OccupySTL Blog

A.L.E.C. ~ The Bill-uminati

2012-02-22T16:58:00.013-06:00

As the Occupy movement rolls on into the new year, it continues to spread and morph into different factions. Direct action along with education, legal and outreach programs are helping to steer the movement into a smarter and more effective pattern. As we continue to dig into the system we call the American government, the movement is continually outraged and refeuled by what we uncover. Occupy camps have been swept away and re-established, protesters have been arrested, beaten, maced and in some cases critically injured, but we continue to return and make our voices heard, nobody said revolution was easy.

Have we ousted the seemingly inhuman tyrants that are dead set on eliminating the middle class? Not yet. What we have done is sparked minds, created dialogue, and shaken some people awake, at the very least given a name and a structure to the rage that the masses of this country feel, and that's a good start. Are these oppressive corporate giants listening? of course not, have they ever? Although there is a recent wave curious and dangerous senate bills being proposed. bills like the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which will legalize a form of martial law, also being proposed in 4 states are "Ag-gag" bills making it illegal to film inside or distribute film of factory farms. These and other similar bills are a sure sign that "they" might not be listening but can definitely hear us.

Another way the movement has become more focused is establishing who "they" are, the opposition that is. For most people it has been clear cut who and what we are fighting against, despite the corporate owned mainstream medias best attempts to portray us as "lacking a common cause." The who, is the corporate elite of giant banking, shipping, pharmaceutical and agricultural corporations. Let's go ahead and name just a few names just so were crystal clear. Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Export Grain Terminal, Wal-Mart, Monsanto and that's just the tip of the iceberg. It seems that were all aboard the modern day Titanic if we go back to sleep and let them have their way.

CEO's set wages and workers rights as low as they possibly can. Agriculture and health care conglomerates make it expensive and difficult to eat healthy, real food or get proper medical care (without in- debiting yourself for the rest of your life). All of this while giving themselves tax breaks and bonuses and making sure to bankrupt or consume local businesses. The best part is, if you dare peacefully assemble in protest of this, an army of "public servants" is sent to "silence" your voice, often literally. As if these coalitions aren't enough for the working class to deal with, enter the GOP, the so called conservative branch of American politicians. These corporate and political factions are beyond in bed together, it's more like a marriage, one of power and money. Imagine the power they could wield over the middle class if corporations could hand legislators new bill proposals or changes in laws, that would directly benefit their bottom line. They would try to rewrite America until the pledge of Allegiance read more like this.

Sadly, this already happens,cue the Darth Vader music. Let's talk about the little known outside of exclusive circles, American Legislative Exchange Council (A.L.E.C.), which is the link between the corporate elite and our country's conservative lawmakers. Props to Occupy Phoenix for recently bringing them into a national light. With the last rash of new Republican governors, many very similar anti-labor, anti-middle class, pro-corporate laws are being introduced on the senate floor and reintroduced if they fail. Corporate heads sit on all nine A.L.E.C. task forces along side participating legislators who are overwhelmingly conservative Republicans (there is one reported Democrat) CEOs and politicians vote on "model" bills together. Our trusty elected officials then introduce these ideas as their own brilliant innovations in state houses across America.

According to the A.L.E.C. website their nine task forces are Civil Justice, Commerce/Insurance/Economic Development, Education, Energy/ Environment/Agriculture, Health and Human Services, International Relations, Public Safety and Elections, Tax and Fiscal Policy, and finally Telecommunications and Information Technology. I think they've got us covered or should I say got themselves covered. Although recently being forced out of the shadows more than ever A.L.E.C. has been quietly in business since 1973. Denying being a lobbying group they also claim to be bi-partisan, they are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable organization and but of course, enjoy a tax exempt status. A.L.E.C. funding comes from corporate members annual fees and they also receives "grants" directly from some of the largest corporate foundations in the world. Some of the corporate entities at work here are some of the biggest factions affecting Americans health and our global environment. Companies like Reynolds American Inc. (very big tobacco), Exxonmobil, United Health Care, Humana and Bayer (Pharmaceuticals) are all members of A.L.E.C. boards. Also billionaire Republican turds the Koch Brothers (Koch Industries) have had financial influence on an unknown number of A.L.E.C. sponsored bills.

This quite cooperation between state legislators and powerful corporations, in my opinion is a massive threat to the American working populations freedom. A.L.E.C.'s all star big money cast includes a curious alumni of well to do "conservative" politicians. Past and current members include Speaker of the house John Boehner, former house speakers Tom DeLay (Texas(R) convicted felon - money laundering) and Dennis Hastert (Illinois(R) voted one of the ten worst members of congress ever by Rolling Stone) along with Gov. Rick Perry who's Texas family ranch was called "Nig*erhead" until recently. Former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld who was once quoted saying, "Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war", was the 1985 chair of A.L.E.C.'s business policy board. Other memorable members include Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Dan Quayle and my personal favorite, Jan Brewer who championed in Arizona's A.L.E.C. generated Sb-1070 immigration law. The Sb-1070 bill allows law enforcement to stop and question any person they believe LOOKS like they could be an illegal alien. This law is the definition of racial profiling, literally.

Dictionary.com ~ Racial profiling -n government activity directed at a suspect or group of suspects based solely on race.

An example of how these dangerous partnerships can play out, we can turn to Arizona and take a look into the Sb-1070 situation. This is where one of the more sinister members of A.L.E.C., the billion dollar Corrections Corporation of America seemed to be making some moves. In 2010 small cities just north of the Arizona/Mexico border we're approached by private companies wanting to build prisons for large numbers of illegal immigrants. Confident sales pitches were presented to these towns, due to a new "business-plan" being formed and that plan eventually became bill Sb-1070 and then Arizona's new immigration law. Private corrections interests partnered with long time A.L.E.C. member And Arizona State Sen. Russel Peirce, who claims to have "drafted" the bill. Peirce then presented the draft to the also A.L.E.C. member ridden Arizona statehouse floor and it received quick co-sponsorship. Which moves it along to Gov. Jan Brewers desk, Who's Campaign Manager Chuck Coughlin and spokesman Paul Senseman are both former lobbyists for private prison companies. Needless to say, Brewer signs the bill into law without delay.

A recent National Public Radio (NPR) article about the new law says. "NPR spent several months analyzing hundreds of pages of campaign finance reports, lobbying documents and corporate records. What they show is a quite, behind-the-scenes effort to help draft and pass Arizona Senate Bill 1070 by an industry that stands to benefit from it: the private prison industry." The same year this article was released (2011) there was a movement in the republican senate to cut federal funding to NPR. A.L.E.C. in short, is a good example of bad people with a lot of money and very few interests. When looking at the ever widening gap between the 99% and the 1%, A.L.E.C. is the heart of that beast. No lack of a clear message here, call for A.L.E.C. to be investigated and dismantled. Be careful out there brothers and sisters. - Chris Hensley, working class citizen

Occupy Phoenix protests A.L.E.C.

"From Dictatorship to Democracy" Appendix 1

2011-11-22T11:30:00.001-06:00

At the end of Gene Sharp's seminal work, "From Dictatorship to Democracy", he provides a list of 198 nonviolent actions that can be used to initiate societal change. This crucial list can be an amazing reference guide to those here in America looking to challenge the status quo.

The Methods of Nonviolent Protest and Persuasion
Formal statements
1. Public speeches
2. Letters of opposition or support
3. Declarations by organizations and institutions
4. Signed public statements
5. Declarations of indictment and intention
6. Group or mass petitions
Communications with a wider audience
7. Slogans, caricatures, and symbols
8. Banners, posters, and displayed communications
9. Leaflets, pamphlets, and books
10. Newspapers and journals
11. Records, radio, and television
12. Skywriting and earthwriting
Group representations
13. Deputations
14. Mock awards
15. Group lobbying
16. Picketing
17. Mock elections

Symbolic public acts
18. Display of flags and symbolic colors
19. Wearing of symbols
20. Prayer and worship
21. Delivering symbolic objects
22. Protest disrobings
23. Destruction of own property
24. Symbolic lights
25. Displays of portraits
26. Paint as protest
27. New signs and names
28. Symbolic sounds
29. Symbolic reclamations
30. Rude gestures
Pressures on individuals
31. “Haunting” officials
32. Taunting officials
33. Fraternization
34. Vigils
Drama and music
35. Humorous skits and pranks
36. Performance of plays and music
37. Singing
Processions
38. Marches
39. Parades
40. Religious processions
41. Pilgrimages
42. Motorcades
Honoring the dead
43. Political mourning
44. Mock funerals
45. Demonstrative funerals
46. Homage at burial places
Public assemblies
47. Assemblies of protest or support
48. Protest meetings
49. Camouflaged meetings of protest
50. Teach-ins
Withdrawal and renunciation
51. Walk-outs
52. Silence
53. Renouncing honors
54. Turning one’s back

THE METHODS OF SOCIAL NONCOOPERATION
Ostracism of persons
55. Social boycott
56. Selective social boycott
57. Lysistratic nonaction
58. Excommunication
59. Interdict
Noncooperation with social events, customs, and institutions
60. Suspension of social and sports activities
61. Boycott of social affairs
62. Student strike
63. Social disobedience
64. Withdrawal from social institutions
Withdrawal from the social system
65. Stay-at-home
66. Total personal noncooperation
67. Flight of workers
68. Sanctuary
69. Collective disappearance
70. Protest emigration (hijrat)

