Press Release: The October Coalition – Occupation of D.C. Begins October 6th

OCTOBER2011 COALITION TO OCCUPY FREEDOM PLAZA

IN WASHINGTON, DC BEGINNING OCT 6th

The Occupation Marks the Start of the 11th Year of the Afghan War and the Beginning of America’s Austerity Budget Cuts

The October 6 Occupation of Washington D.C. Builds on

the Arab Spring, the European Summer, Madison WI Actions,



and

The People’s Uprisings seen around the world and in the United States come to Washington, DC’s Freedom Plaza beginning on Thursday, October 6 when thousands will converge to begin a prolonged people’s occupation of Freedom Plaza. The October2011 Movement involves thousands of people and 150 organizations who have already signed. The DC occupation comes at a pivotal time: the beginning of the 11th year of war in Afghanistan and a new federal fiscal year that promises austerity of everything except weapons and war.

The Freedom Plaza occupation occurs as activists in New York are occupying Wall Street and follows major protests across the Midwest against austerity budgets, the environmental protest of the Tar Sands Pipeline where more than 1,200 were arrested and protests throughout the United States on a wide range of issues.

The October2011 Movement demands that the government represent the people, not just the top 1%. The pledge signed on by thousands calls for using our resources on human needs and environmental protection, not for war and exploitation. October2011.org stands with super majorities of Americans on seven key issues:

Tax the rich and corporations

End the wars, bring the troops home, cut military spending

Protect the social safety net, strengthen Social Security and improved Medicare for all

End corporate welfare for oil companies and other big business interests

Transition to a clean energy economy, reverse environmental degradation

Protect worker rights including collective bargaining, create jobs and raise wages

Get money out of politics

Among those signing the pledge and participating in the action are Ann Wright, Baldemar Velasquez, Chris Hedges, Coleen Rowley, Cornel West, Cynthia McKinney, Ray McGovern, Sibel Edmonds and Ted Rall.

The Freedom Plaza occupation builds on the experiences of Egypt, Tunisia, Greece and Spain. October2011 has joined with the Egyptian revolutionary movement in a solidarity statement based on four common principles: seeking real democracy, an end to U.S. interventionist military policy, protection of human rights through the rule of law and developing a sustainable economy that meets human needs. The Indignados of Spain have described our common Road to Dignity that includes the occupation of Wall Street and Freedom Plaza.

http://youtu.be/FUyeA5CoEyU

September 26, Day 9 of Occupation Wall Street

More information visit the October2011FAQ on http://october2011.org.

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Stop The Machine! Create A New World!

Take the Pledge at www.October2011.org

Spread the Word and Help Make History