Forum Post: Fictional Occupy Message at a General Assembly

I propose a question

To the General Assembly:

What is the rallying cry

Of our movement?

We are the 99%!

I would like to take a moment

To reflect on this statement.

_

Our movement has been mocked

For lacking a clear message or defined demand.

We have been twisted by the media

Into a group speaking only for the Left.

But by definition this is False.

If we are to succeed as the 99%,

And not be crippled by a bipolar discourse-

We must include those from all along

The political, economic, and social spectrum.

_

In Truth our message is as clear,

As my dream last night:

I envisioned a world,

Where every voice could be heard!

I envisioned a world,

Where differences were respected!

I envisioned a world,

That sought to include the Other!

I envisioned a world,

That was United

With our brothers and sisters

In the States of America

And from around the World.

_

When we march after this assembly,

Let us not stomp our feet

Behind an empty slogan.

Instead we should disperse

And open our eyes, ears, and hearts

To the concerns of 1, 3, 5, perhaps even 10

Of our silent friends out on the street.

And propose that they join us here-

Where they can and will be heard!

_

In this way we will create

A discussion among the 99%

To learn about each other

And discover our initial Demand.

This Demand will not be made to our government

Or even to corporations,

But instead directly to the 1%.

Not as our enemies,

But as a part of the 100%

Who are awakening to our shared humanity.

_

We are seeking a common starting point for change

That will begin to shift our system and structure

To compassionately benefit each one of us

Along with our planet

For now and for generations to come!

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Note: I wrote this after attending an Occupy Seattle march in the early stages of the movement with about 50 people. I left feeling saddened that so many people watched us marching and chanting down the street, yet none of them joined us.

I think Occupy has become so much more after over two months, yet the heart of the idea still does not seem to be getting through to the people- How would you describe the message behind this movement and the groundwork that it is trying to establish?