Arrests and Creative Nonviolent Actions at Atlanta's TPP Negotiations

As the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks unfold in Atlanta in an effort to finalize the pro-corporate deal, the quickly formed Atlanta #StopTPP Coalition, which includes American Friends Service Committee has come together to organize a number of rolling nonviolent actions to make it clear that the anti-democratic trade deal is not in the best interest of regular everyday people around the globe. The citizens in Atlanta and the global community have continued to nonviolently resist the agreement. We won’t stand for a wholesale auction of our rights, our freedoms and our democracy to multinational corporations who put profits over people.

Community members and concerned citizens from labor, faith, youth, senior, environment, LGBT, and others are coming together and inviting all within our United States and the global community to draw a line in the sand in Atlanta and to demand that the TPP shall not pass!

The Atlanta and global community will not stand for the TPP corrupting our democracy and eliminating our rights by putting corporations such as Walmart, Chevron, Cargill, and McDonalds in greater control of our daily lives leading us into a global race to the bottom. The undemocratic and secretive TPP would threaten good jobs, public services, access to affordable life-saving medicines, the environment and our climate, consumer health and safety and much more in our communities across the world.

Yesterday, during the TPP negotiations, cancer patient Zahara Heckscher was arrested after disrupting the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in a protest aimed at maintaining access to affordable cancer medicines in the 12 countries affected by the trade treaty.

Heckscher, in a t-shirt reading "I HAVE CANCER. I CAN'T WAIT 8 YEARS", and holding an IV pole that read "TPP: Don' t Cut My IV,” refused to leave the Westin Hotel, the site of the negotiations between U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and the other TPP trade ministers. She demanded that they show her the secret TPP text to verify for herself and other people living with cancer around the globe that TPP would not include a "death sentence clause," the text of the U.S. proposal to extend de facto monopolies on biological medicines by up to 8 years.

Heckscher, a seven-year breast cancer survivor, calls herself a cancer thriver. She has been treated by biologicals including trastuzumab (Hercepin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta). She is currently undergoing chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial, and continues on denosumab (Xgeva) treatment as well.

According to Heckscher, "For thousands of women to die unnecessarily of breast cancer because of the TPP is a horrible, cruel, premeditated, and avoidable catastrophe. The provisions being decided by TPP ministers today could allow drug monopolies on biologics for 8 years. Some of these medicines cost up to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year."

"When you have breast cancer today, you can’t wait 8 years or 7 years or 6 years for a treatment to become available or affordable. When you have cancer, even a one-year delay in affordable medicine can be a death sentence. That is why we call this proposed provision of the TPP a 'death sentence clause.' If it passes, thousands of women like me will die waiting."

As the day progressed there were dozens of creative actions including a disruption of a TPP reception hosted by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the use of high powered projection devices to project images on the hotel negotiations are taking place in.

Today community members disrupted the lobby chanting, "Stop TPP, no corporate greed" as longtime human rights activist Daniel Hanely attached himself to a railing on the floor that negotiations were happening. Daniel was eventually arrested and is still incarcerated. Daniel made sure that these trade negotiators got the message that the people across the world absolutely will not stand for these corporate dominated trade deals. Daniel took a big risk today, and his bail is likely to be high, please consider contributing and sharing his to his bail fund by clicking here.

Today at 5pm hundreds of Atlantans will gather at Woodruff Park and march to the Westin where the negotiations are happening. Can we count on you to join?

National Urban Congress

The day after the annual Bank of America shareholders meeting around a dozen of us Atlanta folks stuck around to participate in a national urban summit to address the unprecedented housing crisis. Occupy Our Homes, Atlanta(OOHA), which AFSC has put a lot of time and energy supporting, was a front and center group at the Congress. The event was organized by the Unity Coalition which is a grouping of several national coalitions including Right to the City, and Jobs With Justice.

OOHA had an opportunity to present their home defense/community building model to hundreds of folks, and more importantly OOha had the chance to learn from folks that have been engaged in this work for many years.

