Occupy protesters, alpacas in tow, call for EPA administrator’s resignation March 31,2012
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Occupy D.C. demonstrators back to target EPA March 31, 2012
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D.C.'s Newest Occupiers Are Fluffy, Furry and Flame-Retardant
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Hundreds March down 14th Street to Occupy EPA Headquarters
March 31,2012
Hundreds of Washingtonians, Federal workers, vacationers, visitors to the Cherry Blossoms, and Occupy groups lined 14th Street NW, Washington, DC as over 300 OccupyEPA and NOW DC marchers chanted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Lisa Jackson has to go." The peaceful, but lively, protesters walked a mile from Franklin Square Park to the EPA Headquarters at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue to make their demands known. Demands included EPA stopping their war against whistleblowers, Environmental Justice for Low-Income Communities being polluted, protecting the civil rights of Federal employees, protecting the people, the planet, not corporate profits, and justice for Trayvon Martin.
A mother alpaca named Azriel, and her female 6-month old cria, led the way as hundreds of onlookers snapped pictures of this unusual sight going down 14th Street, Washington, DC. From the sidelines, they yelled to get the attention of the alpaca - many calling them llama, one of their camelid family members that is much larger that have pointed ears and often used as pack animals. The smaller alpaca, which are slightly harder to halter train and more skittish, were not happy with the rambuntious crowd with a huge world globe, drummers, chanters, singers and Snowflake the Polar Bear, insisted on moving to the front of the march. "Azriel and her daughter are Huacaya alpacas that are more abundant than Suri alpacas with long silky braids. They are native to the Andean Mountains and were first imported in 1984, but they have been domesticated for thousands of years. There are approximately 170,000 alpacas now registered in North America," said Vondell Carter, owner of Colonel Carter's Alpaca Farm in Virginia. His wife, Susan Morris, a cosponsor of the march with Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo said, "The pleasure of being with these gentle animals and their cria show you what is important in life and how critical it is to take care of our planet, our air, water, and land, which we all need to survive."
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, author of "No Fear, A Whistleblowers Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA," started the rally in front of the EPA Ariel Rios Building by calling for a moment of silence for Trayvon Martin and announcing the intention to continue protests against EPA. The first speaker, Dr. Helen Caldicott, a reknowned Australian physician, author and anti-nuclear advocate, gave a rousing speech, often pointing up to Administrator of EPA Lisa Jackson's office, cautioning Americans on the impact of nuclear weapons proliferation and damage to the planet. She was followed by a host of speakers who spoke about racial profiling, the lack of environmental justice for low-income communities, retaliation of whistleblowers at EPA and the Department of Energy, justice for the Black farmers, veteran's for peace, and harm being done to the environment because of corporate greed.
A tape was released at the rally of the EPA Civil Rights Director, Rafael DeLeon, calling two former female EPA employees "Pink Elephants," and one the "EPA Rosa Parks." After hearing the tape, the demonstrators called for Mr. DeLeon's firing, along with Lisa Jackson's. "Lisa Jackson refused to consider the numerous complaints filed by women against Mr. DeLeon, his removal as the Director of Human Resources for violations, and his sexist statements on the national conference call after an investigation into the matter," said Dr. Coleman-Adebayo. "The National Whistleblower Center called for Mr. DeLeon's removal from the position, along with other organizations, to no avail. What does it take in this country for government officials to listen to the people?"
Susan Morris, also an EPA whistleblower, repeated the promises made by President Obama and Joe Biden on their campaign trail in 2008, telling the crowd, "They said during their campaign that they were going to 'Shine the Light' on our government, along with defending whistleblowers from being retaliated against. The President said that he would protect whistleblowers because they are "often the best source of information about waste, fraud and abuse in the government and willing to speak out." He also said that "such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled." Morris then asked the protestors, "I'm a whistleblower with a finding from the Office of Special Counsel because EPA retaliated against me for exposing their violations of civil rights laws. Who is defending me? Who is defending Dr. Coleman-Adebayo another EPA Whistleblower?" Later in the program, Morris introduced Joe Carson, a Department of Energy whistleblower, who related his own trials and tributions for speaking out. Morris continued, "They need to shine the light on us and EPA, a microcosm of what is wrong with our goverment, where law breakers are just transferred so they can continue receiving their $170,000 year salaries after taking adverse actions against employees for exposing them. These management officials need to be held accountable for allowing employees to sleep on the job, play computer games, shop during government hours, not show up at work, while destroying people's lives. At the very least, they should be penalized for ignoring the President's promises and policies by retaliating against whistleblowers and accusing them falsely."
