Click on the headline to link to Occupy Oaklandand information on a march to close down the Port Of Oakland on November 2, 2011.
Markin comment:
All Out On November 2, 2011 In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity
******
Markin comment November 1, 2011:
Whether we can successfully close down Oakland on November 2, 2011 we have taken the offensive, maybe a long- term offensive, but an offensive reflecting our new-found understanding that the actions of the past few weeks have shown us that unless we are willing to fight, and fight hard, we will get nothing from the bourgeoisie, or their hangers-on. Call November 2nd Liberation Day One and that will put things proper prospective. Many of we older leftist militants did not think we would live long enough to hear the words- General Strike-uttered in more than some old-time historical sense. And yet here we are. Stay calm and steady-All out November 2, 2011 in solidarity with the Oakland General Strike! This is our John Brown moment! Light the spark! Forward!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By-In Honor Of The Frontline Fighters Standing In Solidarity With The Oakland General Strike, November 2, 2011-We Take the Offensive- Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up”
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of Bob Marley performing his classic song of struggle, Get Up, Stand Up.
Markin comment:
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here.
*****
Markin comment October 30, 2011:
All honor to those arrested defending Occupy Denver Ya, they got up, they stood up. Defend The Occupy Denver Site! Defend The Occupation! Defend The Occupiers! Drop All Charges Against Those Who Defended Occupy Denver Now!
******
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. We had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick us off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
******
Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up Lyrics
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Preacher man, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you don't know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
'Alf the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. come on!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Most people think,
Great god will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. jah!
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/get+up+stand+up_20021743.html ]
Get up, stand up! (jah, jah! )
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Don't give up the fight! (life is your right! )
Get up, stand up! (so we can't give up the fight! )
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord! )
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on! )
Don't give up the fight! (yeah! )
We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin' 'n' goin' to heaven in-a Jesus' name, lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty god is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (yeah, yeah, yeah! )
So you better:
Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up! )
Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights! )
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Don't give up the fight! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! /fadeout/
Markin comment:
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here.
*****
Markin comment October 30, 2011:
All honor to those arrested defending Occupy Denver Ya, they got up, they stood up. Defend The Occupy Denver Site! Defend The Occupation! Defend The Occupiers! Drop All Charges Against Those Who Defended Occupy Denver Now!
******
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. We had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick us off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
******
Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up Lyrics
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Preacher man, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you don't know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
'Alf the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. come on!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Most people think,
Great god will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. jah!
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/get+up+stand+up_20021743.html ]
Get up, stand up! (jah, jah! )
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Don't give up the fight! (life is your right! )
Get up, stand up! (so we can't give up the fight! )
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord! )
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on! )
Don't give up the fight! (yeah! )
We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin' 'n' goin' to heaven in-a Jesus' name, lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty god is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (yeah, yeah, yeah! )
So you better:
Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up! )
Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights! )
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Don't give up the fight! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! /fadeout/
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-Day Thirty-Three- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!-This Is Our John Brown Moment –Light The Spark!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Boston website. Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
Fight-Don’t Starve-We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
*****
Markin comment November 1, 2011:
Whether we can successfully close down Oakland on November 2, 2011 we have taken the offensive, maybe a long- term offensive, but an offensive reflecting our new-found understanding that the actions of the past few weeks have shown us that unless we are willing to fight, and fight hard, we will get nothing from the bourgeoisie, or their hangers-on. Call November 2nd Liberation Day One and that will put things proper prospective. Many of we older leftist militants did not think we would live long enough to hear the words- General Strike-uttered in more than some old-time historical sense. And yet here we are. Stay calm and steady-All out November 2, 2011 in solidarity with the Oakland General Strike! This is our John Brown moment! Light the spark! Forward!
******
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
********
Fight-Don’t Starve-We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
*****
Markin comment November 1, 2011:
Whether we can successfully close down Oakland on November 2, 2011 we have taken the offensive, maybe a long- term offensive, but an offensive reflecting our new-found understanding that the actions of the past few weeks have shown us that unless we are willing to fight, and fight hard, we will get nothing from the bourgeoisie, or their hangers-on. Call November 2nd Liberation Day One and that will put things proper prospective. Many of we older leftist militants did not think we would live long enough to hear the words- General Strike-uttered in more than some old-time historical sense. And yet here we are. Stay calm and steady-All out November 2, 2011 in solidarity with the Oakland General Strike! This is our John Brown moment! Light the spark! Forward!
******
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
***From The Archives-The Struggle To Win The Youth To The Fight For Our Communist Future-From Young Spartacus, September 1978- Voices From The Ivory Tower: Genovese's Anti-Marxist Persepctives
Click on the headline to link to a Wikipedia entry for Professor Eugene Genovese, the named subject of the polemic in this post.
Markin comment on this series:
One of the declared purposes of this space is to draw the lessons of our left-wing past here in America and internationally, especially from the pro-communist wing. To that end I have made commentaries and provided archival works in order to help draw those lessons for today’s left-wing activists to learn, or at least ponder over. More importantly, for the long haul, to help educate today’s youth in the struggle for our common communist future. That is no small task or easy task given the differences of generations; differences of political milieus worked in; differences of social structure to work around; and, increasingly more important, the differences in appreciation of technological advances, and their uses.
There is no question that back in my youth I could have used, desperately used, many of the archival materials available today. When I developed political consciousness very early on, albeit liberal political consciousness, I could have used this material as I knew, I knew deep inside my heart and mind, that a junior Cold War liberal of the American For Democratic Action (ADA) stripe was not the end of my leftward political trajectory. More importantly, I could have used a socialist or communist youth organization to help me articulate the doubts I had about the virtues of liberal capitalism and be recruited to a more left-wing world view. As it was I spent far too long in the throes of the left-liberal/soft social-democratic milieu where I was dying politically. A group like the Young Communist League (W.E.B. Dubois Clubs in those days), the Young People’s Socialist League, or the Young Socialist Alliance representing the youth organizations of the American Communist Party, American Socialist Party and the Socialist Workers Party (U.S.) respectively would have saved much wasted time and energy. I knew they were around but not in my area.
The archival material to be used in this series is weighted heavily toward the youth movements of the early American Communist Party and the Socialist Workers Party (U.S). For more recent material I have relied on material from the Spartacus Youth Clubs, the youth group of the Spartacist League (U.S.), both because they are more readily available to me and because, and this should give cause for pause, there are not many other non-CP, non-SWP youth groups around. As I gather more material from other youth sources I will place them in this series.
Finally I would like to finish up with the preamble to the Spartacist Youth Club’s What We Fight For statement of purpose:
"The Spartacus Youth Clubs intervene into social struggles armed with the revolutionary internationalist program of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. We work to mobilize youth in struggle as partisans of the working class, championing the liberation of black people, women and all the oppressed. The SYCs fight to win youth to the perspective of building the Leninist vanguard party that will lead the working class in socialist revolution, laying the basis for a world free of capitalist exploitation and imperialist slaughter."
This seems to me be somewhere in the right direction for what a Bolshevik youth group should be doing these days; a proving ground to become professional revolutionaries with enough wiggle room to learn from their mistakes, and successes. More later.
*******
Markin comment on this article:
With the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement and its off-shoots this fall (2011) it seems that every academic leftist professor of the past forty years, or those with pretensions to leftism, has come out of the woodwork, or rather the treacherous, if comfortable, groves of academia to give the "kids" advise about how it was back in the day (the 1960s or 1970s, as the case may be). This article kind of puts such "experts" in perspective, especially those who have been laying low, very low, in the weeds all these years. Hell, Professor Genovese and the others mentioned in this article seem like Bolsheviks (even if they would cringe at such a designation) compared to some hoary voices that I have heard spouting forth of late.
***********
From Young Spartacus,September 1978- Voices From The Ivory Tower: Genovese's Anti-Marxist Persepctives
'The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it"
-K. Marx
'An anonymous wit reflecting on the revolutionary upheavals of our age, has parodied that Marxists have hitherto merely changed the world, whereas the point is to interpret it. Fair enough, so far as it goes."
—E. Genovese
*********
"We seek to revitalize Marxist thought"—with this modest ambition a group of university professors in the United States announced to the world the appearance of their new journal, Marxist Perspectives. In an editorial statement penned by Eugene D. Genovese (the editor and the chairman of the Department of History at the University of Rochester), the very first issue (Spring 1978) proclaims that the editors have taken upon their thin shoulders a rather herculean task: no less than the resolution of what they call the "crisis" of Marxism.
No ordinary journal this, its goal is nothing less than to salvage the left from the "deformities in ideology" which, we are told, "no honest Marxist, whatever his political tendency, can any longer defend." Far be it, needless to say, from these fine gentlemen to soil their hands with the living struggles of the working class and the political battles to forge a genuinely revolutionary party; the authors inform us that, "the painful history of those revolutions and parties needs no review here." What follows is an unabashed display of academics reveling in their university sinecures.
The editors of Marxist Perspectives cast an admiring glance at William Appleman Williams, the University of Wisconsin historian, who served as their mentor when they were his graduate students in the 1960's. Since that time, however, many of the journal's contributors were drawn into active political movements around the issues of civil rights and the Vietnam war. For these academic Marxists the demise of the New Left was the signal for a complete retreat into the universities. Having made no substantive political decisions other than furthering their own careers, they of course place the blame upon the left: "Marxism, like all philosophies and world views, is in crisis."
These academics and cast-off from the New Left are no doubt witnessing a crisis—but it is their own, not that of communists. It is not we who are thrown into a tizzy by the sight of Stalinists engaged in a criminal nationalist border war between "Socialist Vietnam" and "Democratic Kampuchea"; not we that equate the rise of petty-bourgeois nationalist regimes in Angola and Mozambique or the jackboot of Stalinist repression in Eastern Europe with the Bolshevik-led Russian proletariat's conquest of Soviet power in 1917; nor we that find the social-democratization of Western European Communist Parties under the catchphrase "Euro-communism" intriguing.
A recent article by an associate of Marxist Perspectives, the renowned British historian E.J. Hobsbawm, expresses precisely this confusion. Titled, appropriately enough, "Should the Poor Organize?" Hobsbawm's dark picture of despair captures well the sentiments currently being bantered about academia's armchairs:
"Once upon a time, say from the middle of the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth, the movements of the left whether they called themselves socialist, communist, or syndicalist— like everybody else who believed in progress, knew just where they wanted to go and just what, with the help of history, strategy, and effort, they ought or needed to do to get there. Now they no longer do
"Neither capitalism nor its designated graved diggers are any longer what they were in 1914 or even in 1939. The historical forces and mechanisms on which socialists relied to produce an increasingly militant proletariat and increasingly vulnerable ruling class are not working as they were supposed to. The great armies of labor are no longer marching forward, as they once seemed to, growing, increasingly united, and carrying the future with them."
New York Review of Books,
23 March 1978
So, buoyed by such cynicism, Marxist theory is to be revitalized!
Not only are there no "perspectives" to be found here, but the editors reject outright the revolutionary core of Marxism. Genovese's brazen editorial statement asserts, "We are not a partisan political journal. Those who thrive on political polemics will have to publish elsewhere." Lest there be any misunderstanding, Genovese continues, "We shall not entertain ill-mannered polemics; factional attacks; holier-than-thou treatises; or accusations of revisionism, dogmatism, adventurism, tailism, Stalinism, Trotskyism, Bernsteinism, rotten liberalism, or any of those other wonderful devices for avoiding reasoned response to honest arguments."
The irony of this statement is that in this journal entitled Marxist Perspectives Marx himself would not fit the criteria for publication. Would Genovese undertake to edit out the polemical "excesses" of Capital, the Communist Manifesto, the Critique of the Goths Program or Engels' Anti-Duhring! What Marxist Perspectives cannot fathom is that revolutionaries engage in polemics because the substance of the political debate matters. Marx, Lenin and Trotsky spent much of their time writing polemics in the process of trying to forge political organizations capable of changing the world. For those that cannot stomach "ill-mannered polemics," the prospect of making the world "rise on new foundations" must simply be beyond the realm of thought.
