#RiseUpNY Actions for a Living Wage
Posted 11 years ago on July 24, 2012, 5:24 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Tags:
action,
live updates,
nyc
Live Updates (Eastern Time)
- 5:25pm: Interfaith clergy for economic justice getting ready to speak and crowds are still pouring in to Union Square. Huge turnout so far. If you are in New York, it isn't too late to head there now! In Chicago, the teachers union is picketing the school district while preparing for the #RaiseTheWage rally.
- 6:00pm: Labor leaders giving shout-outs to #OWS, saying "we are car wash, airport, supermarket, laundry, retail, ConEd and restaurant workers - and we are all together! We are the 99%!" Meanwhile in Philly, Occupy Philadelphia reports: "The livable wage rally is currently occupying The Gallery." (Photos below)
- 6:30pm: Massive cheers echo in Manhattan as TWU (the transit workers union) joins the lively march of thousands on way to ConEd to support locked out workers there.
- 7:15pm: NYPD are keeping the demo at ConEd HQ penned in behind barricades; undeterred, the coalition of union labor and low-wage workers continues to make tons of noise. Despite the demo having a permit, NYPD spotted with riot gear and flexi-cuffs around the corner.
- 7:45pm: Marchers headed to various area car washes to demand owners stop stealing wages from workers, and to Capital Grille to protest wage theft and discrimination. Tons of photos from the march added below the cut! Check back later for even more. What an amazing day of actions!
Full schedule of the day and the 99 Pickets actions
More background info
Chicago is also marching to raise the minimum wage today at 4:30pm Central Time.
Why are we marching today? For one, Obama promised during his campaign to raise the minimum wage each year after he took office. He has yet to do it even once. In every state in the United States, it is literally impossible to afford rent while working minimum wage even if you have a full time job. The minimum wage has been increased only 3 times in the last thirty years – not even enough to account for inflation.
It is time: We demand a living wage now! Here are a few more facts about the minimum wage, also courtesy of NY Workers Rising:
- Over the past 10 years the minimum wage has remained stagnant while CEO pay has increased by 725%
- Minimum wage jobs are the fastest growing sector in New York, with the number of workers being paid minimum wage increasing ten-fold over the past five years to 91,000.
- 66% of Car Wash workers interviewed reported receiving the legal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Only 5 workers reported being paid the difference if their tips and salary didn’t amount to $7.25 per hour.
- Over 55% of those earning less than $8.50/hour statewide and 58% of those earning less than $8.50 per hour upstate are female.
- In New York State, approximately 487,000 women would be guaranteed to get a raise if the minimum wage were to be increased to $8.50 per hour.
- In New York City, 78% of those earning less than $8.50 per hour are people of color.
- Latino residents of New York City are the most likely to see an increase in pay, with nearly 49% of all Latino workers earning less than $8.50 per hour.
- African Americans in New York City would be the second largest beneficiary of a higher minimum wage, with over 22% of African American residents making less than $8.50 per hour.
- Even with two incomes, a family of 4 where both parents earn minimum wage, earns about $30,160 per year, assuming no time off. Not much about the $23,050 poverty line, especially if a family member gets sick and one person has to take time off.
- Over 84% statewide and 92% in New York City of the residents making less than $8.50 an hour are 20 years of age or older.
- New Yorkers ages 16-19 make up barely 16% of the statewide and 8% of the New York City workforce making less than $8.50 per hour.
- Average estimated all-in costs (including tuition, room and board, books, personal expenses, transportation) for a SUNY student living on campus is $21,120. A student attending classes and working 20 hours per week would make merely $7,540. This guarantees that a student would require significant financial aid, if they were able to afford school at all.
- The current pre-tax annual income of a worker earning minimum wage ($7.25) for a full-time (40 hours/week) job – assuming no time off – would provide $15,080.
Union Square, today
Make the Road NY contingent
Marchers reinforce locked-out ConEd workers, as NYPD keeps them in a cage
Picket line outside Capital Grille protesting wage theft & discrimination
Picket outside car wash that pays workers below minimum wage
Philadelphia marched today too!
