Dennis Kucinich maintains lead Congressperson supporting Occupy Wall Street
Iraq War veteran who survived two tours of duty gets his skull fractured in ... Oakland! 53 activists arrested in Atlanta. SWAT teams deployed to boot out peaceful protesters. - Dennis Kucinich
After attending Occupy Wall Street activities and releasing statements earlier this month, encouraging the nation to participate or support the Occupy movement, as a handful of other Congresspersons have, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) released another Occupy statement Friday, this time condemning recent "irresponsible and tragic" actions in Oakland against brave human rights defenders and again urging people to join him in protecting their freedom to non-violently create change. Human rights defender and statesman Kucinich has introduced legislation, the Need Act, to support one of the Occupy movement's overarching goals, to move the Federal Reserve under the Treasury Department.
"Recent actions against Occupy protesters are irresponsible and tragic. They're an assault on our democracy," Kucinich said. "These protesters are bravely exercising their right to freedom of expression, to bring attention to a political and economic system that's rigged against most Americans."
"I stand with them; and, all Americans -- left and right -- should join me in protecting their freedom to non-violently create change," Kucinich said.
Earlier this month, the congressman had said, "We're the American people. Our dream of freedom and prosperity is too big to fail. Let's support those young people on Wall Street."
Among other Occupy activities, Kucinich also delivered an empowering letter on October 10 that he wrote to Occupy Cleveland that was read at one of its gatherings, inspiring the group according to their responses, as he highlighted the Occupy cause, its Declaration and mission.
(Watch the video, "A Letter to Occupy Cleveland from Dennis Kucinich," read at Occupy Cleveland, Video Press, on this page, left.)
Friday, emphasizing that the Occupy movement is not about party politics , Kucinich said it is rather "about standing up to a financial system that's completely backwards."
"Wall Street banks get billions in bailouts and emerge with massive profits. Most Americans see a program of austerity in a painful economic climate -- benefit cuts, high unemployment, declining wages, and crumbling infrastructure. Congress moved swiftly to 'save' banks (something I strongly opposed), and now Congress is paralyzed, unable to create jobs and to save our middle class.
"It's no surprise Americans are standing up," he said, as a handful of other Congresspersons have publicly endorsed the Occupy movement.
"We share the anger and frustration of so many Americans who have seen the enormous toll that an unchecked Wall Street has taken on the overwhelming majority of Americans while benefiting the super wealthy,” Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) said in a joint statement reported by The Hill.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (Conn.) also released a statement saying, “The silent masses aren't so silent anymore. They are fighting to give voice to the struggles that everyday Americans are going through.”
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) also released a statement sympathizing with protesters, saying, “I’m so proud to see the Occupy Wall Street movement standing up to this rampant corporate greed and peacefully participating in our democracy.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said, "All of us should join that movement" when she addressed a crowd in Washington for the Take Back the American Dream conference.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has endorsed the movement, boldly stating, “We have the crooks on Wall Street, and I use that word advisedly – don't misquote me, the word is crooks – whose greed, whose recklessness, whose illegal behavior caused this terrible recession with so much suffering.”
“We believe in this country; we love this country; and we will be damned if we're going to see a handful of robber barons control the future of this country."
On the other hand, Presidential Candidate Ron Paul, called by some "the last true statesman," told the Nation Press Club in early October, “I can’t speak for the people out there because I don’t know who they are or exactly what they are demonstrating against."
Paul has also said about the occupiers, after a town-hall meeting in New Hampshire, "If they were demonstrating peacefully, and making a point, and arguing our case, and drawing attention to the Fed — I would say, good!”
Kucinich said about the Occupy movement on CNN on the 17th, "This is what democracy looks like."
"The response has to come from the streets," he said.
"I met with tea party people from the Cleveland area and, frankly, they have a lot in common with the people who were occupying Wall Street around the country. And so what I look for are the commonalities.”
Honest hard-working people are participating in Occupy
In the most recent full statement released by Kucinich endorsing the occupiers, he said, "One percent of Americans now control 42% of our wealth. It's not radical to think this is out of balance or to demand a government that is of the people and for the people."
"I've been to these protests, and I can tell you they're filled with honest, hard working Americans who are concerned with the direction of our country and our economic future."
Kucinich says that he, too is "deeply concerned."
"I'm concerned about an economic system which tethers job creation to China and big banks. We shouldn't have to borrow money from China -- or Japan or South Korea -- to get out of this ditch. We should stop the Fed from giving billions to the big banks. We have to take back the power to manage our own economy, to regain control over our monetary system, consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
A month ago, Kucnich introduced the National Emergency Employment Defense (NEED) Act to put the Federal Reserve under the Department of the Treasury.
He says it would also help recapture control of the U.S. financial system.
"As part of the NEED Act, Congress would use its constitutional power to invest in America, creating millions of jobs by putting billions of dollars directly into circulation," he stated.
"And since this money is adding real, tangible value to our national wealth, it will not generate inflation," he states.
According to Kucinich, the Americans need three things:
- We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people.
- We need to take it back from the big banks.
- We need economic and social justice.
"I will continue to support the Occupy movement. I will continue to fight for legislation, including the NEED Act, that sets America on a path of jobs for all, health care for all, education for all, retirement security for all, and peace."
" Let's keep this movement alive. Let's keep fighting for economic and social justice. Keep occupying Wall Street."
"And, with your help, I'll keep occupying Congress."
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