Occupy Wall Street Movement: An American Spring

[FayeforCure]

Mass Discontent spreading throughout th US at various OccupyWallStreet events including NY and LA:

Hundreds of people protesting Wall Street abuses were penned in and arrested by police Saturday, two weeks into an ongoing demonstration that has become known on Twitter as #OccupyWallStreet.

Centered at Zuccotti Park since September 17, the gathering that began as a call to arms from anti-consumerist magazine AdBusters has shown no sign of a slowdown.

The movement aims to "express a feeling of mass injustice," according to the group’s declaration for the occupation of New York City released Friday. The injustices include the foreclosure crisis, work place discrimination and student loan debt, among a list of others.

As HuffPost reported recently, the movement is less about specific policy demands and more about an expression of opposition to ever yawning economic inequality driven by Wall Street and its allies in Washington.

Calling themselves an American revolution, the protesters say they plan to stay in the park indefinitely.

Greg Basta, an official with New York Communities for Change, said that the organizers were encouraged by police on Saturday to march on the street area of the Brooklyn Bridge, instead of the walkway, then subsequently arrested them for marching in traffic. Two lead organizers, Jonathan Westin and Pete Nagy, were penned in by police. Westin managed to exit the police pen, but Nagy is missing and presumed detained by police, Basta told HuffPost.

"Police say some demonstrators spilled onto the roadway Saturday night after being told to stay on the pedestrian pathway," the Associated Press reported.

Similar demonstrations started Saturday in Washington and Los Angeles.

Shon Botado, a protester staffing a first aid station in New York, told The Huffington Post on Friday that he’s not leaving “until change is made to the financial structure.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/30/occupy-wall-street-protests-new-york_n_989221.html

[buckethead]

Too whacky. Too leftist. Too Marxist.

Our current economic system is not capitalism, rather corporatism and cronyism, moving towards fascism. In a capitalist system, The failed model of Goldman Sachs along with the other corrupt Primary Dealers would have disappeared. Those who "invested" (speculated) in that model would have taken a trip to the barber.

As it stands, Wall Street is definitely culpable, with DC complicit, but the cries against capitalism coming from a substantial portion of this crowd are ill founded, much the same as the cries against socialism coming from the tea party.

[FayeforCure]

buckethead, things are not capitalism vs socialism as corporate media wants to make it out.

So please don't dismiss this anti-corporatism movement as "socialism," marxism or other derogatory terms.

When I lived in Europe I belonged to a right-wing party in the Netherlands. I am a strong believer in capitalism as are the majority of people in Europe.

Oh sure there are always fringe groups that join in with every protest on the left just like there are dogmatic religious people among the tea-partiers.

In the case of the tea-party you might be right about them being anti-social, even anti-socialist except they have no real idea what socialism actually is.

If you ask the tea-partiers, they will point to Sweden, when Sweden is actually strongly capitalist.

The difference between capitalism in Europe and capitalism in the US is that Capitalism in europe and else-where around the world has a strong element of a social conscience, whereas capitalism is the US is pure and unadulterated corporatism in its most extreme form ie corporately financed campaigns for our government representatives rather than "people/publicly" financed campaigns as is uniformly the case in European countries.

Now granted I would no longer be a right-winger in Europe as there has been a severe right-wing shift in politics in Europe too.......But then again I had already abandoned the VVD and joined D66 before leaving the Netherlands. Never ever did I join the "socialist" Party van de Arbeid, nor would I ever do that if I ever returned.

So to summarize........this movement isn't anti-capitalist at all.............rather they are against un-fettered capitalism where there are no protections for the people and corporatism reigns supreme.

[FayeforCure]

So here is an abc report on the group OccupyWallStreet and what they stand for:

Oct 1, 2011 11:17am




‘Occupy Wall Street’ Protests Spread Across the Country


ABC News’ Olivia Katrandjian reports:

The Occupy Wall Street movement, growing to more than 1,500 people in its second week, called for a march in lower Manhattan today at 3 p.m. to “show that it is time that the 99% are heard.”