Clouds over the rally and a slight drizzle of rain did not stop the protestors as the afternoon wore on and they made their concerns and demands known. An employee on the inside of the building, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they supported the demonstrators but were afraid to come to the windows for fear of retaliation. The crowd slowly dispersed after two hours with promises to continue their demonstrations throughout Washington, DC the entire month of April with NowDC and the American Spring. Schedules of planned activities, including Occupying the Department of Justice and Congress, can be found at www.NowDC.org
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, author of "No Fear, A Whistleblowers Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA," started the rally in front of the EPA Ariel Rios Building by calling for a moment of silence for Trayvon Martin and announcing the intention to continue protests against EPA. The first speaker, Dr. Helen Caldicott, a reknowned Australian physician, author and anti-nuclear advocate, gave a rousing speech, often pointing up to Administrator of EPA Lisa Jackson's office, cautioning Americans on the impact of nuclear weapons proliferation and damage to the planet. She was followed by a host of speakers who spoke about racial profiling, the lack of environmental justice for low-income communities, retaliation of whistleblowers at EPA and the Department of Energy, justice for the Black farmers, veteran's for peace, and harm being done to the environment because of corporate greed.
A tape was released at the rally of the EPA Civil Rights Director, Rafael DeLeon, calling two former female EPA employees "Pink Elephants," and one the "EPA Rosa Parks." After hearing the tape, the demonstrators called for Mr. DeLeon's firing, along with Lisa Jackson's. "Lisa Jackson refused to consider the numerous complaints filed by women against Mr. DeLeon, his removal as the Director of Human Resources for violations, and his sexist statements on the national conference call after an investigation into the matter," said Dr. Coleman-Adebayo. "The National Whistleblower Center called for Mr. DeLeon's removal from the position, along with other organizations, to no avail. What does it take in this country for government officials to listen to the people?"
Susan Morris, also an EPA whistleblower, repeated the promises made by President Obama and Joe Biden on their campaign trail in 2008, telling the crowd, "They said during their campaign that they were going to 'Shine the Light' on our government, along with defending whistleblowers from being retaliated against. The President said that he would protect whistleblowers because they are "often the best source of information about waste, fraud and abuse in the government and willing to speak out." He also said that "such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled." Morris then asked the protestors, "I'm a whistleblower with a finding from the Office of Special Counsel because EPA retaliated against me for exposing their violations of civil rights laws. Who is defending me? Who is defending Dr. Coleman-Adebayo another EPA Whistleblower?" Later in the program, Morris introduced Joe Carson, a Department of Energy whistleblower, who related his own trials and tributions for speaking out. Morris continued, "They need to shine the light on us and EPA, a microcosm of what is wrong with our goverment, where law breakers are just transferred so they can continue receiving their $170,000 year salaries after taking adverse actions against employees for exposing them. These management officials need to be held accountable for allowing employees to sleep on the job, play computer games, shop during government hours, not show up at work, while destroying people's lives. At the very least, they should be penalized for ignoring the President's promises and policies by retaliating against whistleblowers and accusing them falsely."
Clouds over the rally and a slight drizzle of rain did not stop the protestors as the afternoon wore on and they made their concerns and demands known. An employee on the inside of the building, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they supported the demonstrators but were afraid to come to the windows for fear of retaliation. The crowd slowly dispersed after two hours with promises to continue their demonstrations throughout Washington, DC the entire month of April with NowDC and the American Spring. Schedules of planned activities, including Occupying the Department of Justice and Congress, can be found at www.NowDC.org
Noam Chomsky: "EPA has a sordid record of discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers."
"It is a privilege to be able to endorse the launching of the 2012 US occupation movement called the American Spring. As with the civil rights struggle, and other genuine popular movements, the American Spring provides all of us with an opportunity to become involved at the grassroots level and to challenge the right of the 1% to destroy the earth, foreclose on our homes, and undermine the well-being of the poor and oppressed today and future generations.They are counting on our silence and apathy.We should not grant them that lethal gift.
