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Note: The opinions expressed by the moderators and members of this discussion board do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Occupy Together or Occupy Wall St. In the spirit of free information, open discussion, and the freedom of expression, members are able to speak about issues relating and directly pertaining to the Occupy movement. You will be banned for hate speech or intentional misinformation and please refrain from any violent rhetoric; this is a peaceful movement. Thank you.
Occupy Congress?
  • Richkid4the99 November 2011 +1 -1
    I know that I am new to this, but I remembered about some pictures I saw on my AP US History textbook. Crowds of Vietnam vets and anti-war protestors were standing on the steps of Congress, demanding an end to the Vietnam War. If you really want to get the attention of the government, lets do what they did and
    Occupy Congress! We must remind them that we elected them [the politicians] into power, we can vote them out. The government serves us, we aren't supposed to serve them. They serve us, the 99%, not the CEOs! Its our government, not GM's! Lets remind them that we decide their political future!

    Protesting at the White House is a way to very attention, but the President can't legally do anything about it. If we want new laws passed, we can demand that in front of the legislative branch of our government: the Capitol Building.
  • MiddleGround January 2012 +1 -1
    We ahave 3 branches of Government all with their hands in the pockets of big business. And let's not foget about the corrupted state politicians, both Demo'rats and Republi'cants. It's more than just Congress. I believe starting with the one man called the Commander In Chief. Then work our way down from there...
  • whitefeather January 2012 +1 -1
    @middleGround: I agree with you on the level of corruption but disagree with starting at the top. We need to start with our congressional representatives in our own states.
  • KOM_RAVE_R February 2012 +1 -1
    Occupying Congress Pros and Cons; Pros- It will bring the movement in more direct lime light to the possible isolated middle of the road House Reps. and Senators, next it would be a personal nuisance (in a good way) forcing them to deal with our issues and everyday demands, not to forget it would be a better way to start conversation for making our changes directly involved in the Bill making process. Cons- Occupying Congress will bring out the more radical and ugly side of the movement and may cause more harm then good (example flag burning gives the wrong idea about our message), second Washington D.C. is not a state or city it is a District and has different laws for squatting and camping especially under the zoning restrictions of the formed Patriot Act to government buildings and monuments, third a demonstration could bring not only more police but could involve the National Guard to assist is crowd control and possibly escalate the situation.

    On the comments followed; I think that the movement has already gotten the attention of state representatives as in many situations the police are now resorting to crackdowns and forced evictions. This leads me to believe the powers that be in each state and city government is being threatened and are resorting to a swift broad action versus the one of peaceful negotiation that could take years and could lose the 1% a lot of money and power.

    On the other branches of government; The Supreme Court is a benevolent side of the government in this issue because we haven't pushed any written up Bill or Legal Petition to proposals that have reached the ground floor of Congress. If our proposals do make progress and are legally vetoed or voted down then the Supreme Court can re-evaluate the law and give it a legal pass or rewrite to try it again.

    As of the President; The Commander and Chief has limited powers in the role of government. If the proposed Bill or Law makes head wind in congress like that of the Civil Rights Act of 1962, or in rare situations "back-door" and propose policies with limited life and legal precedent that promote his views and stands in politics, then the president could give a public support to the movement. Before that the most the president will be legally obligated to do is reference the change that we are making however good or bad.

    Personally I do believe; That if Occupy, does move the movement to "Operation Occupy Congress" that may be the domino affect to change especially in the eyes of the world, good or bad. The world will see Occupy as a revolutionary movement instead of Civilian Demonstration. To be successful the movement must be focused and unified as well as diversified in specific national identities "Occupy Wall Street" is different in wants and demands for change than "Occupy Moscow."

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