Farms: The Council of Elders stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street
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Elders from Across the Nation Declare Solidarity with the Occupy Movement Veterans of America's 20th Century civil rights movement will enter the 21st Century Occupy Wall Street movement in New York, Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles on Sunday, November 20. Known as the "Council of Elders," they will step inside the nationwide encampments to symbolically share the torch of hope and justice and engage the Occupiers in dialogue about defining movements of the past. "We want to contribute to this intergenerational movement," says Dr. Vincent Harding, activist and writer in the civil rights movement. "We are thankful for the efforts of Occupy Wall Street to unite the 99% and bring the many gifts and great energy of millions into effective action to transform our nation." The Council of Elders is an independent group of leaders from the farm workers, sanctuary and human rights movements that shook the nation's conscience with public protests over the past 50 years. "We see Occupy Wall Street as a continuation, a deepening and expansion of the determination of the diverse peoples of our nation to transform our country into a more democratic, equitable, just, and compassionate society," excerpt from the statement of solidarity by the Council of Elders to be read at each of the Occupy encampments. By bringing their voices to the Occupy Wall Street movement, the elders are addressing a litany of social grievances, including poverty, mass incarceration, and what they call a culture of war and violence. Dolores Huerta, activist with Cesar Chavez and the farm-workers movement, believes today's conditions create bitter divisions among peoples across the United States and throughout the world. "We applaud the miraculous extent to which the Occupy initiative around the nation has been non-violent and democratic, especially in light of the weight of the systematic violence under which the great majority of people are forced to live," says Rev. James Lawson, leading theoretician, tactician and theologian of the civil rights movement. The economic crisis which sparked the Occupy Wall Street movement also motivated the veteran protesters. They cite soaring unemployment rates, home foreclosures, and inadequate health care as issues that require public outcries. The Council of Elders promotes compassion and non-violent action as the highest values to reverse trends that put profits ahead of people in its quest to contribute to the much-needed movement for a more just society and a more peaceful world. The council members are urging elders from around the nation to join the Occupy Wall Street movement. In New York City on November 20th, members of the Elder Council will spend time with those encamped at Zuccoti Park, beginning at 2:30 PM. They will lead a worship service in front of the "red structure" within Zuccotti Park at 3:30 pm. Elders will then host a dialogue with Occupy Wall Street demonstrators and other interested individuals at 5pm, at 74 Trinity Place. Both events are open to the public. Council of Elders Organizing Committee Rev. James Lawson, Jr. Los Angeles, CA Dr. Vincent G. Harding Denver, CO Rev. Phillip Lawson San Francisco, CA Dolores Huerta Bakersfield, CA Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon Washington, DC Dr. Grace Lee Boggs Detroit, MI, Dr. Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons Gainesville, FL Sister Joan Chittister, OSB Erie, PA Marian Wright Edelman Washington, DC Rabbi Arthur Waskow Philadelphia, PA Rev. Dr. George (Tink) Tinker Denver, CO Rev. John Fife Tucson, AZ Dr. Mel White Lynchburg, VA Rev. Nelson Johnson Greensboro, NC Joyce Hobson Johnson
Comments
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You are a bunch of dumb morons. the jews want you dead. it is written in stone in the Georgia Guidestones. wake the fuck up.
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Awakening is happening!
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If there were going to be a true revolution - it won't look anything like what we are seeing in the streets today. True revolutionaries are disciplined and have intent.
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Beautiful
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All Support and alove from Egypt to you guys keep it up and never give up whatever happen to you
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Oh thank God. We need seniors in this movement- there are so very many issues that effect seniors- these horrible budget cuts just to name one... It warms my heart to see this
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These are beautiful human beings
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YAAAAAAAAAAAAAYAYAY!!!! Counsel of Elders, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you. We all need you. Thank you.
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Wow! I'm so glad I came out today to Zoccotti Park. I was so moved to see the Council of Elders stand in solidarity with this movement. It was very encouraging and inspiring. What a day...
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@donhmatt Here's a few goals to consider. 1. Campaign finance reform to ensure politicians are not bought by corporations that in turn want less regulation. 2. No tax breaks for corporations. Instead encourage corporate responsibility. 3. No bank bailouts. The reality is they pay associates $500,000 a year and hedge fund managers make $1 billion annually, which drains the money from the entire system. 4.Socialized healthcare. It works just fine in Scandinavian countries.
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They have clear demands, the only ones that do not get it... watch FOX.
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I am a product of the Civil rights Movement. I KNOW what fire hoses feel like as they are washing you down the sidewalk. I am so inspired and encouraged by this massive movement for ECONOMIC EQUALITY in our country. I BELIEVE THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE! God BLess them.
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too bad that it is only because this financial crisis has hit the middle class so hard - mostly white - that the Occupy movement is taking place now. I do not think the young people realize how long it will take in peaceful protest to effect true changes in our country. One of the changes that need to take place is making permanent the Civil Rights Acts - so they do not have to be reaffirmed every few years! Almost not signed again by Bush Sr. - even though he signed the ADA BEFORE...
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You were/are our teachers...thank you!
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What are the goals of this movement?
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Great video!
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i am in tears... thank you!!!
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Nobody on the side of the doubters has the passion that any of these elders share. We are winning.
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I am so proud of all these elders in this video. Being an elder myself going through marches quite few in my own country across the ocean, through my youth i am proud of our kids today i do hope that we all going to joing and support them so they can have a brighter future than us. I am glad to see all these young people outthere all around the world that strive for a better society and justice. We need to support our kids! I have faith in you, all of you around the world!
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I urge those of you who are also elders (such as myself) to get out and join your local Occupation. It's transformed my life being a part of it. What I tell my "kids" is "You young people bring the energy and we older folks bring the wisdom. Together we are unstoppable."