For those of you who can't get to an Occupy event or for those of you not sleeping in a tent at one of the Occupied sites there are things you can do at home to be in solidarity with the OWS movement. It's the least us supporters can do while the Occupiers begin to brave the elements as autumn gives way to winter. It might also set a better example of shared sacrifice than the one this country showed during our wars (Iraq and Afganistan) on terror. The Zuccotti Park occupiers should not be the only ones sacrificing in this movement. Every OWS supporter should do as much as possible to help the cause even if you can't physically be there. By expanding the protests to our homes not only do we increase the participation but we decentralize the physical locations of protest making it harder to control. OWS, as evidenced by what's going on down at Zuccotti Park and elsewhere , is a way of life, a culture, and there is no reason it can't be expanded to include everyone's home . Here's a list of what I've done to show my solidarity. Starting with some of the boycotts that already have been suggested. Please share your own suggestions.
I took my money out of Chase and put it in a local bank.
Any investments I have, I have with Charles Schwab which I think is very reputable.
I changed all my insurance to Geico because Berkshire Hathoway owns Geico and Warren Buffet is CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and an ally of the 99%.
I'm trying to eliminate all processed foods from my house. I buy in bulk now. Unless the products I buy are produced by a company that shows me why it isn't part of the corporatocracy and a friend of the 99%, like Berkshire Hathaway, I'm withholding my business.
I haven't turned the heat on yet because if the OWS occupiers can be in the cold so can I. Eventually I'm going to set the thermostat to 58 which will hurt big oil and help the environment. Big oil is right behind Wall Street when it comes to screwing the 99%.
I also have a CFL in every light socket which also helps the environment and lessens the need to burn more coal. I also keep every unneeded light off especially outside lights. This helps with light pollution.
I have taken everything from the garden and put it in the freezer which lessens what I buy from Food corporations. Until the time that the food corporations tell me how they support the 99%, I will grow even more food next year.
I cook all my food from scratch in solidarity with the kitchen at OWS. Maybe someone could bake some cookies to hand out to the NYPD :).
I'm thinking about pitching a tent in my living room in solidarity with OWS and I may camp out a few nights in the backyard during the winter if OWS is still sleeping in Zuccotti Park. The kids will like it and they may even learn something. Then again, maybe they'll think I'm nuts.
I stopped shopping at Walmart and I buy local when possible.
I don't drive unless necessary. I walk as much as possible.
Like I said, until companies start acting more like Warren Buffet and less like BofA and Chase I will continue to change my life style by withholding my business from them while lowering my carbon footprint to hurt big energy.
CITCO is a Venezualan oil company who donate oil to lower income people in the NE. I use their gas.
From mole333:
The Koch brothers make a lot on construction material that most of us have no choice in. But we DO have a choice when it comes to some of the Koch Brothers' products: paper goods.
The Billionaire Koch Brothers own Georgia Pacific. I suggest spreading the word to boycott the following products:
(Georgia-Pacific products)
Angel Soft toilet paper
Brawny paper towels
Dixie plates, bowls, napkins and cups
Mardi Gras napkins and towels
Quilted Northern toilet paper
Soft 'n Gentle toilet paper
Sparkle napkins
Vanity fair napkins
Zee napkins
Georgia-Pacific paper products and envelopes
What have I forgotten? I'm sure lots of things.
Please add what you are doing in solidarity with OWS.