Project Occupy Wall Street

[willdw79]

Please help out. This is part of a long term struggle but we need your help now. In order to bring the public into the debate we are trying to generate one demand that exposes the weakness of money-driven "democracy. The protestors will not leave until the demand is satisfied.

There are people protesting in NYC. They want to make a single demand that resonates with the public. This demand has to garner popular support and it should be something that will be a general gain for the people. For example, "heart transplant for Joe Dokes", would not be a general gain. However, "health care for all" would. Examples: "no subsidies for agribusiness", "no corporate money to political campaigns, $100 limit on individual donations", "end the electoral college" etc.

However, the demand should center in some way around money in the political system. Long story but most of us feel that if we can take the money out (or spark something that takes the money out) of politics other goals will be closer at hand. Be smart and creative.

I know my examples were not very charged but, I want to see if anyone here has a simple demand that could be used to exploit capitalist America's inability to satisfy popular requests. It should be something that the general public can get behind easily, so not "an end to the profit system" which the masses probably won't support.

This is part of a long term struggle to bring the public into the debate and to sharpen the contradiction between true democracy and a bastardized money-driven form of democracy that exists. The protestors will not leave until the demand is satisfied. Please check out #OurWallStreet on Twitter and post your demand ideas right here so they can be discussed.

Please help. Thank You.

[Binh]

I stopped by the protest today (I work in the area) at 11pm. It was 100 people in the park near Wall Street (Broadway and Liberty), almost all of them anarchist punk-rock live-off-the-grid types. There was no united message or set of slogans/demands that was obvious to casual passers by. Slogans on signs ranged from dissing bankers, student debt, bailouts, to abstractions like conformity, capitalism, and apathy. The cops put up fences near the NYSE, shut down the J/Z train station, and were prepared to control the situation.

The people behind the protest are inspired by the Arab Spring and hoped to recreate Tahrir Square in the Financial District. The small turnout and fleeting media coverage show that we have a lot to learn from the examples abroad.

The revolution in Egypt began as a mass march against police brutality (an every day occurrence that activists have been protesting and organizing against for many years). The revolution in Libya began as a march against crummy housing. Actions in both countries were rooted in deeply held grievances and the most pressing needs of the population and began with clear-cut political demands and issues that the people rally behind. The only specific demand I could make out was to "occupy Wall Street," which doesn't really meet anyone's pressing needs, economic or political.

This is the tactics-as-politics school of anarchism (although I did see one SPUSA member). The people in the park were mostly white 20-30 year olds. It was bigger than some of the Bloombergville protests but far smaller than the tens of thousands the unions mobilized to march down here some time back.

I give them credit for trying. The small turnout and the political character of the event reflects how separated the left and the working class in NYC are from one another. -

[Smyg]

Dupe thread x 4.

[willdw79]

Thanks for the information. You said, "The small turnout and fleeting media coverage show that we have a lot to learn from the examples abroad" and I feel that. What I think is happening is that #TakeWallStreet AKA #OccupyWallStreet sees what is happening and is trying to force the situation to a head in the U.S. too.

Their demand so far is an end to corporate funding of politics. The conditions in the U.S. are ripe for this type of demand. There is a backlash against "special interest" from the right and "corporatism" from the center and left at the moment. If they make it about that narrow issue, I believe that they may win, which would change a lot as far as political stability. But they would need to reach some sort of tipping point of support and the NYPD would have to bungle their handling of the situation.

I know the crowd appears on its surface to be doing the "form-over-content" thing, but at the root of them, there is something very brave and selfless. They are sticking their necks out for the common good. At this particular moment, I would not suggest that all groups do what they are doing. But, if you see them as part of an array of responses to what is going on out here, I think that they are very progressive and should be supported. Their is much potential especially if the conditions change a little and they are steady on the singular demand. It can drive a wedge between segments of the ruling class on fundamental questions of democracy. Spread the word and watch the vid of some of them being arrested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYaA-34c-vI&feature=player_embedded

[willdw79]

And it also exposes a contradiction about what capitalism can deliver. Can you have politics without big money in it under capitalism? Most Americans, I think, would say yes. I think that they are incorrect.

Pressing the issue of getting corporate money out of politics forces a contradiction between democracy and capitalism. It highlights the fact that the U.S. is a corporate democracy whereas most people in the U.S., I believe, think that the U.S. is a popular democracy.

So in addition to a possible rift between elites, their struggle also could (if #occupyWallStreet gets more support and they are not ignored) bring to the surface a greater contradiction between workers and obviously non-democratic corporate powers. Which you and I are aware of, but I think many Americans are oblivious to at the moment.

[Code]

I came across these about these:

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/09/24/occupy-wall-street-is-voice-of-generation-if-you-choose-to-hear-it-pics-video/

http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

[¿Que?]

To answer the OP's question, and not just ramble on about my opinion on this action, I would say as a demand, raise the minimum wage to $15hr (or higher).

[Revolutionary_Marxist]

Well best luck of too you. Hopefully if more people come you guys could have a stronger solidarity against our capitalist "democracy".

[willdw79]

I stopped by the protest today (I work in the area) at 11pm. It was 100 people in the park near Wall Street (Broadway and Liberty), almost all of them anarchist punk-rock live-off-the-grid types. There was no united message or set of slogans/demands that was obvious to casual passers by. Slogans on signs ranged from dissing bankers, student debt, bailouts, to abstractions like conformity, capitalism, and apathy. The cops put up fences near the NYSE, shut down the J/Z train station, and were prepared to control the situation.

The people behind the protest are inspired by the Arab Spring and hoped to recreate Tahrir Square in the Financial District. The small turnout and fleeting media coverage show that we have a lot to learn from the examples abroad.

The revolution in Egypt began as a mass march against police brutality (an every day occurrence that activists have been protesting and organizing against for many years). The revolution in Libya began as a march against crummy housing. Actions in both countries were rooted in deeply held grievances and the most pressing needs of the population and began with clear-cut political demands and issues that the people rally behind. The only specific demand I could make out was to "occupy Wall Street," which doesn't really meet anyone's pressing needs, economic or political.

This is the tactics-as-politics school of anarchism (although I did see one SPUSA member). The people in the park were mostly white 20-30 year olds. It was bigger than some of the Bloombergville protests but far smaller than the tens of thousands the unions mobilized to march down here some time back.

I give them credit for trying. The small turnout and the political character of the event reflects how separated the left and the working class in NYC are from one another. -
Have you been back, has the mood and/or makeup of the protests changed?