Tag Archives: Wall Street

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Department of Justice … Jim Dean


“The universal rights of assembly and free speech must be protected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.” — President Barack Obama.

You may be thinking the above quote from President Obama was talking about the Occupy Wall Street protests — but he wasn’t. He was talking about the protests in Iran this past year.

Yet every morning, we read another story from a DFA member involved in an Occupy Wall Street action — stories about how protesters are struggling with authorities just to be able to exercise their basic rights. Every day we hear about some new dirty trick being pulled in an effort to stifle and break up the movement.

The tactics are varied. Some days it’s the Mayor of New York attempting to forcibly evict protesters from Zuccotti Park under the guise of “cleaning” or taking away the power supply. Other days, it’s mass arrests in Boston in the middle of the night. And just days ago it was the horrific story of police firing dangerous weapons on unarmed peaceful demonstrators in Oakland — and even seriously wounding a United States marine who served in Iraq.

The truth is: the universal rights of Occupy Wall Street protesters to free speech and assembly are not being protected right now. It’s time for our nation’s top law enforcement agency to stand up and defend its own civilians who are under attack — from New York to Oakland and every occupation in between.

Tell the Department of Justice to make a statement protecting the rights of Occupy Wall Street protesters to demonstrate in safety and peace. Sign the petition now.

At other pivotal moments in American history, the Department of Justice and the President have taken action to protect its citizens engaged in protest from injustice and police brutality.

We need that same leadership again now.

President Obama has stood up and showed great leadership in demanding that all governments worldwide protect the rights of their people to peacefully protest without harassment. It’s time for the Obama administration to lead again by demanding those exact same protections for peaceful protestors here in the United States of America.

Add your name to the petition now. Tell the Department of Justice to protect the rights of Americans to assemble and speak freely.

Thank you for everything you do,

– Jim

Jim Dean, Chair

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a message from Al Franken

1 Comment

Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota

When a passionate, principled, progressive reformer like Elizabeth Warren decides to run for the U.S. Senate, the first thing to do is to get really, really excited.

We’ve all seen what Elizabeth can do with her smarts — and her guts. I’ve been impressed with her tenacity for years. She took on Wall Street before anyone else would and pushed consumer protection to the top of the financial reform agenda.

We know she’s tough and fiery and even funny. We know she’s got a great life story and a full career of achievements fighting for middle-class families. That’s why progressives like you and me have been fans for a long time, and why we hoped she’d be able to lead the consumer protection board she created. And now, when we imagine her voice in the Senate, well, it’s even more exciting.

I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren. But don’t just take my word for it.

Click here to watch a video from Elizabeth, explaining why she’s running for U.S. Senate — and then join her campaign today.

After we’re done getting excited, there’s real work to do here. Just like me, Elizabeth hasn’t spent her life running for office, so she’s starting her grassroots organization from scratch. Just like me, she’s made a habit of annoying the far right and the big corporate interests — and take it from me, they play rough when they don’t like you.

And just like me, Elizabeth can only win if progressives like you are ready to fight alongside her.

So don’t just get excited about Elizabeth’s campaign — get active, and help her win it by clicking here to watch her video and join her team.

Remember that just as excited as we are about having Elizabeth in the Senate, that’s how panicked the special interests are about the idea. They are going to spend millions trying to stop her — that was the headline in Politico. “Wall Street Readies Assault on Elizabeth Warren.”

We’ve seen far too many great Democrats get buried under attack ads, but we also know that big grassroots support can beat big money. That’s how we won in Minnesota — and that’s how Elizabeth can win in Massachusetts.

So please click here to watch Elizabeth’s video and join her grassroots campaign today!

Just like you, I’ll be watching this race with great excitement. And I hope that just like me, you’re ready to do everything you can to help Elizabeth win.

Click here to sign up — and tell ‘em Al sent you.

Thanks,

Al

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wacky Wednesday &some News


just another rant … in response to an article i posted by DFA and offerings of signs -stickers

di is in los angeles (@tovangar2)
Why don’t you DFA ppl / Howard Dean get a life? You had no business printing “Occupy Wall Street” on those stickers together with your name. OWS is NOT affiliated w/ you & never would be, yet you use the name to make money for yourselves. That’s called fraud.

