By Chaz Valenza (about the author)
Monday, September 19, 2011: I knew nothing about Occupy Wall Street, hadn't heard a word about it up until about a week ago. Did you?
The connection between money and politics is the issue I write about! This is the issue I read every book and blog I can get my eyes on! How did I miss this?
Wall Street Occupation General Assembly by Chaz Valenza
My point is none of us knew. That is unless you were not part a tiny core of people at Annonoymous, Adbusters, Culture Jammers or hung out on the right night in Thompson Square Park in NYC.
Occupy Wall Street is not ASTROTURF organizing, it is not even GRASSROOTS organizing, what you're seeing on this live feed – OCCUPY WALL STREET LIVE STREAM – is what's left after about 3,000 GRASS SEEDS gathered on Bowling Green this past Saturday.
It's just a core of about 500 people who have camped in Zoccotti Party at Liberty Street and South Broadway, under the shadow of the erection of the Ground Zero Freedom Tower. Could this fizzle? Absolutely. Is it inevitable at this point? Absolutely NOT!
More people, many more, know about the October Event in Washington D.C. I say, so what? (Sorry, Rob Kall.) All that's going to happen in D.C. is already conjoined at the hip to the money that the Democrats must raise from Wall Street. You may go. It may feel good but it will have no lasting significance.
What is happening in NYC is embryonic, democratic and authentic. If it doesn't work this time we, and I will be part of this, will be back.
The enemy is clear, it's money flowing from the banks, the hedge funds, the financiers and the corporations to Washington that is the problem. Not your congressman, not your senator and not Barack Obama; they are just pawns being played by the money.
These patriots in Liberty Park (on Google Maps now as Zoccotti Park) don't have a dime. I talked to them. They came with bedrolls and recycled cardboard. The most expensive things this protest has are video cameras and millions of dollars worth of police "protection."
These patriot occupiers are fighting for 99% percent of us. Those who are unemployed, uninsured, under employed and totally insecure in the face of ever increasing social and financial inequities. They are standing up for those who cannot be there right now.
Believe me when I tell you nobody, but nobody knows this is going on!
Here's the good news -- you can help, right now today -- no matter where you are.
1) Spread the word -- there's something going on. People have started a movement, they're occupying Wall Street. Hundreds of people have been camped out in lower Manhattan for three days!
2) If you're in New York and can only spare a little time or money: bring American Flags, cardboard, markers, water, etc. down to Liberty Park
3) In the New York area and have a day, a morning, an afternoon go down there. The weather appears to be holding. Take the day off and just go. I know it sounds hard to believe but you will be heard, literally. This is a open general assembly effort and you will get your say and be a real participant.
4) A little ways from NYC -- organize foursomes to go to NYC for the day. It will cost you the train/bus/car fare. Take nothing but some food and water and your body.
5) Too far to get to NYC? Sign this petition and I will read your name and comments in Liberty Park this week, I promise. Break Up Goldman Sachs Now!
6) Be subversive against the big money interests wherever you are and encourage others to do the same: Don't give the banksters 4% of every purchase you make with a credit or debit card -- Use Cash. See:UseCashMovement
7) Be subversive: max out your credit card on large ticket items and return them the next day (This one is right out of the Saul Alinsky playbook.)
8) Move your money from a big bank to a credit union.
9) Picket a local branch of a bank, when the press asks you what the heck you think you're doing tell them it's in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street
10) Send food to the protesters in Liberty Park through a New York friend or go to the live stream chat for information on local eats that will take your order. (yes, you'll have to use your credit card, big spender!)
11) Do you know anybody who knows anybody that knows a writer, a celebrity, etc. that will show their face at the protest? Get to them now.
Bonus Support Idea 12) Spread the word again, and repeat!
See you in Liberty Park.
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
I support the Occupy Wall Street - We Must End the Inequality and Economic Crisis Now
I support the Occupy Wall Street - We Must End the Inequality and Economic Crisis Now
No comments:
Post a Comment