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We are the 99 percent

MAYDAY, MAYDAY!!!

Posted 11 years ago on April 10, 2012, 4:01 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

mayday poster

To the activist, the rebel, the revolutionary, the dreamer. To all who believe in a better world. To those who  have found their voice, and those voices that have been met with the sniper's bullet. To those whose voices have been taken from them. To the peaceful who have been met with brutality and violence, the loving who have been met with hatred. Those who beg for understanding, but are met with ridicule. The free thinkers, the questioners, the dissenters, those who have woken up, and now rattle the chains that have held us down. To the freedom fighters all around the globe.

Raise your fists, break your chains. Shake the world under your feet, and make a noise so loud, that the 1% will cower in their marble halls. For the time of The People has come. Those who consider themselves our masters will find themselves standing in the path of a force the likes of which the world has never seen. For the world relied on our compliance. Our silence, our sheepish ways of living how we are told, for our acceptance of the oppressor’s so called power. But this  power was an illusion. Yes the power did not lie in the bank accounts, the pockets of CEOs, the chambers of Ivory towers under lock and key. No. the power has been with The People. The people who survive day to day. The children who cry at night from the pains of hunger, the students who dreams were stolen from them, or sold at prices so high, there is no hope of escape. Those who face violence and weaponry, and defend themselves with nothing but an idea. But it is this idea you see, that makes them strong. An idea cannot be beaten. An idea cannot be gassed, or shot. For it lives in our very souls, and no matter what stands against us, this idea cannot be destroyed.

So my fellow people, rise up without fear. Take back what is rightfully yours. This world belongs to you. You are powerful. You are a force so strong that Mother Nature herself cowers in your presence. This world will bend to your demands, and begin anew. Our battle cries will be heard in every street, echo off every building, and shatter the very foundations of all those who enslave us. For we are many. We are strong. We are awake. We are above your fear mongering, you who seek to silence us. You cannot threaten us with lies of alarm and panic. Your words are mist that dissipates as we march. Though the night may be long, and the oppressive darkness may seem so deep, that the dawn seems an impossible distant dream, we shall march. We will take to the streets, and march on until we reach a dawn that mankind has never been witness to. This dawn will produce a light so strong that the fear hatred and doubt in our hearts will vanish like the early morning dew upon a blade of grass. Our hearts will instead be a raging inferno that cannot be extinguished. Fear us you 1%, for we are coming, and we are already here. We are many, and We are one. We are here, and everywhere. We are united and cannot be divided. You are no longer our masters, and we no longer bend to your will.

My fellow freedom fighters. Do not despair. No laws can choke out the fire that is already raging around this world. They will ridicule you, they will fight against you. Your peaceful actions will be met with such force, it may seem as if there truly is no chance. But I am telling you now. This fear is the sound of the world changing. It is the sound of the wings of change ushering in a new era. The People’s era. Do not despair youth of this world. This new world belongs to you. We will carry this world into the light of truth and equality. Our time has come. Your time has come. Stand with me my brothers and sisters, it is time to celebrate. No longer feel your pain and sufferings. For the world is changing. Yes, the old world is slipping away, and in its stead a new world has arisen. The world as it truly should be. Be strong, my comrades, and we shall see the dawn of the People.

Solidarity to the freedom fighters across this world.

Join us on May 1st to take the streets

http://www.maydaynyc.org /// http://occupytogether.org

Written by Maddie from Occupy Naperville

58 Comments

58 Comments


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[-] 8 points by ShokoTomita (12) from 目黒区, 東京都 11 years ago

Thank you Maddie, for such powerful & beautiful message.

I'm from Tokyo,30years old,a single mother, I organize marching and rallies in Japan, last month in Fukushima, last week in Aomori, this weel in Tokyo, to really stop our country's stupidity about Nuclear plants and Atomic weppons, Capitalism and Neo-reberalism. We are planning a Occupy Tokyo movement on May 1st, with a lot of Labor Unions and Anti-nuclear movements, in solidarity to your movement. I really believe in what you've stated here. Higher Love to you all, always feeling connection and ONENESS.

