.OingovernmenthasbecomenullUniversal single payer health cabutadreamdeferred.JudicianowoverwhelminglyasickjokcourseU.S.warsabroad,andausterityathome,continueunaNoneofthesehorriblereali

come as a surprise in view othatObamaspastandpreseandchangerhetoricwas,andtobe,nothingmorethanacbrandsmokescreen.Insteadofchange,whatBlackAmerica(alleverydaypeopleinthisnatreceived,isthesmokeandmirofthecorporate/militaryssysand chain.WhatBarackObamaarrogatoaswhiningonthepartofpeoplewhoareinterriblepain,known,inanyseriousdemocracheldaccountabletoonesconstButofcourseObamasdefact

encyisthecorporatepharmacesurance,andbanking,etc.corpItistimeforeverydayBlackAto return to our proud legacy struggle.Wehavebeenbamboeconomically and politically pimenough.Enoughalready!Indeed,whatdoeshappent

deferred?etimehascomedayBlackAmericanstocollecresoundingly answer that quBarackObamaandhisDemocrpublicancorporateaccomplicesrememberthewordsofFrederlass:Powerconcedesnothing

demand.Itneverhasanditnevistimeforsystemicchange.Timlectively rejoin the developing inthisnationandaroundthewoup and organize as a part o this strugglewhilethereisyettime!Onward,then,mysistersand

Onward!BlackCommentator.com

Board Member, Larry Pinkneyeran o the Black Panther Part

InhisremarksinD.C.,Hedgeschal-lengedusallbysayingEitheryouarerebelora slave.Here aresomeexcerptsrom his speech:erearenoexcusesleft.Eitheryou

jointherevolttakingplaceonWallStreet

andinthenancialdistrictsofothercit-ies across the country or you stand onthewrongsideofhistory.Eitheryouob -struct,intheonlyformlefttous,whichisthroughcivildisobedience,theplunderingbythecriminalclassonWallStreetandac-celerated destruction o the ecosystem thatsustainsthehumanspecies,orbecomethepassiveenablerofamonstrousevil.Eitheryoutaste,feelandsmelltheintoxicationoffreedomandrevoltorsinkintothemiasmaofdespairandapathy.Eitheryouarearebeloraslave.ereisindeed,somethinghappening

here.Butwhatitis,isgettingclearer.

epeoplearerisinguptotakebackourcountry. We stand together in this newmovement.

Michael Orange is a member o localChapter 27 Veterans or Peace, VietnamVeterans Against the War, and the au-thor o Fire in the Hole: A Mortarmanin Vietnam. Cynthia is also a long-timepeace activist and author o Shock Waves:A Practical Guide to Living with a LovedOnes PSD.

Submitted or VetSpeak.org

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tomostAmericans.ismakespublicopinionhardtomeasure,butevenwiththisthemilitarybudgetisnotpopularwith Americans.

A majority o Americans preer cutting

military spending to reduce the ederaldecitratherthantakingmoneyfrompublicretirementandhealthprograms.

PrOTecT The sOciAl sAFeTy NeT,sTreNgTheN sOciAl securiTy ANd

PrOvide imPrOved medicAre FOr All

TheU.S.publicsupportsbylargemajorities over many yearsa single-payerhealthcaresystem,improvedMedicareforall.Despitethis,orperhapsbecauseofit,PresidentObamaandtheDemocraticPartyleadershipkeptsinglepayeroutofthe discussion o healthcare reorm. Tecorporatemedia,withthehelpofthe

wealth-fundedTeaParty,hasputoutthealse impression that the people trust themarkettohandlehealthcarewhentheopposite is true. Americans very muchsupport the social saety net that they dohaveSocialSecurity,Medicare,foodstamps and unemployment insurance.And,ifarealdebatewereallowed,withaccurate inormation on how social andeconomicsafetynetswork,whattheycostandhowtheybuildtheeconomy,therewouldverylikelybebroadsupportforamuch stronger social saety net.Physiciansalsoconsistentlyshowhigh

levels o support or a single-payer system.Amajority ofphysicians(86percent)

agreethatitistheresponsibilityofsociety,throughthegovernment,toensurethateveryone has access to good medical care.NewHampshirephysicians,including81percentofprimarycareclinicians,indi -catedtheywouldfavorasimpliedpayersysteminwhichpublicfunds,collectedthroughtaxes,wereusedtopaydirectlyforservicestomeetthebasichealthcareneedsofallcitizens.

