Yesterday was a momentous event. I've participated in May Day actions before but never on this scale. The energy behind the movement was clearly present. I grow tired of all the talk of co-option and that this group or another seeks to undermine occupy.
You know who is under minding occupy? The 1% or more clearly the 00.1 percent of earners and the republicans that enable them in congress. The Koch brothers are co'opting the movement with their money and attacks. Fox news is co'opting the movement with their propaganda and lies. Very Serious Journalists with their bi-partisan fetish fixations are under minding the movement.
Ben & Jerry's Movement Resource Group is NOT (I got a grant so I may be biased)
Unions like SEIU and others are not co'opting the movement.
Trade organizations or music artists are not co'opting the movement.
Tim Cast is not co'opting the movement.
There is a distinct difference between attempting to forge alliances with established liberal political organzations and people who are out to destroy your movement or way of life.
Part of my inspiration for this video stems from the beauty I witnessed yesterday. Occupy needs labor and labor needs occupy. Because we both gain something from working together towards goals we share in common does not mean that we are subverting each other.
Money, Wall Street, The Investment class and anyone I see on the subway reading Atlas Shrugged is a danger of subversion.
Now that - that is off my chest - please join me below the squiggly line to watch the video and see some more photos.
In case you missed it:
I made a photo diary last night here.
I had a live blog of the days events here.