Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

by **Admin** Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:02 pm

Though the inauguration of the Occupy Wall Street initiative left socialists with very little room for optimism, the demonstration ultimately proved itself capable of galvanizing a diverse plurality of discontented Americans. (There are indeed a plethora of reasons for this, but there is no reason to digress upon them at this point.) This phenomenon now presents those of us on the left with a unique opportunity — one that I do not feel we should squander on account of our criticisms, however valid they may be.

The goal is simple, in my mind. We must work towards directing the prevailing narrative towards our principles, as revolutionary socialists. In my humble opinion, the most effective way to do this will be to get involved in the more peripheral demonstrations taking place around the country. If socialists succeed in exerting ideological hegemony over such demonstrations, it can serve as means of pushing back against the opportunistic bourgeois reformist elements that have recently attempted to co opt the movement.

Let's begin a dialog about how we can effect some positive change on this movement.

by Coach Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:20 pm

Admin wrote:Though the inauguration of the Occupy Wall Street initiative left socialists with very little room for optimism, the demonstration ultimately proved itself capable of galvanizing a diverse plurality of discontented Americans. (There are indeed a plethora of reasons for this, but there is no reason to digress upon them at this point.) This phenomenon now presents those of us on the left with a unique opportunity — one that I do not feel we should squander on account of our criticisms, however valid they may be.

The goal is simple, in my mind. We must work towards directing the prevailing narrative towards our principles, as revolutionary socialists. In my humble opinion, the most effective way to do this will be to get involved in the more peripheral demonstrations taking place around the country. If socialists succeed in exerting ideological hegemony over such demonstrations, it can serve as means of pushing back against the opportunistic bourgeois reformist elements that have recently attempted to co opt the movement.

Let's begin a dialog about how we can effect some positive change on this movement.

In order to direct the prevailing narrative within this new movement's grassroots, we MUST actually be sure to independently mass mobilize OUR grassroots. I guess you could say this is could take this as a class struggle application of "demographics is destiny". I understand that the Left gets excited when they see a bunch of other leftie scenesters and union bureaucrat toadies and trendy 'progressive' student gathered in one place (as if the wildest broad Left unity fantasies are spontaneously coming true!)...but is that really the masses of the working class? Is that really the grassroots? Of course, glad to see at least SOME half-stepping mobilizations on the part of SOME major unions. But let's be real. Over 93% of U.S. workers in the private sector aren't unionized, and only a MINORITY of workers in the public sector are unionized (I think its around 40%). The Left has to stop pretending that the currently-existing organized labor movement is "the working class" (or is the only part of the working class that really counts in their Leftie eyes), when in reality is only representative of a small and usually better-off minority segment of US workers. Even if all the currently-existing unions in the USA came out in support of Occupy Wall Street, even under the best possible of leaderships, it wouldn't be enough to take this struggle where it needs to go with only their current combined memberships. It is important for revolutionary socialists to win over the segment represented by organized labor today, but that isn't the only segment of the working class we need to win, nor necessarily is it the most important segment. An overly inward focus on the currently existing unions and the Left "progressive milieu' would cause certain failure of this new Occupy movement, and certainly guarantee its eventual co-optation or destruction by the ruling class. This movement needs much more of the right people involved---and most of the right people aren't "typical protesters" and most aren't currently unionized. Lower, deeper, wider into the working class are the masses of these "right people" we need to bring into this. Without that objectively actualized, we can't change the subjective narrative substantially, and so then we're stuck talking to the dead-end loser Left and their union bureaucrat groupie buddies. What's the difference between talking to 10 of them and talking to 10000 of them? Same people, same results. It won't change in the slightest without some external motivating pressure---more like a good hard kick to their asses---from the independent working class masses below.
Only the working class masses can change the direction this movement takes. And they will only do it if mobilized and guided by a serious revolutionary proletarian leadership.

