I noticed myself get a bit wary when I heard that Occupy Together had arrived at Martha’s Vineyard. After all this area has been a haven of the 1%.
But this is not Russia in 1917. What we’re building is not a world that excludes some and includes others but a world that includes all equally. Martha’s Vineyard will add an ingredient to the soup and that ingredient will produce a new flavor. And all flavors are welcome in the soup.
All are welcome and not just welcome to swell our numbers, but genuinely welcome.
To think otherwise, in my personal opinion, is to perpetuate the old paradigm that got us into trouble in the first place. Thanks to BZ, who appears in the story, BTW.
Occupy Wall Street Comes to Martha’s Vineyard
Grass-roots Island group hopes to join forces with other Occupy movements
By Mathea Morais, Martha’s Vineyeard Patch, Nov. 8, 2011
https://marthasvineyard.patch.com/articles/occupy-wall-street-comes-to-martha-s-vineyard#
As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues to grow in different towns and cities across the country and even across the globe, a group of Islanders have begun to come together as well.
Calling themselves Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard, they have had two events already. On Sunday, October 30th, some 35 people gathered simultaneously in Owen Park, Five Corners and Menemsha Beach and last Saturday, November 5th at the West Tisbury Town Hall the event included 42 people and six dogs.
While there are many involved with the movement, we caught up with BZ Riger who has been working hard on organizing and getting an online presence established. According to Riger, “Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard is going to stage an action on Friday, 11-11-11 from 7 am – 9 am at the ‘Blinker’ to call attention to the Occupy movement.”
The purpose of the event, said Riger, “will be a demonstration of solidarity and support.” Those interested are asked, “to bring a sign, bring your energy and bring your voice for ‘Mic Checks.” Riger said she will be video taping the event and putting it on MVTV as well as on-line.
If you’re interested in getting involved, but not able to come out on Friday, Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard has a number of plans in the works. “We are in the process of organizing a day-long mini Zuccotti Park Occupy Wall Street with learn-ins, general assembly, music and speakers in a couple of weeks,” said Riger.
The group is also planning weekly “general assembly” type meetings. “To create new Actions and events to take place on the ground.” There is a new Occupy Martha’s Vineyard website and they also have an Occupy Martha’s Vineyard Facebook page where they will be putting links up for most of their activities.
According to Riger, the group welcomes more members. “Everyone is welcome who is in the occupy together spirit, we are all leaders and create this together. There is no top down structure, no censoring. Vibrancy and energy in unity to usher in a world that works for everyone is what we want to create.”