Occupy Rochester Preparing for Phase III of the Movement
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March 28, 2012
The Phase I was the birth of the Occupy movement. Ignited by the fight against the greed and corruption of the 1% and the economic inequality plaguing our communities, the 99% were inspired by occupations all over the country and around the world to take back their power. This phase was marked a by free speech battles over open public squares to engage in public discourse and a People’s direct democracy.
Phase II was characterized by a 139 day (to date) 24/7 occupation of Washington Square Park, possibly the longest of the Occupy encampments in northern cities. During Phase II the Occupy Rochester has held over 50 protests, over 70 teach-ins, and changed the discourse around inequality in the community. In addition, Occupy Rochester has been successful in transforming closed school board sessions into community controlled discussions, halting a foreclosure-related eviction keeping a family in their home, halting the Amtrak encampment eviction, and getting justice for workers at local chain restaurant.
For Phase III Occupy has already developed a network of working groups and allies in the Rochester community that beyond the confines of Washington Square Park. As a movement of the 99%, we aim to deepen these roots in the Rochester community while continuing to utilize our public spaces to broadcast our message. We will continue to hold General Assemblies in Washington Square Park, continue to organize protests, direct actions and advocacy campaigns through our working groups and stick to the core issues that have defined the Occupy Movement around the country: civil liberties, economic justice and the human rights for food, health care, housing, education, and living wage jobs.
You cannot evict an idea whose time has come.
For More Information Contact: OR Media Working Group
585-455-0961 or 585-208-2772
