once flourished - The Indypendent

All OccupationsContinued from page 12Karen Joseph, a soft-spoken 59-year-oldmother of two whose family spends one-thirdof its household income on health insurance,is by no means the only one who is againstIssue 3, which would exempt Ohio from theincoming national healthcare law.Everyone is against the plan to privatize theOhio Turnpike being pushed by RepublicanGov. John Kasich. All the occupiers wetalk to express dismay at the prospect ofhydrofracking in Mill Creek Park, whichKettering describes as “the jewel of the areawith waterfalls, streams and lots of wildlife.”This occupation comes with an expirationdate. The city asked the occupiers to “take downthe tents before business hours on Monday,Oct. 17, when the banks were opening,”according to Chuck Kettering, Jr. He saysthey complied, but Occupy Youngstownstill maintains a 24-hour presence and haspledged to do so until Nov. 8, Election Day.TOLEDO BLUESIn Toledo, Ohio, on the other hand, the occupationis struggling with living outdoorsin a harsh climate because the city is makinglife difficult for them. Christopher Metchis,an energetic 19-year-old student who willbe attending the Musicians Institute in LosAngeles next spring, explains that City Hallhas denied them use of tents and generatorsand dispatched city crews to cut off theiraccess to electricity. He has just spent thelast two nights outdoors in a wind and rainstorm,huddling under tarps with a few hardysouls on a grass plaza in the downtownbusiness district near the baseball stadiumfor the AAA Toledo Mud Hens.While we talk, a few people come byto help with consolidating supplies, foldingtarps, stuffing blankets into a criband kitchen work. A local pastor has alsostopped by with words of support. CandiceMilligan, a 30-year-old trans woman, saysthe living conditions make it “difficult forpeople who aren’t able-bodied.” She alsoadmits that concrete support is not as forthcomingbecause much of the public does notknow what Occupy Toledo is trying to accomplish.And they have to contend with apolice force that is indifferent at best and alocal media that is hostile at times.Awareness of the occupation movementco-exists with despair. During dinner oneevening at an Italian restaurant in Toledo,our waitress, Dawn, tells us she supports itbecause “the people need a voice, not justthe corporations and politicians.” A fewminutes earlier, she lit up in excitementwhen she found out we are from New York,but her face crumpled instantly, exclaimingquizzically, “But now you’re here?!”It has been a common sentiment on thetrip so far. Americans in this part of thecountry are beaten down after decades ofeconomic decline. Their prospects are limited.Civic embarrassment is more prevalentthan pride. They lament the end of the“American Dream,” the notion that hardwork and sacrifice would be rewarded witha comfortable retirement and a better lifefor their children and grandkids. But in thehundreds of occupations around the countrythey have found a space where they canspeak of their struggles, burdens and aspirations.People listen and they hear similarstories, creating a genuine sense of community.They say it is giving them dignity. Andperhaps most important, it is giving themhope.For videos and regular updates fromArun Gupta’s tour of occupations visitoccupyusatoday.com.PEOPLE’S MEDIAWith mainstream media being generallydismissive of the Occupy WallStreet protests, independent mediaoutlets have filled the void with everythingfrom breaking news andinformation on how to get involvedto thoughtful analysis. For more, see:Occupy TogetherLaunched after sister occupationstook hold in cities outside of NewYork, this website connects over 400occupations from across the country.occupytogether.orgOccupy Wall StreetThe original Occupy website, itfeatures video from protests, dailyschedules and news from other occupations.occupywallst.orgAdbustersThis culture-jamming Canadianmagazine initially put out the call tooccupy Wall Street and continues tosupport the occupations.adbusters.orgOccupy Wall Street TumblrThis website features news, photosand more from occupations acrossthe United States.occupywallstreet.tumblr.comWe are the 99 Percent TumblrOver 2,000 stories and pictures areshared here by members of the 99percent.wearethe99percent.tumblr.comThe IndypendentThis New York-based newspaperand website has been providing indepthcoverage since the start of theoccupation.indypendent.orgThe Occupy Wall Street Twitter FeedA consistent source for breakingnews related to the occupation.twitter.com/occupywallstThe Occupied Wall Street JournalFounded by New York journalistsand activists involved in the Occupymovement, the paper hasseen print runs of up to 50,000.occupiedmedia.com—Manny JalonschiIndependent News Hourwith Amy Goodmanand Juan GonzalezTV-Radio-InternetTHE INDYPENDENTJoin me in becoming a regular donor to TheIndypendent. It takes money to create media where wecan discuss, debate and analyze events such as the historicuprisings from the Middle East to the Midwest.PACIFICA RADIO99.5 WBAI8AM, Mon-FriMost important, by building a project like The Indypendentthat helps build the Left, we are expressing the type of collectiveaction we need to forge a new future.—STANLEY ARONOWITZPUBLIC ACCESS TVCUNY-TV Channel 75 (All Boroughs)6:30PM Mon-Fri, 1AM Mon-ThursYES! I WANT TO SUPPORT THE INDYPENDENT!14 NOVEMBER 2 – NOVEMBER 22, 2011 THE INDYPENDENTThe corporatemedia got itwrong on Iraq.Tune in to theshow thatgot it right.Manhattan MNN Channel 34/828AM & 7PM Mon-FriBrooklyn BCAT Channel 56/699AM Mon-FriBronxnet Channel 679AM Tues & ThursSATELLITE TVFree Speech TVDISH Network Ch. 9415/ DirecTV Ch. 3488AM, Noon, 7PM, Midnight Mon-FriLink TVDish Network Ch. 9410/ DirecTV Ch. 37511AM & 6PM Mon-FriDEMOCRACY NOW! EN ESPAÑOLdemocracynow.org/esDEMOCRACYNOW.ORGAudio, Video, and TranscriptsI would like to become a monthly sustainer:$5 $10 $25 $50 OTHER: $____________________________________I would like to make a one-time contribution:$25 $50 $100 $150 OTHER: $____________________________________If you become a sustainer or contribute $100 or more, you also receive a one-yearsubscription to The Indypendent. (A one-year subscription of 16 issues is $29.)I am paying by:Check Cash Credit CardFull Name : ______________________________________________________________________________________Email ________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone Number _______________________________________________________________________________CREDIT CARD:Type (Mastercard, Visa or American Express): __________________________CC Number: __________________________________________________________________________________Security Code: _______________________________________________________________________________Expiration Date: ______________________________________________________________________________Shipping Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Billing Address (if different than above):_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________All your information is kept strictly confidential. We will only email or call if we have a problem fulfilling your donation.