OCCUPY ROCHESTER: A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Rochester, N.Y.-- The Voice Reporter visited Washington Square Park today and talked with Occupiers. Spirits are very high. We are getting more organized every passing day. Many of the Occupiers were raking leaves, cleaning up the park, conversing in break out sessions and just sitting comfortably. Rest assured, we are in it for the long haul.

This photo essay identifies local folks who are exercising their first amendment rights with the full knowledge that we all now have a greater sense of purpose in our collective fight to reclaim our stake in the American Dream. Photos were taken over the past two weeks by Anne Tischer and Ove Overmyer.

The following is a press release written by Bruce Popper that serves as much needed timeline for what has transpired in our local community since the beginning of this year.

Occupy Rochester - NYCLU Press Conference
Washington Square Park
Rochester, NY

November 11, 2011


B. Popper



Remarks of Bruce Popper, Executive Vice-president, RGVALF, AFL-CIO and Vice-president, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

On March 2, 500 people gathered at Rochester City Hall in the bitter cold to protest the attack on the rights of teachers and other civil servants in Wisconsin. On March 17, 500 met at the Liberty Pole to object to State cuts in education funding. And on April 4, we marched on Genesee Street on the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination because income inequality and racial disparities had returned to levels not seen since Dr. King walked among us.

We walked in front of Congressional offices in the summer and picketed the IRS on Labor Day to demonstrate that the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes.

Then came Occupy Wall Street. Its spark lit the flames of protest across the country and here in Rochester. The message was clear: while Main Street suffered, Wall Street sucked all the wealth from our economy. And when it all went bust, Wall Street was too big to fail while unemployment, foreclosures, and misery increased to levels not seen since the Great Depression.

We in the union movement greeted the Occupy movement with open arms because its theme resonated with our members, the victims of the current crisis.

So we reacted with anger and outrage when Occupy protesters were arrested here in this park two weeks ago, including many of our young union activists.

We asked to meet with the Mayor and said the arrests must stop. We said that he should consult the mayors of Buffalo and Syracuse where accommodations with the Occupy movement were made that enabled 24 hour demonstrations. We asked that he come back with an alternative.

The New York Civil Liberties Union weighed in and challenged the constitutionality of the City’s actions.

And when all was said and done, an agreement was reached yesterday, approved by the Occupy General Assembly and the Mayor that will allow this protest to continue.

We give credit to the Mayor, to the police, and to Occupy participants for reaching this historic settlement. And we give credit to all those who kept this dispute peaceful. It was a vital ingredient in reaching a meeting of the minds.

I proudly carry two union cards in my wallet. One is from 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the other is from the American Civil Liberties Union. Both organizations, together with the Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO, defend our democracy by fighting for the rights of the people.

Yesterday was a win for those rights, a win for our community, and a win for the First Amendment.

Now it is time to return to our main message: that we are the 99%, that millionaires must pay their fair share, that corporations have become vastly too powerful, and that we must restore our country for all its people.