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Occupy Wall Street: "It Is a Revolution"
NEW YORK - Since Sep. 17, hundreds of demonstrators in the Occupy Wall Street movement have transformed the quiet Zucotti Park in lower Manhattan from a place where Wall Street traders once relaxed during lunch breaks into a demonstration camp.
All the participants at "Occupy Wall Street" express one major concern: Discontent about the socioeconomic situation in their country. (Credit: Christian Papesch / IPS)
Participants from all over the United States have joined the movement that criticises the injustices of the capitalist system and calls for greater democracy and individual freedom.
Their base is right in front of the aptly named Liberty Plaza, former headquarters of NASDAQ and current office of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
"This is a democratic awakening," Cornel West, a prominent activist and Princeton professor, told journalists prior to speaking before nearly 2,000 protestors at Occupy Wall Street's General Assembly on Tuesday.
The protest was first called up in July 2011 by Adbusters and Anonymous, two groups of social activists, artists and hackers.
"We are trying to build the community and the culture we would like to see in the world," explained Isham Christie, film theory and philosophy student at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Centre and an organiser of the protest, calling it a "fight for a (fairer) world".
"People who feel alienated from the consumer society or don't have jobs or are homeless… can come here and be supported," Christie told IPS. "We are trying to build an alternative institution to what we see as the exploitative, oppressive capitalistic society that we live in."
"If only the war on poverty was a real war. Then we would actually be putting money in it," read the sign West held during Tuesday's demonstration.
"I'd really like the whole societal structure to change, the whole ideas of capitalism and the distribution of wealth. I'd really like to see that turn around to something where it honours more the actual people who are involved in the society," Turkish-born Gaye Ajoy told IPS.
Ajoy, who moved from Florida to New York City just a few days ago, added, "I oppose the one percent of people who own the whole country and don't (care) about anybody else."
Ajoy believes that the protestors' views are similar to the ideas of the counterculture movement in the 1960's and '70's and activists like Martin Luther King Jr. or Gloria Steinem.
West noted the diversity of demonstrators, saying, "It is sublime to see all the different colours, all the different genders, all the different sexual orientations and all the different cultures all together here at Liberty Plaza."
A popular movement
In comparison to the elitist structure of the banks and companies it opposes, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement does not have a hierarchy. Everyone can speak up or participate in discussions, and so everyone can take responsibility – or refuse it.
Brian Phillips, a 25-year-old Google consultant and field journalist from Washington state, arrived in New York only a few days ago and has already become the communications director for the protest. Like many others, he gave up his former civil life to participate in the movement.
"I was a community director in my home state, managing a four million dollar complex," Phillips told IPS. "I quit my job, I… hitchhiked all the way over here and I am here to stay and help these guys."
Communication, both internal and external, is one of the key elements of the protests. By using websites, webcasts, tweets and live streams, Occupy Wall Street stays in touch with other movements, both national and global.
"It's very, very, very important that we are connected to the internet," Phillips explained. "We need the world to see what we are doing and… to know what we are doing."
"Because we are broadcasting from Occupy Wall Street, which is (the) headquarters of the revolution, we have ten other cities around the United States starting to be occupied. We have Boston, Chicago, LA, Austin, Charlotte. We have a bunch of places starting up. It's going big – and it's increasing by size faster than we've expected."
Occupy Wall Street is also garnering more attention from both local and global media, thanks to the growing outrage and support from well-known figures including MIT professor Noam Chomsky and rapper Immortal Technique.
The fact that New York City police arrested about 80 people during an unapproved march to the United Nations on Saturday also helped attract media attention.
Still, Phillips refused to endorse their coverage. "The actual media companies – NBC, MSN, all those companies – they're not going to report on us and they're not going to tell the truth," the computer scientist told IPS. "They are not going to tell the world what is really going on."
Global connections
Someone who wanted to know what was really going on in Zucotti Park was Bettina Schröder from Cologne, Germany, who is currently visiting New York and read about the protest on the internet.
"We knew that there was something going on, but we kind of ran into it," Schröder said. "We thought it was smaller, but it is nice to see that there are quite some people. Hopefully it will be more and more. It is just the beginning."
Martin Peutsch, Schröder's boyfriend, was especially satisfied with the protest's location. "Wall Street is the right spot, I think. A lot of Americans have suffered a great deal because of the banking crisis," Peutsch said to IPS.
"I think it is time to mobilize resistance and to show the banks in America that they cannot do whatever they want and then go on as if nothing has happened."
Schröder also saw a global aspect to the protest. "There are so many other movements in so many different countries. People have to speak up their minds – and I think it's really, really good," she said.
West, who compared the "U.S. Autumn" to the so-called Arab Spring, believed in the longevity of Occupy Wall Street, as long as protesters stay strong.