In 1915, Lenin wrote that, "Strong ideas are those that shock and scandalize, evoke indignation, anger, and animosity in some and enthusiasm in others." Judged in this light, Marxist Perspectives offers only a series of weak ideas. With the exception of Genovese's editorial and an amusing piece by Gore Vidal on the American Bicentennial, this new journal contains virtually unreadable tracts ranging from Hobsbawm's article on religion and the rise of socialism to an insipid review of Yves Saint Laurent's latest fashions!
The pity is that many of these same scholars have published very valuable and thought-provoking material elsewhere, including: Hobsbawm's Primitive Rebels and (under the pseudonym Francis Newton) The Jazz Scene, Christopher Lasch's insightful New York Review of Books essay "Narcissist America"; and Genovese's perceptive works on slavery, as well as his fine polemics (ill-mannered or not) against the fairy tale history books of Communist Party hack Herbert Aptheker and divers black nationalists. While these works are not to be slighted, collectively these people add up to far less than their individual academic contributions.
This is hardly surprising. Implicit in Marxist Perspectives' magnanimous
recognition of "many Marxisms" is abhorrence for the inescapable programmatic conclusions of Marxism leading to the battle for the dictatorship of the proletariat (the term itself is anathema to most academics). Marxism provides the worldview to interpret and change the existing society: it cannot exist independently of communist politics and communist organization. Lenin neatly summarized this position in the second edition of State and Revolution (December 1918):
"It is often said and written that the main point in Marx's theory is the class struggle. But this is wrong. And this wrong notion very often results in an opportunist distortion of Marxism and its falsification in a spirit acceptable to the bourgeoisie. For the theory of the class struggle was created not by Marx, but by the bourgeoisie before Marx, and generally speaking, it is acceptable to the bourgeoisie. Those who recognize only the class struggle are not yet Marxists; they are to be found still within the bounds of bourgeois thinking and bourgeois politics. To confine Marxism to the theory of the class struggle means curtailing Marxism, distorting it, reducing it to something acceptable to the bourgeoisie. Only he is a Marxist who extends the recognition of the class struggle to the recognition of the dictatorship of the proletariat. This is what constitutes the most profound distinction between the Marxist and the ordinary petty (as well as big) bourgeoisie. This is the touchstone on which the real understanding and recognition of Marxism should be tested!"
Nor was this new to Lenin. Marx made exactly the same point in a well-known 1852 letter to Joseph Weydemeyer: "And now as to myself, no credit is due to me for discovering the existence of classes in modern society or the struggle between them. Long before me bourgeois historians had described the historical development of this class struggle and bourgeois economists, the economic anatomy of the classes. What 1 did was to prove: (1) that the existence of class is only bound up with particular, historical phases in the development of production, (2) that the class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat, (3) that this dictatorship itself only constitutes the transition to the abolition of all classes and to a classless society."
To recognize their honesty, the editors grudgingly accept, at least halfheartedly, the gulf that separates them from Marxism. One of the more boldfaced statements in Genovese's introduction to Marxist Perspectives is a comment on Marx's famous dictum in his Theses on Feuerbach dealing with the need to change the world. Genovese in turn tells us, "An anonymous wit reflecting on the revolutionary upheavals of our age, has parodied that Marxists have hitherto merely changed the world, whereas the point is to interpret it. Fair enough, so far as it goes."
Marxist Perspectives is only a prestigious publication aimed at capitalizing on the increased "respectability" of this brand of "Marxism" in bourgeois academia. The journal graciously offers bourgeois opponents a regular column, "From the Other Shore," and even the New York Times has praised both the journal's "intellectual seriousness" and its "sound understanding of the market economy" (i.e., its commercial profitability).
But the rejection of revolutionary Marxism has its own logic—even for these self-styled "interpreters." Not only have the two issues to date prominently featured articles on behalf of Euro-communism, but a Marxist Perspectives-sponsored New York symposium on "The Communist Experience in America" in May of this year proved to be little more than a platform for right-wing social democrats of the Michael Harrington ilk. For these scholars who reject revolution and the Leninist party but who wish to apply aspects of Marxism or to be known as Marxists, the best thing would be simply to stay out of politics. Much better if Genovese, Lasch and Hobsbawm would stick to their own scholarly researches rather than dabble in the cynical anti-Marxism of the Marxist Perspectives editorial statement. Academic Marxism, insofar as it organizes itself as a tendency, can only become part of the periphery of social democracy—the defender of a comfortable status quo.
The fact that much of our critique of Marxist Perspectives can be drawn from
quotes of Marx and Lenin is far from accidental. The attempt of academic
leftists to decry revolutionary struggles in the name of "revitalization" is hardly a new phenomenon. Trotsky best summed this up in a 1923 speech at Sverdlov University on the "Tasks of Communist Education" (reprinted in Problems of Everyday Life). More than half a century later it retains its full applicability to today's academics
Marxists:
"Academicism in the sense of the belief in the self-contained importance of theory is doubly absurd for us a revolutionaries. Theory serves collective humanity; it serves the cause of revolution.
"It is true that in certain periods of our social development, there were attempts to separate Marxism from revolutionary action. This was during the time of the so-called legal Marxism in the 1890's. Russian Marxists were divided into two camps: Legal Marxists from the journalistic salons of Moscow and Petersburg; and the underground fraternity—imprisoned, in penal exile, emigrated, illegal.
"The legalists were as a general rule more educated than our group of young Marxists in those days. It is true that there was among us a group of broadly educated revolutionary Marxists, but they were only a handful. We, the youth, if we are honest with ourselves, were in the overwhelming majority pretty ignorant. We were shocked sometimes by some of Darwin's ideas. Not all of us, however, even had occasion to get so far as to read Darwin. Nevertheless, I can say with certainty that when one of these underground, young, 19- or 20-year-old Marxists happened to meet and collide head-on with a legal Marxist, the feeling invariably sprang up among the young people that, all the same, we were more intelligent. This was not simply puerile arrogance. No, The key to this feeling is that it is impossible to genuinely master Marxism if you do not have the will for revolutionary action. Only if Marxist theory is combined with that will and directed toward overcoming the existing conditions can it be a tool to drill and bore. And if this active revolutionary will is absent, then the Marxism is pseudo-Marxism, a wooden knife which neither stabs nor cuts. And this is what it was under the direction of our legal Marxists. They were gradually transformed into liberals.
"The willingness for revolutionary action is a precondition for mastering the Marxist dialectic. The one cannot live without the other. Marxism cannot be academicism without ceasing to be Marxism, i.e. the theoretical tool of revolutionary action."
Markin comment on this series:
One of the declared purposes of this space is to draw the lessons of our left-wing past here in America and internationally, especially from the pro-communist wing. To that end I have made commentaries and provided archival works in order to help draw those lessons for today’s left-wing activists to learn, or at least ponder over. More importantly, for the long haul, to help educate today’s youth in the struggle for our common communist future. That is no small task or easy task given the differences of generations; differences of political milieus worked in; differences of social structure to work around; and, increasingly more important, the differences in appreciation of technological advances, and their uses.
There is no question that back in my youth I could have used, desperately used, many of the archival materials available today. When I developed political consciousness very early on, albeit liberal political consciousness, I could have used this material as I knew, I knew deep inside my heart and mind, that a junior Cold War liberal of the American For Democratic Action (ADA) stripe was not the end of my leftward political trajectory. More importantly, I could have used a socialist or communist youth organization to help me articulate the doubts I had about the virtues of liberal capitalism and be recruited to a more left-wing world view. As it was I spent far too long in the throes of the left-liberal/soft social-democratic milieu where I was dying politically. A group like the Young Communist League (W.E.B. Dubois Clubs in those days), the Young People’s Socialist League, or the Young Socialist Alliance representing the youth organizations of the American Communist Party, American Socialist Party and the Socialist Workers Party (U.S.) respectively would have saved much wasted time and energy. I knew they were around but not in my area.
The archival material to be used in this series is weighted heavily toward the youth movements of the early American Communist Party and the Socialist Workers Party (U.S). For more recent material I have relied on material from the Spartacus Youth Clubs, the youth group of the Spartacist League (U.S.), both because they are more readily available to me and because, and this should give cause for pause, there are not many other non-CP, non-SWP youth groups around. As I gather more material from other youth sources I will place them in this series.
Finally I would like to finish up with the preamble to the Spartacist Youth Club’s What We Fight For statement of purpose:
"The Spartacus Youth Clubs intervene into social struggles armed with the revolutionary internationalist program of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. We work to mobilize youth in struggle as partisans of the working class, championing the liberation of black people, women and all the oppressed. The SYCs fight to win youth to the perspective of building the Leninist vanguard party that will lead the working class in socialist revolution, laying the basis for a world free of capitalist exploitation and imperialist slaughter."
This seems to me be somewhere in the right direction for what a Bolshevik youth group should be doing these days; a proving ground to become professional revolutionaries with enough wiggle room to learn from their mistakes, and successes. More later.
*******
Markin comment on this article:
With the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement and its off-shoots this fall (2011) it seems that every academic leftist professor of the past forty years, or those with pretensions to leftism, has come out of the woodwork, or rather the treacherous, if comfortable, groves of academia to give the "kids" advise about how it was back in the day (the 1960s or 1970s, as the case may be). This article kind of puts such "experts" in perspective, especially those who have been laying low, very low, in the weeds all these years. Hell, Professor Genovese and the others mentioned in this article seem like Bolsheviks (even if they would cringe at such a designation) compared to some hoary voices that I have heard spouting forth of late.
***********
From Young Spartacus,September 1978- Voices From The Ivory Tower: Genovese's Anti-Marxist Persepctives
'The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it"
-K. Marx
'An anonymous wit reflecting on the revolutionary upheavals of our age, has parodied that Marxists have hitherto merely changed the world, whereas the point is to interpret it. Fair enough, so far as it goes."
—E. Genovese
*********
"We seek to revitalize Marxist thought"—with this modest ambition a group of university professors in the United States announced to the world the appearance of their new journal, Marxist Perspectives. In an editorial statement penned by Eugene D. Genovese (the editor and the chairman of the Department of History at the University of Rochester), the very first issue (Spring 1978) proclaims that the editors have taken upon their thin shoulders a rather herculean task: no less than the resolution of what they call the "crisis" of Marxism.
No ordinary journal this, its goal is nothing less than to salvage the left from the "deformities in ideology" which, we are told, "no honest Marxist, whatever his political tendency, can any longer defend." Far be it, needless to say, from these fine gentlemen to soil their hands with the living struggles of the working class and the political battles to forge a genuinely revolutionary party; the authors inform us that, "the painful history of those revolutions and parties needs no review here." What follows is an unabashed display of academics reveling in their university sinecures.
The editors of Marxist Perspectives cast an admiring glance at William Appleman Williams, the University of Wisconsin historian, who served as their mentor when they were his graduate students in the 1960's. Since that time, however, many of the journal's contributors were drawn into active political movements around the issues of civil rights and the Vietnam war. For these academic Marxists the demise of the New Left was the signal for a complete retreat into the universities. Having made no substantive political decisions other than furthering their own careers, they of course place the blame upon the left: "Marxism, like all philosophies and world views, is in crisis."
These academics and cast-off from the New Left are no doubt witnessing a crisis—but it is their own, not that of communists. It is not we who are thrown into a tizzy by the sight of Stalinists engaged in a criminal nationalist border war between "Socialist Vietnam" and "Democratic Kampuchea"; not we that equate the rise of petty-bourgeois nationalist regimes in Angola and Mozambique or the jackboot of Stalinist repression in Eastern Europe with the Bolshevik-led Russian proletariat's conquest of Soviet power in 1917; nor we that find the social-democratization of Western European Communist Parties under the catchphrase "Euro-communism" intriguing.
