We’re always happy to share letters to the editor from VB readers. Those organising tomorrow’s Occupy IW rally have sent in this letter to share. Ed
I sincerely thank you for your coverage of the Occupy Isle of Wight Rally which will be taking place at 12 O’clock tomorrow in St. Thomas’ Square in Newport.
We are excited to have some knowledgeable speakers joining us tomorrow, including Mark Chiverton and Tanja Rebel, so we look forward to hearing their perspective on the global banking crisis and the cuts.
OccupyIOW is a peaceful rally intended to bring people together from all social classes, political backgrounds, ethnicities and religions to raise awareness that the current financial system globally is unsustainable, undemocratic and unjust and is the root cause of the savage cuts and austerity measures we are facing here on the Island.
Bear it’s burden without complaint?
In 1863 Bankers, The Rothschild Brothers, wrote the following to associates in New York:
“The few who understand the system will either be so interested in its profits, or so dependent on its favours, that there will be no opposition from that class, while on the other hand, the great body of people, mentally incapable of comprehending the tremendous advantage that capital derives from the system, will bear its burden without complaint, and perhaps without even suspecting that the system is inimical to their interests.”
Well, the great body of people have realised, and are no longer willing to bear its burden without complaint!
We are no longer ignorant to the price to be paid for the ecological and human imbalance “needed” in order that a minority of our species can perpetuate an illusionary position of dominion via fractionally reserved, interest based, fiat money and the “religion” of consumeristic exponential growth based on the precious resources of our finite planet.
Globally, 1% of people hold nearly half the wealth while the other 99% share the other half.
We are the 99%
Islanders are ALL in the 99%. From doctors to council staff, from teachers to road sweepers, from children to pensioners, from students to librarians, we are ALL the 99%.
One Island resident said, “I’m sick of struggling to get by while the “fat cats” live a life of luxury. We are the people. We cook your food, deliver your mail, look after you in hospital…..without us you are nothing so why should we be made to struggle??”
Another said, “I am in this as a shout out against GREED and CORRUPTION which are evident at Corporate, Government and Local Government and in all walks of life if we are to be true to ourselves. As a movement OCCUPY is successful as it is a moral rather than political force and wants changes in attitudes and beliefs”.
Demand an end to global tax injustice
We do not accept the cuts as either necessary or inevitable. We demand an end to global tax injustice and our democracy representing corporations instead of the people.
We refuse to pay for the banking crisis with our jobs and services while the 1%, the bankers and corporate bosses, continue to pay themselves £Billions in bonuses with the tax payers money used to bail them out of the mess they created.
Peaceful rally
We must stress that this is a PEACEFUL rally and we ask that people respect the views of opinions of others as they would want their own to be. We should respect the rights of individuals to hold an opinion different to our own and embrace them even if they are different to ours. The wonderful thing about the occupy movement is that their are no leaders.
The movement gives real people a chance to come together and find common ground on which to work towards solving the problems that are endemic in our society today, while experiencing a sense of solidarity with people around the world who want global change towards a fairer and more just world.
We’re not professional protesters
Some people have been critical of the Occupy movement such as the Vectis radio presenter Paddy McHugh, who was under the misconception that this is somehow organised by “professional protesters” from the mainland, and that the only people protesting will be unemployed with nothing better to do.
Of course this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Occupy Isle of Wight is facilitated by Islanders from all walks of life, who can clearly see the links between the international financial crisis and the savage cuts we are experiencing here on the Island.
Supporting those who have lost their jobs
Sadly, of course, unemployment on the Island is rising, as covered in your article of the 12th of October, and as we see more cuts to public sector jobs and wages I’m sure we will see the 3.5% figure rise.
I am sure that the view of one presenter doesn’t represent the view of the whole of the Vectis Radio organisation though, and of course as an individual we as a movement respect his right to free speech.
We are delighted to have the best wishes of the church and the support of the police.
Join us tomorrow, whether you are concerned about your pension, your job security, your social care, your floating bridge, or the many other cuts affecting YOU the 99%.
In Solidarity
Occupy Isle Of Wight