The OWS movement has NOTHING to do with party politics. We have the involvement of everyone. It’s the 99%, get it?

There is a HUGE negative reaction against you over this. Your name is mud.

Now stop being so damn sleazy.

ME:

It took me a few days to respond to a comment, which i still appreciate because that means someone is out there reading, thinking and has an opinion on articles or offerings of stickers etc. . I get that she thinks making money off of ows is wrong and claims the movement has no political element … what i don’t get is how someone has decided they own OWS and have the right to tell others they do not belong … what does that make her?

Anyway,

I have been trying to put into words what your statement means to me as a person who leans left and votes for the Democratic Party …at least for the Representatives here in Washington State up until this last year. First, I was offended got pissed and then wanted to tell you that so far “Occupy Wall Street” technically belongs to no one … or so everyone keeps saying so who are you to tell me or the DFA people along with Howard Dean to get a life? All you have to do is take a photo on any given day there will be different groups of people who have joined in the movement to voice their feelings by protesting, holding signs and occupying Wall Street. Let us not forget that the movement is happening all over the Nation and several countries and the 1st Amendment is in full effect, but that is just my opinion. I would not tell any person they have no right to protest or get a sticker to begin with and btw I support the BarackObama212 campaign several different ways and the DFA.  I don’t have any idea if DFA is making any money, yes, they represent a political element but NYC  ows has quite a few Unions out there as well.  I am curious to find out if a lot of people are offended by DFA giving out free stickers or selling 10for$10 because it is was and still will be a free will … a choice to partake or not in my opinion.  I feel telling anyone they have no business in printing signs or stickers is an odd thing and it is my contention that we are all humans first who often react instead of being proactive. Therefore, I hear your passion and offense to big business and or political organizations getting involved in ows, how about taking it up with them. I chose to post it because I thought someone might want a free sticker not because I am helping change the meme or direction of the movement. I will say that I want the movement to support President Obama.  As  you might know, Teapublicans are not just unqualified they are inept, offensive racists, supporters of Voter suppression , against immigration, against a right to choose, against unions/collective bargaining as well as so many other things We the People want and you are protesting for … economic equality … that  -we both agree on

 Other News …

 

President Obama joined homeowners in Nevada to push for changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program, also known as “HARP.”  The President is asking Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to loosen HARP restrictions, making it easier for property owners to refinance their home loans.

Members Question Sec. Napolitano on Border, Immigration

Congress Examines Iranian Threat to U.S. Security

“Super Committee” Holds Public Meeting

Canceled CLASS Investigated >>

President Obama delivered remarks at a fundraiser speech for his re-election campaign in San Francisco.   The President was also in Los Angeles earlier in the day where he took part in a taping of NBC’s “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.

More Info »

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Last week HCAN activists joined a half million people across the country


Last week HCAN activists joined a half million people across the country to prevent New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the owner of Zuccotti Park from evicting thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters. As a result of your quick action, Mayor Bloomberg and Brookfield Inc. backed down and the Occupy movement continues to grow.

Thanks to the rapid response of AFL-CIO, CREDO, MoveOn.org,
Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Rebuild the Dream, The Other
98%, USAction and dozens of other groups,
 Occupy Wall Street
supporters generated 500,000 petition signatures and thousands of calls
and tweets.

Watch and share this great video from MoveOn.org as the 5,000 protesters celebrate word of their victory.
 

Video from MoveOn.org of Occupy Wall Street Victory
Today
marks one month since Occupy Wall Street began. In only four weeks the
Occupy movement has gone global, spreading from Wall Street to 100
cities across America and an incredible 951 cities in 82 countries.
Occupy support could be found even in a remote corner of the Alaskan
tundra and on a Hawaiian beach.

Last week was an important victory and the battle of the people versus
unbridled corporate greed continues. We will keep you posted on our next
steps in the fight for The 99 Percent.
In Solidarity,

Melinda Gibson

Health Care for America Now

P.S. Join us in Washington DC on November 4th for the Koch Brothers Guerrilla Drive-In.