Shoko Tomita Secretariat assistant general manager of No Nukes Zenkoku Network =NAZEN= (JAPAN)

[-] 5 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 11 years ago

You have my support! Go Occupy Tokyo!

[-] 2 points by ShokoTomita (12) from 目黒区, 東京都 11 years ago

Thankyou so much!!! True peace and higher love for you and your family and friends!!!

[-] 1 points by josippie (1) 11 years ago

Shoko, As an American mom with a Japanese daughter-in-law in Tokyo, I really appreciate the support of your country.

[-] 1 points by ShokoTomita (12) from 目黒区, 東京都 11 years ago

We have no borders between us!!! Love to you, and I hope to meet your daughter in Tokyo some day!

[+] -4 points by OccNoVi (415) 11 years ago

Really? This "last month in Fukushima" is questionable. That whole area is a nuclear exclusion zone. Whoever or whatever this is, there were no marches or protests in Fukushima.

Also, going out into the streets to battle the cops on May Day is on a par with worshiping cult-leader, child-rapist Warren Jeffs or going up on twitter to "support" the creep who gunned down Trayvon Martin. There's dumber things to do but not by much.

[-] 1 points by ShokoTomita (12) from 目黒区, 東京都 11 years ago

Just to answer about "last month in Fukushima",  a protesting rally with 16,000 people,  was held on March 11th 2012, in Koriyama-city of Fukushima prefecture.  Unfortunately not a lot of Medias especially Japanese Medias, put this news out.

I heard that some  people outside Japan believe that nobody lives in Fukushima anymore. (Which truly, the whole area SHOULD be a nuclear exclusion zone.) But the truth is, only 10%of the people has managed to run away by their on risk and money, most people including 360,000children's are still living there. The government is campaigning for people to go home since 16th Dec. 2011, that the accident of Fukushima nuclear plant has all finished and solved. They've only payed 80,000yen per person of Fukushima (400,000yen for kids and pregnant woman) for apology of the disaster.

And what's more ridiculous...; Out of 54 nuclear plants in Japan, only one is working now. This last one in Hokkaido will stop on May 5th. But the government is trying so hard to move other ones, saying that there will be not enough electricity for this summer, or that we need nuclear power for our economics and self protection, without technical explanation...

I know it sounds crazy, and actually IT IS, but this is the truth. (I'm sorry that I have no trust worthy resources online that I can introduce to you guys right now. And my own groups' web site and blog is in Japanese, but you might see some pictures to recognize ----http://blog.nazen.info/)

If you trust my words here, please know that I'm one of the protester here in Tokyo, in true solidarity with you guys,,, Love, Shoko.

[-] 0 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 11 years ago

FYI to anyone reading this... 80,000 yen = ~$800. That's not much...

[-] 1 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

Fukushima is an entire prefecture, not just the name of the city. There are still inhabitable places in the prefecture.

[-] 1 points by JamesS89118 (646) from Las Vegas, NV 11 years ago

I think you mean inhabited, not inhabitable.

[-] 2 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

Haha indeed, these places are inhabited currently whether or not it is a completely safe option.

[-] 5 points by GypsyKing (8708) 11 years ago

Tell everybody. Tell your family, your friends, your neighbors . . . everyone!

[-] 4 points by antiglobb (47) 11 years ago

Help others to be conscious that they are slaves of the System but believe to be free.

[-] 3 points by Axehandle83 (2) 11 years ago

Beautifully written but WAY TOO LONG and wordy if indeed its purpose is to draw in those not already with us. Our movement needs to be conscious of how we are marketing it. I also agree that the poster suffers big time because of the headdress/scarf. Looks much too radical. Neither of these tools is speaking to main street, and that is where the masses are. Would love to help...

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[-] 3 points by HitGirl (2263) 11 years ago

They are fine words, Maddie. I hope there are ears to here them and minds to understand them and a collective will to make your dream of freedom real.