"I think we gotta keep the momentum going, because it's impossible to translate the issue of the greed of Wall Street into one or two demands," West stated.
"In the end, we are really talking about what Martin King would call a revolution - a transfer of power from oligarchs to everyday people of all colours. And that is a step-by-step process, it's a democratic process, it's a non-violent process – but it is a revolution."
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Show All"In the end, we are really talking about what Martin King would call a revolution - a transfer of power from oligarchs to everyday people of all colours. And that is a step-by-step process, it's a democratic process, it's a non-violent process – but it is a revolution."
Could be, but if you Google "define revolution" the first meaning is this "A forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system." Has this ever happened in the United States? The answer is no, no really.
That's a pretty narrow reading of the word "revolution". There are revolutions that aren't forcible or violent. However, it may take some kind of force, from within or without, to change the entrenched corrupt, rotten system we live in.
I agree, there are many ways to undermine oligarchic state finance capitalism. Whether you call it "revolution," or non violent dissolving of an unsustainable state of affairs, results are what count, not semantic games.
Well, the original 13 colonies freed themselves from British rule by violent revolution, and while the Civil War didn't result in a new country, it certainly was an overthrow of the old social order. They were both fairly "forcible" events.
Indeed the 13 colonies freed themselves from British rule, but not in the sense of "A forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system," the British government remained intact and their military went home.
Thus we have two factors in play: 1) Was a government or social order overthrown? and 2) What kind of force overthrew it? IMO, the first is necessary for it to be called a revolution, but there are a varieties of force, military, economic, etc.
Go play your semantic trolling games somewhere else, we have work to do!
I think this has some merit, the strategic advantage that colonist had was that the adversary was on another continent. Since this was not successful, the economic model was used and is being used today to overcome physical obstacles.
Wall Street is already failing, it doesn't need much to completely fail, but it is only part of a bigger beast. By this intervention will those involved learn this very important lesson and change. Kind of like the nazi of WW-2. Their world domination thing didn't work out but it didn't change the system that created it so they just went else where and used a different model.
Next week? Freedom Plaza in DC. October2011.org
I'll be there as will oh so many people from all over the country. Thank you to all the people who have been Occupying Wall Street. I am certain that we can build on your momentum; let's Create a New World where all have food and shelter and healthcare!
IT IS OURS WE WANT ALL OF IT
Our 5% own 62% net wealth
Your 80% or 112,000,00 lazy loons own 15% and we want it We deserve it.
Our 20% own 93% of financial wealth
Your 80% or 112,000,000 inept goof offs own 7% and we want it. All of it.
Our 25% take 67% of all individual Income
Your 50% of 70,000,000 undeserving take 13% and we want it. We earned it. It is ours.
You are calling Jesus? Ha Ha Ha.
That brown skinned lover of the poor cannot harm us.
You are calling Congress?
Ho Ho Big Joke. We own them. Have you never noticed big $$$$$$$$$ BUYS ANYONE?
You are calling “our” White House. We own it. We started in 1980 with good old Ron then good old Busheloon capped it off and now we own it 100%. Ours! You dummy.
You will go to the press? Wow! Are you out of the loop. We own it. All.
We are now in control we are now known as
THE UNITED STATES OF CORPOCRACY INC
viva la $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
clarenceswinney madmadmad at Inequality in America
political historian lifeaholics of america cswinney2@triad.rr.com
In possession of stolen goods swinney? Your not going to get all of it, in fact your going to have to give back all that you stole, sooner or later. This coming from an Indigenous man, a Lakota. ho hecetu yelo.
If you are in NYC, or near NYC, join the 3 PM march, today, from Zuccotti Park at Broadway and Liberty!
A couple of days ago, OCCUPY PHILADELPHIA began with about 400 protesters. There are movements in Boston, Philadelphia, etc.
For additional information, go to:
https://occupywallst.org/
Hi Kay - last night while I was in my warm bed I was feeling bad about the protesters sleeping in the pouring rain. Do you know what they need? I have brought food, but now perhaps they need clothing? I do not have a lot of extra stuff, so would like to focus on what they really want and need. Do you know if there is some kind of request list?
towels and toilet paper
I am fortunate to live in nearby Brooklyn and so went over to check out the protest yesterday. The park is completely filled with different "stations," for media, information, food, and sign-making, and there was a free flow of people walking around, talking about politics and economics. Wall Street workers were in the position of actually having to justify capitalism to protesters--when was the last time someone who worked down there had to even say the word "capitalism," since it has always been the great, natural order of things? This is already a minor success. I thought that the color and energy and flow of the park offered an amazing visual counter-point to the usual rigid linearity of that area...the visual presence of this protest IS a permanent reminder of the less fortunate 99% who do not benefit from this system, and who are usually invisible. Finally, a drum circle and dancers infused with superhuman energy, who would occasionally pause to shout to passers-by, "Occupy Wall Street," rang out like a clarion call to revolution. Behind them stood a young man with one of the most apt of many smart signs: "Get your dirty Wall Street hands off of my vote."
