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    Why We Have Occupied Dewey Square

    December 9th, 2011 · · News and Announcements, Press 2 comments

    We have occupied Dewey Square because Wall Street has occupied our government, broken our economic system, divided our country, and negatively impacted our lives for far too long. Occupation is a single tactic, but its significance is much greater than that.

    By creating this public space dedicated to political discourse, we have created a social destination where anyone can become an activist. What starts as a visit to satisfy curiosity can end by participating in the decision making process of an entire community. What starts as the desire to hear a public speaker can end in the commitment to meet regularly to advocate around critical issues. This is what has grown the Occupy Movement across the country and here in Massachusetts.

    Not only does this act of protesting in a physical space 24 hours a day deepen our engagement with Occupy Boston and the Occupy Movement; it also connects us with the ecosystem of community organizations whose activities predate our own. As individuals whose lives have been effected by economic injustice, we begin to see ourselves as part of a much bigger picture. Our stories gain new life as we connect them with the stories of others. In that sense, Dewey Square has become a point of outreach for a much larger movement. What starts as a passing interest can become a lifelong commitment to social and economic justice.

    We have occupied Dewey Square because we have joined a movement to change the world. You can’t evict an idea.

    Join Occupy Boston in Protecting Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly at Dewey Square

    December 1st, 2011 · · Events, News and Announcements 9 comments

    On November 16th Occupy Boston appealed to the courts to protect our right to maintain our tent city.  During the first hearing on the 16th Occupy Boston won a temporary injunction banning the city police from evicting the camp. “Given what is happening nationally, with municipalities shutting the protests down, it seemed important to seek the intervention of a court before the same thing happened in Boston,” said Howard Cooper, a lawyer representing the protesters, as quoted by Boston.com.

    However, despite a court run mediation session, where 3 people from Occupy Boston and the city officials met to discuss possible solutions, there is now a final hearing planned for Thursday, December 1st at Suffolk County Superior Court, 3 Pemberton Square #13, Boston. This final meeting will determine whether or not the Occupy Boston presence in Dewey Square is in fact protected under the first amendment, and spells the final legal decision passed down by the state courts, and could result in the court required removal of our protest here in Boston.

    Dewey Square is on state owned land overseen by the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.  We see it as Free Speech Issue, closing down the encampment at Dewey Square means closing down free speech on public land. We hope that all of those getting this invitation will come down to Suffolk County Superior Courthouse in support of Occupy Boston.  We are asking for our supporters be at the courthouse at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 hearing.  If you are planning to be outside, feel free to have polite signs and please remember to dress warmly.  Signs are not allowed in the courthouse, and we ask you to refrain from bringing them inside.

    What to do: Join us Thursday, Dec 1st at Suffolk County Superior Court, 3 Pemberton Square #13, Boston at 8:30 AM (hearing starts at 9:00 AM)

    Bring your Occupy Boston Buttons and T-shirts to show your support!

    We Also Need You to Call this Wednesday to Protect the Right to Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly at Dewey Square

    How you can help – Please make two phone calls:

    WHEN: WEDNESDAY, November 30th A DAY OF ACTION, 9AM-5PM

    CALL MAYOR MENINO’S OFFICE: 617.635.4500 or email mayor@cityofboston.gov  or http://www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/24/

    CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS: (Dewey Square is on state owned land) To find your legislator’s phone and/or email addresses go to http://www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator

    WHO:  All of us and everyone who has visited, donated food, taught a Free School University, taken a yoga class, Facebook friends, Twitter followers or gone to the General Assembly CALL on WEDNESDAY

    Use Your Own Words Or This Call Script To The Mayor and Legislators

    Hello, My name is_______________.  I am from  ______________.  I am a taxpayer and a voter and I’m calling in support of Occupy Boston’s right to remain in Dewey Square.

    Please protect Occupy Boston’s First Amendment right to free speech and peaceful assembly on public land and do not to evict them.

    Please be respectful when making these calls, and understand that you may be asked to give out your address and other identifying information.

    Thank you for your help,
    Occupy Boston

    Photo by Gunner

     

    Health Justice Day of Action

    November 11th, 2011 · · Events Comments Off on Health Justice Day of Action

    Saturday, Nov. 12, Dewey Square, Boston, MA – Hundreds of Boston area residents and health advocates will gather with physicians, nurses, social workers and students for a Health Justice Day of Action.  Participants will gather at Dewey Square starting at 9:30AM to provide medical services, including flu shots and free health screenings, in collaboration with local health workers.  At noon there will be a speak out followed by a 1PM March and Rally on the State House to raise awareness about the health impact of unemployment, housing foreclosures, and Medicare and Medicaid cuts.

    “We want 100% health care for the 99%!” said Matthew Malek, a family medicine practitioner.  “Insurance for all doesn’t guarantee health for all. It’s time to take the profit out of healthcare.”

    With the rising cost of health care in the Commonwealth and as the Congressional Super Committee threatens to cut millions of dollars in life-saving programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, organizers will call for guaranteed health care for all US residents. Among Massachusetts residents, 1 in 5 (1.3 million) have Medicaid and while Wall Street was bailed out, millions of dollars in funding to essential health and mental health programs have been cut and millions more are on the chopping block. Organizers warn that saving pennies up front will only lead to increased costs down the road.  Already, emergency room visits have increased as more and more people have lost access to basic primary care and mental health services.  Who will foot the bill? The 99%, organizers say.

    The event is sponsored by the newly formed Health Justice working group of Occupy Boston, a group of Boston area physicians, nurses, social workers, students, public health advocates, and community members, which stands up for health care as a human right and sees this right being denied to millions of Americans due to lack of access to affordable and appropriate care.  For more information, please visit our website at www.healthjusticeboston.org or email us at healthjusticebostonWG@gmail.com.

     

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    Occupy Boston Media <Media@occupyboston.org> • <Info@occupyboston.org> • @Occupy_Boston