Amazing job by a lone, anti-fiat money gangster in a sea of protest.
This is definitely worth the time – Watch the first 5 minutes.
There is no doubt that the protesters represent a very wide spectrum. I have said this from the beginning, but within that spectrum are brilliant voices. And this is one of them. What is most important is that protests are happening…not so much that some of the protesters might have screwed up views. One of the first stories I wrote on this site 3 years ago was about bailout politics making for strange bedfellows. It’s a fact. And we have to deal with it. But there is ample common ground, and this protester finds it in abundance.
The protest movement called Occupy Wall Street has struck a nerve. The demonstrators’ goals may be vague but their grievances are very real. If our country is to break out of this horrendous recession and create the millions of jobs we desperately need, if we are going to create a financially-stable future, we must take a hard look at Wall Street and demand fundamental reforms. I hope the protesters provide the spark that ignites that process.
The demonstrators and millions of sympathetic Americans understand that odds are stacked in Wall Street’s favor because of the extraordinary economic and political clout of the big banks. Believe it or not, the country’s six largest financial institutions (Bank of America, CitiGroup, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs) now have amassed assets equal to more than 60% of our gross domestic product. The four largest banks issue two-thirds of all credit cards, half of all mortgages, and hold nearly 40% of all bank deposits. Incredibly, after we bailed out the behemoth banks that were “too big to fail”, three out of the four are now even bigger than they were before the financial crisis.
Not only do these financial institutions have enormous economic clout, their wealth makes them an extremely potent political force. From 1998 through 2008, in order to achieve their goal of repealing Glass-Steagall and other financial regulations, they spent more than $5bn on lobbying and campaign contributions. They also spent hundreds of millions to water down last year’s Dodd-Frank reform bill. After the law was passed, hundreds of millions more were spent to repeal provisions and weaken regulations. They never give up.
Where do we go from here? How do we convert the protesters’ enthusiasm into concrete results?
For starters, we should break up the giant financial institutions. Left to their own selfish devices, Wall Street bankers will continue to gamble with other people’s money. Sooner or later, when their bets go wrong, they will come back to Congress asking to be bailed out again. Why not nip that in the bud? There also is a sound economic argument against too few owning far too much. The idea that six giant financial institutions can exert such enormous control over the economy should frighten anyone who believes in a competitive free-market system. Good Republican presidents like William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt broke up Standard Oil, the railroad trusts and other huge monopolies a century ago.
Now is the time for us to end the financial oligarchy that has been so destructive to our economy. If a bank is too big to fail, it is too big to exist.
Wall Street reform also must address the powerful and secretive Federal Reserve. A Government Accountability Office audit that I requested found that the central bank provided $16tn in revolving, low-interest loans to every major financial institution in this country, multinational corporations and some of the wealthiest people in the world. The Fed even helped bail out other central banks around the world. When Wall Street was on the verge of collapse, the Fed acted boldly. Today, with the middle class collapsing, the Fed must act with equal vigor.
Under emergency provisions already in law, the Fed has the authority to provide low-interest loans to small businesses that are starving for capital so that they can create the millions of jobs our economy needs. It should do so. The Fed also has authority to make credit card issuers stop bilking consumers with sky-high fees and interest rates of 30% or more. Especially in a recession, working people use credit cards to stretch their paychecks for basic needs. Usury is already regarded as a sin in the eyes of every major religion. It should be a crime. The Fed has the authority to limit interest rates and fees. It should do so.
The Occupy Wall Street demonstrators are shining a light on one of the most serious problems facing the United States: the greed, recklessness and power of Wall Street. Now is the time for the president and Congress to follow that light – and act. The future of our economy is at stake.
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 after serving 16 years in the House of Representatives. He is the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history. Elected Mayor of Burlington, Vt., by 10 votes in 1981, he served four terms. Before his 1990 election as Vermont’s at-large member in Congress, Sanders lectured at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and at Hamilton College in upstate New York. Read more at his website.
It looks great! Don’t forget to tell your friends on Twitter and Facebook!
