Thursday September 25, 2008, 8:16 am
There are many many reasons why Americans don't pour into the streets very often anymore (and if and when they do, the news coverage is spotty at best): We screamers of th 60s and 70s raised a generation or two of children whose every need was satisfied insofar as they could be met. The vast explosion of personal technology has replaced a lot of day-to-day personal, real-time interaction. The laws regarding public assembly have been and continue to be changed to allow those in power to arrest and detain dissidents for practicing free speech and peaceful assembly. And finally, the scales have fallen from millions of eyes this past decade or so, allowing us to really see how we are manipulated, used, lied to and otherwise regarded as trivial necessities to greed, power and empire-building.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 8:19 am
No Bailout for Wall Street -- Protest on Wall Street this Thursday at 4pm!

Call to Self-Organize

Note: Naomi Klein is not organizing this protest, she is just helping get the word out about it. If you would like more information, please contact Arun Gupta at ebrowniess@yahoo.com.

This week the White House is going to try to push through the biggest robbery in world history with nary a stitch of debate to bail out the Wall Street bastards who created this economic apocalypse in the first place.

This is the financial equivalent of September 11. They think, just like with the Patriot Act, they can use the shock to force through the “therapy,” and we’ll just roll over!

Think about it: They said providing healthcare for 9 million children, perhaps costing $6 billion a year, was too expensive, but there’s evidently no sum of money large enough that will sate the Wall Street pigs. If this passes, forget about any money for environmental protection, to counter global warming, for education, for national healthcare, to rebuild our decaying infrastructure, for alternative energy.

This is a historic moment. We need to act now while we can influence the debate. Let’s demonstrate this Thursday at 4pm in Wall Street (see below).

We know the congressional Democrats will peep meekly before caving in like they have on everything else, from FISA to the Iraq War.

With Bear Stearns, Fannie and Freddie, AIG, the money markets and now this omnibus bailout, well in excess of $1 trillion will be distributed from the poor, workers and middle class to the scum floating on top.

This whole mess gives lie to the free market. The Feds are propping up stock prices, directing buyouts, subsidizing crooks and swindlers who already made a killing off the mortgage bubble.

Worst of all, even before any details have been hashed out, The New York Times admits that “Wall Street began looking for ways to profit from it,” and its chief financial correspondent writes that the Bush administration wants “Congress to give them a blank check to do whatever they want, whatever the cost, with no one able to watch them closely.”

It’s socialism for the rich and dog-eat-dog capitalism for the rest of us.

Let’s take it to the heart of the financial district! Gather at 4pm, this Thursday, Sept. 25 in the plaza at the southern end of Bowling Green Park, which is the small triangular park that has the Wall Street bull at the northern tip.

By having it later in the day we can show these thieves, as they leave work, we’re not their suckers. Plus, anyone who can’t get off work can still join us downtown as soon as they are able.

There is no agenda, no leaders, no organizing group, nothing to endorse other than we’re not going to pay! Let the bondholders pay, let the banks pay, let those who brought the “toxic” mortgage-backed securities pay!

On this list are many key organizers and activists. We have a huge amount of connections – we all know many other organizations, activists and community groups. We know P.R. folk who can quickly write up and distribute press releases, those who can contact legal observers, media activists who can spread the word, the videographers who can film the event, etc.

Do whatever you can – make and distribute your own flyers, contact all your groups and friends. This crime is without precedence and we can’t be silent! What’s the point of waiting for someone else to organize a protest two months from now, long after the crime has been perpetrated?

We have everything we need to create a large, peaceful, loud demonstration. Millions of others must feel the same way; they just don’t know what to do. Let’s take the lead and make this the start!