Bless you awesome people for showing up to support Con Edison workers. Con Edison is an electrical utility company for New York City that has just posted one of their highest earnings ever, their stock is through the roof (why a public utility is on the stock market is anyone's guess) and all upper levels of management got 20% raises .
Meanwhile they locked out 8,500 workers because the union simply said "no" to pay cuts, take backs in medical, and the removal of pensions. Again, this is from a company that is profiting incredibly; not a company that has fallen on hard times. It's corporate greed in its purist form.
Thank you, OWS, for being there.
Also I forgot to mention there's a decent number of Con Edison workers (some who wrote into the Daily News) that said they used to be die-hard republicans and now they know how wrong they were, and even they appreciate OWS now. It's sad it took them being impacted for them to realize it, but you guys really are getting through to people. I personally thank every OWS person I see there with a handshake, and anyone playing music I throw a few bucks to if they have a bucket. You guys rock and give New York City hope that though the rest of the country is going down the tubes, there's still some safe places left (Iike good old New York City).
Occupy wins hearts and minds every time it stands and fights alongside the workers and the poor.
Agreed. We must continue standing with as many progressive grups who share our agenda.
It's the only way to engage the most powerful evil the world has ever known (1% plutocrats)
Too dramatic? Sorry. Too much caffeine this mornin'.
Not too dramatic for me. Occupy might have got hee a few years late but it's here.
It really is intense. And the resistence by the 1% and their repub tools is greater than ever. I think they realize that their days are numbered. We are at a turning point. If we can get more progressives in office we will speed up the progress.
If we let the right wing steal elections we could see a generation lost.
It's now or never.
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I was a die hard republican also and now realize how wrong I was about government. It's great to watch others wake up now.
Don't let them wake up with the illusion that the Democratic Party is on their side. The battle is against the corporations and the establishment democrats will not help us because they are dependent on them.
Repubs proudly trumpet the conservative policies that benefit the 1% plutocrats. Some Dems always betray progressive principles and vote for the same conservative policies. But not all.
We can drag enough Dems back from the right and make them serve the 99%.
Republicans ARE the problem.
Elect progressives.
Maybe you're right but it doesn't seem that way to me. We will be unable to drag the Dems back until we win the battle against the corporations. The Dems do say the right things, but they don't accomplish anything and they want us to believe it's because of the republicans preventing them, but it's because of the corporations.
The Dems have accomplished things! Health care reform, fin reform, cutting military budget. cutting mercenary use, Green tech/infrastructure investment, increased Pell grants, removed banks from student loan business, And much much more. All watered down by repubs.
You are right corps (using the repubs) have prevented much progress. But we have made slow progress in the face of the most massive effort against our agenda.
The Pres/Dems cannot do anything if we are not supporting them. We must vote out conservative pro plutocrat republican.
Elect progressives.
If it were only that simple, I would agree. Corps are "In Power" in our country, and the establishment Dems are part of the Corps.
Corps are squealin about these small steps of progress. That should be enough measure to recognize who is pushing the right agenda.
Corps are giving most of their money to repubs who have promised to repeal these small steps of progress.
dems can't succeed without us recognizing the truth about who is making the effort to improve the lives of the 99%. We can't succeed if we give up, and stop protesting.
"Agitate, Agitate, Agitate" FD
It all appears like a, "show", to me because the results seem to always favor the Corps. Small steps are just part of the show. Agitate is something I can agree with.
Agitate to improve the small progress we have made.
The 1% plutocrats have so much control that change can ONLY be accomplished with slow progress.
No one gives up power/money without a fight.
If we give up because progress is slow, or because we don't get everything we want immediately then the 1% plutocrats strategy of obstructing progress will have served it's purpose. They will have won.
Real change will take years! Are we gonna give up 'cause Pres Obama didn't find the magic light switch that undoes everything.
c'mon we can't be the stereotypical spoiled suburban people with the well evolved sense of entitlement the world thinks we are.
It's called a struggle for a reason. 2 steps forward, one step back.
Tell that to the Egyptians.
