UNIONS:
AFL-CIO (AFSCME)
United NY
Strong Economy for All Coalition
Working Families Party
TWU Local 100
SEIU 1199
CWA 1109
RWDSU
Communications Workers of America
CWA Local 1180
United Auto Workers
United Federation of Teachers
Professional Staff Congress - CUNY
National Nurses United
Writers Guild East
32BJ SEIU
United Steel Workers
Communication Workers of America 1109
Labors International Union of North America
COMMUNITY AND ACTIVIST GROUPS:
VOCAL-NY
Community Voices Heard
Alliance for Quality Education
New York Communities for Change
Coalition for the Homeless
Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP)
The Job Party
NYC Coalition for Educational Justice
The Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center
The New Deal for New York Campaign
National People's Action
ALIGN
Human Services Council
Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State
Citizen Action of NY
MoveOn.org
Common Cause NY
New Bottom Line
350.org
Tenants & Neighbors
Democracy for NYC
Resource Generation
Tenants PAC
Teachers Unite
Working Families Party
Make the Road New York
United New York and Strong Economy for All
Democracy for New York City
I like the way you've organized this. It's helpful.
ReplyDeleteThere are differences between the OWS protests and those of the 60s. 60s protests weren't economic in nature, they engendered working-class resentment and "get a job" was a fairly effective jibe.
ReplyDeleteBut here's an important similarity--despair over the political system. I was as hopeful as anyone in 2008 when Barack Obama was elected. But, I was there in the 60s, and so there was this little thought in the back of my mind: "he better deliver."
When Bush was in office, every day was a giant step backward. But he was a Republican, and Republicans pride themselves on their regressive policies. It just seemed clear in 2008 that we had to get rid of Bush and replace him with a progressive.
Well, we did that. And, there were a couple of watered-down reforms. But there was so much else that was weak, even reactionary. And that's where we are today, as in the 60s: the Republicans won't, and the Democrats won't or can't. So, the alternatives are submission or the streets.
Keep it going, Taryn; good work. FYI:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution
The NYPD have not only created public sympathy, but they have also increased solidarity among and within the group. They're on to something, and it's proof positive that angry indignation is not the sole province of the Tea Baggers. This is, instead, *lefteous* indignation.
Also this post http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/09/matt-stoller-occupywallstreet-is-a-church-of-dissent-not-a-protest.html sums it up really well:
"What these people are doing is building, for lack of a better word, a church of dissent. It’s not a march, though marches are spinning off of the campground. It’s not even a protest, really. It is a group of people, gathered together, to create a public space seeking meaning in their culture. They are asserting, together, to each other and to themselves, “we matter”.
Meaning is a fundamental human need. The act of politicization, of building any movement, is based on individual, and then group self-confidence. As Daniel Ellsberg said, “courage is contagious”. I’m reminded of how Howard Dean campaign worker and current law professor Zephyr Teachout characterized the early antiwar blogosphere and then-radical campaign of Dean, as church-like in their community-building elements. That’s what #OccupyWallStreet reminded me of. Even the general assemblies, where people would speak, and others would respond, had a rhythmic quality to them, similar to churches or synagogues I’ve attended."
"Meaning is a fundamental human need." I'd never thought of that, but it sounds true. Nice point.
ReplyDeleteAs for the protests from the political establishment's POV, I'm with George Carlin on this--they want us obedient, knowing only enough to do our jobs and vote occasionally. Our rights are disappearing rapidly, all with big cheers from the corporate-owned media, and we're told it's unpatriotic to expect the government to serve us. I think I prefer not being a cog in their profit machine.