The Spring renewal of the Occupy Movement is being launched at the Environmental Protection Agency, which has a sordid history of discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers, and policies that harm the poor and communities of color, a record that led Congress to pass the No FEAR Act. The events are extensively documented by Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, who spear-headed the struggle, in her book, No FEAR.
Over the past months, it has been impressive and heartening to see how people from all walks of life have joined the Occupy movement to engage in the struggle to free the country from corporate domination, government repression and subordination to private power. We should not stand idly by in the face of this assault on basic values and rights, and the renewed Occupy Movement provides a framework to resist and overcome, working in our own communities and beyond.
We are the 99%.We have the chance to take our power back and to rescue the country, and the planet, from a grim fate.
The Spring renewal of the Occupy Movement is being launched at the Environmental Protection Agency, which has a sordid history of discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers, and policies that harm the poor and communities of color, a record that led Congress to pass the No FEAR Act. The events are extensively documented by Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, who spear-headed the struggle, in her book, No FEAR.
Over the past months, it has been impressive and heartening to see how people from all walks of life have joined the Occupy movement to engage in the struggle to free the country from corporate domination, government repression and subordination to private power. We should not stand idly by in the face of this assault on basic values and rights, and the renewed Occupy Movement provides a framework to resist and overcome, working in our own communities and beyond.
We are the 99%.We have the chance to take our power back and to rescue the country, and the planet, from a grim fate.
- We're Dying Here -
Inside and Outside EPA April 1, 2012
The occupation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protest march and demonstration on Friday, March 30th turned out to be one of the largest ever gathered outside the EPA Head-quarters. Thanks to the many volunteers, speakers and supporters, the rally at 12 Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, against the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and her leadership, successfully launched the month-long Occupy movement. MIT Professor Noam Chomsky gave his full support by producing a video supporting the demonstration and the Occupy movement (see his full video above). In a quote from his presentation he said,
"The Spring renewal of the Occupy Movement is being launched at the Environmental Protection Agency, the birthplace of Congress’s No Fear Act, the first civil rights and whistleblower law of the 21st century. And not, let us hope, the last. We are the 99%. We have the chance to take our power back and to rescue the country, and the planet, from a grim fate."
The EPA is a small agency of the Federal government that has been in existence for only 40 years (1970), with over 17,000 Federal employees and a Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget of over $10 billion. This can be compared to the Department of Agriculture, one of the older cabinet Departments that was formed in 1862 by President Lincoln, with over 105,000 employees, and a FY budget of about $132 billion. EPA's mission is to protect the environment - our air, water, and land from pollution and destruction. On one side of EPA are the environmentalist yelling for EPA to clean up this country's systematic pollution for our environment for corporate interests and greed; on the other side are the often money-hungry industry leaders calling for more fracking, mountaintop removal, genetically-engineered foods, reduction of regulations, and increases in nuclear power. An article on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejection of EPA's so-called "Mission Creep," was titled, “Something Smells at EPA." Unfortunately, being on the side of the environmentalists, and a former employee, it's hard for me to agree - but I must, but not for the same reasons.
I got a bird's eye view of the internal workings and environment in the agency, which I believe is the reason why it is unable to effectively carry out it's mission for all of us. It's a scary place to work. After working in many Departments of the Federal government, I never encountered a more frightening and hostile work environment or a more unproductive one. There were employees sleeping on the job, playing computer games, not showing up for work, coming into the office half a day, shopping on government time; then there was the constant gossiping, name-calling, swearing, disrespect, physical threats, emotional damage, and finally destruction of employees' reputations and careers. Personnel and investigative processes and procedures in place to protect employees were used against them. No amount of complaining or protesting by employees appeared to get through to the leadership of EPA or they just didn't care because their goal appeared to be the support of each other. Employees have no where to go internally and external organizations are highly ineffective at protecting employees from discrimination or retaliation.
