The Occupation of Memphis

We are Occupy Memphis.  We stand with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and all other nonviolent democratic uprisings around the world.

We are here to denounce the control of our government by the 1%.  We the People have a right to govern ourselves; that right has been usurped by corporations, big banks, Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, and the wealthiest 1% of our population.  These elites put profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality.

They say we have a budget crisis, but what we have is a priority crisis.  They say we have a fiscal deficit, but what we have is a deficit of democracy.  They have taken our silence for consent, but no more.

These words begin the first declaration of the occupation of Memphis. Beginning in late September hundreds of people gathered at General Assemblies and started building a movement to challenge the inequality (economic, racial and social) in the United States. Under a rallying cry of "We Are the 99%" the movement began on Sept. 17 as organizers occupied Wall Street. This initial occupation has sparked a movement of hundreds of occupations and solidarity actions around the country and globe.

Starting on October 15 Occupy Memphis has been occupying Civic Center Plaza in Downtown Memphis (map). An outdoor classroom, General Assembly space, food tent, medical station, and information booth have been erected in front of the more than 30 tents of those that sleep overnight. Occupy Memphis is here in solidarity with the actions of Occupy Wall Street, but the movement has become about more than just solidarity with actions in New York. It has become a movement of its own and it needs you. We are all a part of the 99%!

We want to be clear that this is not a project of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. It is bigger than that. It is a movement that all of us lead. But we have been privileged to provide support and resources to the group since its inception. MSPJC staff provide regular trainings on Nonviolent Direct Action, Consensus Facilitation, Peacekeeping, and Community Building at the occupation site.

You can support Occupy Memphis in so many ways. You don't have to spend the night to be a part of this movement. We are you and you are us. We are the 99%!

• Keep up online at OccupyMemphis.org. Tune in to their webcast live from Civic Center Plaza. And join their Facebook group.
• Attend a General Assembly. They take place every Wed. at 7pm, Friday at 9:30pm and Sunday at 3pm in Civic Center Plaza. There are also a number of working group and caususes that you can participate. Check the calendar here to find when they meet.
• Donate to support the cause. Occupy Memphis has a variety of needs outside of financial contribution. To see their needs list go here.

If you are new to the movement we highly recommend watching this Occupy Memphis video "In Our Own Words."