Forum Post: Gandhi + King + Occupy
Posted 13 years ago on Dec. 29, 2011, 1:07 p.m. EST by vets74
(344)
from New York, NY
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Poster to go with the marching banner for Pledge For Nonviolence / "Nine Principles."
Gandhi opposed the fundamental corruption of British India.
King opposed the fundamental corruption of American racism.
Occupy opposes the fundamental corruption of the criminal segment of America's 1%.
Same difference. Same tools are needed, a.k.a. Nonviolent Direct Action. and that's not to ignore Gene Sharp and his Albert Einstein Institution with a list of 198 specific tactics and a zillion recommendations.
Nice tie together for all of us to make.
NONVIOLENT ACTION HANDBOOK]
by Sanderson Beck
NONVIOLENT ACTION HANDBOOK 81 pages
http://www.taghier.org/en/books/NONVIOLENT%20ACTION%20HANDBOOK.pdf
mp3 audio 33 minutes
http://www.multiupload.com/PSPHVT6DV0
excerpt I believe that our violent and plutocratic society needs a nonviolent revolution to end the neo-imperialist policies of the United States Government by democratic means so that we can have governments of real compassion, liberty, and true justice for all. This transformation of militarism must be nonviolent, not only because any violent attempt would be crushed by force, but because we are opposed to using violence. This ultimate revolution of our historic era is essentially a revolution to end the use of massive force in wars as instruments of social and political control. The process is one of converting hearts and minds by demonstrating the better ways of using education, communication, democracy, and active nonviolent persuasion. As George Harrison sang, "With our love we can change the world, if they only knew." I have faith that the actions of loving people will bring about a more peaceful society. I hope you will help.
Occupy is about much much more than opposing the "fundamental corruption of the criminal segment of America's 1%." If that were all it was about then the fact that it is an international movement with occupations in hundreds of places around the world in solidarity with OWS is incomprehensible. I am not here speaking of occupations that preceded OWS and were an inspiration for it such as those in Tunis, Egypt or Spain. I am speaking of those occupations, world wide, which began as a direct result of OWS and in solidarity with it.
As the Declaration of the Occupation of New York City makes perfectly clear, OWS is not about passing some legislation or throwing some politicians out of office or some white collar criminals in jail, or even about Constitutional amendments or a wholesale change of the people governing us. It is about changing the whole social system of the whole world and it's up to us to do it. At least that's how I read the Declaration.
OWS has produced only this one political statement. I think it is up to those who say they support the movement or think they support the movement to at least read it so they have some idea of exactly what it is they think they are supporting.
The first joint statement was much simpler.
We've had several instances of someone writing up something, then pushing a "General Assembly" unelected/no-qualifications/no-representation to vote for it by acclaim. Matters are rather more complicated.
Any group of 50 Ron Paul supporters could show up at any "GA" and have their way with any one of those meetings. Don't think that we are so naive.
I don't know what first statement you are talking about. the Declaration was passed in the first week of the Occupation.
Yes it does.
I keep saying:
>
At the same time, I think it is important to recognize that we are, more or less, in a state of nature, as suggested by William Findley of Philadelphia who said that calls for a new convention is a dissolution of the social contract. He said the United States has returned to a 'State of Nature'; one that is outside the law
Hugh Brackenridge of Princeton agreed.
And that is just what people are calling for today.
It is inevitable that we will see groups like Anonymous and others spring up across the country, identify with the dire need for political change and refuse to accept the principle of non violence, engaging in various degrees of criminal behavior.
It is a natural process. One that is unavoidable. How far it goes is entirely dependent on the degree of resistance to the necessary change the public encounters during this period of
ZenDog, it is more criminal to sit idly by and not defend you familyneighbors and yourself. That is why from time to time alittle blood is neccessary. Its not free!
So what do you suggest?
Break the legs of Norquist? He is just one person - and ultimately a small cog in a big machine.
The rise of ELF to oppose the Keystone? A significant single issue but again, a small part of the machine.
Such things may in fact be inevitable. I believe they are. We saw this 40 years ago.
