The 'Occupy' demonstrations started in early October, 2011 on Wall Street but it became immediately evident that New Yorkers are not alone in their frustrations. The rallies, driven largely by social networking, have since spread throughout Europe and many other countries, with unions and community groups adding their voices to the outcry.
Just a few of the major issues that Occupy protesters have targeted world-wide include:
* The greed of banks and big businesses
* Government approaches and $ cut-backs
* Crippled economies and, in turn, job losses
* Overwhelming loans/debt, and
* Soaring health-care costs.
The protesters' demands centre around the concept of 'fairness for all' and, to achieve success, will require major reforms to the way many of the world's economies, banks and big businesses are structured and regulated. Wikileaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange made a speech at the 'Occupy London' protests. “This movement is not about the destruction of law, but the construction of law,” he said.
Occupy in Second Life
Not to be outdone, we have a growing Occupy movement in Second Life! Merriam Galaxy (pictured far right above) is one of the key SL organisers. She's working collaboratively with SL residents to establish 'Occupy SL' group guidelines, protocols, messages and actions.
Feel free to visit Occupy in SL, find out more about it on the OccupySL Face Book page, or take a look at the more humorous side of things at SL's Occupy Forums, found here.
What's next?
No one can be sure what these rallies will achieve or how long they will last, but it is clear that people have had enough. One would hope that the voices of so many are making some powerful suits sit up and take notice. Emotions are justifiably running hot but I'd hate to see the protests deteriorate into mass riots across the world. My small voice asks for vigilance along with peace and calm. At least in SL no one can be physically harmed!
I'm watching this one with interest. What are your thoughts?