Occupy Wall Street is a leaderless movement without defined demands. No one has the right to issue a set of demands in the name of Occupy Wall Street, and the goals of the 99 percent are still broader. But just as leaderlessness means none of us can speak for the movement as a whole, it gives each of us not just the right but the imperative to speak up and take action for ourselves, for the 99 percent, for a level playing field.
It's in that spirit that we're partnering with Working America on a 9 demands of the 99 percent campaign. The petition starts with eight demands, including basic principles like abolishing corporate personhood and more specific policies like passing a financial speculation tax. These are broad ideas aimed at starting to close the gaping chasm between the 1 percent and the rest of us, about putting the brakes on the continuing growth of that chasm and returning power to the 99 percent.
The ninth demand is up to you. Maybe it's a state or local issue. Maybe it's protecting Social Security and preventing corporations from stealing their retirees' pensions. Maybe it's taking action to close the wealth gap between white and black, or the gender pay gap. Whatever it is, raise your voice and let us know what policy or principle you think would make America work for the 99 percent.
What's your demand?