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We are the 99 percent

OWS Health Action Assembly Tomorrow

Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 16, 2011, 2:56 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

A protest by the OWS Health Action General Assembly will take place at St. Vincent’s hospital this Saturday to demonstrate the growing frustration with a system that values luxury condominiums over care for the sick. The OWS Health Action General Assembly is composed of patients, nurses, social workers, physicians, and regular citizens coming together to seek alternatives to the present healthcare system.

We realize that the present healthcare, housing, and food crisis can no longer be solved by the ‘experts’ and ‘professionals’ only. It requires a much broader participation of citizens in order to succeed with any long-lasting alternatives. We are living in an era of created scarcity despite the abundance of technology, resources, and production at our disposal. This inequality present in our current healthcare system serves the interest of the few while leaving millions suffering.

While Wall Street got bailed out, 6 million homes have been foreclosed since 2007, 1.6 million teenagers must live on the streets, and 50 million Americans must exist with no access to healthcare. The Occupy Wall Street movement has unleashed a wave of protests and assemblies confronting the failures of the present financial system; the gross inequalities which exist within the US healthcare system are a direct result of a structure that values the profits of the 1% over the financial and physical well-being of the 99%.


Occupy Wall Street is part of an international people powered movement fighting for economic justice in the face of neoliberal economic practices, the crimes of Wall Street, and a government controlled by monied interests. #OWS is the 99% organizing to end the tyranny of the 1%. 
For more info www.occupywallst.org

26 Comments

26 Comments


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[-] 7 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

Fantastic. Immigrants are people too! As an Alien, I feel that we should have a say also. Most of the people being blamed for the ills of the world are the Aliens. We are all members of the 99%, whether we are English-Americans, African Americans, Italian-Americans, Original-Americans, Japanese Americans, Europeans or Aliens.

[-] 3 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

Hear, hear. We need to create a more democratic society that is suited human nature:

"The Society We Should Strive For"

"Human Nature and Libertarian Socialism"

yours struggleforfreedom

[-] 3 points by fiverrah (15) 12 years ago

We desperately need to create a better system!

http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/pages/Read-the-Charter.html

[-] 3 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

Thanks for the link. The site presents lots of good ideas :)

Please come visit me too:

http://struggleforfreedom.blogg.no/

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[-] 0 points by ronjj (-241) 12 years ago

A question for struggle:

Please tell me in your words:

<What is the nature of "human nature"

You keep referring to this concept - how do YOU define it.

[-] 1 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

Wikipedia writes "Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally." I think that´s a pretty good definition.

[-] 0 points by ronjj (-241) 12 years ago

Hey "struggle" thanks for the reply but you only got through the first layer. I know what human nature is. The question that I posed what is the Nature of that human nature. What is the Nature of our ways of thinking, feeling and acting. If it is "natural" what is the Nature of that naturally occuring thing/

In other words: What is the Nature of your ability to think. We are getting closer to computers that can think. What makes you any different from a machine? What is the Nature of your ability to feel. A cat can feel, why are you special? What is the Nature of your ability to act. A dog can be taught to act, why are you special?

[-] 1 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

"If it is "natural" what is the Nature of that naturally occuring thing/"

Over time organisms evolve characteristics thru evolution and natural selection. I don´t think there´s any point in taking it further in the way you do. What´s your answer to this question?

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

Three months and you've raised so much awareness already. Keep going strong and thank you Occupiers.

[-] 1 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

Thanks. I think the best approach is to welcome help and support whereever it comes from. We in Edinburgh are getting almost universal support, and from bank staff!!! Many young bank employees don't get much pay, and are really pissed off at the millions their executives get paid.

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

It should make everyone outraged.

[-] 1 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

It is making me feel outraged!! I will have to calm down and channel my outrage into creative protest. Still. I'm bloody annoyed. Grrrrrrr! :)

[-] 4 points by riseupoccupy (4) 12 years ago

this is very special to me because that was my neighborhood hospital, before the city closed it down to build condos. here's some background of what that hospital meant to people: http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/65370/

and here's the sales page for the condos that will be replacing st. vincents:

http://130west12.com/#!Home

this is whats more important to nyc, and bloomberg, apparently, than a neighborhood hospital.

[-] 3 points by Vykan12 (33) 12 years ago

"We are living in an era of created scarcity despite the abundance of technology, resources, and production at our disposal." Very well put.

[-] 3 points by JLM (3) from Lawrence, NJ 12 years ago

"It requires a much broader participation of citizens in order to succeed with any long-lasting alternatives"

I heartily agree. I've been looking for alternatives. We need to give a big push to any successful things already being tried or come up with new ideas. I found a pilot health care project in Vermont called "evidence-based health" which seems to represent a fundamental shift in the way primary care is practiced. It's been successful in providing better care and reducing costs for 60,000 people in Vermont and may be spreading elsewhere. There's more info on the web or go to my blog: nonviolentsocialchange.wordpress.com and click on the category: health care.

Also an initiative called "Housing First" seems to be making a big difference for chronic homelessness.

When we get angry about our current system, let's channel at least some of that energy into finding and creating long term alternatives.