“We are unions, students, teachers, veterans, first responders, families, the unemployed and underemployed. We are all races, sexes and creeds. We are the majority. We are the 99 percent. And we will no longer be silent,” read a post on the Occupy Wall Street website.

The  protests started on Sept. 17. On Friday, about 1,500 demonstrators took their protest to the New York Police Department headquarters.


An elderly group leads a march up Broadway towards Police Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, in New York. (Louis Lanzano/AP Photo)

The demonstrators, who are speaking out against corporate greed and social inequality, say they have been unnecessarily roughed up by police.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed the demonstrations on the WOR 710 radio show Friday, according to multiple media reports.

“The protesters are protesting against people who make $40,000 to $50,000 a year who are struggling to make ends meet. That’s the bottom line,” Bloomberg said.

(My comment: the protesters are those that make $40,000 to $50,000 that find themselves increasingly squeezed by lack of jobs, lack of healthcare, lack of retirement)

When asked how the NYPD would handle protests, Bloomberg said that while people have the right to protest, others also have the right “to walk down the street unmolested.”

The protests have spread across the country, with events popping up in Boston, Chicago and dozens of other cities across the country in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.

In Albuquerque, N.M., there were more than 500 protestors, and demonstrators in Spokane, Wash., set up a tent city before police enforced a no-camping rule.

A march and rally was held in Boston Friday called “Take Back Boston” run by the Right to the City alliance, a national organization that “seeks to create regional and national impacts in the fields of housing, human rights, urban land, community development, civic engagement, criminal justice, environmental justice, and more,” according to its website.

Police estimated about 3,000 people attended the events Friday.

“We are targeting Wall Street, in particular the big banks and corporations,” Rachel Laforest, the executive director of the Right to the City Alliance told ABC News. “The goal is to create a national narrative and have it be known how the states are taking state revenues that are being funneled to banks and corporations and then you layer on top of that the fact that they’re not obligated to pay their fair share of taxes, and so that’s billions and billions of dollars that could be put toward job creation and creating solutions to the housing crisis.”

Today’s events in Boston will continue with a “Take Back the Block” festival. At least 1,500 have registered for the festival.

Along with New York and Boston, an Occupy Chicago movement has emerged, with nearly 100 people gathering in front of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. The protests have been peaceful and no arrests have been reported.

Occupy Los Angeles protests which have also been small in numbers, has called for a march today at 10 a.m. from Pershing Square downtown to City Hall.


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protests-spread-across-the-country-bloomberg-calls-them-misguided/

[buckethead]

I know there are reasonable people joining in, but i cannot join in solidarity with folks spreading the messages below.

[FayeforCure]

I know there are reasonable people joining in, but i cannot join in solidarity with folks spreading the messages below.

Well I'm sure that the brain-washed fear of socialism has something to do with our aversion to such messages. I looked on the worker.org website for their definition of socialism:

"Workers World fights for a socialist societyâ€"where the wealth is socially owned and production is planned to satisfy human need."

I do not know of any advanced nations where "the wealth is socially owned," so as a practical matter such a pure socialist society doesn't exist except maybe in Communism which has long been abolished and discredited.

Yet even in our fairly extreme capitalist society we do have wealth that is "socially owned," for example our airports, courthouses and schools etc.

However the second portion of their definition is a very universal concept when it comes to the common good: "production is planned to satisfy human need."

It's the concept of central planning which exists in all capitalist nations at varying degrees.

The workers.org group rejects all capitalism in favor of pure socialism, when the reality is that just about every advanced society has elements of both, and is thus really a hybrid social-capitalist society.

I can agree with workers.org that pure capitalim is highly destructive when the element of a social conscience is missng. The element of a social conscience ( that all people have the right to use our roads etc.) is eroding at a very fast pace in the US. The "we're all in this together" concept of national pride has been replaced by "You're On Your Own" and corporatist rule in the US.