[-] 3 points by Cheese95 (3) 11 years ago

You say you want a revolution, you all know we can always change the world!

[-] 0 points by SteveKJR (-497) 11 years ago

Not in the United States you can't. If the people here believe in what the OWS are doing there would not be 100's but 10 of thousands of people protesting.

What does that tell you - it tells you that the vast majority of people in the United States are doing just fine and are making changes at the voting booth.

[-] 2 points by Cheese95 (3) 11 years ago

People are occupying all over the world!

[-] 3 points by sclewis111 (7) from Binghamton, NY 11 years ago

sweet

[-] 2 points by PopsMauler (182) from Chicago, IL 11 years ago

Wow... Seriously? People are put off by a hijab? Not to mention that the woman depicted in the poster could be black for all we know? So we can hate Muslims only if they're from overseas?

Bullshit. This whole propagated fear of Islam and it's followers needs to stop. Who gives half a damn what people are wearing or what religion they follow? I would only care that this person depicted is marching with us in solidarity!

Man, if it's come to making this far of a stretch for trying to create division, victory might not be so far off after all. Mayday is looking more, and more promising. Hell, you trolls have reinvigorated me far more than any discussion could have.

[-] 0 points by rroll1951 (29) 11 years ago

Its not about being anti-muslim.you totally miss the point. The 99 % is not anti-muslim...they are on the side of economic justice,money out of politics,and true democracy.they are NOT radicals.....no matter how angry or frustrated.They are working,middle-class people .They are turned off by "revoluiionary" images and rhetoric. They are not "freedom fighters".They are the 99 % .You clearly are not. Stop playing romantic radical fantasies. We need more than fringe artists,radical anarchists from Bushwick to create real change.How can we get millions on our side ? Have you even considered that intelligently ? i see no evidence.

[-] 2 points by PopsMauler (182) from Chicago, IL 11 years ago

??? Try rereading my comment much?

[-] 1 points by nichole (525) 11 years ago

Well-stated rroll1951. The most "radical" (more like dreamers of their own potential violence) Occupy elements I have come across reject just about everyone they deem "reformist" or "yuppie" or "middle class." It's as if they're attempting to form their own 1% They're certainly not striving for mutuality or numbers. I try to steer the destructive types with energy to burn away from a legitimate social movement into extreme sports, paintball, martial arts, whatever ... because they're not going to bring anything other than a world more repressive than anything we've ever known.

[-] 1 points by zorbaka2 (61) 11 years ago

you sound like a logical voice in all this. some of these images seem to show a radicalism that they don't even realize. The support has dropped severely since last year. I think it will not get far until they get back to the basic inequality issue with American 99%. Americans believe in fairness everywhere in the world but do not support what looks too radical.

[-] 1 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

I do see what you're saying. Everyone in my life is not in support of Occupy but they are still relatively compassionate and educated people. Occupy has an image of being revolutionary and that scares people and turns them off. They hear revolutionary and think of Tienanmen Square and things like that.

However, and this is just my opinion, but we cannot expect millions to join us. Should we still try our best to make things as accessible as possible? Absolutely.

I think as far as the movement goes, we should think of the future in terms of the 99% of Americans not joining us. They may not actively oppose, may even come to believe in us, but if they really were to join us, would they not have made the decision to actively improve the world before now? Would we not all have made these changes we seek... already? Scared people may always be too frightened to move, so we need to not get discouraged if that is indeed what happens.

