I'm quite surprised that no one has posted anything about these protests or this movement. This isn't only happening in NYC, but in many other major cities. Even smaller cities are catching on. Is there any interest on this forum surrounding this movement and these protests?
Hello, I am thrilled to see this thread. I think allot of us are with the occupy wall street movement. It's just, my toddlers don't have the temperment needed to occupy anywhere for long. I am excited and willing to be to help. What do you suggest?
I understand about toddlers not having the temperament to occupy anything for very long. LOL! I'lm going to link to some things you can do from home. There's a Facebook campaign to collect blankets and coats for the demonstrators.
Here is a list of 11 things you can do to help.
Here's Keith Oberman's coverage and his reading of the first collective statement of Occupy Wall Street.
Here's a live feed of Occupy Wall Street from Global Revolution, which provides "live streaming video coverage from independent journalists on the ground at nonviolent protests around the world." They also have ideas on what you can do.
This Saturday, October 15th is a Global Day of Action in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. We're meeting at the Round House, the state capitol, here in Santa Fe on Saturday to talk about issues of importance to our state. In New Mexico we have the highest rate of food insecurity in the country, a rate higher than Latin America. Hunger in New Mexico, as elsewhere, disproportionately affects children and the elderly. I hope that we'll be talking about hunger on Saturday. I don't currently have any toddlers so I'll be able to go. 
I'm going to ask Melanie, our web editor, to feature this thread on the homepage so we can let others know about it.
I am glad to see this thread!
Is anyone planning to attend an event tomorrow? I want to but I can only go if I take my 2 year old with me and I'm not sure I want to do that. I've participated in protests pre-baby so I know they are safe but I'm worried about my kid seeing people yell and that it will upset him. Would love to hear what others think.
We took a chance and took our toddlers to the Ocuppy protest in Binghamton today. They were great for two whole hours!TODAY people all over the world are saying Awaken~Unite! It is time to stop wringing our hands in despair, and demand accountability. Corporations have the rights of people but are allowed to operate without conscience.
I find their agenda interesting. Yet it lacks something. Just like the tea party. It reminds me of the Underpants gnomes. 1. Steal underpants 2. _________________ 3. Profit.
I've read into a lot of what is going on and have spoken with DH about it. While I'm pleased they are for the most part not being bullied, after they carry their signs... then what?
I tend to read a bit of stuff from these guys.
David Ike
Peter Joseph
I've heard they are getting a bit involved but is it enough?
I've been watching with great interest from 'up north'... I'm glad that people are getting together, talking, and remaining passionate. I think the organization will come... and the more people talk to each other and critically examine what has been happening in troublesome areas such as government policy, the more it will become clear that the seemingly diverse problems and 'demands' coming up are more symptoms of needed *systemic change* rather than splintering interests.
I attended an event in support of Occupy Wall Street today, and it was interesting to hear the various speakers that came out - the issues they brought up were SO diverse, and yet they were committed in a way that I hadn't seen before to work together to find out what is common between them so that they can help each other. The more people identify what common change is needed, the better for us all.
It's all too common for people to hear a blip on the news about some radical dissenters yelling in the streets... and then just go on with their day. I admit I was excited, but dismissive at first... If the only thing accomplished at this point is that people are actually talking about these things, then I think the protesters in the US have achieved something valuable.
I was at the Occupy GSO NC yesterday. Not a huge turnout, around 600 but it was a start.
I live in an area where the median HS yearly income is less than $40,000 and the average Ceo makes $11,000,000 I figured I had to stand up and say something:)
Good luck!
I'm really interesred in this movement. I feel really frustrated and too trapped in my life though to get down there to help and just be present. With 5 kids, being single, and a full time student I am just really overwhelmed. I know there would be a lot more support if so many of us weren't holding on by a thread already. I have nothing left to give.
Wow, mamamoo, I hear what you're saying and don't expect anything more from yourself. You're doing enough already. Please post on the Holiday Helper when it gets up and running. I think your situation is a perfect example of what Occupy Wall Street is all about. In pretty much every other industrialized country you would be entitled to financial help and family leave. It's not a hand out when we use our tax dollars to help people raising children. It's the sign of an enlightened society and an investment in the future.
Regarding demonstrating with children. I think you find your own way. We had a lively Your Letters conversation about this in Mothering Mag and some writers were vehement that exposing their children to social action helped them to grow up to be social activists. Others felt that their children were too young to be exposed to politics and for others, the age of their children made it impossible. Also know you can support the effort without being there by sending blankets, socks, donations. See my post above.