The protestors are rejecting capitalism in its current form in the US ie deregulated Pharma that kills people by the hundreds of thousands, deregulated Oil Industry that destroys our coasts, deregulated banks that rip us off and make us lose our homes, a justice system that only works for those that can afford to pay for expensive lawyers, an insurance system that keeps jacking up their rates while they make mega-profits, a healthcare system where we allow those with cancer to perish without care (unlike what Republicans say where everyone in the US is entitled to care because hospitals cannot sent you away........I have yet to see an ER provide comprehensive and ongoing cancer treatment).

So we definitely can all agree that capitalism in its current form in the US is highly destructive.........very susceptible to devastating cycles.

Here is a really good piece about the world rejection of American type capitalism ( the current type capitalism we have called Brand America, though we were once the envy of the world due to our exceptionally strong middle class):

http://www.international-issues.org/wp/?p=1097

In its conclusion it states:

Ten years after 9/11, the unipolar age of the American hyper-power is over; US-style Capitalism and its professed free-market ideology which has been exposed as a myth is now being challenged by state-Capitalism

I propose a stable (steady state) economy that provides a modicum of financial security for all.

http://steadystate.org/discover/definition/

[ChriswUfGator]

I am happy to see mass protests, it means despite the threat of arrest, people are still willing to stand up.

[FayeforCure]

I am happy to see mass protests, it means despite the threat of arrest, people are still willing to stand up.

Sooooo true!

When was the last time any of us had the courage to join in protest on the streets and risk arrest?

I know the last time I joined any anti-war action was Sept 15th, 2007 in Washington DC.

Here is an interesting write-up  I found today which addresses buckethead's concern and our age-old pitting Americans against Americans,........the divide and conquer approach that corporatists have used against us.

Wall Street Protests: A Right-Left Movement Must Emerge

Posted: 10/2/11 01:53 PM ET

The Wall Street protests represent the most potentially transforming political movement in generations: finally a revolt against the root problem that corrupts and paralyzes U.S. government. And the nascent movement might actually succeed if we stop turning ordinary Americans against each other along the tired and destructive battle lines of left vs. right.


For the past forty years, the expansion of unchecked corporate power has taken over Washington and state capitals. Armies of industry funded lobbyists, PR firms, think tanks, fake "Astroturf" groups and billions in campaign contributions have quietly corrupted a vulnerable system of government and seized control.[/b]

This juggernaut has decimated basic consumer protections and created the biggest gap between rich and poor since the Great Depression.

It created the financial meltdown and the Great Recession. It is why nearly 50 million Americans lack health insurance. It has created a political system that is more like a heroin addict: dependent on billions of dollars that determine who gets elected, which laws get passed, and which don't. Both major political parties are addicted and beholden.


While the protests are proudly decentralized and leaderless, the unifying theme is "revoking corporate personhood" and "campaign finance reform" that would reverse the January 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision that lifted the flood gates to unlimited corporate money in elections.


Some call the protests a progressive response to the Tea Party movement, and play right into the hands of the corporate juggernaut, whose proxies -- along with a compliant media -- have mastered the art of turning ordinary Americans against each other instead of the real problem.


This is a right-left issue if there ever was one, and the potential to build an unstoppable movement is unprecedented. Just last weekend, liberal and Tea Party activists joined together for an unusual conference about the feasibility of a constitutional amendment to check undue corporate power in elections and government.


The right-leaning Daily Caller wrote, "Tea party activists made common cause with anti-corporate liberals this weekend at a venue quite unlike the firebrand populist movement: Harvard Law School. The improbable allies met to discuss the possibility of a new constitutional convention to address what they see as fundamental failures in the American system of government."


Grassroots liberals and conservatives agree on this issue. But many argue that there are too many differences between them to allow a unified movement. To them I say, find common ground or fail. Fixing this problem will require getting the fox to put a lock on the henhouse. That requires the kind of heat Congress felt after Watergate, when they last implemented sweeping reforms. A unified movement is not the same as seeking compromise between sold out Democratic and Republican politicians; it's about finding common ground between real people across the nation who are all suffering.


76% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats opposed the Citizens United decision. A long-running Gallup poll shows that Americans politically self-identify 40% conservative, 35% moderate and just 21% progressive.


Just look at the numbers. The way we win is by rallying around a democracy reform agenda, being thoughtful about how we talk about it, and building the kind of broad-based political movement that cannot be stopped.


What does a democracy reform agenda look like? Concrete answers are notably absent at the Wall Street rallies, so let me suggest this starting point: we must support an omnibus democracy agenda that both reduces the role of money in elections and politics, and enfranchises and protects voters so that our democracy enjoys full participation.


The actual policies that will save our democracy are wonky, and the list is long -- I will save that for a subsequent post. In the meantime, remember: before any lasting structural reform will advance, we must build a diverse movement of millions that cannot be ignored. Americans from the right and left must abandon the polarizing rhetoric from our leaders and our TV screens, and join hands in support of a 21st century democracy reform agenda that reclaims our government from moneyed special interests.


The future of our nation depends on it. The time has come. The beginning of a much larger uprising is at hand. The journey begins at the Occupy Wall Street website or Rootstrikers.org.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/occupy-wall-street-protests_b_991163.html

[peestandingup]

I am happy to see mass protests, it means despite the threat of arrest, people are still willing to stand up.

So am I. And it seems the more they arrest, the bigger this thing gets. I mean, they can't arrest everyone. And there's not enough jail cells to hold everyone either.

My fear is that the cops will keep antagonizing the protestors & something will turn ugly, then escalate from there (we've already seen pepper spraying people who weren't doing anything wrong, taking video equipment, slamming people's heads into parked cars, cops leading hundreds down into the path of cars just so they can arrest them, etc). Especially since its going nationwide (even here in Jax): http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197668320306311

It could go lots of different ways. Hopefully not this way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5xRaQnHGA0

Our elected officials really need to get involved, do their jobs & open up real talks & work on real solutions to get us out of this shit-storm we're all in. Even IF you're still lucky enough to have a job, haven't lost your house & aren't swimming in debt from just trying to go to school to get an education (which is basically the only way it can be done now), you should still be involved for a number of different reasons. What's wrong is wrong & this effects everyone. The system is rigged & it needs to change.

[RiversideLoki]

I'd occupy downtown.. but no one goes there so there's really no point.

[hillary supporter]

I'd occupy downtown.. but no one goes there so there's really no point.

Wells Fargo Sun trust (SK)ank of America!

I am happy to see mass protests, it means despite the threat of arrest, people are still willing to stand up.

Hell yes!!!!!  God bless them all!!!!!

[simms3]

They have people (mostly 18-24 year olds) doing similar things here and I believe all across the country.  I say...so what?  It's a shame some of the things that go on, but a bunch of dirty granola eaters camping out in a park is not going to do squat.  It's like the legalization of marijuana movement: the most vocal supporters are the biggest stereotypical potheads who outside of their little community have no respect and aren't going to be the people to get their plant legalized.

I believe one of my cousins participated in this event we are referring to.  She just graduated college and does not have a job yet, but she and her hippie boyfriend love to go to music concerts and "chill out" and "expand their mind."  Her parents are pretty conservative and that may have driven her to rebel and become relatively socialist.  I can tell you that most people I graduated with had no problems getting jobs, have had no problems with their student loans (my roommate took on loans and has had no problems with them), are mostly unaware of what happens on Wall St unless they are in a FIRE industry, etc.

Bottom line, a good 70% of the crowds in these "protests" are a) doing nothing but holding up signs, tweeting on their Macs, and camping out, and b) largely not respected by very large segments of society.  I'd say a very large chunk of them are wealthy, over-educated kids who focus too much on politics and fairness and down with the man memes and not enough time making it on their own in the real world.  They are very spoiled.  Should they be listened to at an extent?  Yes.  Is this a sign of the times?  Yes.  Is this a way overblown movement?  Yes.

