The past week has brought a flurry of excitement, as the Free Cooper Union effort has led to over 50 students, faculty, and staff maintaining a sit-in occupation inside college President Jamshed Bharucha’s office on the 7th floor of the Foundation Building of the Cooper Union.

This occupation comes in response to the decision to begin charging tuition for the first time, ending a 154 year tradition of free education, as well as in the context of the broader unfolding tuition and student debt crisis across the country.

Watch Free Cooper Union on livestream and follow their live-tweets @FreeCooperUnion.

Many Occupy groups have protested outside in solidarity, The Illuminator has projected on the walls, Occupy Museums delivered sushi for dinner.

We stand in solidarity with the students, faculty, and next generation of art students who have lost this amazing gift from Peter Cooper, education which is “free as air and water.”

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

United Against Pipelines Update

This Monday, hundreds of occupiers and climate activists from dozens of groups came together to challenge President Obama on the Keystone XL Pipeline and climate change at large during a fundraiser he was holding with the 1%.

Check out photos of the action on Flickr, watch livestream footage from StopMotionSolo, and join the protest this Thursday of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his promotion of the pipeline.

Occupy in the News

Allison Kilkenny at The Nation covers developments with Free Cooper Union, and Felix Salmon at Reuters chronicles the tragedy of Cooper Union.

PressTV covered Obama being greeted in NY by Occupy protesters.

The Village Voice blog covers DebtFair, an action initiated by Occupy Museums to draw attention to debt and inequality within the art world. “Turn[ing] art fairs and auctions like Frieze New York and Sotheby’s on their heads” the fairs will display art about debt at many populist venues as well as “in front of banks or ‘more arrestable actions’ inside banks...”

At hyperallergic.com, Debtfair’s mission was described as such: “...to predicate compensation [for an artist] on their debt load, allowing patrons to make direct payments on their student loans or outstanding consumer credit. By correlating the value of an artwork with the fiscal situation of its producer, it’s an objection to capitalist exchange...”

The Arts and Labor Working Group, along with various affected unions, has been agitating for changes in the hiring practices of the Frieze New York art fair. Letters were sent out recently asking participants to boycott over Frieze’s unfair use of non-union labor.

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To give you just a taste of what transpired, many Occupiers helped organize and took part in a Free University in Cooper Square Park, outside of Cooper Union, the art school besieged by their greedy and inept Trustees who have decided to charge tuition for the first time since its founding, against the express conditions under which Peter Cooper set up the school. Courses included “Organizing a NYC Student Movement,” “Understanding Basic Economics and Finance,” “Imagining a Student-Worker Run University,” “Climate Debt/Climate Justice,” and “Building a Commons in NYC.”

The OWS Screenprinters Coop were busy at work in Union Square during the May Day rally, screenprinting t-shirts and upcycled materials brought by the public. The design, from the 1968 French student riots - “Beauty is in the Street.”

Want more May Day coverage?

Check out this piece on the Guitarmy with video and songs to play in your community, and read on below!

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

Watch these ‘Vines’ for Visuals of OWS at #MayDayNYC

A taste of OWS May Day activities in Union Square

https://vine.co/v/bQmQLMwFewV

Sandy Survivors and Occupy Sandy leading a chant

https://vine.co/v/bQm0wDV79O9

The People’s Puppets march down Broadway

https://vine.co/v/bQKptAOKiig

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Washington State:

Thousands of people marched about 2 1/2 miles from the Central District toward Seattle's downtown Jackson Federal Building on Wednesday after a May Day rally supporting immigrant rights and labor.

Many carried signs, with messages such as "We are America," and "There are no illegal humans." One sign suggested forgetting about marijuana and instead asking the United States to "Legalize my mom," a reference to Washington's recent legalization of marijuana.

The crowd chanted "Si se peude," Spanish for "Yes, we can," and a rallying cry for the United Farm Workers. Many wore bright purple, red or orange shirts, identifying them with their unions.

Also in Seattle, a May Day protester says a motorcycle cop ran over his bicycle. Also a look at May Day in Olympia, Washington.

It's May Day in Berlin! Hundreds of thousands of people were on the streets of Berlin all day on Wednesday, celebrating May Day. There were no cars, no traffic, no people at work, only people dancing, kissing, drinking and enjoying life. At least until the May Day march entered the banking district...