And, yes this is enough. It is people crying out for a just and equitable society. The press tends to try to minimize the movement by saying there isn't a message, but there is. Check out these photos of demonstrations around the world yesterday.
@La Limena...
It sounds like you feel a bit personally attacked with what's going on given your family's financial situation. I'm sorry for that and I can see how it would be alienating...
I wonder if some of the distaste you feel for the protests has to do with the way they are portrayed in the media?
I've seen a fair bit of American news coverage of the Occupy protests, and in my opinion it's portrayed quite differently from the way I've seen it portrayed on other news networks (from Canada, the UK, the Middle East and other areas of Europe). I think there is a lot of focus on the demonization of people who have higher incomes - when really from what I've read elsewhere the movement is more about the potential for change within the economic system. A lot of the issues at hand are about failed economic policy: not that people who work hard don’t deserve success.
Again, from what I’ve read elsewhere (outside of mainstream US media), the Occupy movement (when it is articulated well) is less about the redistribution of wealth than it is about ensuring a fair chance for people to benefit from their hard work. This seems to be where problems start... people beginning from a sincerely disadvantaged place simply do not have the equality of opportunity that is supposed to be a cornerstone of a just society.
Even if one starts from the same place as most others, if one has worked hard in school and made generally good choices in life, it should follow (again, on this supposed just society) that one has a relatively stable income, housing, medical care etc. It is alright to benefit from your hard work! *But the problem seems to be is that, to an increasing and alarming level, this no longer happens*
It doesn’t happen because of the system within which people are trying to function - and the change that people are calling for is for that system to reflect the values of justice and equity that democratic countries pride themselves on.
I’m behind that.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what this protest is about. There are a variety of issues, but the main concern seems to be requiring our government to hold these corporations accountable for their actions. There are CEO's in these companies being given MILLION dollar bonuses while they take HANDOUTS from the government, off the tables of our HARD working people. They move our jobs overseas, they don't pay taxes, they don't offer health benefits, or living wages. MOST of the people protesting are hard working people. MOST of US do not want handouts...we want FAIR wages, LIVING wages, and benefits. We want to be compensated for being the backbone that keep these corps up and running. We want to be appreciated. We want to close the gap. There should be accountability for what they are doing to our environment and our economy. It's so odd to me that the very people that complain about people wanting handouts and welfare don't blink an eye at the corporate greed, welfare (subsidies), and tax loopholes that by far outweigh the amount that individuals are using. I think there is a lot of education about the movement that needs to happen on both sides of the equation here. Don't worry though. I won't be taking any handouts from people here via the holiday helper thread, I get enough help through financial aid so I can go to school to get my family on track. Just so you know, I didn't have 5 kids intending for my husband to leave. I was a stay at home mom for a long, long time. Unfortunately sometimes life happens, pregnancies can surprise you, husbands can leave, whole lives can change overnight. But you know, and God knows I deserve what I got in life since I had "too many kids". I hope your life never throws you a hard ball like that.
I have removed a couple of non-supportive posts. Since this thread was started in Activism, posts are supposed to be support only. If you would like to debate the matter, please feel free to start a thread in News & Current Events. If you would like support for your view, you can feel free to start another thread in Activism.
If there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to PM me.
Life does happen and bad things do happen to good people. I think I missed some of these deleted posts, but don't think anyone should feel ashamed if they need help. One of the traits of a healthy family is the ability to ask for help. And, one of the traits of a healthy society is that it takes care of its most vulnerable members. I wrote a blog about what I think Occupy Wall Street is about; I think it's about a just and equitable society. We're all in this together and we don't have to blame others to create a more equitable society, but we do have to identify and remedy injustices.
What do you all think would be the qualities of a just and equitable society?
There is also a Parents for OWS group. FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/159111290848687/
They are planning a family sleep over in NYC. Seems CNN will be covering it and Dan Zanes (woot woot) will be performing.
They are also discussing how parents can participate in the GAs as a working group.
Pretty interesting and exciting stuff!
I imagine a Utopia.
Life does happen and bad things do happen to good people. I think I missed some of these deleted posts, but don't think anyone should feel ashamed if they need help. One of the traits of a healthy family is the ability to ask for help. And, one of the traits of a healthy society is that it takes care of its most vulnerable members. I wrote a blog about what I think Occupy Wall Street is about; I think it's about a just and equitable society. We're all in this together and we don't have to blame others to create a more equitable society, but we do have to identify and remedy injustices.
What do you all think would be the qualities of a just and equitable society?
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