OCCUPY OLYMPIA 11/28 RALLY NEWS

Mason County Progressive

Excerpts from:
OCCUPY OLYMPIA LOCAL NEWS
By Occupy Olympia Press Staff

3,000 people of Washington State Occupy the Capital,
Occupy Olympia hosts Washington’s first statewide GA

On November 28th, 2011, over 3,000 college professors, teachers, students, labor unions, families, retirees, veterans and citizens from all over the country assembled in solidarity to occupy the Olympia State Capital legislative building.

Washington labor unions that participated include Teamsters, SEIU, IWW, WEA and IBEW among others. Political groups such as the Green Party of Washington and the Thurston County Democratic Society also attended. Professors from Seattle Central Community College, South Puget Sound Community College, The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s College were also present, as well as students from across the state. In addition, advocacy groups such as fuse, MoveOn, Socialist Alternative, and ISO. There was also a presence of occupations from across the state & country including Forks, Bellingham, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Shelton, Federal Way, Seattle, Spokane, Port Angeles, Portland and Wall Street.

The air buzzed with multiple events from the assorted groups present in front of the legislative building. Drumming and dancing emanated from one side while speakers spoke passionately from the foot of the rotunda stairs. A matador stood waving his red cape as performing artists steered a life sized bull back and forth.

The people of Washington State and surrounding areas united inside the legislative building at 6:05 pm and hosted the first Washington State Peoples’ General Assembly. Topics included unification of all Washington State occupations, non-violent protest practices and the proposed budget cuts.

“We now have to take back what we have delegated to governmental decision makers”, said Patty Thoe, a retired social worker from Shelton.

Around 2:00 pm inside the Senate chambers Washington citizens used the Peoples’ Mic to address the two Senators who were present; Senators Frazier and Chase. The Peoples’ Mic announcement included the rising cost of education in Washington State, the Sales Tax increase, the decision to stop funding Basic Health, a proposal to create a state bank modeled after the one created by North Dakota, the divestment of all state funds from private banks to said State Bank, and a revision of the B&O Tax to increase the financial burden on large corporations and decrease the burden on small businesses.

Senator Chase then used the People’s Mic to communicate with the people of Washington State. She repeatedly stated that the only alternatives to the Sales Tax were an income tax and a B&O tax increase. She pleaded repeatedly for the people to call our Senators and Congressmen to back an income tax. She also stated that if there was sufficient support for such an income tax, she would support the measure.

___________________

Occupiers show support for arrested
by blocking Intercity Transit Bus

Four people were arrested and placed on an Intercity Transit bus at the Capital Campus today (11/28/11). This bus was present to potentially be used for the transport of arrested individuals. The occupiers showed support by blocking the bus from leaving. People moved into the street and laid down in the path of the bus. A scuffle ensued as officers picked up occupiers and threw them aside in an attempt to clear a path for the bus. As bodies were removed by police more people moved in to take their place.

Some folks even placed picnic tables in front of the bus. Four people were tazed.

Link to complete articles:
http://occupyolympia.org/occupy-news/local/