2011: A Year in Revolt
Posted 1 day ago on Jan. 3, 2012, 7:52 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
2011 will be remembered as a year of revolution, the beginning of the end for an unsustainable global system based on poverty, oppression, and violence. In dozens of countries across the Arab world, people rose up against broken economies and oppressive regimes, toppling dictators and inspiring the world to action. Popular rejection of austerity measures and attacks on worker's rights brought millions to the streets in Greece, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, Chile, Wisconsin and elsewhere.
By midsummer, murmurs of "occupying Wall Street" were stirring online, and on July 14th, we registered the domain occupywallst.org and began organizing. The first New York City General Assembly was held August 2nd and the Occupation of Liberty Square began on September 17th.
Fueled by anger at the growing disparities between rich and poor, frustrated by government policies that benefit a tiny elite at the expense of the majority, and tired of the establishment's failure to address fundamental economic inequalities, OWS offered a new solution. We built a People's Kitchen to feed thousands, opened a People's Library, created safer spaces, and provided free shelter, bedding, medical care, and other necessities to anyone who needed them. While cynics demanded we elect leaders and make demands on politicians, we were busy creating alternatives to those very institutions. A revolution has been set in motion, and we cannot be stopped.
As the mainstream media ignored us, we learned from other leaderless resistance movements in places like Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran to use social media and live video streaming to spread our message. We are part of a global movement that has radically democratized how information is created and shared, rendering centralized, corporate-funded mainstream media increasingly irrelevant. The rapid exchange of information allowed us to make collective decisions quickly, discuss information and ideas across the globe, mobilize effective direct actions, and document police brutality. Now more than ever, when we chant "The Whole World Is Watching!" it is not an idle threat.
Today, tens of thousands of everyday people are putting ideals like solidarity, mutual aid, anti-oppression, autonomy, and direct democracy into practice. Individuals are joining together in city-wide General Assemblies and autonomous affinity groups. Through consensual, non-hierarchical and participatory self-governance, we are literally laying the framework for a new world by building it here and now -- and it works.
The rest is history. In honor of a new year, here is a run-down of what we accomplished since then. It would be impossible to list every action or mention every place an Occupation has occurred. But let us start a new year by celebrating a few highlights of our victories -- along with a sneak preview of what's to come!
#J3 - Call To Action Against the NDAA
Posted 1 day ago on Jan. 2, 2012, 1:33 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
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Tuesday, Jan. 3rd 12PM - 5PM (EST)
New York Public Library, 455 5th Ave, Manhattan (5th Ave and 42nd St.)
(B/D/F/M to 42nd/Bryant Pk, 7 to 5th Ave, 4/5/6/S to Grand Central)
via NYCGA:
A call has been put out to let our government know the people will not tolerate any more attacks on our rights!
January 3rd will be a spontaneous show of people power in reaction to Obama's treasonous signing of the National Defense Authorization Act. Not only does this act violate our first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth amendments, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but this Act was signed quietly this past New Years Eve violating what little trust remained between the people and their established government. We see what's happening here, and we will not stand for it.
Tentative Schedule for Day of Action:
7:30AM (All Day) – OWS solidarity with the New York State Nurses Association Strike at St. Lukes (1111 Amsterdam Ave and 112th Street) and Roosevelt Hospital (1000 10th Ave and 59th Street.)
12PM – Press Conference at NYPL (Bryant Park)
2PM – Office Demonstration at Senator Gillibrand's office (780 3rd Ave.)
3PM – Office Demonstration at Senator Schumer's office (757 3rd Ave.)
4PM – Rally at Rockefeller Plaza
5PM – Flash check about NDAA in Grand Central for commuters.
After, we plan to march up 5th ave to do a demo tour of 1 percent homes.
(above subject to change at on short notice.)
Please Help Spread the Word and Please Help Fight Back.
LIVE: OWS New Year's Eve Festivities
Posted 3 days ago on Dec. 31, 2011, 4:02 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
MIDNIGHT UPDATE: Liberty Square has been retaken. New York, get down there now! See below for Live updates from the ground.