Something that has seriously bothered me shows the extent to which EPA will go to destroy an employee. Years ago, a white male senior employee became a witness on behalf of Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo in her discrimination case against the agency. She then won her jury trial and was awarded compensatory damages, along with other relief. Thereafter, she led the move to pass the 2002 No Fear Act mentioned by MIT Professor Noam Chomsky in his video. Unfortunately, the witness was naive and not aware of the extent the agency was willing to go against him. He eventually ended up with criminal charges against him, went to prison, and is now a felon. His life was destroyed by EPA. You may say that it was not EPA, he did it to himself. I believe it was retaliation for being a witness, poor legal advice he received, and his belief that his peers would never go that far against him. But, I know better. EPA tried to get criminal charges made against me by sending an anonymous letter of false allegations of violations to the Criminal Investigative Division (CID). When that failed, they had the Inspector General's Office conduct a 1-year intensive investigation into my professional and private life. Again, they were unsuccessful and moved to the next step in their putrid campaign to destroy me and my office. With 1,000 attorneys at their command and $10 billion, it's not easy to defend yourself from an environment of corruption. I will be relating my experiences at EPA in the future with the hope that it can assist others less fortunate and unable to escape their wrath and the smell.
As as supporter of the OccupyEPA movement, one employee inside the EPA Headquarters wrote to say, "I did take a peek at the protest for a minute during break but did not want to be caught standing and be too obvious and rankle EPA officials .....I have to watch my back......" Another occupier was asked by a security official at the OccupyEPA rally whether the tape of Rafael DeLeon, EPA Director of Civil Rights, calling two professional women "Pink Elephants" and one the "EPA Rosa Parks," was going to be released and heard at the rally. He was worried because the official was from Homeland Security. One employee said that he had been at EPA for a long time and knew how bad they could be in going after people. What kind of a place is this to work in the Federal government? What kind of leadership is this? What kind of immorality exists that allows employees to be destroyed?
I saw Joe Biden on television this morning and thought - why doesn't he step up to the plate and intervene on behalf of EPA employees so they can go about the business of protecting the environment instead of protecting their own lives. It would only take one telephone call to change some things. My opinion is that EPA should be moved under one of the major cabinet Departments, rather than allow them to violate the laws and regulations for another decade.
"The Spring renewal of the Occupy Movement is being launched at the Environmental Protection Agency, the birthplace of Congress’s No Fear Act, the first civil rights and whistleblower law of the 21st century. And not, let us hope, the last. We are the 99%. We have the chance to take our power back and to rescue the country, and the planet, from a grim fate."
The EPA is a small agency of the Federal government that has been in existence for only 40 years (1970), with over 17,000 Federal employees and a Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget of over $10 billion. This can be compared to the Department of Agriculture, one of the older cabinet Departments that was formed in 1862 by President Lincoln, with over 105,000 employees, and a FY budget of about $132 billion. EPA's mission is to protect the environment - our air, water, and land from pollution and destruction. On one side of EPA are the environmentalist yelling for EPA to clean up this country's systematic pollution for our environment for corporate interests and greed; on the other side are the often money-hungry industry leaders calling for more fracking, mountaintop removal, genetically-engineered foods, reduction of regulations, and increases in nuclear power. An article on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejection of EPA's so-called "Mission Creep," was titled, “Something Smells at EPA." Unfortunately, being on the side of the environmentalists, and a former employee, it's hard for me to agree - but I must, but not for the same reasons.
I got a bird's eye view of the internal workings and environment in the agency, which I believe is the reason why it is unable to effectively carry out it's mission for all of us. It's a scary place to work. After working in many Departments of the Federal government, I never encountered a more frightening and hostile work environment or a more unproductive one. There were employees sleeping on the job, playing computer games, not showing up for work, coming into the office half a day, shopping on government time; then there was the constant gossiping, name-calling, swearing, disrespect, physical threats, emotional damage, and finally destruction of employees' reputations and careers. Personnel and investigative processes and procedures in place to protect employees were used against them. No amount of complaining or protesting by employees appeared to get through to the leadership of EPA or they just didn't care because their goal appeared to be the support of each other. Employees have no where to go internally and external organizations are highly ineffective at protecting employees from discrimination or retaliation.