The 50 Best Signs From #OccupyWallStreet
Politics BuzzNow in its third week, and the biggest one thus far, Occupy Wall Street continues to gain steam. While the protestors’ individual messages are often unclear, their signs show the awesome solidarity that exists within the movement.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF STREAMLINING THE ORDERING PROCESS WITH V.F.G.. AND WILL HAVE THAT READY SOON, FOR NOW DONATIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE ABOVE METHOD.
THIS COMPANY HAS DECIDED TO WORK IRECTLY 24/7 WITH O.W.S. TO HELP SUPPLY THE PROTESTERS. THEY GET EXTRA BUSINESS, AND O.W.S. GETS A DIRECT SUPPLY LINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DONATING TO THIS NOBLE CAUSE. WE ARE THE 99%!
This gives a general idea of where they are from above.
The posters provided on this page are free for you to download, print, and hang up within your community, not only to promote local efforts, but the soladarity ofall occupiers around the country. In fact, we highly encourage it as this will be a great means of spreading the word and getting others involved.
All of the posters on this page have been graciously donated to the cause by graphic designers who have contacted us and sent us materials. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to send us your work
As Occupy Wall Street demonstrations enter their second week, over 80 people were arrested over the weekend and police brutality surges on the streets.
Many protesters say the mainstream media is undergoing a black-out since many corporate networks sleep in the same bed with Wall Street. RT’s Anastasia Churkina reports.
Police brutality is running wild in New York – Americans dragged, punched and pepper sprayed.
“Women on the ground, screaming, crying, after getting assaulted brutally by police? Disgusting,” said blogger Alexander Higgins.
Over 80 people were arrested over the weekend at peaceful anti-Wall Street protests.
Among them is Eric – beaten up and held for 36 hours. The deep scars on his hands speak for themselves. The activist is shocked by the price Americans are paying for speaking out about injustice.
“The police response has been overly violent and brutal. They maced five women. They collected them in a net and then maced them. They weren’t even warned. The captain who maced them then ran away to avoid being filmed on camera,” said Eric to RT.
The Occupy Wall Street movement was launched to kick start America’s own Arab Spring.
“This is a historical moment. This is the beginning of the people’s revolution. This government is not working for the best interest of its people or this nation,” said protester Faith Laugier.
For now Occupy Wall Street remains a fringe movement with the anticipated 20,000 people yet to gather.
“It would be nice if it grew into something like what happened in Egypt. But that might be wishful thinking, because the people here are completely brainwashed,” said protester Juan Hernandez.
It took America’s mainstream media a week to catch up with the demonstrations. Protesters say some networks deny them coverage.
“CNN and FOX I am really disappointed in. Yesterday, the police responded with huge police brutality, and we were calling them constantly and they shut down their headquarters. And when we would mention Occupy Wall Street, they’d hung up on us,” said organizer Lucas Vazquez.
Others say the outlets that are covering the Occupy Wall Street rallies, are not doing nearly enough.
“Whispers. A couple of things. People don’t want people to know what’s going on. Are you kidding? There’s been coverage, but it’s like “oh, bunch of people. Done. One article,” said one demonstrator.
Alternative news sources are the ones spreading the word far and wide.
“It’s actually expected that the mainstream media would not cover this type of movement. Why would they? They actually benefit from the system staying the way it is. I am not surprised there has been a complete blackout from the media,” said another protester.
Twitter and other social networking websites are bringing people out, as three years into a recession, Wall Street has still not been held accountable for triggering the common American’s worst nightmare.
“Wall Street has ripped off the American people to no end. Mortgage fraud, foreclosure, income disparity throughout this country is just off the hook. The main reason I am here is the corporate media blackout. The mainstream media blackout. You’re only getting news from alternative news sites,” said blogger Alexander Higgins.
One in six Americans are living below the poverty line.
“Unemployment is the highest it has been in a generation. People just can’t get a job. We have to send a message. A message that we are paying attention and we want things to change, we want the system to change,” was a common feeling voiced by one New Yorker.
