Today, November 30, President Barack Obama is coming to New York City for what is, I believe, the first time since Occupy Wall Street began. And why is the president visiting? To speak at the UN? No. Pres. Obama is coming to town for the sole purpose of raising money from the 1%, holding three fundraisers, including a $35,800/plate dinner. This corrupt system, where the wealthy can buy influence over our politicians and government, is central to frustrations of OWS. And OWS realizes that there is no way that the Democrats and Republicans, left alone, will do anything to fix it - both parties are beneficiaries.
Therefore, OWS will demonstrate against the presidential fundraisers today. We will leave from Bryant Park (41st and 6th) at 6:00 PM. We have not paid $35,800 a person, but we will show up at the presidential dinner uninvited. In doing so, we hope to start a national conversation about the corrupting influence of big money on our government. OWS has already started a conversation about economic inequality, and it's about time we started one about political inequality.
OWS is not demonstrating for or against any politician. We realize that the problem is far bigger than any one man or woman. We are demonstrating against that system where economic inequality results in political inequality, and that political inequality is used to further economic inequality. This system must be stopped, and the most vulnerable cog in the system is campaign finance reform.
So this isn't about the president. You will see us demonstrating again when Mitt Romney comes to town. But for now, join us, at 6 PM at Bryant Park, to march on the presidential fundraiser.
Edit: There has been a slight change of plan. We will still meet at 6 PM at Bryant Park, but we will instead greet him as he arrives at his Sheraton fundraiser, at 53rd and 7th.
Edit 2: Heh - was not expecting this to make the rec list on a Democratic party blog. I am sure there will be blowback, and unfortunately I will not be around to address many comments - I have signs to make! Hope to see some of you later! I'll be holding an "OCCUPY" banner with a stylized Obama-O.
Edit 3: Just to be clear the 'Occupy Obama' wording is mine and mine alone, not OWS - I highly doubt they would consense to that. I don't consider it offensive, but if you do then blame me and me alone. And if you find the image below of Obama in an Anonymous mask offensive, again, blame me and me alone.
Edit 4: I have changed the image, not out of agreement with the criticism, but solely to avoid a flamewar. Somebody else censored the title to remove any mention of Obama.
Edit 5: Removed to avoid a flame war Sorry, I have a habit of responding to negativity in kind.