I hope the egyptians get outfrom the military yoke we have supported for decades.
Hasn't happened yet, but they are working on it.
Do you see some parallel? What point are you makin.?
Peace
I am not for waiting, till this country goes down the drain slowly. The Egyptians got rid of Mubarak in 18 days. We need a similar revolution here. Thats my point. Time for the Oligarchs and Plutocrats to go. I am not smart enough to suggest how to do that. I just know it has to be done.
I want that too. I am also noy smart enough to suggest how to do it. forums like this have the potential to have solutions "bubble up". The founders of OWS will come to consensus on a direction/strategy to achieve "direct democracy" which has great potential.
Meanwhile I will protest/agitate for change that helps the 99%, and vote for candidates I think will do the same.
How about you?
Unfortunately, I believe your approach will result in us losing the battle. The struggle is bigger than you believe, and time is running out on our way of life, our civilisation itself.
Ok. Then you have given up.? Is the world gonna end for us.?
Extinction upon us.?
Possibly but I'm not ready to stick my head in the sand. The Corps are "In Power" in this country and will consolidate this power if they're allowed. Our purpose is to explain the correct problem, the Corps, not the repubs, to everyone.
Attempts to drag the Dems to help us is the wrong approach. When we have enough power, they will come to us and ask what we want them to do.
Exactly. Now you got it.
Solidarity
Elect progressive. Vote out pro plutocrat republicans
Oohh. very good. Let me know when you get all that power to bring the politicians to us.
I'm with you. That sounds like a great plan. Should we bring people to the movement by telling them civilization is over?
I don't know how attractive that is.
Let's tell them there's still time if we use democracy now.
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Brings me back to remembering the days when I was in Lyndon Boy Johnson's army of the drafted.
Tough times. You are literally a soldier. Thanks for your service.
The most shameful time of my life was when I wore that uniform in public while others in the same uniform were murdering the peoples of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia under the Democrat Lyndon Boy.
Anti communist, military industrial complex, lying generals, murderous policy, LBJ. A disgrace.
We are not there anymore. We must stop the drone bombings, they do not compare to what we did in Vietnam but it's still wrong.
Peace
The drone bombings nd spying are pretty horrible. You and I can be sure of one thing- we don't know the half of them.
Probably true but we have heard about thousands. Hearing about so many in and of itself is unusual. thats the kind of thing the govt doesn't talk about much.
I think we can thank the internet & cell phone cameras for any transparency we have on this issue. And with all that we hear of I am sure we don't hear everything.
congress is the problem and they all need replaced
Republican ARE the problem.
Elect progressives
Right starting with Obama. What a choice Mr 1 % and the lame ass we have in the WH.
Who do you suggest replace him?
Ralph Nader.
the vice president
got that right
Good luck with the strike. Haven't heard of any negotiations lately. Anything happening?
As of today, the company is refusing to budge. Keep in mind, this is not a strike, they locked all the employees out.
My apologize you are of course absolutely correct. And I know full well it is a lockout. I also think it should be illegal to lock out workers. Especially when mgmt then refuses to negotiate honestly. Clearly they are trying to bust the union.
Much luck. I've been there and will again.
Power to the people.
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I have worked alongside Con Ed workers for many years on the 'boats.' I have broken bread with you guys, laughed, shared stories about family life, and despaired with you while at Con Ed Ravenswood on 9/11, and I will be proud to stand with you in your struggle when I return from visiting family in AK. That's a promise.
By Ralph Nader - During the 2008 campaign, presidential candidate Barack Obama made a pledge to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 per hour by 2011. Promises like this one inspired a generation of young voters, excited long-neglected progressive voters and gave hope to millions of his supporters across the country.
President Obama ran a campaign of soaring rhetoric and uplifting ideas. Amidst two unpopular wars, a rapidly deteriorating financial crisis and the wildly unpopular presidency of George W. Bush, Americans were desperate for a change. He was viewed as a “transformational” candidate, a president who would turn the page on the stagnant politics of Washington.
It is now four years later, and there has been no increase to the minimum wage. There has been no congressional vote, much less a whisper from the White House on the minimum wage.
