We couldn't print this paper if there weren't a lot of radicals in the Hudson Valley. Unfortunately, before now, many were either working in separate organizations without much contact, or were disillusioned with activism completely. However, all this changed with the advent of Occupy Poughkeepsie, which, like other local branches of the Occupy movement around the country, reinvigorated local opposition to the policies and politicians of capitalism, war, and inequality.
At an Occupy Poughkeepsie meeting on June 15th, members of Dutchess Peace, the International Socialist Organization, and WVKR's Activist Radio worked together to move the movement forward.
One of the top objectives of Occupy Poughkeepsie today is to stop home foreclosures in the city. The Foreclosure Working Group of Occupy Poughkeepsie has been working for weeks towards this goal. Thanks to this Working Group and to the work of Occupy Poughkeepsie as a whole, a march against foreclosure and the occupation of a vacant building is set to take place on June 23rd! This will be a major event and the kick-off of a serious campaign of foreclosure defense in Poughkeepsie, and eventually, in the Hudson Valley at large.
Speakers fresh out of a foreclosure defense conference in New York City spoke about the "shield and sword" strategy of foreclosure defense. Basically, the shield is organizing an legal defense against foreclosure intended to stop or stall the process. This is designed to have an impact on the individual level, and often is successful in stopping the bank from foreclosing on an individual or family's home then and there. If the "shield" is not enough to stop the foreclosure, there is the "sword", which is essentially the mobilization of the community in defense of the homeowner. To put pressure on a bank to stop a foreclosure, Occupy Poughkeepsie would organize rallies and marches. If this is still not enough, a third defense would be a community fundraising campaign to help the individual or family affected by foreclosure buy back their home.
However, none of this is possible without the mass mobilization of citizens in the Hudson Valley. Regardless of whether or not you live in Poughkeepsie, your participation in the march on the 23rd is crucial. This is the beginning of a campaign which holds the potential of having a huge impact on the community we live in.
Fight the bankers!
Defend the people!
Meet June 23rd, 2012 at 11:00 AM @ Family Partnership Center, 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie NY
Occupy Poughkeepsie
Occupy Poughkeepsie Facebook
Read more articles from the June 16-23 edition of The Hudson Valley Radical
At an Occupy Poughkeepsie meeting on June 15th, members of Dutchess Peace, the International Socialist Organization, and WVKR's Activist Radio worked together to move the movement forward.
One of the top objectives of Occupy Poughkeepsie today is to stop home foreclosures in the city. The Foreclosure Working Group of Occupy Poughkeepsie has been working for weeks towards this goal. Thanks to this Working Group and to the work of Occupy Poughkeepsie as a whole, a march against foreclosure and the occupation of a vacant building is set to take place on June 23rd! This will be a major event and the kick-off of a serious campaign of foreclosure defense in Poughkeepsie, and eventually, in the Hudson Valley at large.
Speakers fresh out of a foreclosure defense conference in New York City spoke about the "shield and sword" strategy of foreclosure defense. Basically, the shield is organizing an legal defense against foreclosure intended to stop or stall the process. This is designed to have an impact on the individual level, and often is successful in stopping the bank from foreclosing on an individual or family's home then and there. If the "shield" is not enough to stop the foreclosure, there is the "sword", which is essentially the mobilization of the community in defense of the homeowner. To put pressure on a bank to stop a foreclosure, Occupy Poughkeepsie would organize rallies and marches. If this is still not enough, a third defense would be a community fundraising campaign to help the individual or family affected by foreclosure buy back their home.
However, none of this is possible without the mass mobilization of citizens in the Hudson Valley. Regardless of whether or not you live in Poughkeepsie, your participation in the march on the 23rd is crucial. This is the beginning of a campaign which holds the potential of having a huge impact on the community we live in.
Fight the bankers!
Defend the people!
Meet June 23rd, 2012 at 11:00 AM @ Family Partnership Center, 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie NY
Occupy Poughkeepsie
Occupy Poughkeepsie Facebook
Read more articles from the June 16-23 edition of The Hudson Valley Radical
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