A Chicagoan on AdBusters call for #OccupyChicago
In case you haven’t heard AdBusters, the magazine who first called for Occupy Wall Street in 2011, has called for the world to join in Chicago on May 1st in their latest “tactical briefing”. In an hour #OccupyChicago began trending on twitter in seven cities including New York, LA, Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC, and more. Most cities expressed excitement but many at Occupy Chicago, including myself, expressed reservations. I hope to explain my reasons why. This does not mean nothing will be happening on May 1. Occupy Chicago will rise to the occasion.
“Occupy” is not owned by anyone. I want to start out by saying that. But my problem is that a strong organization known as Occupy Chicago already exists. It has a functioning GA, planned actions, and allies all over Chicago. By AdBusters failing to contact us, it was a lack of respect for the months of work we had put into this movement. And by failing to contact us, it shows they have little to no understanding of the Chicago Police Department.
Follow Procedure
Occupy Chicago has been known to be very bureaucratic. We have procedural rules that guarantee all who wish to be heard, and express their opinions about proposals and actions can… as equals. AdBusters may have initially called for #OccupyWallSt, but they didn’t build it. They didn’t have to stand up to police brutality, endure torrential rain/blizzards, or have their civil liberties stripped from under their feet. I’m not saying they have no say, we all stand together regardless of borders. But to create an action you need General Assembly (the ultimate decision making body) approval. AdBusters wants to speak for the 99%: be one of us, don’t call orders at us from above.
The reason I am explaining this, is we already had events planned (check the new tab at the top labeled Chicago Spring for more info). Occupy Chicago had passed a proposal that called for perpetual events and actions in Chicago beginning on April 7, 2011 known as “Chicago Spring”. May 1 had an event, and AdBuster’s call has serious shortfalls in understanding the culture of Chicago. May Day (May 1) is historically a day about immigrant rights. Sure, it’s had a worker’s rights flavor splashed in, but not sufficient enough to justify co-opting their day. Occupy Chicago does not want to silence our brothers and sisters we share a struggle with by attempting to overpower their voice. (fyi – May Day in Chicago has yielded close to 500,000 people).
The Image
The picture is of the 1968 Democratic National Convention police riots in Chicago. You may as well be asking upfront for it. AdBusters must know that Chicago has had close to 300 arrests related to attempts at encampment, that must be why they called for “peaceful barricades”. If you want to pick a fight with CPD, you should consult those whose name you are using. Occupy Police had this to say: “while global solidarity is important, it’s better to let a community deal with community issues, especially when it comes to things like police/community relations which as this picture depicts, are not good.”
The part that annoys me the most: the hashtag #OccupyChicago is too long, 13 letters. Twitter has been using #OChi for about a month to address that issue. This may not seem that bad to many of you, but to those of us on twitter… it sucks.
This is our home
So if you are going to make a decision like that talk to us first. Talk to The Committee against NATO and G8 War & Poverty Agenda (CANG8), a group not part of Occupy Chicago, but has been hard at work planning actions. Occupy Rogers Park in the Northside of Chicago has been actively working and influencing the decisions of local politicians in city hall, Occupy the Barrio in the Pilsen neighborhood has been surged in popularity in Chicago’s Southside through community outreach and direct actions. Occupy the Dream, a coalition of several activist groups in the Southside of Chicago including Trinity Church Community Center, SOUL Chicago, Occupy Chicago, IIRON, Liberate the Southside, Occupy our Homes, Northside P.O.W.E.R., and the Northwest Indiana Federation have worked tirelessly to host major actions across the city.
There are even more: Occupy Logan Square, Occupy the South Side, Occupy the Hood. All of us were working together to make Chicago Spring a coordinated effort. Work with us… Not against us. We know Chicago, far better than you. Work with us so you can learn from our experiences of being activists in the Windy City. And remember, you are talking about our home… treat it with respect in all your decisions.
