{"id":15628,"date":"2011-11-21T12:00:54","date_gmt":"2011-11-21T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=15628"},"modified":"2011-11-10T00:58:05","modified_gmt":"2011-11-10T00:58:05","slug":"occupy-movement-two-texts-in-solidarity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2011\/11\/occupy-movement-two-texts-in-solidarity\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupy Movement: Two Texts in Solidarity"},"content":{"rendered":"

I wish to disseminate two texts that I have signed in support of the Occupy Movement. United for #Global Democracy<\/a> deserves careful study and reflection.<\/em><\/p>\n

United for #Global Democracy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The following manifesto was produced over four months through consultation among groups, activists and people\u2019s assemblies in countries such as Britain, Egypt, Tunisia, Germany, Spain, the US<\/a>, Palestine, Israel, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, India and Australia. We got comments, suggestions, support, and wrote and rewrote it again and again. The text has been supported by Canadian-based Naomi Klein<\/a>, Indian-based Vandana Shiva<\/a>, the US-based Michael Hardt<\/a> and Noam Chomsky, as well as Uruguayan Eduardo Galeano<\/a>.<\/p>\n

United for #GlobalDemocracy<\/a><\/strong>\u2028On 15 October 2011, united in our diversity, united for global change, we demand global democracy: global governance by the people, for the people. Inspired by our sisters and brothers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, New York, Palestine-Israel, Spain and Greece, we too call for a regime change: a global regime change.\u2028In the words of Vandana Shiva, the Indian activist, today we demand replacing the G8 with the whole of humanity \u2013 the G7,000,000,000.\u2028Undemocratic international institutions are our global Mubarak, our global Assad, our global Gaddafi. These include: the IMF, the WTO, global markets, multinational banks, the G8\/G20, the European Central Bank<\/a> and the UN security council<\/a>. Like Mubarak and Assad, these institutions must not be allowed to run people\u2019s lives without their consent. We are all born equal, rich or poor, woman or man. Every African and Asian is equal to every European and American. Our global institutions must reflect this, or be overturned.\u2028Today, more than ever before, global forces shape people\u2019s lives. Our jobs, health, housing, education and pensions are controlled by global banks, markets, tax-havens, corporations and financial crises. Our environment is being destroyed by pollution in other continents. Our safety is determined by international wars and international trade in arms, drugs and natural resources. We are losing control over our lives. This must stop. This will stop. The citizens of the world must get control over the decisions that influence them in all levels \u2013 from global to local. That is global democracy. That is what we demand today.\u2028Today, like the Mexican Zapatistas, we say \u201c\u00a1Ya basta!<\/a> Aqu\u00ed el pueblo manda y el gobierno obedece<\/em>\u201c: Enough! Here the people command and global institutions obey! Like the Spanish Tomalaplaza we say \u201cDemocracia Real Ya\u201d: True global democracy now!<\/em>\u201d Today we call the citizens of the world: let us globalise Tahrir Square! Let us globalise Puerta del Sol<\/a>!<\/p>\n

This manifesto is not endorsed by all the people that participate in the worldwide protests on Saturday, of course. With social movements, you can never have everyone<\/em> writing the text together or endorsing it. But to the extent that we could \u2013 we tried to create a process of writing that was truly participatory as possible, worldwide. We feel the text is legitimate as a manifesto coming from the protests, supported by many involved, such as Democracia Real Ya International<\/a>, the main assembly in Madrid, the main assembly in Boston, in Buenos Aires and Sao Paolo. We hope it is the beginning of a movement.<\/p>\n

We decided to call international institutions such as the IMF, the UN Security Council, global markets and international banks our \u201cglobal Mubarak, our global Assad\u201d. These words were debated vigorously. We decided to keep them. Hard words for hard times. We didn\u2019t define what democratic global institutions are because not everyone completely agrees on a definition.<\/p>\n

We prefer to leave it as a principle, and know that there are many suggestions on how to give people control over the global decisions that shape our lives. When French activists demanded national democracy for the first time, no one believed it was possible. Today no one believes global people\u2019s control is possible. Future generations will judge things differently. Today we start building a movement for global democracy.<\/p>\n

************************<\/p>\n

November 12, 2011\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OPEN LETTER TO OCCUPY WALL STREET<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are writers, historians, psychologists, doctors, sociologists, lawyers, theologians, journalists, poets and activists who have gathered at the Wellfleet Conferences convened each year by Robert Jay Lifton<\/a> to consider fundamental issues facing human society.\u00a0 The 46th<\/sup> Wellfleet Conference has just concluded.<\/p>\n

