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We are the 99 percent

National Occupy Guitarmy 99 Mile March, July 5-11 2012

Posted 12 years ago on June 27, 2012, 6:44 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

poster for the #99milemarch

A call for support from Occupiers, Friends, and Musicians from Philadelphia to New York City

The Occupy Guitarmy is spearheading #99MileMarch from Philadelphia to New York City from July 5 to July 11, 2012 in honor of Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday (July 14, 2012) and in celebration of the National Gathering of Occupy movement.

We call on Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York musicians, social justice activists, union members, and occupy supporters to help support our action. We actively seek: daily, overnight, and long haul marchers, daily location event organizers, street medics, guitar techs, kitchen staff, live-streamers, caravan vehicles, oral historians, and general volunteers. We ask that marchers, volunteers, and on-site supporters of our action visit our website (www.99milemarch.org) to engage with us in advance. Please contact us if you plan to march with us!

For more information and details on how to get involved, visit 99milemarch.org and @99MileMarch

The Occupy Guitarmy is calling for a National Guitarmy to convene in Philadelphia for a July 4 show of solidarity in performing "This Land Is Your Land" at Independence Mall. The next day, we will embark on a 99 mile journey of song and community as they march back to New York City singing songs from the Guthrie catalog, as well as social justice favorites such as “We Shall Not Be Moved,” “Which Side Are You On?” and “El Pueblo Unido.” All songs, chords, and lyrics can be found on our website (www.occupyguitarmy.tumblr/com and 99milemarch.com)

Along the seven day journey, the Occupy Guitarmy will stop in local communities to teach and learn songs, discuss issues facing local residents, and perform with local musicians. We welcome musicians, marchers, teachers, union members, community music groups, summer camps, marching bands, rock bands, hip hop crews, and any other musical or social justice groups to join us on our daily walks and our daily stops.

We ask that each town and city we walk through make us welcome with an event, protest action, discussion, pot luck, or other community event in which we can play, learn songs, and talk with local community members about the power of music for social justice and the crisis facing our pubic school arts education.

Along the way we hope to raise awareness of the importance of music as part of our civic culture, and discuss the negative impact of the erosion of public arts education funding in the last decades. Each mile that we march we ask to have sponsored by supporters through a walk-a-thon for the K-12 school instrument donation group Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.

We will also be collecting stories of local musicians, teachers, students, parents, and everyday folks about the role of public school music programming in their lives, about current and past budget cuts to music programs, and about feasible local, regional, and national solutions for these problems.

The Occupy Guitarmy is a leaderless brigade of instrumentalists and singers who first organized for the New York City actions of May Day. Numbering in the hundreds, assembled with guitars, ukeleles, cellos, violins, basses, noisemakers, and voices, they marched to Union Square to play on stage with progressive activist-musician Tom Morello. The guitarmy maintains an online instructional guide of chords, lyrics MP3s, and videos so that everyone can learn their set list, and encourages progressive groups and local Occupies to start their own guitarmy by downloading a specially prepared “kit” that includes music, graphics, notes on organizing, and other resources.

Once the Occupy Guitarmy begins its journey, we will feature live streaming, daily blogging, and tweeting (@99MileMarch), and actively invite media and everyday folks to share and discuss our action.

62 Comments

62 Comments


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[-] 5 points by Toynbee (656) from Savannah, GA 12 years ago

Health care is not a privilege.

If we cannot provide health care for all Americans, then it demonstrates the complete and utter failure of the free market capitalist system that Republicans have held up as the model.

[-] 1 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

free education for the youth to build our future! healthy minds in healthy bodies! with secure homes for all! and the brutal AOs of the psychopathic bullies, freemason thugs, acting as "COMMUNITY POLICE" LMFAO driven from the streets into the FEMA camps prepared for them!

[-] -2 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

If you have a right to healthcare, who holds the negative right of the obligation to give it to you? Why do you have the right to make other people serve you and what does that say about their rights?

[-] 2 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

Humans like helping each other.

The race would not have been successful otherwise.

.

If the money is provided,

people will want to care for each other

[-] -1 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

Say, Matt, I just gotta ask: how will the money be provided?

[-] 2 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

money will be taxed from those that have it

[-] -2 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

You are dumbing down this forum and thereby the respect others might give it. MattLHolck. If you are being paid to do so, you will no doubt continue. If you are not, please take your one-liner idiocy elsewhere. Thanks.

[-] -3 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

Oh, I get it. People will provide healthcare for other people if they're paid to do so because humans like taking care of each other. But how about that money, Matt? Sounds like you plan on taking it. That about right? So, whose obligation is it to fulfill your healthcare right? Who do we force to serve your needs?

[-] 3 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

the resources of this land are owned by a few not the the many

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[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Do you get it? Society does not revolve around your interests alone. Your negative rights to 'not be interfered with' does not trump the positive rights of others to 'interfere in the affairs of others' to protect the mutual interests of everyone. In other words, no one is a potentate in this country and above the positive rights of all.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

that runs counter to independent liberty

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Sure, it is the dual nature of things. The key is to strike a balance and keep things in moderation. We could all agree that a moderate use of alcohol here and there is not a problem, but excessive consumption is a bad thing, causes liver damage, terrible judgment, etc.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Moderation - there is a concept that needs air time - all things in moderation.

Well all things that are not immediately fatal - well that can't be moderate..

Well all things that don't build up to be fatal like small amounts of mercury or arsenic entering the body is not a good thing even in moderation.

But working in moderation sounds better then working to death. 40 hours a week no more then that.

Working 8 hours a day keeping the same schedule as the rest of the population where ever possible. No business operating 24 hours a day - not even 12 hours a day - 8 hours a day where ever possible.

Moderation - a chance to take part in life - contrary to corpoRAT practice/belief work is not life - it is only a part of life.

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

There are certainly instances where moderation need not be a consideration. Still, it is generally useful when dealing with polar opposites.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Yep greed needs serious moderating.

While poverty needs serious elimination.

Nothing wrong with being poor ( other than it sucks ) but no one should be in poverty - especially in a wealthy country.

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

I can live with my head above water, but please don't piggyback on me and push my head down below the water - I can only hold my breath for so long.

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

I am finally gonna make a good start on Mon - look into opening the credit union account - have something to celebrate on Independence day - freedom from the corpoRAT banking system.


[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (3732) 1 minute ago

Sounds like a sensible plan to me. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink

[-] -3 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

No cigar, DKAtoday... NOBODY truly in our movement would have fallen for the "Strength through Unity. Unity through Faith." trap I set for you. You did, and that's NUF SAID: You are either a regime plant or a clueless forum troll. My money's on clueless troll.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Suppose it would be best just to get to high ground.


[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (3732) 2 minutes ago

Haven't a clue. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Sounds like a sensible plan to me.

[-] -2 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

There is no high ground for Quislings, Mr. Creedy...

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

I like floaties - but a good life-jacket is strongly recommended.


[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (3732) 3 minutes ago

The buddy system is recommended for swimmers. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink


Won't find many buddies in the corpoRAT world. Plenty of back climbers stabbers and riders though.

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Even a good life jacket won't protect you from a corpoRAT tsunami.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Down with Back Riders.

[-] 0 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

The buddy system is recommended for swimmers.

[-] -2 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

Tell us all about "RustyButtBrucie the corpoRAT shill", DKAtoday. Who is he? And what proof do you have he's a corporate shill?

Unless and until you provide substantial authoritative evidence one way or the other, my guess is RustyButtBrucie doesn't exist, or if he does, that you don't have one single shred of evidence that he's a "corporate shill".

You'll never black bag me, Creedy. Put up or shut up, or I just might black bag YOU...

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Build an Ark? or Sealab?


[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (3732) 5 minutes ago

Even a good life jacket won't protect you from a corpoRAT tsunami. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Haven't a clue.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

a statute of human rights should be in place

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

We have documents, but anything is subject to argument and debate.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

provided the minority can express those opinions

[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

meaning?

[-] 2 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

the freedom of expression cannot be curtailed in a democracy

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[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Polly want a cracker?

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[-] 4 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

You are methodically repeating yourself.

[-] -2 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

That was as useful as reminding me I have ten fingers. Your point?

[-] 3 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

The point? Stop repeating yourself. It's creepy.

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

It's creepy - yes RustyButtBrucie the corpoRAT shill is creepy.

Well said.

[-] -2 points by vvv0630 (-63) 12 years ago

Fair enough. Next time MattLHolck posts, I will reply and with complete veracity:

"Stop repeating yourself. It's creepy."

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[-] -2 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

Rights are what government lets you figure out for yourself, like what to say, not what is agrees to take from others on your behalf. You aren't owed anything and your positive right doesn't come out of the air or without forcing someone else to pull your cart.

[-] 3 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Force is never a one way street. It takes two to tango. You are attempting to force your individual priorities to be upheld to the exclusion of pitching in to provide a viable health care system for all. Further, if I am not owed any positive rights, then the same standard holds true for everyone, which includes you not being owed any negative rights.

[-] -2 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

"Pitching in". You can soft peddle entitlement and it's resultant obligation using any words you choose, but it's the same thing. It's taking by force. Healthcare isn't a right. We have huge numbers of people living off of others enforced by the system, but they don't have a right to it.

[-] 3 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

The truth is we have a small number of people rent-seeking off the backs of everybody else in the system, turning America into the land of the crap. You can try to force me and others to continue putting up with your crap, but most of us have had enough. I say health care is a right & a great number of people agree with me.

[-] -2 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

No doubt, some people agree, namely those looking to elevate raw entitlement to the higher calling of a "right". It's an excellent rationalization. People in the cart like being in the cart and will come up with all sorts of arguments for being in the cart and, importantly, why someone else should be made to pull it. American is turning into the land of entitlements.

[-] 3 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Thank you, I thought my rationalization was outstanding. & your rationalization for being a douche-tool for the one percent is most excellent also.

[-] 1 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

Huh, your responses say otherwise. But I understand, there's no talking someone like you out of their sense of entitlement and their claims on someone else.