Trackbacks
- Eye On #OCHI: AdBusters and the Locals at oakland.occupy.hoops227.net
- Adbusters and the Locals | Occupied Chicago Tribune
- Adbusters and the Locals - CyberLeaks | 24X7 Cyber Eye
- Occupy’s challenge: Reinventing democracy | occupy illuminati
- Occupy’s challenge: Reinventing democracy | Local Philadelphia News Aggregator
- Occupy’s challenge: Reinventing democracy (Salon) | Occupy USA Today
I’ve been worried about this since I heard that “message”. But I will rise to the occasion if it calls for it.
I hope not. It’s a dastardly thing to do, risking people’s lives with G8/NATO. We’ve seen the videos; to those who have not go now and search them. Watch the destruction it will bring. Is OC ready?
Like I said, I will be there if need be.
I think Chicago should have put out a call far before AdBusters did then there would not have been a need for them to do it they could have just supported it. maybe this is the kick in the pants ochi needed to get on par with other occupations. consider if many already knew about and were planning to attend how much more opposition sit down shut up would have had…
AdBusters did y’all a solid don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
There was no need for a “kick in the pants”, they were being careful because a hasty plan could backfire and discredit the entire movement. Using macho sport dude analogies like saying Occupy Chicago is “not on par” (didn’t know it was a contest) accomplishes nothing but the sort of frat boy protesting that the media loves to use against dissent.
While I understand those of you who feel like Adbusters undermined the movement, the G8/NATO protests were going to be huge whether or not Occupy Chicago was on board.
As a northeast occupier, who has seen their movements effectively silenced, this call to action got me excited again.
I don’t think Adbusters meant to hurt your feelings, and it would be unwise to sour your relations with such a loud ally.
I will be coming to Chicago May 1.
Chicago has been putting out a call, it’s just that they’re not as effective in reaching a global audience. Whoever wrote the call from Adbusters made an error in neglecting to contact Occupy Chicago, tho I’m sure it was just a mistake.
I think the picture Adbusters used is VERY appropriate, especially considering how corrupt and evil the CPD is to this day.
Besides which, let’s not fight horizontally, let’s fight VERTICALLY. A call out to the world to bring in every available body to mobilize for the G-8/NATO summits is the right thing to do.
You guys need and should want every single person willing to lay it on the line there with you. And you need to understand many protestors outside the US fully understand what a Police State and one of these events is like. They may well have skills and tactical strategies you’ll find helpful. Your new fascist laws and Mayor are prepping to thump you all. Surely you see this coming.
And we’re all in this together. Sorry your city is going to be the battle ground but you should have realized this when they announced the G-8 and NATO would meet there. This would happen with or without ‘Occupy’. It’s a global event.
You don’t seem to understand what the person who wrote the original post is saying, or if you do, you are intentionally ignoring it.
Right – The post is talking about the way Adbusters behaved and the tone of the Ad. It’s clear to me he’s not against people coming here to protest. I think he’s saying it’s frustrating because, for one thing, they could have been more effective and supportive if they’d communicated and co-ordinated.
As a member of Occupy Norfolk, I’ve actually grown rather tired of the way that AdBusters has attempted to function as a military general, sitting in the rear giving commands of what they “want” us to do. If they “want” to be a part of the fight so much, get out of the offices where you’re issuing battle orders, and get out and be a part of Occupy Canada. (I’m still kind of disillusioned by the fact that a Canadian organization is attempting to lead and corral Americans into “bucking the system”)
If anyone should be leading a call to converge on the Windy City and OCCUPYING these events, it should be Occupy Chicago. Sure, OWS can help out with spreading the press release if OC decided to do it, but in the end it’s a bunch of people coming from outside of Chicago and putting everything to risk that OC has worked on to this point. .
Someone should call for an “Occupy AdBusters” gathering just to make it clear they do NOT control us, nor do they have any place in deciding what we do. We occupy all night, all day. They occupy from an office space. Suck it.
In the Fight Against America’s current Congressional_Senatorial Embraced Off Shoring Jobs _ Destruction of Our Nations Economy for Corporatist Fascism :
” We’re gonna keep fighting. Is that CLEAR?
We’re gonna attack all night, we’re gonna attack tomorrow morning.
