Saturday, December 10, 2011

Occupy San Diego Growing Stronger Everyday

No matter how much the SDPD officers harass, intimidate and discriminate against us, we are still here. We are not leaving and we are growing stronger everyday. We are alive and have full support of labor unions in the San Diego area. Our strength is built on solidarity. We will learn how to fight and win this battle against the 1% parasites, that prey on the weak and vulnerable.

Today at Occupy San Diego we met in front of the Social Security building on Front st. and Ash. at noon. About 80 protesters gathered to listen to speakers from various unions and a young man named Raul who is confined to a wheel chair with muscular dystrophy. Avery Worth a social worker talked about how the last three years has been hell for many Americans. They cannot find jobs and are losing their homes. I am one of the lucky ones, but I don't feel like it. Mr. Worth spoke about how his regular case load is 14 people, but due to cuts it is now 22. The constant stress is causing heart attacks and strokes.

Sarah from Untied Taxi Cab Workers gave on overview of the Taxi Cab Drivers life. There are over 2,000 taxi cab drivers in San Diego who came here from Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia. In their home countries they were Doctors, Journalists and people who have educations. They work 12-16 hours a day with no health benefits. They are hired as independent contractors and cannot unionize. They make an average of $5 an hour, working one of the most dangerous jobs in the city. Last month two drivers were killed and they daily deal with abuse from the public and police. The San Diego Taxi Drivers are the invisible force of the San Diego transit system. Everyday they are silenced by the SDPD and ticketed for minor infractions. They came to America to live a better life and found out it is hell!

A young man, Raul, confined to a wheelchair could not speak, but we heard an automated version of his voice and his message to Occupy San Diego. Raul and his family have been battling the state of California. Raul needs 24/7 nursing care. The state has different levels of care, the highest being acute. But that's not what Raul was given. The state claimed he was a sub-acute patient and did not require all that an acute patient deserves. If you saw this young man, you would be disgusted by this diagnosis. Raul is provided with $75,000 a year for care, per the system. He is in debt and has no way to pay this back. Raul knows about obstacles and he feels the police are treating Occupy San Diego protesters like they are the drug cartel. He says he pities the officers, because their are afraid of what they see evolving. Raul closed with "Fight For Me." Yes Raul we will fight for you and others like you.

Benjamin Franklin said: The pen is mightier than the sword.

Myrtle from Untied Domestic Workers talked about Home Care Providers Union. There are 22,000 Home Care Workers in San Diego. 65,000 workers in California who care for people. These are people that love, care, respect and provide dignity to the elderly and others. Devastating cuts $100 million to be exact have hit these people. The bring home $9.50 an hour. Presently the board of supervisors in San Diego have turned a blind eye and deaf ears to these workers and a contract that expires at the end of 2011. The union has asked for small increase in salary, but the board of supervisors said No!  It is time to conduct this board and occupy their emails and phone lines.

District 1: Greg Cox  619-531-5511  greg.cox@sdcounty.gov.ca

District 2: Dianne Jacob  619-531-5522   dianne.jacob@sdcounty.gov.ca

District 3: Pam Slater-Price  619-531-5533  pam.slater@sdcounty.gov.ca

District 4: Ron Roberts   619-531-5544   ron.roberts@sdcounty.gov.ca

District 5: Bill Horn   619-531-5555   bill.horn@sdcounty.gov.ca

The last person who spoke this afternoon was a lady named Virginia. She started to talk about the KUSI News truck parked across the street and how KUSI pimps media, for their clown Carl DeMaio. Virginia talked about how corporate America does not like Social Security. She said it is not a gift, we pay for it. Virginia told the audience the biggest gamble in the world is Wall Street. She has been in jail 3 times and never convicted. She will not sit down and shut up. Virginia gave one last blast to KUSI stop pimping for Carl DeMaio.

The speeches ended and we all went to the streets with our signs and voices chanting We R The 99%, We R The 99%. Banks got bailed out, we got sold out. Banks got bailed out, we got sold out. Whose streets our streets. Whose streets, our streets. We marched down Front st to Broadway and turned left. We then proceeded to 5th st and took a left and marched by our favorite banks, BofA, Wells Fargo, and Union Bank and then back to Freedom Plaza. It was an afternoon full of vibrant energy and convictions of passion that what we intend to accomplish will be done. We are the 99% and we are powerful! Expect us!