REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER, 2014

If you are fan of the movie or graphic novel "V For Vendetta" (or you are in the British Commonwealth) you are probably familiar with the nursery rhyme about Guy Fawkes:

"Remember, remember the Fifth of November..."

Of course, OPTINSTL, and the "Hacktivist" group Anonymous, and protestors worldwide have adopted the Guy Fawkes mask worn by V as their own.

The March Against Corruption, planned for this November 1-8, is specifically about getting money (big money) out of politics.  I daresay if we accomplished that we could regain control of our government (and agencies like Metro and Bi-State) without blowing up any buildings.

http://marchagainstcorruption.com/

On November 5th, there is "Million Mask March" planned, a call for one million people to flood the streets wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

http://theantimedia.org/support-building-for-2014-million-mask-march-on-november-5th/

OPTINSTL would like to suggest going one (or a few) steps further.  The 5th will be the day AFTER the elections, a day when basically no work gets done in the offices of elected officials (whether lame ducks or winners).

Updated "Jam Metro's Phone Lines Leaflet" for November 5th action:
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/jam-phone-lines-leaflet-for-use-and-to.html

Whether you take to the streets or not DON'T RIDE METRO.  DON'T GO TO WORK OR SCHOOL.  DON'T BUY ANYTHING.  Spend the day "blowing up the phone lines" (or jamming the email and comments servers) of every elected official, every "corruption corporation" and signing as many petitions as you can, on every issue important to you.

Feel free to target locals like Rex Sinquefield,  (hedge fund investors are some of the worst economic predators in our world), or work on preventing anymore "Koch being shoved down our throats."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/koch-brothers-liberal-counterpart_n_5113492.html
http://ourfuture.org/fact_sheet/koch-brothers-exposed-why-we-must-act-and-how
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/05/rachel-maddow-koch-brothers_n_4545202.html

Our country-- our world!-- has been completely hijacked by a few greedy individuals, but the worst part is WE LET THEM DO IT!

They need our labor.  They need us as consumers.  They need our votes.  They need us to not disrupt their "business as usual."

Without violence, without doing anything illegal, we can take back our power by withholding our time and our money, and by joining the "Armchair Revolution." 

Start with elected officials.  Yes, get out and vote, and then call them, write them, give them your feedback and suggestions, make demands and inquiries, monitor what they are doing.  Demand that people's petitions become their primary source of legislative action.

There are more of us than there are of them.  Without us, the wealthy have no workers, no products, and no consumers.  One day of a nationwide strike and boycott would display that much more than any protest in the streets.  Think of it-- the police would have no tickets to write, the courts would hear no cases (get a continuance as soon as you can if the 5th is a court day for you), the businesses would have no profits.
 
Yes, yes, a nationwide total strike is unrealistic, but even 3.5% of us withdrawing from "business as usual" would be very threatening.

And if we demand that politicians work for us instead of the wealthy, that public policy protect us instead of shareholder profits and corporate interests, then until they are able to make this country a corporate dictatorship (which is looming ever closer), they will have to make changes, beginning with answering the calls of their constituents.... And this might be a good time to remind them that their constituents are NOT just the people that voted for them!  They work for all of us, and we pay for them whether we vote or not.

Remember, this Fifth of November, that "Ideas are bulletproof."

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE (ARMCHAIR) REVOLUTION. 
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE ONE WITH THE REAL POWER: WORDS. THE ENUNCIATION OF TRUTH.

"THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY..."

November 5, 2014, the day everything changed.

EDIT: Start the revolution early by writing in Michael Brown, Jr. on the ballot.
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/09/november-4th-2014-vote-for-michael.html

OCCUPY YOUR LIFE THIS THURSDAY AND FIGHT FOR $15!

September 4th EDIT/UPDATE: Ferguson, representin':
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/05/business/economy/fast-food-workers-seeking-higher-wages-are-arrested-during-sit-ins.html?_r=0

This is a reprint form the Occupy Your Life blog:
http://occupyurlife.blogspot.com/2014/09/fast-food-thursday-fight-for-15-show-me.html

With only 318,000 people in Saint Louis, and 49.5% African-American, an a big chunk of small business owners living in the county, a $15 minimum wage in the city should be fairly easy to institute.  Yes, it will take more than protests.  It will take massive campaigning and petitioning.  But it is within reach.

In the meantime, don't eat at a fast food restaurant this Thursday, and call the corporate offices of McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, etc, and tell them you stand with their striking workers.

More importantly, call Mayor Slay and Governor Nixon, and your local Mayor and representatives, and tell them you demand a $15 an hour minimum wage.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/more-fast-food-strikes-are-coming_n_5751630.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

DEAR FERGUSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, MO HIGHWAY PATROL, AND MO NATIONAL GUARD:

Readers: please also see this link for a list of on-line petitions aimed at changing laws about policing and this investigation: http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/08/occupy-gang-police-end-police-state.html

DEAR FERGUSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, MO HIGHWAY PATROL, AND MO NATIONAL GUARD: Obviously you have forgotten or never learned your Constitutional law. Please review the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.” THE ENTIRE U.S.A. IS A “FIRST AMENDMENT AREA” AT ALL TIMES.