If we are not VICTORIOUS, let no man come back alive! ” ~g.patton
GEORGE PATTON DID NOT LIKE FASCISTS AND NEITHER DOES MOST OCCUPY MEMBERS I’VE SPOKEN WITH.
Rahm Emanuel sees Chicago Occupy as ‘ Ground Beef ‘
for His Luncheon .
The TRUCKS are scheduled like an AUSCHWITZ TRANSPORT to Privatized Prison Set Up to handle THOUSANDS of OCCUPY Protestors.
He is Washington D.C.’s version of a Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich
OCCUPY’s first Chicago days up close and personal will see over One Thousand Occupy Members Disappear from The Front LInes
into Prison at the behest of Rahm Emanuel. ..
who HAS SIGNED PAPERWORK already in place.
NATO G8 et al is Your GA Baby Alone? Really ..
There was 300 arrests last night alone in Oakland Cali. .. and that was a Peaceful Ketteling .. they Targeted Journalists ..
Chicago is GROUND ZERO for this years coming Blut_Fest .. bring First Aid Kits & spares folks:
Rahm Emanuel sees this Festive Gathering as his version of The Battle of Kursk:
He’s Spoiling for it – He Wants It :
He has dug his Anti_Occupy Pits .. hired Outside Force .. engaged the Military ala NDAA. thanks in no small part to Pres.Obama’s Lead .. :
Rahm Emanuel .. has grabbed Legislative Power as not seen in American History gathered to Suppress & Repress Protestation against a New World Order that He sees Himself Representing at this Meet.
But YOU claim Chicago OCCUPY wants that .. No Outside OCCUPY cells should inspire other cells to plan in advance to Attend unless your Chicago GA is First Contacted and they then
tosses up a few late in the day Flares and Invites & Organizes Outside Occupy cells to tread
upon their Soil .. ?
Just knowing what Rahm Emanuel is about ..
I’ve thought about this brewing situation since Day 1..
.. and I say WE as an OCCUPY’er .. not WE .. as I’m from Chicago .. ” I’m frum New Yawk Sonny .. ”
WE WILL NEED as MANY OCCUPY Cells across the Nation that can be
moved to Attend the Chicago Carnival, Planning NOW to Transport , Communicate , LiveStream , UStream , Photograph , Document , Report & Assist during the coming Foul Mouthed Ego Driven Rahm Emanuel Show of Force Designed to Crush Occupy before the Nations
Cameras so to have him appear The Strong Man like a Benito Mussolini against the Peons:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/19/outlawing-dissent-rahm-emanuel-new-regime?commentpage=1#start-of-comments
” .. ICEBERG DEAD AHEAD ! .. Iceberg dead ahead, Captain .. “
“I pointed out that it was in the best interests of the City to have us in Lincoln Park TEN MILES AWAY from the Convention hall. I said we had NO INTENTION OF MARCHING on the Convention hall, that I didn’t particularly think that politics in America could be changed by marches and rallies, that what we were presenting was an alternative life style, and we hoped that people of Chicago would come up, and MINGLE in Lincoln Park and see what we were about.”
-Abbie Hoffman from the Chicago Seven trial 1968
The eyes of the world will soon be on #OCHI. The power of the movement will be concentrated during the month of May on Chicago. Time to rise to the occasion, stop the petty squabbles. Adbusters did you a favor – you should thank them.
“Abusters did you a favor”, if you think people who are actually doing the work need “favors” from people with the power to pretend to speak for others without consulting them, you might as well work for the 1%.
You want to send a real message to the leaders of world? Don’t show up, have the streets empty. Take that money you would have had to spend on bail and court fees, (which would have gone straight into the pigs pockets anyways), and invest into a community and create a working model for your politics.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM with constitutional amendment
WHY IS AMERICA IN AN UNSOLVABLE UNEMPLOYMENT DEPRESSION ?
