The Council of Elders stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street

Elders from Across the Nation Declare

Solidarity with the Occupy Movement

Veterans of America's 20th Century civil rights movement will enter the 21st Century Occupy Wall Street movement in New York, Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles on Sunday, November 20.

Known as the "Council of Elders," they will step inside the nationwide encampments to symbolically share the torch of hope and justice and engage the Occupiers in dialogue about defining movements of the past. "We want to contribute to this intergenerational movement," says Dr. Vincent Harding, activist and writer in the civil rights movement. "We are thankful for the efforts of Occupy Wall Street to unite the 99% and bring the many gifts and great energy of millions into effective action to transform our nation."




The Council of Elders is an independent group of leaders from the farm workers, sanctuary and human rights movements that shook the nation's conscience with public protests over the past 50 years.

"We see Occupy Wall Street as a continuation, a deepening and expansion of the determination of the diverse peoples of our nation to transform our country into a more democratic, equitable, just, and compassionate society," excerpt from the statement of solidarity by the Council of Elders to be read at each of the Occupy encampments.

By bringing their voices to the Occupy Wall Street movement, the elders are addressing a litany of social grievances, including poverty, mass incarceration, and what they call a culture of war and violence. Dolores Huerta, activist with Cesar Chavez and the farm-workers movement, believes today's conditions create bitter divisions among peoples across the United States and throughout the world.

"We applaud the miraculous extent to which the Occupy initiative around the nation has been non-violent and democratic, especially in light of the weight of the systematic violence under which the great majority of people are forced to live," says Rev. James Lawson, leading theoretician, tactician and theologian of the civil rights movement.

The economic crisis which sparked the Occupy Wall Street movement also motivated the veteran protesters. They cite soaring unemployment rates, home foreclosures, and inadequate health care as issues that require public outcries.

The Council of Elders promotes compassion and non-violent action as the highest values to reverse trends that put profits ahead of people in its quest to contribute to the much-needed movement for a more just society and a more peaceful world.

The council members are urging elders from around the nation to join the Occupy Wall Street movement.

In New York City on November 20th, members of the Elder Council will spend time with those encamped at Zuccoti Park, beginning at 2:30 PM. They will lead a worship service in front of the "red structure" within Zuccotti Park at 3:30 pm. Elders will then host a dialogue with Occupy Wall Street demonstrators and other interested individuals at 5pm, at 74 Trinity Place. Both events are open to the public.
Council of Elders Organizing Committee

Rev. James Lawson, Jr.
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Vincent G. Harding
Denver, CO
Rev. Phillip Lawson
San Francisco, CA
Dolores Huerta
Bakersfield, CA
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon
Washington, DC
Dr. Grace Lee Boggs
Detroit, MI,
Dr. Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons
Gainesville, FL
Sister Joan Chittister, OSB
Erie, PA
Marian Wright Edelman
Washington, DC
Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Philadelphia, PA
Rev. Dr. George (Tink) Tinker
Denver, CO
Rev. John Fife
Tucson, AZ
Dr. Mel White
Lynchburg, VA
Rev. Nelson Johnson
Greensboro, NC
Joyce Hobson Johnson

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[susansteinmann7]

Wonderful. I am 67 and was at the March on Washington and the Selma march. As a white rural college student my life was transformed by the Civil Rights movement and it changed my life. I have been waiting for so long to see this kind of community and creativity again. There have been many organizations, but this is truly a movement. God Speed to all the beautiful young people. I hope you get your dreams because your dreams are for everyone. But you will make a better world no matter what.

[margiemsbooks]

amazing and wonderful!!. and of course, this movement stands on the shoulders of the men and women in this video!

[Peter J Basso]

That is great the Council of Elders is in SOLIDARITY with Occupy Wall Street . . .

[JudsonMemorialChurh]

In solidarity from NYC, Channel JudsonMemorialChurch.

[James D. Chamberlain]

If there were going to be a true revolution - it won't look anything like what we are seeing in the streets today. True revolutionaries are disciplined and have intent.

[Brenzvideos]

Much wisdom expressed by all these beautiful elders, especially (for me) Dr Harding who quotes Franz Fanon: "'Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity.'

Is this not a truth?

[beerandbanjo]

Beautiful

[Muhammad Nitrous]

All Support and alove from Egypt to you guys keep it up and never give up whatever happen to you

[eatjones]

Council of elders need to encourage workshops for their apparently ignorant (no offense, just saying) protesters. Teach them how to be more effective and how to protect themselves.

Film the undercover cops and evict ANYONE promoting violence. The movement will be destroyed from the inside of these kids aren't better educated. All I see via video here is herded cattle. Teach these kids to be aware and what to look for.

Also teach them how to deal with gas & spray. Water doesn't work!

[dudevoc]

Oh thank God. We need seniors in this movement- there are so very many issues that effect seniors- these horrible budget cuts just to name one... It warms my heart to see this