Who are the 99%?
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The top 1% in America control about 40% of the wealth, while the bottom 40% control about 1% of the wealth. The 99% is a metaphor for the overwhelming majority of Americans who are subject to the economic and political injustices implemented in a system controlled by the ultra-rich. |
Why are you here? What are you protesting?
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While individual reasons may vary, there are some common motivations that we all share. We recognize that the current political and economic system is unfair, unjust, and does not adequately serve the interests of the people. As such, we are committed to peacefully transforming it in ways that ensure the current injustices are remedied. We are also here to share relevant information with the rest of the 99%, to work together in a democratic fashion to discuss these problems, and to exercise our right to free speech as guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. |
What are your demands? What exactly do you want?
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This is not a traditional political movement where one group has a set list of demands from the group who holds the power. This is a movement founded in the basic sense of fairness innate to all human beings. We want to restore fairness and equity to our political and economic systems, and to create a level playing field so that all Americans have a fair chance of achieving the economic self-sufficiency that allows our nation as a whole to thrive. |
Are you Communists? Socialists? Anarchists? Etc.?
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We are not affiliated with any political party or organization, but we gladly welcome people of all political persuasions who share our goal to work toward a society that is fair, just, and equitable. What is more important than political ideology is the desire to ensure that our government represents the people – not just the ultra-rich, who can directly influence the outcomes of political campaigns and the lawmaking process by spending millions of dollars on political donations and lobbying funds. |
What do you have against banks?
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We have nothing against banks per se, but we object to the way big financial institutions have used their power and wealth to influence the political system in ways that serve their own narrow interests at the expense of the public at large. Over the past several decades, the rules of the game were changed so that commercial or retail banks could act as investment or capital banks, and many financial institutions moved away from serving the banking needs of average consumers and towards high-risk, high reward trading and grew into the huge “too big to fail” financial institutions that we hear about in the news. |
What are your solutions?
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These problems are varied and complex, and it will take a concerted effort by all to develop viable, realistic solutions. One thing we all agree on is that powerful corporations and other organizations must be stripped of their unfair advantage in determining the outcomes of political elections and on the content of our legislation. We absolutely cannot have a fair government that adequately represents the interests of the people when that government is so heavily influenced by monied interests. We cannot have a fair economic system when the greed of a few trumps the needs and aspirations of the many. Finally, we are committed to developing alternatives and solutions in a peaceful manner. |
Are you against wealth and prosperity?
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No. We are against a system that represents only the wealthiest and most powerful Americans, who can afford to influence the outcome of political elections and the nature of our policies via extravagant lobbying expenditures. Nor are all wealthy people bad. Some of them join us in believing that a just system affords all people the same opportunities to succeed. We also object to the way some big corporations, such as investment banks, have so ruthlessly privatized profits and socialized liabilities to the public. |
How is Occupy Asheville organized?
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Occupy Asheville consists of a General Assembly, working groups, affinity groups, caucuses, and a Coordinating Council. The General Assembly includes all participants in Occupy Asheville and meets in an open forum twice a week. Working groups such as Media, Legal, and Outreach are organized around particular functions that are central to the movement’s operation. Affinity groups such as the Anti-Nuclear Coalition are organized around specific issues and direct actions, and consist of individuals who may or may not be otherwise involved with Occupy Asheville. Caucuses such as the Womyn and Trans Empowerment Circle and the Seniors and Friends Group are organized around a common demographic, philosophical viewpoint, or experience of being systemically oppressed in society. The Coordinating Council is comprised of delegates from the General Assembly as well as each working group, affinity group, and caucus, and it serves as the official decision-making body for Occupy Asheville. The Coordinating Council meets once a week and employs a full consensus process for all decisions. |
How do I get involved?
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There are no formal membership requirements, and there are many ways to contribute, including attending General Assemblies, participating in regularly scheduled pickets, and joining one or more of the working groups. We are always brainstorming new and creative ideas for peaceful, effective, and meaningful action toward our goals. Your voice is welcome, and necessary. For a list of working groups and meeting logistics, see the “Groups” menu at the top of the page. |