Much of the general public will not accept either violence or criminal behavior - even though many may come to support it. This portion of the demographic will need a place to turn - the Occupy Movement can be that place.
The Occupy Movement can become a voice of reason and sanity - but only if we maintain an unshakable commitment to non violence.
From what ive seen and what ive heard from like minded people of the movement, that non violence is the core theme, and was proven at time square. But violence will be provoked! then its game on....You do the math on this one. Solidarity and Peace
Shaming this president into prosecuting the criminal segment of the 1% is one of the three prime goals for OWS.
Has been since Week # 2.
And now we have Martha Coakley AG Massachusetts for the good example. Her civil complaint against the Five Banks reads like a Federal RICO strategy plan.
So Holder needs to grow a pair. Same for BHO.
What else ?
take your pick -
No downsizing the Postal Service
No KeyStone Pipeline
two step approach to the issue of national debt:
short term: end bushite tax breaks and corporate welfare
end debate over entitlements I'm sick of hearing about it as if it were dirty. Forget privatization of social security and just shoot the next bastard who suggests otherwise [speaking for myself of course.]
public health care - forget the option part.
We need an energy policy uninfluenced by fossil fuel industry, one that takes into account the fact of global warming, and institutes a NASA like approach to solving both our need for energy and the need to reduce atmospheric carbon
No to internet censorship in any form
If they engaged in fraud - they see the judge, and the sentencing better be in line with the crime, and had better include serious restitution
End the foreclosures.
End the philosophy of a deregulated economic system - from the Universities to the policy makers
End corporate personhood
campaign finance reform - Sanders Amendment:
Sanders Proposed Constitutional Amendment:
Sanders Petition here:
Full amendment PDF:
end the two party political system
quit fucking around with the issue of terrorism - it's a crime, unless you happen to catch them on an actual battlefield - and if it is a crime, treat them in accordance with our criminal laws. No more indefinite detention
Close Gitmo - we've got large pens practically empty in the mid west. I'm sure they can handle it. Stop fucking around.
Amended: I would like to see energy production, telecommunications, and the economic infrastructure, all secured in public, rather than private, hands.
Amended: we need to provide stiff and compelling sanction to corporations that engage in disinformation - as with the tobacco industry before and the fossil fuel industry now [and for the past 10-20 years]
Positive action on any of these issues at the federal level may help diffuse some of the tension that already exists and will inevitably grow - particularly in the run up to the election - if left unaddressed.
You might get a third of OWS to support any one of these items.
For example, the market/email is what downsized USPS. I haven't written a letter in more than a year.
Or maybe you'd like to see a new Stamp Tax that's levied on emails ?
Somebody'd vote for that.
they are currently owed several billions by Congress as a result of over payments - some years ago Congress mandated payments from USPS to cover retirement costs. They've over paid - exactly how much is in dispute - I've seen estimates between 6 and 60 Billion dollars.
I'm not sure how much of the decline in revenue is the result of email usage and how much is a function of recession, and how much of a rebound may be expected is uncertain.
It remains to be seen if the current downsizing is a rational approach to a changing market or a cynical attempt to privatize every single last function of government.
I would note that the USPS is a venerable institution, one that in rural communities becomes a hub of unity and an integral part of the social fabric.
I hope this is a true report. Im from Ma. and i havent seen any news on this yet. I will look into it, thanks for the heads off,... im mean up.
Look at the Mass .gov site and AG. Then search on "five banks" and read the complaint.pdf
vets74 thanks, i will definately check that out.
Vandalism is not violence, you can either accept this, or stop pretending you believe in what these people did.
Over course it is.
It is violence against property, which injures the owner similar to a physical violence.
Somebody burns your car, like the fake "black block anarchists" did to people last summer in Rome, what do you think of it ?
Violence is only against living things.
This is basic Gandhi 101
But not the criminal law. Savaging a person's possessions has an effect in the direction of intimidation. Same for reducing living standard.
That is part of why arson has its special status.
vi·o·lence/ˈvī(ə)ləns/ Noun:
One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong.