Chicago Solidarity Action

Nov 17th, 2011

By F. Grey Parker and Nicole Zimmerer 5:30pm CST 

In spite of numerous arrests, the Chicago Occupation's solidarity action today continues with no reports of violence. The majority of police and fire officials with whom our correspondent has spoken are openly sympathetic to the cause. Though none will go on record, a few have said that their only complaint is a retooling of their overtime.

Below, civil disobedients with the Jobs Not Cuts team prepare to be loaded onto an off duty school bus following detention by authorities.

Chicago Stands With Oakland

Nov 2nd, 2011
by F. Grey Parker with Nicole Zimmerer

For the greater part of the day yesterday, the Chicago Occupation was held by a small team of its most dedicated troops. It has not been easy for them to maintain their strength during certain points each week. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's brutal repression of dissent has taken its toll. Nevertheless, the corner of Jackson and LaSalle continues not to be the comfortable causeway of traders, goons and empty suits that it once was. It remains in the hands of the Occupants.

There was a mid-afternoon teach-in discussing the costs and inherent corruptions of the prison industrial complex. It was smart and it was informative.

However, there were not sufficient numbers for an early march.

Later... the crowd exploded in size.

Crying out in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Oakland, thousands marched to Daley Plaza and made the world famous Picasso their backdrop for a show of power.

The Occupation Has A Theme Song

Oct 16th, 2011

"The businessmen drink my blood...
like the kids in art school said they would..."

Voices From Occupy Chicago

Oct 5th, 2011

It's drawing from a broad spectrum and it is growing.

Jeremy Ryan On The Scene In Wisconsin

Mar 2nd, 2011

Way to go Jeremy. The country is increasingly waking up and we thank you.

CONTACT the Wisconsin 14 and tell them not to give up!

SIGN THE PETITION to recall Gov. Scott Walker.

Please visit http://www.defendwisconsin.org/

A Mind Changed

Mar 2nd, 2011

This is an impressive display of the simple power of truth. A Madison, WI police officer who has spent his life as a Republican declares his solidarity with the workers of his state and his intention to switch party affiliation. Amongst his reasons are "FOX's lies."
CONTACT the Wisconsin 14 and tell them not to give up!
SIGN THE PETITION to recall Gov. Scott Walker.

Chicago Rally For Wisconsin Update

Feb 28th, 2011
by F. Grey Parker
ClICK HERE to view our coverage from the rally on Saturday

Photo copyright © 2011Nicole Zimmerer

The relative broadcast media blackout of coverage for the largest nationwide pro-labor rally in America in a generation is but the beginning of the marginalization of it's importance. 


What print/interweb coverage has been disseminated over the last 48 hours is alarming for different reasons.

Prior to this weekend's rally outside the State of Illinois Building, we contacted the city and inquired about access to the building's upper floors. We were told the building would not be open for reasons of security and liability. Our interest in access was to make as accurate an assessment of crowd size as possible with an aerial view. In the last 48 hours, numbers have been reported as low as "several hundred" by the Chicago Tribune going up to "850 to 900" as reported in the LA Times.

As is always the case with political demonstrations, there is some argument over attendance. Several angry Walker supporters have e-mailed us to complain about our numbers. Allow me to explain our estimate of "several thousand." The width of the crowd both in front and in back was between 70 to 80 persons. The length of the crowd on either side was between 60 and 70 persons. The crowd was dense enough to make movement throughout it quite difficult. I counted these numbers myself repeatedly from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm. Let us for moment suppose that my lowest figures were double the actual size; that would still give us a crowd of over 2000.


Of course, this may be the first you've heard of any of this. That "liberal media bias" sure is hard to find lately.

Chicago Rallies For Union Rights

Feb 26th, 2011

by F. Grey Parker with Nicole Zimmerer

Chicago - Despite the snow, cold and bitter winds, thousands turned out in downtown Chicago today to show solidarity for Wisconsin's beleaguered public sector unions and, more broadly, for the principles of organized labor nationwide.

photo © copyright 2011 Nicole Zimmerer

We talked to citizens, union and non-union alike, some from as far away as W. Virginia and Oregon. They ranged in age from those too young to labor to those long out of the workforce.Their message was clear: collective bargaining is a right and not a privilege.



