Online Articles
"Three `Apps' for Nonviolent Action," by George Lakey. The author distinguishes among the application of nonviolence for change, for defense, and for third-party intervention. He then indicates how the specific goal being sought should guide nonviolent strategizing.
"An Open Letter to the Occupy Movement: Why We Need Agreements," from the Alliance of Community Trainers (among other groups who posted it). This letter wrestles "with the question that arises again and again in movements for social justice—how to struggle."
"How to Liberate American from Wall Street Rule," a downloadable PDF file that contains a report from the New Economy Working Group that spells out the steps required to rebuild a system of community-based and accountable institutions devoted to financing productive activities that create good jobs for Americans and generate real community wealth.
"Global Rebellion: The Coming Chaos," by sociologist William I. Robinson. Read his 12-2-11 article about how "global elites are confused, reactive, and sinking into a quagmire of their own making."
"Top Ten Occupy Wall Street Cartoons," edited by Joe Romm at Climate Progress.
"Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%," by Joseph Stiglitz in Vanity Fair. "Americans have been watching protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in our own democracy, 1 percent of the people take nearly a quarter of the nation’s income—an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret."
"Capitalism and Its Discontents: Richard Wolff on What Went Wrong," by David Barsamian in Sun Magazine. "Today’s economic crisis is the most severe since the Great Depression. Some put the blame on greedy bankers who pawned off credit-default swaps, subprime mortgages, and a smorgasbord of derivatives on hapless investors in a time of little or no regulation. Others blame consumers who irresponsibly took out loans they couldn’t pay back. Economist Richard Wolff says no single sector of the economy is at fault. The seismic failures are systemic and deep, and fundamental change is necessary to avoid future collapses."
"Rights Are for Real People: Where the Infamous Citizens United Decision Came From and How to Overturn It," by Jeffrey D. Clements, posted 2/20/2012 on Yes! Magazine's blog.
Websites
ALEC Exposed. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has long been a secretive collaboration between big business and conservative politicians. Behind closed doors, they ghostwrite "model" bills to be introduced in state capitols across the country. This agenda (underwritten by global corporations) includes major tax loopholes for big industries and the super rich, proposals to offshore U.S. jobs and gut the minimum wage, and efforts to weaken public health, safety and environmental protections. Although many of these bills have become law, until now their origin has been largely unknown. With this website, the Center for Media and Democracy hopes more Americans will study the bills to understand how big corporations are changing the legal rules and undermining democracy across the nation.
Nonviolence Training, Strategizing and Organization (downloadable PDFs)
Suggestions for Nonviolent Group Meetings
Suggestions for Planning a Nonviolent Event
Suggestions in Considering Nonviolent Strategy
Video Links
"Occupy Economics." On Nov. 13, 2011, economists from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst drafted an open statement to the Occupy Wall Street movement pledging their support. Since then, more than 250 economists from around the world have added their names. View this video message from them.
"The Story of Citizens United." A very nuts-and-bolts exploration of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy and what we can do about it.
