Angered Masses To Storm D.C. In October
Message: ‘Stop the Machine! — Create a New World!’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oct. 6, 2011 begins a call to action by the masses fed up with the meltdown of America. The movement, to be headquartered in Freedom Plaza, is drawing attention worldwide, with one of its goals being to focus on human needs, “Not Corporate Greed.”
The Iconoclast will have reporters in the field there during the event.
According to promoters, “October 2011 is the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan and the beginning of the 2012 federal austerity budget. It is time to light the spark that sets off a true democratic, nonviolent transition to a world in which people are freed to create just and sustainable solutions.
“We call on people of conscience and courage—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.”
A concert, rally, and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate the United States government, it was noted.
Forty-seven years ago, Mario Savio, an activist student at Berkeley, Calif. said, “There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious—makes you so sick at heart—that you can’t take part. You can’t even passively take part. And you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all.”
The <http://october2011.org> website explains that the country is facing “ongoing wars and massive socio-economic and environmental destruction perpetrated by a corporate empire which is oppressing, occupying, and exploiting the world. We are on a fast track to making the planet unlivable while the middle class and poor people of our country are undergoing the most wrenching and profound economic crisis in 80 years.”
The clarion call for the movement is: “Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!” and is intended for “all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism, and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. We will encourage a culture of resistance—using music, art, theater, and direct nonviolent action—to take control of our country and our lives. It is about courageously resisting and stopping the corporate state from destroying not only our inherent rights and freedoms, but also our children’s chance to live, breathe clean air, drink pure water, grow edible natural food and live in peace.”
The October2011 Movement steering committee has identified 15 core issues that they feel the country must face:
1. Corporatism– firmly establish that money is not speech, corporations are not people, only people have Constitutional rights, end corporate influence over the political process, protect people and the environment from damage by corporations.
2. Wars and Militarism – end wars and occupations, end private for-profit military contractors, reduce the national security state and end the weapons export industry. War crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace must be addressed and those responsible held accountable under international law.
3. Human Rights – end exploitation of people in the US and abroad, end discrimination in all forms, equal civil rights and due process for all people.
4. Worker Rights and jobs – all working-age people have the right to safe, just, non-discriminatory and dignified working conditions, a sustainable living wage, paid leave and economic protection.
5. Government – all processes of the three branches of government should be accountable to international law, transparent and follow the rule of law, people have the right to participate in decisions which affect them.
6. Elections – all citizens 18 and older have the right to vote without barriers, all candidates have the right to be heard and to run and all votes should be counted.
7. Criminal justice and prisons –end private for-profit prisons, adopt evidence-based drug policy, prisoners have the right to humane and just conditions with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society, abolish the death penalty.
8. Healthcare – create a national, universal and publicly financed comprehensive health system.
9. Education – all people have the right to a high quality, publicly-funded and broad education from pre-school through vocational training or university.
10. Housing – all people have the right to affordable and safe housing.
11. Environment – adopt policies which effectively create a carbon-free and radio-active free energy economy.
12. Finance and the economy – end policies which foster a wealth divide and move to a localized and democratic financial system, reform taxes so that they are progressive and provide goods, monetary gain and services for the people.
13. Media – airwaves and the internet are public goods, require that media be honest, accurate and accountable to the people.
14. Food and water – create systems that protect the land and water, create local and sustainable food networks and practices.
15. Transportation – provide affordable, clean and convenient public transportation and safe spaces for pedestrian and non-automobile travel.
The movement’s schedule of events includes:
Tuesday, Oct.4 — Nonviolence training 1 to 5 p.m. at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church at 1525 Newton Street NW at the corner of 16th St and Newton.
Thursday, Oct. 6 —
9 a.m. – Arrival in Freedom Plaza – registration to receive information and sign up to volunteer, teach classes and join a committee.
12 p.m. – Concert and Rally – featuring The Raging Grannies, Head Roc and Junkyard Empire, and spoken word artists as well as Rabbi Michael Lerner, Ashley Sanders, Cheri Honkala, Glen Ford and Kevin Zeese.
2:30 p.m. – Acitivities off Freedom Plaza
6:30 p.m. – Evening Program – featuring the music of Emily Angell, Emma’s Revolution and Watermelon Slim and Elaine Brower, Jacob George of A Ride Til The End, The Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, Ted Rall and Chris Hedges.
9 p.m. – Candlelight vigil
Friday, Oct. 7 —
9:a.m. to 12 p.m. – Workshops and classes (schedule TBA)
12 to 1 p.m. – Lunch
1 to 3 p.m. – Activities off Freedom Plaza
3 to 5 p.m. – Committee meetings
5 to 7 p.m. – Open mic on main stage
7 to 10 p.m. – Evening Assembly including music and arts and committee reports. Evening assemblies will be livestreamed (more information to come).