Tonight, expect a General Assembly in Liberty Square at 7pm, a noise demo in front of the Manhattan jail at 9pm, regrouping en masse at Liberty Square between 10pm and midnight, then partying in the streets as we go mobile. See here for full plans for the night!
GAs, protests, and parties are also taking place at Occupations in Boston, Oakland, DC, Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Nashville, Tampa, Bloomington, Toronto, Amsterdam, Tahir Square in Cairo, and elsewhere across the world. Find your local Occupy and come out if you can! What better way to bring in the new year than making a New Year's REVOLUTION?Read More...
Occupy 2012: Wall Street New Years Eve Celebration
Posted 3 days ago on Dec. 31, 2011, 3:19 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
2011 was an amazing awakening. Let's start 2012 off right! Come celebrate with thousands of other members of the 99%, at our park and in the streets, as we make our special New Years Revolution together. Bring a drum! Bring your instrument! In the 2 hours before, we will reclaim our park and the area around it.
First, come to the Noise Demo outside the Metropolitan Correction Center (150 Park Row, New York, NY) at 9:00pm. Then, at 10:00pm, we will gather in Liberty Square. At midnight, the party goes mobile!
New Year's Eve Noise Demos Against The Prison-Industrial Complex
Posted 4 days ago on Dec. 31, 2011, 6:23 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Saturday, December 31st. 9PM (EST)
MCC (Metropolitan Correctional Center), 150 Park Row, Manhattan
(J to Chambers Street or 4/5/6 to City Hall)
Un-Settling Occupation
Posted 5 days ago on Dec. 29, 2011, 4:59 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Occupy the Iowa Caucuses!
Posted 5 days ago on Dec. 29, 2011, 11:48 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
As the United States prepares for another election year and presidential candidates gather to begin their corporate-financed campaigns, we are again presented with politicians that have all been bought by Wall Street and the 1%.
Occupiers from across the country are also gathering in Iowa to disrupt presidential campaigning and Occupy the Caucuses to remind the world that the "liberal/conservative, Democrat/Republican dichotomy is a distraction from the real social conflict undergirding American society: the 99 percent versus the 1 percent.."
Today, protesters were arrested inside Wells Fargo bank while asking bankers how much they had "donated" to presidential election campaigns.
Caucus Statement & Schedule Occupation Schedule Read More...
Reverend Billy Looks Forward to Spring
Posted 6 days ago on Dec. 28, 2011, 2:02 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
More heat and more light. Amen, Revolujah!
99% Choir Goes Caroling, Forecloses on Bank of America
Posted 1 week ago on Dec. 27, 2011, 4:24 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
On December 22nd, the 99% Choir walked into Bank of America's Seattle headquarters, sang appropriately updated carols, and posted foreclosure notices citing bribery, fraud, and extortion. Thanks goes to The Other 98% , The Backbone Campaign, Washington Community Action Center, and the Seattle Labor Chorus for this action and video.
A solidarity statement from the Women Occupying Wall Street to our Egyptian sisters
Posted 1 week ago on Dec. 27, 2011, 2:52 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
We send our strongest support and solidarity to the thousands of women in Tahrir Square and across Egypt protesting the unacceptable violent assault of women protesters by the military. We are troubled, shocked, and outraged at images of a woman protester being beaten and stripped in the streets.
Systematic targeting, marginalization, silencing, and violence against women by anyone, especially the military authorities entrusted to protect us, are unacceptable.These tactics are brutal, criminal and dishonorable. We share your anger.
We recognize the brave women of Egypt and women around the world who risk their lives to protest unjust systems. Women are powerful and essential forces in revolutions. Your power and courage are incredibly inspiring to all women.
We send solidarity and encouragement to you in this honorable fight to protect women's rights. We join you in outrage and support your fight for peace and justice. We stand united with all women of Egypt.
United, we will never be defeated.
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