There is a great opportunity for revolutionary socialists, so long as we keep our eyes on the real prize and don't get so enamored (love-blinded) by the currently-existing misleaderships of the Occupy movement. The people we really need to focus on are outside of the Democratic Party popular front coalition and their faux-left/ 'far left' orbiters (and they are merely orbiting as satellites, so long as they don't do a damn thing to independent mobilize working class masses and guide them to struggle against the bourgeois misleaderships for decisive class hegemony within the movement). Go to the working class masses and bring real independent grassroots from there to dominate this movement and dwarf the faux-grassroots substitutes of MoveOn Democrat trendies or the union bureaucrats' mobilized hacks and wannabe bureaucrats (who else do you think today's unions principally bring out to such events?) That's how we'll find the right people in sufficient numbers to accomplish what is to be done, and to effectively deal with all of the forces that through various means will attempt to oppose our victory.

We shouldn't be sectarian about this either. Any serious ostensibly revolutionary socialists that would help in this effort should be encouraged and we should collaborate with them through applying the proletarian united front approach (which does NOT mean that we drop criticism of their centrist vacillations, or that we gloss over fundamental differences and forsake our own independent revolutionary vanguard organization efforts and fighting for a revolutionary socialist program for the sake of unprincipled compromise 'broad left' mergers with other leftists).

by **Rev Scare** Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:17 pm

Admin wrote:Though the inauguration of the Occupy Wall Street initiative left socialists with very little room for optimism, the demonstration ultimately proved itself capable of galvanizing a diverse plurality of discontented Americans. (There are indeed a plethora of reasons for this, but there is no reason to digress upon them at this point.) This phenomenon now presents those of us on the left with a unique opportunity — one that I do not feel we should squander on account of our criticisms, however valid they may be.

The goal is simple, in my mind. We must work towards directing the prevailing narrative towards our principles, as revolutionary socialists. In my humble opinion, the most effective way to do this will be to get involved in the more peripheral demonstrations taking place around the country. If socialists succeed in exerting ideological hegemony over such demonstrations, it can serve as means of pushing back against the opportunistic bourgeois reformist elements that have recently attempted to co opt the movement.

Let's begin a dialog about how we can effect some positive change on this movement.

Diffusing our message constructively is always a desirable option. As it stands, I see little practical "ground work" that we can accomplish considering the limited size of our (active and organized) membership. I would be willing to participate in progressive street demonstrations if such were actually an occurring phenomenon in my state. This is not to say that we can do nothing. The internet furnishes us with a convenient and effective medium of communication (it also tends to serve as the predominant media outlet in these circumstances in any case), and we could attempt to influence public opinion by infusing our principles and interpretations into the primary online channels of left (and even mainstream) transmission. At the very least, such activism would undoubtedly draw a degree of attention to this forum.

I would initiate the project by identifying potential websites of interest (e.g., news, blogs, social networking, forums, etc.) and then focusing upon a strategy of approach for each host. Targeting hosts that either cover the Occupy Wall Street movement, have associations with the demonstrations, or lean favorably in its direction would be most fruitful.

by Coach Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:49 am

Rev Scare wrote:Diffusing our message constructively is always a desirable option. As it stands, I see little practical "ground work" that we can accomplish considering the limited size of our (active and organized) membership. I would be willing to participate in progressive street demonstrations if such were actually an occurring phenomenon in my state. This is not to say that we can do nothing. The internet furnishes us with a convenient and effective medium of communication (it also tends to serve as the predominant media outlet in these circumstances in any case), and we could attempt to influence public opinion by infusing our principles and interpretations into the primary online channels of left (and even mainstream) transmission. At the very least, such activism would undoubtedly draw a degree of attention to this forum.

I would initiate the project by identifying potential websites of interest (e.g., news, blogs, social networking, forums, etc.) and then focusing upon a strategy of approach for each host. Targeting hosts that either cover the Occupy Wall Street movement, have associations with the demonstrations, or lean favorably in its direction would be most fruitful.