[-] 3 points by blazefire (947) 12 years ago

Thankyou occupy! That means you! Yes, YOU! You are the 99%! Thankyou for being here....and, in this moment selflessly giving yourself to the community. To all those affected/afflicted by the illness that is our system....I offer my prayers and condolences....and my desire, my need to make sure you are amongst the last to understand, truly understand what the symptoms of our broken understanding is, and, this short poem...

Death Rite

I am writing this

So that you, the person reading this

Will think of me,

and wonder...

Why would I think of you?

C. Edwards, Melbourne

[-] 3 points by charnipar123 (122) 12 years ago

Residents of West Birmingham ALA. Are desperate for help. See article in BBC news online today. They cannot afford the costly water and are desperate!! They want to take to the streets but need help. If anyone knows how to reach Occupy Birmingham by a phone # please help! I emailed them but so far no reply.

[-] 1 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

There is a national conference for the whole UK in Edinburgh this weekend. I will try to obtain this info.

[-] 1 points by charnipar123 (122) 12 years ago

okay. this is for Birmingham Alabama and reporter from BBC that authored the article in BBC online is named Brian Wheeler. Would love contact info for him. Bless u Peace

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

"until thou hast thy purpose by the hilt catch at it BODILY or thou never wilt!" Jami. We must grow our own fresh food, organic vegetables, to give us life! see my video "dark energy is eternal life!" on youtube.

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

Yes! This is what I've been waiting for. It's time to take matters and decision making processes in to our own hands, as Argentinians did in 2001. Persevere, persevere, persevere.

[-] 1 points by WorkerAntLyn (254) 12 years ago

This is a cause I can definitely get behind. I've known so many people who go for months and even years without treating medical issues because of the price of health care, and troubles getting on any type of insurance. This is particularly true for those with "pre-existing medical issues".

Thank-you, OWS, and to all who attend this meeting.

[-] 1 points by Yeti (7) 12 years ago

OWS FILM FESTIVAL - Sat., DEC. 17th 7-9PM @56 WALKER STREET One block South Canal St. Between Church & Broadway

Join the Occupy Revolution! For an exciting film festival that celebrates 3 months of the Occupation Movement and a global revolution. See short films from local and international occupation movement filmmakers and media activists. Witness the inspiration and defiance of a movement that refuses to be crushed by police brutality and State repression. You may not see OWS in the corporate media, But you will see it represented on this Saturday.

Take any train to Canal Street. Please submit any works, links, suggestions, or volunteer!!! (Co-sponsered by INN World Report) FOR MORE INFO Contact: occupyrevolution@yahoo.com

[-] 1 points by SuzannahBeeTroy (14) 12 years ago

See you tomorrow St. V. NYTimes finally did an article on OWS sign prohibition today a 1pm. http://www.scribd.com/doc/75721885/2011-12-14-Norman-Siegel-Herbert-Teitelbaum-Deutsche-Bank-NYPD-First-Amendment-Letter Three and half hours later --- The NY Times article on DB prohibition of signs comment moderators have censored my comment so I made my 3rd YouTube starting with my comment banned by The NY Times http://youtu.be/8T41oowPeCM and footage Sunday night 60 Wall Street. Shame on The New York Times. I have had letters published 9 Times before I became critical of mayor Bloomberg. (includes video footage from OWS Constitution group fellow who like me was abused Sunday night. at the end I cover more information re: DB closure of bathrooms.

FYI -- DB has one goal and that is too evict OWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was assaulted in every way but physically hit because of DB's objective because I came to visit OWS. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/at-60-wall-objections-are-raised-to-signs-prohibiting-signs/

The comment so threatening it has to be banned!

"I made two youtubes on my experiences but I am afraid NY Times censors will block my links plus another activist who's YouTube is referenced in the letter. They made me remove an article of art and a protest sign. In my opinion the DB spokesperson is less than truthful and it would been a matter of time before the other rules were enforced with the goal to evict OWS. Not reported -- verbal violence by one private military DB and all refused to tell me there names and employer; again of DB less than honest behavior. The DB security abuser repeated "I am not a civil servant.". He told me I would have to leave!!! I have written about a new disturbing trend set by DB and Brookfield of hiring private military or police that wear no identification which is unacceptable. It is yet another abuse of authority."

Not part of comment: From Sunday night 60 Wall St - after I was forced to remove my sign around my neck and my art around my wrist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK5odi345tc

2nd tube Thursday my Auschwitz Deutsche Bank sign outside 60 Wall St... I was so incensed and felt so violated came back made this YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z49Zi8TCZbo (don't mention I want DB to pay my friend compensation...his back broken Auschwitz! Thanks to DB nameless guards did back round check on DB -- not pretty -- financed Auschwitz build and profited from stolen Gold from Jews -- mostly all murdered....hmmmm. No press covered my powerful protest 60 Wall St. Gee, I wonder why.

[-] 1 points by jomojo (562) 12 years ago

Health here vs medical tourism.

[-] 1 points by Toynbee (656) from Savannah, GA 12 years ago
  • It is interesting that the so-called "think tanks" that spew vile about the latest efforts to reform our health care system are tax-exempt.

  • Hmmmmm. Are taxpayers giving them the bullets with which to attack us?