Something that has seriously bothered me shows the extent to which EPA will go to destroy an employee. Years ago, a white male senior employee became a witness on behalf of Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo in her discrimination case against the agency. She then won her jury trial and was awarded compensatory damages, along with other relief. Thereafter, she led the move to pass the 2002 No Fear Act mentioned by MIT Professor Noam Chomsky in his video. Unfortunately, the witness was naive and not aware of the extent the agency was willing to go against him. He eventually ended up with criminal charges against him, went to prison, and is now a felon. His life was destroyed by EPA. You may say that it was not EPA, he did it to himself. I believe it was retaliation for being a witness, poor legal advice he received, and his belief that his peers would never go that far against him. But, I know better. EPA tried to get criminal charges made against me by sending an anonymous letter of false allegations of violations to the Criminal Investigative Division (CID). When that failed, they had the Inspector General's Office conduct a 1-year intensive investigation into my professional and private life. Again, they were unsuccessful and moved to the next step in their putrid campaign to destroy me and my office. With 1,000 attorneys at their command and $10 billion, it's not easy to defend yourself from an environment of corruption. I will be relating my experiences at EPA in the future with the hope that it can assist others less fortunate and unable to escape their wrath and the smell.
As as supporter of the OccupyEPA movement, one employee inside the EPA Headquarters wrote to say, "I did take a peek at the protest for a minute during break but did not want to be caught standing and be too obvious and rankle EPA officials .....I have to watch my back......" Another occupier was asked by a security official at the OccupyEPA rally whether the tape of Rafael DeLeon, EPA Director of Civil Rights, calling two professional women "Pink Elephants" and one the "EPA Rosa Parks," was going to be released and heard at the rally. He was worried because the official was from Homeland Security. One employee said that he had been at EPA for a long time and knew how bad they could be in going after people. What kind of a place is this to work in the Federal government? What kind of leadership is this? What kind of immorality exists that allows employees to be destroyed?
I saw Joe Biden on television this morning and thought - why doesn't he step up to the plate and intervene on behalf of EPA employees so they can go about the business of protecting the environment instead of protecting their own lives. It would only take one telephone call to change some things. My opinion is that EPA should be moved under one of the major cabinet Departments, rather than allow them to violate the laws and regulations for another decade.
The American Spring: A Time for Occupy To Blossom March 2012
National Occupation of Washington, DC Will Bring Occupiers Together to Share Experiences, Educate Each Other and Build an Independent Movement to Shift Power from Concentrated Wealth
By Kevin Zeese
Many in the corporate media like to think the Occupy is over, but those of us involved know better. We do not rely on the corporate media to validate the work of Occupy, we see it in our communities. And, we know to look to our own media for accurate information. The Occupied Wall Street Journal reports on the actions of the Occupy, it’s weekly “Reports from the Front Lines” is something many of us look forward to so we can see the movement taking action across the country.
Another visible presence of Occupy will be evident this spring in Washington, DC when the National Occupation of Washington, DC begins on March 30th. The event, which will continue through the month of April, is being organized by members of dozens of occupies from around the country. Twenty-five General Assemblies have passed statements of solidarity for this national occupy event.
NOW DC begins with a lot of activity. On the first day, Occupy the EPA, will bring people together to protect the planet for a sustainable future. It will feature Helen Caldicott, a pediatrician nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, known for her anti-nuclear activism, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo an EPA whistleblower and Margaret Flowers, also a pediatrician, noted for her advocacy for single payer health care among others. The march will include a pack of alpaca’s, a giant Earth and a giant polar bear puppet.
The weekend of March 31st and April 1st includes a two day “Bail Out America” direct action training organized by the Backbone Campaign which will provide information on strategies and tactics and developing creative actions that advance the causes of Occupy. Also that weekend will be the Occupation of the Department of Education, which will include teach-ins about how to end high stakes testing which is destroying schools and being used as a tool to privatize education. Finally, that weekend will include trainings for peace keepers who will help to ensure NOW DC remains non-violent in its challenges to the Washington, DC power structure.
While the first two weeks will primarily focus on the NOW DC Social Forum, there will be a housing protest on Monday, April 2nd seeking to reduce mortgages so they reflect the real value of housing, not housing bubble mortgages and a protest focused on student debt on April 3rd.
The first education event will be an all-day strategy conference “Control the Corporation” organized by the Center for the Study of Responsive Law which will feature experienced anti-corporate power crusaders speaking on countering the impact of corporations in elections, holding corporations accountable for their crimes, creating alternative economic models that provide jobs and increase wages, protecting the “commons” from the insatiable advocates of privatization, occupying the future and mobilizing for action.