But the system is far from ready to change – it is yet to start taking people’s outrage seriously.
While demonstrators marched the streets of the Financial District, bankers shamelessly toasted life with champagne right in their faces.
The US political and corporate elite embraces uprisings when they are far from American soil. But when similar events take place at home, the attitude of bankers, politicians, largely the media – and many Americans – is to turn a blind eye. While the Financial District erupts with brutality and outrage, the rest of New York goes about its business as usual.
“I think what we see right now is the embryo of a very broad fightback movement that may have the potential to grow into something larger,” said activist and rapper Marcel Cartier to RT. “I hope it’s the beginning of a revolution movement.” Cartier added that he believes his fellow New Yorkers are definitely frustrated with the banks’ mismanagement and said that those waging against war on Wall Street are much more powerful than the mainstream media makes them out to be.
“The greatest ammo to the ruling class,” said Cartier, “is the fact that the masses of people don’t yet realize that we are the driving force of this society.”
4. SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO: The UPS Store Re: Occupy Wall Street 118A Fulton St. #205 New York, NY 10038
5. PRINT FLIERS AND HAND THEM OUT – CHALK ON SIDEWALKS – STOP PASSERBYS AND INFORM THEM – ASK FOR DONATIONS (I HAD AN AMAZING RESULT… 100% SUPPORT!!) http://nycga.cc/?page_id=226
7. SHARE THIS AD WITH OTHERS ON CRAIGSLIST, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE PLUS AND ALL NEWS SITES
HERE IS A LIST OF ALL NEWSPAPERS IN THE US – http://www.usnpl.com/
8. ORGANIZE CHARITY EVENTS AND DONATE THE MONEY TO OCCUPYWALLSTREET.ORG – A SIMPLE CAR WASH OR BAKERY SALE
9 – SPONSOR SOMEONE ELSE TO GO TO NYC – OFFER $ TO THEM OR TAKE CARE OF THEIR PETS OR WATER THEIR PLANTS….
10 – CALL YOUR RADIO STATIONS AND PLUG “OCCUPYWALLSTREET.ORG”—- FUN RESULTS HERE!!
11- USE YOUR CAR AS A BILLBOARD – ADVERTISE THIS REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT!
12 – CALL THE NYPD SWITCHBOARD AND DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THESE PROTESTERS – 1-646-610-5000
13 – DO NOT ARGUE WITH SHEEPLE, JUST SIMPLY IGNORE AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD. THIS IS ENERGY BETTER USED IN POSITIVE WAYS THAN ARGUING WITH THOSE THAT ARE STILL SLEEPING IN LALA LAND.
THANKS – SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!!!
ADDITIONAL NOTE: POLICE BRUTALITY AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL ARRESTS IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY. CLICK THESE LINKS TO WATCH THE VIDEOS!
COMMON QUESTIONS:
1- HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE?
There are more and more people every day, many are local to NYC and go home to sleep.
2- WHERE DO THEY GO TO THE BATHROOM?
There is a 24 hour McDonalds next door to the park.
3- HOW DO THEY SHOWER?
There are mobile shower units that some have and others are using sink baths or baby wipes.
4- WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROTEST?
The purpose of the protest is to have our voices heard, it can and will become anything you desire it to be. If you are against logging (for example) then your signs will be in regards to this and it will be accepted by everyone. This protest is for anyone and everyone – we are the 99%
MORE INFO:
Where: Liberty Square (How to get there)
Donations: NYCGA Donation Page
Help & Directions: +1 (877) 881-3020
General Inquiries general@occupywallst.org
Press Inquiries press@occupywallst.org
SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN – SUPPORT – DONATE – JOIN
Occupy Wall Street mail drop for donations has been established: UPS Store 118 A #205 New York, NY 10038 – RE: OCCUPY WALL STREET
These patriot occupiers are fighting for 99% percent of us. Those who are unemployed, uninsured, under employed and totally insecure in the face of ever increasing social and financial inequities. They are standing up for those who cannot be there right now.
