A Draft Declaration of Demands for the Occupy Movement

We the people of the Occupy movement state the following obvious truths, that we are all equal under the law, that as humans we have certain rights that are incorporated into our very being. Among these are the right to live, the right to be free from restriction of movement, the right to speak freely and the right to pursue what ever it is that we believe will add to our happiness as long as it does not harm others. We here and now affirm that because of these rights governments derive their permission to govern from the people, and that people to protect these rights create governments.
 When any form of government acts against these rights it is the privilege of the people to change their government to a new government that affirms the commitment to preserving these basic rights.

For practical reasons government that satisfies these responsibilities should not be changed for fleeting reasons. However, it is up to us, the people to decide what reasons are weighty enough to warrant change. As our history has shown us, people are more apt to tolerate distress as long as the distress is not too great. We are more apt to go on suffering rather than change the things to which we have become accustomed. But when we suffer many abuses and face a callous disregard of our rights, all designed to subjugate us under the rule of the wealthiest 1%, it is our right, in fact it is our duty, to throw off that government and make provision for a new government that is committed to protecting our freedoms and liberties.

The present leadership of our country has allowed many times for our rights to be curtailed. It has even violated our rights to freedom of assembly. It is apparent that they are working their way towards a kind of despotism after having removed all of our rights and prosperity. We have awakened to the realization that we live under a tyranny of the few. With this awakening we have also realized that it is time for us to change our current system of government and what we want is a political system based on genuine democracy and social justice.

To this end we demand:

1. That specific and effective rules be passed to eliminate the influence of corporations, personal financiers, banks and brokerage houses over elected and unelected officials everywhere in all government. Specifically, that contributions of money, favors of any kind, and promises of employment after leaving office be made strictly illegal. That contributions of any kind, either delivered directly to politicians, or delivered through lobbyists, or made through contributions to campaigns or made through pledges of employment of staff or family also be illegal.

   

2. That the government enact legislation that reverses the effects of the “Citizens United” supreme court decision

   

3. That congress pass the “Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2011” (HR 1489) and restore the spirit of the Glass-Steagall Act

   

4. The elimination of the “Personhood” legal status for corporations

   

5. That the government enact a taxation policy that does not over burden the majority of citizens and looks to the very wealthy to contribute more for the greater good of the nation

   

6. That appropriate Federal agencies fully investigate and prosecute the “Wall Street” actors for crimes leading to the current financial crisis

   

7. That “Flash Trading” be outlawed and the “casino” aspects of business investing currently practiced on “Wall Street” be terminated

   

8. That the practice of private banks owning shares in the 12 Federal Reserve Banks be ended

   

9. That public college attendance be free

   

10. That healthcare be nationalized and available to all citizens

   

11. That environmental laws be strengthened to guarantee a clean, undamaged environment to future generations

   

12. That the Patriot Act be repealed

   

13. That the attacks of 9-11-2001 be vigorously investigated again

We, the people of Occupy Wall Street, assembled here in Zuccotti Park, and in the other Occupy demonstrations being held in cities across our great nation, and the like-minded people, otherwise known as the 99%, in their homes and on the streets all over the United States, and Occupy movements being held in parks and streets around the world do solemnly declare our solidarity in the support of this declaration and its demands to which we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.