Forget what you may be reading in the MSM that disparages this movement--this is real, it is smart, and it is infused with energy. Perhaps a tipping point if it spreads.
Thanks that was a great visual picture!
As much as it pains my 30 year old self to admit this, here goes...you are right. This is hardly a 'revolution', and yes I have gotten sick of the banalization of the word over the last 15 or so years. The information 'revolution' (a new way to spend your money) the music/mp3 'revolution' (well, hey, another way to spend your money) and the nauseous, painful to watch so-called Christian 'revolution/revival' (oh wow, the church now says God WANTS me to be rich, and they want some money too...nice...) I could go on, but why bother. I will observe the October movement with some interest though...
If only we could clearly differentiate lies from the truth ... I call such things as "sleight of mouth," one of them being calling a protest a revolution.
A protest is an objection (A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something). A revolution is a change (A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system).
If you’re happy enough to have expressed your objection, then protesting is good enough. If you want some actual change, you need to have/get the power to make it happen. Sometimes, protesting can be helpful in gathering power but all too often it just a fart in the wind.
Agreed, at the present time this isn't a revolution and while sometimes protesting can gather enough power to become one, but plain and simple protesting doesn't go anywhere (thus the fart in the wind metaphor).
I've never actually been in a revolution but pretty close. The first was being in Tehran just before the Shad fell from power where I couldn't understand how such a government could last … and it couldn't. The second was in Sri Lanka where I didn't see the actual shooting and burning but rode down from the mountains to Colombo with a government military sitting at the door with an AK-47 like rifle while we passed the burned out villages. When I got to Colombo I was able to get back to where I was staying in a jeep mounted with a machine gun.
However, I think it's possible to overthrow or at least change a government without there necessarily being physical violence. According Bin Ladin's November, 2004 video, he hoped to get the US to leave Saudi Arabia through economic force similar to how Russia left Afghanistan. Not what one could really call a revolution, but definitely a change and without physical violence. (See http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/07/2011711121720939655.html and http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2004/11/200849163336457223.html)
Whatever you want to call is not important, what is important is committed people in it for the long haul finally standing up to the state corporate banker combine.
I think you might be onto something, I think the best part of this is the ability to participate and experience something different, freedom from the larger culture and it's influence. This is how tribal people did it long ago, they vote with their feet. If their leader doesn't act in their best interest they don't follow. There are no term limits, when they need a medicine leader they choose a medicine person, if they need a war chief they choose a warrior. The grandmother lodge is the vetting process and after that all are free to choose. (it is something like that anyway) It is for the people and generations that will follow. Actually, it is a circle.
I hope this is the dawn of an overdue awakening. We need to build on it. It mush be the organizational foundation of an ongoing struggle to end capitalism before it ends us as a civilization or even as a species. It may have begun with naive anarchist youth but labor is joining in along with the masses of unemployed and exploited. They have touched a nerve. This could be our last chance. Let it begin!
Lets us have the "anarchist youth," maintain strong input for they are utterly right about processes that empower all people to speak. The world no more needs an AFLCIO boss to take over this movement than it needs another Bush, Obama, or Gheitner.
" it's impossible to translate the issue of the greed of Wall Street into one or two demands,"
1. give us our money back.
2. fuck off.
At first I wanted to hear more clear demands from the Occupy Wall Street kids. But now I think they are smart to keep the powers that be guessing while this movement picks up steam in NYC and around the country. Once that movement has 3 to 5 million dedicated members willing to put numbers in the streets for the long haul, then their demands will ring with much stronger resonance and command both corporate media and political attention.
But any big push behind this movement, in NYC and nationally, must come with large scale union support in the streets--not just at a few quick big events, but for weeks and months--as long as it takes.
Even at 7% of the workforce, America still has enough union members (plus union supporters among their dependents) to apply some SERIOUS counterweight against the fascists now running the economic, political and mass media Roman Circus--at the State and Federal levels in much of the country.
The AFL-CIO alone has 11 million members. Throw in the UAW, AFSCME, the teachers unions, the nurse's unions, the skilled trades unions (electricians, plumbers, masons, etc.), the Hollywood unions, etc., plus their supporting dependents and you begin to see what could come together.
America's unions just need to realize and organize that power across multiple unions and throw off their fat, overpaid, corporately co-opted leadership where it exists. Only the unions working together with the rest of left-of-DLC America can put MILLIONS in the street in Washington D.C., NYC and around the corporatist, militarist mass media HQs--and keep the pressure up for as long as it takes. And that's EXACTLY what we need.
