The 24/7 Occupation of Birmingham’s Financial District has begun.  Right now, the 99% stands outside the towers that house some of the largest consumers of the financial bailout.  They stand there for those of you who cannot make it, but they look forward to meeting those who can join us. You can find us on the corner of 20th St N and 5th Ave N, downtown Birmingham.

The atmosphere was lively tonight with 30+ members of the movement meeting to share experiences and our lives with one another while we relaxed under a pleasant night. Doumbeks and Guitars were filling the air as I walked up to the occupation. I saw some familiar faces from the General Assembly, and shook hands with many of the new faces I have yet to meet.

There were several who kept signs high in the air. The group would cheer loudly with each car horn that blared in support. Our favorites where the workers who would stop their vehicles, snap a photo of the crowd, flash a peace sign, and honk their horn as they drove off. It’s great to feel that kind of support from the people. New faces would appear randomly. One guy stopped to ask for directions, and ended up parking and hanging out with us for a few hours tonight.

By 1 AM, the group reduced to the core who would stay the night, 16 people in total. Some were already getting some sleep, but a group gathered to discuss topics that mattered to them tonight.  The three hours I spent with the occupation allowed me to explain the Glass-Steagall Act, Sarbanes–Oxley Act, and the Dodd-Frank Act to another new face that was interested in how these three acts shape our financial system.  I got to hear from people who were proud that they opened up accounts with Credit Unions this weekend.  We even got to spend time with a couple who just returned from Zuccotti Park and listened to their stories.

Unfortunately, I had to leave the occupation at that point, but I did so refreshed seeing a spectrum of the population that makes up the 99% express their will that we will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.  They do this together, beneath the towers that blaze the names Regions and Wells Fargo, on the corner of 20th and 5th, and begin the first night of the occupation.

NBC13 visited the occupation site and delivered this report:

http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2011/nov/07/protesters-occupy-birmingham-ar-2670038/

CBS 42 had this report:

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Occupy-Birmingham-announces-24-7-protest/RrrqSICTz0ODVzvXmeILyw.cspx

The Occupation of the Birmingham Financial District begins November 7th at 7AM on the corner of 5th Avenue North and 20th Street North.  The occupiers will stand all day and night to express the will of the 99% that we will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.

Support and stand beside them in the morning, afternoon, evening or overnight.  Stop by for a chat and bring a thermos of coffee.  Print out some flyers so the occupiers can hand out information.  Honk your horn when you drive by.  Encouragement comes in many forms, but the best one is when you stand next to them on 5th and 20th.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November…

Here’s video of Fox 6′s coverage of today’s march and activites held at Wells Fargo.

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/15974431/occupy-birmingham-protesters

Great work Birmingham!  Let’s take that energy into the 24/7 occupation of the financial district!

• Do you think it is fair that 1% of Americans receive 25% of all income and control 40% of all wealth?
• Do think it is right that CEO pay has increased by 298% in the last twenty years, while workers pay has only grown by 4%?
• Are you worried about who is funding our elections and influencing our government?
• Do you feel like your voice is being heard in our political system?
• Are you tired of corruption running rampant and rarely stopped or punished?
• Does it bother you that decisions are based more on financial gain than the good of the America as a whole?
• Are you worried about the lack of choices and competition in the market place and ever larger corporations that are “too big to fail”?
• Did you or someone you know take out a mortgage they couldn’t afford and didn’t understand, and are now losing their home?
• Are you bothered that essential Jefferson County services are being axed and sewer rates are climbing, while Wall Street banks raked in as much as $100 million from us in excessive fees on disastrous credit deals?
• What if Alabama’ new immigration law (HB-56) doesn’t save or create jobs, but instead strains education, police and foster care services that are already stretched thin, and costs us millions in legal fees and lost conventions, business and trade?
• Do you live paycheck-to-paycheck and worry that the typical payday loan borrower pays back $793 in fees and interest to the lender, all for the privilege of receiving $325 in cash?
• Are you a student or know a young person who will graduate with massive student loan debt and face diminished job prospects?
• Do you care about the Constitution?
• Are you sick of feeling pessimistic and helpless?
• Are you ready to take a stand and exercise your right to free speech to effect some real change?

4 Things You can do NOW

Join OccupyBirmingham and Its Activities

1. Occupy the Financial District – Daily protest, Monday-Friday, 7am – 6 pm at the corner of 20th St. N. and 5th Ave. S.
2. Marches and Protests – Short demonstrations to support the international occupation movement or specific actions such as National Bank Transfer Day.
3. General Assemblies -  Weekly discussions of issues, plans and actions.
4. Teach-Ins and Film Screenings – Informal discussions or viewing of documentaries on key issues of the occupation movement.

All Events are listed on the Calendar and upcoming events thread of the Forum at. www.occcupybirmingham.org.  Individuals can receive email notices from [email protected] upon request.

Take Individual Action

1. Support local businesses rather than big corporations.  OccupyBirmingham is developing and will periodically publish a “reverse boycott” list of local business that practice the values of the occupy movement.
2. Move your money from a “too big to fail bank” to a credit union or locally-owned bank.
3. Get rid of all your credit cards but one – the kind where you have to pay up at the end of the month or you lose your card.
4. Pay in cash when using local merchants to save them bank processing fees and use your credit card with national chains.
5. Do not invest in the stock market. If you have any extra cash, put it away in a savings account or, if you can, pay down on your mortgage so you can own your home as soon as possible. You can also buy very safe government savings bonds or T-bills.
6. Call and write your government representatives to express your concerns and petition them to address occupy grievances such as wealth inequality, democracy for sale, and criminal corporate greed.
7. Spread the word to your friends, family members and co-workers about the occupy movement and its concerns.

Educate Yourself

1. Learn more about the issues through the teach-ins and film sreenings.
2. Visit occupybirminghameducation.tumblr.com – a changing array of articles and videos.
3. Visit national, on-line occupy news and education sites.

Follow OccupyBirmingham At

1. Website:  www.occcupybirmingham.org
2. Facebook:  facebook.com/occupy.birmingham
3. Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/occupybham or @OccupyBham
4. Education Site:  occupybirminghameducation.tumblr.com
5. Mailing List:  Send an email to [email protected]m with “Subscribe” in the subject line.

This video documents the complaint, the charge made against the group, and their reaction and interactions with the Birmingham Police. Smart Girl, we’re glad to have her voice.

Here is a list of news sites that covered the October 15th March.

Birmingham News – Occupy movement hits Birmingham

ABC 33/40 – Occupy Birmingham protest draws crowd of about 500

ABC News – Occupy Wall Street: Thousands Join the Movement

AL.com – VIEWPOINTS: Joining patriots of Occupy Birmingham

Fox 6 News – The Occupy Wall Street movement spreads to Birmingham

The Birmingham News published an article on al.com that was very favorable regarding the upcoming ”National Bank Transfer Day” Saturday, Nov 5th.

 ”I started this because I felt like many of you do,” Bank Transfer Day organizer Kristen Christian wrote on the page. “I was tired– tired of the fee increases, tired of not being able to access my money when I need to, tired of them using what little money I have to oppress my  brothers & sisters. So I stood up.”

Read more online, Occupy Birmingham asks followers to close accounts at big banks – Birmingham News