Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 30, 2011, 4:30 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
#occupywallstreet would like to apologize to the members of the press
and public who came out today to see Radiohead and left disappointed.
We would also like to apologize to the band directly, and appreciate
their kind words of support in the face of this confusion. They had
nothing to do with what happened today.
Over the last twenty-four hours #occupywallstreet received several
emails purportedly from Radiohead's manager detailing a show for
Friday, September 30th at four in the afternoon. Due to
miscommunication within our rapidly expanding and adjusting group, we
were unable to determine that this was a hoax in time; it can be
difficult to seperate rumor from fact in an open source movement.
Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 30, 2011, 5:06 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Occupy Wall Street has recently come into the media spotlight, not because of our political message, but because certain high-ranking members of the NYPD punched, threw, and stepped on peaceful marchers. Arrestees were handcuffed so tight their hands turned blue. Many of these people have yet to regain feeling in their extremities. A senior police officer infamously forced women into pens and maced them at point-blank range. While we vehemently condemn these abuses of power, we urge all who read this to remain focused on our intended message. Abuse of power is abuse of power. Whether perpetrated by Wall Street bankers or members of the NYPD, it is the duty of all citizens to oppose injustice. We condemn the actions of unprofessional police who used excessive force in subduing a peaceful march. But we are foremost here to oppose the growing power of the ruling class.
Let us also be clear that, when approached as individuals, members of the NYPD have expressed solidarity with our cause. It has been inspiring to receive this support. Over these thirteen days, we have learned that no one supports corporations’ disproportionate influence in the political sphere. We have learned that no one is in favor of evicting struggling families to the street while banks continue to profit. No one, that is, except the corporations and banks. We urge members of the NYPD to remain in solidarity with our cause. These men and women could lose their pensions and benefits during the next round of budget cuts. We ask that members of the NYPD treat all peaceful human beings with respect and care. This will be a great step towards reclaiming power for the working class. Those who profit off the suffering of others will held accountable. We are the 99%, and we are too big to fail.
Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 27, 2011, 5:28 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Cornel West, Philosopher and Activist, to Speak at Occupy Wall Street Tonight
Occupy Wall Street is pleased to announce that noted philosopher and social justice advocate Cornell West, author of the book “Race Matters” among many others, will be speaking at tonight’s General Assembly, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Liberty Square at the intersection of Broadway and Liberty Street. He will be speaking about the circumstances that ultimately led thousands activists to occupy Wall Street, as well as the importance of people power in addressing them.
West has just wrapped up a nation-wide speaking tour talking about generational poverty. We at Occupy Wall Street are grateful to have him here addressing our group.
Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 27, 2011, 2:31 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
This is the tenth communiqué from the 99 percent. We are occupying Wall Street.
On September 27th, 2011, we marched on the Financial District's Luxury
Night Out, where couples wore outfits that cost more than we will ever
make in a month and looked at cars that cost more than we will ever
make in a year, afterward, they went back to one of their many houses
that cost more than we will make in our lifetime.
Occupied Boston doesn't need a bullhorn to have their voices heard.
They have the people's microphone.
So does Michael Moore, who addressed us tonight.
Occupied San Francisco grows larger every day.
Occupied Chicago was dispersed but not defeated. They will regroup and reoccupy.
Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 26, 2011, 6:57 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Anyone with eyes open knows that the gangsterism of Wall Street -- financial
institutions generally -- has caused severe damage to the people of the
United States (and the world). And should also know that it has been doing
so increasingly for over 30 years, as their power in the economy has
radically increased, and with it their political power. That has set in
motion a vicious cycle that has concentrated immense wealth, and with it
political power, in a tiny sector of the population, a fraction of 1%, while
the rest increasingly become what is sometimes called "a precariat" --
seeking to survive in a precarious existence. They also carry out these
ugly activities with almost complete impunity -- not only too big to fail,
but also "too big to jail."
The courageous and honorable protests underway in Wall Street should serve
to bring this calamity to public attention, and to lead to dedicated efforts
to overcome it and set the society on a more healthy course.
Posted 7 months ago on Sept. 26, 2011, 3:53 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Late last night we found out which white collar officer had maced our innocent protesters. We did not release this information as we had not yet come to a consensus on how to approach the situation. Earlier today we discovered that this information had already been released.
Yesterday, an NYPD spokesperson implied that we had edited the video to remove incriminating actions on the part of our peaceful protesters. Here are a few different angles and cuts of the event that we had not previously released:
As you can tell, we did not need to edit the video to implicate this officer in a gross and unconscionable crime.
His name is Anthony Bologna. We demand that he is charged for his crimes. We demand that he receives jail time.
We demand that Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly resigns. Not only can he not control his most senior officers, he is involved in actively sheltering them from receiving any punishment.
We demand that Mayor Michael Bloomberg address our General Assembly and apologize for the police brutality and the cover-up that followed.
This was an attempt to make us weak, this was an attempt to destroy or derail our message, our conversation. It has not succeeded. We have grown, we will grow. Today we received unconfirmed reports that over one hundred blue collar police refused to come into work in solidarity with our movement. These numbers will grow. We are the 99 percent. You will not silence us.
Please call:
Mayor Bloomberg: +1 (212) 639-9675 or +1 (212) 788-2958
Deputy Commissioner of Public Information: +1 (646) 610-6700
NYPD Switchboard: +1 (646) 610-5000
First precinct: +1 (212) 334-0611
Make our voice heard. Make sure that the world knows that everyone deserves equal protection, service, and punishment.
Remain true to our principles of non-violence.
UPDATE: 4:51 PM EST Two more videos of Officer Bologna senselessly attacking peaceful protesters.