We represent a variety of callings, faiths, generations, political persuasions, nationalities and disciplines, but we share a continued commitment to a humane society.\u00a0 At a time when democratic ideals are violated with impunity, we have been hoping to see a revival of initiative and of civic conscience.\u00a0 We applaud your demonstrations in New York City<\/a> and throughout the country and abroad.\u00a0 We are deeply impressed with what you have already accomplished to begin a popular movement on behalf of essential democratic values of fairness, justice, human dignity and hope.\u00a0 We all belong to the 99%!<\/p>\n

We join in your quest for social and economic justice. We stand in protest with you and urge others to raise their voices as friends, supporters, and brothers and sisters of Occupy Wall Street.<\/p>\n

SIGNATORIES:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Name<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Affiliation<\/span>1<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Peter Balakian\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Colgate University<\/p>\n

Shareen Brysac\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writer<\/p>\n

Colin Campbell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Journalist<\/p>\n

Todd Gitlin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Columbia University<\/p>\n

Robert Jay Lifton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harvard Medical School<\/p>\n

Edwin Matthews\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Baker & McKenzie LLP<\/p>\n

Patricia Barnes Matthews\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Filmmaker<\/p>\n

Helen McNeil\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writer<\/p>\n

Karl Meyer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writer<\/p>\n

Deborah Scroggins\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writer<\/p>\n

Danny Schechter\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Journalist and Filmmaker<\/p>\n

Larry Shainberg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Writer<\/p>\n

Cathy Caruth\u00a0Cornell University<\/p>\n

Aaron Roland, M.D. \u00a0University of California, San Francisco<\/p>\n

Nicholas Humphrey \u00a0London School of Economics<\/p>\n

Ayla Humphrey\u00a0University of Cambridge<\/p>\n

Charles B. Strozier \u00a0John Jay College, City University of NY<\/p>\n

James W. Jones \u00a0Rutgers University\u00a0\u2028Kathleen G. Bishop\u00a0Rutgers University<\/p>\n

Lawrence J. Friedman \u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Walter Gilbert \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Celia Gilbert \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Poet and Artist<\/p>\n

Christopher Busa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Provincetown Arts Magazine<\/p>\n

Donald Fanger\u00a0Writer<\/p>\n

Norman Birnbaum\u00a0Georgetown University Law Center<\/p>\n

Catherine Shainberg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0School of Images<\/p>\n

Harvey Cox\u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Peter Brooks\u00a0Princeton University<\/p>\n

Wendy Doniger\u00a0University of Chicago<\/p>\n

Marshall J. Smith\u00a0Bookstore Owner<\/p>\n

Robert R. Holt\u00a0Psychologist<\/p>\n

David Lotto\u00a0Psychoanalyst<\/p>\n

Norah Walsh\u00a0Psychotherapist<\/p>\n

Ruth Rosen\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Historian and Journalist<\/p>\n

Peter Kuznick\u00a0American University<\/p>\n

Inge S Hoffmann \u00a0 \u00a0Harvard Medical School<\/p>\n

Harris Yulin\u00a0 \u00a0Actor\/Director<\/p>\n

David Rush, MD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Tufts University<\/p>\n

J. Michael Lennon\u00a0Wilkes University<\/p>\n

Carolyn Mugar \u00a0FarmAid<\/p>\n

Daniel Itzkovitz\u00a0Stonehill College<\/p>\n

Cindy Ness\u00a0Psychologist<\/p>\n

Michael Flynn\u00a0City University of NY<\/p>\n

James T. Kloppenberg\u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Richard Falk \u00a0\u00a0University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Irene Gendzier\u00a0Boston University<\/p>\n

Martin J. Sherwin\u00a0George Mason University<\/p>\n

Greg Mitchell\u00a0The Nation<\/p>\n

Saul Mendlovitz\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rutgers Law School<\/p>\n

James M. Skelly\u00a0University of Ulster<\/p>\n

Rebecca Okrent\u00a0Poet<\/p>\n

Mary Catherine Bateson\u00a0Cultural anthropologist<\/p>\n

James Gilligan\u00a0New York University<\/p>\n

Daniel Ellsberg\u00a0Nuclear Age Peace Foundation<\/p>\n

Stanley Hoffman\u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Judith Lewis Herman\u00a0Harvard Medical School<\/p>\n

Stanley Hoffman\u00a0Harvard University<\/p>\n

Jonathan Schell\u00a0The Nation<\/p>\n

1<\/sup> Affiliations are noted for identification only and not to represent the views of persons or institutions other than the signatories.<\/p>\n

_________________________<\/p>\n

Go to Origina \u2013 richardfalk.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I wish to disseminate two texts that I have signed in support of the Occupy Movement. United for #Global Democracy deserves careful study and reflection. We got comments, suggestions, support, and wrote and rewrote it again and again. The text has been supported by Canadian-based Naomi Klein, Indian-based Vandana Shiva, the US-based Michael Hardt and Noam Chomsky, as well as Uruguayan Eduardo Galeano.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-activism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15628"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15628\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}