eNd cOrPOrATe WelFAre FOrOil cOmPANies ANd OTherBig BusiNess iNTeresTs

Eventhoughitisnotoftendiscussedin

thecorporatemedia,Americansarewellaware o corporate welare or crony capital-ism,i.e.taxbreaksandgiveawaystowell-connectedbusinessintereststhatdonatetopoliticalcampaigns.epublicgetsparticularlyangryaboutcorporatewel-farewhentheyseecorporationsprotingandtakingtaxpayerdollars.ecurrentocus in this regard is on the oil industry.An overwhelming majority o Americanssupporteliminatingtaxcreditsfortheoiland gas industries.

Anotherareawherethepublichasrecentlyshown opposition to corporate welare is thenuclear industry. Tis is an industry thatONLYexistsbecausethefederalgovern-ment will underwrite loans to it and provideinsuranceforit.Privateinvestorswillnotinvestinnuclearthemostexpensiveen-ergysource,veryslowtocomeonlineandonewhichhasenormousriskswithoutthefederalgovernmentbeinginvolved.

PrOTecT WOrKer righTs iNcludiNgcOllecTive BArgAiNiNg, creATe jOBsANd rAise WAges

Duringtherecentdebtceilingdebatebyaratioofmorethantwotoone,Americanssaidthatcreatingjobsshouldbeahigherpriority than spending cuts.ADecember2009BloombergpollshowedAmericansfavoredjobcreationasatoppriority.Two-thirdsofAmericanssurveyedbackedadditionalspendingoninfrastructureandsixof10supportmorespending on alternative energy to stimulatejobgrowth.Ataxcreditforbusinessesthathirenewworkersalsogainsbackingfrom

sevenof10Americans.eNationalEmploymentLawProjectpublicopinionndingsshowthatraisingtheminimumwagehassignicantbiparti -sansupportacrossthecountry.Pollsshowthateveninthecurrenteconomy,voterssupportraisingtheminimumwagebyathree-to-onemargin.Mostpeoplebelieveraising the minimum wage will help theeconomy rather than hurt it. A two-thirdsmajority avor increasing the minimum

wageto$10anhour.EvenamajorityofRepublicans51percentfavorthehigherminimum wage.isisnotnew,thepublichasconsis-

tently supported raising the minimumwage;aU.S.Department.ofLaborreportin1996states:eAmericanpublicsup-portsincreasingtheminimumwagebyasolidmargin.Nearlyeverysurveyndsoverwhelming support or raising theminimumwage.

TrANsiTiON TO A cleAN eNergy ecONOmy,reverse eNvirONmeNTAl degrAdATiON

eU.S.publichasrecognizedthatthe uture is clean energy. Tere is clearopposition to dependence on oreign oilwhich is the way the corporate interestsliketolimitthequestion.Americanswantto go urther and see the development oa new clean energy society. I the mediareported accurately on the potential toachieveacarbon-free/nuclear-freeenergyfuturetherewouldbeevengreatersupport,butalreadytherearelargemajoritieswhosupport this transition. I corporate welare

wereendedandtaxpayersupportforthenewenergyeconomytreatedtax payersasinvestorswhosharedintheprotsofthis new economy support would greatlyincreasebecausewealthcreatedbyallofuswouldbesharedbyallofus.FordecadesAmericanshaveexpressed

concernaboutenvironmentaldegradation,especiallyconcernaboutthequalityofourwater and air. An area o particular chal-lengeisclimatechange,wherethemedia

covertheissueasiftherewererinthescienticcommunity,whamongscientistswhoworkinrelatedeldsthereisvirtuallyAgain,thecorporatemediaseemmisleadingthepublic.Eveninthemidstofac

economyandrisingenergypPewResearchCenterfoundtasked:Rightnow,whichONfollowingdoyouthinkshouldb

importantpriorityforU.S.enekeepingenergypricesloworptheenvironment?amajoritprotectingtheenvironment,wlittlemorethanathirdfavoreenergy prices low.