A recent article by an associate of Marxist Perspectives, the renowned British historian E.J. Hobsbawm, expresses precisely this confusion. Titled, appropriately enough, "Should the Poor Organize?" Hobsbawm's dark picture of despair captures well the sentiments currently being bantered about academia's armchairs:
"Once upon a time, say from the middle of the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth, the movements of the left whether they called themselves socialist, communist, or syndicalist— like everybody else who believed in progress, knew just where they wanted to go and just what, with the help of history, strategy, and effort, they ought or needed to do to get there. Now they no longer do
"Neither capitalism nor its designated graved diggers are any longer what they were in 1914 or even in 1939. The historical forces and mechanisms on which socialists relied to produce an increasingly militant proletariat and increasingly vulnerable ruling class are not working as they were supposed to. The great armies of labor are no longer marching forward, as they once seemed to, growing, increasingly united, and carrying the future with them."
New York Review of Books,
23 March 1978
So, buoyed by such cynicism, Marxist theory is to be revitalized!
Not only are there no "perspectives" to be found here, but the editors reject outright the revolutionary core of Marxism. Genovese's brazen editorial statement asserts, "We are not a partisan political journal. Those who thrive on political polemics will have to publish elsewhere." Lest there be any misunderstanding, Genovese continues, "We shall not entertain ill-mannered polemics; factional attacks; holier-than-thou treatises; or accusations of revisionism, dogmatism, adventurism, tailism, Stalinism, Trotskyism, Bernsteinism, rotten liberalism, or any of those other wonderful devices for avoiding reasoned response to honest arguments."
The irony of this statement is that in this journal entitled Marxist Perspectives Marx himself would not fit the criteria for publication. Would Genovese undertake to edit out the polemical "excesses" of Capital, the Communist Manifesto, the Critique of the Goths Program or Engels' Anti-Duhring! What Marxist Perspectives cannot fathom is that revolutionaries engage in polemics because the substance of the political debate matters. Marx, Lenin and Trotsky spent much of their time writing polemics in the process of trying to forge political organizations capable of changing the world. For those that cannot stomach "ill-mannered polemics," the prospect of making the world "rise on new foundations" must simply be beyond the realm of thought.
In 1915, Lenin wrote that, "Strong ideas are those that shock and scandalize, evoke indignation, anger, and animosity in some and enthusiasm in others." Judged in this light, Marxist Perspectives offers only a series of weak ideas. With the exception of Genovese's editorial and an amusing piece by Gore Vidal on the American Bicentennial, this new journal contains virtually unreadable tracts ranging from Hobsbawm's article on religion and the rise of socialism to an insipid review of Yves Saint Laurent's latest fashions!
The pity is that many of these same scholars have published very valuable and thought-provoking material elsewhere, including: Hobsbawm's Primitive Rebels and (under the pseudonym Francis Newton) The Jazz Scene, Christopher Lasch's insightful New York Review of Books essay "Narcissist America"; and Genovese's perceptive works on slavery, as well as his fine polemics (ill-mannered or not) against the fairy tale history books of Communist Party hack Herbert Aptheker and divers black nationalists. While these works are not to be slighted, collectively these people add up to far less than their individual academic contributions.
This is hardly surprising. Implicit in Marxist Perspectives' magnanimous
recognition of "many Marxisms" is abhorrence for the inescapable programmatic conclusions of Marxism leading to the battle for the dictatorship of the proletariat (the term itself is anathema to most academics). Marxism provides the worldview to interpret and change the existing society: it cannot exist independently of communist politics and communist organization. Lenin neatly summarized this position in the second edition of State and Revolution (December 1918):
"It is often said and written that the main point in Marx's theory is the class struggle. But this is wrong. And this wrong notion very often results in an opportunist distortion of Marxism and its falsification in a spirit acceptable to the bourgeoisie. For the theory of the class struggle was created not by Marx, but by the bourgeoisie before Marx, and generally speaking, it is acceptable to the bourgeoisie. Those who recognize only the class struggle are not yet Marxists; they are to be found still within the bounds of bourgeois thinking and bourgeois politics. To confine Marxism to the theory of the class struggle means curtailing Marxism, distorting it, reducing it to something acceptable to the bourgeoisie. Only he is a Marxist who extends the recognition of the class struggle to the recognition of the dictatorship of the proletariat. This is what constitutes the most profound distinction between the Marxist and the ordinary petty (as well as big) bourgeoisie. This is the touchstone on which the real understanding and recognition of Marxism should be tested!"
Nor was this new to Lenin. Marx made exactly the same point in a well-known 1852 letter to Joseph Weydemeyer: "And now as to myself, no credit is due to me for discovering the existence of classes in modern society or the struggle between them. Long before me bourgeois historians had described the historical development of this class struggle and bourgeois economists, the economic anatomy of the classes. What 1 did was to prove: (1) that the existence of class is only bound up with particular, historical phases in the development of production, (2) that the class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat, (3) that this dictatorship itself only constitutes the transition to the abolition of all classes and to a classless society."
To recognize their honesty, the editors grudgingly accept, at least halfheartedly, the gulf that separates them from Marxism. One of the more boldfaced statements in Genovese's introduction to Marxist Perspectives is a comment on Marx's famous dictum in his Theses on Feuerbach dealing with the need to change the world. Genovese in turn tells us, "An anonymous wit reflecting on the revolutionary upheavals of our age, has parodied that Marxists have hitherto merely changed the world, whereas the point is to interpret it. Fair enough, so far as it goes."
Marxist Perspectives is only a prestigious publication aimed at capitalizing on the increased "respectability" of this brand of "Marxism" in bourgeois academia. The journal graciously offers bourgeois opponents a regular column, "From the Other Shore," and even the New York Times has praised both the journal's "intellectual seriousness" and its "sound understanding of the market economy" (i.e., its commercial profitability).
But the rejection of revolutionary Marxism has its own logic—even for these self-styled "interpreters." Not only have the two issues to date prominently featured articles on behalf of Euro-communism, but a Marxist Perspectives-sponsored New York symposium on "The Communist Experience in America" in May of this year proved to be little more than a platform for right-wing social democrats of the Michael Harrington ilk. For these scholars who reject revolution and the Leninist party but who wish to apply aspects of Marxism or to be known as Marxists, the best thing would be simply to stay out of politics. Much better if Genovese, Lasch and Hobsbawm would stick to their own scholarly researches rather than dabble in the cynical anti-Marxism of the Marxist Perspectives editorial statement. Academic Marxism, insofar as it organizes itself as a tendency, can only become part of the periphery of social democracy—the defender of a comfortable status quo.
The fact that much of our critique of Marxist Perspectives can be drawn from
quotes of Marx and Lenin is far from accidental. The attempt of academic
leftists to decry revolutionary struggles in the name of "revitalization" is hardly a new phenomenon. Trotsky best summed this up in a 1923 speech at Sverdlov University on the "Tasks of Communist Education" (reprinted in Problems of Everyday Life). More than half a century later it retains its full applicability to today's academics
Marxists:
"Academicism in the sense of the belief in the self-contained importance of theory is doubly absurd for us a revolutionaries. Theory serves collective humanity; it serves the cause of revolution.
"It is true that in certain periods of our social development, there were attempts to separate Marxism from revolutionary action. This was during the time of the so-called legal Marxism in the 1890's. Russian Marxists were divided into two camps: Legal Marxists from the journalistic salons of Moscow and Petersburg; and the underground fraternity—imprisoned, in penal exile, emigrated, illegal.
"The legalists were as a general rule more educated than our group of young Marxists in those days. It is true that there was among us a group of broadly educated revolutionary Marxists, but they were only a handful. We, the youth, if we are honest with ourselves, were in the overwhelming majority pretty ignorant. We were shocked sometimes by some of Darwin's ideas. Not all of us, however, even had occasion to get so far as to read Darwin. Nevertheless, I can say with certainty that when one of these underground, young, 19- or 20-year-old Marxists happened to meet and collide head-on with a legal Marxist, the feeling invariably sprang up among the young people that, all the same, we were more intelligent. This was not simply puerile arrogance. No, The key to this feeling is that it is impossible to genuinely master Marxism if you do not have the will for revolutionary action. Only if Marxist theory is combined with that will and directed toward overcoming the existing conditions can it be a tool to drill and bore. And if this active revolutionary will is absent, then the Marxism is pseudo-Marxism, a wooden knife which neither stabs nor cuts. And this is what it was under the direction of our legal Marxists. They were gradually transformed into liberals.
"The willingness for revolutionary action is a precondition for mastering the Marxist dialectic. The one cannot live without the other. Marxism cannot be academicism without ceasing to be Marxism, i.e. the theoretical tool of revolutionary action."
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Latest From The General Strike Front At Occupy Oakland-October 31, 2011-All Out November 2nd
You are browsing the archive for Committees - Occupy Oakland.
by Liberate Oakland
Phillipine Airline Workers Back Oakland General Strike Call of Occupy Oakland
October 31, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
PALEA Backs Oakland General Strike Call of Occupy Oakland
Letter From Philippine Airline Employees Association
To the Occupy Oakland protesters:
We express our solidarity with the Oakland general strike planned on November 2 especially the blockade of the Port of Oakland. The general strike and port blockade will reveal the truth that the 99% creates the wealth that the 1% now monopolizes. Such forms of mass actions will also show the way forward for the occupy protest movement now surging in the US and other countries.
We likewise salute the Occupy Oakland protesters who bravely faced violent eviction last
October 25 even as we condemn the police for their brutal attack.
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA), the union of the ground staff
of Philippine Airlines, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Occupy Oakland protesters. We too struggle against corporate greed and capitalist globalization with its destructive impact on the workers and the youth. Truly the movement against corporate greed and capitalist globalization is international in scope.
More than a thousand PALEA members are presently occupying areas outside the
international airports of Manila and Cebu, the two biggest cities in the Philippines, for a month
reposted from: http://transportworkers.org/
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by Liberate Oakland
Berkeley Federation of Teachers Calls On Teachers to participate in the Wednesday, November 2nd Day of Action
October 30, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
BFT Calls on All Members to Mobilize November 2nd at Occupy Oakland
BFT stands in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and its advocacy on behalf of the 99%. Occupy Oakland and the Worldwide Occupy Movement are fighting to restore sanity to our economy and to oppose growing wealth inequality.
We call upon all BFT members to participate in the November 2nd Day of Action at Occupy Oakland. It is incredibly important that teachers and union members take part in this historic mobilization.
We are encouraging our members to participate in the Wednesday, November 2nd Day of Action in the following ways:
1) Wear your BFT t-shirt on Wednesday in solidarity with Occupy Oakland. Wear the “We Are the 99%” sticker that you will be offered by your site rep.
2) Attend the Occupy Oakland late afternoon action. We are asking BFT members to meet between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the State Building at 1515 Clay Street. Bring signs and wear your BFT t-shirt. If you come after 5:00 p.m. please look for the BFT banner and join our group.
3) Look for ways to incorporate information and activities about the history of organizing efforts against economic injustice into your lessons on Wednesday. If possible, also look for ways members can come together on this day, maybe at lunch, to talk about the Occupy Wall Street movement.
4) Attend the solidarity barbecue hosted by the Alameda Labor Council at 7:00 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza.
BFT is aware that Occupy Oakland has called for a General Strike, as well as a Day of Action, on November 2nd. We have a no strike clause in our contract, so BFT is attempting to reach an agreement with BUSD to allow members to use personal leave, as long as there is adequate sub coverage, to attend ALL Occupy Oakland events on November 2nd. We will update members and site reps as soon as we have news on that effort.
Please note that the Occupy movement is very fluid. We will do our best to keep members updated.
If you need a BFT t-shirt (or button) please call the BFT office at 549-2307 and we will get one to you.
In Unity,
Cathy Campbell
President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers
Cathy Campbell
President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite A
Berkeley, CA 94702
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by Liberate Oakland
Oakland Teachers Union OEA Executive Board endorsed Occupy Oakland’s
November 2 “General Strike/Mass Day of Action”
October 30, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
Occupy Oakland General Strike November 2, 2011
In a unanimous vote on 10/28/11, the OEA Executive Board endorsed Occupy Oakland’s November 2 “General Strike/Mass Day of Action” and is urging members to participate in a variety of ways, including taking personal leave to join actions at Frank Ogawa Plaza, doing informational picketing at school sites, and holding teach-ins on the history of general strikes and organizing for economic justice.
Faced with growing class sizes and dwindling resources, school closures, and the ongoing attempts of charter management companies to entice Oakland schools to convert to charters, it is critical that we link our struggles with those of the 99% of Americans fighting for social and economic justice. It is simply wrong that banks and corporations are bailed out and continue to reap huge profits, while schools and social services suffer.
Join us on November 2nd, in solidarity with Occupy Movements across the globe!
WE ARE THE 99%!
Betty Olson-Jones
OEA President
________________________________________
FAQ’s- Nov. 2nd strike questions – OEA responses
Thank you to OEA members who responded to the email blast with questions!
MEMO: Won’t the loss of ADA adversely affect our school budget? Children are required to be at school in order to maintain ADA for that day. If parents choose to bring their children to school in the morning and then take them out at some point, that is their choice.
Q: Jennifer Dunn asked: “What is the OEA stance on this (General Strike) right now?”
A: Oakland Education Association supports the General Strike and encourages OEA members to participate in a variety of ways on Nov. 2nd.
Q: Rasheeda Turner asked: “What is the purpose (of the General Strike)?” “What are we hoping will change as a result of this one day strike?”
A: Teachers in Oakland teach the 99%, and are themselves part of the 99%. This is evident in the cuts to education, healthcare, services, home foreclosures, etc. that we witness in Oakland on an ongoing basis. Part of teaching is advocating for our students in the broader context. We hope that linking our struggle to this movement that is getting worldwide attention will force policy changes that will benefit all of us.
Q: Samia Khattab: “Why would we strike? Is it to show solidarity? Is it to protest the heavy handed response from the OPD? Or are we striking because of recent board decision?”
Q: Kamila Weaver: “@ Foster I feel like this is happening very quickly and I don’t fully understand why we would be striking and what we hope to accomplish by it.”
Q: Daniel Crew asked: “I personally think it is quite a pull to get all of us to agree to a strike without it being explicit to our contract. Is it even legal?”
A: Although Oakland Education Association is strike legal, OEA is not calling a strike action against OUSD. OEA is supporting the Occupy Oakland call for a mass action and support this call by encouraging our members to participate.
Q: Dennis asked: “What are potential employment consequences for wildcatters?”
A: Unauthorized striking may result in no pay for that day, and possible discipline. OEA would work through any problems employees encounter with the district. OEA has met with OUSD on this particular action, and OUSD said they will recognize use of personal days to support this action, provided a substitute teacher is secured.
Q: Katie @ Skyline: “How is the message getting to each school so that we have an impact??”
A: In a variety of ways. The message has gone out to OEA site reps via cluster calls. There will be constant contact messages, auto dialer messages, and information will be posted on the website as well as on our Twitter feed.
Q: Tessa Strauss asked: “What do we tell our students’ families? Should they be sending their kids to school that day?”
A: School is in session on Nov. 2nd. Every OEA member who plans to take Personal Leave to participate in the General Strike is responsible to ensure a substitute or alternative classroom coverage to supervise students. OEA members participating in the General Strike should request a sub ASAP, or by the end of the school day on Monday, Oct. 31st. OEA members should inform parents that school is in session on Nov. 2nd and inform parents of your individual plan (have a sub, have another teacher cover your class) and recommend parents make the personal decision whether to send their child to school or not on Nov. 2nd.
Q: Perry asks: “Has OEA talked about putting out a call for teach-ins at all? If the strike doesn’t pass, I think it would be a great way for us to participate on Wednesday.”
A: Yes, there is a tremendous educational opportunity here and by all means it shouldn’t be squandered.
Q: Jennifer Dannenberg: “What precautions against violent action by protestors and/or police can be taken?”
A: OEA has been working with labor council, faith based and community groups and have met with the Mayor and Chief of Police to try to ensure safety. Occupy Oakland protestors have been working to ensure peaceful and productive demonstrations.
Q: Tessa Strauss @ Ascent asks: “I’m wondering what our rights and protections are—I know most contracts have strike clauses. Would we be organizing teachers to take personal days together, have to get our principal on board and have all teachers agree to strike together and take the risk, etc—“
Q: Carrie Anderson asks: What are the technicalities of not being at work? Take a sick day or what? What do we tell our principal?
A: By all means, let your principal know that you intend to take a personal day and assure him or her that you have made arrangements with a substitute teacher. This needs to be put in writing by Monday. As for us having all teachers agree to strike together, we’re happy to hear it.
Every member must make a personal decision about Wednesday. Staff should reach consensus about coverage and site plan.
Q: Alykhan@EOSA: “How do we integrate students? Can they come with us?”
Q: Fatima@EOSA: “Will it be a walk-out for students, or a no-show for students who are participating in the strike?”
A: We can integrate students by educating them about the occupy movements and recent events that have occurred locally and nationally. OEA members cannot and should not take students to the General Strike as a field trip. OEA has not organized with secondary students to implement a student walk-out or student no-show. OEA is not aware of any potential students to organize these types of actions.
Q: I don’t want to use my personal leave, can I take a sick day?
A: NO! THAT IS FRAUD. Take personal leave or leave without pay. Do not take sick leave!
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by johnreimann1
Carpenters Local 713 endorses General Strike
October 30, 2011 in Announcements, Open Mic, Solidarity Statements
UBC Local 713 Endorses Call For 11/2 General Strike
Carpenters Local 713 represents 3,000 mostly private sector construction workers in Alameda County, California and passed the following motion tonight (Thurs October 27th,2011) by a standing vote with an overwhelming majority.
Local 713 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. We support the right of all working people to organize and peacefully assemble to demand their rights.
We further agree that the 1% should not continue to go untaxed while the 99% face layoffs, pay and benefit cuts, foreclosures and the closing of our children’s schools and our public services.
We further strongly condemn the police brutality used against the Occupy Oakland movement and the devastating injury inflicted on Iraq veteran Scott Olsen.
We further resolve to support the call of the 2,000 Oaklanders at Occupy Oakland for a one-day strike in Oakland for Wednesday November 2nd, 2011, to protest our country’s rising inequality and the brutal actions of the police in the city of Oakland, California.
To be sent to Mayor Jean Quan and the Oakland Police Department
by Liberate Oakland
Phillipine Airline Workers Back Oakland General Strike Call of Occupy Oakland
October 31, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
PALEA Backs Oakland General Strike Call of Occupy Oakland
Letter From Philippine Airline Employees Association
To the Occupy Oakland protesters:
We express our solidarity with the Oakland general strike planned on November 2 especially the blockade of the Port of Oakland. The general strike and port blockade will reveal the truth that the 99% creates the wealth that the 1% now monopolizes. Such forms of mass actions will also show the way forward for the occupy protest movement now surging in the US and other countries.
We likewise salute the Occupy Oakland protesters who bravely faced violent eviction last
October 25 even as we condemn the police for their brutal attack.
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA), the union of the ground staff
of Philippine Airlines, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Occupy Oakland protesters. We too struggle against corporate greed and capitalist globalization with its destructive impact on the workers and the youth. Truly the movement against corporate greed and capitalist globalization is international in scope.
More than a thousand PALEA members are presently occupying areas outside the
international airports of Manila and Cebu, the two biggest cities in the Philippines, for a month
reposted from: http://transportworkers.org/
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by Liberate Oakland
Berkeley Federation of Teachers Calls On Teachers to participate in the Wednesday, November 2nd Day of Action
October 30, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
BFT Calls on All Members to Mobilize November 2nd at Occupy Oakland
BFT stands in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and its advocacy on behalf of the 99%. Occupy Oakland and the Worldwide Occupy Movement are fighting to restore sanity to our economy and to oppose growing wealth inequality.
We call upon all BFT members to participate in the November 2nd Day of Action at Occupy Oakland. It is incredibly important that teachers and union members take part in this historic mobilization.
We are encouraging our members to participate in the Wednesday, November 2nd Day of Action in the following ways:
1) Wear your BFT t-shirt on Wednesday in solidarity with Occupy Oakland. Wear the “We Are the 99%” sticker that you will be offered by your site rep.
2) Attend the Occupy Oakland late afternoon action. We are asking BFT members to meet between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the State Building at 1515 Clay Street. Bring signs and wear your BFT t-shirt. If you come after 5:00 p.m. please look for the BFT banner and join our group.
3) Look for ways to incorporate information and activities about the history of organizing efforts against economic injustice into your lessons on Wednesday. If possible, also look for ways members can come together on this day, maybe at lunch, to talk about the Occupy Wall Street movement.
4) Attend the solidarity barbecue hosted by the Alameda Labor Council at 7:00 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza.
BFT is aware that Occupy Oakland has called for a General Strike, as well as a Day of Action, on November 2nd. We have a no strike clause in our contract, so BFT is attempting to reach an agreement with BUSD to allow members to use personal leave, as long as there is adequate sub coverage, to attend ALL Occupy Oakland events on November 2nd. We will update members and site reps as soon as we have news on that effort.
Please note that the Occupy movement is very fluid. We will do our best to keep members updated.
If you need a BFT t-shirt (or button) please call the BFT office at 549-2307 and we will get one to you.
In Unity,
Cathy Campbell
President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers
Cathy Campbell
President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite A
Berkeley, CA 94702
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by Liberate Oakland
Oakland Teachers Union OEA Executive Board endorsed Occupy Oakland’s
November 2 “General Strike/Mass Day of Action”
October 30, 2011 in Solidarity Statements
Occupy Oakland General Strike November 2, 2011
In a unanimous vote on 10/28/11, the OEA Executive Board endorsed Occupy Oakland’s November 2 “General Strike/Mass Day of Action” and is urging members to participate in a variety of ways, including taking personal leave to join actions at Frank Ogawa Plaza, doing informational picketing at school sites, and holding teach-ins on the history of general strikes and organizing for economic justice.
Faced with growing class sizes and dwindling resources, school closures, and the ongoing attempts of charter management companies to entice Oakland schools to convert to charters, it is critical that we link our struggles with those of the 99% of Americans fighting for social and economic justice. It is simply wrong that banks and corporations are bailed out and continue to reap huge profits, while schools and social services suffer.
Join us on November 2nd, in solidarity with Occupy Movements across the globe!
WE ARE THE 99%!
Betty Olson-Jones
OEA President
________________________________________
FAQ’s- Nov. 2nd strike questions – OEA responses
Thank you to OEA members who responded to the email blast with questions!
MEMO: Won’t the loss of ADA adversely affect our school budget? Children are required to be at school in order to maintain ADA for that day. If parents choose to bring their children to school in the morning and then take them out at some point, that is their choice.
Q: Jennifer Dunn asked: “What is the OEA stance on this (General Strike) right now?”
A: Oakland Education Association supports the General Strike and encourages OEA members to participate in a variety of ways on Nov. 2nd.
Q: Rasheeda Turner asked: “What is the purpose (of the General Strike)?” “What are we hoping will change as a result of this one day strike?”
A: Teachers in Oakland teach the 99%, and are themselves part of the 99%. This is evident in the cuts to education, healthcare, services, home foreclosures, etc. that we witness in Oakland on an ongoing basis. Part of teaching is advocating for our students in the broader context. We hope that linking our struggle to this movement that is getting worldwide attention will force policy changes that will benefit all of us.
Q: Samia Khattab: “Why would we strike? Is it to show solidarity? Is it to protest the heavy handed response from the OPD? Or are we striking because of recent board decision?”
Q: Kamila Weaver: “@ Foster I feel like this is happening very quickly and I don’t fully understand why we would be striking and what we hope to accomplish by it.”
Q: Daniel Crew asked: “I personally think it is quite a pull to get all of us to agree to a strike without it being explicit to our contract. Is it even legal?”
A: Although Oakland Education Association is strike legal, OEA is not calling a strike action against OUSD. OEA is supporting the Occupy Oakland call for a mass action and support this call by encouraging our members to participate.
Q: Dennis asked: “What are potential employment consequences for wildcatters?”
A: Unauthorized striking may result in no pay for that day, and possible discipline. OEA would work through any problems employees encounter with the district. OEA has met with OUSD on this particular action, and OUSD said they will recognize use of personal days to support this action, provided a substitute teacher is secured.
Q: Katie @ Skyline: “How is the message getting to each school so that we have an impact??”
A: In a variety of ways. The message has gone out to OEA site reps via cluster calls. There will be constant contact messages, auto dialer messages, and information will be posted on the website as well as on our Twitter feed.
Q: Tessa Strauss asked: “What do we tell our students’ families? Should they be sending their kids to school that day?”
A: School is in session on Nov. 2nd. Every OEA member who plans to take Personal Leave to participate in the General Strike is responsible to ensure a substitute or alternative classroom coverage to supervise students. OEA members participating in the General Strike should request a sub ASAP, or by the end of the school day on Monday, Oct. 31st. OEA members should inform parents that school is in session on Nov. 2nd and inform parents of your individual plan (have a sub, have another teacher cover your class) and recommend parents make the personal decision whether to send their child to school or not on Nov. 2nd.
Q: Perry asks: “Has OEA talked about putting out a call for teach-ins at all? If the strike doesn’t pass, I think it would be a great way for us to participate on Wednesday.”
A: Yes, there is a tremendous educational opportunity here and by all means it shouldn’t be squandered.
Q: Jennifer Dannenberg: “What precautions against violent action by protestors and/or police can be taken?”
A: OEA has been working with labor council, faith based and community groups and have met with the Mayor and Chief of Police to try to ensure safety. Occupy Oakland protestors have been working to ensure peaceful and productive demonstrations.
Q: Tessa Strauss @ Ascent asks: “I’m wondering what our rights and protections are—I know most contracts have strike clauses. Would we be organizing teachers to take personal days together, have to get our principal on board and have all teachers agree to strike together and take the risk, etc—“
Q: Carrie Anderson asks: What are the technicalities of not being at work? Take a sick day or what? What do we tell our principal?
A: By all means, let your principal know that you intend to take a personal day and assure him or her that you have made arrangements with a substitute teacher. This needs to be put in writing by Monday. As for us having all teachers agree to strike together, we’re happy to hear it.
Every member must make a personal decision about Wednesday. Staff should reach consensus about coverage and site plan.
Q: Alykhan@EOSA: “How do we integrate students? Can they come with us?”
Q: Fatima@EOSA: “Will it be a walk-out for students, or a no-show for students who are participating in the strike?”
A: We can integrate students by educating them about the occupy movements and recent events that have occurred locally and nationally. OEA members cannot and should not take students to the General Strike as a field trip. OEA has not organized with secondary students to implement a student walk-out or student no-show. OEA is not aware of any potential students to organize these types of actions.
Q: I don’t want to use my personal leave, can I take a sick day?
A: NO! THAT IS FRAUD. Take personal leave or leave without pay. Do not take sick leave!
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by johnreimann1
Carpenters Local 713 endorses General Strike
October 30, 2011 in Announcements, Open Mic, Solidarity Statements
UBC Local 713 Endorses Call For 11/2 General Strike
Carpenters Local 713 represents 3,000 mostly private sector construction workers in Alameda County, California and passed the following motion tonight (Thurs October 27th,2011) by a standing vote with an overwhelming majority.
Local 713 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. We support the right of all working people to organize and peacefully assemble to demand their rights.
We further agree that the 1% should not continue to go untaxed while the 99% face layoffs, pay and benefit cuts, foreclosures and the closing of our children’s schools and our public services.
We further strongly condemn the police brutality used against the Occupy Oakland movement and the devastating injury inflicted on Iraq veteran Scott Olsen.
We further resolve to support the call of the 2,000 Oaklanders at Occupy Oakland for a one-day strike in Oakland for Wednesday November 2nd, 2011, to protest our country’s rising inequality and the brutal actions of the police in the city of Oakland, California.
To be sent to Mayor Jean Quan and the Oakland Police Department
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-Day Thirty-Two - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!-This Is Our John Brown Moment –Strike The Blow!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Boston website.Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
From The "Occupy Oakland" Website- All Out In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity!
Click on the headline to link to Occupy Oaklandand information on a march to close down the Port Of Oakland on November 2, 2011.
Markin comment:
All Out On November 2, 2011 In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity
Markin comment:
All Out On November 2, 2011 In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By-In Honor Of The Frontline Fighters Arrested Defending Occupy Denver, October 29, 2011- Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of Bob Marley performing his classic song of struggle, Get Up, Stand Up.
Markin comment:
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here.
*****
Markin comment October 30, 2011:
All honor to those arrested defending Occupy Denver Ya, they got up, they stood up. Defend The Occupy Denver Site! Defend The Occupation! Defend The Occupiers! Drop All Charges Against Those Who Defended Occupy Denver Now!
******
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. We had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick us off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
******
Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up Lyrics
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Preacher man, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you don't know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
'Alf the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. come on!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Most people think,
Great god will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. jah!
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/get+up+stand+up_20021743.html ]
Get up, stand up! (jah, jah! )
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Don't give up the fight! (life is your right! )
Get up, stand up! (so we can't give up the fight! )
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord! )
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on! )
Don't give up the fight! (yeah! )
We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin' 'n' goin' to heaven in-a Jesus' name, lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty god is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (yeah, yeah, yeah! )
So you better:
Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up! )
Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights! )
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Don't give up the fight! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! /fadeout/
Markin comment:
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here.
*****
Markin comment October 30, 2011:
All honor to those arrested defending Occupy Denver Ya, they got up, they stood up. Defend The Occupy Denver Site! Defend The Occupation! Defend The Occupiers! Drop All Charges Against Those Who Defended Occupy Denver Now!
******
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. We had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick us off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
******
Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up Lyrics
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Preacher man, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you don't know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
'Alf the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. come on!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Most people think,
Great god will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. jah!
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/get+up+stand+up_20021743.html ]
Get up, stand up! (jah, jah! )
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Don't give up the fight! (life is your right! )
Get up, stand up! (so we can't give up the fight! )
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord! )
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on! )
Don't give up the fight! (yeah! )
We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin' 'n' goin' to heaven in-a Jesus' name, lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty god is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (yeah, yeah, yeah! )
So you better:
Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up! )
Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights! )
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up! )
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up! )
Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Don't give up the fight! (get up, stand up! )
Get up, stand up! (... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! /fadeout/
Out In The Be-Bop 1940s Night-I’ll Get By As Long As I Have You-For Prescott And Delores Breslin
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of the Inkspots performing I'll Get By to give a little flavor to this sketch.
CD Review
Sentimental Journey, Pop Vocal Classics, Volume 2: 1947-1950, Rhino Records, 1993
Scene: Brought to mind by the sepia-toned family album-style photograph that graces the cover of this CD and by the song Far Away Places.
“Prescott James Breslin get your dirty hands off that wall this minute, yelled Delores Breslin (nee LeClerc), Mother Breslin to some, including the yelled at Prescott, honey, to Prescott Breslin, Senior, Father Breslin to the junior one being yelled at just this minute. Just as Mother Breslin, hell, let’s call her Delores, was getting ready for cascade rant number two aimed in Prescott, Junior’s direction wafting through the air, the radio WJDA air, came the melodious voice of Bing Crosby singing in that sweet, nuanced voice of his, Far Away Places. Their song. Their forever memory song.
Delores flashed back to the night in 1943 over at the Stardust Ballroom on East Grand in Old Orchard Beach that she, then a typist for the State Insurance Company right here in Olde Saco (and making good money for a single, no high maintenance girl), and Marine PFC Prescott Breslin, stationed after serious service in the Pacific wars (Guadalcanal, etc.) at the Portsmouth Naval Base, met while they were playing that song on the jukebox between sets. Sets being performed by the Be-Bop Sextet, a hot, well, be-bop band that was making a national tour to boost civilian morale while the boys were off fighting. They hit it off right away, made Far Away Places their song, and prepared for a future, a joint future, once the war was over, and they could get their dream, shared dream, little white house, with or without picket fence, maybe a dog, and definitely kids, a few although they never specified a number. The perfect dream to chase the old Great Depression no dough blues and World War II fighting dust away, far away. And to be to breath a decent breathe, a not from hunger breathe.
Just then Delores snapped back into the reality, the two by four reality, of their made due, temporary veterans’ housing set up by the Olde Saco Housing Authority (at the request of and funded by the War Department) to house the housing-hungry returning vets and give them a leg up. Add on the further reality that Prescott’s job at the Macadam’s Textile Mill was none too sure now that rumors were circulating around town that the mill-owners were thinking of relocating to North Carolina. And the biggest reality of all: well, Prescott, Junior, Kendrick, and most recently still in the cradle Joshua. And three is enough, more than enough thank you. But as that terrific tenor of Dick Haymes singing Little White Lies was making its way into her air space she fell back to thinking about that now old dream of the little white house, with or without picket fence, a dog and a few (exactly three, thank you) that was coming just around next corner. And just as she was winding up to blast young Prescott, his dirty hands, and that wall, maybe a little less furiously than she intended before, her thoughts returned to her Prince Charming, Starlight Ballroom 1943, and their song. Their forever memory song. Yes, she would get by.
CD Review
Sentimental Journey, Pop Vocal Classics, Volume 2: 1947-1950, Rhino Records, 1993
Scene: Brought to mind by the sepia-toned family album-style photograph that graces the cover of this CD and by the song Far Away Places.
“Prescott James Breslin get your dirty hands off that wall this minute, yelled Delores Breslin (nee LeClerc), Mother Breslin to some, including the yelled at Prescott, honey, to Prescott Breslin, Senior, Father Breslin to the junior one being yelled at just this minute. Just as Mother Breslin, hell, let’s call her Delores, was getting ready for cascade rant number two aimed in Prescott, Junior’s direction wafting through the air, the radio WJDA air, came the melodious voice of Bing Crosby singing in that sweet, nuanced voice of his, Far Away Places. Their song. Their forever memory song.
Delores flashed back to the night in 1943 over at the Stardust Ballroom on East Grand in Old Orchard Beach that she, then a typist for the State Insurance Company right here in Olde Saco (and making good money for a single, no high maintenance girl), and Marine PFC Prescott Breslin, stationed after serious service in the Pacific wars (Guadalcanal, etc.) at the Portsmouth Naval Base, met while they were playing that song on the jukebox between sets. Sets being performed by the Be-Bop Sextet, a hot, well, be-bop band that was making a national tour to boost civilian morale while the boys were off fighting. They hit it off right away, made Far Away Places their song, and prepared for a future, a joint future, once the war was over, and they could get their dream, shared dream, little white house, with or without picket fence, maybe a dog, and definitely kids, a few although they never specified a number. The perfect dream to chase the old Great Depression no dough blues and World War II fighting dust away, far away. And to be to breath a decent breathe, a not from hunger breathe.
Just then Delores snapped back into the reality, the two by four reality, of their made due, temporary veterans’ housing set up by the Olde Saco Housing Authority (at the request of and funded by the War Department) to house the housing-hungry returning vets and give them a leg up. Add on the further reality that Prescott’s job at the Macadam’s Textile Mill was none too sure now that rumors were circulating around town that the mill-owners were thinking of relocating to North Carolina. And the biggest reality of all: well, Prescott, Junior, Kendrick, and most recently still in the cradle Joshua. And three is enough, more than enough thank you. But as that terrific tenor of Dick Haymes singing Little White Lies was making its way into her air space she fell back to thinking about that now old dream of the little white house, with or without picket fence, a dog and a few (exactly three, thank you) that was coming just around next corner. And just as she was winding up to blast young Prescott, his dirty hands, and that wall, maybe a little less furiously than she intended before, her thoughts returned to her Prince Charming, Starlight Ballroom 1943, and their song. Their forever memory song. Yes, she would get by.
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-Day Thirty-Two-An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!-This Is Our John Brown Moment–Strike The Blow!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Boston website.Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
From The Occupy Oakland General Assembly- GENERAL STRIKE & MASS DAY OF ACTION – NOVEMBER 2
by Bruce Paul
GENERAL STRIKE & MASS DAY OF ACTION – NOVEMBER 2
October 28, 2011 in general strike
Liberate Oakland, Shut Down the 1%
GENERAL STRIKE & MASS DAY OF ACTION
Wednesday November 2, 2011
Below is the proposal passed by the Occupy Oakland General Assembly on Wednesday October 26, 2011 in reclaimed Oscar Grant Plaza. 1607 people voted. 1484 voted in favor of the resolution, 77 abstained and 46 voted against it, passing the proposal at 96.9%. The General Assembly operates on a modified consensus process that passes proposals with 90% in favor and with abstaining votes removed from the final count.
PROPOSAL:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%.
We propose a city wide general strike and we propose we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.
All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
While we are calling for a general strike, we are also calling for much more. People who organize out of their neighborhoods, schools, community organizations, affinity groups, workplaces and families are encouraged to self organize in a way that allows them to participate in shutting down the city in whatever manner they are comfortable with and capable of.
The whole world is watching Oakland. Let’s show them what is possible.
The Strike Coordinating Council will begin meeting everyday at 5pm in Oscar Grant Plaza before the daily General Assembly at 7pm. All strike participants are invited. Stay tuned for much more information and see you next Wednesday.
GENERAL STRIKE & MASS DAY OF ACTION – NOVEMBER 2
October 28, 2011 in general strike
Liberate Oakland, Shut Down the 1%
GENERAL STRIKE & MASS DAY OF ACTION
Wednesday November 2, 2011
Below is the proposal passed by the Occupy Oakland General Assembly on Wednesday October 26, 2011 in reclaimed Oscar Grant Plaza. 1607 people voted. 1484 voted in favor of the resolution, 77 abstained and 46 voted against it, passing the proposal at 96.9%. The General Assembly operates on a modified consensus process that passes proposals with 90% in favor and with abstaining votes removed from the final count.
PROPOSAL:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%.
We propose a city wide general strike and we propose we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.
All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
While we are calling for a general strike, we are also calling for much more. People who organize out of their neighborhoods, schools, community organizations, affinity groups, workplaces and families are encouraged to self organize in a way that allows them to participate in shutting down the city in whatever manner they are comfortable with and capable of.
The whole world is watching Oakland. Let’s show them what is possible.
The Strike Coordinating Council will begin meeting everyday at 5pm in Oscar Grant Plaza before the daily General Assembly at 7pm. All strike participants are invited. Stay tuned for much more information and see you next Wednesday.
From The "Occupy Oakland" Website- All Out In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity!
Click on the headline to link to Occupy Oaklandand information on a march to close down the Port Of Oakland on Novmember 2, 2011.
Markin comment:
All Out On November 2, 2011 In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity
Markin comment:
All Out On November 2, 2011 In Oakland To Block The Port Of Oakland-Close All The West Coast Ports In Solidarity With Oakland And The Longview, Washington Longshoremen-Shut Down The Gulf And East Coast Ports In Solidarity
From The "Occupy Oakland" Website- Flyers and Posters For The November 2, 2011 General Strike
Click on the headline to link to the Occupy Oakland website for download of posters and flyers for the general strike on November 2, 2011.
POSTER TEXT:
English:
Liberate Oakland
Shut Down the 1%
General Strike & Mass Day of Action
called for by Occupy Oakland
Wednesday November 2, 2011
Everyone to the Streets!
No Work! No School!
Converge on Downtown Oakland
to help shut down the city
mass gatherings at 14th & Broadway:
9:00am • 12 noon • 5:00pm
All banks and corporations must close down for the day or we will march on them
• Solidarity with the worldwide Occupy Movement
• End Police Attacks on Our Communities
• Defend Oakland Schools & Libraries
• Against an economic system built on inequality & corporate power that perpetuates racism, sexism & the destruction of the environment
occupyoakland.org/strike
Español:
A liberar Oakland
A Cerrar al 1%
Huelga General y DÃa de Acciones Masivas
convocado por Occupy Oakland
Mie, 2 noviembre 2011
¡Todo el mundo a la calle!
¡Ni trabajo, ni escuela!
Punto de reunión en Downtown Oakland
para ayudar a paralizar la ciudad
Reuniones masivas en la 14 con Broadway
9:00am • 12 del medio dÃa • 5:00pm
Todos los bancos y las empresas deben cerrar todo el dÃa o los bloquearemos
• Solidaridad con el movimiento internacional Occupy
• No más ataques de la policÃa en nuestras comunidades
• Defendamos las escuelas y bibliotecas de Oakland
• Contra un sistema polÃtico basado en la desigualdad y el poder corporativo que perpetua el racismo, sexismo y la destrucción del medio ambiente.
occupyoakland.org/strike
POSTER TEXT:
English:
Liberate Oakland
Shut Down the 1%
General Strike & Mass Day of Action
called for by Occupy Oakland
Wednesday November 2, 2011
Everyone to the Streets!
No Work! No School!
Converge on Downtown Oakland
to help shut down the city
mass gatherings at 14th & Broadway:
9:00am • 12 noon • 5:00pm
All banks and corporations must close down for the day or we will march on them
• Solidarity with the worldwide Occupy Movement
• End Police Attacks on Our Communities
• Defend Oakland Schools & Libraries
• Against an economic system built on inequality & corporate power that perpetuates racism, sexism & the destruction of the environment
occupyoakland.org/strike
Español:
A liberar Oakland
A Cerrar al 1%
Huelga General y DÃa de Acciones Masivas
convocado por Occupy Oakland
Mie, 2 noviembre 2011
¡Todo el mundo a la calle!
¡Ni trabajo, ni escuela!
Punto de reunión en Downtown Oakland
para ayudar a paralizar la ciudad
Reuniones masivas en la 14 con Broadway
9:00am • 12 del medio dÃa • 5:00pm
Todos los bancos y las empresas deben cerrar todo el dÃa o los bloquearemos
• Solidaridad con el movimiento internacional Occupy
• No más ataques de la policÃa en nuestras comunidades
• Defendamos las escuelas y bibliotecas de Oakland
• Contra un sistema polÃtico basado en la desigualdad y el poder corporativo que perpetua el racismo, sexismo y la destrucción del medio ambiente.
occupyoakland.org/strike
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–Stand In Solidarity With The Occupy Denver-Drop All The Charges Against The Protesters-Hands Off Occupy Denver!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Denver website. Today including the latest from the struggle in Denver. Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99%
Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
********
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Denver!
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99%
Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 30, 2011
I swear the footage from Denver of peaceful marchers being trampled by the Cossacks (oops, police) reminds me of scenes from-January 9, 1905 in Russia. If you are not familiar with that date and those events, see Wikipedia.
********
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Denver!
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–Stand In Solidarity With The Occupy Providence Protesters-Hands Off Occupy Providence!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Providence website. Today including the latest from the struggle in Providence. Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99%
Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin ocomment October 25, 2011
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Providence!
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99%
Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin ocomment October 25, 2011
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Providence!
From #Occupied Boston (#TomemonosBoston)-Day Thirty-One Round-Up- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!-This Is Our John Brown Moment!
Click on the headline to link to updates from the Occupy Boston website.Occupy Boston started at 6:00 PM, September 30, 2011. I will post important updates as they appear on that site.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
********
We Created The Wealth, Let's Take It Back! Labor And The Oppressed Must Rule!
********
#TomemonosBoston
Somos la Sociedad conformando el 99% -Dewey Square, Cercerde South Station
#Tomemonos Boston se reuniarin en el Dewey Square en Downtown Boston a discutir cambios que la ciudadania puede hacer en el gobierno que afecte un cambio social positivo.
******
Markin comment October 25, 2011
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Oakland site.
And as always-everybody, young or old, needs to stand by this slogan - An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy Oakland!
*****
Markin comment October 26, 2011:
Comment made in reaction to the police raid on the Occupy Atlanta site.
This having to send solidarity messages almost daily is getting too redundant, way too redundant. Forget this notion of each occupation site being a separate operation. The Occupy Movement had better unite to fight nationally (and internationally) or they (and you know who the "they" is) will pick it off one by one like they are doing now. It is the same struggle, same fight! An injury to one is an injury to all!
**********
Markin comment October 27, 2011:
The news from the Occupy movement the past few days has been grim, from the woods (okay, sort of woods) of New Hampshire to the hard-bitten cities of Oakland and Atlanta, Occupy sites have been raided by police (and other agencies) and torn down. Each such defeat for the Occupy movement only emboldens the local satraps of bourgeois order in other locales to emulate their fellow authorities. I say No mas, no more, nix. The Occupy movement has prided itself on its decentralized structure and for the first few weeks that held up fairly well. That time, however, is now passing.
The signs are clear that the bourgeoisie (the one-percent and their hangers-on) have decided that enough is enough. Enough of unsightly campsites, unruly crowds, and worst of all, those slogans being shouted in the streets about taking their dough away. The bourgeoisie will let many thing pass but not threats to their control of society and to their dough. So the Occupy movement needs to gear up, stop thinking that it is dealing with a rational enemy, and think more about the class-war lines that are being drawn by them (and you know who the “them” is) even as I write.
Movements like the Occupy movement, which has moved many people off dead-center, do not come around often enough to squander the valuable human resources that have accrued in our current fight for social justice. I will more write about this situation as events unfold but for now, as I made a point of in the headline to this entry, those who support, and/or defend the Occupy movement had better think about uniting forces, nationally and internationally, in a much more politically organized way than has been done thus far. Frankly I am getting tired of, almost daily, cutting and pasting my main slogans- An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers Everywhere! Hands Off Occupy -------! - and just changing the name of the city. It is the same struggle, same fight for all!
*********
Markin comment October 28, 2011:
The grim news out of Occupy Oakland over the past few days, where serious causalities have been taken, only emphasizes the pressing need for a unified, united, huge response not only by those who already adhere to the Occupy movement or already are committed to defending it, but to other elements in the labor, student, and general progressive movement who have thus far stood on the sidelines. The class-war lines are being drawn, drawn sharply, by the bourgeoisie (the one percent, its hangers-on, and its police and military forces) and the Occupy movement and others best prepare now to defend against the “push back.” Thus, all efforts need to be made everywhere to stand in solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a city-wide general strike (see below) there. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!-Defend All The Occupation Sites And All The Occupiers!–No Mas- The Class-War Lines Are Being Drawn- There Is A Need To Unite And Fight, Nationally And Internationally, Or Get Picked Off One By On-All Out November 2, 2011 In Solidarity With Occupy Oakland’s General Strike!
************
Markin comment October 29, 2011:
As noted in the headline the Occupy movement cannot continue to take defeats like those imposed by the police raids and brutality in Oakland (and elsewhere). The general strike called for November 2, 2011 by Occupy Oakland is the start of our push-back. All Oakland labor, beginning with the powerful long-shore workers at the Port of Oakland, must shut down business as usual that day. All out students, workers, and oppressed peoples of Oakland. And the rest of us should shut down what we can in solidarity. This is our John Brown moment. They don’t come often to the downtrodden and oppressed as history shows- so we had better strike the blow now.
**********
Press Release: Resounding Silence, General Strike Over Marine Injured by Oakland Police
October 27th, 2011
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @occupyBOS_media
MEDIA BLACKOUT ENTERS SECOND DAY AS IRAQ VETERAN SCOTT OLSEN REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION, OCCUPY OAKLAND CALLS FOR GENERAL STRIKE NOVEMBER 2
Scott Olsen, 24—a former member of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and a veteran of two tours in Iraq—remains in serious condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland with a fractured skull and brain swelling. Riot police fired a projectile into Olsen’s face on Tuesday before throwing flash grenades at his fellow protesters while they attempted to move him to safety. Despite the severity of Olsen’s injuries, local and national media have largely ignored the story. As of Thursday morning, The Boston Herald and FOX 25 had no definite plans to cover the incident, nor had Oakland’s citizen review board opened an official inquiry.
Videos posted to YouTube depicting a member of the riot police throwing a flash grenade at protesters attempting to help the injured Olsen have stirred international outrage, but coverage remains minimal.
Last night, thousands marched to retake Oscar Grant Plaza for Occupy Oakland before calling for a general strike on November 2, saying:
We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%. We propose a city-wide general strike and we propose that we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
********
Occupy Boston stands in solidarity with Scott Olsen and with Occupy Oakland as we continue our peaceful pursuit of international economic justice. We are the 99%, and we are no longer silent.
Out In The 1950s Be-Bop Night- Josh Breslin Comes Of Age- Kind Of
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of Elvis Presley performing I Forgot To Remember To Forget.
CD Review
The Heart Of Rock ‘n’ Roll: 1953-1955, various artists, Time-Life Music, 1997
Scene: Brought to mind by the black and white family album-style photograph that graces the cover of this CD. On this one we are treated to a photograph of a well-groomed boy and girl, teenagers of course, who else would listen to rock and roll in the be-bop 1950s night. Every parent, every square parent, and they were legion, who had any sense at all was banning, confiscating, burning, or otherwise destroying every record, 45 RPM or long-playing, that came through the front door with junior and missy. Reason? Said rock ‘n’ roll led to communistic thoughts, youth tribal hanging together (to the exclusion, no, to the denials of the existence of, parents), bad teeth, acne, brain-death, or most dreaded the “s” word, s-x.
But let’s leave the world of parents and concentrate on the couple in the photo, Josh Breslin, and his date, his first date, his first date ever, Julie Dubois, who are just now shuffling the records looking to see if Earth Angel by the Penquins is in the stack to chase away the awkwardness both are feeling on this first date. It turns out that both are crazy about that platter so they are reaching way back in their respective minds' recesses to come up with every arcane fact they know about the song, the group, how it was produced, anything to get through that next few moment until the next dance started.
Now Josh always thought he was cool, at least cool when he was dealing with his boy gang boys. But this girl thing was a lot harder than it looked, once he had exhausted every possible fact about Earth Angel and then had to reach way back in the mind’s recesses again when he tried to do the same for The Clover’s version of Blue Velvet. No sale, Julie didn’t like that one; she smirked, not dreamy enough. Then ditto when, Julie, seriously trying to hold up her end went on and on about Elvis’ Blue Moon cover. No sale, no way, no dice said Josh to himself and then to Julie since they had vowed, like some mystical rite of passage passed down from eternal teenager-ness, be candid with each other. Finally, Julie’s shuffling through the platters produced The Turban’s When You Dance and things got better. Yes, this was one tough night, on tough first date, first date ever night.
Maybe the whole thing was ill-fated from the beginning. Josh’s friend, maybe best friend, at Olde Saco Junior High, Rene Leblanc, was having his fourteenth birthday party, a party that his mother, as mothers will, insisted on being a big deal. Big deal being Rene inviting boys and girls, nice boys and girls, dressed in suits, or a least jackets and ties (boys), and party dresses (girls) and matched-up (one boy, one girl). Mrs. Leblanc was clueless that such square get-ups and social arrangements in the be-bop teen night would “cramp” every rocking boy and girl that Rene (or Josh) knew. But the hardest part was that Josh, truth, had never had a boy-girl date and so therefore had no girl to bring to Rene’s party. And that is where Julie, Rene’s cousin from over in Ocean City, came in. She, as it turned out, had never had a girl-boy date. And since when Mrs. Leblanc picked Josh up on party night and then went over to Ocean City for Julie, introduced then, and there was no love at first sight clang, Josh figured that this was to be one long, long night.
So the couple, the nervous couple, nervous now because the end of the stack was being reached when mercifully Marvin and Johnny’s Cherry Pie came up, both declared thumbs, both let out a simultaneous spontaneous laugh. And the reason for that spontaneous laugh, as they were both eager to explain in order to have no hurt feelings, was that Josh had asked Julie if she was having a good time and she said, well, yes just before they hit Cherry Pie pay-dirt. Just then Rene came over and shouted over the song being played on the record player, TheMoonglow’s Sincerely, “Why don’t you two dance instead of just standing there looking goofy?” And they both laughed again, as they hit the dance floor, this time with no explanations necessary.
CD Review
The Heart Of Rock ‘n’ Roll: 1953-1955, various artists, Time-Life Music, 1997
Scene: Brought to mind by the black and white family album-style photograph that graces the cover of this CD. On this one we are treated to a photograph of a well-groomed boy and girl, teenagers of course, who else would listen to rock and roll in the be-bop 1950s night. Every parent, every square parent, and they were legion, who had any sense at all was banning, confiscating, burning, or otherwise destroying every record, 45 RPM or long-playing, that came through the front door with junior and missy. Reason? Said rock ‘n’ roll led to communistic thoughts, youth tribal hanging together (to the exclusion, no, to the denials of the existence of, parents), bad teeth, acne, brain-death, or most dreaded the “s” word, s-x.
But let’s leave the world of parents and concentrate on the couple in the photo, Josh Breslin, and his date, his first date, his first date ever, Julie Dubois, who are just now shuffling the records looking to see if Earth Angel by the Penquins is in the stack to chase away the awkwardness both are feeling on this first date. It turns out that both are crazy about that platter so they are reaching way back in their respective minds' recesses to come up with every arcane fact they know about the song, the group, how it was produced, anything to get through that next few moment until the next dance started.
Now Josh always thought he was cool, at least cool when he was dealing with his boy gang boys. But this girl thing was a lot harder than it looked, once he had exhausted every possible fact about Earth Angel and then had to reach way back in the mind’s recesses again when he tried to do the same for The Clover’s version of Blue Velvet. No sale, Julie didn’t like that one; she smirked, not dreamy enough. Then ditto when, Julie, seriously trying to hold up her end went on and on about Elvis’ Blue Moon cover. No sale, no way, no dice said Josh to himself and then to Julie since they had vowed, like some mystical rite of passage passed down from eternal teenager-ness, be candid with each other. Finally, Julie’s shuffling through the platters produced The Turban’s When You Dance and things got better. Yes, this was one tough night, on tough first date, first date ever night.
Maybe the whole thing was ill-fated from the beginning. Josh’s friend, maybe best friend, at Olde Saco Junior High, Rene Leblanc, was having his fourteenth birthday party, a party that his mother, as mothers will, insisted on being a big deal. Big deal being Rene inviting boys and girls, nice boys and girls, dressed in suits, or a least jackets and ties (boys), and party dresses (girls) and matched-up (one boy, one girl). Mrs. Leblanc was clueless that such square get-ups and social arrangements in the be-bop teen night would “cramp” every rocking boy and girl that Rene (or Josh) knew. But the hardest part was that Josh, truth, had never had a boy-girl date and so therefore had no girl to bring to Rene’s party. And that is where Julie, Rene’s cousin from over in Ocean City, came in. She, as it turned out, had never had a girl-boy date. And since when Mrs. Leblanc picked Josh up on party night and then went over to Ocean City for Julie, introduced then, and there was no love at first sight clang, Josh figured that this was to be one long, long night.
So the couple, the nervous couple, nervous now because the end of the stack was being reached when mercifully Marvin and Johnny’s Cherry Pie came up, both declared thumbs, both let out a simultaneous spontaneous laugh. And the reason for that spontaneous laugh, as they were both eager to explain in order to have no hurt feelings, was that Josh had asked Julie if she was having a good time and she said, well, yes just before they hit Cherry Pie pay-dirt. Just then Rene came over and shouted over the song being played on the record player, TheMoonglow’s Sincerely, “Why don’t you two dance instead of just standing there looking goofy?” And they both laughed again, as they hit the dance floor, this time with no explanations necessary.
The Latest From The “Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox” Blog
Click on the headline to link to Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox blog for the latest from her site.
Markin comment:
I find Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox rather a mishmash of eclectic politics and basic old time left-liberal/radical thinking. Not enough, not nearly enough, in our troubled times but enough to take the time to read about and get a sense of the pulse (if any) of that segment of the left to which she is appealing. One though should always remember, despite our political differences, her heroic action in going down to hell-hole Texas to confront one President George W. Bush when many others were resigned to accepting the lies of that administration or who “folded” their tents when the expected end to the Iraq War did not materialize. Hats off on that one, Cindy Sheehan.
Markin comment:
I find Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox rather a mishmash of eclectic politics and basic old time left-liberal/radical thinking. Not enough, not nearly enough, in our troubled times but enough to take the time to read about and get a sense of the pulse (if any) of that segment of the left to which she is appealing. One though should always remember, despite our political differences, her heroic action in going down to hell-hole Texas to confront one President George W. Bush when many others were resigned to accepting the lies of that administration or who “folded” their tents when the expected end to the Iraq War did not materialize. Hats off on that one, Cindy Sheehan.
The Latest From “The Rag Blog”
Click on the headline to link to The Rag Blog website.
Markin comment:
I find this The Rag Blog very useful to monitor for the latest in what is happening with past tense radical activists and activities. Anybody, with some kind of name, who is still around from the 1960s has found a home here. So the remembrances and recollections are helpful for today’s activists. Strangely the politics are almost non-existent, as least ones that would help today, except to kind of retroactively “bless” those old-time left politics that did nothing (well, almost nothing) but get us on the losing end of the class (and cultural) wars of the last forty plus years. Still this is a must read blog for today’s left militants.
Markin comment:
I find this The Rag Blog very useful to monitor for the latest in what is happening with past tense radical activists and activities. Anybody, with some kind of name, who is still around from the 1960s has found a home here. So the remembrances and recollections are helpful for today’s activists. Strangely the politics are almost non-existent, as least ones that would help today, except to kind of retroactively “bless” those old-time left politics that did nothing (well, almost nothing) but get us on the losing end of the class (and cultural) wars of the last forty plus years. Still this is a must read blog for today’s left militants.
From The Struggle Against Police Brutality Front- The Call for the 16th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation- October 22, 2011-Now More Than Ever
Markin comment on this leaflet:
Normally I get a billion leaflets sent to me, given to me on the street, or at various street and meeting place political events. I am placing this one on this site because the information provided is useful (1) to help combat illusions in the now risen Occupy movement about the role of the police in maintaining the capitalist state and,(2) trying to connect the recent spate of arrests around various occupation sites in Denver, Boston, Nashville, Oakland, Atlanta and elsewhere with the "normal" police occupation of the ghettos and barrios. Eyes open.
*****
The Call for the 16th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation - October 22, 2011
Across the U.S., Black, Latino, and poor neighborhoods are treated like occupied territory by increasingly militarized armies of law enforcement. People are criminalized and brutalized for their perceived status - socioeconomic, immigration, mental health, and/or racial, gender, or sexual identity. People living in our communities, especially youth, are routinely stopped, harassed, beaten, and even killed.
• In Chicago, the home of the first Black president, police have shot 44 people so far this year, mostly youth of
color, including 13-year-old Jimmell Cannon, who was shot eight times.
• NYPD continues to stop hundreds of thousands of youth of color every year for the most minimal suspicion, fewer
than 10% of which result in arrest, and far fewer in charges or conviction.
• Police nationwide continue to kill with very little consequence. Twelve Miami cops shot at 22-year-old Raymond Herisse 100 times, then threatened those who recorded the incident, destroying their cellphones. A Tucson SWAT team shot at 26-year-old Iraq War veteran Jose Guerena over 70 times, claiming that he fired at them and then leaving him to bleed to death in his home. Both their allegations of gunfire and drug-dealing were later revealed tobe false. In New York and New Jersey, at least 28 people have been killed by police since October 22 of last year,while at least 35 people have been killed by law enforcement in Washington State in the last 12 months. The killing of 22-year old Oscar Grant in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009 resulted in a rare conviction for theofficer who shot him; however, he was freed after mere months in prison, while people protesting the outrageous
verdict were met with police violence and mass arrests. In the weeks following that cops release, SF cops killedCharles Hill, a 45-year-old homeless man, on a subway platform and 19-year old Kenneth Harding after hesupposedly failed to pay a $2 train fare, then left him dying on the pavement in front of dozens of outragedwitnesses.