See the rest here:
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2012/07/24/where-is-obamas-promised-minimum-wage-hike/
See Obama on video make the pledge to raise the minimum wage here:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/as-candidate-obama-promised-to-raise-the-minimum
It's true he broke the promise you allege. He (and all pols) should be chastised for the failure to help the low income americans struggling during this repub created "great recession".
I would simply remind you that it is always and only Dems who have pushed the few min wage increases we've seen. It is always repubs who resist any and all minimum wage increases.
It is repubs who prevented the passage of minimum wage increase in the last 3 years as well.
Support Low income workers. Vote out anti minimum wage republicans
Let us all support a "living wage" for "ALL".
Healthy for the individual and Healthy for the Economy.
I agree. Living wage, pegged to the inflation rate!
Absolutely - it makes no sense to let wages fall behind costs.
That would be big. Since it would remove the need to constantly fight for a crumb of an increase.
True - then perhaps people could stop stressing about work and put some needed energy and attention into their families, communities,world and actually living life.
Maybe even work less hours to expand valuable attention to fam/comm.
That also - and maybe we would see a reduction in murder suicides as the economic stress level is reduced. Maybe we would see a reduction in all crime " if people were able to be employed " and that employment at an actual living wage.
We most certainly would. Then maybe even eventually see a weaker argument for arming everyone to the teeth. (off topic I know, Jes' sayin')
It is a related issue - in that the violence is part of the sick society/economy.
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - It was introduced into the House on January 5, 2007, by George Miller (D-CA) and it was passed by the House on January 10. All 233 House Democrats voted "Aye," and 82 Republicans joined them. 116 Republican representatives voted "No," and 4 representatives did not vote. President Bush advised that the bill should include tax cuts for small businesses that could be harmed by the wage increase, and on January 24, 2007, a cloture motion in the Senate failed as 43 Republican Senators (all but 5) rejected the bill without the tax cuts, opposing all 47 Democrats who were present for the vote. Once tax cuts were added to the bill, the Senate passed the amended bill 94-3 (3 Republicans opposed and 1 did not vote; 2 Democrats did not vote) on February 1, 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Minimum_Wage_Act_of_2007
Sounds like you make my point.
Can it be we are in agreement.? Dems want to help low income workers. Repubs want to help corps.
82 Reps (41%) voted for it even without tax breaks for small business.
Huh?
YEAH 60% voted against helping low income workers. You thank its meaningful that 41% voted for it? How many were northeasterners. They sometimes vote more moderate because their constituents are more moderate. (back then anyway). How many did so because they new it would fail anyway.
41% ain't enough. It means a big majority of repubs voted against help for low income workers.
You made my point.
Republicans ARE the problem.
Look at the taxes repubs want to raise.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/tax-increases-republicans-want-republican-are-the-/
Pressure Deblasio (ALL pols/business) to implement a living wage w/ cola.
http://observer.com/2014/07/bill-de-blasio-says-hell-fulfill-horse-carriage-and-living-wage-promises/
"agitate, agitate, agitate"
How about a Maximum Wage of 100 times the Median wage in the USA. That would be 5 Million a year. Is there any one who really could not live on 5 Mil / year ? Just a thought.
I should have said average average family income. Thanks.
The median wage is closer to $26,000.
"By definition, 50 percent of wage earners had net compensation less than or equal to the median wage, which is estimated to be $26,363.55 for 2010."
http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/netcomp.cgi?year=2010
Hi fighters of the new revolution, this is a video from spanish revolution. Occupy the Congres
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iKE8HXpC6I&feature=BFa&list=FLN4Fq35pfmBdrNEPrYbn-hw
Salut i Força!
This is one of the key issues with huge potential for Occupy, though I think we need to take it a step further and encourage minimum wage workers to strike. Occupy must regain its credibility, then it can raise money to cover worker's lost wages if they choose to strike. Imagine whole crews of McDonald's workers not showing up, unexpectedly, all over the country. That would get the 1% and everyone else's attention more than protests which eventually die down.
http://www.primitivetimes.com/2012/occupying-the-national-gathering-the-ideas-in-my-spiral-notebook/
Who and what determines a living wage? How and who would pay for it?
