In a movement which started in Kuala Lumpur on July 30, 2011 with Occupy Dataran which then migrated to New York City and San Francisco on September 17, 2011, with Occupy Wall Street and Occupy San Francisco and has now spread to more than 95 cities around the US, Europe and Canada. The grassroots demonstrations against corporate bailouts, illegal foreclosures, corporate greed, income inequality and high rates of unemployment have flourished recently online and have become a significant presence in Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. The people or the 99% as they like to be referred are simply demanding change and rightly so. After years if not decades of social injustice and inequality, the 99% are beginning to speak out.

As I continue to monitor and watch the movement unfold, I’m baffled by the lack of commitment to the Occupy Movement Everywhere. A very compelling movement which is long overdue, yet lacks the momentum needed to bring around real change.   

"Resistance has always been most effective when exercised by those taught that they were the most powerless."

Just who, and where are the 99% who want and demand change? Where are they hiding? Has the Occupy Movement fallen on deaf ears or are people just too afraid to speak out against their oppressors? Perhaps most are contented with paying exorbitant taxes and earning pittance wages while corporate greed has become abundant and commonplace, hastily destroying the very fabric of our society for future generations. And still… their voices stagnant.

I watch in disgust as even among their own there is no solidarity to the cause. The backbiters and wannabe’s more worried about their own egocentric aspirations than those to which would benefit all mankind. They believe they belong to the 99% yet they want little if anything to do with the movement except to share in the rewards, should their be any. Depending what side of the percentage your on, the rewards could be irrefutable.

I read in disgust how lately the politicians and their henchmen now only want to quell the Occupy Movements as they become afraid of the growing momentum. How the corporate and government controlled media downplays the movement instead of airing and talking about the real issues at hand. (How often have we seen the media actually talking with the occupiers and telling their side of things?) Not often enough I’m afraid! What ever happened to Freedom of Speech and Freedom to Assemble as defined in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Oh yeah… That was written for the 1% to oppress the 99%

I have to wonder though… With all the determination of the 99% where will this movement lead? Can anything good become of it? What will it change? What legacy may it pass down to our future generations? Personally, being part of that 99% I would hope that this movement continues to flourish and prosper. We desperately need change and we need it now. My heart goes out to everyone in the occupation who strive to bring about real change and I pray we can achieve our common goals without prejudice, violence and with much dignity.

Remember, we are the 99%!



Perhaps David Suzuki says it best.

“The course of human history is constantly changing. It's up to all of us to join the conversation to help steer it to a better path than the one we are on. Maybe our one demand should be of ourselves: Care enough to do something.”