![A Tahrir Moment on Wall Street [Spanish]](http://www.adbusters.org/files/magazine/teaser/flag_spanish_guardian.png?1317158534 "A Tahrir Moment on Wall Street [Spanish]")
Dear patriots, rabble-rousers, revolutionaries,
On Saturday thousands of us will occupy Wall Street. We will wave our signs, unfurl our banners, beat our drums, chant our slogans … and then we'll get down to business and hold several people's assemblies to decide what our "one demand" will be.
Shall we demand that President Obama reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act; outlaw flash trading; impose a 1% tax on all financial transactions?
These are good ideas but not very energizing.
How about we demand the revocation of corporate personhood?
Feels a bit too abstract. Many Americans don't fully grasp what's at stake with this one. And besides, even if he wants to, President Obama cannot deliver this immediately. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling, a reform project like this requires a constitutional amendment that would take a few years and a whole movement to achieve.
We could demand Obama set up an American Democracy Reform Commission tasked with ending the monied corruption in Washington? Or perhaps a Presidential Commission to rethink the American banking system?
Most Americans know that Washington is awash with corporate money and undue influence and would like to see democracy vibrant again. And most would also love to see the "too big to fail" banks broken up, downsized and made to serve the people, the economy and society again. A demand along those lines just might capture the public's imagination.
What if, try as we might, we just can't come up with only one demand? Well, then maybe we can decide together on an END THE MONIED CORRUPTION OF AMERICA MANIFESTO – a rousing compendium of our most urgent demands. And on the seventh day of our occupation we publicly deliver our manifesto to the White House and to the American media, letting Obama know that we won't leave Wall Street until he responds.
If thousands of us hang in there day after day, week after week, we may be able to create a spectacular revolutionary experience that fires up the public imagination and eventually maneuvers Obama into doing something that he has so far not had the guts to do: agree to a bold, decisive stroke against the financial corruption of America. Now that would get the American people behind us and cheering us on from coast to coast.
If we can achieve that, the sky will be the limit … further demands will follow and a new America will be born.
On Saturday, our Tahrir moment begins … strength, courage, nonviolence!
for the wild,
Culture Jammers HQ
PS.
This Saturday at Noon, meet in Bowling Green Park at the Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan. Then at 3pm, join your fellow compatriots at One Chase Manhattan Plaza for the first of many people's assemblies. Check out occupywallst.org/article/lead-up-to-occupation for additional information that you should know before the occupation begins.
For those who cannot attend one of the global solidarity occupations happening in Milan, Madrid, Valencia, London, Lisbon, Athens, San Francisco, Santander, Madison, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and now Algeria and Israel, there will also be a live stream of #OCCUPYWALLSTREET at: livestream.com/globalrevolution
occupywallstreet.org / occupywallst.org
Reddit / Facebook / Twitter
New member. Have been
New member. Have been watching from a distance since it is not covered on mass media, of course. The idea of the large protest, grassroots people driven, struggling and acheiving huge results like we have seen around the world is very inspiring. I'm sure there are millions of angry people lilke me who, when they learn of this event, feel deep down the desire to take part. But I am concerned, like previous comments, about the goal. We are not trying to take out our country's leader. We want many things (which are intrinsic to our culture, politics, and soceity) to be different. I fear that this movement will fizzle out and go nowhere, without one solid, specific attainable goal. What about something like: 1) Forcing corporations to pay up? (taxes, contributions, etc), or 2) Eliminating the electoral college and establising a 3rd peoples party (green not red-no china please) ? Maybe get "Americans Elect 2012" involved in establishing that party. We need something winnable to put in our pocket and take home. Possibly that would be a springboard for other, larger nationwide events to help move our leaders into action.
One thing is for sure, though. As a people (at least in my lifetime 43 years) we have never been angry. Not really. Not angry like we see in Egypt, or other countries who have recently felt that there is no way out but to fight against their leaders, and though their bloodshed, have won some incredible results.
The religious right wing (our current spreading evil) has been brilliantly and covertly working to infiltrate (I'm sorry for sounding conspiracy therory-like) our politics, through growing home schooled (hey-my kids are homeschooled too, but not religious driven) new generation leaders with a different set of beliefs and facts. Read how they are trying to change the voting rules so the democrats will have less votes available to them. Where is the anger, the rising up from the left to say STOP! NO FAIR!!!???
I would say, that I am ready to get angry. Where are my comrades?