BECAUSE BILL CLINTON CHANGED OUR HISTORIC LONG STANDING
TRADE AND LABOR LAWS – DE REGULATED THEM – DESTROYED THEM
TO MAKE LEGAL:
THE UNEMPLOYMENT OF OUR TAX PAYERS
THE DE FUNDING OF OUR NATIONS ECONOMY
THE DE FUNDING OF OUR GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS
THE DE FUNDING OF OUR HARD FOUGHT FOR _ HARD WON
SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS
THE STRIPPING OUT OF RETIREMENT PENSIONS
THE GUTTING OUT OF OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN THE FUTURE
THE TAKING OF THE PERCENTAGE OF WAGES WHICH MADE AMERICA
FUNCTION – AS NOW THE NEW STREAM OF PROFIT INCOME FOR US CORPORATIONS
BILL CLINTON IS OUR NEU AGE BENEDICT ARNOLD
THE IDEA WAS ex CIA director G.H.W.BUSH’S – ” MR.REAGANOMICS ”
UNLESS OCCUPY WINS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM for THE NATION
OUR ELECTED WILL REMAIN CORRUPTED BY CORPORATIST MONEY
OUR HISTORIC NATIONAL WEALTH GENERATING LARGE DOMESTIC
MANUFACTURING FOR EXPORT SALES WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUTTED
OUT OF OUR NATIONS ECONOMIC FABRIC & SENT TO SLAVE LABOR ABROAD.
THOSE PRODUCTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTED INTO OUR ECONOMY
TO BE SOLD AT THE SAME PRICES AS WHEN AMERICANS WERE EMPLOYED
MAKING OUR BLOCKBUSTER AMERICAN PRODUCTS .. LIKE THE iPOD
CELL PHONES _ PERSONAL COMPUTERS _ AND THE 90% OF PRODUCTS SOLD
IN AMERICA THAT ARE NOT MADE IN AMERICA ANY MORE.
WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ” FIGHT THE POWER ” BY EXPOSING THEM
FOR WHAT THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY’VE DONE VIA
RACKETEERING LEGISLATION OF G.H.W.BUSH_BILL CLINTON
Mom & Pop’s Lawn Mower Sharpening Blade Back Yard Business
won’t cut it – no matter how much PROPAGANDA Washington D.C.
throws out about Small Business being the Backbone of our Nations Economy.
OVER 67% OF AMERICA WAS INVOLVED IN LARGE DOMESTIC CORPORATE
MANUFACTURING FOR EXPORT SALES – IT IS WHAT MADE AMERICA AN
ADVANCED NATION.
TO DO THAT TAKES PAY CHECKS TO FUEL OUR CONSUMER ECONOMY
THE CORPORATIST FASCISM GOVERNING OUR NATION TODAY BOUGHT
OUT OUR POLITICAL VOICES – THEY ARE OWNED PUPPETS NOW
GET THE MONEY OUT !
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM with constitutional amendment – OR DIE !
CORPORATIST FASCISM MUST NOT STAND AS AMERICAN GOVERNANCE !
GET THE QUASI_NAZIS OUT OF WASHINGTON D.C. POLITICS
GET THE CORPORATIST MONEY OUT OF POLITICS
.
You say: “May Day (May 1) is historically a day about immigrant rights. Sure, it’s had a worker’s rights flavor splashed in, but not sufficient enough to justify co-opting their day.”
All I can say is WOW. You might try cracking open a history book, or even just asking some old-timers right there in Chicago what May Day is all about. It started there in Chicago, after all, with the 1886 strike for the eight-hour work day culminating in the hangings of the Haymarket martyrs. It has always been about workers’ rights — that is precisely why the communist international designated it as International Workers Day back in 1888, I believe.
This kind of sheer ignorance really gets to me, especially when you state it is matter-of-factly as you do here. It’s just sad that Americans have been so thoroughly robbed of their history that even you native Chicagoans don’t have the slightest idea about what took place in your own city, when the entire world recognizes this day as one of international workers’ solidarity.
Seriously, please read some history.
In recent history it has been dominated by immigrants rights events. And despite this error, this post is dead on in many ways. Adbusters made a statement with no plan to back it up, and didn’t consult those who are actually organizing. That seems like 1% behavior.
