May Day Directory: Occupy General Strike In Over 135 Cities
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May Day Solidarity 2012
'Battle for the soul of Occupy': Activists fear being 'pulled to the right,' becoming Democratic 'pet' By Miranda Leitsinger, msnbc.com, May 1,2012
As Occupy protesters hit the streets for a nationwide general strike on Tuesday, some in the movement fear the emergence of two new activist outfits made up of "old left" advocacy groups and unions is an attempt to turn them into a "pet" for the Democratic Party and President Obama’s reelection effort.
...Dorian Warren, an assistant professor of political science at Columbia University, said schisms on the left today are similar to those during the civil rights movements. There were "intense fights between the old guard" groups like the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the youth-led Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, he said. In hindsight, the youth-led group played an important role, serving as "the left flank of the movement," he said. "That’s sort of the role Occupy is playing."
But Occupy should be skeptical and challenge the progressive establishment, he said. "Until September, the strategies of these groups, whether it was ‘inside the Beltway’ game or just traditional interest group politics, that was not working, and so the more radical tactics that Occupy innovated is what shifted the political terrain and they should stay focused on doing that."
The 99% Spring and 99% Power have given a nod to Occupy for leading the way, though they also said they had been drafting plans to engage in more public protest and focus on corporate accountability before Occupy existed. They had targeted the fall for their campaign, but then Occupy took off, which in turn helped them convince others of the viability of their own strategy, said George Goehl, executive director of National People’s Action.
Up host Chris Hayes leads the conversation on civil disobedience in light of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the groups that are emerging to teach protesters non-violent demonstration tactics.
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Chris Hedges calls the movement a mainstream movement and that it must reject any form of physical or vocal violence.
By not rejecting the Black Bloc's violent tactics that this becomes a gift to the authorities to treat Occupy protesters in a violent fashion.
Chris Hedges warns against the Black Bloc Anarchists who if not infiltrated by the police and authorities working for the 1% they are being used by the 1% to discredit the Occupy Movement.
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