Conversations about how to bring the creative, bold, fearless occupy tactic together with good old fashion community organizing went late into the night. Though the housing crisis is a nightmare, it's clear that from the ashes of it there's great potential to change our communities approach to housing, to lift housing up as a human right, to build the communities we want to live in.


Tim Franzen


American Friends Service Committee

Atlanta's 99% Spring Offensive In The Works!

April 9-15th, all over the country, people from all walks of life came together in homes, offices, Churches, communitiy centers, and union halls to participate in direct action trainings designed develop bold, creative, nonviolent direct actions against the institutions of richest one percent that have continued to perpetuate the crisis of economic priority that continues to grant priviledge to those that need it least at the expense of those that nned it the most.

In Atlanta we had hundreds come out to trainings spread all over the metro area. Some trainings were small, others large, all dynamic. I noticed that many of those who showed up expressed having followed the Occupy Atlanta movement, several had given donations online, or watched protests via livestream, but had never crossed the bridge into active, on the street, participation. For many, come to the 99% spring training was their first step into activism, and that's a big deal.

Yesterday those that attended trainings were invited to a meeting designed to create space to talk about recent legislative win against anti-free speech bill SB469, and to coordinate a 99% Spring offensive. The already planned events, when put together, make a pretty ambitious list. It should be noted that there are still several spring offensive actions that are still in the planning process, but here's a link to the spring offensive calender so far: http://atlanta.indymedia.org/calendar

There's also another mass meeting planned Wednesday the 25th at Troy Davis Park to strategize mass collective actions this spring.
http://occupyatlanta.org/events/event/mass-strategy-meeting-on-united-progressive-offense-where-do-we-go-from-here/#.T4-kI5h19UQ

More about the aims of the 99% spring and the various national groups sponsoring it:

We're at a crossroads as a country. Millions have lost their jobs; homes have been foreclosed on; and an unconscionable number of children live in poverty. We have to stand up to the people who caused this and confront the rampant greed and deliberate manipulation of our democracy and our economy by a tiny minority in the 1%.

We have a long history of everyday people shaping the direction of our country by standing up for their own dignity and community. Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of a bus in Alabama and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Workers in Flint, Michigan, occupied their plant to form a union. Women took to the streets and held hunger strikes to demand the right to vote.

Inspired by Occupy Wall Street and the recent fight for workers in Madison, Wisconsin, the 99% will rise up this spring. We’ll start by training 100,000 people in April to take direct action on our own campaigns to win change.

We win change with people power. We will dramatically increase our people power when we train a massive number of people to join in sustained, non-violent action to reclaim our country.




The following organizations have called for a 99% Spring: Jobs With Justice, United Auto Workers, National Peoples Action, National Domestic Workers Alliance, MoveOn.org Civic Action, New Organizing Institute, Movement Strategy Center, The Other 98%, Service Employees International Union, Rebuild the Dream, UNITE-HERE, Greenpeace, Institute for Policy Studies, PICO National Network, New Bottom Line, United Steel Workers, Working Families Party, Communications Workers of America, United States Student Association, Rainforest Action Network, American Federation of Teachers, Leadership Center for the Common Good, UNITY, National Guestworker Alliance, 350.org, The Ruckus Society, Citizen Engagement Lab, smartMeme Strategy & Training Project, Right to the City Alliance, Pushback Network, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Progressive Democrats of America, Change to Win, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Campaign for America’s Future, Fuse Washington, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, Citizen Action of New York, Engage, United Electrical Workers Union, National Day Laborers Organizing Network, Alliance for a Just Society, The Partnership for Working Families, United Students Against Sweatshops, Presente.org



Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Historic Win For AT&T Workers In The Southeast

Today at 11am Occupy Atlanta, Communication Workers of America Local 3204 and Atlanta Jobs with Justice came together at the corporate offices of AT&T, 675 West Peachtree Street to celebrate a historic win for AT&T workers in the southeast. For the first time in years workers and allies stood up to mass layoffs at the hands of a corporation that year after year increases the pay of its top executives at the cost of everyone else in the company.