THE METHODS OF ECONOMIC NONCOOPERATION :
(1) ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS
Action by consumers
71. Consumers’ boycott
72. Nonconsumption of boycotted goods
73. Policy of austerity
74. Rent withholding
75. Refusal to rent
76. National consumers’ boycott
77. International consumers’ boycott
Action by workers and producers
78. Workmen’s boycott
79. Producers’ boycott
Action by middlemen
80. Suppliers’ and handlers’ boycott
Action by owners and management
81. Traders’ boycott
82. Refusal to let or sell property
83. Lockout
84. Refusal of industrial assistance
85. Merchants’ “general strike”
Action by holders of financial resources
86. Withdrawal of bank deposits
87. Refusal to pay fees, dues, and assessments
88. Refusal to pay debts or interest
89. Severance of funds and credit
90. Revenue refusal
91. Refusal of a government’s money
Action by governments
92. Domestic embargo
93. Blacklisting of traders
94. International sellers’ embargo
95. International buyers’ embargo
96. International trade embargo

THE METHODS OF ECONOMIC NONCOOPERATION :
(2) THE STRIKE
Symbolic strikes
97. Protest strike
98. Quickie walkout (lightning strike)
Agricultural strikes
99. Peasant strike
100. Farm workers’ strike
Strikes by special groups
101. Refusal of impressed labor
102. Prisoners’ strike
103. Craft strike
104. Professional strike
Ordinary industrial strikes
105. Establishment strike
106. Industry strike
107. Sympathetic strike
Restricted strikes
108. Detailed strike
109. Bumper strike
110. Slowdown strike
111. Working-to-rule strike
112. Reporting “sick” (sick-in)
113. Strike by resignation
114. Limited strike
115. Selective strike
Multi-industry strikes
116. Generalized strike
117. General strike
Combinations of strikes and economic closures
118. Hartal
119. Economic shutdown

THE METHODS OF POLITICAL NONCOOPERATION
Rejection of authority
120. Withholding or withdrawal of allegiance
121. Refusal of public support
122. Literature and speeches advocating resistance
Citizens’ noncooperation with government
123. Boycott of legislative bodies
124. Boycott of elections
125. Boycott of government employment and positions
126. Boycott of government departments, agencies and other bodies
127. Withdrawal from government educational institutions
128. Boycott of government-supported organizations
129. Refusal of assistance to enforcement agents
130. Removal of own signs and placemarks
131. Refusal to accept appointed officials
132. Refusal to dissolve existing institutions
Citizens’ alternatives to obedience
133. Reluctant and slow compliance
134. Nonobedience in absence of direct supervision
135. Popular nonobedience
136. Disguised disobedience
137. Refusal of an assemblage or meeting to disperse
138. Sitdown
139. Noncooperation with conscription and deportation
140. Hiding, escape and false identities
141. Civil disobedience of “illegitimate” laws
Action by government personnel
142. Selective refusal of assistance by government aides
143. Blocking of lines of command and information
144. Stalling and obstruction
145. General administrative noncooperation
146. Judicial noncooperation
147. Deliberate inefficiency and selective noncooperation by enforcement agents
148. Mutiny
Domestic governmental action
149. Quasi-legal evasions and delays
150. Noncooperation by constituent governmental units
International governmental action
151. Changes in diplomatic and other representation
152. Delay and cancellation of diplomatic events
153. Withholding of diplomatic recognition
154. Severance of diplomatic relations
155. Withdrawal from international organizations
156. Refusal of membership in international bodies
157. Expulsion from international organizations

THE METHODS OF NONVIOLENT INTERVENTION
Psychological intervention
158. Self-exposure to the elements
159. The fast
(a) Fast of moral pressure
(b) Hunger strike
(c) Satyagrahic fast
160. Reverse trial
161. Nonviolent harassment
Physical intervention
162. Sit-in
163. Stand-in
164. Ride-in
165. Wade-in
166. Mill-in
167. Pray-in
168. Nonviolent raids
169. Nonviolent air raids
170. Nonviolent invasion
171. Nonviolent interjection
172. Nonviolent obstruction
173. Nonviolent occupation
Social intervention
174. Establishing new social patterns
175. Overloading of facilities
176. Stall-in
177. Speak-in
178. Guerrilla theater
179. Alternative social institutions
180. Alternative communication system
Economic intervention
181. Reverse strike
182. Stay-in strike
183. Nonviolent land seizure
184. Defiance of blockades
185. Politically motivated counterfeiting
186. Preclusive purchasing
187. Seizure of assets
188. Dumping
189. Selective patronage
190. Alternative markets
191. Alternative transportation systems
192. Alternative economic institutions
Political intervention
193. Overloading of administrative systems
194. Disclosing identities of secret agents
195. Seeking imprisonment
196. Civil disobedience of “neutral” laws
197. Work-on without collaboration
198. Dual sovereignty and parallel government

"How to Start a Revolution" Documentary

2011-11-22T11:07:00.001-06:00

Current TV will be airing the documentary "How to Start a Revolution" tonight at 8pm.

Originally appeared in The Telegraph on Oct. 21 2011:

By Louise Gray
From his shabby town house in Boston, Massachusetts, an octagenarian American university professor grows rare orchids – and inspires revolutions. The writings of 83-year-old political scientist Dr Gene Sharp are credited with providing the blueprint for the overthrow of governments in Serbia, Ukraine, Guatemala and Indonesia and, most recently, with revving up the activists who launched the Arab Spring.

“Oh no,” he says, with typical self-deprecation. “It is the people taking part in these struggles who deserve the credit. Not me.” The modesty of this Nobel Peace Prize nominee has kept him out of the spotlight for most of his life. Now, an independent British film which is capturing the hearts of audiences at film festivals around the world is slowly but surely turning him into a global superstar.

How to Start a Revolution, which recently picked up the Best Documentary award at the Raindance independent film festival in London, features plenty of rousing archive footage of revolutionaries clambering over the barricades alongside more recent newsreel of protestors in the Middle East. But the most moving scenes show nothing more than a man in his twilight years, stooped over his computer or tending his beloved flowers. Sharp shuffles around his flat, waters his orchids, looks levelly into the camera and tells us, with a confidence that is never less than utterly credible, that anyone can overcome tyranny without picking up a gun.

“As soon as you choose to fight with violence you’re choosing to fight against your opponents’ best weapons and you have to be smarter than that,” he says. “Psychological weapons, social weapons, economic weapons and political weapons [are] ultimately more powerful against oppression, tyranny and violence.”

When I speak to Sharp on the telephone from Boston a few days after a screening of the film at Harvard Law School, he sounds as humble as he appears on film. “I am bashful,” he says. “I am not used to all this personal attention.” He says the success of the film rests not on his hunched shoulders but on the bravery of ordinary people, who in the past 12 months alone have faced down dictators in Tunisia and Egypt. “People long thought that violence was the real power,” he says. “It took a number of historical successes to prove that was not true any more.”

Sharp has been writing “how to” books for revolutionaries for the past 50 years. The most famous, From Dictatorship to Democracy, is a 1993 pamphlet that propses 198 methods of non-violent resistance, from rude gestures to mock funerals. Once described as “more powerful than any bomb”, it is banned in many countries but, more often than not, the battered little book can be found lying in the dust after a crowd of revolutionaries have stormed the streets.

Its philosphies have been acted out in some of the most successful non-violent uprisings of recent years. The “orange revolution” in Ukraine that used a colour to unite people, the housewives of Serbia banging pots and pans to drown out the pronouncements of state radio, even the disarming, absurdist humour of climate change protesters dressed up as polar bears – all bear Gene Sharp’s hallmark. Think also of the more recent news footage from the Middle East: where, invariably, women, children and war veterans were pushed to the front of the crowd; where the signs were hand-written in English so foreign media could broadcast the message; where musicians made mocking tunes to taunt the soldiers.

Ruaridh Arrow, a young British television journalist covering revolutions around the world for Sky News, began to see the connection. When the Egyptian protests were at their height, he slept among the revolutionaries in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and interviewed them on camera. He noticed they all had first aid points, they made a point of cleaning the streets themselves after the protests to prove they were better than the regime and they made sure the police were on side before risking uprising. He also caught sight of dog-eared photocopies of Sharp’s work being passed around the crowds or emailed from one laptop to another.

Sharp’s central message, the glimmer of hope that would-be revolutionaries the world over have seized upon, is that the power of dictatorships comes from the willing obedience of the people they govern – and that if the people can decide together to withhold that obedience, a regime will crumble. “Dictators are never as strong as they tell you they are,” says Sharp, “and people are never as weak as they think they are.”

“People think the last thing you need to do in a middle of a revolution is read a book,” says Arrow. “In fact, it is the first thing you should do.” Before the events of the Arab Spring, he had initially conceived his film as an academic project to record the work of an important political theorist. “I thought it was so important just to record Gene,” says Arrow. “But it has turned into something more.”

It soon became clear that forgoing holidays and selling his sofa on eBay was not enough to fund the film, so Arrow went to kickstarter.com, a “crowd-sourcing” website that asks individuals to make small donations to projects that they then have a share in. In only three weeks, the film raised more than £40,000, making it the biggest crowd-sourced British film so far. Arrow put the much of the money towards his filming trip to Cairo and to buying the rights to use archive footage in the film.

“When I started out, I thought it would be the most expensive home video ever made,” he says, “and it has turned into a political documentary that is the film phenomenon of 2011.”

The film continues to be rolled out at festivals around the world – tomorrow, you can catch it in Glasgow – and will be shown on British television in the New Year on Current TV, the UK arm of the Al Gore-backed liberal channel. There are also plans to make it available, eventually, on the internet, where a so-called apathetic generation is tweeting enthusiastically about a film that finally makes them feel they can bring about real political change.