[-] 0 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

I'm making the point that healthcare isn't a right. Rights are what's left to you, not what you get to extract. That's a pretty way to understand the difference between a right and what's simply a gift social welfare program.

Attempting to elevate entitlement programs to the status of a right is a cheap rationalization that ignores the negative right it creates on the backs of those being forced to provide it.

[-] 0 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Point noted, and frankly, grown up, I don't give a damn.

[-] -2 points by Growup6 (-125) 12 years ago

The douche-tools are in the cart, not the ones being made to pull it.

[-] 3 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

And here you are making the argument for your negative right to not help pull the health care cart. So how is it you can now, all of a sudden, claim to be pitching in and pulling anything? You should think a little harder next time and perhaps you might avoid contradicting yourself.

[-] 3 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

You guys rock. I sang with you on 5th Ave on May day, try to make it again. Only good thoughts for you. I'll spread the word. Solidarity.

[-] 1 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

this is the march into the future of all our hopes and dreams! this movement is the pursuit of happiness for all mankind!

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

Deep! Wish I could do the walk with them.

[-] 1 points by invmetal10 (1) from Christiansburg, VA 12 years ago

The free market capitalist system is technically obsolete given our current state of technology. We should transition out of this outdated system and into a system based on the scientific method for social concern.

[-] 1 points by CentralPaFarm (4) from Thompsontown, PA 12 years ago

3 CHEERS to """Mark Dorazio Peacewalker""" for walking across the USA from Oakland Calif last Nov to Pa to wash DC to phila for the two events,,, the99D and Occupy's national gathering

[-] 1 points by SuzannahBeeeeTroy (1) 12 years ago

I met Capt Ray Lewis who is will attend. I made a YouTube with him. He was handing out Occupied Metro 2 which was good. Anyone heading back to NYC that can attend a peaceful protest, no civil disobedience -- keep the side walk clear -- I don't want arrests -- just to send a message to the 1 percent.

http://youtu.be/pd1X5OR6TPc

I filmed Capt. Ray Lewis handing out Occupied Metro series 2.

FYI -- anyone peaceful --no anti- cop or anti-Winski... we are protesting Wall St piece of bull shit Henry Buhl who was sued in the 1970's and 80s for Vesco Scandal.

Now Buhl is the bernie madoff of Prince St sidewalks -- he used the 1st Precinct along with the Mercer Hotel to unfairly ticket long term vendors and many are handicapped veterans and artists and the NYPD were not effective enough for the klu klux clan of vendor ethnic cleansing so Henry Buhl illegally dropped planters where there tables were.

I called it in immediately and forwarded to CB1 who forwarded to Dept of Transportation who confirmed the planters are illegal.

Greg mocker is doing an on going piece on this. Next segment to expose Buhl.

Buhl has an foundation called ACE -- he has it's name on every garbage pail in Soho and breaks he helps homeless.

he is more like beneficient plantation owner of Prince St. but not under his window.

The one Vet he allowed to stay hates the other Vets, marty the viet nam vet who is only out for himself....a back stabber and is financially sold while my friend Eric is 81 and poor - severely handicapped and buhl dropped a planter on his spot.

We here Buhl is now going to drop 52 more planters illegally where vendor tables are.

Buhl and his pals at the mercer are economic racists.

I want Internal Affairs there as well because one police officer came and harassed me at the last protest. Mercer Hotel has him on speed dial.

http://suzannahbtroy.blogspot.com/2012/06/july-14th-day-before-my-birthday.html

http://suzannahbtroy.blogspot.com/2012/06/mercer-hotel-and-henry-buhl-ace-ethic.html

[-] 1 points by i8jomomma (80) 12 years ago

how about ya march on into the homes of the ones that are causing the problems...............learn from the countries that had enough and is willing to remove the problem by any means

[-] 1 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

way to go! the heart and hopes of humanity are with you! good luck to the MIGHTY GUITARMY!!

[-] 1 points by Paulhaider74 (3) 12 years ago

I truly hope that after the Guitarmy march has concluded, the participants will march toward the voting booth on November 6 in order to vote for President Obama intsead of Mittwit "Multimillionaire Misogynist Mormon" Romney. We can sing "This Land Is Your Land" until Woody Guthrie returns from the dead, but it won't matter if we lose our land to the millionaires, billionaires, and corporations; we don't want our democracy to become a plutocracy. OWS, get out of the parks and streets and into the voting booths! We can do exactly what the Tea Party did in November of 2010, but it is our turn now to correct what Repugnantcans/Right did that was so wrong. Paul Haider, Chicago

[-] 0 points by PeterKropotkin (1050) from Oakland, CA 12 years ago

Unfortunately Obama is part of the plutocracy. Go push that nonsense somewhere else.

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[-] -1 points by salta (-1104) 12 years ago

how are they crossing the delaware and hudson rivers? what 's the overland route?

[-] 3 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

You don't support the guitarmy do you? I onjly ask because I've never seen a comment from you that supports any part of OWS, or the 99%.

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