Wait. How do you think we could actually get the sufficient number we need without "on the ground" work?
Anybody can be anything online, and that shit is cheap in the real-world among the working class masses. You matter as a realistic alternative only when you are knocking on their doorstep. If the Jehovah's Witnesses have gone further and deeper into working class neighborhods then we have, we're to blame for passively allowing that result and accepting the limitations that "keep the peace". Look, if we don't break beyond the acceptable boundaries, nothing is going to change in a favorable way. The bad guys will get bold, they will be seen as more effective for ruling class interests to resolve this crisis, and they will win power to impose their agenda in the end. If not us, there will be some form of fascism, comrades. We don't have any alternative but to go to the working class masses and try. If we don't try, we might as well start tattooing concentration camp numbers upon us now, because we are dead meat in any other possible future. We are screwed if we let our foes determine the future.
Our message is not enough. There has to be roots in the working class masses, independent mass mobilization and action behind it. We have to walk the walk or we'll get no respect from the history making forces. Our practical work has to make the message ring true with the masses, and give them enough confidence to break outside the "safe" conformist box and revolt. What we do proves or disproves what we say.

by Isakenaz Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:19 am

Rev Scare wrote:
I see little practical "ground work" that we can accomplish considering the limited size of our (active and organized) membership.

As the forum stands at the moment I agree, however, if we focus all our efforts on an internet presence we will have a long wait before the numbers of "active and organized" members grow via the forum to any level capable of making a difference on the street, most of our 'membership' can't even agree on a unified approach. We all subscribe to left-wing nationalism, but ideas on just what left-wing nationalism is varies depending upon who you ask.

Also we have to be aware that the very people we are attempting to reach with our message are the people who have limited access to the net, whether due to their economic situation or limited educational ability (Yes there are still many who have no access to computers).

Outside of this cyber-bubble we inhabit, the world is changing. New ideas are being considered. We have to take care that we don't 'miss the boat' due to a very narrow focus of effect, becoming nothing more than a missed page in the history of worker struggles.

As Coach puts it so succinctly, "What we do proves or disproves what we say", or to put it another way, "actions speak louder than words".

by Coach Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:38 am

Revleft seems to be de-radicalizing actually, due to pressure to tail and conform to the currently existing misleaderships in and around the Occupy movement. Check out their thread, "Will the Democratic Party Co-Opt the Occupy Movement?" RevLefters are saying they think this will likely turn into social-democratic political party. They might as well be saying "Ooh, ooh, I can haz Leftie-liberal bureaucrat/politician career too?"
Makes me sick! They should change their forum's name to ReformLeft.org if they let their social-democrat reformist cheerleader camp remain.

by **Admin** Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:30 am

Rev Scare wrote:Diffusing our message constructively is always a desirable option. As it stands, I see little practical "ground work" that we can accomplish considering the limited size of our (active and organized) membership. I would be willing to participate in progressive street demonstrations if such were actually an occurring phenomenon in my state. This is not to say that we can do nothing. The internet furnishes us with a convenient and effective medium of communication (it also tends to serve as the predominant media outlet in these circumstances in any case), and we could attempt to influence public opinion by infusing our principles and interpretations into the primary online channels of left (and even mainstream) transmission. At the very least, such activism would undoubtedly draw a degree of attention to this forum.

I would initiate the project by identifying potential websites of interest (e.g., news, blogs, social networking, forums, etc.) and then focusing upon a strategy of approach for each host. Targeting hosts that either cover the Occupy Wall Street movement, have associations with the demonstrations, or lean favorably in its direction would be most fruitful.

Interesting suggestions. I would imagine that, even without a sufficient number of revolutionary socialists involved in the demonstrations taking place, the presence of just one or two of our comrades at a given 'occupation' could make a difference. It could be as simple as disseminating our views to fellow demonstrators, putting up radical flyers (perhaps even posters that will direct individuals to our forum), etc. There is also the possibility of taking advantage of whatever media presence may be involved. (Again, the usefulness of such suggestions is largely contingent upon the size and character of the demonstration in question.)

Some of us are in the process of considering the appropriate demonstration(s) to participate in. I would encourage all comrades here to explore the logistics involved in such an initiative and apply it to your circumstances.