We need to be able to create the logistics (food, water, sanitation, critical protest shelter in sympathetic citizens' homes and elsewhere, medical care for protesters brutalized by rogue cops, bailout & legal defense funds for protesters, etc.) to put, in my opinion, close to two million protesters at every major event we focus upon and keep them there for months at a time if need be.
We need clear, short, easily understood lists of demands for each event attended by over a million people--three to five demands. We need to simultaneously develop and use, to the greatest extent possible as soon as possible, OUR OWN MASS MEDIA to get our messages out without having to go through corporatist, militarist, blindly pro-Wall Street mass media filters & censors. Low power FM radio station licenses for non-profit organizations will be opened up by the FCC for the first time in 30 years next summer.
Get your non-profit organization ready now to get those licenses and snap up those LPFM radio stations before the right-wingers and "Christian" fundamentalists do. Start building the local grass roots funding and wealthy donor lists for those stations ahead of time. We've got to truly hit the movement's own mass media ground running next year.
We should replicate the DemocracyNow/WRFG indie radio/online streaming model ten thousand fold across the country as soon as possible. I mean blanket medium & large cities with these stations with contiguous broadcast ranges that penetrate the same mass audience market footprints as the corporate FM Big Boys as soon as humanly possible. I believe this is urgently important to give the Occupy Together movement long-lasting wings. Without our own media the corporatist militarist media will ultimately divide and conquer us again. That is what it is designed to do in Orwellian perpetuity. That is why we need our own truly grass roots public affairs mass media in perpetuity to act as a counterweight against their endless 24/7/365 infotainment propaganda stream.
Lastly, the surveillance/Police State that treacherous Republicans and Democrats have assembled over the last 20 years in anticipation of rising civil suffering and civil unrest that their policies deliberately set in motion is designed to fully exploit Americans' over-dependence on electronic communications. Critical protest-related communications should be person-to-person between at least reasonably well-known (and preferably very well known) fellow activists and union members.
We need to get off our asses and start meeting each other face to face in small and large meetings like the old union organizers did in the days before telephones--you know, to actually get to know each other as intelligent, sensitive, flesh and blood human beings to raise our level of commitment. We need to publicly reassert the old but effective tactic of public speaking in public spaces with plenty of muscle to protect the speakers--especially outside areas were lots of non-unionized labor go to work. We need pamphleteers and folks to walk with and protect them, too.
One of the most wonderful aspects of the Occupy Wall Street micro-movement has been the EXCELLENT posters that have been created in support of it. I already have a collection of about 25 of them.
AMERICAN ARTISTS, MUSICIANS AND PLAYWRIGHTS AWAKE! NOW IS YOUR TIME TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT USING ALL YOUR CREATIVITY WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!
"Don't fear the media; BECOME the media!"
-- Jello Biafra
"This is a democratic awakening," Cornel West, a prominent activist and Princeton professor, told journalists prior to speaking before nearly 2,000 protestors at Occupy Wall Street's General Assembly on Tuesday.
==============
"Democratic awakening" - uh, huh! Funny how closely tide to $$$ everything is in Amerika, "democracy" to not being an exception. Surely, the US has been getting away with murder for hundreds of years and, with the exception of the social unrest of the 60s and 70s surrounding the Viet Nam war, Amerikans have existed in blissful limbo not giving a shit about democracy, justice or anything else. But now, with 50 million jobless, many more millions without homes, an equal number without health insurance, no prospects for the young or the old NOW, all of sudden a whopping 2,000 have a "democratic awakening" - how pathetic! And how insincere! Yet, there will be many in this and similar forums that will argue with a straight face, that the uprisings in the Middle East were caused not by decades of oppression and brutality but actually spurred by the CIA. Yep. Somehow, Amerikans have a "democratic awakening" but the suffered people of the ME are paid for by the CIA and Mossad. Sorry, folks, but after living, breathing, eating with Amerikans for 3 decades of my life and knowing how they think and live, I find it very, very difficult to get excited over something that they (a) allowed to happened and/or aided and abeted; or (b) has nothing to do with democracy (as they have never given two shits about what is done with their money and in their names) and now that the shoe is tight, all of a sudden, they have a "democratic awakening" and expect the rest of the world (the same world that has been at it for years now) to bow to their prowess. Seriously! Fuck Amerika and Amerikans! The citizens of this country deserve the government they've got!
There is a strange irony here with the NYC Police trapping the protestors and arresting them on the Brooklyn Bridge. The ironic part is it is true life depiction of the chimpanzees (enlightened) in the most recent planet of the apes...who...fed up with their corrupt and suppressive exploitation, free themselves only to end up on the Golden Gate Bridge assaulted by an army of police.