Expressions from Ellen

“We are the 99%” is being proclaimed from Wall Street to Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Olympia, Yakima Valley, and points between and beyond. 900+ cities around the world held “Occupy” mobilizations on Oct. 15. It’s hard to miss that people are angry about the current economic crisis, yearning for change. Many of those involved in the actual occupations are young and motivated by student loan debts and/or lack of jobs and opportunities. However, there is an amazing diversity of people participating – students, teachers, machinists, health-care workers, homeless, lawyers, retired, unemployed, parents and their children.

I’ve spent time at Occupy Seattle at Westlake and have been energized, heartened, frustrated, challenged, and moved. The courage and commitment will bolster you if your faith in people is lagging. Go to your local “occupation’ and listen to peoples’ stories, share your own experiences/skills and help as you can. I’ve done some nonviolence training and received positive feedback. If you can’t go physically, figure out another way to connect – perhaps through Facebook or on the Web. Occupy Seattle has streaming video nightly of their General Assembly, a remarkable experiment in democracy using the people’s mike and evolving as they/we learn. Write letters to the editor and to public officials. Put up a supportive yard sign (coming from WWFOR) – or a tent – in your front yard. This is a chance for FOR – and others – to highlight the issue of the costs of war and to urge us to Bring Our Billion$ Home. “How do we fix the deficit? End the wars. Tax the rich.” Is one chant I’ve heard. People are eager to make those connections.

There are real challenges going forward about how a movement that has so many voices becomes a catalyst for lasting change. Long term strategic questions need all of us thinking, collaborating, building alliances. I’ve been impressed with how quickly and well people are responding to some of the challenges.

The occupation(s) offer an extraordinary opportunity for shared learning and growth. Let’s chose to be part of it.