How to Start a Revolution is the antithesis of a blockbuster, but its implications are explosive. Arrow predicts that 10 million people will have seen the film by the end of the year. “I thought it would be too academic but people do not want things to be dumbed down. There is a huge need for films that are quite detailed and empowering.”

“People turn violent because they feel there is nothing they can do,” he adds. “Gene Sharp’s book codifies from history the things you can do – techniques that are effective – in a single document for the first time.”

The trouble is that a film which makes the audience think can be dangerous viewing. For every success it has had, Arrow’s film has also encountered an equal number of snubs. It has been banned from film festivals everywhere from Abu Dhabi to South Korea and Arrow reports “funny things” happening with his phone. Many of his interviews ended up on the cutting room floor because of fears that showing them in cinemas could put the interviewees in danger from police states. In Iran and Venezuela, television adverts have been made to warn unsuspecting members of the public against reading the works of the “dangerous secret agent” Dr Gene Sharp.

When I mention this, Sharp laughs. If he was a CIA front, he says, then perhaps he would not have had to struggle for funding for the past 50 years and still be living and working out of the same Boston town house.

In the film, we see him running the Albert Einstein Institution from his ground floor office with one sole member of staff, Jamila Raquib. The touching, almost father-daughter relationship between the pair and the soft light in which Arrow captures them add to a sense of elegy as we watch them quietly wade through mountains of paper in a dogged quest to promote an alternative to violence.
Sharp say he hesitated before letting a filmmaker into his house, but he is now delighted with the film. It may not provide answers, but at least it will show people there is an alternative. However, Sharp warns that “inspiration alone” is not enough. The most important thing in a revolution is to be prepared, and non-violent struggle is more complex than the brute strength of military power.
“Before you try anything, learn what the struggle is about, why it fails, why it works and why it succeeds,” he says. “Some revolutionaries think they know everything. They need to know that they do not. If you want to stage a successful revolution, you have to be willing to learn.”

Info: howtostartarevolutionfilm.com

Police arrest 27 at Occupy St. Louis Friday, 11/11/11

2011-11-13T21:44:00.001-06:00

[Video of Kiener Plaza 11/11/11 by 99% of St. Louis]

Kiener Plaza has been the central hub and encampment site for the Occupy St. Louis movement since the first day on 10/01/11. The seed of genuine participatory democracy was planted, and grew into a network of coordinated efforts and voices in St. Louis. Our encampment has found solidarity with the other Occupy movements globally. On the evening of the 42nd day of our occupation, Veteran's Day 11/11/11 around 11:30pm, 25+ police cars arrived at Kiener Plaza and police were ready to enforce the municipal order on curfew hours of the park. The video above captures the integrity Occupy St. Louis displayed as 27 citizens were arrested for breaking curfew hours.

Occupy St. Louis had their Livestream feed broadcasting live video footage on their channel, as well as having that video mirrored on Global Revolution's channel. While thousands around the world were watching, the St. Louis Police and the citizens of Occupy St. Louis chose non-violence. Peaceful protest allowed the message of Occupy St. Louis to overcome the enforcement of curfew laws. It is unfortunate that legislation caused this confrontation, but I commend the message delivered as peacefully assembled citizens were arrested and tents were removed.

This warning was issued to protesters at Kiener Plaza as advanced notice, and rumored on Mayor Slay's blog earlier in the week. Occupy St. Louis sought an injunction on the enforcement of the municipal curfew law on First Amendment grounds of the right to peaceably assemble, but it was not granted. Despite the removal of tents at the encampment site and arrests of peaceful citizens violating curfew, the citizens of Occupy St. Louis returned to Kiener Plaza to once again to share their voice of solidarity with the world. This is a global effort to get citizens together and discuss our ideas on a platform we are all accepted to participate in. This is direct democracy, an idea that cannot be quelled by arrests or removal of tents. This is about the power of our voice as we come together respectfully. The people have something to say.

Study Student Power

2011-11-10T13:17:00.003-06:00

People march during a protest bystudents demanding access to free quality public education in Santiago, Chile,on August 7, 2011.
(AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)

It is not exactly breaking news to say this year has turned out to be tremendously rebellious and historic for Earth’s now 7 billion inhabitants. The Arab Uprisings, Wisconsin rallies, Occupy Movement, and lesser-known Anti-Nuclear protests taking place in Japan are only some moving examples that will long be seared into the collective memory.

However, the Chilean Student Protests, seeking a free quality education for all residents, are not on most American’s radar. The establishment media's near blackout in the U.S. must be partly to blame. The New York Times has taken the liberty of only publishing in print two original pieces and two newswire stories since the protest began in May of this year. That being said, it was the print edition for circulation in New York alone and not the national edition.

Evening news broadcasts are, not surprisingly, much the same story and like the dog in the movie Up following the squirrel now currently running up Herman Cain’s pants. This is in spite of sometimes entertaining, sometimes dramatic footage. Students have staged a kiss-in, posed as superheros, dressed like Zombies and reenacted Thriller, maintained a marathon around the Presidential Palace, as well as more confrontational approaches such as barricading themselves in hundreds of schools, undertaking hunger strikes and storming in on a committee meeting in the Senate.

According the many reports, some1,800 protesters have been arrested since May. Over 500 police and countless protestors have been injured in the violence that erupts at every rally now, which is beginning to negatively impact the vast public support the protestors enjoyed at the onset of their campaign.

Camila Vallejo

Camila Vallejo, a 23-year old communist party member, has quickly risen as the leader of the education reform movement. She is now President of CONFECH, the Confederationof Chilean Student Federations, a national organization comprised of student governments from around the country. Tatiana Acuña, a government official in the ministry of culture, was fired for suggesting through a tweet that the assassination of Vallejo would end the protests. She said, "If you kill the bitch, you kill the rising." Chile's supreme court ordered police protection for the student leader.

In July they presented, in coordination with the Professor’s Union, their proposal to the national government, known as the “Social Agreement for Chilean Education”, solidifying their many demands, among them, the removal of profit from the educational system and an improved accreditation process for universities.

To onlookers such as myself, some are justifiably taken aback with the ferocity of this campaign from the students and educational professionals. Earlier this year, with the election of the conservative billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, the New York Times published an article on January 20, with the title “A Sign of Latin America’s Fading Polarization”, stating it “appearsto be less a signal of a regional move to the right than that of a pragmatic convergence of left and right agendas.” The eruption of vast protests, sometimes numbering over 100,000 has rebuffed this northern narrative.

The youth, generally regarded as apathetic prior to this movement, and who largely sat out this past presidential election, perhaps disillusioned with the electoral process, now have a strong determination to see this through for the benefit of future generations.

For those in the Occupy Movement looking to form coalitions and build momentum, the university population, both student and professors, are a demographic that must be courted with the utmost urgency. Yesterday’s protests in London against rising tuition fees and public sector austerity measures should be some indication of the people power this kind of alliance can have.

It is true that American students and professors have voiced support for and have indeed been engaged at Occupy sites nationwide since the beginning. Both the American Association of University Professors’ national council and its collective-bargaining congress have declared that they “stand in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement,” according to a statement issued by the association. Along with voicing concern about a growing gap between the nation’s rich and poor, the statement says college students “are being forced to pay more for tuition and go deeper into debt because of cuts in state funding, only to find themselves unemployed when they graduate.” It says most faculty positions at colleges “are now insecure, part-time jobs,” and “attackson collective bargaining have been rampant throughout the nation, as our job security, wages, health benefits, and pensions have been either reduced or slated for elimination.”

With guidance and inspiration from the Chilean and British protests,there is potential to initiate a massive outreach campaign that as of yet has not really been attempted in this country. After all, as USA Today recently reported, “the amount of student loans taken out last year crossed the$100 billion mark for the first time and total loans outstanding will exceed $1 trillion for the first time this year. Americans now owe more on student loans than on credit cards.” A side note - as Reuter’s Felix Salmon points out, this $1 trillion figure is about right, yet USA Today seems to be confused on the source of this statistic.

The Atlantic’s Daniel Indiviglio put this chart together in mid August showing that the student loans have risen a stunning 511% over this past decade!

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/08/chart-of-the-day-student-loans-have-grown-511-since-1999/243821/

The time is now! Students and teachers, their family members and theircommunity must come together, like they have done in Berkley California, to affirm that access to education is a fundamentalright and not a privilege for only those who can afford it.

See also:

http://www.ticas.org/

http://projectonstudentdebt.org/

http://www.businessweek.com/finance/occupy-wall-street/archives/2011/11/when_will_the_student_loan.html

Looking into National Bank Transfer Day - Banks Vs. Credit Unions

2011-11-03T16:37:00.027-05:00

In this uphill battle of the working class to take back their financial freedom, it's important to know who dictates the oppressive nature that our current financial system looms over us. Insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, financial advisers, and the big banking industry often work together to maximize their profits, with no thoughts of their customers as people, just accounts. This further widens the gap between corporate heads and the employees that make their companies run on a daily basis. In recent years the big banking industry ran their business so horribly it nearly crumbled our entire economic structure. Whether it was greed or lack of business sense, it's unacceptable. After the billions of dollars spent by the tax-payers to bail out these banks, the CEO's gave themselves millions of dollars in bonuses and continue the same practices as before the bailout. How would you rate that customer service?