[hillary supporter]

They have people (mostly 18-24 year olds) doing similar things here and I believe all across the country.  I say...so what?  It's a shame some of the things that go on, but a bunch of dirty granola eaters camping out in a park is not going to do squat.  It's like the legalization of marijuana movement: the most vocal supporters are the biggest stereotypical potheads who outside of their little community have no respect and aren't going to be the people to get their plant legalized.

I believe one of my cousins participated in this event we are referring to.  She just graduated college and does not have a job yet, but she and her hippie boyfriend love to go to music concerts and "chill out" and "expand their mind."  Her parents are pretty conservative and that may have driven her to rebel and become relatively socialist.  I can tell you that most people I graduated with had no problems getting jobs, have had no problems with their student loans (my roommate took on loans and has had no problems with them), are mostly unaware of what happens on Wall St unless they are in a FIRE industry, etc.

Bottom line, a good 70% of the crowds in these "protests" are a) doing nothing but holding up signs, tweeting on their Macs, and camping out, and b) largely not respected by very large segments of society.  I'd say a very large chunk of them are wealthy, over-educated kids who focus too much on politics and fairness and down with the man memes and not enough time making it on their own in the real world.  They are very spoiled.  Should they be listened to at an extent?  Yes.  Is this a sign of the times?  Yes.  Is this a way overblown movement?  Yes.

Sounds like a 2007 campaign stop by Barack Obama! Those 18 to 24 yr olds elected our president.

[simms3]

Is it they?  Was it the huge black turnout?  Was it the independent voter?  Was it the moderate white Republican who wanted to assuage any white guilt and vote for a half black man?  Do we know if it was the 18-24 year range who got him elected?  If my memory serves me correctly, 2008 did not show any large statistical increase in the college age voter turnout, nor did it show a drastic move to the left (because the few 18-24 year olds who do vote typically do vote left already).

[peestandingup]

They have people (mostly 18-24 year olds) doing similar things here and I believe all across the country.  I say...so what?  It's a shame some of the things that go on, but a bunch of dirty granola eaters camping out in a park is not going to do squat.  It's like the legalization of marijuana movement: the most vocal supporters are the biggest stereotypical potheads who outside of their little community have no respect and aren't going to be the people to get their plant legalized.

I believe one of my cousins participated in this event we are referring to.  She just graduated college and does not have a job yet, but she and her hippie boyfriend love to go to music concerts and "chill out" and "expand their mind."  Her parents are pretty conservative and that may have driven her to rebel and become relatively socialist.  I can tell you that most people I graduated with had no problems getting jobs, have had no problems with their student loans (my roommate took on loans and has had no problems with them), are mostly unaware of what happens on Wall St unless they are in a FIRE industry, etc.

Bottom line, a good 70% of the crowds in these "protests" are a) doing nothing but holding up signs, tweeting on their Macs, and camping out, and b) largely not respected by very large segments of society.  I'd say a very large chunk of them are wealthy, over-educated kids who focus too much on politics and fairness and down with the man memes and not enough time making it on their own in the real world.  They are very spoiled.  Should they be listened to at an extent?  Yes.  Is this a sign of the times?  Yes.  Is this a way overblown movement?  Yes.

Are you generalizing & stereotyping? Yes. Are you failing to see the severity of our economic situation? Yes. Are you dismissing people's right to protest about real problems they face while sitting on your ass doing nothing (even though this effects you too)? Yes.

Its pretty easy to talk Simms if you've got a fairly safe job that can actually pay the bills & you've been lucky enough to avoid the system chewing you up & spitting you out in some way over Wall Street shenanigans & other factors that are out of your control. And how long exactly have you & your super-friends (who are all apparently bulletproof) been out of college? Because its a totally different game now my friend. Imagine going through the last 4-6 years, getting out in this climate & there not being a thing available anywhere for you in your field, or even Mickey D's for that matter.

I just hope your position doesn't dissolve away, or get shipped overseas, or that you don't get seriously ill & be socked with insane medical bills that no human being could ever pay off. I'd sure hate the thought of you having to go down there with all of those smelly hippies.