OscailtOccupy Wall Streets Next Steps – Part 2 – How to Win a Fight with the 1%Occupy supporters must re-orient their organizing from mass, symbolic actions – such as “mic-checking politicians” and waving signs at CEO’s - to more targeted campaigns designed to win real, immediate gains for ourselves.
2011-12-24T02:48:09+08:00Anarkismoanarkismoeditors@lists.riseup.nethttp://www.anarkismo.net/atomfullposts?story_id=21461http://www.anarkismo.net/graphics/feedlogo.gifLove ithttp://www.anarkismo.net/article/21461#comment139372011-12-24T02:48:09+08:00GregAA lot of the talk about occupy seems centered on a debate between:
- winnable na...A lot of the talk about occupy seems centered on a debate between:<br />
- winnable national policy demands from congress<br />
- no demands <br />
- impossible demands<br />
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They all seem to be dead-ends. On the one hand, you have ridiculously weak reforms that would require a complete co-option of the occupy movement. On the other hand, you have symbolic protests that bore people and make people ask "what's the point?"<br />
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I like the idea of going after local 1% targets with winnable fights. They'd be small enough that nobody would get confused and think a single win meant we were done and it was time to go home. But with the energy and exposure of occupy, they could be bigger and and more threatening than typical solnet fights.<br />
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I like the idea of a DIY stimulus - pick a vulnerable local business owned by a member of the local 1%, it's visible and cares about its public perception, they are on the record for recent profits but haven't been hiring, they have some dirt that a lot of people would find distasteful. And present a demand that they hire 10 people with a specific deadline and some form of proof. So a lot like solnet fights, but with a more occupy 99% vs. 1% angle.<br />
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Then do something like a solnet escalation fight, but focus more on canvassing neighbors to get people to sign postcards in support - gather up a large base of support for a broad range of pressure, from postcards to calls to pickets, etc.<br />
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The first target would be the easiest win - they'd claim they were going to hire anyway, we'd claim victory and move on to the next target, but now with a track record and a growing base of support.