Which brings us to the question, "What as an individual can I do about it?" Like any corporate crime you can follow the money trail to the culprits, which we have done. Secondly we need to hit them where it hurts, their wallets- instead of yours for once. This is the most effective way to bring down this corrupt system. Not participating in the big banking is easier and more secure than some might think, one answer is your local Credit Union. Credit Unions offer all the same services as any bank, ATM's, online banking, savings, checking, loans, all insured, all within your community and here's the beauty; they are non for profit institutions . Many people are unaware that alot of "smaller" bank branches are part of the same giant conglomerates that threaten to spiral our economy again. This chart from the federal reserve shows some of the tie-ins. (Click to enlarge)

The next logical question might be "What's the difference between a bank and a credit union, and why is one better than the other?" Here is the breakdown. The Webster dictionary defines a bank as an establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue of money, for the extension of credit, and for facilitating the transmission of funds. A bank is a for-profit institution owned and run by shareholders. Banks are regulated (obviously loosely) by federal and state mandates and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). As for-profit companies, their top priority is to use their vast resources to maximize their profits as efficiently as possible. This corporate structure leaves you the "customer" as little more than a means to that end. Priority one of every board meeting is how to better extract profits from their customers without driving those that are most profitable to other banks. Despite the "We care about you and your family" ad campaigns, they are nothing more than corporations and you and your paycheck, are their product. In the past decade banking conglomerates have become so "efficient" with your money, that they break their own profit records year after year.

Now, some facts about Credit Unions (CU's). The Webster's Dictionary defines credit union as a cooperative association that makes small loans to its members at low interest rates and offers other banking services. A credit union is a non-for profit organization that offers all the same services as any bank but is owned by it's members, if you have an account you are a member as well as an owner. You have the right to both vote and run for the board of directors, each member gets one vote regardless of the amount of money in you account. Each director runs on a volunteer basis with no compensation just the desire for stability and a solid financial group within their community or organization. This system creates a lateral interest for all members, not just a small group of stockholders. Credit Unions are also regulated by Federal and State mandates depending on their charter, and are also insured by a federal program called the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). All profits made by a credit unions is held as the liquid reserve that insure the financial stability of that union, and are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, fewer fees and better services. The reserves also guard against economic downturn and loan losses as well as slow economic growth. A common goal among many unions is to not acquire more reserves than the board (which you a free to vote on or run for) feels is necessary for long term stability.

Another important difference between the two systems is membership. A bank is open to the general public, whereas with a credit union you are required to become a member. People feel connected in group memberships which are often obtained through employers, schools, universities, churches, and even hometowns. There are also general community based unions widely available in areas across the country, easily found through a simple internet search, although they generally do not advertise. Here is a link from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) that will give you information about CU's in your area by a simple zip code search http://www.creditunion.coop/ . Switching from a banking conglomerate to a CU is a great way to support the Occupy movement for those who can not be physically present or just anyone who would like better service and lower rates.

Let's explore our options and shift the paradigm. - Chris Hensley

Exploring the Adjacent Possible

2011-11-02T19:18:00.000-05:00

Steven Johnson’s book “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation”, recently released in paperback, is a wonderful read that attempts to describe the conditions that produce innovative ideas. With chapters including serendipity, liquid networks,exaptation and error, the concept that really stuck with me was the adjacent possible.

The term, adjacent possible, was borrowed from biologist Stuart Kauffman. Johnson defines it this way in a 2010 essay he wrote for the WSJ, “a kind of shadow future, hovering on the edges of the present state of things, a map of all the ways in which the present can reinvent itself.” He continues, “The strange and beautiful truth about the adjacent possible is that its boundaries grow as you explore those boundaries. Each new combination ushers new combinations into the adjacent possible.”

A way to better understand the adjacent possible is to remember Thomas Edison’s light bulb. This is an iconic image of a grand idea that folklore has shrunk to an “Aha moment” when, in reality, it crept into existence. It was only made viable after the work of numerous others, over the previous 75 years, in the development of several filament materials and vacuum tubes to name a few, that made Edison able to step into the adjacent possible and make history.

“The basic premise is that innovation prospers when ideas can serendipitously connect and recombine with other ideas,” writes Johnson. It is this basic notion, that is captured in the righteous 1^st Amendment privileges guaranteed to us in the Constitution, because it applies not only to the evolution of life, or technology but social progress as well. Political innovations, called the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, were brought into being by merging the fruits of the Enlightenment with the framework of the English government, expanding the adjacent possible for societies around the world. This allowed for a future with greater political participation and increased accountability for the powerful. They increased the tools at the disposal of those seeking true freedom and a dignified life, spurring a revolution of rising expectations that has swept the globe. This revolution cannot be stopped.

Victor Hugo once said, “On résiste à l'invasion des armées; on ne résiste pas à l'invasion des idées.” This translates to, “One resists the invasion of armies; one does not resist the invasion of ideas.” Dr. King in a 1968 interview with the BBC, weeks before his atrocious assassination, paraphrased this quote to, “Nothing is as powerful in all the world than an idea whose time has come and the idea whose time has come, at least one of them, is the idea of freedom and human dignity.” This is a sentiment that continues to capture the imagination of foot soldiers for freedom all over the world and animate their struggles.

What Americans have witnessed is a corporate invasion of America, without the dramatic bloodshed of traditional warfare but with mass carnage and wreckage nonetheless. It shows itself as income inequality that is the worst in the “industrialized” countries, as well as in the foreclosure crisis, the rampant unemployment, the 50 million uninsured Americans, and so on.

The Gini Coefficient Explained

Concerned citizens have now begun to resist with protests and songs, marches and teach-ins, exercising their souls to confront the unyielding greed, inequities, and shortsightedness we see all around us. In the face of this onslaught, it is the invasion of ideas that occupiers are combining from disparate fields of study that will reverse the legal tender deluge.

In doing this, the Occupy Movement is affirming Thomas Jefferson’s assertion, made in a letter to Isaac McPherson on the 13^thof August 1813,

Thomas Jefferson

“That ideas should freely spread from one to another over the globe, for the moral and mutual instruction of man, and improvement of his condition, seems to have been peculiarly and benevolently designed by nature, when she made them, like fire, expansible over all space, without lessening their density in any point, and like the air in which we breathe, move, and have our physical being, incapable of confinement or exclusive appropriation. Inventions then cannot, in nature, be a subject of property.”

The combination of new technologies like social media platforms, HD camcorders, microprocessors and telecommunications infrastructure with the practices of unarmed truth-telling and civil disobedience that are “as old as the hills”, according to Mahatma Gandhi, are opening a new adjacent possible that is resulting in the worldwide, real-time organizing of disaffected people to express dissent and draw attention to the gulf between the promise of freedom and the fulfillment on that promise.

With many people appearing confounded by the Occupy Wall Street movement, it seems clear to me. It has arisen out of the knowledge that the legal, financial, political systems have been totally corrupted by the influence that vast wealth and power inevitably brings. The checks on power and the rule of law, that were constructed since the founding of this nation, have been systematically dismantled by the political elite on behalf of the financiers, as described in Glenn Greenwald’s new book, “With Liberty and Justice for Some: How the Law is Used to Destroy Equality and Protect the Powerful”. It can no longer be excused or ignored. And like Edison experimenting with hundreds of filament materials until he found one that would burn bright for the longest, the occupiers must seek to find the demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience that will burn the brightest for the longest in the mind of the public.

The Crises of Capitalism

2011-10-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

The Crises of Capitalism animation is, as the Brits would say, "Brilliant!" This brings up a lot of the same critiques we are talking about in the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

We would urge that we show this video on the big screen at Kiener, followed by a discussion session led perhaps by two persons, a Marxist (to help elaborate the latter part which needs explanation) and a non-Marxist.

-By: Fred, Greg F, & Kerry

Build, Baby, Build

2011-10-25T15:05:00.004-05:00

(audio starts at 27sec)

"My slogan is not Burn, Baby, Burn.

My slogan is

Build, Baby, Build.

Organize, Baby, Organize.

Learn, Baby, Learn

so that you can

Earn, Baby, Earn.

That's MY slogan."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is an incredibly powerful message by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the difference in attitude between destruction and construction. With the recent events of the police crackdown in Oakland, it is crucial that we stay positive and continue to build.

Monopoly: Analogy for Capitalism

2011-10-24T00:41:00.001-05:00

Monopoly is one of the greatest board games of all time. I originally hated it due to how long it typically took to finish a game. In college, I reversed my stance and became very interested in the strategy underlying Monopoly. What are the best moves to take in order to put yourself in the best position to win? I was pursuing a philosophy degree at that time and was very intrigued by game theory. I played countless games against robotic opponents in Monopoly video games. I developed tactics for winning based on a thorough understanding of its principles. I was all ready to play with friends. When I played against friends, rather than robotic opponents, the games tended to unfold much differently. I will explain how I see the stages of a Monopoly game unfold as the board state changes. I believe this is a very telling metaphor for our current situation.

Board state 0: The Initial Issuance of Wealth and the Dream of Winning

Before the game starts, you decide on how many players there will be. Each player is issued an initial wealth of $1500. No property is initially owned. No property space costs the player to occupy. Each property space is available for purchase to the player who lands there, or goes to auction if the player would rather not purchase it.

Notes about Board state 0:

The initial issuance of $1500, unlike in our current economic model, does not get paid back to the bank. Citizens are not issued wealth by any bank without having to pay it back. I believe the $1500 initial issuance must then represent inheritance. Inheritance enough to invest in multiple expenditures (property spaces) without prior work or bank loans.
Board state 0 is fun for players because they dream of winning but don't face the reality of what 'winning' does for other players. Jumping ahead, for any Monopoly enthusiasts, it basically sucks if you can't even play anymore because someone else is winning. The more they win, the less fun everyone else is having.

