Occupy Wall Street: Members' Perspectives

The Occupy Wall Street protests, and the actions they have inspired across the country and throughout the world, have focused attention on the obscene concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small minority. Through the simple statement – “we are the 99 percent” – Occupy Wall Street and its offshoots have zeroed in on the heart of the crisis that we are experiencing today. 

We asked Local 21 members why they got involved in local "Occupy" protests and what the movement means to them as union members, working people, members of the middle class, and the 99%...

Joe DeVries

Program Analyst III, Oakland Supervisors and Managers chapter (chapter Political Coordinator)

How have you been involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement?

I originally visited the Oakland encampment both as a union member, and as a member of my Synagogue. I’ve been involved with fellow Oakland Council members in figuring out how we can support the protests financially or otherwise, and I’ve also handed out stickers, carried signs, and participated in marches.

Yesterday during the general strike, it was wonderful to see that the 99% looks like the 99%. I saw my Rabbi, parents from my kid’s preschool, parents from my kid’s high school, neighbors, real people living and working in Oakland. We need to look past the violence of a few people and see that the majority, the 99%, were out there peacefully contributing trying to stand up and demand change.

Why are you involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement? What do you see as the connections between being a Local 21 union member, and a participant in Occupy Wall Street?

I’m involved because it makes sense. The labor movement has been saying for years what Occupy Wall Street is articulating: the wealthy are not paying their fair share and the middle class is eroding. Read More...

Juan Reardon

Public Health Epidemiologist, Contra Costa County chapter

Why are you involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement?

Over the last 30 years the greatest transfer of wealth took place in this country from the 99% working families to the 1% who controls our lives and future. The greed of the 1% is insatiable. They want everything. I love the Occupy-99% movement because 3 months ago the political discussion was about where to cut next and what layoffs would take place. Today there is another type of thinking thanks to that movement: We have power, we can say no, we can protest and we can occupy the spaces from which we have been excluded as corporations took over this land.

What would you say to members who are interested in supporting protestors, but feel they don’t have the time, resources, or ability to sleep in a park?

It is not about supporting the protesters, it is about defending yourselves from the disasters upon all of us. You don't have to be 'there,' be where you are. You have a couple of hours on a weekend to contribute? Write a sign with what you and your neighbors want and plant yourself in a corner of your neighborhood and wave to the cars passing by, and talk to those who join you. Read More...

Tim Paez

Water Quality Technician I/II, San Francisco Chemists and Lab Professionals

What do you see as the connections between being a Local 21 union member, and a participant in Occupy San Francisco?

The connections are pretty clear – unions, under our economic and political system, are sort of the first and last bastion for working people to organize together for our betterment. In America we really only have unions to organize working people. The same systemic inequities and exploitation of working people fostered by the culture of corporate capitalism, especially in times of economic ‘bust,’ leads to the decimation of conditions for working people and mass unemployment, further weakening workers’ organizations. Unions are the primary organizations that can politicize and mobilize working people in a very real, immediate context. It’s important for organized labor to participate in the Occupy movement, if not in solidarity, which is paramount, at least to take the struggle of working people to a much larger audience – one which is at this moment ready to listen and be heard.

I work for a living, and I haven’t yet heard anyone at any Occupation ask only for hand outs; people want to work and study in order to contribute back to our society, our country. What is the aim of someone who wants to go to school, even for free? No one has said they only want to kick back afterwards and collect paychecks. People want to work, to improve the material conditions, and provide better opportunities for their families. No large organizations in the U.S. have so aptly understood this for as long as unions have, and these ideas need to be part of the discussions at the Occupations as we look at and debate solutions and actions for the future.

What would you say to members who are interested in supporting protestors, but feel they don’t have the time, resources, or ability to sleep in an encampment?

Sleeping out there is certainly not the only way to support and participate, though probably one of the most engaging and exciting. I suggest everyone simply to stop by the encampment and talk to people. Another option is to join a working group! Every one of the Occupations (absent police action) are totally family-friendly during the day, as the issues of the movement, the magnanimity of scope, and the demographics of the aggrieved certainly include all youth.

 Some people have reservations about being amongst, or bringing their families and kids to places where homeless and indigent people are gathered and are visible. We must remember that one in six Americans now live in poverty and the proportion of unemployed youth and certain ethnic groups is astronomically high. Part of the significance of this movement is that it is pushing us to recognize the connections and similarities all of the 99% has, rather than maintain the old status quo of identity politics. Read More...