Having said that, there is also much work that can be done via the internet. Designing posters, networking with demonstrators, etc. are all worthwhile endeavors that are fully supported.

by **Rev Scare** Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:48 am

Admin wrote:Interesting suggestions. I would imagine that, even without a sufficient number of revolutionary socialists involved in the demonstrations taking place, the presence of just one or two of our comrades at a given 'occupation' could make a difference. It could be as simple as disseminating our views to fellow demonstrators, putting up radical flyers (perhaps even posters that will direct individuals to our forum), etc. There is also the possibility of taking advantage of whatever media presence may be involved. (Again, the usefulness of such suggestions is largely contingent upon the size and character of the demonstration in question.)

Some of us are in the process of considering the appropriate demonstration(s) to participate in. I would encourage all comrades here to explore the logistics involved in such an initiative and apply it to your circumstances.

Having said that, there is also much work that can be done via the internet. Designing posters, networking with demonstrators, etc. are all worthwhile endeavors that are fully supported.

I agree that it does not require a large presence to effect positive change, and I would encourage our comrades who have ability to attend the demonstrations to do so and to inject our ideology. As I have stated, I do believe that disseminating our message constructively is always desirable. Little practical groundwork can be accomplished at this time, in my view, but it may bear some fruit if those who have access made attempts regardless. Less expansive demonstrations will most likely prove to be easier to influence.

For my part, I will continue to explore internet options due to the lack of any true protests in my highly conservative state, and I await the promotional material that I will distribute across the city—whose creation I presume remains a dedicated project.

by Coach Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:41 am

I see all around the US Left a focus on other OWS demonstrators (those already present). Um, who are these OWS demonstrators?
1. Bourgeois elements and their representatives.
2. Union bureaucrats and their pro-bureaucrat hacks.
3. Harmless hippies and new age religion snake-oil salesmen.
4. Against everything anarcho-idiots (like to shock people and indulge in a little vandalism and anti-cop martyrdom squabbles no and then, but are harmless to the system)
5. Ron Paul rejects. Somebody on the Right forgot to send them the memo.
6. The "broad Left unity" reformist brigade and their trendy student camp-followers.
7. The "what planet are you from" far-left losers that suck so bad, they actually are orbiting and trying to vulture off of the 'broad Left' types who are orbiting the Dems and union bosses like lost puppies.
8. Occasional independent working class elements (usually from the better-off layers) who came seeking and hoping for "change" from this Leftie dead-end business-as-usual bunch (i.e., these are people who still believe in the possibility that you can rely on the same left wing of the bourgeois political monopoly to make things 'better').

In other words, if you just go to an OWS event, pretty much anywhere in the US, you will be stuck talking with all the wrong people, and they don't want to hear what you'd have to say anyways. It's sorta like if you were going out to a nightclub looking for female intimate companionship, but it's "gay men's fantasy football night" at this club, and the place is a wall-to-wall sausagefest with not one female hanging around. You went to the wrong place among the wrong people to get the results you were looking for, in this metaphorical example, so of course you will not succeed there.

It matters that we go to the right places among the right people to get the results we're seeking. And just to point out how the OWS crowd is not made up of the right people, ask yourself if ANY of them are urging the mass mobilizing of the working class and oppressed in THEIR neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and public social hangouts? Oh no, they wanna hang out in their own little predictably incestuous and harmless Leftie-fest crowd instead. Going to the real masses and mobilizing them is not on ANY of their agendas, unless it is to 'rock the vote' for Dems in 2012 (this is what the co-opting Dems are really looking for out of the OWS movement). The far Left sects are all MERELY calling for more union bureaucrats to give the approving nod to the OWS..oh wow, that's not exactly like pulling their teeth out, and that will only give the Dems more control of the movement. It makes me sick how these fake-socialists are willing to get down on their knees and blow any bureaucrat that pulls his zipper down, just to get an approving nod that DOESN'T CHALLANGE SHIT. The way they talk, you'd think Trumka had a halo floating over his head now or something. And the few far Leftists that do call out the union bureaucrats and Dems don't dare drawn immediate actionable conclusions from that...they think they can't do anything but sell their sects' warez at the OWS demos, like they always do at events. NOBODY IS GOING TO THE WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS!

