(Note : See updated below -- sources aren't saying a time has been planned, but a couple sources say he does plan to go. Just don't want to over-hype, but I still think its a pretty big deal).
I confess that I wasn’t initially enthused or hopeful about the Occupy Wall Street protests. I’ve never been a big protest fan – part of my issue is that when people protest on a regular and predictable basis, the one’s that occur during times we really need them – like NOW – don’t get the attention they deserve.
The profile gets raised somewhat by people like Michael Moore, and Cornel West and Susan Sarandon, but let’s face it – these are the ‘usual suspects’ when it comes to progressive causes.
It was only after the police started getting violent that my sympathies for the movement became heightened. And I’ve been glad to see the labor movement get involved and widen the interest among the 99%.
But this is huge
As pointed out on the front page , former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa will be flying to New York in support of the protests.
Maybe it’s the superfluous consonants in my last name, but I can’t imagine a more perfect representative of real, peaceful and lasting change than Walesa.
Better yet, right wing heads will explode. Along with Blessed John Paul II, and St. Ronald Magnus, they see Walesa as one of the key figures in the fall of communism.
Of course, we all know that unlike their lazy, welfare state old-Europe counterparts, new Europe loves themselves some free markets and recognizes the evils of socialism right?
A former shipyard worker who led Poland's successful revolt against Soviet communism, Walesa said "capitalism is in crisis" and not just in America.
"This is a worldwide problem," he told the Lublin-based Dziennik Wschodni newspaper. "The Wall Street protesters have focused a magnifying glass on the problem."
Now, I suppose he’ll be labeled a socialist union thug who hates freedom and markets. And a godless hippe to boot. And a Democratic partisan sympathizer.
I don’t know what will happen with the attempted shut down tomorrow, but I can’t imagine a better international voice for this movement.
I don't have much else to add. This just strikes me as a major development.
Update: The NY Daily News was the only source I could find that says he will be there. Many sources confirm his support. Another source repeats the NY Daily News story, but says the time of his visit is "unknown". Any additional info is appreciated -- I will update when I get a chance.
6:58 PM PT: Update again: Warsaw Biz Journal confirms he will visit, but again says he "has not specified when he intends to fly to the US"
Updated again: Changed headline. He clearly has spoken out in favor of the protests, which is news in and of itself. There seem to be at least a few independent reports of his intent to visit, bit w/o a specific date. Some of these are non-English language sources, so I can't compare reports. Thanks for the recs.