November 16, 2011
Statement by the Labor Network For Sustainability
Nothing is more important right now for labor, for the environment, for the climate, for democracy, and for a sustainable global future than to prevent the destruction of the Occupy movements around the US by the forces of corporate greed. It is up to us — the 99 percent — to answer these coordinated attacks.
By sending his police to beat, pepper-spray, and evict unarmed protestors, billionaire Mayor Bloomberg is placing himself in the great tradition that runs from King George III of England to Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.
History will not judge him gently — nor will those around the world who believe in democracy.
The Labor Network for Sustainability expresses its solidarity with the Occupy movements everywhere and calls on everyone who cares about a sustainable future to undertake the following Key Action Items recommended by OWS and its allies:
KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. MAKE NOVEMBER 17 HUGE (November17.org, We-r-1.org, OccupyWallSt.org)
2. Send people and Principals to NY
3. Get out people in NYC today to new Occupation at 6th Avenue & Canal St. (Zuccotti is Closed)
4. Send statements of solidarity and cc. Lizbutlerdc@gmail.com
5. Folks should call: 212-New-York to complain.
6. Send out statements, tweets, throughout day. (NY Groups are drafting a model letter)
7. Push OWS statements to reporter networks: Keep checking OccupyWallSt.org
8. Next Allies Call 4pm ET Wednesday. We will send reminder with info.
The following message from Occupy Wall Street was issued in the midst of the attempted eviction:
Statement from OWS: 1:36am Tuesday, November 15:
A massive police force is presently evicting Liberty Square, home of Occupy Wall Street for the past two months and birthplace of the 99% movement that has spread across the country and around the world.
The raid started just after 1:00am. Supporters and allies are mobilizing throughout the city, presently converging at Foley Square. Supporters are also planning public actions for the coming days, including occupation actions.
You can’t evict an idea whose time has come.
Two months ago a few hundred New Yorkers set up an encampment at the doorstep of Wall Street. Since then, Occupy Wall Street has become a national and even international symbol “” with similarly styled occupations popping up in cities and towns across America and around the world. A growing popular movement has significantly altered the national narrative about our economy, our democracy, and our future.
Americans are talking about the consolidation of wealth and power in our society, and the stranglehold that the top 1% have over our political system. More and more Americans are seeing the crises of our economy and our democracy as systemic problems, that require collective action to remedy. More and more Americans are identifying as part of the 99%, and saying “enough!”
This burgeoning movement is more than a protest, more than an occupation, and more than any tactic. The “us” in the movement is far broader than those who are able to participate in physical occupation. The movement is everyone who sends supplies, everyone who talks to their friends and families about the underlying issues, everyone who takes some form of action to get involved in this civic process.
This moment is nothing short of America rediscovering the strength we hold when we come together as citizens to take action to address crises that impact us all.
Such a movement cannot be evicted. Some politicians may physically remove us from public spaces “” our spaces “” and, physically, they may succeed. But we are engaged in a battle over ideas. Our idea is that our political structures should serve us, the people “” all of us, not just those who have amassed great wealth and power. We believe that is a highly popular idea, and that is why so many people have come so quickly to identify with Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement.
You cannot evict an idea whose time has come.