By the way, it seems that Mayor Bloomberg is kicking out the OWS park crowd for "cleaning". Do you really think they will be allowed back into the park afterwards? Remember, technically, that park they've been occupying is 'private property'. My bet is that Bloomberg forces them to protest elsewhere (probably farther away and outta public sight) after he gets their misleaders to shepherd the OWS crowd out of the park for "cleaning".

by **Admin** Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:06 pm

Those are all valid criticisms, Coach. You will find that I argue much of the same in my contributions to the "Why the 'Occupy Wall Street' Initiative Is Failing" thread. However, as you know, the growing popularity of the movement has consequently diversified the demographics involved in the demonstrations themselves — both negatively and positively.

Now, I am not arguing that a majority or even a plurality of the individuals participating in these demonstrations are the sort of people we can expect to support revolutionary socialism. Nevertheless, I feel that it is incumbent upon us to take advantage of the situation in a capacity that helps to advance our narrative, in the hope that it resonates with the minority of demonstrators that may actually find them appealing. (Drawing attention to our principles in such a manner is a good thing, in my opinion.)

by Coach Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:46 pm

Admin wrote:Those are all valid criticisms, Coach. You will find that I argue much of the same in my contributions to the "Why the 'Occupy Wall Street' Initiative Is Failing" thread. However, as you know, the growing popularity of the movement has consequently diversified the demographics involved in the demonstrations themselves — both negatively and positively.

Now, I am not arguing that a majority or even a plurality of the individuals participating in these demonstrations are the sort of people we can expect to support revolutionary socialism. Nevertheless, I feel that it is incumbent upon us to take advantage of the situation in a capacity that helps to advance our narrative, in the hope that it resonates with the minority of demonstrators that may actually find them appealing. (Drawing attention to our principles in such a manner is a good thing, in my opinion.)

What I'm saying is that "99%" (pun intended) of the crowd increases are being brought from the various misleaders' "known quantity" base. Basically, same people from the same classes and layers that always get mobilized into politics by misleaders and enemy politicians. They know THEIR people.
They know they can count on THEIR people. It's no accident who they choose to bring into politics. All you gotta do is look at all the pictures you can find of these OWS demos (not just the ones in NYC, but others too)...you will see who is being brought out, and who isn't. For instance, the Left wll go ga-ga because they see minorities in these demos. Uh, but from which class and layers are these involved minorities from, though? Minorities in the USA aren't a monolith bunch of propertyless hopeless poor people anymore. Even the ones who are genuinely poorer working class are being brought under the auspices of misleaderships for a reason---they are loyal and dependent upon the misleaders (particularly the churchie types ,or the bourgeois and petty bourgeois minority-group bureaucrat types, or the public sector union bureacrats).

What I'm saying is that we can't counter the misleaders or even effectively influence any of these people from a position of weakness within THEIR crowd. The far Left feels this weakness, but is too defeatist and incompetent and afraid to do anything else than what has been their routine for decades, and thus just hope that they can win a couple recruits out of it and sell some of their warez. Unfortunately I feel like this small fry far Left outlook is shared among folks here at SP too.

The only way to make our mark decisively is to bring independent "unknown quantities" from the working class masses who aren't supposed to get involved in politics, and bring them in ways that they are not supposed to mobilize and act politically. I mentioned middle and high school students elsewhere on this forum as an example. It's totally taboo in America to bring mobilized masses of independent working class youth into a political fight to challenge the system. What are some other political taboos that we'll have to break in order to go to and mobilize the right people and shift the balance of this struggle?

To influence the OWS crowds, we have to come to them from a position of strength, with our own powerful bold unique example, and that will require bringing into the crowds all those folks we can who weren't supposed to be there and who are ignored by the OWS misleaderships, for all the reasons they're not supposed to actually fight for. Our foes pack the OWS crowd with their people, and we have to pack the crowd with our people.

