Yesterday, 60,000 marched on Madison to mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of Governor Scott Walker's drastic dismantling of collective bargaining rights for public employees. Last year, Walker's attacks on labor rights sparked massive protests that saw hundreds of thousands occupy the Wisconsin capital building. Their actions prefigured Occupy Wall Street and inspired countless others to take a stand against economic inequality, political injustice, and the tyranny of the 1% enforced through politicians and banksters alike.

This is just one example that people across the globe are actively resisting attacks on the 99%. This year has already seen the largest-ever strike on record in India, hundreds of thousands marching for democracy in Bahrain, general strikes in Montreal and Spain where students once again occupied public space in protest of the austerity measures and spending cuts being enforced by the European banking elite, massive uprisings in the streets of Moscow, and more. Even in the United States, the movement grows. The corporate media claims that Occupy's strength is waning, but they are merely in denial. During the coldest months of this year, the United States has already seen more revolutionary momentum than it has in decades.

This winter, we refocused our energies on fostering ties with local communities, saving homes from corrupt banks and jobs from greedy corporations, and building and expanding our horizontal infrastructure. This #GlobalSpring, we will take the streets again. On May 1st, Occupy Wall Street has called for a General Strike. We are calling on everyone who supports the cause of economic justice and true democracy to take part: No Work, No School, No Housework, No Shopping, No Banking - and most importantly, TAKE THE STREETS!

We are getting ready. Planning is already underway in dozens of cities. Labor organizers, immigrants’ rights groups, artists, Occupiers, faith leaders, and more have all joined in the discussion to get ready. Now, all we need is you. Keep reading to find out how you can get involved!

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via Picture The Homeless:

PTH and members of Occupy Wall Street will be holding a Sleepout on March 15th, 2012 in Erik Martin Dilan's Council District!

Who is Erik Martin Dilan? He is the Chair of the City Council's Housing and Buildings Committee. Why is this significant? Our legislation, "Annual Census of Vacant Buildings and Lots", aka Intro 48 has been sitting on his desk since it was introduced, February 11th, 2010, which means it has been held hostage for 2 years, 27 days as of this writing. Until he calendars (schedules) a hearing, the bill cannot be voted on by the City Council. 10 members of his committee are co-sponsors as well as 29 members of the council as a whole. Picture the Homeless counted vacant property in 20 Community Boards this Summer, representing a third of the City. We found enough space to house 199,981 people. Imagine what we would find in the other two-thirds.

This issue is beyond Intro 48 not being called for a hearing. The fact that a bill so overwhelmingly supported by members of the City Council has yet to pass committee sheds light on the problems in our legislative and democratic process. This is an example of what the Occupy Wall Street movement has been highlighting.

Come join us help Erik Martin Dilan do the right thing, his job and calendar Intro 48 for the long overdue hearing it deserves. There will be a 4:00pm press conference, followed by a series of Teach-ins discussing:

· Vacant Properties in New York City </br> · Community Land Trust </br> · A tour of 212 Unit Complex that is 75-85% vacant </br>

In the meantime, call his offices and tell him so. His District Office number is 1-718-642-8664, his legislative office number is 1-212-788-7284. For further information contact Adrian Antonio Paling at adrian@picturethehomeless.org.

Click the following link to view our report identifying the shocking results of our vacant property count: http://picturethehomeless.org/

News coverage from our action in front of his house.