[-] 2 points by Lodez (1) 11 years ago

Mayday -Nowday-Everyday

[-] 2 points by Coinyer101 (25) 11 years ago

awesome...,

[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Why is the woman on the poster wearing a shroud - is she supposed to represent the movement? No offense but I really don't look toward middle eastern religions to guide us into a future that woman could look forward to. First you align yourselves with the panthers now that? You really don't have good decision makers running the show. You are ruining what has been brewing in so many households while you were in grade school. Stop trying to speak in sweeping melodies and call the bullshit what it is... here is an example:

IS the system working for you? It's not working for US (Occupy Protesters) - How does this effect you - ?SIMPLE - we are the canary in the coal mine and we're here to warn you. We are the voice of reason and logic. One percent of the world's population is hording the planet's natural abundance for themselves, creating monopolies, setting prices and creating scarcity and driving a false sense of demand for the rest of the entire population as well as paying off world governments to carry forth their plans and protect them and propagandize on their behalf. We want to stop this... Is it so hard to believe? We want to prevent Wall Street from creating an anarchic breakdown of our entire planet's financial systems and causing death and destruction in the process; as we have already seen in the third worlds and communistic totalitarian regimes as well as the downsizing outsourcing of America. We are here because we care about you and your family. We are the voice of reason, trust, and stability because Wall Street is coming for you. Don't count on your money - the dollar won't be worth the paper it's written on and when the country is thrown into utter despair and desperation by Wall Street (gold won't mean much either: so don't count on that - when people are running around searching for food gold will be a shiny rock.) Please don't assume the movement is even about the people at the protests or any one particular subset or any one particular group or ethnicity. The movement is about awareness for the system that WILL break us ALL - if we don't protest it. This movement has achieved the goal of making people aware they are subservient to a system which works against them. If you truly want to break free then break the system. But first you must see it. We can't force that we can only let you know about all the canaries tweeting loudly - you are next .. you will be next. Join us - fight for a future.

[-] 3 points by sajmaggie (3) 11 years ago

occupy does not discriminate...its does not matter if the woman in the pic look middle eastern or not..occupy is better than that...there are no frontiers in the occupy movement...we are all united regardless of race, creed,political affiliation or whatever..we are all united

[-] 0 points by rroll1951 (29) 11 years ago

but we are NOT united.OWS is doing precious little to get the real 99 % to join in.

[-] 2 points by DCInsider (54) 11 years ago

I agree with you Elf. A lot of decisions lately gave made me question the leadership. I tend to ignore the front page news on this site, because I find the writing to be inflammatory, inaccurate, one-sided and overly dramatic.

While the poster doesnt offend me. I did notice that all the women are wearing hijabs. It made me think the designer stole a middle east protest poster and added OWS stuff to it.

[-] 1 points by ahorsenamedrex (9) 11 years ago

Really? Because people who wear head coverings are A) Middle Eastern, B) women, and C) somehow referring to religion. Stop being so ignorant, would you turn someone away from May 1 if they show up in a hijab 'cause it looks too Middle-Eastern? Complete and total ignorance on you and elf3's behalf and I would expect more acceptance to different cultures and traditions within this movement. Shame.

[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Tell me it's rain number one...number two creating controversy purposefully makes you feel justified in your dogma but alienates everyone else who considered joining the movement. Keep pushing your personal dogma in people's faces and you will see how far your overzealous pursuit of political correctness lands you in your own Orwellian nightmare. You're picking arguments on purpose by knowingly posting things to create the argument you want. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy (apparently so is killing the movement and living in misery forever.) Keep backing the black panthers and letting them wear Occupy t-shirts on the nightly news while talking about violence against white people without denouncing them or their hate. Let them continue to affiliate with the movement. Next show Americans how much you seek to market a particular face to go with the movement by conspicuously omitting another. Wow - if I didn't know better might think the panthers are running the show back there.

[-] 2 points by zorbaka2 (61) 11 years ago

you ask some relevant questions about this. The front they are throwing up could make people wonder if it is actually a muslim organization seeking to overrun america with sharia law. I don't think that but I still wonder if the people running these sites are anything similar to me or not. Middle eastern people are o.k. but I wouldn't care to see their brand of hating anything not a particular religion catching on over here.