AGAIN:
When: 4pm – ? Thursday, September 25.
Where: Southern end of Bowling Green Park, in the plaza area
What to bring: Banners, noisemakers, signs, leaflets, etc.
Why: To say we won’t pay for the Wall Street bailout
Who: Everyone!

http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine/wall-st-protest

Thursday September 25, 2008, 8:23 am
I wish I could go, Blue...alas, I dare not take the time off from this miserable job of mine. I am sure financial, employment and health concerns keep a lot of adults from being able to attend these rallies in support of we the people.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 9:19 am
You can't even have a paeceful domonsration anymore without without being tasered or arrested.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 11:17 am
Forget the bailout its over they will get away with this huge swindle!
KUDOS to GWB he is a genious! GWB who else? His LEGACY IS BIGGER THAN THE USA!
Big demonstrations are dangerous if you want to speak up visit GWB in the whitehouse!
I have not heared from any big demos in the USA in the past few years but maybe the mainstream media did not show us big demos?

Thursday September 25, 2008, 11:35 am
I can't do them with my back i miss them but the 60 70 people we're great made frieds at them.living on stanford u was a great learning thing for me as a young girl

Thursday September 25, 2008, 11:45 am
MainStreamMedia has NOT reported on or shown coverage of Major demonstrations - they Under-report turn-outs & hide what they can! I think that was one of the reasons OBAMA had his stadium speech - they Couldn't Hide that!:)

Thursday September 25, 2008, 12:27 pm


I would love to see this change and I think this would create change. Even if you have to be wheeled in a chair please go. Peaceful protests:)

Thursday September 25, 2008, 1:20 pm
I remember the times the author is writing about; it seemed like one college campus or another was protesting something, back then, Vietnam. Our society has become more displaced, disjointed, and high tech, and they probably all play in part in the lack of "live rallies". It might do us some good to rethink them. Thanks, Cate.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 4:03 pm
Hans ...there have been rallies unfortunately the national media falls to address the same. Turn to one channel and listen to their indepth coversage..flip the channel to the another news channel and you feel like you've been doing time travel. A classic case of de'ja vue...different anchor person same spin on same stories. PBS or BBC are the only true views.Peace rallies national and local we've had are lucky if given 5 seconds of attention. Wanna make the news...have a fling with a NASCAR driver then show up at the track minus your undies, with a couple of ducks and fish slung over your back and say you prayed about your discretion and god has spoken to you, Your absolution will come after you moved to the frozen North lands and start a church who purpose is to sit and watch the shoreline for any commies trying to sneak over. Don't think that will work..don't bet on it.Watch for me on the news tommorow
Yeh right....sorry cheap shot on being sarcastic..which in today's lingo means speaking the truth

Thursday September 25, 2008, 7:25 pm

I haven't been in my new location even two years. I've been interviewed on television, been on the front page twice.
Protest is not dead.
It just doesn't do any good.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 9:23 pm
You can say that again,Mary,It just doesn't do any good! They do not listen! You need huge masses. I mean real numbers with well known people in attendance. Must be a well planed thing. You see it does not look it but it is. Thanks,Cate.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 10:30 pm
Thanks Cate.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 10:49 pm

Protest on Wall St. as top politicos meet at White House

(video available)

Thursday September 25, 2008, 10:49 pm
Thanks Cate :o(

Friday September 26, 2008, 12:11 am
Thanks, Cate. People are protesting, just not marching. Read the Internet! People are still passionate. They still care. But most are what my old college gang used to call

ARMCHAIR REVOLUTIONARIES!

Mary

Friday September 26, 2008, 1:54 am
kIDS ARE NOT WILLING TO GO OUT IN THE STREETS AND DIE LIKE I WAS IN THE 60'S AND 70'S AND I NEVER FORGET KENT STATE AN OLD REAL PERSON (AHIPPIE CHRIS)

Friday September 26, 2008, 7:43 am

This is why it´s so important to BOYCOTT on a mass scale! If protests, if demos don´t work, hurting their pockets will! Problem is, the boycotting idea has not got through to that many people, too many people want convenience and they´re not willing to settle for lesser-known brands, or for stuff from other countries, or whathaveyou. Just a little effort FROM EVERYONE goes a very long way. But if only "cuatro gatos" do it, we´re doomed.

