The "People's Mic" Strikes Again

By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News

09 November 11

t was another big day for Occupy Wall Street in Liberty Plaza and around the City. I was enjoying the live stream of an acoustic concert in Liberty Plaza by David Crosby and Graham Nash when the live feed suddenly cut away to a meeting.

It was a replay of the New York City Board of Education's Panel for Education Policy meeting. And it was almost as entertaining as Crosby and Nash. The auditorium was packed. I think the panel was discussing a motion, but I wasn't able to hear the speaker because - out of the blue - a young woman shouted, "Mic check!"

In an instant dozens of others echoed her call. She announced that the floor was now open to public comment. The announcement was then repeated, and the auditorium's sound system was immediately and completely drowned out by the "People's Mic."

After a few minutes the panel surrendered the room and a group of Wall Street Occupiers, teachers and students seized control of the proceedings. As the panel exited the room the crowd chanted "Bring the Workers Back!" and "Shame, Shame, Shame!"

Teachers in the auditorium fully and publicly aired their grievances about class size, standardized tests, layoffs and the use of data to grade teachers. It was the First Amendment in action.

"They shut down Seward High School saying it had low reading scores despite the fact that 99 percent of its students were immigrants," a former teacher said into the "People's Mic."

A very touching moment came when an 8-year-old girl spoke in defense of a teacher who'd seen her afterschool program cut. The student spoke about how the teacher kept the program going without pay and bought all the supplies out of her pocket.

Without the "People's Mic" a few people might have had the courage to stand and speak, but armed with one loud, unified voice, the people were able to take over the meeting and have all their voices heard - loud and clear.

What an innovation and powerful tool the "People's Mic" has become in just a few months. The replayed meeting, it happened on October 25th, captured an inspiring moment and showed the power of the people when they can speak with one voice.

The "People's Mic" is the power and the freedom of speech.

Back on the live feed, I was about to catch the end of David Crosby and Graham Nash ... but not too late to hear an inspirational rendition of "Teach Your Children." It was an appropriate bookend to the meeting.

Every time I tune in to the live feeds, I am inspired by something. Today, for me, it was the realization of just how much power there is in the "People's Mic."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbmjMickJMA

The "People's Mic":
Occupy the Department of Education, 10/25/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=444Z2MilczI

David Crosby and Graham Nash at Occupy Wall Street:
"Teach Your Children," 11/08/11

Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.