Protesters shut down Washington DC lobbying firms

[TBF]

Once again we turn to Europe for reporting of resistance in our country - this is the first I've seen of this story. Excellent idea to obstruct the lobbyists. Back when I did legal support in Washington I saw the process in action. One way corporations can sway the government is through these lobbyists. The lobbying firms (and/or associations) hire lawyers to write suggested legislation and send it to folks on the hill. This used to involve running things back and forth manually - but may well be done electronically now. Turning the spotlight on these folks and explaining how they work is important.


World Protesters shut down Washington DC lobbying firms
Thursday 08 December 2011
by Our Foreign Desk

Police arrested more than 60 people in Washington on Wednesday for shutting down the heart of the US corporate lobbying industry as part of a week-long union-backed campaign.

Over 1,000 protesters, including hundreds of trade unionists, unemployed people and clergy, staged the sit-in on rain-sodden K Street at midday to highlight the corrupting influence of big capital on the political process.

They chanted: "We Are The 99 per cent" and waved union banners and placards reading: "Democracy is not for sale."

Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents health and public-sector workers, are playing a leading role in the Take Back the Capitol campaign, which aims to remind members of Congress that they are meant to represent ordinary US citizens, not huge corporations.

"No amount of rain can faze those battered by the storm of economic injustice and corporate greed," the SEIU declared as protesters shut down K Street.

Police threatened to arrest the protesters for obstruction. They moved in when hundreds stayed put and officers hauled 62 into waiting police vans.

<snip>

Read entire article here: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/content/view/full/112915

[elleng]

1. I think the premise/OP is an overstatement.

There was a mess on K Street, a main DC thorofare, but firms not shut down; normal commerce was hampered, meaning workers/employees had trouble getting to work from home, and to home from work.

Better idea to target particular lobbying firms in the future.

This was discussed on DU2.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5083530

[TBF]

2. Thanks for the link - I haven't been reading as much on DU2 the past few days -

occupying over here

Protesting is often inconvenient for the status quo - that is sort of the point. I can understand the point about 99%'ers trying to get to work, but I would also ask for some solidarity. Personally I won't cross a picket line but I guess that view isn't so common in this country anymore.

Not that everything OWS does is perfect - disrupting the tv show in particular seemed a little over the top.

[socialist_n_TN]

3. Yeah I saw the threads in DU2..........

And I agree with you about the "inconvienient" argument against. Screw it. It's SUPPOSED to be inconvienient for those soulless Mammon worshippers. AND their employees.