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Please put new Message Statements in a new topic using the Discussion Tab above. Below an earlier version of the Message Statement under discussion 10/31/11.

OWS-Boston: Statement of Occupation

Today the United States is confronted by a toxic mix of financial, social, and environmental catastrophes that demand a thorough and immediate clean-up. The common root of this disaster is the domination of our social, economic, and political lives by the interests of the wealthy elite. Because the actions of the elite threaten our lives, the lives of all the Earth’s creatures, our livelihoods, our liberty, our human values, and our common future, We, the General Assembly of Occupy Boston have abandoned the usual channels of democratic action. The corrupt order amidst which we live demands a profound, collective response. Occupy Boston is that response.

Because, the problems of economic inequality, unemployment, and crushing debt, are all symptomatic of the larger corrupting influence money has on our political and social lives,

Because, this influence impedes progress toward a more just and sustainable society, perpetuates crisis and war at home and perverts democratic action,

Because, the pursuit of this agenda has an even more devastating effect on the more vulnerable and less empowered members of our community as well as on the ecosystems upon which our species depends,

Because, those pursuing this agenda also own or control, directly or indirectly, the media and legal apparatus:

We have retaken the commons and resurrected democracy.

Be it resolved that we, the General Assembly of Occupy Boston, acting in solidarity with occupations across America and with peoples' movements worldwide, do hereby declare our opposition to all systems of power that function to maintain oppressive and undemocratic systems. We declare that a better world is possible, and that it is our right and responsibility to begin creating it.

Mission Statement: Our mission is to give birth to a just and compassionate body politic that will tread lightly upon the Earth.

Our mission will be accomplished when these goals are met: 1. The US has a sustainable peace time economy. 2. The voices of the 99% are heard and acted upon. 3. All the Earth’s ecosystems are healthy. 4. In allocating resources, the US government priorities the needs of the 99% who are not wealthy.

We ask that all elected officials pledge to support these objectives and methods:

5. The immediate creation of a National Single Payer Non-Profit Healthcare System 6. The End of Corporate Personhood. 7. The implementation of a “cradle to grave” social safety net. 8. To end the assault on workers' rights and repeal of all anti-union laws. 9. To support the end of institutionalized racism, sexism, homophobia and attacks on immigrants. 10. To end the current war 11. To vow to not engage in war. 12. To facilitate the creation of a new tax code, written from scratch, that supports our goals 13. To pass the Obama jobs bill. 14. To extend the public education system through all levels. 15. To direct government spending away from the military and towards social programs. 16. To convene a Constitutional Convention to implement Proportional Representation 17. To Crowd Source Public Policy 18. To Make Restitution for Damages 19. To Create a Trusteeship of the Commons