First published in:
Think Twice Radio [Buffalo, audio]
“There need be no blood-shed or
violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national
authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and
possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to
collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for
these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or
among the people anywhere.”
– Abraham Lincoln Inaugural Address 1861,
prior to The Civil War.
February 2012: Occupy Wall Street NYC visits Occupy Buffalo.
The following interviews educate one on “What is Occupy?” from various
perspectives of four people continuously active within “Occupy.”
Through their experience, education, and advocacy; Occupy can be seen
not only as a “movement”, but as global transformation.
OWS arriving in Buffalo © Brian Pickard 2012
Robert Albini and Logan Noonan
discuss: The True Face of Media, Social Order, Stepping Out of Comfort
Zones, Lack of Government Representation, Moving Forward as a Species,
Steps to a Well Informed Population, and Class Division.
Heron E. Simmonds – Price
speaking of What is Occupy? What an Occupation is and why, Direct
Action, Advocacy, Global Engagement, and Suitable Time Frame for Social
Change.
Linda Abrams speaks of:
The School of Everything, Social Disease and Indoctrination, Justice
Dialogues, Non Violent Communication, Specialization, The Activist
Toolbox, and The Banking Model of the Educational System.
Occupy Together is
a grassroots website to aid in self-organization. It began when two
designers and artists watched news feeds and information reported on
Facebook, Twitter, and live feeds online, wishing to bring greater
awareness to events they witnessed. The purpose was to provide people
with information. After a website was created, Occupy Together became a
tool for people to research the events, protests and demonstrations
across the globe. The birth of Occupy Together began due to citizens
taking action against corporate greed and corruption. OT has grown into a
valuable tool for all people who desire change. Occupy Together stands
in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Occupy Wall Street
began on September 17, 2011 as a people-powered initiative in Liberty
Square, Manhattan’s [New York City] Financial District. This movement
spread to over 100 cities in the U.S and over 1,500 cities globally.
Occupy Wall Street speaks against the prolonged destructive powers of
banks and corporations through a true democratic process. The need for
OWS began due to economic collapse that caused immense recession. This
movement aims to take the richest 1% of people and hold them accountable
for creating an unjust global economy. The 99% is a symbol for all
people affected by an unfair economy.
OWS is inspired by the revolts in
Egypt and Tunisia.
Occupy Wall Street embodies:
- Principles of Solidarity
- Statement of Autonomy
- Declaration of the Occupation
- Everyone has the Right to Occupy Space, Safely
"This is as grassroots as it gets.” – Occupy Wall Street
