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Let's *Colonize* Wall Street on #S17

Posted 10 years ago on Sept. 13, 2013, 5:02 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt-Canary (0)

DRAFT – This idea is under active development by the OccupyWallSt.org editorial staff.

Notes On Our Use of the Word 'Colonize': Many people have reacted negatively to our choice of the word 'colonize', which has galvanized a passionate Twitter debate. In many ways we're proud to have contributed to raising awareness of the persecution of native and indigenous peoples. We ask our critics to consider: What would happen if the debate escalated to the mainstream media? What if Occupy could galvanize a national debate about the injustices of colonialism and imperialism, while at the same time making the elite know what it feels like?


Two years ago on September 17th, 2011, we captured the world's attention by occupying a square block of Manhattan next door to Wall Street. But since then the public has become bored with our tactics. If we truly want to sway the masses, we must up the ante. Therefore we propose a colonization of Wall Street.

Yes, we mean colonize literally. As in build permanent physical structures in NYC's financial district. Perhaps starting off with a small soup kitchen on the corner that gives out free hot meals. It should also be built professionally and in compliance with as many health & safety codes as possible.

Fundraising to pay for food and supplies will be easy. Protecting ourselves from police violence won't be easy. Pulling off a stunt like this will require Gandhi-style bravery on the part of each individual. But it can be done if people are willing to take a stand to feed the hungry.

We need a nonviolent army. We'll organize our supporters and train them to be disciplined enough to do peaceful crowd control on the cops. This way when our carpenters come to work, they won't have to worry about being murdered by the NYPD.

The messaging would be:

  • Capitalism has failed to provide for the people.
  • The government isn't helping.
  • So we've decided to help ourselves.
  • Even if doing so requires civil disobedience.

Then we tell everyone in America who's been screwed over by capitalism to come down to Wall Street to get a free meal each day from our soup shack. Especially if people decide to show up before/after the trading bells so the financiers going to work can see the faces of people who've been hurt by their careless behavior. Perhaps that human connection will teach them to have a better sense of noblesse oblige.

Except it won't matter because it's too late for apologies. We'll keep colonizing Wall Street by building more permanent structures that provide for the needs of the people. Peacefully and without permission. Things like free housing that are open to anyone, without questions or paperwork, so long as they pose no threat to the safety of others.

Then after several years and enough cities following our model, we might finally have some viable social institutions able to care for the people thrown away by the capitalist economy. A new system that provides for all, without the precondition of servitude to corporations. A system that rises peacefully alongside the power structures of the old. And will ultimately be accepted and embraced by the elite. Why? Because it's a less terrifying alternative to the anarchists and communists who want their blood.

All we want to do is help people.

Programme Rationale

  • In order to capture widespread media attention, we must be original and do something no one else has done before.

  • In order to challenge Wall Street's power so that it may be slowly dismantled, our actions must be an imposition of popular willpower that defies authority. We need to show the world that it's possible for ordinary people to aggressively face off with some of the most terrifying institutions of power in the world, and actually be a worthy adversary.

  • In order to not make things worse, we must do this nonviolently. I believe it is possible to be both militant and nonviolent at the same time. There has also been a historical trend to reduce violence.

  • In order to win popular support, we must be effective in our fight. This means we need to get organized and be professional. We need people to know that we're serious, viable, and on their side. People need to think of us as freedom fighters.

  • In order to unite the many political factions, we must make this an apolitical movement whose sole mission is to provide for the public good. Such a movement should seek no political power aside from conquering public spaces for the purpose of performing good deeds. If people want to do other things, they can start a different movement in solidarity.

  • In order to unite humanity we must:

    • Overcome class distinctions by building these structures in each major city within the neighborhoods populated by the 1%. We shouldn't seek to antagonize them any further than what is necessary to assert our right to live next door.

    • Overcome racial/national distinctions by providing free bedrooms and unrestricted travel of individuals around the world and between nations. The best cure for racism and fascism is to actually meet people from other races, realize we're not so different, and create the material conditions that will allow for the world to become a great melting pot.

Sources of Inspiration

21 Comments

21 Comments


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[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Perhaps starting off with a small soup kitchen on the corner that gives out free hot meals.

A food cart or truck.

[-] 3 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

A food truck doesn't cut it. We have to build something permanent or else we'll be ignored and shrugged off. The goal here is to build something that can become a concrete political programme.

  • In order to capture widespread media attention, we must be original and do something no one else has done before.

  • In order to challenge Wall Street's power so that it may be slowly dismantled, our actions must be an imposition of popular willpower that defies authority. We need to show the world that it's possible for ordinary people to aggressively face off with some of the most terrifying institutions of power in the world, and actually be a worthy adversary.

