I've been following DailyKos since 2004, but this is my first diary in forever. This is also the first time that I've actually gotten off my &@! and done something for the movement. Well, aside from daily attempts at consciousness-raising amongst my local ex-pat circle, and building revolutionary sentiments amongst my students, that is.
When I first heard about the Occupy movement, I was a bit skeptical, but largely because I've always been somewhat skeptical about protest movements in general. Futile as it may seem in this day in age, I have generally agreed with Kos - don't get ignored marching around empty buildings, elect more and better Democrats. I still have full and ultimate faith in the political process as the final way of pushing change, as in the end, sovereign state power can and will solve most problems I really care about.
But that doesn't mean it can do everything, or that the levers of power are yet available for the grasping. And thus, my support for the Occupiers.
The past years have seen massive popular movements erupt out of nowhere in anger at the unchecked power of the financial elites and the corrupt political classes they bankroll - first in Europe, then in the Middle East, and now finally in the United States. In comparison to the massive occupations of Madrid, or for that matter Cairo, Occupy Wall Street and its brethren are small. However, their impact on the media environment in the United States has been huge, and for that alone they are worth supporting.
I disagree with the stance that many Occupy groups seem to be taking towards engagement in the political process. And, as stated before, I am skeptical of protest as a means of effecting political and social change in general. But I don't know everything, and I'm not one for purity tests. The Occupy Movement is strong, and growing, and worthy of support.
I currently live outside the United States, and while I have been hoping the Occupy Tokyo movement will pick up steam, so far it's been limited to the single march on October 15th. I have a job, and am not keen on joining the ranks of the unemployed to participate in a movement. Yet. As such, my options for support are limited. But that does not mean that there is nothing I can do.
Winter is coming, and winter means cold. Japan is still warm this time of year, but even here we have had a few bursts of autumn chill. Walking outside is one thing, but spending all day in the cold is not fun, even in my warm hometown of Los Angeles. I suspect it's getting quite cold in other, more inclement locales, such as New York and Albany. It is not economical to round up things here and mail them in bulk back to the US, but there is no reason I can't use the internet to send goods straight to those who need them.
Tonight, I purchased 10 heavy woolen blankets, and 25 tarps for Occupy Los Angeles, to be delivered directly to their UPS Box. Were I closer, or were I richer, I could and would do more, but impoverishing myself now to support what will surely be a long-term struggle does not seem terribly wise.
However, I would like to call upon others who live closer to ongoing Occupy events to do what they can to provide material support to the movement. As winter approaches, tents, blankets, cots, tarps, sleeping bags, and other warm things will surely be appreciated. Fresh cooked food may or may not be accepted, depending on the relationship the local Occupation has with the city health authorities, but I suspect packaged foods would be gladly accepted by all. On the Occupy Los Angeles donations page, various sorts of electronic equipment was requested. Have an old laptop sitting around, collecting dust? Donate it to the movement.
Finally, consider what aid and support you may be able to offer on a recurring basis. I will try to give again next month, either to Occupy LA, or to another Occupy camp in another city. How could you make your available time and resources available to the movement?