By Tiffany Finck-Haynes, International Labor Rights Forum
Car horns honking to demonstrate their support of marchers chanting, “The people united will never be divided” walking along 16th Street, rhythmic sounds of drumming in Malcolm X Park coined by a chorus of, “we are the 99%” and the call and response of the people’s mike, are all moments that illustrate my involvement in Occupy DC over the past few weeks. Talking and collaborating with others in McPherson Square, united by mutual frustration with the current state of the global economy, leaves me hopeful that as we continue to act on our mutual frustration, through education and collective action, we will make positive and forward reaching changes in our global system.
The initial occupy movement began on September 17th, 2011 as a small encampment in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District. Similar to New York, the initial encampment of Occupy DC, marked by sleeping bags and bikes, has grown to encompass a large gathering of tents and sleepers. The growth of Occupy DC is only an example of the growth of the larger movement. Thousands of occupations have been initiated throughout the United States and across the world. As my friends from Colombia, Bolivia, Italy and Japan write to me in support of the movement and encampments in their own countries, I’m moved and my faith growths that global dissatisfaction with our unfair global economy, controlled by major banks, multinational corporations and elites, will be stopped as the underrepresented: the students, the parents, the teachers, the unemployed, the underpaid, the professionals, the voters and all who encompass the inadequately served of our society, the 99%, unite to collectively ensure that the balance of power between corruption and democracy is restored.