There are statisticians who look at the costs of housing, food, etc. and have figured out what constitutes a living wage.
http://livingwage.mit.edu/places/3606151000
As for where it should come from:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/at-least-21-trillion-dollars-is-hidden-worldwide-b/
IT is suggested that just as people accused of drug crimes have all their worldly possessions taken away the same should apply to these criminals too.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/about-the-21-trillion-the-one-percenters-hide-from/
The average dollar amount of goods and services produced per employee is about $100,000 a year. A bit higher if you calculate by number hours worked.
As of 2010, 75 million people, 50% of the 150 million person workforce were making $26,000 a year, most much less. Anywhere from $7.25 to $12.50 an hour. They take just 1/7 to 1/4 share of the wealth they help produce. Somebody else gets the rest of their share.
"Who and what determines a living wage?"
The people who work for minimum wage. I don't think any would agree that $7.25 an hour is a living wage.
The minimum wage should be at least 25% of GDP per person. About $12.50 an hour. Raised in 1$ an hour increments over the next 5 years.
"How and who would pay for it?"
They have earned it. Take it back from those that stole it. The only reason that rich people are rich is because they have convinced the poor they deserve to be poor. What they settle for is what they receive.
http://lanekenworthy.net/2010/07/20/the-best-inequality-graph-updated/
A living wage is a humane wage. No one in this country should work full-time and be unable to pay for the basic necessities of life. That is shameful and it is time for economic fairness for all Americans, not just the wealthy and corporations.
A living wage is not only Humane - it is economically sound/healthy.
Prosperity for all.
BTW - Tweeted this post.
Slightly off topic but - I wonder if poverty stricken areas of the USA can apply to the UN for Aid?
I wonder if environmentally devastated areas of the USA could apply for UN aid?
I wonder if areas experiencing police repression suppression brutality abuse - can apply to the UN for protection.
This is not a serious thought ( applying for aid ) but what would a protest at the UN asking for aid and protection from our government the police and the corpoRATions look like to the World audience.
Good point, re: the economic soundness of a living wage.
How can that basic fact escape so many peoples notice.
OH - well we continue on with education outreach and opening eyes.
Still rising up, & agitating for a living wage.
http://observer.com/2014/07/bill-de-blasio-says-hell-fulfill-horse-carriage-and-living-wage-promises/
FYI
The fight for a living wage is going to have to begin at the local level because it is only there where change can be made given the do nothing, corporate loving federal government in place.
The 15now movement is definitely grassroots/local & although it began 18 mo ago it has been more successful than any political efforts in the previous decade.
Street pressure in indispensable.
The ideas planted in the minds of Americans by Occupy Wall Street, that Americans have a right to an economic system that is fair to all people and that there is a class struggle in this country whether we ever wanted to admit it or not, have forever changed the conversation in this country. There is no going back. Power to the people! You can kick us off the street but you can't kick the ideas from our heads!
And the strategy/approach to protesting against these injustices/inequities has spread/inspired innumerable like minded groups on a wide range of issues.
I agree "there is no going back". The momentum has only begun, we haven't reached the peak yet.
Solidarity!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/30/1303182/-Grassroots-push-leads-to-negotiated-minimum-wage-hike-in-Michigan
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"No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, clothe and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labour as to be themselves tolerably well fed, cloathed and lodged." (Adam Smith, "Wealth Of Nations", Bk 1, Chapter 8, 1776) & ...
"This disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and powerful, and to despise or, at least, neglect persons of poor and mean conditions ... is .. the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments." (Adam Smith, "The Theory Of Moral Sentiments", 1759)
Thanx again 'bw', for your effusive heart-centred commentaries.
http://www.timeforaraise.org/ ,
http://www.livingwagenyc.org/ ,
http://www.universallivingwage.org/ ,
"Working and Poor in the USA", by Bill Quigley : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30307.htm ,
"Don’t 30 Million Workers Deserve 1968 Wages ?" by Ralph Nader : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31530.htm &
"Low-Wage Nation - Poverty and Inequality are Threatening our Democracy", by Peter Edelman : http://www.otherwords.org/articles/low-wage_nation .
pax, amor et lux ...