Clashes took place in Berlin during May Day protests. Part of the demonstrators broke the glass of Sparkasse Bank in central Berlin. Earlier on masked youth through bottles and other objects towards police vans and police officers. As a result the police came closer to the protest and accompanied them until the march ended.

Vermont:

Over 1500 people from across the state of Vermont came together on this day in historic show of unity, to say that the people of Vermont want a state that "PUT PEOPLE FIRST."

Dozens of organizations and communities united to hold the annual May Day march and a day of action in front of the State House.

Some of the sights and sounds of May Day 2013 at Union Square Park in NYC, just a fun day in the sun celebrating workers, unions...

Turkey: Clashes have erupted in Istanbul as 20,000 police attempted to cordon off Taksim Square.

Protesters are attempting to defy a government ban on May Day celebrations in the square.

Having allowed labour day gatherings for the last three years, the Turkish authorities did not grant permission due to safety concerns. The central square is undergoing major renovation. All transport to the area was canceled.

Amsterdam: May Day protesters march through the center of Amsterdam.

More video and updates on May Day 2013 to come...

It's May Day, and Occupy Wall Street will be acting in force across New York City.

Join us on this day of celebration and agitation for the struggles of workers the world over. As the May Day music video "We Stand For Justice" depicts.

"We stand for justice. We know what it feels like. We stand together, for justice we will fight!"

Indeed, the most important way you can show your support is by joining us in the streets on May Day. But we also need financial and material resources to spread the word and to support actions.

Please donate today to support OWS May Day 2013 activities.

Then tomorrow, stand together with us and fight for justice for the 99%!

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

May Day NYC

See the full May Day NYC schedule, as well as specifics on the events below:

all day: The People’s Puppets

We begin the day early in 2 groups: Uptown (meeting in Bryant Park at 10am) and Downtown (meeting in Union Sq at 11am). After marching with different groups, we’ll meet back at Union Square for more performances, especially game time at 4pm!

11am- 230: Free University @ Cooper Union

The Free University of NYC invites neighborhood organizations, schools, unions, spiritual centers, and other community education-oriented groups to create your own Free Universities this May 1st. The impetus behind this May Day call to education is to encourage local communities to host your own gatherings of free education to ensure they’re directly relevant and empowering on a ground level.

noon: Immigrant Worker Justice Tour @ Bryant Park

Join immigrants and workers this May Day as we highlight the daily struggles facing immigrants and workers in New York City. We will visit several workplaces in midtown to demand an end to exploitation of immigrant workers, ending at Schumer's office for a speak-out on what real immigration reform looks like.

2:30: #99PKTS Solidarity Swarm @ Union Square

Join 99 Pickets, the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, and allies as we march on employers around Union Square to demand fair pay and justice for all workers. We'll be visiting the offices of Frieze Art Fair to call for a fairer art world, Wendy's to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Travel Channel to support members of the Writers Guild. Gather at 2:30pm in the NE corner of Union Square; we'll leave at 3pm. Look for Rude Mechanical Orchestra!

3:30: Everybody Now! Sing along @ Union Square

Everybody Now! is a choir that you join as soon as you start to sing (or whisper or hum). On May Day, we will be sharing this song, "We Stand For Justice", at the beginning of the rally at Union Square, and we would love to you to lift your voice and sing with us! Our goal is to make it as resonant and contagious as possible - ideally everyone at the rally will feel empowered and excited to sing along! Listen to a demo of the song and meet us at the SE corner of Union Square (14th St between Broadway and Lafayette, right across from the Duane Reade) AND THEN SING WITH US IN THE RALLY AT 4 PM!!

4pm: Unified Rally for Immigrant & Worker Rights @ Union Square

Joint rally with the May 1st Coalition; the Alliance for Labor Rights, Immigrant Rights and Jobs for All; immigrant rights groups; and Occupy Wall Street. The rally will be a mix of speakers and entertainment drawing attention to the struggles and victories of labor unions, workers, immigrants and the 99%. Followed by a march down Broadway to City Hall.

7pm: May Day People’s Assembly @ Foley Square

This Assembly will be the first in a series of monthly People's Assemblies that will take place on the first Wednesday of each month. What do we have in common, how do our experiences vary, and what can we build together? As the march ends, gather in Foley Square starting at 7pm. We will split into multiple groups based on the struggles, campaigns and people present.

