Eliot Chandler: The Power of Occupy Wall Street

For decades the 1% has managed to focus our attention on those beneath us financially.

 

For example, President Clinton’s Welfare-to-Work initiative in 1999 kept us from looking critically at the  1%.

 

In only a couple of months OWS (Occupy Wall Street) has turned our attention completely around, from looking down on the poor to looking down on the super rich.

 

Those supporting the 1 % are attempting to denigrate the OWS in many ways, including calling out law enforcement to support them and disperse those who are calling out for justice: economic, social and political.

 

Our Constitution sides with the 99%, saying that “Congress shall make no law prohibiting the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” (No, it doesn’t mention tents.)

 

Had the OWS not existed when the Bank of America added a $5.00 fee to credit card holders, the public would have grumbled but would have succumbed. And the same with Verizon’s “Convenience Fee” and November’s “Bank Transfer Day.” But the 99% has encouraged the public to revolt.

 

Remember, our “Civil Rights” were not successfully achieved in two months.