Bay Area Occupy Returns With Labor Day Convergence on Monday…September 2
August 31, 2013—Occupy Action Council, a coalition of Bay Area Occupy groups that are part of the world-wide Occupy Wall Street movement announces their plans for a convergence on Labor Day (September 2nd) 2013. The all-day gathering starts at 10AM at Chelsea Manning Plaza (formerly Bradley Manning Plaza).
The location is the re-christened Justin Herman Plaza aka Harry Bridges Plaza, at San Francisco’s Embarcadero and Don Chee Way. Notable events throughout the day will include a press conference at 1PM, a General Assembly at 3 PM and a protest march to denounce and Chalkupy the Federal Reserve building at 101 Market Street.
An offensive symbol of the financial stranglehold that private (for profit) banks in the Federal Reserve System hold over the people of the world, the Federal Reserve building at 101 Market Street is also a symbol of political resistance and protest, being the site of the occupation that began in September 2011 and later spread to Chelsea Manning Plaza nearby. It is the place from which Occupy San Francisco was forcibly evicted in December 2011. Because the Federal Reserve represents the pinnacle of modern financial corruption, inequality, and the unchecked powers of concentrated wealth, alternatives to the Federal Reserve System including Public Banking and issuing debt free money, will be an integral part of the discussion at the convergence.
Ruthie Sakheim, a member of OccupySF Environmental Justice Working Group explained, “The convergence is needed because voting in elections is no longer enough to bring about political change. Regardless of party, our politicians have repeatedly proven themselves either unable or unwilling to challenge the corporate elite. Victorious candidates have continued to serve the interests of the corporations, including companies within this building, at the expense of the rest of us: the workers, the middle class, the poor and the powerless. The only ones who’ve continued to prosper are the 1% by ruthlessly exploiting the people and recklessly plundering the natural world. They have so thoroughly corrupted and co-opted every level of our government that protest and direct action are our only means of redress left.”
“Occupy is coming together again because recent events have shown Occupy’s goals still have not been met,” said Jane Smith, an Occupy Bay Area United activist. Citing such problems as unwarranted privatization of public assets like the Post Office, dishonest double-dealing and union busting by the bosses and civic officials in places like the BART strike, the looting and pillaging of our public education system through attacks on the City College of San Francisco by opportunistic corporate bandits, and America’s still worsening income inequality, Smith felt a convergence is needed to brainstorm ideas and find objectives to end the ultimate corporate control that grips the Bay Area, the country, and the world in cycles of poverty, war, and environmental disasters.
Activities at the Occupy Convergence will include Displays of Occupy Art, Chalkupy, Free Food, Free Light Show, Local Advocacy Groups, Occucards, and Occupy Information, music, GENERAL ASSEMBLY speak outs, a childrens’ playspace, and an interactive Occupy Art Table. Spontaneous protest marches throughout the nearby financial district are likely to occur. The convergence will be open to all current Occupiers and all other interested persons. Occupy Action Council emphasizes that the group is wholly committed to nonviolent direct action, public safety, and to building our community of nonviolent resistance.