[-] 1 points by DCInsider (54) 11 years ago

Elf, I totally agree. I wonder who is running the show? I get it that this movement is leaderless but I wish there was someone I could call and yell "WTF are you thinking?" More and more people get turned off to the movement by the radicalism that it seems I embrace. Instead of focusing on the issues we spend time defending the OWS decision by people who are not accountable. For example, we coopted the Million Hoodie March, while I have no problem supporting something I take issue in trying to over someone else's issues and push our own grievances into the media spotlight. It is tacky and whoever thought this was a good idea should be given a timeout. 

Here is the articles from the media and opinions from people participating in the marches. 

http://newsone.com/1950365/how-occupy-wall-street-co-opted-the-million-hoodie-march/

http://www.salon.com/2012/03/27/did_occupy_co_opt_the_million_hoodie_march/singleton/?mobile.html

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Like DC - I have no problem with religion or Muslims per se - I have a problem with sexism and abuse of woman that is rampant in middle eastern culture which is often justified by their religion. And what does Trayvon have to do with Wall Street ? Leaderless movements are cowardly because they lack the conviction or responsibility one must take for the words they speak or the actions they take. Throw something out there and it goes awry just back away and say I'm not responsible ... ? What kind of movement is so lacking in any conviction that they can't come up with someone anyone who can speak to represent it? There are obviously people in charge - who is running this site for instance/ who is organizing the rallies ? There ARE people back there - they just refuse to come out. Hiding in the shadows and in chat rooms? That's a movement we are supposed to get behind? What happens if I get behind you but then when you finally emerge, I don't like what you have to say? That is my real fear, and I' sure many others - and that is why although I visit this site regularly - i haven't wanted to join it on the ground. Every time I think I'm ready - you make another radical or ridiculous statement which doesn't represent me or the original focus on Wall Street. So what is it you want to do? Piss of Wall Street ... or piss off your anti-wallstreet supporters - we can't unite on every cause, but we can unite on one common cause. News headlines, race issues, political speculation and campaigns, and sensational murder cases aren't the purpose - if they are then surely Occupy has been side-tracked perhaps you should join the ACLU to go focus better on those things that interest you and forget about this particular cause... because it seems you already have. I don't want to get behind a cause to have the cause turn into whatever the people hiding want it to become. That's not playing fair or being honest with your supporters, and it's killing a worthy movement that holds the potential of changing the future for the better if it is done right.

[-] 0 points by rroll1951 (29) 11 years ago

We needs leaders...elected,maybe rotating...but clear leaders,spokespeople at any given moment.NO leaderless movement has EVER suceeded.

[-] 1 points by DCInsider (54) 11 years ago

You missed my point entirely ahorsenamedrex. I said the poster did not offend my and my only comment was I thought that the poster looked like a middle eastern protest poster that had been repurposed. While it is entirely possible that it is a coincidence that all of the women in the poster appear to be wearing something that looks like a hajib that was my point, which id it looked like someone stole a graphic and made it OWS. Whether that was intentional or accidental, or repurposed or original, that is for debate. 

But I will say I get frustrated when "someone" and I use that word loosely, designs a clearly aggressive poster for our events. We are supposed to be non-violent and yet I see posters of clenched fists and endorsements from convicted murders. Makes me wonder and saddens me.

[-] 0 points by rroll1951 (29) 11 years ago

I agree.We need leaders to reject posters that do NOT reflect our movements policies or goals. I have argued with anarchist types who we let speak for us under this TOO loose umbrella.They endorse violernce and destruction of propert.OCCUPY does not.Do NOT let them hijack our great progress.We will be but a footnote in history if we do,instead of a sucessfull chapter.

[-] 1 points by OccNoVi (415) 11 years ago

Bingo !

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[-] 1 points by ahorsenamedrex (9) 11 years ago

Really? Because people who wear head coverings are A) Middle Eastern, B) women, and C) somehow referring to religion. Stop being so ignorant, would you turn someone away from May 1 if they show up in a hijab 'cause it looks too Middle-Eastern? Complete and total ignorance on you and DCInsider's behalf and I would expect more acceptance to different cultures and traditions within this movement. Shame.