Board state 1: Regulated Capitalism

Players have begun rolling the die and making property purchases. Board state 1 is defined as the time between the first die roll and the first monopoly assembled. A monopoly is defined as a collection of all like-color spaces of any 1 color. Thus begins housing development.

Notes about Board state 1:

Players worry about which player will be the first to assemble a monopoly and may trade properties in order to prevent this occurrence. Tension between players builds during this stage and temporary alliances form.
Housing development in Monopoly is another interesting analogy. In Monopoly, a player can purchase houses once they control a set of like colored spaces. If a player lands on a space with a house on it, they owe a lot of money. Houses should instead be named factories. A capitalist invests the money needed to build a factory. The factory sells products and the capitalist profits.
Players realize intuitively that other players are allowed to generate a lot of profit through monopolization of an industry. If monopolization occurs in any industry , then any time you must interact with that industry a lot of your money will become their profits.

Board state 2: Deregulated Free-Market Capitalism

The first player assembles a Monopoly. This initiates the housing development stage of the game. Board state 2 is defined as the time between the first monopoly assembled and the last available property purchased.

Notes about Board state 2:

The first player to assemble a monopoly has significant advantage over the other players. They have enabled an option of further developing their space in order to dramatically increase profits. Other players race to also have monopolies. The only way to compete is to adopt their strategy.
Before the first monopoly, prices were low. After the first monopoly, capitalists control industries and it becomes expensive for other players. Each player views other industries as their opportunity to compete for profits.
Some games end in this Board state. Monopolization funnels wealth into individual hands at an accelerated rate. Some players never assemble a monopoly before going bankrupt to previously established monopolies. It is not necessary to have the entire landscape owned to bankrupt every other player, but that conclusion becomes inevitable once all property has been purchased.

Board state 3: Private Ownership of all Industry

All property is purchased. Board state 3 is defined as the time between the last available property purchased and the bankruptcy of the final opponent. Once Board state 3 begins, the entire landscape shifts capital from one player's hand into another until all wealth is concentrated in one place.

Notes about Board state 3:

The landscape becomes one of full ownership. Every move a player makes is dangerous. Players can only occupy their purchased property safely. Complete isolation from other players becomes the dream, as your only strategy it to bankrupt them before they bankrupt you.
Inevitably, all players minus the two final opponents have gone bankrupt. The remaining players must finish their game before they can rejoin the other players outside of the game. When you play with friends, as soon as the first player goes bankrupt you realize that it isn't fun to kick your friends out of the game. It becomes very lame and 'winning' becomes exceedingly isolating as everyone else leaves the table.
There is a lingering, tragic feeling as the game ends. "When were we having fun? Did it really matter who won? Is the winner a jerk inside the game, or outside the game, or both? How did those jerks just go on with a game that kicked us all out? And how did they listen to us complaining that we should all move on and just continue playing?"

Monopoly overview: Everyone Goes Bankrupt

As with any game, there is a specific strategy that helps a player win the game. The strategy of Monopoly, or capitalism, is to view other players as a threat to your wealth and a threat that must be bankrupted at any cost in order to protect your individual wealth. This is manifest in the military belief in 'protecting your borders through pre-emptive strike'. If the game you're playing treats others as only threats, then perhaps the game should be changed. In Board state 0, there is no ownership and endless possibilities are present. By the end of Board state 3, every space is owned and there is only 1 inevitable conclusion- bankruptcy of all players except one 'winner'.

Isolation increases as wealth becomes more concentrated. The players 'winning' want to continue the playing the game to its conclusion, whereas the players 'losing' want to leave the table and do something else. A natural rift occurs where the 'winners' say, "why didn't you losers play the game better?". This pervasive attitude is what the world faces now. Those with concentrated wealth believe the others without are not playing the game well and it is their own fault. They never address the fact that the corporate game of endless profit-seeking results in others losing everything: the longer you play, the more people go without.

There is a window of time in every game of Monopoly when things could go on unchanged for a long period of time and players could go round and round the board without consequence. Before the first monopoly, players have equalized opportunity (initial issuance of $1500 and equal income of $200 for passing Go). I view this phase as regulated capitalism. Players can make purchases, trade property, & move around the landscape relatively inexpensively.

Board state 2 represents deregulation into "free market" capitalism. Here monopolization results in one player controlling costs for other players who are are unable to free themselves from this monopoly. Once one industry is deregulated, other industries will strive for deregulation to stay competitive. This is the race to the bottom that initiates the final Board state and the eventual end of the game. Once deregulation occurs, i.e. monopolies form, the danger level of the game dramatically increases and the fun level decreases for more and more players as the game progresses.

If we allow corporations to be solely profit-seeking entities, they will treat our planet like the landscape of a Monopoly board. All spaces will be purchased. All players occupying a space will owe someone money. All industries will constantly seek profit. Players will never be able to buy their way out of another's monopoly. Monopolies will concentrate wealth by extracting it from every other player. Corporate entities will become increasingly fearful and isolated. They will continue playing their game at the expense of a great many other players going broke. The one's 'winning' will never stop unless they are bankrupted themselves. The proper corporate strategy views opponents as threats. How can citizens compete with corporations implementing this strategy? It's like allowing sharks in a public swimming pool.

Think about these lessons. Raise questions about what changes we COULD make in order for the game to be more fun for more players. Feel free to post comments about possible rules changes that would make Monopoly a fair game.

Protest Songs

2011-10-22T20:30:00.002-05:00

Woody Guthrie, ca. 1943. Photo by Eric Schaal.
Being both a folk music fan and an amateur labor historian, it's been interesting charting the frustrations expressed in OccupySTL's protestors' signs, statements and discussions back to older expressions and older movements. The amount of songs that tie right into the problems we're facing is staggering, but hopefully I can effectively highlight a few here.

Woody Guthrie was no stranger to social causes. Bumming and busking across the country on freight trains as a young man, he was able to see firsthand the plight of farmers and workers thrown out of town by the Dust Bowl and poor economic conditions. In his tune "Jolly Banker," he casts a wry and satirical look at the banking practices which robbed many workers of their homes and property.

Take a look at these lines:

If you show me you need it, I'll let you have credit,
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
Just bring me back two for the one I lend you,
Singin' I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.

When your car you're losin', and sadly you're cruisin',
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I'll come and foreclose, get your car and your clothes,
Singin' I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.

[...]

When the landlords abuse you, or sadly misuse you,
I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.
I'll send down the police chief to keep you from mischief,
Singin' I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I.

Similarly, his song "Jesus Christ" keys into an integral, but criminally overlooked Christian teaching. It definitely seems accurate to me, and likely isn't something you'll find noted in a study bible or see Osteen preaching about in his megalith.

Again, anything I could do to describe it would pale in comparison to the lines:

Jesus Christ was a man who traveled through the land
A hard-working man and brave
He said to the rich, "Give your goods to the poor,"
So they laid Jesus Christ in His grave

[...]

He went to the preacher, He went to the sheriff
He told them all the same
"Sell all of your jewelry and give it to the poor,"
And they laid Jesus Christ in His grave.

When Jesus come to town, all the working folks around
Believed what he did say
But the bankers and the preachers, they nailed Him on the cross,
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave.

[...]

This song was written in New York City
Of rich man, preacher, and slave
If Jesus was to preach what He preached in Galilee,
They would lay poor Jesus in His grave.

Les Rice's "Banks of Marble" is a real treat for those in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. Though he was a modest apple farmer living in New York in the 1940s, his words have been a great help to many of us trying to find words for the disillusionment we feel for the vision of society fed to us. His song is simple in structure, and seems to expose a simple fact of society, but has in it true and revolutionary depth.

Be sure to read the last chorus carefully:

I've traveled round this country
From shore to shining shore
It really made me wonder
The things I heard and saw.

I saw the weary farmer
Plowing sod and loam
l heard the auction hammer
A knocking down his home

But the banks are made of marble
With a guard at every door
And the vaults are stuffed with silver
That the farmer sweated for

[...]

I've seen my people working
Throughout this mighty land
l prayed we'd get together
And together make a stand

Then we'd own those banks of marble
With a guard at every door
And we'd share those vaults of silver
That we have sweated for

Thankfully, one doesn't always have to delve into history books to find a song that resonates with our protestors' sentiment. David Rovics, who I was lucky enough to see and meet at a concert on Friday sponsored by Autonomy Alliance, has written an excellent song that gets to the core of my reasons for being involved in the movement. Many thanks to him for also driving down to Kiener with David F. from the IWW and me to give a small, four-song set after the show. Dubbed "Occupy Wall Street (We're Gonna Stay Right Here)", the lyrics are good enough to merit significant quoting here:

Because this is where they buy the politicians
Because this is where power has its seat
Because ninety-nine percent of us are suffering
At the mercy of the madmen on this street
Because all of us are victims of class warfare
Being waged on us by the one percent
Because these greedy banksters rob the country
Leaving us without the means to pay the rent
Because the last time that we had a decent government
Was about 1932
Because we the people are supposed to run the country
But instead it's all run by and for the few
Because now we know the rich do not pay taxes
But when they need a hand it's us who bail them out
Because we suspected we lived in a plutocracy
But suddenly of late there is no doubt

And so we're gonna stay right here

[...]