In NYC, Bloomberg is demanding that they be removed from the OWS park for "cleaning". Who doesn't see what will happen afterwards if they leave the park? There are RevLefters right now that are begging OWS folks NOT to resist! Do you understand this?

by **Admin** Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:53 am

Coach wrote:What I'm saying is that "99%" (pun intended) of the crowd increases are being brought from the various misleaders' "known quantity" base. Basically, same people from the same classes and layers that always get mobilized into politics by misleaders and enemy politicians. They know THEIR people.

Well, that may be an exaggeration, but there is no point in debating the figures. I already accept the fact that the movement is being co-opted by such bourgeois interests. My point is that there are indeed an amount — however insignificant it may be — of ordinary working people that have also been drawn into this movement and socialists need to initiate the process of reaching out to those particular demographics. (At the very least, it would serve to prevent them from supporting the misleaders you speak of.)

What I'm saying is that we can't counter the misleaders or even effectively influence any of these people from a position of weakness within THEIR crowd. The far Left feels this weakness, but is too defeatist and incompetent and afraid to do anything else than what has been their routine for decades, and thus just hope that they can win a couple recruits out of it and sell some of their warez. Unfortunately I feel like this small fry far Left outlook is shared among folks here at SP too.

The fate of the 'Occupy Wall Street' initiative itself is of no consequence to me as a socialist, as it never met the criteria of a genuine revolutionary effort. (As such, countering the forces manipulating this movement is irrelevant.) All I am hoping to do is exploit the opportunity afforded to us, in order to promote our views.

In other words, this is not about aiding the 'Occupy Together' in securing their inadequate objectives, but rather working to undermine the (flawed) basis of the movement via radical subversion.

To influence the OWS crowds, we have to come to them from a position of strength, with our own powerful bold unique example, and that will require bringing into the crowds all those folks we can who weren't supposed to be there and who are ignored by the OWS misleaderships, for all the reasons they're not supposed to actually fight for. Our foes pack the OWS crowd with their people, and we have to pack the crowd with our people.

Well, that is one way in which to handle the situation. My ambitions, however, are far more humble. Bearing in mind that we are coming from a position of relative weakness, I feel that the most effective campaign we could launch would be based upon the dissemination of various materials that articulate our concerns, criticisms, and demands.

Most of us are well acquainted with controversy and this is something that could quickly draw in attention to our perspective.

In NYC, Bloomberg is demanding that they be removed from the OWS park for "cleaning". Who doesn't see what will happen afterwards if they leave the park? There are RevLefters right now that are begging OWS folks NOT to resist! Do you understand this?

Again, that's of no consequence. RevLeft may indulge in the same sort of fantasies the social democrats do when it comes to these sorts of demonstrations. Our goal, on the other hand, should be to promote the syndicalist tradition of revolution among those who were drawn into the OWS movement with pure intentions and serious ambitions.

by Coach Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:27 am

Well, if you are going to spend time with the current OWS people, the least you can do is bring up the best examples from OWS-type protests that are occurring in other countries. Today, October 15th, in countries all over Europe, in Asia (Japan, Phillipines, for example), in Australia, in Canada, even in Africa, OWS-type protest movements will hold events. The chances that their actions and messages will at least be, shall we say, improvements compared to the US and UK OWS-type protest movements, are pretty good. You can at least urge the US and UK protestors to be as bold as the OWS-types in other countries are, and encourage them to specifically embrace more advanced politics such that fellow OWSers in other countries are taking up.

Besides, this definitely will give you a slightly better edge when leaning on the cosmo 'oh-so-internationalist' Left. When you catch them chickening out and vacillating and merely tailing the dominant reformist misleaderships, remind them of how much more and how much further OWSers in other nations' movements have gone already.

by Isakenaz Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:08 am

'Occupy' protests at financial crisis go worldwide

Protests against alleged corporate greed and government cutbacks have been held around the world's cities.

In Rome, scene of one of the biggest rallies, riot police charged protesters after several cars were set alight and militants vandalised property.

Inspired by the Occupy Wall St movement and Spain's "Indignants", demonstrators turned out from Asia to Europe.

Organisers expect rallies in 82 countries, with the action due to come full circle in New York.

They said on their website that the aim was to "initiate the global change we want".