  • In order to not make things worse, we must do this nonviolently. I believe it is possible to be both militant and nonviolent at the same time. There has also been a historical trend to reduce violence.

  • In order to win popular support, we must be effective in our fight. This means we need to get organized and be professional. We need people to know that we're serious, viable, and on their side. People need to think of us as freedom fighters.

  • In order to unite the many political factions, we must make this an apolitical movement whose sole mission is to provide for the public good. We should seek no political power aside from conquering public spaces for the purpose of performing good deeds.

  • In order to unite humanity we must:

    • Overcome class distinctions by building these structures in each major city within the neighborhoods populated by the 1%. We shouldn't seek to antagonize them any further than what is necessary to assert our right to live next door.

    • Overcome racial/national distinctions by providing free bedrooms and unrestricted travel of individuals around the world and between nations. The best cure for racism and fascism is to actually meet people from other races, realize we're not so different, and create the material conditions that will allow for the world to become a great melting pot.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

We have to build something permanent or else we'll be ignored and shrugged off.

Permanent would be GR8 - but i don't think it would be allowed to be finished prior to the authorities tearing it back down. Which is fine if all you want is confrontation.

Permanent - food for the needy - perhaps some bunk-beds - an overhang to be outside but out of the weather.

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[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

But this is belief politics. What do you hope to gain by such a thing? Do you wish to make a statement that communicates to the publish the fact that Wall Street is screwing people? You think people don't already know that? People aren't stupid. They know exactly what's up and who's to blame, it's just no one has actually had the courage to put up a fight. If you create an action simply to state the obvious, it comes off as condescending to the masses and an admission of your powerlessness. We must fight, not preach.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Hey - whether or not it is allowed to be put-up prior to tearing it down - the 1st thing could always be a construction sign - you know " going-up on this spot " or " opening soon " - and maybe a graphic of the intended facility a proposed name for it and an explanation of it's purpose. That sign can go up in a couple of minutes - and be taken down by us when put in peril by police - to be saved and put back up later - all in prep for the structure.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

I don't know - sell some humble pie to wallstreeters and give a good meal to the needy. Free leaflets for all - educating the masses.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

A food cart or truck. With an illuminator? Show documentaries like "Inside Job " or " Tapped " or

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

FTFA: Perhaps starting off with a small soup kitchen on the corner that gives out free hot meals.

That would mean feeding those in need. FREE. Grasp the concept now???

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

To be honest I would totally give hot meals to the 1%. The end-goal of colonizing spaces controlled by the 1% is to assimilate them into popular culture and eliminate class distinctions. If they want to come come down from their glass tower and to enjoy a hot meal on the curbside with the rest of us, I say we should welcome them and say hello.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Sure - police as well - the main thing - get people educated - as not all wallstreet workers are evil and not all police are evil either. But they can afford to toss a couple of bucks to support the needy - so offer discounted food to those who can pay and use the money for food cart supplies = food leaflets documentaries.......................

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[-] 1 points by sadierebelle (43) 10 years ago

no fucking way. plz do not put this on the front page. i know i'm not really part of this collective/affinity group anymore, but i care a lot about this project still and i don't want to see it openly endorse the racist language of colonialism.

i still think we can speak of occupying wall street & decolonization as mutual goals... but using the word "colonize" is an unbelievably terrible idea that is so oppressive i can't even understand why someone would have thought this was ok to propose in the first place.

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

I wouldn't dare publish an article against the consent of you wonderful ladies who've done more for the website than me.

Can we work together on this?

[+] -4 points by amshadsaid (-4) 10 years ago

What's up with the constant arrogance and always trying to assume power over others? Aren't you an anarchist?

The past doesn't matter in our anarchic world. It doesn't matter how many hours you spent working on this website, it shouldn't give you more power over others. On top of that, you wrote this piece and asked for advice! sadierebelle gives us her opinion, and you troll her with some arrogant remark? Why?

It think everyone's opinion matters. I agree. The word colonize is a bad choice. Anarchism is not about trying to gain power over others, that's what colonizing is. We want to decolonize, to reclaim, to occupy, etc... The ultimate goal is to make sure everyone has equal power.

The other thing is, perhaps if you let other people work on the website you wouldn't be the only one who does. There's a reason the NYGCA and so many other groups don't recognize this place anymore. It doesn't respect and follow anarchic Occupy principles. It has more to do with totalitarianism.

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

There's a reason the NYGCA and so many other groups don't recognize this place anymore. It doesn't respect and follow anarchic Occupy principles. It has more to do with totalitarianism.