geT mONey OuT OF POliT

AsPresidentObamacrissccountryseekingtoraiseabillionthemostexpensivere-electioncahistory,itisimportanttoremein2000nearlythree-fourthsofsaidTexasGov.GeorgeW.Bmillionfundraisingtallyisexc

asignofwhatswrongwithpolitForaverylongtimeAmeriperceivedgovernmenttobecbythenancingofcampaignallAmericans,93percent,thicians do special avors or theircontributors;80percentthinkoften,withmorethantwo-thingspecialfavorsforcontributobeunethical.CampaignnancunrestrictedsincetheSupremeing on Citizens Unitedthatitcadescribedaslegalbribery.isrzens Uniteddecision opening tunlimiteddonationsbycorporindividualshasincreasedandb

oppositionamongtheAmericaGettingmoneyoutofpoliticsi

steptoreformelectionsintheUnbutitisonlyarststepofmanynottheonlyprobleminU.S.ele

I our government actual ly rthe will o the American peoplsevenissues,thenationwouldinasustainableandprosperouIfthewillofthepeoplewereprewewouldcutthedecitbyecurrentwars,alongwithsigniinbasicmilitaryspending,intaxesonthewealthyandcorpowell as ending corporate welar

eprioritiesofthepeopleprotecting and strengthening safetynet,improvedMedicarecreation,raisingwages,protectrightstobargaincollectively,inandtransitiontoaclean,energyWiththesechangestherewodecitcrisisandratherthananincollapse,therewouldbeaseconomy rom which all Americprosper.

maot continued from page 1

Cartoon by a. rEDfiElD/syD hoff C. 1935


7/8


We thePeoPleA neWMoveMentTeres something happening here. What it is aint exactlyclear

FromForWhatItsWorth,StevenStillsandBualoSpringeld,1967

B ma an cnta Oan

WeparticipatedintheStoptheMachine!CreateaNewWorldgatheringinWashington,D.C.,tolaunchtheoccupationofFreedomPlaza.What

wesawinD.C.andhavebeenseeinginbroadcastsfromsomeoftheotheroccupationsthroughoutthecountryconvincesusthatwearewitnessingthebirthofanewmovement.

Formonths,wefeltcompelledtomakethetripfromourhomeinSt.Paul,Minn.,primarilybecausethefocuso the gathering in Washington was to commemoratethetenthanniversaryoftheU.S.warandoccupationofAfghanistan.Itwasalsotoconnectthedotsthatlinkourimperialwarsastherootcausesofourcountrysdebili-tatingdomesticproblems.emilitary-industrial-mediacomplexbearsincreasingresponsibilityforourgrowingeconomicinequity,chronicjoblessnessandunionbashing,defundedpubliceducationandpublicservices,decayingpublicinfrastructure,theassaultontheenvironment,thehealthcaredebacle,andthehijackingofourdemocracybytherichandpowerful.Werenotnovicesatthis.Wevebeenpeaceactivistsforoverfourdecadesnow,sustainedbyanabidinghopethateventuallythepeoplewillriseuptotakebackour

country.isDCOccupationisnotnewbutitscertainlydierent.Itsthelatestchapterinatwo-centuryhistoryofstrugglebyAmericanswhosoughtfairtreatment.Inadditiontothewareconomyfocus,theDCOccu -

pationembracedabroaderrangeofintereststhatgarnerwidersupportandaremoreinharmonywiththeOc -cupyWallStreetpurpose.Infact,alargemajorityoftheAmericanpeopleconsistentlysupportendingthewars,creatingamoreequitabletaxsystem,endingcorporatewelfare,protectingthesocialsafetynetandworkerrights,transitioningtoacleanenergyeconomy,andreversingenvironmentaldegradation.Ofabsolutenecessityisget-ting the money out o politics.

We were very impressed with the event organization.Tis is in contrast to some o the corporate media spin

thatwantsyoutobelievethatOccupyWallStreetandthesimilaractionsareledbyabunchofangrylosersoroldhippieswhodonthaveaclue.InD.C.,thereweretentsforthemedia,legalaid,rstaid,freedonatedfood,electronictie-ins,andalonglineofporta-potties.esmallgrassysideofthetotallypavedplazabecame

a crowded campground or the hundreds who spent thenightthere.Asthecrowdgrewtonearlyathousand,thebuzzofhundredsofconversationsfrompeopleofallages,races,andwalksoflifecreatedtheirownenergy.erewasmusic,dancing,laughter,anddeepdiscussion.Andeverywhere,therewerepeoplewithsigns,mostofthem

hand lettered: AVietnamvetssignread:Howsthewareconomyworkingforyou? Amanheldasignthatsaid,IwishIcouldaordmyownpolitician.

Amiddle-agedwomanssignssaid,Youscrewus,wemultiply.

AwhitebeardedveteranheldaU.S.agwithcorporate

logoswherethestarsshouldbe. AyoungwomanstoodaloneholdingapieceofbrowncardboardwithpenciledlettersthatreadAnothersinglemotherinforeclosure.

ereweretwochildren,onewithasignreading,Pleasedontstealmyfuture,andtheotherwithTod-dlersAgainstCorporateGreed.

CapitalismateDemocracyreadanother. AndtherewereVetsforPeacebannersfromacrossthe

country.ewomenfromCODEPINKcreatedacardboard

villagewithlabelssuchasForeclosedDreamHouse.ItservedasaplaygroundforkidsduringthedayandshelterfortheovernighterstorestaftertheParkPolicebannedsleeping and the use o tents on the plaza.

Adisplayofworncombatbootscarriedtagsthatlistedtheirnow-deadowners.ebackdropforthemainstagewasatwenty-foot-wide,parchment-coloredbanner,en -titledWethePeople,whichproclaimedthetextandcalligraphyofthePreambletotheConstitution.Inthemiddleoftheplazawasacompanionbannerentitled,WetheCorporationswithaparodyofthePreamblecomplete with a host o corporate logos.Tobegintheformalprogram,theRagingGrannies

fromMadisonsangoriginalsongsthatwehadrstheardwhenweattendedthemassivepro-laborralliestherelastspring.

Duringtheeveningprogram,weheardfroWarvetandhisartistfriendwhohadbiked6tobringattentionthroughtheirmusictotheo our ongoing wars.WespokewitheventPeacemakerswhos

to quell hot tempers and prevent violence. called into action at the demonstration two dtheSmithsoniansmilitarydroneexhibitwhenprovocateur in the group created a violent situeincidentservesasanexcellentexampleof

demonstrationsareofteninltratedanddiscre

rickHowley,aneditorattheconservativemagAmerican Spectator, boastedthatheshovedhithe museum and this led to the security guardthe group with pepper spray. Tis is what Howabouthismotives:AsfarasanyoneknewIwthiscauseacausethatIhadinltratedthedinordertomockandundermine[it]inthepaAmerican Spectator.ereisastrikingcontrastwiththetwo-yea

Partywhosemembersarealsovoicingtheiranditionsfortheaverageperson.UnliketheOccment,theTeaPartyhasbeenco-optedbytheelitewhohavebankrolled it andusedtheirmedia to mold opinion and to serve their owandthose oftheRepublicanParty.In cont

occupations,liketheoneweattendedinD.Co an organic grass-roots movement that actuoutside control rom even traditional progress(e.g.organizedlabor).Likethepeacemovementof40yearsago,we

areangryandcompletelyfrustratedbytheimandtheoligarchiccontrolofthemanybythand powerul ew.DavidMorrisoftheInstituteforLocalSe

describesit,Weremadatthedevastationwroulastfouryearsbythetoxiccombinationofungreed and concentrated wealth .WeremaStreetfortakingourmoney andgivingnot.Weremadatthe1percentofthecountrydecisions that enrich themselves while impoverestofus.Hisarticle,ItsLaborvs.Capital,

richwiththefactstobackuphisassertions.AsGeraldGannon,fellowmemberofVePeace,writes,Letmebeclearhere:wearebusinessoranti-capitalism. Te great mentrepreneurs,soleproprietorsandsmall-to-medbusiness[that]providemostofthejobsinouand practice true capitalism[are]morethanpit themselves against the competition or a athemarketplace.Butthegiantmultinationrationsseektostiecompetition.eseGocorporationsbuiltonthebacksofAmericanwwith American dollars now deny the people in thoftheiroriginsjobsfortheirlivelihood,theilars,thefundamentalcontroloftheirowngoandanyallegiancewhatsoever.eyaredrive

insatiablelustforevergreaterprotswithnocall or the American people or the environmenwealllive.eyhavebeenallowedtometastraitorous monsters .ChrisHedges,thekeynotespeakerforrstn

