User:Ayriannah~enwiki/Stop the Machine

Stop the Machine (October 2011) is to be an ongoing protest starting October 6, 2011, in Freedom Plaza, DC. following many of the same principles of the Occupy Wall Street protest, it will run until the demands (see Issues, below) are met.

Issues

"Fifteen Core Issues the Country Must Face", in order from the official website:

1. Corporatism– firmly establish that money is not speech, corporations are not people, only people have Constitutional rights, end corporate influence over the political process, protect people and the environment from damage by corporations.

2. Wars and Militarism – end wars and occupations, end private for-profit military contractors, reduce the national security state and end the weapons export industry. War crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace must be addressed and those responsible held accountable under international law.

3. Human Rights – end exploitation of people in the US and abroad, end discrimination in all forms, equal civil rights and due process for all people.

4. Worker Rights and jobs – all working-age people have the right to safe, just, non-discriminatory and dignified working conditions, a sustainable living wage, paid leave and economic protection.

5. Government – all processes of the three branches of government should be accountable to international law, transparent and follow the rule of law, people have the right to participate in decisions which affect them.

6. Elections – all citizens 18 and older have the right to vote without barriers, all candidates have the right to be heard and to run and all votes should be counted.

7. Criminal justice and prisons –end private for-profit prisons, adopt evidence-based drug policy, prisoners have the right to humane and just conditions with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society, abolish the death penalty.

8. Healthcare – create a national, universal and publicly financed comprehensive health system.

9. Education – all people have the right to a high quality, publicly-funded and broad education from pre-school through vocational training or university.

10. Housing – all people have the right to affordable and safe housing.

11. Environment – adopt policies which effectively create a carbon-free and radio-active free energy economy.

12. Finance and the economy – end policies which foster a wealth divide and move to a localized and democratic financial system, reform taxes so that they are progressive and provide goods, monetary gain and services for the people.

13. Media – airwaves and the internet are public goods, require that media be honest, accurate and accountable to the people.

14. Food and water – create systems that protect the land and water, create local and sustainable food networks and practices.

15. Transportation – provide affordable, clean and convenient public transportation and safe spaces for pedestrian and non-automobile travel.

The Pledge

protesters are asked to sign an electronic pledge, though it is not required.

"I pledge that if any U.S. troops, contractors, or mercenaries remain in Afghanistan on

Thursday, October 6, 2011, as that occupation goes into its 11th year, I will commit to

being in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., with others on that day or the days

immediately following, for as long as I can, with the intention of making it our Tahrir

Square, Cairo, our Madison, Wisconsin, where we will NONVIOLENTLY resist the

corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza to demand that America's resources be

invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and

exploitation. We can do this together. We will be the beginning."

External links

• official website