We’re not a leaderless movement, we’re a movement of leaders. Ochi does not lead this movement. Expecting people to make sure Ochi was ok with there message is a bit controlling in my opinion. G8 actions need to and will happen with or with-ought Ochi. I personally want to thank Adbusters for for bringing attention to this.
If you really want to argue over who started what wasn’t it adbusters who called for the occupy wall street action to which you are a spin off of? did you ask them if it was cool to start Ochi?
-_- ….
1% behavior? This is silly.
Are immigrants not workers? Are the undocumented not the most exploited workers in this country? We have to make it clear. The worker’s rights movement should be very much concerned when a worker, just because they lack a piece of paper, can be exploited to the extent that the undocumented have been and are. This is not about co-optation at all; this is the present reality of the fight for worker’s rights (some say human rights) in which until the systemic exploitation of the undocumented person and peoples is unmade. (maybe we should spend some energy developing a system of production that doesn’t exploit at all…) no worker is free from exploitation until the undocumented are.
Ok, granted I may be wrong on that. The point is TODAY it is very much about immigrant rights in Chicago.
Even with that being said, that isnt even the main point of the article. I don’t lean on that fact at all. The core argument is still very much valid.
Don’t let Occupy play right into the government’s hands
I was at the Chicago 1968 action. Final result of protests was zero for us, optimal for Daley. The perfect event for showing his ‘strength’. The city made money. The 1968 images supposedly proved that we were just ‘animals.’ We failed. Yes, we were heard. No, we didn’t change a damn thing.
This year the decision makers have already been warned by the Chicago police and are planning accordingly – meaning they are putting even more distance (on every level) from protesters. They don’t care about your agenda. They will be safe, emotionally removed and probably laughing at the Occupy actions.
In addition, Chicago recently announced that we have the highest number of street gangs of any city in the country. Do you really think those gangs are going to sit on the sidelines while you protest? No, you will be providing the gangs with the perfect environment to forward their own agendas, which these days means gunning people down. Don’t kid yourself – the gangs are not on your side and couldn’t care less about your attempts to make the 99% lives better. You are not one of them, and as such, you are their target.
The people who WILL be impacted by any Occupy aggressive actions are the very people Occupy is presumably speaking for – the average Chicagoan who is already underemployed, paying the highest gasoline costs in the country, getting ever-diminishing city services, and paying huge taxes into the bottomless rathole of the Illinois treasury.
Don’t punish the very people you are speaking for – the small businesses, the unemployed, the average person just trying to make a buck – by allowing adrenalin to drown your decisions. Don’t give the powers-that-be any reason to dismiss you as just more ‘animals’ as in the fine tradition of Chicago protests of the past.
Protest if you will. It is your right. I marched decades ago to ensure you can speak out.
But understand that if you take aggressive or violent actions, you will be playing right into the police/goverment/decision maker’s hands.
Right on, Rose! I have heard this echoed by so many people, but this was one of the more articulate expressions.
absolutely! I can only hope and pray they listen.
Do you hear that everyone?
Be afraid of the gangs! Make sure we’re as safe as possible as to not inconvenience anyone! Let the police continue stomping us into the ground – even though their violence will be blamed on us!
This is silly. We’re out there fighting for everyone. Unfortunately, that means that the citizens of Chicago might have to be inconvenienced for a little bit. I just hope that the citizens are intelligent enough to stand by us.
Couldn’t have said it better. Not a single suggestion of what to actually do. Wasn’t 68 a police riot that didn’t need any provocation from protesters? And didn’t they win in the end anyway? 68 went down in history as a police riot. P.S. this gang fear mongering is sad. Those kids who we are fighting for, even if they won’t fight for us; assuming they wouldn’t, anyway. When riots break out here, which almost seem inevitable these days, gangs will be on the front lines fighting with police.
Adbusters needs to realize that while there is a need for a participatory alternative media that supports the movement – that reflects and amplifies the message of the movement, there is no need for a media that attempts to direct or drive the movement. Media – check!