Believe me when I tell you nobody, but nobody knows this is going on!
Chaz Valenza is writer and small business owner in New Jersey. He earned his MBA from New York University’sStern School of Business. His current feature film project is “Single Point Failure” an insider’s account of how the Reagan Administration (more…)
This is an open letter to all Americans, and particularly to progressive magazines, Web Sites, TV programs, etc. Please spend most of your time focusing on the Occupy Wall Street protests. This is real, this is serious, and this will become a mass movement. I have been here every day for the past week. Everyone is dedicated and determined. People have come from all over the country, and they plan to stay for months. Many have been sleeping outside, on the floors of Zuccotti Park, and others have been arrested, sacrificing their comfort for the most important of all causes. It’s safe to assume the mainstream media either will not cover the demonstrations at all or will do so only to ridicule us. But liberal media outlets must get on board. If you do not, you are essentially useless.
As a journalist myself, I know the only reason any serious progressive does reporting is because he or she wants to motivate people to get off the couch and hit the streets. We journalists write articles, participate in TV segments, appear in documentaries… For what? To inform people of how they’ve been enslaved by the corporate state. And to make them understand that they have the power to restore their democracy if they choose to.
If we in the media don’t do our part we might as well not exist. If we don’t cover these protests day and night to try to mobilize a revolution, then we are just complainers.
Some have done good work. As always, Democracynow! has done excellent reporting. I also commend Keith Olbermann, who in his special comment after the debt deal admonished that all we have left is civil disobedience. He has reported on our movement and called attention to the shameful lack of coverage elsewhere.
But overall, I have found the left’s coverage extremely disappointing. Important publications, such as the Nation, Salon, Huffington Post, Truthdig, etc., have done far too few stories on Occupy Wall Street. The protests must be front page material, every day.
We need prominent attention. Right now there are a few hundred of us, which in itself is impressive and meaningful. But we must channel this energy into a mass movement. There’s no reason why thousands of people shouldn’t be here with us right now, as this country is reeling from staggering unemployment, mass poverty, a broken health care system that leaves tens of thousands to die for lack of coverage, and unprecedented concentration of wealth and power. It’s a matter of getting the word out and making people understand why Occupy Wall Street is the most important thing to happen in America in a long time, perhaps even more so than the Wisconsin strikes. Wisconsin, as inspiring and important as it was, centered upon a specific issue—collective bargaining rights and the corporate assault on unions; Occupy Wall Street revolves around much broader issues, primarily the very notion of democracy itself.
If everyone works together we can mobilize huge chunks of the population, force change and make demands. It is possible. It’s up to us. Every pundit, every writer, every filmmaker, every talk show host, every TV personality must do what they can to help. Famous figures who can mobilize their fans must bring as many people here as possible. If you can’t make it to New York City, you can still contribute. Check out our Web Site and follow us from there. Talk about what’s going on. Call people you know in New York for first-hand accounts if possible.
And most important, every American out there can participate. Everyone reading this article can contribute. If you’re not from New York and can’t make it, show solidarity by checking out our Web Site and donating some money to help us pay for food and other necessities. Tell friends you have in New York to come out and join us. Try to picket a branch of a big bank in your area.
Every day I go out to Zuccotti Park I am in awe of what I see. Occupy Wall Street consists mainly of young citizens who are serious about their democracy and their future, and we are leading the way. Hope does not come from the White House. It will not come from Congress. It will not come from the United Nations. And as the execution of Troy Davis proves yet again, it certainly will not come from the Supreme Court. Our only option is civil disobedience. If we the people don’t stand up for ourselves with non-violent, peaceful protest, nobody will. The corporate elite are counting on you to stay passive and let Occupy Wall Street fizzle out. This is our chance. It’s up to us. Occupy Wall Street has lit a spark. Will we set the country aflame?
Now is the time for us to end the financial oligarchy that has been so destructive to our economy. (photo: David Shankbone)
This gives a general idea of where they are from above.
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