"United in one voice, we will let politicians, and the financial elites they serve, know it is up to us, the people, to decide our future," it said.

Slogans painted in the Spanish capital Madrid are full of anger at politicians accused of serving the banks, not the people, and frustration over an economic crisis which has hit the poor and the young very hard, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports.

Masked militants

Police in Rome used water cannon and tear gas against several hundred protesters after bottles were reportedly thrown at them.

Television pictures from the city have shown streets packed with protesters, waving banners, close to the Colosseum.

Witnesses blamed attacks on cars and businesses on a small number of masked militants, dubbed the "black blocs" because of the colour of their clothes.

Among the militants' targets were said to be offices of the Italian defence ministry and a labour agency. At least one bank was attacked.

There was a message of support for the global day of protest from the chief of the Bank of Italy, Mario Draghi, who is set to take over as head of the European Central Bank (ECB) next month.

"Young people are right to be indignant," he was quoted by Italian media as saying in informal comments at the G20 summit in Paris.

"They're angry against the world of finance. I understand them... We adults are angry about the crisis. Can you imagine people who are in their twenties or thirties?"

Outside the ECB itself in Frankfurt, Germany, hundreds of people gathered to protest on Saturday.

At least 1,000 people demonstrated in London's financial district but were prevented by police from reaching the Stock Exchange.

In Dublin, about 400 people marched to a hotel where an EU/IMF/ECB delegation involved in the country's ongoing financial bailout is staying, the Irish Times reports.

Madrid, where protests over the global crisis first began in May when hundreds took over the city's Puerta del Sol square, is to see its main demonstrations on Saturday evening, with all-night events planned.

Most of Saturday's rallies have been small, with traffic barely disrupted.

Hundreds of people marched in New Zealand cities while in Sydney, Australia, some 2,000 people - including representatives of Aboriginal groups, communists and trade unionists - rallied outside the central Reserve Bank of Australia.

"Occupy" protests were also been held in South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

It remains to be seen if any of the demonstrations turn into protest camps, such as Occupy Wall Street, which began with a small group of activists in New York's financial district a couple of months ago and has now grown to include several thousand people at times, from many walks of life.

Observers say that, while the original protesters in Spain had concrete demands such as seeking a cut in working hours to tackle unemployment, many "Occupy" protesters are vague in their demands. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15319924

It's a beginning, shame there was no one there to begin, "dissemination of various materials that articulate our concerns, criticisms, and demands", but then I guess we missed the bus again.

by Isakenaz Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:00 pm

http://rt.com/news/world-ows-movement-rally-935/

by Isakenaz Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:07 pm

Violence In Rome As Wall St Protests Spread

Violence has flared in Rome as protests against corporate greed and austerity measures spread to cities around the world.

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which started in New York, has sparked similar demonstrations in cities across the globe.

In Italy's capital up to 200,000 protesters took to the streets.

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons after shop windows were smashed and cars set on fire in isolated incidents.

In London, supporters of the Occupy London Stock Exchange (OccupyLSX) group held a rally outside St Paul's Cathedral.

Around 3,000 people gathered in the capital as part of the worldwide demonstrations.

Part of a "global movement for real democracy" to highlight social and economic injustice , protesters marched in the city's financial centre.

Police cordoned off Paternoster Square, where the Stock Exchange is located, as several hundred activists tried to march in.

Outside St Paul's, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was one of several people who addressed the crowd.

"What is happening here today is a combination of dreams from many people all over the world," he said.

Previously, protests in London have turned into cat-and-mouse-type chases with demonstrators and police officers around the streets.

On Saturday though, the vast majority took part in debates discussing solutions to the economic crisis.

Protester James Meadway told Sky News: "This is about a democracy that is coming from the bottom up.

"We have drawn great inspiration from the Wall Street demos and this shows it can happen here too."

There were scuffles with police officers around the edges of the demonstration but nothing compared to the violence that broke out at protests in Rome.

The Facebook page of OccupyLSX has more than 13,000 followers, with more than 5,000 confirmed attendees.

In a statement the group said: "The words corporate greed ring through the speeches and banners of protests across the globe.