AT&T workers had previously received a letter from the company in December 2011 informing them that there would be 740 layoffs in the southeast. AT&T’s announced slashing of good, middle class jobs followed an email graciously thanking its employees for creating record profits for the telecommunications giant while CEO Randall Stevenson was paid out a record $27 million.

On February 13th, activists staged a sit-in at AT&T’s Atlanta corporate offices in protest to the announced layoffs, 12 people(including myself) where arrested for refusing to leave until layoffs were rescinded. The next day, hundreds of community supporters rallied outside the complex and launched a 42 day long tent occupation demanding that AT&T stop the layoffs and those scheduled to occur on March 15th.

As a result of the coalition’s work, AT&T reduced its announced layoffs by 255 from the original announced 740, and the March 15th layoff numbers were lower than any period in recent history, stopping potentially hundreds more that had been scheduled to occur. During the occupation, the company also cut its CEO Randall Stephenson’s pay by $2 million.


This victory at AT&T may be just the start. The organizers hope that the fight back will inspire workers around the country to take direct action against corporate greed and such examples of the continued economic injustice against 99%. The bold series of actions against AT&T’s layoffs and greed, put the 1% on notice- that the days when grossly profitable corporations can carelessly layoff workers and undermine the economic security of hundreds of working families, are over.

American Friends Service Committee has been excited to be a part of the campaign, and we’ve been there every step of the way. This morning we served breakfast to all the fulltime occupiers to make sure everyone was well fed as we prepared to breakdown the encampment. Later this week Communication Workers of America will host an appreciation dinner for all the hard working occupiers who made this victory possible.

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Report From Occupy AT&T: Day 11

On day eleven of the corporate occupation of AT&T about 25 leaders of various faith traditions came together to pray, contemplate, and express deep concerns for AT&T’s corporate greed.

Why are they concerned? AT&T made record profits last year, had the resources to compensate their CEO to the tune of 27 million dollars, yet they plan to layoff 740 unionized workers in the south east despite the fact that AT&T customers constantly complain that service is slow.

The interfaith service was held on AT&T property and it appeared that AT&T executive staff didn’t have the nerve to ask folks to leave the grounds; they were of course invited to join, as several AT&T workers did.


After the service we passed out hundreds of fliers, put out new signage, and had a visit from the National Action Network, all by 1pm!


We continue to add a tent every day, making our total today 24 tents. We could definitely use more tents, and occupiers of tents. As the weather gets nicer will you commit to join us for a night or two each week?

Can’t camp? That’s okay! There are many ways you can plug in!
*Come spend a few hours flyering
*Pressure at&t to do the right thing!
*Bring food!(water,clif bars, peanut butter, tuna/salmon packs, vitamins, juice boxes, fruit, nuts, dried fruit, Kroger/sevenanda gift cards)
*bring tents,blankets,pillows.
*Donate to Occupy Atlanta!


Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Help AT&T Workers With One Call!!

Today AT&T workers have been summoned to a meeting at AT&T’s Atlanta headquarters, located at 675 West Peachtree St. It is there, in this meeting, where they will be given notice of their official layoff date. Being told you are being laid off is almost always devastating, but in these economic times it can be downright terrifying. With unemployment, foreclosures, and homelessness at record rates, being jobless in this city is no easy feat. To add insult to injury, AT&T had record profits last year, pulling in over $127 million in revenue, and compensated their CEO, Randall Stephenson, over $27 million.

Last week, Occupy Atlanta set up an encampment in front of the building at 675 West Peachtree St to demand AT&T put a stop to these layoffs. We are committed to staying put until all the layoffs are rescinded, and/or all 740 workers will have wage/benefit protection if they are moved to new positions. AT&T has claimed that these workers will be given new job offers, but according to many of the workers, this is news to them. Those who are aware of the new offers, are being asked to take positions with considerably less pay and benefits.

