No this ain't META, baby.
THIS is about JOBS. And JUSTICE. And EQUALITY.
On August 11, 2011, the activist group People's Organization for Progress in Newark New Jersey started a 381-day boycott calling on the U.S. government to institute a jobs program. Citing the nearly 17% unemployment rate among African Americans, the POP embarked on a boycott modeled after the 381-day Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56 which resulted in a supreme court ruling that segregated seating in public buses was unconstitutional.
For your "listening while reading" enjoyment:
Protesters in Newark have vowed to stand in front of the courthouse everyday for the coming year.
No word yet about their response to Obama's recently unveiled jobs program.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE
There's something YOU can do. Here are some other ACTIVE protests happening soon. These are not one day events. These are on-going occupations. check it:
OCCUPY WALL STREET
Beginning September 17 (that's this Saturday) at 12 noon at Bowling Green in NYC.
Goal: 20,000 people to flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. Once there, we shall incessantly repeat one simple demand in a plurality of voices and we will not leave until that demand has been met. Like our brothers and sisters in Egypt, Greece, Spain, and Iceland, we plan to use the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic of mass occupation to restore democracy in America. (Yeah, it's vague. I know. But, hey. Gotta start somewhere. I'd settle for taxing the bastards. I'd be ecstatic with some arrests. Just sayin'. Maybe once the 20,000 people show up...we can decide...;)
Note: this occupation is "leaderless" and many groups have helped organize it including We Are the 99%, Adbusters and the US Day of Rage. Anonymous also put out YouTube in support of it. They are reported to be involved as well.
Want more?
OCTOBER 2011
This one's happening in DC. And again, it's an occupation, not a day of protest. It's motto: Human needs, not human greed. They say that since the majority of Americans favor the following agenda: tax the rich and corporations, ends the wars, bring troops home, cut military spending, protect and strengthen the social safety net, transition to a clean energy economy, protect worker rights and get money out of politics, they are calling on all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment—to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening.
Both of these occupations' websites have information and resources available, including ride sharing and accommodations. People seem to be ready and willing. Together we are able. We can CHANGE the rhetoric. We can CHANGE the debate. We can CREATE a movement and make a statement that cannot be ignored.
Are you getting excited yet? I am. There's something in the air, baby. It's TIME. Finally the tables are starting to turn. Talkin' 'bout a revolution.
P.S. The October 2011 project has a live stream discussion tonight. If you're in DC you can catch it in-person at Busboys and Poets Bookstore. If not, check the stream here beginning at 6 p.m. eastern time. TOPIC: "How to Shift the Power to the People."
UPDATED: This is what happened in Israel after ONE WOMAN decided to "camp out" because she was fed up. Movements start with a few. They can be broadly defined or very specific at the beginning. But they can turn into this: (h/t to The Troubadour)
If you cant make the occupation, you can still support those who are there. Here's how.
Several people have asked: if I can't make it to New York City for the occupation, but still want to help, what can I do?
One of many answers is to support those who are at the occupation on Wall Street by calling various delivery places in the area and having food sent to the site. Not only will you be providing food to hungry people, you will also be supporting local establishments as opposed to corporate chains. A list has been compiled of several pizzerias, health food places, and delis around the occupation area from which you can call and order food. The list can be found here
I'll add that if you live nearby but still can't hang out, consider making something like beans and rice or bringing by some fruit on your way to work. Or beverages.