Why Occupy?

Right now the world is being asked to occupy as many financial institutions as possible; in every city, in every country. But why?Perhaps because so-called ‘austerity measures’ are being forced upon us all, supposedly so governments can pay back the astronomical debts that the richest people and institutions have accrued at our expense. Meanwhile the poor – who already find it difficult to get by – are losing their jobs  en masse.We’re in debt because unregulated financial institutions gambled with our money and lost; yet we’re punishing those who supplied the money and not the ones who lost it. We even gave more money to bail out these institutions. In fact, we’ve done as much as we can to help the people who got us into trouble.

This isn’t the first time you’ve experienced economic injustice. You’ve had your money used to fight wars you disagree with. You’ve had your health care system ripped apart, and seen the closing of libraries, schools and public education services. No wonder you feel powerless and out of control.

This is your opportunity to be counted; to be part of a force that can change things for the better. Our cause – regardless of individual ideologies – is to stop the corporate coup that’s rendered the world’s citizens powerless.
This movement is much more than a single protest. An occupation is a nuisance: a constant reminder that cannot be ignored so long as it makes a noise. From Spain to the US, from Iceland to Greece to Britain…

This is your time. This is our time. Make yourself heard.

By Jay Geering