Occupy Amsterdam is officially one week old. Occupy Wall Street is now over a month old. Around the world masses of people occupy their public spaces to discuss and demand big changes in how governments and business have been conducting themselves for the last few decades. Many do what they have always done: watch it on TV, read about it in the press, discredit the idea of taking action on such a broad scale. Still the whole world is watching, the authorities are scared, they seek to find ways to diffuse the energy and passion that has been unleashed and seems to keep growing. They’re counting on the weather, the entertainment industry, costs of living, and sometimes elements of public safety to shut down this dangerous movement. After all, those in charge have built their careers on this system. They’re power and lifestyle depends on it.
Today at #OccupyAmsterdam, as I’ve been doing each day this week, I was speaking with people, interviewing, collecting information and testimony to report to you the audience. Being the activist- journalist that I am, I climbed up on stage to say something.
My Buddy Marc took video that includes crowd shots. If you’re interested in seeing more of the atmosphere today.