"After huge bailouts and in the face of unemployment, privatisation and austerity, we still see profits for the rich on the increase."

In Europe, the movement joined up with anti-austerity protests that have raged for months across the continent.

In Frankfurt, some 5,000 people took to the streets to protest in front of the European Central Bank.

Hundreds marched through the Bosnian city of Sarajevo carrying pictures of Che Guevara and old communist flags that read "Death to capitalism, freedom to the people".

Hundreds of people also joined peaceful protests in Sydney, Tokyo, Manila, Hong Kong and Seoul. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/wall-street-protests-spread-city-london-030408843.html

by Coach Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:17 pm

Just read word that somebody started an Occupy the Bronx effort, (i.e., in more working class neighborhoods). Finally!!!!

On the other hand, Occupy Detroit is run by the Dem machine and their bureaucrat hacks, such that it seems they've kicked out anyone they feel doesn't have a real place in THEIR movement. In other words, they expelled any far Leftist "outside agitators".

Oh, and guess who showed up to Occupy events in Arizona? The NSM and their "Arizona Border Guard' showed up armed and wearing combat fatigue.
I still haven't gotten clear on the details about whether the Nazis came to counterprotest, or if it was an attempt to join the OWS type movement.
What I do know is that liberals couldn't really figure out what to make of it, or what to do.

PS. I found a thread on Stormfront by the leader of Arizona Border Guard (I guess they actually call themselves "U.S. Border Guard") and NSM, "JT Ready", where he is describing their reason for showing up at the Occupy Pheonix demo:

The U.S. Border Guard deployed an urban combat trained security squad to the Occupy Phoenix rally today as armed peace keepers and legal observers. Border Rangers who patrol the border took a non-political stance to defend peaceful assembly and free speech of all citizens by exercising our right to keep and bear arms. Phoenix Police units were on scene also keeping the peace. Our founding fathers and founding mothers knew full well that the 2nd Amendment is what protects all our other amendments from tyranny. The U.S.B.G. protected the rights of all parties involved.

by Isakenaz Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:31 am

City Showdown: Protesters Face Bankers

Hundreds of protesters camped out in London have entered a third day of demonstrations as the City's finance workers returned to their offices.

The Occupy London movement established the camp on Saturday and tried to force their way into the London Stock Exchange.

Lines of police officers prevented them from entering the area around the Exchange so the protest camp sprang up outside St Paul's Cathedral .

All weekend more and more tents have been erected on the pavements around the landmark.

The tented village has evolved into a well-organised community, with a food station, first-aid corner, portable toilets, structured meetings and even litter-pickers making sure the camp remains tidy.

Initially, the Metropolitan Police had said it would be "disrespectful" for them to stay outside St Paul's but the impromptu community was delighted to receive the blessing of cathedral staff.

Among the crowds was Sasha Sethi, 33, who until this summer had worked in investment banking.

He told Sky News: "I think it is fantastic to see a non-apathetic youth here. It's too fragmented though. There are too many voices. They need to focus on some firm intellectual ideas."

Demonstrators told Sky News they hoped there would be no confrontation with bankers returning to the Stock Exchange and other financial institutions nearby.

Mr Sethi said he believed many of his former colleagues would sympathise with the worldwide protests.

"Bankers are a mixed bunch," he said. "I think a lot of them in their hearts will agree with it."

Demonstrations took place around the world this weekend, inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/city-showdown-protesters-face-bankers-010051630.html

"Mr Sethi said he believed many of his former colleagues would sympathise with the worldwide protests. "Bankers are a mixed bunch," he said. "I think a lot of them in their hearts will agree with it."

Hooray for the 'caring' bankers, it's so nice to know where their sypathies rest. It's early days yet. but it won't be long, I guess, before the true colour of these 'anti-capitalist' protests will be revealed.

The next step, hopefully, in Britain needs to be a spread to the more working-class areas of other British cities.

by **Celtiberian** Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:50 am

Michael Albert discusses Occupy Wall Street and its potential:

by Sponsored content

Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement

Re: Radicalizing the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Together Movement