Suppression of Occupy: Call for Mass Action
(video)
http://tinyurl.com/6mlo3qs
Phoenix writer argues with rightwing media figure about Occupy on radio show
Faraone gave Brietbart a taste of his own medicine: when the Big Government publisher once again attempted to paint Occupy protesters as thugs for protesting outside CPAC, Faraone mocked him by asking, “What are you willing to do [for your beliefs], walk around with a couple of bodyguards?” He also called Breitbart out for having grossly misrepresented an article by Phoenix staffer Liz Pelly — her piece looked at Occupy’s attempts to create safer spaces for women; last week one of Breitbart’s stooges tried to twist it into his ongoing narrative of Occupy as a hive of rampant crime.
http://tinyurl.com/7h67mng
Occupy the Food Supply Day of Action: Occupy Gardens plans network of community gardens to feed Toronto’s hungry
(radio)
Listen to an interview with Jacob Kearey-Moreland, an organizer with Occupy Gardens Toronto that held a Seed Exchange outside the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday.
A growing collective of gardeners plotting to plant & tend food gardens all over the city, and share the produce with all who are hungry.
Inspired by the Occupy Movement, Occupy Gardens Toronto represents the next step in our (vegetable) stand against inequality, corporate corruption and greed, growing hunger and the destruction of life itself.
The FOOD tent at Occupy Toronto was one of our greatest success stories, serving hundreds of people free meals every day. Now it’s time we start think about and plotting out the future, imagine the possibilities if we all grew together.
http://tinyurl.com/8xx43f4
Judge Sides With Monsanto: dismisses case to protect small farmers against patent bullying
Judge Naomi Buchwald handed down her ruling on a motion to dismiss in the case of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn et al v. Monsanto after hearing oral argument on January 31st in Federal District Court in Manhattan. Her ruling to dismiss the case brought against Monsanto on behalf of organic farmers, seed growers and agricultural organizations representing farmers and citizens was met with great disappointment by the plaintiffs.
. . .
Monsanto’s history of aggressive investigations and lawsuits brought against farmers in America have been a source of concern for organic and non-GMO farmers since Monsanto’s first lawsuit brought against a farmer in the mid-90’s. Since then, 144 farmers have had lawsuits brought against them by Monsanto for alleged violations of their patented seed technology. Monsanto has brought charges against more than 700 additional farmers who have settled out-of-court rather than face Monsanto’s belligerent litigious actions. Many of these farmers claim to not have had the intention to grow or save seeds that contain Monsanto’s patented genes. Seed drift and pollen drift from genetically engineered crops often contaminate neighboring fields. If Monsanto’s seed technology is found on a farmer’s land without contract they can be found liable for patent infringement.
http://tinyurl.com/6wgeqco
#F27: Let’s Occupy Our Food Supply By Labeling GMOs
The American food supply has been infected by a mysterious and deadly parasite. The government knows about this parasite, but has done nothing to protect us. In fact, instead of sounding the alarm, punishing the culprits who created it, and informing the public about the best ways to avoid it, the government has allowed corporations to release more of its kind into the food supply. It’s even given these corporations the power to financially ruin anyone who dares to capture and kill this parasite.
No, this isn’t another e. coli outbreak in our spinach or mad cow disease in the beef. It’s Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and you’re probably eating them right now.
Anonymous: Occupy the November election – or not
Anonymous, the hacktivist collective that’s been on a months-long rampage breaking into corporate and government networks, says it will partner with the Occupy movement to urge people to vote in the November elections.
. . .
In a seemingly contradictory message, an Anonymous video went up today calling for a “revolution,” saying that voting has been “useless” and declaring a war on the United States over the proposed Cyber Security Act of 2012, which critics say is too broad and could authorize wiretapping and curtail civil liberties.
Occupy Groups Get Funding
A group of business leaders-including Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and former Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg-are planning to pour substantial funds into the Occupy Wall Street movement in hopes of sustaining the protests and fostering political change.
The latest Occupy supporters call themselves the Movement Resource Group and have raised about $300,000 so far to parcel out in grants to protesters, said Mr. Cohen. Their goal is to raise $1.8 million.
A little more than two-thirds was donated by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation and members of the group’s steering committee, which includes Dal Lamagna, founder of the company Tweezerman, entertainment-industry executive Richard Foos and Judy Wicks, founder of the White Dog Café in Philadelphia, along with Messrs. Cohen, Greenfield and Goldberg.
Marketplace Launches New Wealth and Poverty Desk
Well, here’s a welcome surprise. The national media is starting to realize that the oligarchical distribution of wealth to the top one percent of Americans isn’t a manufactured Occupy Wall Street narrative. American Public Media’s Marketplace announced today that it’s launching a new “Wealth and Poverty Desk” focused on “the growing concentration of wealth in the U.S.”
http://tinyurl.com/6rqcmbq
Nader to Occupy: Help Raise the Minimum Wage
The Occupy movement may be able to forge a powerful alliance with millions of working men and women around a national call to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour. The drive to establish new encampments, while important, is going to be long and difficult. The ongoing efforts to stand up to the foreclosure and mortgage crisis, the marches to hold Wall Street accountable, the protests against stop-and-frisk policies in New York City or police brutality in Oakland, while vital, do not draw the numbers into the streets across the country needed to loosen the grip of the corporate state.
Some 70 percent of the public supports raising the minimum wage. This is an issue that resonates across political, ethnic, religious and cultural lines. It exposes the vast disparities in wealth and the gross inequalities imposed by our corporate oligarchy. The political elite during this election year, which needs to toss a few scraps to the voting public, might be pressured to respond.
Occupy’s challenge: Reinventing democracy
For nearly every Occupy movement in the United States, the General Assembly is seen as the legitimate decision-making body. But when it comes time to enforce a decision that some disagree with, its authority is often called into question. Nearly every significant conflict that has cropped up in Occupy movements around the country rests on the bedrock issues of authority, accountability, representation and legitimacy.
The issue is central to the movement’s future because authority rests on the notion of legitimacy. In a leaderless movement, who – if anyone – gets to call the shots, initiate actions, represent the group, and perhaps most important, hold people accountable by enforcing authority, order and discipline? Exactly how democratic must a people’s movement be?
http://tinyurl.com/6sjktsx
Did Somebody Say “Car Bloc”?
OccuDriver says that the Car Bloc has two functions. The primary one is to keep the rear guard of the protest as protected as possible, by bringing up the rear so that the police vehicles can’t endanger the protester’s safety. This function is served best when there is more than one car in the Bloc, as was discovered on February 25th’s FTP to Fruitvale BART, when unmarked police vehicles tried to cut the Car Bloc out of the protest by trying to force it to stop. Basically playing chicken on the road with another vehicle, with dozens of people walking within feet of Car Bloc, some nearly right next to it, putting lives and safety at risk – something that Oakland PD both excels and seemingly delights in.
The second function of Car Bloc is to act as a rolling rest stop – a sort of taxi/ambulance for people who become tired, or are injured or become ill during an action. It has become invaluable for this purpose on the long night marches, as well as a mobile storage locker when things get too heavy or a layer of clothing needs to come off.
Car Bloc works well with the Bike Cavalry, with bikes running communications to the march leaders and back, to keep all components on the same page and acting in concert when there is a lack of communications equipment such as walkie-talkies. This is extremely important while FTP works out the kinks in moving as a unit with vehicles as well as pedestrians and bikes. It won’t do for Car Bloc to rack up several $500 red light tickets every march, so part of the learning curve has included the marchers stopping in intersections to hold them until the lights turn green for the Car Bloc to proceed.
University of Virginia Football Player Goes On Hunger Strike To Get Living Wage For University Employees
[Joseph Williams] In failing to implement a living wage for its lowest paid employees, the University of Virginia has also failed to uphold the moral standards to which it holds its students. We are engaging in this hunger strike to call attention to the administration’s moral hypocrisy and to finally produce results in the form of a Living Wage. Although I am exhausted, hungry, dry-mouthed, and emotionally taxed, I believe it is my responsibility as a member of the University community, and even more as a member of the human race, to stand up and speak for those whose voices have been silenced and whose livelihoods are marginalized by the policies of the current University administration.
Williams decried the pay disparity between “hundreds of contract workers who may make as little as $7.25/hour” and the university’s top administrators. According to the essay, six of the state’s 10 highest-paid employees are administrators at Virginia. Williams also told the story of one employee who, despite working 40 hours a week, couldn’t afford to pay rent or utility bills.
http://tinyurl.com/7b3qf6u
Both an Occupy Coachella Valley protester and a Marine
Some might say Jayel Aheram is conflicted. He has two identities: Occupy Coachella Valley protester and U.S. Marine sergeant.
Two names and two seemingly contradictory perspectives on life are included in the package.
But Aheram doesn’t see the problem. To him, his alter egos are entirely consistent halves of one whole. They just can’t mix in each other’s worlds very easily.
. . .
“People confuse being anti-war as being anti-military,” he added. “I love my Marines. I love my country.”
http://tinyurl.com/7jksca2
Don’t Just Tear Down Our Efforts: Get Your Money Out of Wells Fargo and Take Action
Too many people are willing to offer their two cents without doing anything themselves. The criticisms fail to make the premise weaker – that you should get your money out of Wells Fargo. A better use of criticism is to prove us wrong by going out and making your ideas happen.
Occupy Bozeman is preparing for its first action, February 29 at Noon, in our divestment campaign against Wells Fargo. I doubt that many will attend, it probably won’t get a lot of press coverage, and we may not during the hour or so that we are out there convince a single person to divest their money from Wells Fargo. Of course, I’d love to be wrong, but the story of activism is not usually one of impressive success. For every small encampment near Wall Street that inspires a movement, there are thousands of others that come, go, and are soon forgotten.
It would be a terrible mistake, however, to use those likely facts as reasons to keep your money in Wells Fargo, to not find available time – if you have it – to not go out and support the action, or to disparage the work of us who are beginning this campaign. The truth is that we have to start somewhere, that this – or some similar campaign – is very badly needed, and that no matter what it makes very little sense for anyone to keep their money in Wells Fargo.
Former Marine In Foreclosure Wins Mortgage Modification With Occupy Help
Bobby Hull was supposed be thrown out of his house this month. Instead, thanks partly to Occupy Wall Street activists, he may get to stay.
Last week, Hull said, Bank of America offered him a mortgage modification that will allow him to stay in his Minneapolis home. Occupy Wall Street protesters, working with local community organizers, attracted national attention to the former Marine’s foreclosure in December.
Freddie Mac to work with Bowie homeowner after Occupy DC protest
A little more than an hour after Occupy D.C. protesters rallied outside Freddie Mac to save a Bowie homeowner from eviction, a spokesman for the government-backed mortgage giant said it would work toward a “positive resolution” in the woman’s case.
Bertina Jones, a grandmother who works as an accountant at a small District firm, lost her home to foreclosure in 2010 after a months-long struggle with Bank of America. Freddie Mac now owns the home.
“We contacted Ms. Jones and are working with her and Bank of America toward a positive resolution,” Brad German, a Freddie Mac spokesman, said in a statement.
Green Party endorses Occupy activist running for Portland mayor
In the mayor’s race, they endorsed three candidates ranking them according to their preference in an Instant Runoff Voting process.
Their first preference is Cameron Whitten, the Occupy Portland activist. They said he “wowed” them with his specificity, and that his “enthusiasm and unity” is worthy of support.
Charlotte attorney and Occupy participant to challenge Mel Watt in 12th District for U.S. House seat
In a telephone interview today, [Matt] Newton said his campaign would not be accepting contributions from political action committees, unlike Watt who draws significant funds from PACs.
“We want to draw that line in the sand,” Newton said. “… It will be a tough row to plow, but we want to run a principled campaign in that regard.”
In early January, Newton left the Occupy Charlotte movement to become part of the newly established People’s Coalition of the Carolinas, whose aim is to work for social and economic change by addressing issues such as income inequality and the potential for political and corporate corruption.
This is the first time he has sought public office.
http://tinyurl.com/75onh5h
After Voting For Tuition Hike, Arizona State Representative Tells Poor Students: ‘Welcome To Life’
About 100 students signed in to oppose the bill, and a handful spoke out against it. James Allen, UA student-body president, told legislators that by passing the bill, legislators would make it harder to achieve a higher-education degree.
Rep. Michelle Ugenti, R-Scottsdale, replied, “Welcome to life.”