• Police routinely abuse the mentally ill and disabled. Fullerton, CA cops beat to death homeless and mentally ill27-year-old Kelly Thomas, described by many in the community as a gentle, childlike soul. In Fresno, CA, 28-year-old Raul Rosas, Jr. died after being tasered by police. His girlfriend said "I didn't call the Fresno CountySheriff to kill him. I called because he needed help with his mental illness'.' Raul went into cardiac arrest and wasdenied access to three medical ambulances that showed up to assist.
Recently enacted anti-immigrant laws have given police in the states of Arizona, Georgia, and Alabama sweeping powers to stop people "suspected" of being undocumented on no other basis than appearance. The hostility and racism stoked by these policies have already culminated in violence, as seen in the killing of 15-year-old Sergio Adrin Hernandez Gereka by a border patrol agent and the beating death of 42-year-old Anastasio Hernandez Rojas at the hands of La Migra. More than one million have been deported under the Obama administration.
• Racially targeted mass incarceration exacerbates the criminalization and marginalization of Black people, playingthe same role as the Jim Crow laws that sprang from the Virginia slave codes of 1705. In 1954, 90,000 Blackpeople were incarcerated. Now, over 900,000 Black people are imprisoned, a tenfold increase, while the total U.S. Black population has merely doubled in the same period. The U.S. also has the highest incarceration rate worldwide, with 2.4 million people in prison.
• Law enforcement continues to harass and sexually assault people, most especially women and the transgendered.According to the website InjusticeEverywhere.com, sexual misconduct was the second most common complaint (following excessive force) against police in 2010, involving 618 cops.
• Young schoolchildren are increasingly labeled and treated as criminals by school security and local police. Eight-year-old Aidan Elliot was pepper sprayed and handcuffed by Colorado police, and ten-year-old Sofia Bauti'sta was removed from her elementary school, then taken to a NYPD precinct, handcuffed, and interrogated for hours,while police nationwide continue to use tasers on students as young as six.
Meanwhile, repression against those who take action against injustices continues to escalate. Over a dozen activists with Food Not Bombs have been arrested in Orlando for feeding the homeless in public parks. The killings of Oscar Grant, Kenneth Harding, Kelly Thomas, Raymond Herisse, and John T. Williams (hi Seattle) were all caught on video. Now, as if in retaliation against the subsequent public outrage, police in cities and towns nationwide have attacked and arrested people merely for recording their activity, while in Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts, video-recording the police is now explicitly illegal. Cops haven't stopped killing and brutalizing people they're just making it a crime to record them while they do. Repression against progressive and antiwar activism has intensified: simultaneous FBI raids on activists from numerous antiwar and international solidarity organizations in three U.S. cities took place on September 24, 2010. Twenty-three activists now face serious jail time for refusing to participate in the ensuing grand jury witch hunts that clearly intend to discourage an-d intimidate would-be dissenters.
These vicious attacks are not going down without opposition. Whether standing up to police violence when it happens, as we saw in the video of Kenneth Harding's shooting, or organizing inspiring prison strikes in Georgia and California, people are uniting to fight back. Determined outcry from people nationwide against the shooting of unarmed men crossing the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina has finally brought convictions of the guilty cops and exposed the sort of extensive cover-ups that are routine with police shootings. More and more crimes against the people are being revealed, as we have seen with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Operation Fast and Furious, which intentionally provided weapons to Mexican drag cartels, and the overturning of over 4,000 convictions of youth in Pennsylvania after it was found that juvenile judge Mark Ciavarella received kickbacks from private for-profit detention centers. Once we have seen the man behind the curtain, how can we pretend he is not there? One thing we know from years of experience is that when this system has to answer to organized people, it can't easily get away with all the things it's used to doing. Resistance matters.
THE VIOLENCE OF THE COPS, THE COURTS, THE FBI, LA MIGRA, AND HOMELAND SECURITY IS INTENSIFYING. OUR RESISTANCE MUST INTENSIFY AS WELL! Every year, thousands of people nationwide express their outrages creativity;, and resistance in response to the crimes of this system. People speak out and perform, they march in the streets, and more. The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation embraces and encourages any and all such expressions of people's righteous outrage.
As said by the mother of Gil Barber, gunned down by a deputy in High Point, NC in 2001, "October 22nd is our day." ORGANIZE against these injustices! BREAK DOWN the barriers between communities that these crimes seek to strengthen-! MOBILIZE people of all communities in the most visible way - and on October 22, 2011, WEAR BLACK! FIGHT BACK!
JOIN US if there is already an October 22nd event in your area. CREATE one if you are in an area where there is currently no group organizing. For listings of activities in your area, check the website www.october22.org.To start building for an event in your area, email info@.october22 .org
TO ENDORSE THIS CALL, SIGN BELOW AND MAIL TO: October 22, P.O. Box 2627, New York, NY I0009, along with your tax-deductible donation to the national organizing effort. Suggested -donation $15.00 (paid to "IFCO/October 22")
Name:
Email:
Organization:
(note if for identification purposes only)
Signature:
You may also make this endorsement by sending an email to Info@october22.org
Normally I get a billion leaflets sent to me, given to me on the street, or at various street and meeting place political events. I am placing this one on this site because the information provided is useful (1) to help combat illusions in the now risen Occupy movement about the role of the police in maintaining the capitalist state and,(2) trying to connect the recent spate of arrests around various occupation sites in Denver, Boston, Nashville, Oakland, Atlanta and elsewhere with the "normal" police occupation of the ghettos and barrios. Eyes open.
*****
The Call for the 16th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation - October 22, 2011
Across the U.S., Black, Latino, and poor neighborhoods are treated like occupied territory by increasingly militarized armies of law enforcement. People are criminalized and brutalized for their perceived status - socioeconomic, immigration, mental health, and/or racial, gender, or sexual identity. People living in our communities, especially youth, are routinely stopped, harassed, beaten, and even killed.
• In Chicago, the home of the first Black president, police have shot 44 people so far this year, mostly youth of
color, including 13-year-old Jimmell Cannon, who was shot eight times.
• NYPD continues to stop hundreds of thousands of youth of color every year for the most minimal suspicion, fewer
than 10% of which result in arrest, and far fewer in charges or conviction.
• Police nationwide continue to kill with very little consequence. Twelve Miami cops shot at 22-year-old Raymond Herisse 100 times, then threatened those who recorded the incident, destroying their cellphones. A Tucson SWAT team shot at 26-year-old Iraq War veteran Jose Guerena over 70 times, claiming that he fired at them and then leaving him to bleed to death in his home. Both their allegations of gunfire and drug-dealing were later revealed tobe false. In New York and New Jersey, at least 28 people have been killed by police since October 22 of last year,while at least 35 people have been killed by law enforcement in Washington State in the last 12 months. The killing of 22-year old Oscar Grant in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009 resulted in a rare conviction for theofficer who shot him; however, he was freed after mere months in prison, while people protesting the outrageous
verdict were met with police violence and mass arrests. In the weeks following that cops release, SF cops killedCharles Hill, a 45-year-old homeless man, on a subway platform and 19-year old Kenneth Harding after hesupposedly failed to pay a $2 train fare, then left him dying on the pavement in front of dozens of outragedwitnesses.
• Police routinely abuse the mentally ill and disabled. Fullerton, CA cops beat to death homeless and mentally ill27-year-old Kelly Thomas, described by many in the community as a gentle, childlike soul. In Fresno, CA, 28-year-old Raul Rosas, Jr. died after being tasered by police. His girlfriend said "I didn't call the Fresno CountySheriff to kill him. I called because he needed help with his mental illness'.' Raul went into cardiac arrest and wasdenied access to three medical ambulances that showed up to assist.
Recently enacted anti-immigrant laws have given police in the states of Arizona, Georgia, and Alabama sweeping powers to stop people "suspected" of being undocumented on no other basis than appearance. The hostility and racism stoked by these policies have already culminated in violence, as seen in the killing of 15-year-old Sergio Adrin Hernandez Gereka by a border patrol agent and the beating death of 42-year-old Anastasio Hernandez Rojas at the hands of La Migra. More than one million have been deported under the Obama administration.
• Racially targeted mass incarceration exacerbates the criminalization and marginalization of Black people, playingthe same role as the Jim Crow laws that sprang from the Virginia slave codes of 1705. In 1954, 90,000 Blackpeople were incarcerated. Now, over 900,000 Black people are imprisoned, a tenfold increase, while the total U.S. Black population has merely doubled in the same period. The U.S. also has the highest incarceration rate worldwide, with 2.4 million people in prison.
• Law enforcement continues to harass and sexually assault people, most especially women and the transgendered.According to the website InjusticeEverywhere.com, sexual misconduct was the second most common complaint (following excessive force) against police in 2010, involving 618 cops.
• Young schoolchildren are increasingly labeled and treated as criminals by school security and local police. Eight-year-old Aidan Elliot was pepper sprayed and handcuffed by Colorado police, and ten-year-old Sofia Bauti'sta was removed from her elementary school, then taken to a NYPD precinct, handcuffed, and interrogated for hours,while police nationwide continue to use tasers on students as young as six.
Meanwhile, repression against those who take action against injustices continues to escalate. Over a dozen activists with Food Not Bombs have been arrested in Orlando for feeding the homeless in public parks. The killings of Oscar Grant, Kenneth Harding, Kelly Thomas, Raymond Herisse, and John T. Williams (hi Seattle) were all caught on video. Now, as if in retaliation against the subsequent public outrage, police in cities and towns nationwide have attacked and arrested people merely for recording their activity, while in Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts, video-recording the police is now explicitly illegal. Cops haven't stopped killing and brutalizing people they're just making it a crime to record them while they do. Repression against progressive and antiwar activism has intensified: simultaneous FBI raids on activists from numerous antiwar and international solidarity organizations in three U.S. cities took place on September 24, 2010. Twenty-three activists now face serious jail time for refusing to participate in the ensuing grand jury witch hunts that clearly intend to discourage an-d intimidate would-be dissenters.
These vicious attacks are not going down without opposition. Whether standing up to police violence when it happens, as we saw in the video of Kenneth Harding's shooting, or organizing inspiring prison strikes in Georgia and California, people are uniting to fight back. Determined outcry from people nationwide against the shooting of unarmed men crossing the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina has finally brought convictions of the guilty cops and exposed the sort of extensive cover-ups that are routine with police shootings. More and more crimes against the people are being revealed, as we have seen with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Operation Fast and Furious, which intentionally provided weapons to Mexican drag cartels, and the overturning of over 4,000 convictions of youth in Pennsylvania after it was found that juvenile judge Mark Ciavarella received kickbacks from private for-profit detention centers. Once we have seen the man behind the curtain, how can we pretend he is not there? One thing we know from years of experience is that when this system has to answer to organized people, it can't easily get away with all the things it's used to doing. Resistance matters.
THE VIOLENCE OF THE COPS, THE COURTS, THE FBI, LA MIGRA, AND HOMELAND SECURITY IS INTENSIFYING. OUR RESISTANCE MUST INTENSIFY AS WELL! Every year, thousands of people nationwide express their outrages creativity;, and resistance in response to the crimes of this system. People speak out and perform, they march in the streets, and more. The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation embraces and encourages any and all such expressions of people's righteous outrage.
As said by the mother of Gil Barber, gunned down by a deputy in High Point, NC in 2001, "October 22nd is our day." ORGANIZE against these injustices! BREAK DOWN the barriers between communities that these crimes seek to strengthen-! MOBILIZE people of all communities in the most visible way - and on October 22, 2011, WEAR BLACK! FIGHT BACK!
JOIN US if there is already an October 22nd event in your area. CREATE one if you are in an area where there is currently no group organizing. For listings of activities in your area, check the website www.october22.org.To start building for an event in your area, email info@.october22 .org
TO ENDORSE THIS CALL, SIGN BELOW AND MAIL TO: October 22, P.O. Box 2627, New York, NY I0009, along with your tax-deductible donation to the national organizing effort. Suggested -donation $15.00 (paid to "IFCO/October 22")
Name:
Email:
Organization:
(note if for identification purposes only)
Signature:
You may also make this endorsement by sending an email to Info@october22.org
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