Because it has been demonstrated amply
That the winners are the ones who stick around
Because this world should belong to everyone
Not just the banksters who would smash it to the ground
Because we've noticed voting doesn't change things
When the politicians are mostly millionaires
Because we're learning how to stand up like Tunisians
Like they did in Tahrir Square
Where a young man named Mohamed Bouazizi
Struck a match that lit up all the Earth
And all around the world the spell was broken
And a movement for the future was in birth
Because there's only so much shit the rich can feed us
Before we figure out which side we're on
Because we've learned if we want our liberation
It will come only if we stay here til the rising of the dawn

And so we're gonna stay right here

Because corporations are not people
And we can't just let them choose
Because if we leave our fate to them
Then all of us will surely lose
Because the climate clock is ticking
And we can't just leave our world behind
Because corporate rule isn't working
And it's time for humans' hearts and minds
Because you can't take it with you
Because the rich just do not care
Because it doesn't matter how much you make
But how much you can share
Because these moments don't come often
Because we want truly to be free
Because we know what really matters
Something called society

And so we're gonna stay right here.

The great labor activist and folk singer Utah Phillips often said that the long memory was the most radical idea in America. As is the case with most old protest songs, relics of a progressive movement now invisible, and uprisings against the 1% such as the 1877 general strike in St. Louis, only a few become aware of their historical value and significance. It's left to us to learn these songs, and write our own, if we're going to make any progress. It's left to us to know these movements inside and out, so we can succeed with our own.

Addressing Oppression, Racism and Privilege in the Occupy Movement

2011-10-17T20:33:00.002-05:00

(Submitted by John Chasnoff of New Left Project. We thank you for your contribution, John.)

Editor's note: This piece by two Americans active in the U.S. occupy movement discusses some of the ways in which racial, sexual, religious, and other oppressions have been replicated and challenged within the occupied space. We publish this piece both as a frank discussion of some of the challenges an occupation must deal with, and as reminder about the importance of considering all existing axis of oppression and striving to work against and allow for them within occupied space. Ahead of today's hugely exciting plans to Occupy London, both points are worth bearing in mind.
----

The Occupy movement is the first major breakout of reform-minded energy in decades, and the first major event for a new generation of activists. Through its inclusive message (“We are the 99%”) it is working to forge the new alliances and cross-cultural solidarity that Barack Obama campaigned on but failed to achieve. Along the way it brought together the authors of this article, a white male activist “of a certain age” and a young mother and active member of the local Palestinian solidarity movement. Both of us are supporters of Occupy St. Louis, though life obligations have kept us from being on the ground as much as we would like. We came together in a desire to sort through the new paradigms that Occupy is working to create and some of the difficulties they face having created a phenomenon before doing an analysis of race, gender, and other oppressions in America.

Occupy St. Louis has been holding a public park in downtown St Louis since October 1 with growing numbers of supporters and individuals sleeping overnight in tents. Ten days into Occupy St Louis, a General Assembly passed a “Safe Space Policy” stating that no discrimination of any kind would be tolerated in the protest. It reads:

“There are various forms of oppression embedded within the dominant culture and in the socio-political and economic systems of this country. As a community which seeks to build power and gain momentum through consensus-based decision-making and respectful social relations, we stand in opposition to the way in which our society privileges some people over others. We want to create an inclusive atmosphere of ideas in which we do not police each other’s thoughts, but we have absolutely no tolerance for oppressive or intimidating words or actions. Though our aim is to encourage and foster creative debate, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination based on actual or perceived race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, nationality, religion, ethnicity or abilities within our occupied space.”

This is a big first step in recognizing inequalities and privilege in our society and propelling our movement forward. But much more is needed. The group is largely white, though others are participating with seeming ease. The core group of organizers is multi-racial with roughly equal numbers of male and female. So far, so good.

Like the revolutions in the Arab world earlier this year, the protests are social experiments. Because they draw large groups of people together over a long stretch of time, basic societal rules must be established. The atmosphere in Kiener Plaza is electric and civil. General Assemblies, group meetings under the model of horizontal and consensus-building decision making, are held twice each day to consider everything from how to deal with garbage and recycling to how to resist eviction from the park.

The General Assemblies have been handled well, and trust is building among the participants. Deep conversations have led to intensive and informal learning opportunities. Each person involved with occupy St Louis comes to the protest with a different knowledge set and background. Inevitably, this has led to some hurt feelings and misunderstandings. However, the spirit of goodwill pervades the protest, and people are learning. Again, so far, so good.

But many people of color are pointing out that the message of the movement ignores the realities that people of color have not shared in the fruits of this country’s economy for centuries and have been hardest hit in recent years. Will this movement, like so many before it, succeed in getting whites back in the door and once again leave people of color behind?

Without working out our social conditioning, we recreate in our “revolutionary” space the same problems we are opposed to in the current structures. Despite all its best efforts, some sexism and homophobia have crept into the General Assemblies. Women are reporting that white males often dominate discussions. White males tend to gravitate toward being media spokespersons, possibly because they have a greater sense of empowerment and less fear of having their identity revealed. Overt discriminatory language has been dealt with effectively and gracefully. Efforts have been launched to carpool to downtown, raise money for bus passes and provide a child-friendly space with toys and crafts and some supervision. But even with surface niceties, the movement has not dealt effectively with the fact that only the relatively privileged have the ability and the resources to suspend their lives and participate for any extended period. We must acknowledge that people of color face greater danger of police brutality and political repercussions from joining publicly in the protests. It remains noble to declare that we are all leaders, but privilege makes it easier for some to grab the reins than for others. How to change these realities requires serious thought and reflection.

The Occupy movement also has aspirations beyond setting an example of a model community. It wants to change economic inequality on a national and global scale. But it cannot create a mass movement without recognizing oppressions and dealing consciously with them. Some occupiers have tried to gloss over racial inequalities by stating that race is a myth. Yes, that is scientifically true, but don’t tell a Muslim woman being jeered at for wearing her hijab that racism doesn’t exist. Additionally, these same people who have been the most oppressed in our society have been struggling against inequality for centuries. We have much to learn from them. To get the message, the goals and the tactics right, whites should accept accountability to people of color and other oppressed people. Our solidarity means that white people consciously step back so we don’t suppress other people’s gifts and struggles.

The Homeless

The economic policies of our country have devastated families and individuals and more people than ever are homeless. St. Louis, like cities across the U.S., lacks sufficient services to safeguard this population. In downtown, the homeless are among us. Some participants have been wary of the homeless, and have needed to be gently reminded that that all of us are entitled to full human dignity. Still, Occupy St. Louis seems to have been aware from the beginning that we are newcomers in their space. The supply of free food, open to all, has enabled exchange between the groups. The homeless are part of the mix, participating at General Assemblies, serving meals, and breaking bread with new friends. But Occupy St. Louis has not been as successful in integrating other groups.

Muslims, Arabs, the Undocumented, and Other Immigrants

The Patriot Act, racial profiling, anti-immigrant movements and other institutional and societal targeting of Muslim and Arab citizens and immigrant groups have stifled these communities’ political participation. How do we acknowledge their absence and create a safe space for them?

America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and our military incursions into Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen in the name of the war on terror are part of the same system of oppression that has given rise to the Occupy movement. The military profits of St. Louis-based Boeing and other defense and non-defense companies is largely based on perpetual war on people perceived to be non-white and therefore inferior to us. We have a obligation to hear the voices of Iraqi, Afghans, Palestinians and other victims of U.S. wars who are unable to stand with us and emphasize the thinking behind “Occupy Together”.

The Palestinian grassroots has been organizing around raising awareness of the crimes of U.S. and multinational companies in advancing Israeli human rights abuses. The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (or BDS, as it is known) is growing since its inception in 2005 and pressure is mounting against companies like Northup Grumman, Motorola, Veolia and Caterpillar to quit selling equipment and weapons to the Israeli army. With Boeing in our backyard, doesn’t St. Louis have a role to play in raising public awareness of Boeing’s crimes in Palestine and around the world?

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community (LGBT)

It is estimated that 10% of the U.S. population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. LGBT Missourians are not protected from employment discrimination by a statewide law. Fewer than 30% of LGBT Missourians are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations by a local ordinance. They are vulnerable to physical assaults and abuse. In short, they are treated as second class citizens in this country. We have an obligation to address the specific concerns of this community.

African Americans

St. Louis is 50% black. If Occupy St. Louis is not, then we have a problem. That community is watching but not yet fully participating. First we have to better overcome obstacles like transportation and child care so that we are accessible and welcoming. But more important, we have to stop setting the agenda in the vacuum of Kiener Plaza and find out what the agenda already is; stop waiting for social justice groups to lend their support, and start lending support to them. We need to hold our current space, but not be so territorial that we don’t spread out into the spaces that others are already occupying.

We present these ideas with love and solidarity to the people who have maintained this protest. No one takes action without some missteps. The occupiers have shown remarkable ability to accept feedback and grow. Less than two weeks into Occupy St. Louis, the group is holding its first Anti-Racism workshop to discuss these issues further. We look forward to being a part of an ongoing discussion.

John Chasnoff is an activist working under Black leadership in St. Louis on a variety of social justice issues. Sandra Tamari is an activist working with the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee.

Interviews with Participants of OccupySTL

2011-10-16T22:20:00.004-05:00

Occupy St. Louis 10/14/11 from Jarred Gastreich on Vimeo.

A short film by Jarred Gastreich and Bill Teller from Show Me Shows.

Out from the Shadows

2011-10-14T14:48:00.001-05:00

Last week, on a visit to Keiner Plaza I had the opportunity to observe one of the first General Assemblies of the OccupyStl movement. At the onset, there was a brief debate over the location the Assembly would be held. A lone woman blazed a trail to the center of the plaza near the tents, while a larger contingent lobbied, and was ultimately successful, for a place in the shade.

