#o4j

Boston Says No to Racism! Justice for Trayvon Martin! April 7, 2012

New York City: No War on Iran demonstration in Times Square, February 4, 2012.

Occupiers everywhere! TODAY IS SOLIDARITY SUNDAY!

In response to brutal police repression in Oakland this evening (including tear-gas, "flash" grenades, projectiles, mass arrests, and a pregnant woman hit in the belly by a policeman's baton) direct action working groups from at least Occupy Wall St, Occupy Boston, and Occupy Philly, have stayed up late to craft a massive coordinated response. Here are the initial results:

In Philly, we will converge at LOVE Park, at 7pm EST.

In NYC, we will converge at Washington Square, at 7pm EST.

In Boston, we will converge at Copley Square, at 7pm. EST.

In Baltimore, we will converge at McEldin Square, at 7pm. EST.

If your Occupy can come to a snap consensus on a place, email the location to [email protected] so OWS can tell the world just how massively this movement responds to such brutality.

Tweet about it with #solidaritysunday and/or #J29.

Here's a draft messaging statement prepared by Occupiers from these various cities (working collaboratively on etherpad, of course):

Yesterday, Occupy Oakland moved to convert a vacant building into a community center to provide education, medical, and housing services for the 99%. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, beanbag rounds, and mass arrests. The state has compounded its policy of callous indifference with a ruthless display of violent repression. The Occupy movement will respond, as we have always responded: with an overwhelming show of collective resistance.

Today, January 29, we take to the streets. J29. Across the country, we will demonstrate our resolve to overcome repression and continue to build a better world grounded in love and solidarity for one another. We will let the our country, the world, and our cities, another world is possible and we will not stand for violent repression from the state and the police.

All eyes are on all Occupies.

Be creative! Be agile! BE ORGANIZED!

Solidarity,

Nate Occupy Philly Committee of Correspondence

Several hundred spirited and militant activists held a series of people’s occupations around New York City’s Union Square in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16. Six organizers with the newly formed Occupy 4 Jobs were arrested as occupations were held at banks, supermarkets and a drugstore.

The day began with a rally in Union Square, which is a major subway hub and busy shopping destination. The Rude Mechanical Orchestra opened by playing the Civil Rights standard “We Shall Overcome,” with some in the crowd singing and changing the words to “we shall occupy.” The orchestra also played “Which Side Are You On,” Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up,” and a portion of the working-class anthem the Internationale.

Larry Holmes of O4J explained the day’s action: “Many don’t know that in King’s last days, he opened up a new Civil Rights struggle — that of the right of everyone to a decent, paying job. It’s not surprising that the media, the powers that be, the 1% don’t remind us of that. But today we’re reviving that part of King’s dream.” Holmes noted that the protest was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, which has provided an opening for militant action in various struggles.

New York City: Supporters of the Occupy 4 Jobs Network occupy Bank of America branch in Union Square during Martin Luther King Day actions. Four people were arrested in the bank and two others after a mic check in union-busting Whole Foods and Walgreens stores. January 16, 2012