WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE; RALLY TODAY AT LIBERTY POLE

Rochester, N.Y.-- In the past few weeks, we have seen the resurrection of a sleeping giant who is now beginning to speak truth to power.

The 99 percent "occupiers" (do not call them protesters) have tapped into a powerful vein of discontent with Wall Street and the corporate capture of our democracy. Around the country and the world, the unemployed, students, working families and countless others are taking to the streets to voice their opposition to a system rigged for corporations and the rich.

The media and the American public have somewhat taken notice, but the wheels of Washington definitely hasn't. Senate Republicans just blocked the president's bill to create millions of jobs, because it asked millionaires to pay their fair share in tax. And the congressional Super Committee is still racing toward a deal likely to include big cuts to Social Security and Medicare without asking the rich to pay more. We only have weeks to stop it. Get off your couch and get into the streets and tell anyone who will listen, "I'm not gonna take it anymore."

Mainstream media and those who oppose OWS would like nothing better than to define us.  This movement can not and will not be defined by one issue alone. As soon as specific demands are made public, that is when they will pounce and denounce. Again, this is not a protest.  This is a movement.  Right now, we are in an "occupation."  Nothing more, nothing less.  This is all it needs to be right now.

For those activists who straddle the world of politics, if you are so inclined, you should be targeting the Republicans who are standing with Wall Street.  Moreover, we need to keep the pressure on Democrats to push for more jobs and tax the rich fairly-- especially in New York State.  This movement's overall global success depends upon average folks just like you. Be your best own advocate. Get with the program.

Today in Rochester, Occupy Rochester will be joined by several other community groups at a rally downtown at the Liberty Pole (4:30 pm) to bring attention to the fact that New York Gov. Cuomo is standing on the side of the rich. At the end of the year, a surcharge on the wealthiest New Yorker's will expire, meaning 5 billion less public money will be available to provide the necessary public services to keep New York families above water, literally and figuratively.