The reminder of the week from April 3 to 5 and continuing on April 10 to 14 will be the NOW DC Social Forum. In-between those dates, there will be activities focused on spirituality, religion and activism to recognize the Passover and Easter holidays. The Social Forum will bring occupiers together to learn from each other and will be held at the historic Friends Meeting House on Florida Avenue near Dupont Circle. Occupiers from across the country have developed workshops on policiesand strategies to shift power from the 1% to 99%, lessons and the way forward for Occupy, direct action tactics and strategies, models for building alternative systems, occupy and labor and occupy faith.
On April 14th and 15th Occupy will celebrate at the OccuFest a music, arts and political free speech event that will be held at Meridian Hill Park, also known
as Malcolm X Park, on 16th Street, NW in DC’s Columbia Heights. Musicians are being brought together by occupiers from across the country as well as by Music for Occupy. There will be an occupy speak-out, spoken word, comedy, arts and politics also at the event.
The second half of the month will be primarily focused on protests, marches and civil resistance against the power structure in Washington, DC. This will not be limited to Congress but will include the corporate powers and lobbyists who dominate the government. On April 17th Occupy Congress is organizing “A17,” to protest Congress for consistently putting the interests of the 1% ahead of the people. Also planned is Occupy the Department of Justice on April 24th, which will protest mass incarceration, political prisoners, privatization of prisons and highlight the case of Mumia Al Jamal whose 57th birthday is the day of the protest.
Education will continue throughout the month with regular movie showings and educational events on or near Franklin Square Park, the center of NOW DC. In addition, on April 28th, occupiers are encouraged to participate in the Drone Summit: Killing and Spying by Remove Control sponsored by CODE PINK, the Center for Constitutional Rights and Reprieve being held at the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church. This will be followed by a strategy session on April 29th on how to deal with this new form of warfare.
The goals of NOW DC are to elevate the skills, cohesion and vision of occupiers. People will be able to bring back new ideas, skills, strategies and tactics to their local Occupy. During the month of NOW DC conversations will be held to discuss next steps for the Occupy – where do we go from here?
The reality is, not only is the Occupy ongoing but it is just getting started. It is escalating its activities, building its skills and the best days of the movement to end the rule of the 1% are ahead of us.
Kevin Zeese was one of the original organizers of the Occupation of Washington, DC/October2011 and is an organizer with the National Occupation of Washington, DC
By Kevin Zeese
Many in the corporate media like to think the Occupy is over, but those of us involved know better. We do not rely on the corporate media to validate the work of Occupy, we see it in our communities. And, we know to look to our own media for accurate information. The Occupied Wall Street Journal reports on the actions of the Occupy, it’s weekly “Reports from the Front Lines” is something many of us look forward to so we can see the movement taking action across the country.
Another visible presence of Occupy will be evident this spring in Washington, DC when the National Occupation of Washington, DC begins on March 30th. The event, which will continue through the month of April, is being organized by members of dozens of occupies from around the country. Twenty-five General Assemblies have passed statements of solidarity for this national occupy event.
NOW DC begins with a lot of activity. On the first day, Occupy the EPA, will bring people together to protect the planet for a sustainable future. It will feature Helen Caldicott, a pediatrician nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, known for her anti-nuclear activism, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo an EPA whistleblower and Margaret Flowers, also a pediatrician, noted for her advocacy for single payer health care among others. The march will include a pack of alpaca’s, a giant Earth and a giant polar bear puppet.
The weekend of March 31st and April 1st includes a two day “Bail Out America” direct action training organized by the Backbone Campaign which will provide information on strategies and tactics and developing creative actions that advance the causes of Occupy. Also that weekend will be the Occupation of the Department of Education, which will include teach-ins about how to end high stakes testing which is destroying schools and being used as a tool to privatize education. Finally, that weekend will include trainings for peace keepers who will help to ensure NOW DC remains non-violent in its challenges to the Washington, DC power structure.
While the first two weeks will primarily focus on the NOW DC Social Forum, there will be a housing protest on Monday, April 2nd seeking to reduce mortgages so they reflect the real value of housing, not housing bubble mortgages and a protest focused on student debt on April 3rd.
