Category: Action Alert

Occupy Eric Cantor March

~ susie ~ 4 Comments

Friday, October 21 · 3:00pm – 6:00pm
City Hall Base Camp to Wharton School of Business
Occupy Philadelphia

Eric Cantor, House GOP Minority Leader is giving a seminar about income inequality at the Wharton School of Business from 4:30-6:30. Occupy Philadelphia, it is up to you to make this your largest march yet!

Gee. Why are Republican pinheads talking about the 99% all of a sudden? It’s so cute when they paint themselves as the protectors of the working class, isn’t it?

The Virginia congressman, the most recent and prominent Republican whipping boy for Democrats, is heading to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to talk about income disparity and how Republicans believe the government could help fix it, an aide said. The speech will zero in on how Washington could help a “a single working mom…a small business owner…and how we make sure the people at the top stay there,” the aide said.

“He’ll talk about the various socioeconomic classes and how Washington should stop pushing different people down the economic ladder and instead can work together to ensure that all people have the ability move up,” the aide said.

It’s a political and substantive contrast with the Obama administration and congressional Democrats, the aide said. President Barack Obama is pushing for increased taxes on the rich, something Republicans have rejected. And the GOP has recently turned to attacking Democratic policies as pitting the nation’s top earners against the less fortunate — class warfare, they say. The frame of Cantor’s speech will be how the government can help all slices of American life.

But but but… government is the problem, isn’t it? I’m so confused!

Happy anniversary, Occupy!

~ susie

Today is the one-month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, and you know how they’re celebrating? By crowd- sourcing the purchase of sheet cakes from a Queens bakery. (I’m sure they’re being swamped, but if you want to join the celebration, you can contribute $10 (plus tax) or more toward several full-size sheet cakes (feeds 100+, costs $190): 718-417-5700, Catania’s Bakery. Santina is ready to take your orders.)

Since I’ve yet to meet a person in real life who disapproves of OWS, this poll doesn’t surprise me. But I’ll bet it infuriates a lot of politicians!

By a 67 – 23 percent margin, New York City voters agree with the views of the Wall Street protesters and say 87 – 10 percent that it is “okay that they are protesting,” according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Agreeing with the protesters views are Democrats 81 – 11 percent and independent voters 58 – 30 percent, while Republicans disagree 58 – 35 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Even Republicans, however, agree 73 – 23 percent with the protesters right to be there.

New York City voters say 72 – 24 percent, including 52 – 41 percent among Republicans, that if the protesters obey the law, they can stay as long as they wish.

A total of 72 percent of voters say they understand the protesters’ views “very well” or “fairly well,” with 17 percent who say “not too well” and 10 percent who say “not well at all.”

Voters split 46 – 45 percent in their approval of the way police are handling the Wall Street protest, but approve 61 – 33 percent of how the police are doing their job overall.

“It’s a free country. Let them keep on protesting as long as they obey the law, New Yorkers say overwhelmingly,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Critics complain that no one can figure out what the protesters are protesting. But seven out of 10 New Yorkers say they understand and most agree with the anti-Wall Street views of the protesters.

“For a while, the critics focused on the cops’ use of pepper spray at the protests. Voters are divided on how police are handling the protesters, but they say almost 2-to-1 that police are doing a good job overall.”

Asked who is to blame for the current state of the nation’s economy;
37 percent of New York City voters blame the administration of former President George W. Bush;
21 percent blame Wall Street and financial institutions;
18 percent blame Congress;
11 percent blame President Barack Obama.
New York City voters support 61 – 28 percent an extension of the state’s so-called ‘Millionaire’s Tax.’ Even Republicans support the extension 55 – 38 percent.

Voters also support 73 – 19 percent, including 48 – 40 percent among Republicans, tougher government regulation of banks and Wall Street firms.

“New Yorkers, even Republicans, back the Wall Street protesters on at least two things they’re talking about, a get-tough attitude toward banks and Wall Street and continuation of the state’s ‘Millionaire’s Tax,'” Carroll said.

De-occupying New York

~ susie

Mayor Mike Bloomberg just said he’s going to use the police to effectively end “Occupy Wall Street” Friday morning. New rules were passed out this morning prohibiting tarps, sleeping bags and “lying down”.

Call Mayor Bloomberg at 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) now and tell him that since we know his girlfriend’s on the board of Zuccotti Park, we know he’s behind this. Remind him about the First Amendment.

Occupy Philly needs help

~ susie

Occupy Philly: Oct 9, 2011 from Joel Mathis on Vimeo.

I’ve been to Occupy Philly every day now, and it’s growing rapidly. Yesterday I dropped off some supplies and spoke to Erika Bell from the food committee. Right now, she said, they’re trying to batten down the hatches because rain’s moving in Wednesday.
[image display=”thumb” link=”source” align=”right” alt=”waving.JPG” width=”190″ height=”253″ id=”13334″][/image]
Here’s what they need:

  • Wood pallets to keep the supplies off the ground.
  • Tarps to cover supplies.
  • Rolls of heavy plastic sheeting
  • Large Rubbermaid-type containers
  • Rain gear (ponchos, etc.)
  • Bungee cords

If anyone has those freestanding backyard canopies, Occupy Philly is using them. I dropped off one of those folding chairs that come in the carry bags — they can probably use more of those, too. As usual, yoga pads, camping cots and mattresses, etc. are useful to those sleeping there.

Not everyone can camp out all night on Dilworth Plaza. (I, for one, am too old and arthritic.) But everyone can help. Thankfully, dropping off donations and supplies couldn’t be easier: Drive around City Hall, staying in the lane closest to the sidewalk. The food tent is on the north side of City hall (JFK Boulevard), directly across from the Municipal Services Building. Pull into the parking spot and if you need assistance, someone will help you unload.