September, 07 2010, 02:00pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020; or David Zupan, (541) 484-9167
WASHINGTON
RICHARD WOLFF
Recently back from Europe, Wolff is author of the book Capitalism Hits the Fan: The Global Economic Meltdown and What to Do About It.
He said today: "Today's general strike across France represents a major
escalation of mass opposition to governments seeking to make the mass
of people pay for the economic crisis and the immense costs of
government bailouts of financial corporations. All six French national
union federations united to make this statement of no confidence in the
Sarkozy government.
"Across Europe, from the UK to Spain to Greece, France, Germany, and
beyond, mass mobilizations of workers, students, retirees, and others
are marching in the streets against the austerity plans of their
governments. General strikes and demonstrations are scheduled in
September culminating in the all-European day of action on September 29.
They demand an end to firings of public employees, raising the age of
retirement, cutting public services, and raising government fees and
taxes charged to average people."
Wolff is professor emeritus of economics at the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst. In June and July he gave a series of talks in
Europe, including at the University of Athens and University of Paris,
meeting with many of the people organizing the protests.
He is currently a visiting professor in the Graduate Program for
International Affairs at the New School University in New York City.
Video of his talk "Capitalism Hits the Fan" is available at CapitalismHitsTheFan.com.
A nationwide consortium, the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA) represents an unprecedented effort to bring other voices to the mass-media table often dominated by a few major think tanks. IPA works to broaden public discourse in mainstream media, while building communication with alternative media outlets and grassroots activists.
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