Part 6 (1/2)
Since I wrote A Paradise Built in hell: The Extraordinary Coain and again whether econoets the saentina in 2001, when the economy crashed there And it has now, in the streets of New York and n at Occupy San Francisco said, ”IT'S TIME” It is It's been ti time
No Hope But in Ourselves
Our econoo this month to headlines like ”Capitalism is dead” in the business press There was certainly soe at the tie of the rassroots le political candidate to fix it all for us, as he promised he would It was a beautiful movement, a hopeful ot its lone candidate into the highest office in the land, where he reh the job was done It had just begun
That iven us a real clie policy, and h one elected politician were the equivalent of ten million citizens, of civil society itself It was a broad-based es and races, and I think it's back, disillusioned with politicians and electoral politics, determined this time to do it for itself, beyond and outside the corroded arenas of institutional power
I don't know exactly who this baby looks like, but I know that who you look like is not who you will become This unanticipated baby has a month behind it and a future ahead of it that none of us can see, but its birth should give you hope
Love, Rebecca
Rebecca Solnit is the author of thirteen books, including A Paradise Built in hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster and Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities She is also a regular contributor to TomDispatchcom, where this chapter first appeared on October 18, 2011
CHAPTER 16
10 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT
SARAH VAN GELDER
How can you help build the power of the Occupy movement? Here are some places to start: 1 Show up at the occupied space near you
Find a location near you at occupytogetherorg See if they have a Facebook page Bring a tent or tarp to stay Or just stop by to talk to people, participate in a general assen, or help serve food
2 Start your own occupation
Call together friends and acquaintances Reach out to people you don't norether about what you want to occupy, and why
3 Support those who are occupying
Most sites need food, warear, and money Search needsoftheoccupiers on Twitter for real time updates or check in with your local occupiers
4 Get into the debates and the teach-ins
Many occupation sites have workshops and discussions on the critical issues of our ti copies of this book, YES! Magazine, or other materials to share Listen to perspectives you haven't heard before, and share your own
5 Tell your story
Post your story of being part of the 99 on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or in letters to the editor When you share, others see that they aren't alone Cohtyour video recorder, caht the human dimension of the protests Show the faces of those involved
7 Na of this moment
What will make the world better for the 99? Speak out on the issue that means the most to you Include the phrase, ”I am the 99”
8 Insist that public officials treat the occupations with respect
The eviction of the Zuccotti Park occupiers on Wall Street was averted by e public outcry, the ized for a brutal police assault that left an Iraq war veteran in critical condition Other occupations need support Ask your local officials to respect the right to assemble of the 99
9 Study and teach nonviolent techniques