This is exactly how wealth consolidation works. What’s happening at AT&T is symbolic of what has been happening all over the country for decades. The 1% wants to lower the standard of living for the average American worker, all so that they can pocket some extra cash. We can no longer allow them to squeeze every penny they can out of the 99%. The 99% creates the wealth; it is made on our backs. It’s time these big wigs stop getting handouts they don’t need while everyone else suffers.




Please take some time today to send AT&T a message to

STOP ALL THE LAYOFFS!


Email CEO Randall Stephenson at

rs2982@att.com

or

call Michael Matthews, VP of Labor Relations at

(205) 977-0722

A Cold Wet Weekend

This weekend brought cold weather, lots of rain, and very windy conditions to 675 West Peachtree street.

For those that don't know 675 West Peachtree is the Atlanta HQ for at&t.

Occupy Atlanta has had an encampment set up since last Monday, and plans to stay until every job cut is rescinded, all 740 and forty of them. I had the pleasure of being one of the campers this past week and I plan on continuing to spend each one of my nights there.Last night the weather was especially brutal, several tents got flooded.

Despite the tough weather occupiers spirits seem high. The work ethic I've seem has been impressive. Folks get up everyday, go flyer, some stick around and clean camp, create new signs. Yesterday a crew of folks hit Marta all day and got a ton of riders to sign petitions to rescind layoffs.

The community support is exciting too. This weekend there was a number of sold out shows at the Fox theater so countless folks walked through the camp, most of them were supportive and many took literature explaining why we were there.

One really exciting aspect of this occupation is the collaborative efforts of many different groups supporting the occupation. Communication Workers of America, the Teamsters, Grandmothers for Peace, and Atlanta Jobs with Justice have all made key contributions to this effort. Camping, feeding, and making sure everyone's warm.

Can't forget to mention American Friends Service Committee. We've been providing all the printing costs so far, sign making material, and other valuable resource.

For those in the Atlanta area please consider stopping by 675 West Peachtree. We especially want folks out Tuesday(2/21) from 9-2pm.


Things you could bring if you visit:
Tarps
tents
warm food
warm liquids(hot chocolate, tea, coffee)
socks
hand warmers
water
Clif bars
Paper towels
art supplies



Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

A Constant Light On AT&T's Greed

It was early December when AT&T employees in the South East received a letter thanking them for helping the company make record profits. AT&T racked up so much cash that they were able to pay their CEO, Randall Stephenson, over 27 million dollars!

Just six days later AT&T workers received a second letter, informing workers that 740 good paying Union jobs would be cut in March of 2012. An interesting way of thanking the very group that makes AT&T super rich, it's workers.

Yesterday AT&T experienced a surprise invasion of their Atlanta headquarters. At 12pm, the worlds largest communications corporation , twelve of us enter their building with one simple demand; resend all layoffs, all job cuts. We were willing to talk with whoever,but it was stated plainly that we would not leave unless a commitment to the 740 Union jobs under threat was made.

About ten or fifteen minutes later about 100 Occupy Atlanta and Union members showed up on the outside of the building with signs and tents! As AT&T executives grappled with what to do with us, sixteen tents were being set up on the sidewalk in front of AT&T. That occupation comes with the commitment to stay until AT&T resend all job cuts.


Close to 1pm the police threatened those of us on the inside with arrest. We decided to circle up, doing our large heart necklaces we made over the weekend, and sing slightly remixed love songs. It was only a few minutes later that we were arrested, taken to the basement of AT&T, put in police vans, and driven to Fulton County jail. It was a proud moment for me. Of the twelve we had two retired AT&T workers and CWA members, we had folks from Atlanta Jobs with Justice,Occupy Atlanta, the Teamsters,and of course AFSC in the house. The group represented to kind of alliances we need to turn the corner on the crisis of economic priority that continues to lift up those who already have an overabundance, and push down everyone else.


