Anti-Corporation- Give the Power Back to the People
Election Dollar
The Occupy Movement is grounded in opposition to corporate rule and unequal distribution of wealth in America. Heather Gautney, in her writing about the Occupy Wall Street Movement referenced the statistic that "a wealthy 1 percent of people in the US own roughly 40 percent of its wealth" - a troubling fact that demonstrates the power that corporations have accumulated in money, over the 'minority' 99% (Gautney 1). This movement, in an attempt to give the power and voice back to the people, has adopted many catchy slogans in protest to corporate rule; "We the People, Not the Corporations"- a nod to the Constitution of the United States, as well as "end corporate rule- legalize democracy"- alluding to the power the government allows corporations to have, in expense of the rights of American people.
The phrase "We the People, not the Corporations" was coined to summarize the injustice that is corporate rule. It is the people that should have the constitutional rights, not the corporations, and having a slogan like this can aid in forming a community and identity among protesters, and shows just how far-reaching this movement is. It started in Zuccotti Park, New York, but quickly found a following in cities across the country, all the way to Los Angeles on the West Coast. It was a national phenomenon, and such a slogan exemplifies that, consolidating Americans into one movement with many goals against all the injustices government priority of corporations thrust upon them. The particular pamphlet that boasted these words against corporations describes the move to amend the Constitution in an effort to protect people's rights, with the 28th Amendment to, 1) end corporate constitutional rights, and 2) make clear that money is not speech. This pamphlet outlines clear goals- the passage of the 28th amendment- which is contrary to one of the defining features of the Occupy movement- that it "refuses to issue a formal set of demands" (Gautney 3). This pamphlet is proposing a clearly outlined request- the ratification of an amendment, showing that individual branches of the whole movement issued demands while the whole movement did not- perhaps speaking to its vast size and inclusion.
This piece of activism also offers a multitude of ways for individuals to become involved with the specific cause. This type of all inclusive activism allows all kinds of groups of people to become involved, especially considerable is the fact that it is a paper artifact- something that was most likely handed out on the street, making it widely accessible to everyone, not being constricted by the "digital divide' of some people not having computer access (Carty 3). This pamphlet also offered many levels of political opportunity or everyday activism that participants could engage in. People could form a move to amend group, educate themselves, educate others and make connections, try to pass a local resolution, get petition signatures in support, or pressure representatives for support. These groups can form anywhere, or the activism can be attempted individually, so they are leaderless "[allowing] for diverse and extensive participation" (Hurwitz 157). Leaderless organization like this is particularly accessible to the masses.
The Election Dollar is another form of activism, and introduces another route of involvement for individuals being wronged by inequalities- election of leaders that can impose change. This dollar, printed with the words, "end corporate rule- legalize democracy" was part of Carol Brouillet's campaign for her election to the U.S House of Representatives in California. This demonstrates another route of involvement that people can take to protest social inequalities faced by the 99%- voting. Individuals can not only protest and form groups and sign petitions, but they can also elect representatives that will fight for their rights.
"The movement also associates the US debt crisis and recession with corporate irresponsibility and government deregulation" (Gautney 1)
