By, Caryn Freeman
They call themselves a leaderless movement. Everyone
involved in the Occupy DC and Stop the Machine movement at Freedom Plaza seems
to be a leader in some capacity. The sense is those participating now early in
this movement are at the cutting edge of the beginnings of a transformation to
a truly participatory democracy with a democratized economy. In the beginning, six
months ago they were five people which then blossomed into a 45 person steering
committee that then disbanded into a general assembly. Margaret Flowers a
Physician and Kevin Zeese a Baltimore lawyer are the organizers of
October2011.org otherwise known as Occupy DC. Zeese and Flowers are responsible
for the permit to use the Freedom Plaza.
“Occupy DC” and “Stop the Machine” in addition to organizing
and leading protests are offering community based services in Freedom Plaza as
well. There is a health tent that they are hoping to grow into a free health
clinic. The organization is also feeding the homeless. Shanty towns have been
assembled in Freedom Plaza as symbols of a new era of homelessness. Many Americans
who owned their homes just a few years ago now live in boxes and tents
themselves.
What’s driving the movement nationally, says organizer Kevin
Zeese, is economic insecurity. Similar to the opposition against the military
draft in the sixties when Americans became outraged at the Vietnam War and
seemingly endless casualties. Zeese
believes similarly every family in America has been affected by what has become
inherent government corruption. Economic insecurity affects everyone except the
top one percent of Americans and there are now hundreds of occupations across
the country demonstrating similar frustrations.” Leadership in this effort forms by doing.
Everything that is done at Freedom Plaza takes someone stepping up and doing
it. “Leadership is action not titles,” he explained.
Yesterday the Park Service met with Zeese and Flowers and extended
the groups permit an additional four months. The Occupy DC governing principle
is decision by consensus. A general assembly was established and holds meetings
twice a day 8:30am and 6:00pm with volunteers and occupiers. They are trying to
model what they want, a transparent participatory Democracy. The other arm of
the project “Stop the Machine” aims to stop the machine with protests. Last
week protests at the Chamber of Commerce building were successful in shutting down
for two hours. The group also shut down a local drone manufacturer during a
protest last week. Tuesday morning over 150 protestors filled the Hart Senate
office building shutting down that building as well.
Steven Graham a restaurateur originally from New Jersey
moved to Costa Rica six years ago after growing disillusioned with the American
political system. He is living in a tent at Freedom Plaza and plans to occupy
DC until November 6th. His greatest concern is his children and their future.
“I do not believe the United States is a free country anymore I believe we have
a criminal element running our country.” His oldest daughter, 19, is supporting
him. His youngest daughter, 17, doesn’t quite understand what he is protesting
against. He says he began to see disturbing changes taking place in the U.S. as
early as 2003 when the government began increasing domestic security and
encroaching on civil liberties. He decided at that time to leave the United
States. “I though the problem at the time was George Bush and the Republicans
but as time has evolved I see there is really no difference between Democrat and
Republican. The White House seems to be the same no matter who’s
President.
At Freedom Plaza they are teaching classes on how to work
with community banks to make sure money is invested in your community. How to
create a community market or start an employee owned business. Just as I
arrived at the Plaza a course on the history of the Labor Party as an
alternative party was wrapping up. They are also fifteen committees that focus on
core issues and policy recommendations. Occupy DC shares information with the
entire “Occupy Together” movement in an effort to build a foundation for an
independent movement. “The goal is end corporate rule and shift power to the
people,” says Zeese. “That's a big goal, it’s transformational and we don’t
expect to solve that in one occupation.”
This is could be a multi-year effort or it could happen very
quickly. No one knows what the outcome will be. The organizers and occupiers
are prepared for the long haul. “We already have a collapsed economy, the
military is stretched thin and very expensive, the European banking system is
in danger and Bank of America is on the verge of collapse. Any one of those
could knock the economy down and bring massive change,” explained Zeese. The
organizers are not interested in working with Congress or any government
officials at this point and warns establishment Democrats, like the president
or minority leader Nancy Pelosi against
embracing there movement. The group believes the system itself is corrupt
partisan politics is not a part of their agenda.
Zeese talked about beginnings of the civil rights movement
where independent groups pushed both parties for change, criticized both
parties and received support from both parties. “That’s a more effective way to
operate. When you get yourself joined with one party you’re finished,” he
explains. “Every measure of impact of impact for African Americans these days
from education, incarceration, health care, life expectancy pick it, any issue,
it’s of much lower measure than it was when they were independent.
Unfortunately the civil rights movement has now become Democrat and that’s
really hurt the civil rights movement.” Occupy DC and Stop the Machine are not
sure what’s ahead but these organizations have the underpinnings of a political
and social movement that could have a significant impact on 2012.