Activism for Strong Communities in the Global Economy

The race to the bottom in which we are all pulled down by ever increasing competition in a globalized economy is changing the rules of activism against injustice, exploitation, environmental destruction and immorality. The old maxim “Think Globally, Act Locally” is not only a call to embrace environmentally friendly values but also the marching orders for any society committed to stopping the deterioration of working conditions and living standards. Occupy Atlanta has already evolved towards the early stage of a community model for increased self-sufficiency and ethical exchange. In one single day, the “Friend and Family Day at Occupy AT&T” event reunited the expression of many of these concepts of resistance and community building.

In the middle of March, on a beautiful day, unionized workers from AT&T joined local community activists at the “Occupy AT&T” encampment in Atlanta. Children were welcomed and plenty of activities were offered to entertain them, from face painting, making buttons, playing with musical instruments, to learning how to repair bicycles from the SHIFT Community Bike Shop. Some equipment from the bike shop was brought to the encampment for advanced repairs lessons taught by the shop’s visionary co-founder, Jonah Bautista.

Some of the activists also gathered to spread public awareness and organize resistance against Senate Bill 469, a tyrannical piece of legislation voted at the Georgia Senate to punish protesters as felons. Every Saturday, Daniel Hanley coordinates outreach actions in MARTA trains to inform the public on political and corporate maneuvers affecting all of us in negative ways.

At the end of the afternoon, the Occupy Atlanta daily general assembly was held at “Glen Iris”, another encampment established three months ago to defend a family against foreclosure. The celebratory mood of the day continued with Bill’s barbecue at Glen Iris.