Let us remind you (and all government representatives and officials) that WE, THE PEOPLE pay your salaries. We pay for your guns and your jails and your vehicles and your courts. We pay for the sidewalks and the streets. Every single government service is paid for by us. MAYBE YOU OWE US SOME RESPECT!

We pay you to enforce the law. You are not above it. You cannot change it suit your whims or make your job easier. Ferguson P.D. and STLCO Prosecutor have broken the law during this investigation: Why aren't you arresting them? They allowed Officer Wilson to drive off in his patrol vehicle, which- according to their first “official story” -was part of the crime scene. They refused to release Brown's autopsy report to the family (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 58.740, 194.115, 194.117).

The only “State of Emergency” is the military-style police tactics being used against us and the continuing war the police departments of this city wage against African-American men on a daily basis. After the protests have subsided, the national/ international media have gone home, and the investigation is over, we will still be here. We will remember how you dealt with us as if we were terrorists, instead of Americans exercising their First Amendment Rights. When the history books are written, you will not be remembered kindly.
CEASE AND DESIST WITH YOUR ILLEGAL AND UNETHICAL TACTICS NOW! WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE! WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST!

BOYCOTT METRO JULY 1ST

On July 1st, the day the new fares go into effect, it is time for transit riders to send Metro a message:  WE NEED A BETTER TRANSIT SYSTEM! WE, THE PEOPLE, DEMAND IT!

On July 1st, get a ride if you have to go to work or must travel with in St. Louis.

Don't ride the bus or train.

Call Metro, Governor Nixon,your local representatives (in the City that would be Mayor Slay and your local alderman), and local media of your choice, and tell them that you are not riding in protest of the increased fares, that bring no improvements in service.

Tell them you are boycotting Metro because they are asking riders to pay $5 million more over the next two years, even though Metro spent that same amount in 2013 in political campaign contributions ("contributions to outside entities").

Tell them you want Metro separated from Bi-State Development Agency, and from "business development" altogether! Public transit should be developed where it is needed most, not subsidizing private business interests.

Demand that Metro negotiate a new contract with their drivers! 6 years without a contract is enough! Demand that Metro stopping robbing driver's pension plans and benefits!

Tell them what services you need as public transit rider: public toilets? improved safety, signage, trash cans, and shelters at bus stops? discount passes for low income and unemployed?

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

If you want to publicly demonstrate, make a sign and walk or get a ride to the nearest bus stop or bus and Metrolink transfer center and hold the sign up to passing cars.

JULY 1ST! STRIKE CITYWIDE! DON'T RIDE! BOYCOTT METRO! TRANSIT RIDERS ARE AGAINST THE FARE INCREASE! WE DEMAND BETTER SERVICE! 
WE DEMAND A PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCY THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC- NOT POLITICAL AND PRIVATE BUSINESS INTERESTS!

OPTINSTL will be at Riverview Transfer Center in the afternoon, striking publicly!  We hope you will join us.  And please email us the details of your protest to share on this blog: optinstl@gmail.com

WHY FLOODING METRO'S PHONE LINES IS EFFECTIVE ACTION FOR CHANGE

At last night's Metro Hearing on the July 1st Fare Increase, a man came up to me and said "what is jamming their phone lines going to do? It will just prevent people trying to call in to get bus information."

Yes.  That is the point.  We, the people, are so blocked from making changes to this agency through the channels that are available to us, that it is necessary to apply pressure to the people running it.  It might create some inconvenience and stress.  Change- good or bad- does not seem to come without a little stress.

I don't necessarily think Metro exec's are playing computer games and surfing social media all day at work, but they are not working to make things better for us.   Even a 10% increase in call volume will disrupt their day to day activities.  When these executives are so flooded with calls demanding change, it will alter "business as usual." 

AND THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE.

THEY WILL BE FORCED TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE, THE LONGER THE PHONE RINGS AND EMAILS COME IN AND LETTERS ARRIVE IN THE MAIL, THE MORE LIKELY THE CHANGES WE ARE DEMANDING WILL HAPPEN.

Money that wasn't available for improvements to existing services will be found.  Government regulations will be relaxed for "special circumstances."  Loopholes will be found

That's why women can vote.  That's why black people can sit on the front of the bus.  (That's why marijuana is becoming legal, although that is not in the same class as the other examples.) Etc.

And OPT INSTL is not doing anything illegal or violent, or encouraging anyone to do anything illegal or violent. No one is going to be harmed or injured from this action.  Not even the phone lines.

IN FACT, WE ARE DOING JUST WHAT METRO SAYS THEY WANT-- GIVING THEM FEEDBACK!

Metro spends a lot of time crafting responses to complaints and demands for change in service.  We callers have to be prepared to hear the same things over and over again from them, every time we call.