Watching this exchange, I began to reflect on this emergent movement taking shape, here and around the world, whereby new societal forms and norms are incubating in the shadowy womb of public parks. Inside this network of micro-societies, people are enacting a new kind of social mechanism to identify problems, find agreement on solutions and determine the appropriate actions based on those decisions. The really promising point is that everyone seems to have their sights set on the lofty and idealistic goals of true consensus, based on facts and free of fear. This stunning global response is rising out the mud of bitter partisanship and from the basic realization that the institutions people have traditionally relied on to mediate opposing interests are no longer up to the challenges we are now facing. As a result, no great change is going to be born inside the beltway of D.C. or in corporate boardrooms.

The excitement I felt watching this display of political participation was checked by a somewhat sinking feeling, to be quite honest, because by embarking on this path to challenge the corporate-run status quo, the Occupy Movement is looking to directly confront some of the most powerful groups on the planet. Naomi Klein’s alludes to this fact in her widely read articlein the Nation magazine, “We have picked a fight with the most powerful economic and political forces on the planet. That’s frightening. And as this movement grows...it will get more frightening."

With such economically powerful and shrewd adversaries, the occupy encampments scattered around the world must wield its most powerful weapons, love and imagination. An all-encompassing love for all people, including the 1%, is vital moving forward. An approach of love and compassion will facilitate a broad coalition across the socio-econimic spectrum, from which the most effective solutions can be arrived at. To love the 1% and still be demanding of them to respect the rule of law and to allow for a wider range of interests to be protected by the national government they own, will be a high wire act of the most death defying kind. It can only be accomplished by taking the conversation out into the open air and the heat of the midday sun, where people can courageously present their best ideas.

The fact is that people need solutions now. The Occupy Movement, as Matt Taibbi points out in his recent Rolling Stone article, is reaching the point when it will have to stand for concrete proposals. In the short-term, the fact that they stand for principles will suffice, but all the coalitions from all the cities need to come together in many difference capacities to plan, so that the most innovative and forward-thinking solutions may be presented during 2012 as a counter-narrative to the presidential election that is sure to, like a black hole, have the kind of gravity that swallows all the light and truth that comes near it. I have recently heard that there is an idea of an OccupyCongress to send delegates from all the cities that are engaged. At minimum, it could be a useful to start having individuals travel to sites where ongoing debates can be held among citizens. This could stand in stark contrast to the narrow debate between the two establishment candidates.

For too long a shadow has been cast over the concerns and intellectual contributions of everyday people by the political, economic, and media establishments. Now that, through what Jeff Sharlet calls an "Incredible Display of Political Imagination", people have taken public spaces to have somewhere to plan and to create a platform so that they may step out into the bright lights of public scrutiny with a urgent message to be broadcast to the world. The citizen’s voice must be as consistent and concise as possible and their actions as noble as the task of reimagining our aspiring constitutional republic deserves.

[drafted by Bill Teller]

Moving Forward with Solutions

2011-10-13T23:13:00.001-05:00

Many have voiced their concern about the solutions that the Occupy movement is requesting. What are the solutions? Which politician do you support? What if the Occupy movement requests solutions that endanger us all?

To their credit, and to their fault, each Occupation has remained in solidarity on their broad critique of our current economic dilemma. There is consensus that the public has lost trust in the relationship between banks, insurance agencies, the stock market, the politicians, and the monetary policy. The Occupy movement strives to start discussion on the problems within that relationship. Let's explore why this broad critique works well for the movement, while at the same time limits it's potency.
A popular argument is that the strategy of a broad critique is helping the Occupy movement. Empathetic "experts" interviewed on MSNBC, NPR, and BBC have stated that it is a virtue to remain broad so as to promote inclusiveness. Unlike with Civil Rights protests and Vietnam war protests, this is a different kind of revolution that must address a multi-faceted problem all at once. A broad critique allows for people to chip in their opinion on what is wrong. We need to everyone to join this conversation. a broad critique is important in order to realize the full scope of our problems.

The critique is that there is a window of attention that is being opened, and as the media attention increases we need to present principled information that should be easy to explain. There are some obvious solutions on the surface of our critique. Fred Raines has come up with 4 solutions currently attaining mass-consensus:

Reversing the Supreme Court decision of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. This decision allowed corporations and unions the right to unlimited donations to political candidates.
Reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act that was repealed in 1999. It had formerly prevented bank holding companies from participating as investment firms. The repeal allowed for banks to trade financial instruments known as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. Reinstating a new draft of Glass-Steagall needs to be up for debate.
Institute the Tobin tax. James Tobin received a Nobel prize in economics for his proposal of a very small tax on each foreign-exchange transaction. This small tax wouldn't dissuade investors in foreign exchange, but it would dissuade speculators engaging in high-frequency and investing their money on a very short basis. The Tobin tax needs to be up for debate.
A multi-trillion dollar investment into our infrastructure. This investment would provide jobs that would both stimulate the economy and repair our damaged roads, bridges, dams, etc.

These 4 solutions seem obvious, and although there may be critique of them, we have to realize that these issues were not up for debate to the public until now. These solutions operate within the mode of thinking we're familiar with. I propose we collectively open our mind to new perspectives when envisioning other solutions. I have personally encountered viewpoints within my experience at OccupyStl that are very different from mine. Exposure to different viewpoints is crucial during this conversation. My advice is that we need to remain broad, but also start discussing specific data points.

[This was drafted by Kyle Prindiville and Fred Raines]

Why We Are Occupying Kiener Plaza: A Statement from a Member of Occupy St. Louis

2011-10-11T13:41:00.000-05:00

Occupy Wall St.

(Image courtesy of:biggovernment.com)

There are a large number of injustices in American society that motivate our occupation of Kiener Plaza, as well as the occupation by tens of thousands of concerned citizens of public spaces in cities across America, all inspired by Occupy Wall Street.

Each of us participating in Occupy St. Louis will likely have their own distinct list of grievances to be redressed, but there is one overriding political malady on which we would all agree. The very rich are becoming exponentially richer- leaving the rest of us, the 99%, with exponentially less and less. This translates on an ongoing basis into less of the economic pie, less political voice, less control over our jobs if we are lucky enough to have one, and ultimately less command over our well being, our future, our lives. And if the poorest 99% are losing out, the situation for the poorest 40%, 30%, 20% is beyond desperate.

This abysmal state of affairs is not the result of some unpredictable economic development or some unintended consequence of changes in technology or tastes. Nor is it the result of an economic tsunami flowing from foreign shores. We, the 99%, hereby declare by our occupations of public spaces that this vile, arrogant class warfare by the richest 1% will no longer be tolerated and will be reversed. And it is imperative that we take action now because neither democracy nor, ironically, capitalism as a tool of progress will survive in a nation destroyed by unbounded inequality.

[Drafted by Fredric Raines, comments welcomed.]

On Our Structure

2011-10-08T22:52:00.003-05:00

Occupy Wall Street, and by extension OccupySTL, has been derisively called a group lacking principles. We see popular media pundits criticizing us for our lack of focus, and many of them seem to look a bit flustered when they cannot pin the movement down to a specific point on the political spectrum. Some argue that this is precisely our strength. The bottom 99% has been brought together by its collective anger and rebellion against the top 1%; a few supporters say that this unity is enough in itself. In a heavily mediated world which has made every issue into a partisan one, this instance of the left and right coming together to find common ground and a unified voice is an exceedingly rare and noteworthy act, even if their opinions occasionally diverge from one another. Though there is some grain of truth to both approaches in looking at the movement, neither of them touch on a crucially important part of the protest: its structure of organization. Dismissed as anarchic by our detractors, and occasionally appearing senseless even to our supporters, the principles embodied in how we conduct ourselves from day to day are perhaps the most telling and uplifting aspects of the movement.

OccupySTL calls itself a leaderless group, but this tells only half of it. We are all leaders. Those just arriving at Kiener Plaza have as much say in our decision-making as those who have been there the entire week. Anyone is free to volunteer for a committee, and many of our successes lie in our protesters' taking initiative and doing so. These committees have a system of accountable and recallable representatives, who communicate with members and representatives of other groups. We on the outreach committee frequently meet with the members of the broader media teams, and together arrive at solutions to problems which have occasionally cropped up. In this way, all participate with as much leverage as everyone else. Tenure and status should not divide us, just as our differing political views have not prevented us from coming together.

Though we have facilitators at our general assemblies guiding discussion, they are not ideologues whose role it is to steer the group into one political direction or another with lofty rhetoric. Instead, they participate on equal footing with those who have come to the meeting. They too must raise their hand to give an opinion, and only have as much "power" as the assembled group has given them. They too are volunteers, not bosses, and are members of an open committee. All of us have learned that a promise made by a politician does not always translate into action; anyone will say nearly anything to get elected to some position of status. Facilitators are held accountable for their role in assemblies, and are not exempt from the rules governing the rest of us. If you take issue with something one of them has said, approach them afterward and politely speak to them about it. Feel free to correct them. They make mistakes like anyone else, and are interested in getting better at their job.

More than anything, OccupySTL is not a place where a power-hungry 1% dominate the rest of the movement. We are instead the model of the more egalitarian society we are striving for. It is our role to show the media, and show the world, that this kind of coexistence is possible without a small fraction coming to rule the remaining group. That kind of behavior is what landed us here in the first place, and it is that from which we must constantly guard ourselves. If we are able to succeed, and I honestly think we will, we will have been the start of a much brighter future. Many of you will have heard Gandhi's maxim on being the "change you wish to see in the world." It is the role of OccupySTL to do just that.

We propose this as the official response to Mayor Slay

2011-10-06T23:50:00.001-05:00

Here is Mayor Slay's response to the OccupyStl movement Thursday, October 6:

"Dear Protestors:

I am sympathetic to your cause. The issues you raise are important ones. Thank you for raising them. That said, please obey the law."

