Forum Post: The People's Mic...5/20/15
Posted 9 years ago on May 20, 2015, 7:50 p.m. EST by windyacres
(1197)
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I am curious how many on this site participated in a OWS action where we had to use this method. I am not aware of any other time before or since OWS. Was this denial of a bullhorn or microphone denied in other protests?
''Wall Street, the largest source of mainstream Democratic financial support, is comfortable with socially liberal initiatives like gay marriage. But it is largely opposed to some of the specific measures that would reduce wealth inequality and encourage economic growth, especially in the areas of taxation, stronger regulations and the criminal prosecution of banker fraud.
''How have the top Democrats responded to growing calls for economic populism? President Obama recently moved to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors, and has increased the hourly minimum wage he endorses. But he has not cracked down on Wall Street fraud and did not move to break up the big banks when he could have done so.
''The left hasn't just been right. It has also been popular. Some centrist Democrats like to say they'd govern more liberally, but the United States is a "center-right" country. There is very little truth in this. It's true that relatively few Americans describe themselves as liberal or progressive (although that number is rising), but Americans hold progressive positions on many issues.
''The independent left may not be an important voting bloc. But it holds the key to energizing disaffected voters across the political spectrum. They're the voters who believe that neither political party is speaking to their most deeply-felt needs: for a living wage, a secure retirement, a chance to put their kids to college and keep their family healthy.''
Excerpted fyi, from - http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/30936-the-left-matters-now-more-than-ever
Amplification of voice,musical instruments,or recordings is illegal without a permit in all 5 boroughs of New York City..Since Occupy for the most part rejected the idea of permits,the People's Mic came into existence at the General Assemblies.The penalty for violating the local noise ordinances is the issuance by a police officer of an Appearance Ticket to the offender.A judge in Night Court would then decide if the ticket is to be dismissed,or if some sort of penalty should be applied.I recall from my long ago residence in NYC that hosting a live performance with amplified music and without a Cabaret License would generally result in a $100 fine.I think a ticket for Bullhorning is usually about $75 plus confiscation of your equipment.
An excellent reply + interesting information - from someone who was clearly there in NYC and for OWS. Solidarity and fyi, pls see: http://occupywallst.org/forum/ideas-city-festical-nyc/#comment-1060096 and more importantly: http://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/how-swedes-and-norwegians-broke-the-power-of-the-1-percent/ - IF you make it to http://www.leftforum.org/ please don't forget to put your LiveTweets up.
I have my tickets,I'm registered,I will be tweeting like a cricket on meth.Gotta lapse on the internet for a couple days-"Getting ready to take my Country Ass to Left Forum 2015 in New York City." YeeeHa!
I know for a fact that you won't be the only Forum-Occupier in attendance at http://www.leftforum.org/ - so I hope y'all can meet and say hi and the same from me too :-) Solidarity and now a final link for later reading http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/19844-food-stamps-are-affordable-corporate-welfare-is-not
Twinkle