Messrs. Bloomberg, and Kelly:
It is very likely that tomorrow Friday, October 14, 2011, you will be making history. I'm not making this statement because I feel I have some sort of prophetic vision, but because it seems to me that given the dynamics of what's happening in the country right now, it is safe to assume that the decisions you make tomorrow morning will reverberate throughout history like very few other major events have.
As a private citizen, let me acknowledge that at this point, I don't envy you. You will be making momentous decisions in your respective capacities, and according to your very serious responsibilities.
And because I am a concerned citizen, it is that I write this heartfelt letter for your consideration.
On Sunday, September 25th, I watched a segment about the New York City anti-terrorism security infrastructure on 60 Minutes. The name of the segment reported by Scott Pelley was: Fighting terrorism in New York City. It was a very compelling report, as it shows the very sophisticated level of security the city has invested in. The massive surveillance system; the sensors; the helicopters with cameras that could track a mouse miles away; the computerized artificial intelligence monitoring system capable of identifying suspicious behavior autonomously.
It was very impressive indeed... By then, the Occupy Wall Street protest movement had already started (September 17th). As I watched the 60 Minutes report on what is probably the most effective (and expensive) security apparatus of any city in the world, a nagging concept kept coming to mind.
I kept thinking, "isn't it ironic that these gentlemen (and the city government) in charge of protecting the citizens of New York City have invested so many billions of dollars, and thousands of man hours, and countless resources in putting together the most effective anti-terrorism security system in the world, while an institution which has probably caused the greatest harm to the good people of this country resides within the walls of that same city?"
I do see the irony of it. Because this is a serious letter, meant to be read by serious people, I will refrain from employing hyperbole, which I have to admit, it isn't easy to do in these very perilous times. Nevertheless, I must try to do everything I can to get my point across with the sufficient impact it merits.
It has become widely understood the world over, that during the last several years Wall Street (as a financial industry) engaged in behavior that caused a massive economic collapse in this country (and much of the world). As a private citizen, and after having read many reports about this issue, I have concluded that most likely, Wall Street engaged in criminal behavior that included fraud, influence peddling, abuse of power, and thievery of massive proportions.
I'm sure you gentlemen are very smart people, and you could easily understand the concept that when banks and financial institutions are able wreck such havoc on the entire economy of a nation, the consequences for millions of people are truly devastating.
Aside from the (potential) criminality, there is also an understanding among much of the population that because of the money, power, and influence Wall Street has, it has been able to corrupt our system of government and turn the two major political parties into tools used to subjugate and exploit the American people.
And this in turn has caused untold suffering in the population. Massive unemployment and underemployment, huge increase in child poverty rate, lack of opportunities for young people, including college graduates, massive levels of foreclosures (much of it done using fraudulent documents doctored by banks). And so the population has been pushed to the brink of despair. And that's why they are Occupying Wall Street.
You have to understand that (historically) when people take to the streets in protest, it's because there is something fundamentally wrong with the social system. It's a symptom of something very, very serious.
It seems to me that that's why the Founding Fathers regaled us with the First Amendment, which prohibited the government from "interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances."
Distinguished gentlemen, I would argue that that constitutional right became part of the United States Constitution precisely for moments like the ones we are living in today. For when powerful monied interests have completely corrupted the entire political system, turning it into an increasingly oppressive machine.
And if my argument is valid, wouldn't you stop and think very carefully about what you are about to do? Some in the past few years have referred to constitutional protections as "quaint." I would argue the contrary. I would argue that in moments like this, issues such as people assembling in "private" or "public" parks, are quaint.
These moments call for the authorities to feel compassion; to stop and think carefully about the reasons why thousands of people across the country would find it necessary to rise up in protest and exercise their constitutional rights to peacefully assemble and petition the government. Petition that the Wall Street crimes are fully investigated; petition that the cesspool of corruption in our government ends; petition that government functions are properly funded through a legitimate progressive tax system, so we can all live in a healthy and secured society.
Could it be possible that what's quaint are considerations about trying to prevent certain inconveniences when large groups of people assemble, like traffic blockage, or noise, or even unsanitary conditions?
Mayor Bloomberg, we are not living in normal times. The system is in shock. The erratic swings of the market may be an apt metaphor for the entire system.
The thousands of people that are going to be there at the park, in New York City, holding their ground, are just a manifestation of something that has gone terribly wrong with the entire system.
I wonder what kind of country this could be, if a fraction of the effort that was put into buying the best security apparatus any city in the word could ever had, was put into addressing the concerns of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
But thus far, what we've seen is unprovoked beatings, pepper-spraying people in the face, massive arrests.
Finally Mr. Bloomberg, could you think of the past, maybe 50, 80, 100 years ago, when workers rose against exploitation and oppression, and tried to form unions so they could enjoy collective bargaining rights? Have you seen those grainy movie clips and photos of "law-men," and corporate goons beating workers as if they were mules? A lot of cracked heads resulted.
When or if the police moves in and tries to take away a right that's plainly written in the constitution, and if they engage in beatings of protesters, using their batons, and water cannons, and God-knows what else, is it possible you could see the analogy of it with the beat-downs by corporate goons a hundred years ago?
Mayor Bloomberg, I would argue that it should not take that much of an imagination to see the parallels. Would history condemn you to be the man in charge who ordered a massive crackdown on peaceful protesters a the behest of Wall Street?
Where would the richest people in this country be when the beatings start? Would they be watching it on their flat panel TVs, sitting on plush soft leather furniture, while looking at their $20,000 wrist watches as they get ready to get on a private corporate jet?
You still have time to reconsider. The responsible thing to do would be to order the police department to stand-down. Imagine if you were to surprise the world by doing so? Imagine the jolt of happiness the protesters would feel; there would be celebration, and people would feel relieved.
Won't you give these gentle souls that little bit of a victory? Mayor, these are good, hard-working, decent people, from all walks of life. They are the salt of the earth. They don't mind working for "The Man." They just want to be treated fairly; they just want for the rule of law to be respected, and to be applied equally to everybody regardless of status or wealth.
Sir, we don't have that now. The system is broken.
Could you and Mr. Kelly use your imaginations? Imagine convening an emergency meeting and asking to meet with federal officials, and the President, and seriously tackle at least some of the demands of the movement.
There are other ways of handling this situation... I write this letter only a few hours before the morning of Friday, October 14th. Like anybody else, I'm just trying to make a living, and work hard. I'm tired after having worked on multiple projects, and having had meetings, so I'll be going to sleep soon.
And I wish that when I wake up in the morning, I would see in the news that through some miracle (of conscience) you have ordered the most powerful police department in the world to stand down and not go against the good people exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of assembly.
Tonight I wish that more than anything else.
Either way Mr. Major, tomorrow you will make history.
Good night!
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