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[-] 2 points by huevosrancheros (21) 11 years ago

Adelante! El futuro es nuestro! (Forward! The future is ours!)

[-] 1 points by me2 (534) 11 years ago

If you prevent people from going to work do you get to claim their absence as support?

[-] 1 points by charlesphilp (2) from New York, NY 11 years ago

this sounds like a pep rally - where are the cheerleaders and the marching band? cwil

[-] 1 points by deborahj (2) from Seattle, WA 11 years ago

wow same tools as the master will not lead to paradigm shift...just replace one with other..workers, consumers, tax payers label makers...how about whole person thinking? Nature cowers is the line that shocks most, we sure as hell better align with rather than seek to dominate nature as the old skool has....this is where economics, ethics, sustainability, fairness and just currencies need to connect and take conscientious next steps. "The Leaderless Revolution" talks about people in UK creating that space to develop new $ system...some things need to be built with other tools. We might consider the disciplinary hubs and pool energies ideas into the construct we wish to manifest rather than running in out in protest.

[-] 2 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

If you are saying that we need to build the world we already believe in, then I completely agree. In addition to shining light on the injustices of our society, we need to be building a society that actually works. In that way, we will approach this issue from both sides.

[-] 1 points by deborahj (2) from Seattle, WA 11 years ago

yes, a community funding meeting is happening in May here in Seattle. If the roots and means of distribution are rigged there is no way we can reach sustainable just economics. I am convinced the new era will feature "upstairs brain" concepts that will hush -heal- the downstairs brain fear/pain motivated behaviors.

[-] 1 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

That is good to hear and I certainly hope that you are right. We should not have to be ruled by intimidation for there to be peace and order. That is quite the sweeping statement I realize and could be misconstrued in a number of ways, but good luck with your efforts and report back how things go!

[-] 1 points by bigbangbilly (594) 11 years ago

You craft words towards unity while I craft strategies and tactics.

[-] 0 points by rroll1951 (29) 11 years ago

What "strategies and tactics "? Now OWS has announced that they are embracing blocking bridges and tunnels on Mayday !!! Nothing could be more ill-concieved.It will serve to completely allienate working NY'ers...the real 99%.It is so wrong-minded and illogical i'm almost speechless.

[-] 1 points by bigbangbilly (594) 11 years ago

There is a difference between a painful gauntlet with an exit and a cage.

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[-] -1 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 11 years ago

Keep the cameras rolling. Carry more flags. Get images of police attacking Americans with American flags.

Know this, the harder they push back, the more effective OWS is. The onslaught of Bull Shit artists trolling and sliming the Forum, the crappy MSM coverage, the militarized police. OWS is scaring the shit out of the Power Elite. They have invested heavily since the protests of the early 70s to make sure those never happened again, but OWS happened anyway. They won't take this lying down.

Also know this, once OWS achieves popular support the overt push back will end. Don't let MSM portray OWS as a Woodstock reenactment. Look sharp, be on message, loud and clear signs, banners and flags. Be camera ready. Be proud and peaceful Americans!!

Win America, Win the Cause!!!

Get Out the VOTE!!

[-] -1 points by Spade2 (478) 11 years ago

Just throwing out constructive criticism: the speach was great but the poster's looking a bit too Soviet for my tastes, especially with the whole "Mayday" thing.

[-] 1 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

Indeed appearing Soviet is not desirable. :-)

[-] 1 points by Spade2 (478) 11 years ago

Talk about a turn off.

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[-] 2 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

You seem to be jumping to conclusions. This movement is very diverse. To say that we are all marxists is a gross overstatement.

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[+] -5 points by polo (63) 11 years ago

the entire first paragraph is grammatically incorrect. didn't your mac underline that?

[-] 5 points by proudofOKC (361) 11 years ago

If you are saying it is grammatically incorrect because she is using sentence fragments to address an audience, then you must not read speeches that often, my friend.

[-] 0 points by riethc (1149) 11 years ago

Ever heard of colons, semicolons or dashes?

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