Grassroots activism for a just economy go beyond Occupy Wall Street and its offshoots in Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Last week, the "Pay Us Back" movement staged an action in Suncadia, Wash. Here's truthout with the story on Wednesday:
...the Association of Washington Business, the powerful chamber of Washington State businesses, is in the midst of its annual policy summit in the beautiful mountain resort of Suncadia.
There are golf tournaments, wine tastings, a keynote by Gov. Christine Gregoire and seminars such as, "Where Will the Money Come From?" led by Phyllis Campbell, the Northwest regional director of JP Morgan Chase Bank.KPIU covered the action:
But attendees will also have some unexpected visitors. Called the "Showdown at Suncadia," hundreds of homeowners, community leaders, union members, and more from across the state are interrupting this gathering in a series of creative, direct actions to demand that the big banks and corporations pay their fair share to help fix the economy.
Anti-poverty activists tried to crash a meeting of business leaders at a resort in Central Washington. The action – dubbed “Showdown at Suncadia” – happened today as the state’s chamber of commerce held its annual policy summit.
Three SUVs full of activists made it as far as the parking lot of Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum. Stopped by sheriff’s deputies, the group waved signs and aimed their chants at JPMorgan Chase, the multi-national bank that took over failed Washington Mutual.That same day, activists in Seattle shut down an intersection in front of a Chase bank; 11 were arrested. Reports the New Bottom Line,
The actions will launch a broader Wall Street accountability effort in 2012, including ballot initiatives; local, state, and federal legislation; and divestment campaigns and key public moments to hold politicians accountable by asking, "Which side are you on: Wall Street bankers' or American families'?"
Together, we will fight to build an economy that works for all of us. Our bottom line means good jobs, healthy communities and a government that fights for everyday people.