Zhao Kelian is a China's
Zhao Kelian is a China's national first-grade revolutionary disabled veteran.Zhao Kelian was murdered by Li Quanmei.Song Hongxiu and Zheng Shuhai's dereliction of duty cover Li Quanmei
Look at the proposals on the
Look at the proposals on the site. Most of them have nothing to do with wall street. How about a Robin Hood tax? I don't even see that on there. Here are all good ideas wall street related:
1. Reinstate Glass-Steagall
2. Ban flash trading
3. End corporate personhood
4. Robin Hood tax
5. END CORPORATE WELFARE! Now that I think of it, why isn't that number 1? That has the broadest support ever.
Why dont we just ask to
Why dont we just ask to abolish the federal reserve as Libertarian Ron Paul suggested so that they can stop handing out money to the bankers? Too practical? Would another government counseling agency change anything? Government protects big business! Why would more government assistance change anything?
Eliminate Corporate Rights as
Eliminate Corporate Rights as Persons
Click Here to Vote to Include
Revise the intrepretation of the famous 1886 case where the U.S. Supreme Court supposedly ruled that corporations are "persons" having the same rights as human beings based on the 14th Amendment, which was intended to protect the rights of former slaves. As most lawyers know, the Supreme Court made no such decision. In the case in question - Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company, the court itself never rules on personhood. A court reporter by the name of J.C. Bancroft Davis (a former railroad president) snuck that "ruling" into the books.
What most people don't know is that after the above-mentioned 1886 decision, artificial persons were held to have exactly the same legal rights as we natural folk. (Not to mention the clear advantages corporations enjoy: they can be in several places at once, for instance, and at least in theory they're immortal.) Up until the New Deal, many laws regulating corporations were struck down under the "equal protection" clause of the 14th Amendment--in fact, that clause was invoked far more often on behalf of corporations than former slaves. Although the doctrine of personhood has been weakened since, even now lawyers argue that an attempt to sue a corporation for lying is an unconstitutional infringement on its First Amendment right to free speech. ( Nike v. Kasky.)
Demands are listed here to be
Demands are listed here to be voted on. One of the first democratic movements online where citicens can utilize a 1 to 1 vote during a major protest: Participate and vote http://coupmedia.org/occupywallstreet/occupy-wall-street-official-demand...
Seems to me these protesters
Seems to me these protesters have no real solutions just complaints. #resourcebasedeconomy
I wish I had something
I wish I had something intelligent or remarkable to say, but I don't.
As I watched my country fall apart I wanted most to be involved in the trench's. So fitting I've spent the last 2 years helping struggling homeowners with their Making Home Affordable application, I felt this was the most beneficial act I could do, it was productive and conducive towards a solution. I've worked as a volunteer alongside lawyers, politicians, and citizens. In this I've learned the true gravity and source of our economic struggles.
I wish I had something intelligent or remarkable to say, something that would burn in you, as it burns in me, and force you from this social stagnation. Yet I can't. We are all so convinced of our safety, so compelled to remain calm, so faithful to our redemption at the hands of another.
My point is, I could take the time to tell you what happened and possible solutions, but my most painful pleas would always fall on deaf ears and sharp tongues. In a world so connected it shouldn't be this hard to say there is a solution. You don't want a solution, so I will wait for you to wage your war, let your life fall to ruin. I will wait till you are done throwing your mindless tantrums over political pundits and babble on about your television-fed views. I will wait until we are both standing in the wreckage. Then and only then, when there is nothing left but destruction and no thoughts but despair over our failures, will I share with how to rebuild. Not because this is my wish, but it is my understanding that only then will you listen.
If you think we are the valiant pursuers of freedom in this war,
9/11 Death Toll: 3,126
"War on Terror" Civilian Casualties: 876,846 and counting...
These are some of the most
These are some of the most ignorant people I have ever met. They no little about civics, government, business or global cultures. They can do us all a favor and educate themselves instead of blaming everyone for their own problems. Thankfully, there are only a few of them, as demonstrated by the small participation in this carnivalevent.
Why are do the links to the
Why are do the links to the global solidarity occupations at the bottom direct you to facebook? Doesn't that seem a little, I don't know, self defeating for lack of a better phrase? Lets lead an anarchistic protest . . . through facebook. Really?
we need to change who makes
we need to change who makes the laws. maybe a law that allows anyone to propose laws and run public voting for those laws? this would be easy using the internet as tool. there is too much that needs to change to be content with only 1 demand. we need to give the power back to the people so that we can build the world we want not the world we're told we need.
Here is the one and only law
Here is the one and only law needed " DO NO HARM" that's it no other law needed. Laws made by the so called representatives are all oppressive and are not laws but ACT or STATUTES which only apply to the CORPORATION who make the oppressive acts and statutes.
Yes, agreed. Are there any
Yes, agreed. Are there any Australian pickets happening? I am in Brisbane and want to start a soidarity protest here too - any Brisbaners??
Impeach why? Wall Street
Impeach why? Wall Street fears him. The Corporations hate him. He is the best thing we got going for us. If we didn't have Obama we would not even have the right to Protest. Anyone who say's Impeach Obama is a idiot or a baby. All we have to do is teach Obama what we want. He is a novice President but we need him very much.
