Every where in the world people are standing up for the first time in almost thirties years and telling the world they are fed up with the current economic situation. Occupy Wall Street started a little over a month ago and struck a nerve instantly. Had the New York Police department not been over forceful, Occupy Wall Street might not occupy the world right now. Right now people are filling the streets from New York to Los Angeles, from China to England. People are standing up and realizing they are a mass unit and if society is ever going to make a change, then now is the time to act.
Groups of people participating in this massive movement come from all walks of life. They are teachers, union members, students, college graduates and more. They are your neighbors and everyone else whom is tired of this country’s struggle to survive and this country’s lack of attention for those who are in need of help and those whom have abused their power at our expense. They are the 99% of the population and they do not possess the majority of the money or opportunities, but they do possess the majority of the world and with that, they are standing up and taking the power back.
Recently the media is playing many different angles of this event. Fox news is reporting that the participants of Occupy Wall Street are, “Violent.” Local news channels are interviewing people whom don’t appear to have any real knowledge of what is going on and others interviewing the victims whom have been attacked, pepper sprayed, and videotaping the entire event. Whatever the news is reporting, it’s not doing this incredible act of civil disobedience any justice.
Here are some facts that people need to know about Occupy Wall Street and any other occupiers of this protest. These people are not starting fights or signifying brutality, they are speaking up because the government and everyone else have refused to listen to their cries. These people are speaking up because cities all across the country are making cuts to infrastructure, teachers, police, and fire-fighters and so on. People with college degrees are being turned away before they even have a chance to use their hard earned degree. While Wall Street continues to burn through our money that we so generously gave them right after we found out they were abusing their power, by handing out bad loans, giving big bonuses to their executives, and not caring about anyone but themselves. While people were receiving foreclosure notices, people on Wall Street were receiving billions to save their companies.
Now that you know some of the facts there is something you all need to know if you’re going to think about talking to the media. I have seen many different people talking to different media outlets, and either they have been star struck or they just don’t know what the hell is going on. I have seen countless media interviews where the news casters have asked simple questions like, “Why are you out here today?” and “What do you want to be gained from this?” These are simple questions, but most people have given responses like, “I am mad that investors have all this money, “and “Because Wall Street is stealing from us.” Please don’t say things like that. Please say things like, we’re tired of social injustice, we’re tired of the entire country’s wealth belonging to only 1%, and we’re tired of the rich getting bailed out in this troubling time and the common man paying to bail out these big companies.
I’m not talking down on these protestors, and yes I know it might sound like that but that’s not what I’m trying to do. I just want people to be a little more informed. Yes, I know these notes only scratch the surface and there are so many more reasons why we are out there fighting this fight but I don’t want to see another person talking to the media whom doesn’t really know why they are out there with us. If you are with us, I want you to know I appreciate your support as well as the many others whom go out there and stand up. Whether you are in New York, Washington, China, or Los Angeles you are helping. You may have only seen these protestors on television and been swayed by some of the media’s horrible berate of us, but you haven’t seen anything until you come out and join us. If you are interested be sure to check online for your local Occupy meet up. The protestors are very peaceful and most people leave with a new point of view and leave a little more informed then when they got there.