DCOccupation,hasstated,egreatestgiftthtionhasgivenusisablueprintforhowtoghtthisblueprintisbeingtransferredtocitiesandpthecountry.Aswewritethisinmid-Octobernearly1,500occupationsintheUnitedStates,more around the world.

continued on



8/8


B A mcakn

Assault?WhoorwhatdidIas-sault??IaskedthepoliceofficerincredulouslyasIsatinhisoceat

thepolicestation,handcuedtothewall.Well,lookslikeitwasLeonPanettahim -self,theocerrespondedasheippedthroughapileofpaperwork.Me?A22-year-oldmild-mannered

peaceactivist,assaultedtheSecretaryof

Defense?IhadsimplytriedtotellhimhowIfeltaboutthewars.OnthemorningofOctober13about25activistswhoareoc-cupyingWashington,D.C.,wentonaeldtriptoCongress.WewantedtoattendtheHouseArmedServicesCommitteehearingwhereSecretaryofDefenseLeonPanettaandJointChiefsofStaChairmanMartinDempsyweretestifyingaboutlessonslearnedbytheDepartmentofDefenseovertheprecedingdecadeandhowthose

lessonsmightbeappliedinthefutureinlight o anticipated reductions in deensespending.Afterall,thesehearingsareopentothepublic.Andshouldntwehave

asayinwhereourmoneyisbeingspent?atmorningabout25ofusgottothe

hearingseveralhoursearlysowecouldberstonlinetogetin.ItdidnttakelongfortheCapitolPolicetoappear.Theybegantocongregatearoundus,severalofthemalreadyholdingtheexi-custheyusenowinlieuoftraditionalhandcus(theyrerecyclable,soIlearned).Soontheystartedlettingpeopleintothe

hearingroombutonlyveatatime,and

the police escorted us as i we were unrulychildren. Tey told us any orm o demon-strating would result in immediate ejectionfromthehearingandpossiblearrest.

A ew minutes ater all the congresspeoplehadslowlymadetheirwaytotheirseats,PanettaandDempseyenteredtheroomankedbyseveralstaers.Mediacamerascrowdedaroundthematthewitnesstableastheysatdown,about15feetawayfromme.Isprangoutofmyseat,pullingouta

homemadesignthatread:FUNDMYEDUCATION,NOTYOURWARS.Ihadbeenincongressionalhearingsmanytimes,andIhadnevercomesoclosetoriskingarrest,butIwasdeterminedtogetmymessageout.SecretaryPanetta,whenare we going to stop unding war and startrebuildingAmerica?Wehavebeenatwar

or almost hal my lie and guys my agehavePTSD.Mygenerationdeservesbet -ter!IcontinuedtoshoutasCapitolHillpolice dragged me out the door.

We! Are! The 99 PerceNT!

OutsidepeoplewhowerenotletintothehearingchantedtheOccupyWallStreetslogan,We!Are!e99percent!MichaelPatterson, fromAnchorage,

Alaska,whohasbeensleepingoutinMcPhersonSquareinWashingtonforeightdaysandnightsspokeoutnext.Michaelisa21-year-oldvetwhowasaninterrogatorinIraqattheageof18!Hehasbeenex-tremelyaectedbywhathesawthereand

assoonasPanettastartedspeaking,Mi-chaeldenouncedU.S.actionsinAfghani-stan and Iraq. You are murdering people.Iveseenit.Youaremurderingpeople,heshoutedasthepolicetackledhim.