Republicans for wage theft!
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/06/republicans-wage-theft-congressional-progressive-caucus
If people knew we might vote out some of these pro corp pols!
Support pols who support our agenda.
Here's a hint:
http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/
No?
What great quotes and links. Thanks. And, I can't help but wonder what it feels like to veto a living wage as Bloomberg did. Geesh!
You can "wonder" all you like 'bw' but you'll never get it, I don't think - because you have a natural born empathic human heart and a gracious and compassionate nature, whereas Bloomberg ...
ad iudicium !
LOL, thanks.
You know, even "LOL"ier is the fact that your clearly heart-centred comments have gone from at least +9 at one point to +1 as i type this !!!
Observe : [ 6 points by beautifulworld (6965) 18 hours ago : A living wage is a humane wage. No one in this country should work full-time and be unable to pay for the basic necessities of life. That is shameful and it is time for economic fairness for all Americans, not just the wealthy and corporations. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink ] !!
When you are the recipient of such concerted down voting, be absolutely assured that you are doing something very right indeed ! Keep up the good work 'bw' & the very best wishes with all that you do and wherever you do it !
pax, amor et lux ...
Thanks for the kind words. Many of us here get down-voted for supporting the masses of humanity that our economic system has left out in the cold. It doesn't matter about the points, but it sure does matter where these down-voting folks' heads and hearts are at.
And, thanks to you too, Shadz, for all you do here.
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Thanks, ZenDog. You too. It's so great that you're back and you've stayed!!
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Hell yes! (And not just for Americans, either -- we want it for everyone!)
Absolutely. Workers of all countries, unite!
Exactly, worldwide. All of humanity.
Hear, hear.
Better wages and rights for all workers...and eventually: workers' takeover of industry.
Occupy your Workplace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jRy5ZIYZok&feature=plcp
Great video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it:)
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That's great! But at some point will we include reasonable hours as part of the discourse?
What happens to people who want to work more to make more money?
They join our fight for a living wage!
Be inspired by these pix/posts to put aside all anti people positions, fight for our fellow workers!
Embrace the 'We're in this together' posture! Denounce the vacant 'You're on your own' destructive, selfish agenda.
Living wages NOW!
Who'me I talkin to?
How about finding a different job. There are millions of openings.
Note: If you want to traslated the video (Ocupa el Congreso) in english language, you can click below in CC button and to chose "Español (transcrito)" option. After you must click in "Traducir subtitulos (beta)" and to chose "Inglés" from the list. The traslation isn't very good but you can understand the missage..sorry and thank's
And the conservatives think that these low wage workers don't pay enough taxes. These are the same dirtbags who say they are against any tax increase.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3505
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"interfaith clergy" for economic justice! total BS. conversion is bullying. the gospel is a money shark scam. how many minimum wage earners are paying tithes to their pastors? putting an image of a man nailed to a cross into children's minds is CHILD ABUSE. telling children their mothers and fathers are sinners is GROOMING. this doctrine of original sin is used to break up the native tribes and is being used by clergy among us to break up our community! looking down on us as sinners. we do not need their crap. the INTENT of the virgin birth is to mask the barbaric human sacrifice. the INTENT of the resurrection is to jerk you off with a "happy ending"! the "clergy" are here recruiting for their communities. they are here to break up our community! WE ARE THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. not jesus. jesus christ is a curse in our community. the crucified jew is RACIST ABOMINATION. christianity is a roman invention: a HORROR story to frighten the slaves(on minimum wage?) the GORY VIOLENCE of the crucifixion. the ZOMBIE rising from the dead. the CANNIBAL eating dead jesus. the VAMPIRE drinking dead jesus's blood. christians relive this garbage at every service! so why are we tolerating "interfaith clergy" among us!
Good video on this post about the con-ed lockout.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/thousands-rally-to-support-locked-out-con-ed-worke/