Solidarity and Unity for Occupy Movement

By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News

11 December 11

e find ourselves at a turning point in the Occupy Movement. Progressives, liberals, populists, labor activists, peace activists, environmentalists ... all now have the country's attention. We have a golden opportunity to unite and build a future that we've all been fighting for over the years. Our biggest obstacle is not the corporations or the government - it is ourselves.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves once again fighting each other. If we can't get along with our natural allies then how we will we ever build the true majority we need to change our world and build a just, sustainable society?

It is understandable that the Occupiers become skeptical when they see established organizations adopting their message. It is sometimes difficult to watch others capitalize on your efforts. But Occupiers shouldn't look at it that way. Rather, they should be rejoicing that they've changed the political dialogue. "Occupy" has become the rallying cry of this generation. We are all united under the tent of the "99%."

Over the last two weeks I've spent embedded in the Occupy movement I have seen old divisions coming to the surface. The Occupy movement, with good reason, does not want to work within a corrupt system that created the inequality now plaguing our society. They have good reason to be skeptical of groups that participate in that system. But to become a mass movement, Occupy cannot become exclusive. We must build a big tent that includes everyone who shares similar goals.

The divisions in the movement became all-too visible this past week in Washington during the Service Employees International Union's "Take Back the Capital" event. At the same time, it was an important step toward putting the differences aside and working together.

Washington, DC has two permanent camps: one inspired by Occupy Wall Street that came together spontaneously; and the other which was organized by existing peace organizations. At first glance one wonders ... if they can't come together here, how are we going to unite the masses? The reality, however, is that two camps with similar goals but different tactics is, in fact, an asset. When they come together it is powerful to see young anarchists marching with graying Vietnam veterans, both with a united message. Still, it is probably better that they organize with people that share their tactical ideas.

This brings us to the unions.

Many in the Occupy movement want nothing to do with the Democratic Party or anyone that works within the system. That describes organized labor. The Occupiers' concerns are valid, but to reject people who share the ultimate goals of the movement will be damaging in the long run. Unions have resources and experience that the Occupiers desperately need. The Occupy movement has energy and a new innovative model of organizing that the Unions need to become relevant again. The Union movement was built to represent working people. And working people are the 99%.

For the last 30 years the Right has won the propaganda war. The Left has not adapted to new realities and still uses the same terminology that the Right has effectively demonized. The Occupy movement is reversing that trend, the "99%" message is resonating with the American people. It is that success that has drawn established groups to the message.

The Occupiers should be proud of their success and celebrate the use of their terms by affinity organizations. While it is justified to be vigilant in keeping the Occupy movement from being co-opted, we must remember that the Occupiers are not the only ones fighting corporate greed. The Unions will be backing Obama next November, and Occupy does not have to work with them on that campaign. But when Unions march on Wall Street to fight corporate greed, Occupy should be there. When Occupy targets a bank, the Unions should be there.

Like the cooperation between the two encampments, we need to come together whenever possible and present a united front. This movement is too important to let our differences keep us divided.

Progress was made this weekend at a third encampment - one that was set up by SEIU for the week. The Union brought in members and Occupiers from around the nation and a dialogue was established. There was a presentation to the Unions by Occupiers on the history and methods of the Occupy model, followed by a discussion between Union members and Occupiers on how they can work together.

Lisa Fithian, a long-time organizer who has been involved in both the Labor and Occupy movements, reminded us that in Seattle Unions, anarchists, religious groups and direct-action groups came together and shut down the WTO. They did not agree on tactics, but they agreed to not police each other and allow each to bring their own contribution to the actions. If you remember, by the end, the Unions were in the streets standing up to the police with the direct-action groups.

The other night I watched the crowd gather in Dewey Square in Boston to defend the encampment there. At one point the crowd was singing "Solidarity Forever." It was clear that members of the Labor movement were there to stand with the Occupiers. That is the kind of unity that will lead us to victory.

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.

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