7:30: Occu-Evolve Kimani Grey Assembly @ Zucotti Park

Emphasis on current labor struggles, ending Police Murder and Brutality, stop & frisk, mass incarceration and the War on Black and Brown People, justice for victims of Hurricane Sandy and building Occupy Wall Street to truly reflect and fight for all of the people in New York City.

9pm: Dance Your Debt Away @ Washington Square Park

A party to end the day!

Learn more about the plethora of events and actions happening all day at http://maydaynyc.org/schedule/.

Via Occupy Wall Street:

Schedule of Events:

10:00am - 10:30am: Occu-Evolve Speakout Against Law Day @ NYU

10:30am - 11:00am: Young Workers: March with TWU! @ Bryant Park

11:00am - 2:30pm: Free University @ Copper Union

12:00pm - 2:00pm: Immigrant Worker Justice Tour

12:00pm - 4:00pm: May 1 Coalition Activities @ Union Square

12:00pm - 2:00pm: Occupy to Save the People's Post Office @ Washington Square Park

1:00pm - (?): Anti-Capitalist March @ Tompkins Square

2:30pm - 4:00pm: 99 Pickets Solidarity Swarm @ Union Square

3:00pm - 4:00pm: Citywide Student Convergence @ Peter Cooper Park

3:00pm - 5:00pm: Resistance Is Fertile: Love Bomb Seed Bombs

4:00pm - 5:30pm: Unified Rally for Immigrant Rights & Worker Rights @ Union Square

5:15pm - 7:00pm: Unified March for Immigrant & Worker Rights

6:00pm - 7:30pm: Rally for Labor & Citizen's Rights @ City Hall

7:00pm - 8:30pm: May Day People's Assembly / Asamblea del Pueblo del 1ero de Mayo @ Foley Square

7:30pm - 8:30pm: Occu-Evolve Kimani Gray Memorial Assembly @ Zuccotti Park

Additional Info:

http://maydaynyc.org/
http://occuevolve.com/upcoming-actions/
http://occupyguitarmy.tumblr.com/post/48872398039/may-day-schedule
http://may1.info/
https://www.facebook.com/events/448314865245294/
http://maydaynyc.tumblr.com/
http://actionresourcefund.org/

Our May Day NYC demonstrations and events are coming up on May 1st!

Check out details on all the ways to get involved, such as the schedule of the day and how to support OWS May Day activities financially.

You can also RSVP on Facebook to Occupy May Day NYC 2013, and peruse the litany of Facebook pages for specific May Day actions, including: The NYC Student May Day Convergence, the Immigrant Worker Justice Tour, the People’s Puppets Celebration of May Day, the Occupy May Day Guitarmy, the May Day Rally for Worker and Immigrant Rights, as well as the May Day People’s Assembly and the Kimani Gray Memorial City-Wide Assembly.

Hope to see you there:

http://maydaynyc.org/

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

Occupy in the News

OWS Alternative Banking picketed Citigroup’s Annual Shareholders meeting. Read their rationale for ‘Why Occupy the Citi?’ on the Alternative Banking NYCGA.net blog.

Check out the organizer guide on InterOccupy.net to help anyone organize and plan actions this spring, put together by Occupy The Economy in collaboration with the upcoming Occupy Love film.

Reported in Forbes, SEC commissioner Luis Aguilar thinks that investors should be able to sue their investment advisors: “In light of the SEC’s actions to shut out investors’ voices...it is now more important than ever that defrauded investors have the ability to seek redress against those who participate in defrauding them.”

Continue reading »

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rachel Maddow reports on Occupy Wall Street's The Illuminator and the Light Brigade's messages to Boston.

May Day 2013 is fast approaching. This is a day to celebrate and further the struggles of the 99% by coming together to support immigrant and worker struggles, and fight the injustices of the 1%.

Learn more about the plethora of May Day events and actions in store:

http://maydaynyc.org/

Occupiers took part in May Day en masse last year, and it was quite an amazing occasion. Check out our media roundup from last May Day for a reminder, and get ready!

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

Featured Occu-Project

This week, NYC’s own beloved Illuminator, the “spectacularization machine” and mobile instrument of dialogue and inspiration, found its services in extreme demand. Back in use after a contentious custody dispute, as well as after being targeted by the Intelligence Division of the NYPD for lighting up Mayor Bloomberg’s home, the Illuminator joined other members of the Light Brigade coast to coast to project their dissatisfaction with corporate tax dodgers on banks and overpasses across the country. Here’s the OWS Light Brigade on Twitter.