One attendee, Joe Nowak, said, "I'm retired. I come from three generations of union. We were a coal family. What these guys in Wisconsin are doing reminds me of the stories my dad used to tell me from before I was born." Another rally participant, a young woman who would only identify herself as Carolyn said, "if everyone had fought harder for unions 30 years ago we might not have to be here."

It was more difficult to get a large number of those in attendance to go on the record than we had expected. Often we were asked "who are you with?" Clearly, the fear of provocateurs and plants from right wing organizations was on the minds of the demonstrators.

Sen. Durbin Speaks To The Crowd

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) spoke to the crowd early and affirmed his support. He discussed the expanding scope of the attack on labor rights and the departure from Wisconsin by that state's 14 Democratic State Senators to buy time for compromise and draw attention. He quipped, "to our friends who have joined us today from Indiana, your senators are welcome here too." There was tremendous applause.

Only days ago, Indiana shelved the first of what are likely to be numerous attempts to model legislation after the Wisconsin bill. We met with Sen. Durbin after his speech to discuss the event and asked him about the "sanctuary" remark.

"This is not about one state or another state. This about the future of the rights of workers nationwide. If we don't stand with them today who will stand with us tomorrow?" 


He went on to reiterate that it is not a local issue but "has implications all across America and in Washington D.C."

The full photo galleries of our coverage will be available soon.
Please SIGN THE PETITION to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Class War?

Feb 26th, 2011

Today is the day to turn out and show solidarity with the workers of Wisconsin! Find out WHERE TO GO.

Please SIGN THE PETITION to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

High Noon

Feb 25th, 2011

Tomorrow at noon, we will see just how many Americans can make time to show solidarity with the anti-Walker forces in Wisconsin.


Across the nation, in front of every state house and in most major cities, actions are being held to push back against the war on labor. Will you be there?

Here is a website to help find the rally nearest you.

It is time to make a choice between the future and the past. The following video lays it out flat; this is nothing less than the end game of Reaganomics and the battle by the wealthy to turn our nation into a banana republic populated by wage-slaves.

"We Are Wisconsin"

Feb 24th, 2011

This is a beautiful portrait of solidarity from citizens of Wisconsin produced by Finn Ryan and David Nevala. © 2011 Finn Ryan and David Nevala. Please sign the petition endorsing the recall of Gov. Scott Walker.

We Are Wisconsin from Finn Ryan on Vimeo.

The Land Of Labor... And Cheese...

Feb 20th, 2011

Sign the change.org petition to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

The Wisconsin Plot Thickens

Feb 18th, 2011

Raw video of Wisconsin firefighter's (who are exempted from Gov. Walker's union busting proposals) marching into the capital to show solidarity with those under attack.

Billy Bragg - And A Whole Bunch Of Petitions

Feb 18th, 2011

As event's continue to unfold in Wisconsin, Ohio and now Tennessee, we are bearing witness to the opening salvos of the most dangerous and well funded campaign against organized labor in 80 years. Here's a little breather from Billy Bragg that stays on point. Please investigate the links below the video while you listen and get involved.



Sign The AFL-CIO petition to Stop Attacks On Working Families
Sign the change.org petition to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Join the fight against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Twitter
Share your thoughts on recalling Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Join the BLUEGREEN alliance between environmental action and labor.

Worth 1,000 Words

Feb 3rd, 2011

نحن أبناء الله جميع

Hat tip to Jan.
UPDATE: THE DEEPLY MOVING PHOTO I CELEBRATE HERE WAS TAKEN BY NEVINE ZAKI

As we all watch the ongoing Egyptian struggle, which continues to provoke both hope and terrible fear here in The West, I proudly pass along this photo. Perhaps out of solidarity with the Muslims who formed human shields to protect Copts in December and very early January from continued extremist violence... perhaps out of simple decency... Egyptian Christians joined Muslims in Tahrir square earlier and made a barrier to protect afternoon prayers to Mecca from the violence and tyranny of the Mubarak Regime.