Michael was overcome with emotionand as a result his disruption was the mostintenseandhopefullythemosteective.SomereportsmentionthatmembersofCon-gressseemedstartledbyhismessage.Whenaskedabouthismotivationforthisaction,Michaelresponded,Certainelementsofthe American government are accomplicesin genocide. Tese wars have caused thedeathofuptoamillionIraqis,anunknown

numberofAfghans,andthousandsofU.S.soldiers. Tey have ruined the lives o mil-lions. Te truth is out there and people arejustchoosingapathy.Itstimetoholdthoseaccountableforwhattheyhavedoneandwhenthetimecomes,theexcuseIwasjustfollowingorderswillnotbeacceptable.AfterMichael,sixotherindividualsstoodupduringthehearingandexpressedhowtheyfeltaboutthesewars,whetherbyholdinguppeacesignssilently,speakingsotly or shouting and holding up a sign.

Aftereachpersonwas arresteclappedinsupport,andtheothstill waiting in the hall chantedously,callingforanendtotheEightofuswerehauledo

wagontothestation,whereIsphoursbeingprocessedandnarrowspending the night in jail. Teycitations,andeveryonewaschadisruptingCongress,exceptforchargedwithsimpleassaultofLeo

IwasnowherenearSecretarduringmyoutburstbutitturnmycharge,simpleassault,isacausesavictimtofearviolensaddaywhenagovernmentoendangeredbyacitizenpractreedom o speech. Is our higheocialafterthePresidentfrighyoung woman with a sign callifundstobespentoneducation

Ater the activists were thrownhearingroom,RepresentativePSecretaryPanettaonthespot,askithoughtabouttheprotests,sincetthe views o the majority o peopl

outthecountry,whowanttoseethewars.Herespondedbyacknoourfrustrationafter10yearsofwaingaboutthetimelinessetuptothe troops rom Iraq and AghanefactthatthesecretaryofD

forcedtoacknowledgeandrespconcerns is in itsel a victory. Tour messages carried did not just us,orthepeopleinthehallwaysus,butfrompeoplerisingupalcountryand it is clear that omentocialsarestartingtofee

grOWiNg mOvemeNT

Sincethestoryofthesevenarr

news,Ihavereceivedasurprisino support rom riends and Severalofthemessagesareactactivemembersofthemilitaryme our actions inspired them tthinkaboutwhattheyaredoinAfewmentionedthatitsparksion among the people they awith.Forthemostpart,theywbypeopleswillingnesstorisksomethingtheyfeelsopassionaWearepartofthegrowinmovementsweepingthecountrarebecomingmuchstrongesumofourparts.Drawingst

numbers,bothseasonedandnearefeelinganincrediblesenseofmentandaretakingmorerisksingarrestableoensessothatwillbeheard.Wearedeterminpolicymakerslistentothesenthepeople,asexpressedinthecwere echoing in the hallway: W99percentandwesaynotoall

Alli McCracken is the COD.C. Ofce Coordinator, and reached at [email protected].

W i Yu: tak Abu

issus Frdm PazaBy Dr. Marar Fwrs

One of the beautiful aspects of the occupation is that it has brought peopleout into the open to talk about the issues. Everywhere I look right now as I sitin the media tent and gaze out at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., peopleare engaged in conversations. Some are standing in groups, and some aresitting in circles in the assembly area or between the tents.

Throughout the day, people wander through Freedom Plaza to read the signsscattered about Human Needs not Corporate Greed, We are the 99 percentand so are you, and Money for people, not for wars. This is the rst step inthis evolution to a more peaceful, just and sustainable planet. For too long wehave been focused on divisions. Now we are nding what unites us. The days ofsitting in silence and blaming ourselves for not working hard enough are over.

The rst step in the process of change is awareness of the problem. We

are encouraging people to come out of their homes. Talk to those around you.Talk about the way things are with increasing wealth disparity and poverty.Talk about the way you want things to bea society based on openness,acceptance, honesty, transparency and kindness.

We invite you to join us in Freedom Plaza each evening during the GeneralAssembly. It begins at 6 pm eastern time. You can join us in person or vialivestream on the website october2011.org and check out the schedule ofevents. We devote a portion of each meeting to discussing the issues andthe solutions we would like to see.

Join us, talk about it and share what you learn with your family, friends andcolleagues. This is the rst step in the nonviolent transformation of our country.

At fo Aatnlon Pantta


Documents

Occupied Washington Post Number 1