The first education event will be an all-day strategy conference “Control the Corporation” organized by the Center for the Study of Responsive Law which will feature experienced anti-corporate power crusaders speaking on countering the impact of corporations in elections, holding corporations accountable for their crimes, creating alternative economic models that provide jobs and increase wages, protecting the “commons” from the insatiable advocates of privatization, occupying the future and mobilizing for action.
The reminder of the week from April 3 to 5 and continuing on April 10 to 14 will be the NOW DC Social Forum. In-between those dates, there will be activities focused on spirituality, religion and activism to recognize the Passover and Easter holidays. The Social Forum will bring occupiers together to learn from each other and will be held at the historic Friends Meeting House on Florida Avenue near Dupont Circle. Occupiers from across the country have developed workshops on policiesand strategies to shift power from the 1% to 99%, lessons and the way forward for Occupy, direct action tactics and strategies, models for building alternative systems, occupy and labor and occupy faith.
On April 14th and 15th Occupy will celebrate at the OccuFest a music, arts and political free speech event that will be held at Meridian Hill Park, also known
as Malcolm X Park, on 16th Street, NW in DC’s Columbia Heights. Musicians are being brought together by occupiers from across the country as well as by Music for Occupy. There will be an occupy speak-out, spoken word, comedy, arts and politics also at the event.
The second half of the month will be primarily focused on protests, marches and civil resistance against the power structure in Washington, DC. This will not be limited to Congress but will include the corporate powers and lobbyists who dominate the government. On April 17th Occupy Congress is organizing “A17,” to protest Congress for consistently putting the interests of the 1% ahead of the people. Also planned is Occupy the Department of Justice on April 24th, which will protest mass incarceration, political prisoners, privatization of prisons and highlight the case of Mumia Al Jamal whose 57th birthday is the day of the protest.
Education will continue throughout the month with regular movie showings and educational events on or near Franklin Square Park, the center of NOW DC. In addition, on April 28th, occupiers are encouraged to participate in the Drone Summit: Killing and Spying by Remove Control sponsored by CODE PINK, the Center for Constitutional Rights and Reprieve being held at the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church. This will be followed by a strategy session on April 29th on how to deal with this new form of warfare.
The goals of NOW DC are to elevate the skills, cohesion and vision of occupiers. People will be able to bring back new ideas, skills, strategies and tactics to their local Occupy. During the month of NOW DC conversations will be held to discuss next steps for the Occupy – where do we go from here?
The reality is, not only is the Occupy ongoing but it is just getting started. It is escalating its activities, building its skills and the best days of the movement to end the rule of the 1% are ahead of us.
Kevin Zeese was one of the original organizers of the Occupation of Washington, DC/October2011 and is an organizer with the National Occupation of Washington, DC
OccupyEPA Rallies for Whistleblowers! March 31, 2012
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EPA Tightens Security for Friday March 30th Peaceful Rally at Their HQs
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Owlish Surveillance at EPA for Rally & March
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OccupyEPA Press Release March 28, 2012
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OccupyEPA March Flyer
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VOLUNTEERS - Call 240-731-9577 or 410-591-0892
More Support for Occupy EPA & NowDC March & Rally
Friday, March 30, 2012 --High Noon
More supporters and speakers have come forward to be a part of the OccupyEPA and NowDC march and rally taking place on Friday, March 30th, 2012.
The organizers of the march, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and Susan Morris, joined with NowDC to kick off their month-long Occupy DC movement from March 30th through April 30, 2012. "The 99% must come forward and make their voices heard. The power and decision-making should not be left in the hands of the 1% and greedy corporations, while the rest of Americans suffer from unemployment, reduced pay and benefits, high gas prices, foreclosures, environmental disasters and crimes."
The organizers of the march, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and Susan Morris, joined with NowDC to kick off their month-long Occupy DC movement from March 30th through April 30, 2012. "The 99% must come forward and make their voices heard. The power and decision-making should not be left in the hands of the 1% and greedy corporations, while the rest of Americans suffer from unemployment, reduced pay and benefits, high gas prices, foreclosures, environmental disasters and crimes."
Join us at Franklin Square Park 12:00 Noon and march with us down 12th Street across Pennsylvania Avenue to EPA HQ's!!!
Distribute flyer on the left of page.........
RALLY at EPA HEADQUARTERS - FRIDAY, MARCH 30th, 2012
