“color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana;”>The Occupy Wall Street Movement began way before people gathered at Zuccotti Park which sits in the shadows of Wall Street. It began before the Canadian anti-capitalist magazine Adbuster issued a call to spark an American “Tahrir moment” (reference to the situation in Cairo that resulted in Egypt’s regime change). It certainly began long before a group of organizers met at 16 Beaver Street to create the New York City General Assembly. It started before the occupation of the Wisconsin Capitol last year.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>The Occupy Wall Street Movement has been simmering for about a decade. It was stirred to a boil in the last few years by U.S. corporate bloodsuckers and a GOP-dominated Congress who have thumbed their noses at the majority of citizens in this country.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>For at least the last 20 years, the salaries of the working class has not just flattened, they have taken a dip given the rise in the cost of living. During this same time span, the gap between the 1 percent and the 99 percent has tripled, pushing more Americans into poverty. While we lined up at pantry centers for food, lost our homes, filed bankruptcy because of health care catastrophes and witnessed a decline in the stability of our neighborhoods, the elite in this country have been jet-setting around, eating at the finest restaurants, going home to their nice mansions and finding more ways to exploit the world and keep wars going.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread to about 1,000 cities in the U.S. and throughout Europe, Asian and Africa. That’s because neo-liberal policies have created a global financial system that is choking the life out of us 99 percenters all around the world.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>Some media observers and political pundits keep pressing the protestors for their demands, as in what-do-you-people-want? Movements have their own unique rhythms, their ebbs and flows. It’s okay that people have come out to express their anger and outrage at a system that has caused a lot of economic damage at taxpayers’ expense. The ruling class and their Congressional cronies need to see the scope of this anger. We are tired of Wall Street getting bailouts on the people’s dime. Enough is enough and, quite frankly, we’re out of dimes.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>We should always be guided by the eloquent words of Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>Each city’s Occupy looks and acts differently. It will take some time for those who are at the core of the actions to get to know one another, to figure out strategy and tactics that will ensure tangible changes in the future. And the movement is getting more organized – creating websites to inform people of actions, raising monies, etc.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>For example, Occupy L.A. has stated that it’s in it for the long haul and has put together Principles of Solidarity for its Action Assembly. It plans on reaching out to diverse communities and neighborhoods to maximize participation and impact.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>Occupy St. Louis is no slouch either. It has its own website, being transparent about decisions and actions. With the World Series coming to the Lou, the group will surely utilize this opportunity to raise important issues affecting families in this region.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #2a2a2a;”>This is a broad-based, intergenerational, multi-racial movement that could bring meaningful changes in this country, especially as we head into the 2012 elections. You don’t need an invitation to join. They’re waiting for you down at Kiener Plaza.