Thank you Mayor Slay for acknowledging that our movement is raising important issues. We have had positive press since the onset of our occupation. We intend for this movement to become a living forum for principled discussion. Our aspiration is to remain assembled long enough for our roots to grow and our discussion to blossom. We are a peaceful, all-inclusive movement that needs all viewpoints to join with us to voice concerns that pertain to all walks of life. The discussion we lead through this forum could uncover underlying moral principles that St. Louis citizens share as consensus. Please allow us time to hear from all of the 99% so that we can reach our common ground; consensus on these moral principles will help navigate our future political discourse.

Mayor Slay goes on to say, "For the past five or so days, you have camped out at Kiener Plaza. That is in violation of a city ordinance that sets a curfew in the parks." ... "The Metropolitan Police Department has begun enforcing the municipal ordinance. That will mean either citations or arrests, at the discretion of the police chief. (If city officials controlled the department, it would be at our discretion. We do not.)"

We understand the police response to enforcing the municipal ordinance. We have worked diligently to maintain positive correspondence with the police, and it was not our intent to provoke police action. The Metropolitan Police Department is part of the 99%.The goal of the occupation, as explained earlier, was to allow the appropriate time for our forum to grow and to reach common ground. Our First Amendment right to peaceful assembly has been placed within the limitations of the municipal ordinance of set curfew hours.

I would argue that our occupation during the hours that break curfew at Kiener Plaza, 10pm-6am, actually benefits the community by reducing crime and providing safe haven for those members of our community that have fallen through the cracks. The curfew municipal ordinance is in place in order to deter criminal behavior during those hours. Criminal behavior is completely absent from our occupation due to the presence of peaceful participants with solid internal structure. We do not need curfew enforced to provide safety to the community, the movement achieves that independently.

Mayor Slay and the Metropolitan Police Department, please work towards common ground with us. This occupation is unprecedented and therefore there is nothing on the books that would allow us to apply for an occupancy permit. Please acknowledge safety and criminal deterrence as valuable byproducts of our occupation. Is there some injunction that could be put on the enforcing of municipal ordinance considering we achieve what the ordinance set out to do initially? We want to work with you. We want to benefit the community at large and we believe that with some leniency on your part we can adhere to a solution.

Tentative Itinerary for 10/6/11

2011-10-06T09:35:00.001-05:00

This info was posted on the forum by JayPhantom42:

6:00am - Regroup
11:00am - General Assembly
5:00pm - Group Caucus
8:00pm - General Assembly

For more updates, check:
OccupySTL-Official website
Forum-Interact with other participants on the site.
New Facebook Page-Updated throughout the day

Keep your spirits up St. Louis! I am taking the day off to catch up on much needed rest. I encourage small groups to discuss new ideas. Write info down, and try to bring them into fruition. If I can help in any way, I'd be glad to, even if it's pointing you in the right direction.

One issue we are aware of is that we need to communicate more effectively. By utilizing many sources of communication, and trying to make sure everyone is on the same page-I believe we are heading in the right direction.

We are ALL in this together.

Stay strong and keep moving forward!

Kerry

70 Cops arrive Kiener Plaza shortly after midnight

2011-10-06T00:55:00.004-05:00

At the time of this post, there are 10 confirmed arrests. Citations were issued less than 24 hours ago to participants staying past curfew.

This is a bad precedence for our movement. The police are among the 99%. These participants are a beacon that speaks out for the silenced majority. All of our wages have been stagnant for decades at the expense of wall street financial wizards ever-increasing salaries & bonuses. Police pensions were fleeced by recklessness on Wall St as well. Rather than enforcing arbitrary curfew laws, perhaps the police should consider the intent of this movement. We are not your enemies. We intend to lead a peaceful discussion about transcendence from this economic abuse. Men in uniform, join us.

Kyle

Ash & Bryan taking one for the team. You two have serious courage <3

Police arrive to make arrests late Wednesday night

It's true, we're supporting the police too.

Protesting outside jail

Leading by Example

2011-10-06T00:20:00.001-05:00

If we are to have this movement, and occupy this space, we must create a platform of principled discussion and adhere to higher purpose. I can feel the energy at the OccupySTL Movement. It is fledgling and vulnerable and could greatly benefit by following the examples presented at the Occupy Wall St. Movement. Here's a video for inspiration towards what OccupySTL could become. Enjoy :)

Click link for video: http://vimeo.com/30081785

Kyle

Videos from Days 1 & 2

2011-10-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

Kyle on Day 1-Thank you for explaining so eloquently why we are here.

This is footage of a General Assembly on Day 2, when we were very young as a group. We are currently in our adolescence stage-we have grown so much and come a long way, but we are still continuing to grow. Our attendees at the time of this video were less than 20 participants. As of 10:30pm Tuesday, after official curfew, our numbers were over 100 participants. The internal organization continues to grow every day. At the time of this video, I hardly knew any of these participants. Because I chose to be present and to participate, I have made many amazing, insightful, and intelligent friends. Join our efforts and help us grow today!

Paul, Ryan, Arthur, Jason, Kyle, Kerry, filmed by Carmalene

Kerry

Cops Issued Citations

2011-10-05T06:14:00.000-05:00

After rumors about cops showing up around 10pm Tuesday night, we stuck it out as a group late into the night.

The next day, my friend Carmalene reported that 15 cop cars and vans showed up around 5am Wednesday, October 5. Police issued warnings and six citations to the remaining participants and were asked to move to the sidewalks until the park re-opened. At 6am, the group reconvened back inside the plaza.

We want the St. Louis Police Department to know that we are here for them too. We need allies on every level of the system....

Stay positive. There is lots of love and strength in this movement, and I am truly proud of my brothers and sisters.

Kerry

Why it's important to occupy TONIGHT

2011-10-04T16:13:00.000-05:00

Firstly, I want everyone to know that the individuals who are occupying Kiener Plaza are incredibly brave. It takes a lot of guts to stand up for your beliefs, and most people are not willing to do this sort of a thing.

Last night, we were told that the St. Louis Police Department have issued a warning to leave our home base @Kiener Plaza by 10pm tonight. They warned that they will give citations if we don't leave. This is no surprise.

People who are staying after 10pm know what the possible consequences are-but as a collective group we believe that the more people we have tonight-the less likely the police will be involved. We believe in the power of numbers, so if you believe in your heart what we are doing is right-we could really use any support you are willing to give.

And I leave you with a song of inspiration, "Revolution" by the Beatles:

See you tonight,

Kerry

Donations

2011-10-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who has kindly donated supplies to the movement. Your generosity is an incredible inspiration to us. At the moment, we don't need any more perishable goods. If you are interested in making a donation, here are some things I think we could really benefit from:

Tents, blankets, pillows, flashlights, tables (card tables work perfectly)
Office supplies-markers, poster boards, pens, binders, notebooks, and anything to help organize-milk crates or file boxes would be great!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I sincerely love you all.

Kerry

Updates on the Occupy STL Movement

2011-10-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! I want to first give a brief breakdown of what the current situation is in the OccupySTL movement.

Why are we here? We are here to represent the "bottom 99%" who believe the big corporations (the top 1%) have too much control over everything. Essentially, we are establishing our own community & democracy, which is crucial for making change happen. We are all equals here, and EVERYONE'S voice will be heard, unlike in our current accepted government situation. Once these priorities have been met, we will continue to make decisions based on consensus voting. This means that everyone needs to be on the same page before a decision has been made.

Here is a log of the past 3 days:

Saturday, October 1st, 2011-Day 1 of the St. Louis Occupy movement. At 11am we gathered downtown and marched to the Federal Reserve. News Channel 4-KMOV was there getting great footage of the hundreds that marched and protested. The group marched to Kiener Plaza, and based on a consensus vote-this would officially become home base. Tents were pitched, more signs were made, and TONS of food and supplies were donated to the cause. This would be the first night of camping overnight, making this an official occupation.

Our future.

Gathering for speeches.

PB&J Committee!

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011-Day 2 of the St. Louis Occupy movement. Campers woke up to Kaldi's coffee, and a small group discussed the day's itinerary. The first General Assembly was at 10:30. We decided that getting the word out was essential, so a few delegates took the MetroLink to UMSL to print out a few hundred flyers to hand out. Protesters held signs at 7th & Market Street, and new participants were given warm welcomes. We fed the homeless and they thanked us and helped us. In the early evening during General Assembly, it was decided to form sub-groups and committees to help organize all of the information we were sharing. I joined the Welcoming Team, and I was very impressed with how well our first meeting went.

Monday, October 3rd, 2011-Day 3 of OccupySTL! There were group marches, and TONS of new people. Kyle and I didn't arrive until 7pm, where there was a General Assembly discussing contingency plans in case there were police summons or threat of evictions. We had great lawyers show up at 10pm for a General Assembly to inform us of the possible consequences of continuing to occupy. At this assembly, we had 70+ people-which was comparatively larger than any other assembly that happened this late! I was happy to run into an old friend from high school, Nik, and one of my good friends Sara stopped by after her shift ended downtown.

9pm on day 3- still going strong!

Needless to say, it is obvious that our numbers are growing at an accelerated rate-and we're incredibly optimistic. At this point, I know most of the participants by first name, and have a good understanding of what projects each individual is working on. Every single person involved has a voice and a purpose, and they are welcomed with open arms.

Thank you for your support and reading my current thoughts and observations. More to come!

Much love,

Kerry

Welcome!

2011-10-02T17:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the OccupySTL blog. Soon, this blog will have tons of information. Hopefully I will have information by this afternoon regarding progress from the weekend. Check back soon!

Kerry