I got out of jail early this morning. I've just read the press coverage of Monday's action and took notice to AT&T's response. They claim that many of the 740 laid off workers will be given job offers. This is probably true. The problem is that they will be offered jobs that pay considerably less, have no bargaining rights, and have little or no benefits. Workers should never be forced to go backwards for a company that's reporting record profits. If AT&T really were struggling, which they aren't, they should consider taking a chop from the top as a first resort.

Monday's action confronted one of the roots or America's(and the globe for that matter)unprecedented wealth inequities. Perhaps we will wake up one day to a world that's had enough corporate greed. Perhaps we'll grow tired of a world that rewards those willing to build their life on the shattered dreams of their brothers and sisters. Imaging a movement that will not allow workers(profit creaters) to be exploited and discarded, a movement that physically stands in the way of those that create wealth at the cost of human misery. Imagine the unstoppable force of workers, students, the unemployed, shelter less, the Churches working together side by side to demand with their feet a more just world.

Some of us are already beyond imagining that world, some of use are trying to build it.....we need help:)

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Unions and Allies Risking Arrest Right Now to Protect 740 AT&T Union Jobs

AT&T recently announced the “surplus” of 740 union AT&T jobs despite their revenues soaring to $126.7 billion and a CEO that made over $27 million in 2011.

Occupy Atlanta, Atlanta Jobs with Justice, Communication Workers of America, and AFSC have just entered the AT&T Atlanta headquarters and are refusing to leave until every single job cut is rescinded. Simultaneously, an occupation with tents is being set up outside of the building.

Watch the Occupation of AT&T Now

Multinational Corporations like AT&T have been undermining workers standards of living for decades. If we stand up for union jobs with AT&T we can stand up for a future where there's enough for everyone; a future that creates space for all of us to thrive. Lift up the South, lift up this nation.

Let's not get it twisted, there's enough resources to go around. The crisis isn't about resources, it's about economic priority. It's time that the 99% stand up to the unprecedented wealth consolidation that has been robbing our communities. Together we can take these 740 jobs off the chopping block. Let this action be the beginning of a movement to put human need above corporate greed in a very real tangible way.

It’s time to bring the energy from Wisconsin into the South and it’s time to unite the Occupy movement with concrete worker struggles across the country.

Call AT&T to rescind all of the 740 proposed layoffs now:
205-977-0722 Michael Matthews Vice President Southeast Labor Relations

Send a personal e-mail message about these layoffs to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson here:
randall.stephenson@att.com

Contribute to the Occupy Atlanta Legal fund to support actions like this:



--
Shabnam Bashiri
Occupy Atlanta
action@occupyatlanta.org
occupyatlanta.org

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee(AFSC)
www.afsc.org
tfranzen@afsc.org

Roger Sikes
Atlanta Jobs with Justice
www.atlantajwj.org
404-782-0737

Ernest Talley
Communication Workers Of America
etalley@cwa.org

Ben Speight
Atlanta Jobs With Justice

Show Workers Some LOVE!

AT&T has announced that they are laying off 740 workers in the SE region, directly impacting 95 Georgia families. This is despite the fact that they made record profits in 2011 and their CEO recieved over $27,000,000 in compensation. At a time when unemployment is at a re...cord high in the state of Georgia, we can't afford to lose one more job. We demand that AT&T stop these layoffs!!

Communication Workers of America(CWA) has called on Occupy Atlanta to stand with them and fight AT&T. We know that less jobs means more foreclosures, evictions, and homelessness. Bottom line, we can't allow corporations to discard workers so easily, especially when they're making record profits.

This promises to be a different kind of mass action, creative, sprited, and nonviolent. We need all out on Valentines day! Show some love for workers!!

WHERE: AT&T Building
675 West Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30308
WHEN: Tuesday February 14th 11am-2pm

American Friends Service Committee is excited to support this potentially historic action. We'll be providing direct action training, video documentation support, and other imortant resources.

Please consider supporting this event with your attendance, You can also contribute to the Occupy Atlanta legal support wepay account.


Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee