David Knuttunen, Katie Gradowski, Chris Faraone and Betsy Boggia /Photo by Matthew J Shochat
On March 4th, 2012, at 1:30pm, several Occupy Boston, Occupy Newton and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) gathered at The Democracy Center, located at 45 Mt. Auburn Street near Harvard Square for a panel titled “After Dewey Sq: Where is The Occupy Movement Going in MA?” The panelists included Katie Gradowski, Occupy Boston participant who has worked with City Life Vide Urbana, Chris Faraone, who began his writing career by free-lancing Hip Hop reviews and the Boston Herald before becoming a staff reporter for the Boston Phoenix, where his coverage of the Occupy movement on both coasts resulted in his debut book “99 Nights With The 99%,” and lastly, Betsy Boggia, who helped organize Occupy Natick after having worked with grassroots organizations, political campaigns, local non-profits including Girl’s LEAP Self-Defense, has been a legislative aide for State Senator Cheryl Jacques, and a co-founder of the Greater Boston Chapter of the Million Mom March for sensible gun control. The moderator for the evening was David Knuttunen, who has worked with Occupy Newton, Occupy Boston’s Free School University, Occupy Boston Radio and Boston DSA.
Many of the panelists expressed experiences within and around Occupy as well as offered advice as to what would make Occupy a success in the future. Betsy Boggia had addressed an issue as to why suburban legislators are making are making decisions that only really impact urban areas. Chris Faraone also advised making action at the state/municipal level in order to achieve victories before addressing issues on the federal level due to the large opposition that would be received. Katie Gradowski expressed how occupy can get heard by pushing legislation rather than endorsing any candidates.
The floor had been open to questions from the audience, as one person asked “What difference has Occupy made to these issues?” Varying panelists responded with difference points, such as an example being that Occupy Somerville having pushed an awful lot with the MBTA issues, Unions having more support than before, and how the message of Occupy has engaged new activists.
Clips of Katie Gradowski, Chris Faraone, and Betsy Boggia can be seen here.
One Response to “Boston DSA hosts Occupy Panel at Democracy Center”
on March 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am #
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