Friday September 26, 2008, 12:54 pm
boycotting sounds good. to know what companies are the biggest contributors to the senators and such, would be a good start

Friday September 26, 2008, 1:40 pm
Bad food, toxins, television, bad air, lack of oxegyn, etc., etc. , etc. are the culprits that lead to irresponsibility and apathy = no protest. No Mystery here if you look it STRAIGHT IN THE EYE! Lose the toxins, exercise, shut tv, etc. to become awake and aware to rejoin human race that you are part of, its harder the older you are, but working on it and taking the little steps, will set you (us) free. Thx Cate!

Its taken everything for me personally take these steps, And still working on more, but i feel better and stronger than ever. Its amazing , the more steps i do, its like i am immediately rewarded. Good stuff for all in the works, lose fear , most important. These steps make you lose fear......

Friday September 26, 2008, 4:29 pm
yes hurt their pockets that gets attention -take your money and do not give it to them give it to your local mom and pop biz people or those on the web that are mom and pop -take your money out of the stock market I did years ago and I am fixing to take it out of my bank as well-I am going back to money orders and wiring money for paying bills- I will keep the account open with very little in it-and I am not giving them my money to use if I could figure out a way for us all not to pay federal taxes without jail I would stop that to.-Thanx4 post

Friday September 26, 2008, 5:43 pm
I think it's because there hasn't been anything to protest about until recently. Although protesting has been going on all these years on almost a daily basis. But as pointed out above, it's not reported on any longer, not news.

Thanks to the Constitution we do now and forever have the right to peaceful assembly.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Friday September 26, 2008, 9:22 pm
Thanks, and I think that we have seen better days. That is to say that when men and women did assemble to Protest freely (a decade or so ago); it seems our Country had more Rights to Freedom of Expression/Petition the Government with Non-Violent Protest. Today, the Chilling Silence in Society, Indicates a FEAR-FACTOR that Permeates the Mood Of Our Nation. In My Humble Opinion, Bring Back the Protestors! (Even IF This Includes the Tear Gas)! Thanks.

Friday September 26, 2008, 11:54 pm
It must have been fun to be a college student in the 60s. We just don't have that sort of comradeship now - unless it's to do with sports, bleh. All that passion that people should have about the conditions of their own lives and world get channeled into sports fandom, or personal ambition. I think things are going to have to get really really bad, Depression-era bad, resulting in the loss of creature comforts, for people to get motivated enough to really raise a fuss, maybe lose a bit of apathy and materialism...and of course by the time problems get that bad, fixing them is that much harder and costlier. It always seems to take a catastrophe to get any action, or change the way people look at government and their role in it.

And that point in the article about the commercialization of rebellion is too true, along with the commercialization of sex, and along with - I'd say - a sort of fetishism of "hippie culture" and pinning the idea of public protest to the 60s only in popular culture. Something does get lost when people don't work collectively, but we also live in an era where politicians listen to lobbyists much more than their constituents. Until they get voted out. The primaries saw a lot of youth turnout in the spring - we'll see if pragmatism works in November

Saturday September 27, 2008, 7:21 pm
Protesters greet health-insurance executives at roundtable in Providence

Saturday September 27, 2008, 8:34 pm
If it helps you feel better Cate, I and my kids were marching up our Market Street, in Down town Philadelphia, 2 times over the summer, in protests of the war. It was very peaceful, and traffic was only halted once. As far as I know no arrests were made.

LOL My youngest son was asked if he wanted to ring the bell the one man marched all the way up to our City Hall, the bell was rung for every lost Philadelphian Soldier.

My oldest boy got visible upset when he was told what all the women wearing the combat boots over their shoulders meant.

Saturday September 27, 2008, 9:59 pm
I vote every single day by being as informed as I can about companies that want my business. I teach my daughter that it is more important WHERE we spend our money and support those that really support us.