You say if it wasn't for
You say if it wasn't for Obama we wouldn't have the right to protest? Maybe my history is wrong but I don't believe mr Obama is the author of the first amendment. The right to protest is inalienable and natural. No man can grant it or deny it.
I fear this is the attitude that will be our biggest obstacle
Wow I hope this isn't the
Wow I hope this isn't the prevailing sentiment among people involved with this movement. Obama is no less a corporate stooge than previous presidents. He talks about the rich paying their fair share but look at GE. 14 billion dollars in profits and zero dollars paid in income taxes. They are one of obama's top donors. I have hope for this movement but these people need to realize that it is not who controls the massive government but the fact that there is a massive government. Liberty is inversely proportional to the size and scope of government. If you want freedom minimize government.
Ok, here is a idea for that
Ok, here is a idea for that one demand. This is something he can do easily. Demand> Fire all your white house staff including Clinton advisers and the like. Replace them with brilliant people from the middle class that are unconnected, because you don't need that. What you need is people that have and understand us the middles class and who have also lived in poverty. Also for people you have working with your CIA, some middle class hackers, computer experts who graduated from Digipin again all from the middle class or Poor now. This is our one demand. Soon we will also have a manifesto as well.
I HAVE THE PERFECT DEMAND:
I HAVE THE PERFECT DEMAND: FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL FINANCIAL "CONTRIBUTIONS" WE DEMAND THAT A LAW BE PUT IN PLACE THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL POLITICIANS TO DISCLOSE ALL MONIES (OTHER THAN THEIR PAYCHECK) TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THIS WAY EVERYONE KNOWS WHO IS INFLUENCED BY WHO. THERE'S MORE TO THIS PLAN BUT FOR NOW THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY.
I agree! It shiuld always be
I agree! It shiuld always be known how people are being influenced and by who... for what reason, for what personal gain.
P.S. Please don't hire all
P.S. Please don't hire all African Americans. Truly look for the most intelligent. Stop playing to your appearance to certain voters. Also for generals. get someone from a lower rank that is reliable and a great Tactician, then make him a general. STOP USING GENERALS THAT BUSH MADE. You make your own.
I'm sorry but this seems a
I'm sorry but this seems a little backasswards... holding a protest and deciding only AFTER its begun what its primary purpose is? Mr. Obama get ready for our pressing demands (when we finally figure out what our demands are and why they are so pressing)?
Seems a little silly. Not trying to be negative, just makes the whole thing seem not very serious if you gotta' think up reasons to be there... once you get there.
It's also a reflection that
It's also a reflection that the true reason for the protest is existential, not necessarily a single problem easily put into one phrase that unifies the group. If you try to predefine it, it would inevitably divide the group.
You are not using your head.
You are not using your head. Everyone has a different complaint, if you don't gather a consensus, some people will use that as a excuse to leave. Understand now?
Once a consensus has been
Once a consensus has been made, though, portions of those present will inevitably feel like their purposes for showing up are not being met, and support will therefore flag nonetheless. In my opinion it makes more sense to go into a protest with a specific cause, say ending corporate welfare. Then those who are passionate about it will come, and due to a unified concern for the same cause, be able to effectively organize and bring others to the cause.
Now do you understand my qualm with this current method? If I were to try and rally support from my friends and colleagues for a protest, it would be far more effective to be able to tell them the exact WHY and WHAT of the issue, one that I am already in unification with many others on as well as knowledgeable and passionate about, as opposed to the current situation where, in spreading the word about the protest, the most tangible details I am able to offer are "i dunno, we're gonna' try and figure somethin' out once we're there - NOW WHO'S WITH ME!?"
Again, not trying to be a hater, I just disagree with the way this is being organized.
In a monetary system,
In a monetary system, democracy is an illusion perpetuated to give the populace a feeling of participation in a so-called democratic process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w
I wish people used these
I wish people used these boards to talk about the changes we want to see in our country and our society. Stop attacking each other. For this movement to be successful we need to have constructive ideas on reforming our government in ways that the rational majority of Americans would want to see.
Anonymous Occupy Youtube BLOG
Anonymous Occupy Youtube
BLOG IS UP AND RUNNING JOIN THE MOVEMENT
http://occupyyoutube.blogspot.com/
Strength in Numbers
http://www.facebook.com/group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/250429901667070/ JOIN THE MOVEMENT!!! SUPPORT, IDEAS AND INFO ON PEACEFUL MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE WORLD!
Whatever decision you make,
Whatever decision you make, make sure that a large portion of the American people will support your position. I recommend either enforcing our immigration laws and removing all the illegal aliens from the country. This would open up millions of jobs for Americans, increase the wage rate, and provide a higher standard of living for the poorest Americans. Or, you can demand an end to all of these wars for Israel.
Ernst the Nazi
Ernst the Nazi