A few minutes later, Rep. Matt Heinz, D-Tucson, admonished his colleagues for their comments. “I feel these students are being greeted with open hostility,” said Heinz, who later voted against the bill.
http://tinyurl.com/6rxw4ch
GU Occupy teach-in addresses income inequality in America
On Sunday, Georgetown Occupy organized a teach-in in Red Square, inviting speakers of various backgrounds to spread awareness about income inequality. Held in response to the Wall Street Training Boot Camp taking place on campus for aspiring investment bankers and other members of the financial sector, the Occupy event also attracted students from American University and members of the greater D.C. community.
The day of events included a discussion of the dangers of Wall Street risk-taking, income inequality, a symbolic cleansing of the American flag, and a Georgetown Chimes appearance that started as a counter-protest but ended as a group dialogue on Jesuit ideals.
http://tinyurl.com/76k7hy8
Protesters occupy City Hall to protest Seattle police chief
About 40 protesters calling for the resignation of Seattle Police Chief John Diaz occupied City Hall outside of the Mayor’s Office Monday. The protesters, who said they were part of the Occupy Seattle movement, voted earlier in the afternoon to remain at City Hall until Diaz steps down as chief.
The protesters first interrupted a regularly scheduled City Council meeting a little after 2 p.m. Several addressed the Council and said that Diaz did not have the mandate of Seattle citizens and should be removed. The group left peacefully within about 10 minutes and headed up to the 7th floor. At 5:30 p.m., they were occupying the public waiting area outside the Mayor’s office.
The protesters unfurled a red banner from a 7th floor balcony that said “Bring Diaz Down” and sat on couches and the floor outside the mayor’s office. Mayor Mike McGinn was not in the office. About a dozen uniformed Seattle police officers waited in the ground-floor lobby of City Hall. City Hall is usually locked and closed to the public at 6 p.m.
http://tinyurl.com/6mzxxlv
Officers hurt in Occupy clash at Calif Capitol
At least two law enforcement officers were injured Monday during a clash with members of the Occupy movement who were at the state Capitol to counter a rally by a group protesting violence by blacks against whites in South Africa.
The clash erupted in the afternoon as California Highway Patrol and Sacramento police officers were escorting about 35 members of the South Africa Project to a parking garage following their protest outside the Capitol building.
About 50 members of Occupy Oakland began throwing cans and bottles at the South Africa group and at the officers. The Occupy members then clashed with the officers as people with the pro-whites group hurried into the parking garage.
http://tinyurl.com/6todbsj
Understanding Occupy (Chicago western suburbs)
At 62, this isn’t Barr’s first foray into protesting. The videographer from Aurora’s West Side has been a political activist since the Vietnam War in 1968. He’s also been instrumental in starting Occupy Aurora.
A movement born on Wall Street and bred by the under-30 crowd, it’s no surprise that Occupy movements in the western suburbs in front of bank branches, and with local leadership that skews older, have raised a few eyebrows.
http://tinyurl.com/73hecgt
Occupy Nashville protesters joust with Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich verbally jousted with six vocal Occupy Nashville protesters who chanted “Liar! Liar!” and “Wake up!” during a Gingrich campaign rally outside the State Capitol Monday.
http://tinyurl.com/7e2bwma
Occupy Rockland To Confront Pfizer
Over 70 groups will answer a call put out by “Shut Down The Corporations” for a national day of “non-violent direct action” meant target corporations involved in the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Occupy Rockland will be part of that effort with a protest at the entrance to Pfizer’s Pearl River Campus on Middletown Road, though it is not the only Pfizer location expecting an Occupy protest Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/7ksnvd8
Fort Wayne, Ind.: Local occupy movement still strong
“We started on October 15 and we have continually had a presence in either Headwaters or Freimann Square since then,” said Max Johnson. “There’s always someone here at any given time. There’s been people here every single night.”
Max Johnson, who estimates he’s spent between 60 and 70 nights in the tents, is just one of dozens of people who joined the local version of the Occupy movement. The group has held rallies, informational meetings, and even a funeral for the Bill of Rights, which members say has been trampled on. They protest against social and economic inequality, high unemployment, and corporate greed and corruption.
Though participation has dwindled over the winter, it’s expected to pick up again once it gets warmer. “We really got started at the wrong time of year and it was getting cold so we’re expecting it to be really big in the springtime,” said Johnson.
http://tinyurl.com/7j5j4hr
One Response to “The OB Media Rundown for 2/28/12”
on February 28th, 2012 at 7:33 am #
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