Van Jones and Jakada Imani: "The Occupy movement is powerful, not because it is fighting for the rights of a few hundred people to sleep outdoors, but because it is fighting for the right of millions of Americans to sleep indoors. These excessive responses from law enforcement, from Atlanta to Oakland, not only violate the law, but take our collective eye away from the economic violence occurring daily in this country."
Occupy Oakland supporters rally at the Oakland Public Library before attempting to march back to Frank Ogawa Plaza, where they had been evicted hours earlier, 10/25/11. (photo: Marc Ash/RSN)
Occupy Oakland: Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Jail
27 October 11
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"If #occupyoakland was in Damascus, US State department would be telling Wolf Blitzer how unacceptable it was to teargas peaceful marchers." @techsoc
s two activists who have called Oakland home, we are appalled at the events of our city in the last 36 hours. Last night the country joined us to watch in anguish as the Oakland Police Department, with back up from a dozen law enforcement agencies from around the region, used excessive levels of force against hundreds of mostly peaceful Occupy Oakland protesters. In a city with a long and painful record of police violence, it is especially disturbing to witness scenes of women, children, the elderly, and the disabled under assault by rubber bullets and tear gas.
This kind of crackdown is bad for our democracy, and it's bad for public safety. Mayors and police chiefs at Occupy sites across the country should take note: this is the wrong way to respond to the Occupy movement.
Oakland, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the nation, is a true reflection of the 99%. For this reason, the Occupy movement stands directly for the people of Oakland - so many of whom have lost their homes, lost their jobs, and lost the services they rely on. Our city's unemployment rate is over 10%. People are angry. Let us not forget that this frustration and anger is real and justified.
Oakland also has a rich history of protest and political action. Occupy Oakland builds upon this legacy. Sitting at lunch counters and burning bras were symbolic political acts of previous generations, acts which we now celebrate as part of American history. The Occupy protests should be allowed to continue, as should all political expressions protected under our Constitution's First Amendment.
Therefore it is even more embarrassing and unfathomable that the City would so badly miss the mark in its treatment of Occupy Oakland.
Let us be clear: there is no justification for the use of violence against a non-violent protest. The vast majority of people were peacefully marching and demonstrating. The police department and the mayor should apologize for an inexcusable use of excessive force. And they should publicly commit to ending these tactics immediately
Finally, let us remember what the Occupy movement is actually about. Regrettably, the City of Oakland's mis-step last night shifted the focus to a "police vs people" narrative, distracting from the real problem: the big banks and corporations responsible for causing our economic crisis.
The Occupy movement is powerful, not because it is fighting for the rights of a few hundred people to sleep outdoors, but because it is fighting for the right of millions of Americans to sleep indoors. These excessive responses from law enforcement, from Atlanta to Oakland, not only violate the law, but take our collective eye away from the economic violence occurring daily in this country.
Today, the mayor and police department should apologize. And they should apologize loudly and sincerely. And then tomorrow, they should join us all in fighting for the 99%.
P.S. Our hearts and prayers go to Iraq War veteran Scott Olsen who was injured after being hit in the head with a police projectile at the Occupy Oakland rally 10/25/11. Olsen is a member of Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW). We encourage people to send donations to IVAW, who are currently accepting donations for Olsen and his family (type "Scott Olsen" in the entry box titled "Special Projects").
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No kidding. And the same goes for all the corporate Democrats in positions even approaching leadership positions.
- in 2016 bernie published his brilliant plan to rebuild infrastructure and how to fully fund the rebuild!
in 2017, without one, single, dem vote, repukes cut corporate taxes from 35% to 21% WITHOUT ENDING ANY SPECIAL-INTERES T, CORPORATE, LOBBYIST-WRITTE N LOOPHOLES THAT RESULTED IN THE MORE-OR-LESS THEORETICAL 35% RATE COLLECTING AN AVERAGE OF ONLY 12.5% EFFECTIVE TAX RATE - NOW THAT THE MAX RATE IS 21%, THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE IS PRESUMABLY, SINCE REPUKES ADDED STILL MORE 2017 LOOPHOLES!, 7% OR SO!
to undo tax cuts and welfare* (* many pay much lower tax rates than their executive secretaries) for millionaires and welfare for corporations, bernie! please prepare and publish an infrastructure bill that works for america! - not just billionaires! thanks!
please fully fund infrastructure rebuild by a) your 2016 funding plan, plus b) undo tax cuts for millionaires and welfare for corporations and millionaires! thanks!
please simplify all taxes! please end all millionaire welfare and corporate loopholes! thanks!
and invite all americans to be "citizen co-sponsors!" thanks!
then invite dickhead to discuss it!
then talk to america!
please invite all americans to sign up as "citizen co-sponsors!" thanks!
and invite all congress to sign up as "bill co-sponsors!" thanks!
then invite dickhead to discuss it! with bill co-sponsors! thanks!
then talk to america! thanks!