As every Republican Senator prepares to vote against an infrastructure building jobs bill so they can protect tax cuts for the rich, I'd like to get something off my chest . . .
Now, I can't speak for Occupy Wall Street officially on this, this is just my opinion, but I'd like to start by stating my strong support for the General Strike that is being held today by #OccupyOakland, and in recognizing that and paying tribute to the people of Oakland I'd like to make this statement for myself; I am not willing to discuss any demands that Occupy Wall Street might make until the political violence against Occupy Wall Street protesters comes to an immediate halt.
That means NO more rubber bullets or tear gas or pepper spray or flash grenades. ZERO. This is an unconstitutional attack on the freedom of assembly, and no where in the Constitution is any mention made about the ability of a local government or state government to undermine or restrict the federally granted freedom of assembly.
That also means no more illegal seizure of protesters property without a specific warrant. The police have no right to randomly seize our tents or generators, not unless they want to take it to court and go through a long and expensive trial. I don't want that, I just want my tents and generators so that my brothers and sisters don't freeze to death in the streets.
This is simple stuff about our basic freedoms. How can we even discuss the larger reforms required to make America a better country for everyone when we are being denied even these most basic of 1st and 4th Amendment freedoms?
So as far as I am concerned, I don't even want to talk about "demands" occupy wall street might entertain that would make us go away if such demands are met. First let there be an immediate halt to the political violence American citizens are facing because they had the audacity to actually exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of assemble and freedom from unlawful seizure of their property. My tent is too big to fail for me. The fact that I have to fight tooth and nail just for my tent proves just how long we are going to have to go from here to bring real Democracy and accountability back to our system. Certainly, if there were a way to fund Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign with tents from Koch Industries then tents would equal political speech. Until then, we will have to set up tents and occupy, we will have to strike in Oakland and assemble as we see fit when we please and where we please, and until our rights to assemble freely and not have our property in the form of tents and generators and other goods unduly seized is recognized, I am not interested in discussing "demands"
I leave the floor open to you . . .
Peace and love to all,
You can follow me on the twitter machines at @JesseLaGreca