. . . please listen before speaking
I agree with the authors concerns. Nobody but Occupy should utilize the name Occupy, imo. Especially in an direct action or any manner which presumes alliance. It’s just rude and wrong. Adbusters could have called for action in any number of ways without falsely assuming the name occupy. And they definitely should have asked ochi where they were at on this. This is not a small point… and Occupies all over the world need to defend their name and procedures, committees which come with it.
Even if one has no problem with adbusters… the abuse in this manner by so many has been problematic all along. If we let them get away with it… countless others will too.
That said, I hope Occupy Chicago comes up with some great actions on this event/issue… which I am sure they will. I live a couple states away… and I hope to join many in solidarity against these neoliberal fascists!
Let Occupy be Occupy! (insist upon it)
Doesn’t Adbusters technically hold the copyright to “occupy ____”?
Joshua Kaunert of Occupy Chicago said: “Occupy Chicago has a lot of work to do both prior to and after these summits: Mayor 1% has turned peaceful protest and passive resistance in Chicago into a criminal act, violating our First Amendment rights. We are still in the planning stages for all of our spring actions, but we welcome all who want to speak out against the famine and war forced on the world by the G8 and Nato to join us in the streets of Chicago.’”
Will Occupy Chicago step up and be at the Midwest conference in St. Louis in March? We need you there if you want us to respect your wishes for the May activities, otherwise we’ll plan something without you. I’m hopeful Occupy Chicago will be well represented in St. Louis.
Occupy Chicago will be sending people to St. Louis. Midwestern Solidarity!
had adbusters not called for action would Ochi exist?
http://www.adbusters.org/blogs/adbusters-blog/occupywallstreet.html
what I don’t understand about this whole Occupy movement is this: why, if you’re all on the side of the 99% which includes homeless people, aren’t you all “occupying” soup kitchens, homeless shelters, having clothing/food drives? Hell, work with Habitat for Humanity? I think more people would get behind you if they saw you doing so.
We are but main stream media does not like to cover those stories about us. They prefer we stay the bad guys I think. I personally didn’t know what occupy was about so I went to my local occupy and I have to say its nothing like the news would have you believe. I know its hard to understand the concept of people before profit for many but thats really the case here.
I agree with #Ochi, it was disrespectful of Adbusters to make the call w/o consulting them. At the same time they have taken the heat off of #occupy. Adbusters is now the scapegoat. If the US government has to go after someone, they have a non-american organization to go after.
This is bigger than Chicago. Many of us have been planning to come protest the G8 and NATO long before the Adbusters call to OccupyChicago (which I agree should have went through the GA). To say that anyone “is asking for it” simply because a picture was reproduced is simply apologist nonsense. No one is asking for anything, certainly not police brutality. But we will protest the G8 and the imperialist wars of NATO, whether a group of Occupy peeps agree or not. The GA of Chicago (or anywhere) doesn’t control people, it attempts to build consensus, no? It doesn’t say what autonomous individuals can do, it tries to talk about what we want to do together. At least that’s my understanding. And pretty please, please stop apologizing for the police before they even beat us. Thanks.
Well, I started this post trying to be very empathic and “pc”, but I just got more passionate and, subsequently, irritated, as I continued to write. Please know, that I am your sister, in all of this. I love you, without even knowing you, and I deeply applaud and honor your efforts and sacrifice. Nonetheless, I feel a need to “call Occupy out”, on a few things.
Firstly, while I understand the feeling of having been “left out of the loop” and unrecognized for your months of organization, the problems that we are facing are so substantial, that no one has nor should focus upon trying to have any proprietary right to a “call to action”. In short, if Ad Busters and/or any other source is able to transmit an effective announcement for mass gathering, so be it. This is NOT the time to be quibbling about “who gets the word out”.
This is not the time to be vying for territorial “ownership” (oops… sounds like the establishment), amongst related movements. In fact, in the most scientific of terms, it’s fair to assume that successful challenge of such an intricately-constructed “status quo” will require concurrent, multiple interventions (i.e. myriad movements, with varying strategies). Everyone has their part, and we should support, rather than denounce, each others’ efforts.
Secondly and with much respect, the G8-Nato summit, whilst being held in Chicago, is a INTERNATIONAL EVENT. Thus, multiple entities not bound by any of Occupy’s protocol are more than welcome to plan a civil action, surrounding this summit.
Finally, I must say that, while I admire and respect the Occupy Movement, I’ve been simultaneously disappointed in your failure to set an agenda. I understand the whole “linear movement” concept; however, I do not necessarily agree, with it. Don’t take my word, for it. Instead, take your queues from history: The most successful civil movements have evolved in a three-dimensional format… They have involved LEADERSHIP (King, Ghandi, Mandella, etc.), through which PRAGMATIC ACTIONS have been “laid out”, for the people to follow (i.e. non-violence, BOYCOTTS, demonstrations, etc.).
One woman’s efforts to call for a mass closing of Bank of America accounts caused more of a dent in that institution’s operations than has Occupy. The gift of Occupy is the breadth of numbers and locations that you are forming… USE YOUR GIFT, WISELY… DO SOMETHING PROACTIVE, WITH IT.
Occupy has captured global media attention, at a time when many people… including many Americans… are intensely frustrated and increasingly aware of the dire circumstances, both current and potential, in which we find ourselves. Yet, in my opinion, Occupy has not adequately utilized this rare platform to call “the people, at large”, to action. God forbid, this might require formulation of an agenda and a set of demands, upon which the majority of the 99% can agree.
In my personal experience, I have spoken with liberals and conservatives, with hardworking, family-oriented people who would not “spontaneously” attend an Occupy GA, etc., and we all concur (1) that government needs to be separate from corporate interest and (2) that the banking system is corrupt and needs to be held accountable/localized/dismantled/etc. AMONGST ALL OF OUR DIFFERENCES, IN WORLD VIEW, LIFESTYLE AND OPINION… THESE ARE TWO CORNERSTONES UPON WHICH THE “MAJORITY, OF THE MAJORITY” CAN ABSOLUTELY AGREE.
Let’s face it… the 1% have most of the resources and advantages, from the money, to the land, to the military & police force, to the satellites in space. THE FUNDAMENTAL POWER OF THE 99% IS IN (1) THE NUMBERS AND (2) THE TRUTH. Please know that it is not with contention but, rather, as a plea for unity, that I boldly assert… ANY EFFORTS AND/OR PROTOCOLS, BY OCCUPY AND/OR ANY OTHER WELL-MEANING GROUP THAT DO NOT HAVE, AS THEIR CORE PRINCIPLE AND DRIVING MOTIVATION THE INTENT TO “RESONATE” WITH, ENGAGE & INVOLVE THE “REST OF THE 99%” IS NOT ONLY A WASTE OF TIME, BUT ALSO UNCONSCIONABLY SELFISH.
THE “REST OF THE 99%” (those people that are aware of the problem and are exceedingly frustrated, but are currently not pro-active, largely, due to the fact that they are simply trying to survive, within this f$@!ed-up system that’s been established… those people that work long hours to put processed food in their childrens’ mouths, and come home exhausted, to a night of mind-numbing television, before they wake up and do it all over again… those people that spend their beleaguered nights perusing the www and stumble across Occupy updates, informative documentaries and youtube testimonials, all of which inform them of the problem… but still feel helpless… and scared)… IF YOU’RE NOT ABLE TO FIND A UNIVERSAL (i.e. principles and demands so fundamental, that the majority of the 99% can agree),”SAFE” (i.e. incremental… not too risky nor inconvenient, to start… go slow and let confidence build, as people gradually become aware of our collective power) WAY TO ENGAGE THEM… WE’RE DONE. WE’RE LEFT WITH SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD (logistically and psychologically) A MORE RADICAL LIFESTYLE, WHICH WILL NEVER GIVE US ENOUGH NUMBERS.
And, here I am, responding to a monologue about “who called the people to act”… If you get distracted by such petty madness, how can you ever offer yourself as a conduit for global change?
Kudos, to Ad Busters… for having the balls to set a cohesive agenda and a practical prescription for action, around which the 99% can exponentially unite.