BUT THEY ARE USED TO ONLY A CERTAIN VOLUME OF FEEDBACK.

That is why civil disobedience, protests, petitions, marches, sit-ins, strikes, and call-ins so often work. 

Most people hate disruption and surprises more than anything else.  The more comfortable a person's life, the less likely they are to welcome disruption.  That is why so many people just run through their lives, like rats in mazes.  (Turns out rats might have more empathy than many people. http://www.nature.com/news/rats-free-each-other-from-cages-1.9603)

WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR NEEDS OVERWHELMINGLY OBVIOUS, SO THAT METRO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IGNORE US!

You know, like when you are trying to sing a long with a song, and someone turns up the volume on another piece of music?  It's hard not to slide into that key, that harmony and melody, that rhythm.  The sound of the other song is too loud.  Flooding the Metro phone lines, jamming them with calls, giving them so much specific information about what we need, they will not be able to continue running through the rat maze of "business as usual."

INFORMATION CREATES CHANGE.

And if there ARE any visionaries and forward-thinking innovators among the Metro executives then jamming the phone lines and creating disruption will bring them out.  We won't even need to ask them directly or know who they are. The Metro workers that create the solutions will be put in charge to get the phones to stop ringing!

In the current situation, even if those leaders and idealistic engineers wanted to make the same changes we are demanding-- even if they are singing the same song we are-- the "business as usual" tune is too loud.  They would have to risk their jobs to make as much noise as we can.

This is why we, the transit riders, have to be so willing to really go the distance-- keep calling, every week, every month, every time we ride.  As I said, they will keep saying "our hands are tied" and "we can't do that" and "that's in development" and "we don't know when."

Slave owners did not teach slaves to read because knowledge is power.  A slave might read about a successful slave revolt.  And get the idea that he or she could revolt, too.  It's the same thing with all other protests and movements for change.  Not just the material change the protest brings about, but the changes to the people doing the protesting.

If a small portion of this city is able to change something in the transportation system by legal, non-violent action, you have a whole new crop of leaders, ready to take on another problem. Then the success encourages other people to join.  Even those that might have refused to take part in the first revolt.

Now profits and business as usual are disrupted again. And again.  And the changes will just keep coming. And the leaders.

IF THE SONG OF THE 99% GETS EVEN A LITTLE LOUDER-- JUST 3.5% OF THE POPULATION-- THE 1% WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR TUNE.

The 75ish, middle-class, white, guy (who I suspect is a retired Federal cop***) that told me it was wrong to jam the phone lines also said to me "I hope when you Occupy the bus you will pay your fare." That statement told me what he thinks Occupy is about, and was against it.

I laughed. Of course I am going to pay my fare.  I don't have a car!  Besides, I want to live in a city with great public transit and I don't mind paying for it.  I DO mind paying so much for such awful service and lack of attention to the real problems with Metro.

Then he told me that Occupy Wall Street was just a bunch of "criminals camping out illegally in Zucotti Park", and that "nothing" would happen from jamming the phone lines or the World Wide Wave of Action.

Who was a bigger threat in Occupy Wall Street? Non-violent protestors, using their right to Free Assembly at Zucotti Park, or the armed SWAT teams surrounding them? Who is really dangerous? The people working for social change and justice, through non-violent, legal means? Or the 1% starting wars to make themselves more money?

This guy and his kind, they are afraid of the power of the people, and their mindset is ALL about money.  They always assume that you are motivated by the same greed they are.  ("Don't think you can get a free ride and call it social change, missy." No, he didn't say that.  But it seemed like he did.)

(The JAM THE PHONE LINES flyer will be updated soon with some telephone numbers for the real power behind Metro- The East West Gateway Council of Governments.  The local businessmen and politicians that make the decisions and control the money. The face of the "Local 1%."  http://rt.com/usa/sadoff-inequality-rich-poor-685/)

I hope people will join me in working to change public transportation in St. Louis. Part of the reason I am doing this is to share what I have learned about political activism.  To encourage others. To try to find the way that works. I can write this blog and hand out leaflets, and research the power structure, but if no one calls Metro this won't be effective.

If my suggestions don't work for you, I hope you will do something else. I hope you will believe in yourself and your power.  It almost doesn't matter WHAT you do, just that you DO SOMETHING AND KEEP TRYING.  We can't be afraid to fail and try again, just like the first Occupy Wall Street seemed to fail, and now is going to try again, with World Wide Wave of Action.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

YOU MATTER!

YOUR NEEDS ARE IMPORTANT! YOU ARE NOT JUST A COG FOR PROFIT!

IT IS TIME FOR AN END TO "INCARCERATION BY LACK OF DECENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION"!

OPT IN STL!

*** EDIT: This post has been heavily edited and the edits will eventually be a separate post called Why Occupy? And also one about undercover cops, federal and local, and vigilantes, and their tactics at meeting like this.

I will post the links here when they are done.