Nope. The people to whom you're referring were actually just a bunch of white guys who wanted control of the official website. They were infuriated that some awful undesirable trans women were beating them at their own game. So they made threats, demanded the domain, dragged us to mediation, and told the group of women running this website how they've had enough of their evil abuse of authority. Then after being categorically dismissed by the moderator, they gave up and instead chose to give $10,000 to a domain squatter in Florida to buy a domain and set up a competing website.

The sad part is... if they'd just volunteered to write for the site we would have said yes :(

But eventually most people came around and we're all quite friendly these days.

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[-] 1 points by zoe (67) 10 years ago

Um . . . I'm an editor and I think this is fucked up. Occupation is a tactic of decolonization (or at least it should be).

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[-] 0 points by caseyaldridge17 (1) from Charlotte, NC 10 years ago

So, America has already been "colonized" by Wall Street, patriarchy, war, and capitalism. What if, then, you were to do the same actions proposed above, or in some format similar, but called it Decolonize Wall Street, with the aim of removing the oppressive tendencies of capitalism, colonialism, and war from Wall Street and from American culture and politics? Just a suggestion.

[-] 0 points by caseyaldridge17 (1) from Charlotte, NC 10 years ago

For me, decolonization of lands and colonization of the oppressive financial district are not necessarily exclusive of one another. If you want to use other words, I know that Take Wall Street and Seize Wall Street were two names kicked around at the start of Occupy. But even the word occupy has the connotation of a less powerful form of colonization, and OWS changed the meaning of the word, turning it from oppression to liberation. If they we could do that with the word colonize as well, that would be quite impressive.

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[-] -1 points by dagmarbertha (-2) 10 years ago

The better alternative is to simply create anarcho-syndicalist type businesses. Places where every employee can take part in decision making and where everyone is paid the same. These businesses should try to do what's morally right for the environment, the neighborhoods they operate in, the people they deal with, etc...

We don't need to fight against capitalism, we simply need to show a better way. If we start these types of businesses and they work, then people will come. When something works, people follow. People join.

The other advantage is that the people involved in creating these businesses will be making money so they can live. One problem with occupations is that people occupying don't make money. It's hard to occupy for a long time when you're living on savings, it's impossible to do it permanently. It's a temporary solution. We tried, it failed.

Everyone who can should contribute to anarcho-syndicalism as much as possible. Not only in theory, but in practice. Let's get out there and show the world such businesses are possible! I started one with 10 other people and we are making enough to live. We even share some of our profits with charities to help the poor.

[-] -1 points by dagmarbertha (-2) 10 years ago

Just write under jart. We know all the articles here are from you. No reason to play games.

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

Writing is a collective process. This website speaks with a single voice and we prefer not to profit as individuals from a movement that is the result of the hard work on the part of countless individual contributors.

Sometimes that is difficult for OccupyWallSt.org because we were the first affinity group to start organizing the movement. Back in July 2011 when "OccupyWallSt" wrote an article, it meant our group specifically since we were the only game in town. That is, aside from Adbusters who already had a separate identity and used #OCCUPYWALLSTREET branding.

Then when the movement started growing around us, we kept this editorial policy in place for the sake of tradition (sort of like The Economist). Normally people are perfectly fine with allowing us to be the loudspeaker for the movement, but occasionally we decide to stir things up by making difficult decisions. People get angry. But we try our best to stay open and involve others.

So we invite those of you who disagree to join in and contribute to the writing. That's why we have this forum :)

[-] -1 points by dagmarbertha (-2) 10 years ago

jart, the word 'colonize' is a bad choice. Colonizing is antithetical to anarchism since it means using power over others. What we want is to reclaim, decolonize, etc... We want everyone to have equal power.

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 10 years ago

What other words could we use? Is there anyway we can explain the word "colonize" to make it acceptable?

I like using the word in this context because it's:

  1. Provocative. It captures peoples' attention and stirs up emotion.

  2. It's a chance to colonize the colonizers.

  3. To "colonize" is more significant than to "occupy". We want to convey this idea as being the next logical step. So whatever word we choose, it needs to be something more aggressive than "occupy".

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[-] 0 points by caseyaldridge17 (1) from Charlotte, NC 10 years ago

Occupy has a similar meaning in a conventional sense. But Occupy and Colonize are both universally understood, fairly powerful words. When you occupy a territory, you make your presence known. When you colonize, you force your will. And that has always been practiced in an oppressive sense, in the past. But so has Occupy, and Occupy Wall Street reclaimed and redefined that word. Why can't we change the meaning of this word? Why is it oppressive to force the will of the people on the financial district?

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