The amazing folks who were responsible for illuminating the foul recesses of tax dodging corporations this week also took it into their hands to make manifest what all of New York City was feeling about our sister city, Boston. In a moving series of light projections, they sent our love and thoughts to our neighbor. NYC does indeed love Boston!

Occupy in the News

The ‘Brooklyn loves Boston’ projections received major media coverage, including theatlanticwire.com, thehuffingtonpost.com, The Rachel Maddow Show and Today.

Occupywallstreet.net covers the national network of Light Brigades and their actions leading up to tax day.

Check out the fantastic footage of the Tax Evaders game projected on banks across the country.

Watch video and analyis on OccupyWallStreet.net of an interesting and timely panel discussion on how to create and share videos of great activism from the recent Organizing NY conference. A diverse group of Occupy media makers took part, discussing topics such as the attributes of an engaging and “hyper-shareable” video, what you need to know to avoid problems while filming at actions, as well as a how disseminating media is activism in and of itself.

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The Illuminator returned to Wall Street earlier this week, and just in time for tax season. To celebrate the occasion, occupiers went and projected a Wii-mote controlled videogame where the player fights greedy corporate tax evaders on the wall of one such greedy corporate tax evader, Citibank.

A good time was had by all, and there are many more actions planned for the days ahead. Stay tuned!

Occupy This Album: A compilation of music by, for and inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and the 99% was nominated for "Best Compilation Album" by Independent Music Awards.

The album features fan favorites and never before released tracks from Ani DiFranco, Willie Nelson, Yoko Ono, Mogwai , Warren Haynes, Joan Baez, Steve Earle, James McMurtry, Lucinda Williams, Tom Chapin, Immortal Technique, Our Lady Peace, Thievery Corporation, Toots and The Maytals, Tom Morello, Third Eye Blind, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Jackson Browne , Yo La Tengo, Rain Phoenix, Patti Smith, Anti Flag, Garland Jeffreys, Amanda Palmer, Dar Williams, The Mammals Featuring Pete Seeger, David Amram, Arlo Guthrie and Family, Matt Pless, Fear Nuttin Band, Filmmaker Michael Moore, and More.

Music For Occupy's debut release "Occupy This Album" joins more than 300 exceptional self-released and independent label releases, artists, as well as former major label acts named by Music Resource Group as nominees in The 12th Independent Music Awards, the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

"Occupy This Album" is nominated among an eclectic mix of established artists and artists on the rise including Ben Kweller, Band Of Skulls, Bright Eyes, Langhorne Slim & The Law, Omar Sosa, Killer Mike, Paper Lions, Sarah Cheng-De Winne and The Congregation, among many other deserving artists whose recordings were released during the 12th IMA program eligibility period.

There are two ways the album can win: the judges will pick one winner, and the fans will pick one winner. So if you enjoyed this music, get registered and cast your vote. Then spread the word. Voting is open until Friday, July 19, 2013.

For more information visit: www.MusicForOccupy.org or www.facebook.com/musicforoccupy.

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming” -- Pablo Neruda.

Spring is here and the diverse tribes of occupy are on the march. We're excited about some trends that have been accelerating over the winter: the move towards strategic planning and high impact campaigns. The OWS Strategic Action Labs is in the middle of a planned series of trainings that follow a coherent sequence, starting with goals, researching opponents, choosing targets, and making it clear up front what victory looks like.

Meanwhile, core occupy infrastructure such as InterOccupy.net, NYCGA.net, as well as various websites, blogs and social media accounts retain their power to mobilize. The next eruption of people power on Wall Street might not even carry our branding, but it will build on our experience.

This Spring we are witnessing some high profile victories: small donor empowerment in New York, important gun control legislation in Connecticut, immigration reform passed in Congress, and the historic rise of fast food worker organizing in our city. None of these are perfect, but all of them represent opportunities for building power for the 99%.

Spring is here. We can't afford to waste it.

-- from the ‘Your Inbox: Occupied’ team

Report from Strike Debt

“Medical debt is a symptom. The disease is our for-profit health care system.”

Watch a short animation illustrating the problems with for-profit medical care and follow up by reading Strike Debt’s brand new, in-depth report on for-profit health care and medical debt (or read here) and the ways the system hurts us financially and physically.

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