Occupy Wall Street year 2

I grew up believing in the power of the microphone and having some inner need to be aware and socially conscious.  Sure I had public school teachers inspired by the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement to urge me to think.  And as a singer -songwriter I was deeply influenced by the work of Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Odetta, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, ...and I could go on. The Occupy Wall Street gatherings in Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan that began last September 17th and grew to a movement inspired me. To witness something shifting, something to cling our anxiety, frustration and disbelief to. How could we arrive at such a historical economic crash and continue to allow corporations and organizations to have unfettered access to funds without oversight, tossing regulations aside, allowing greed to override "right action" in the name of profit and "free-market driven policy"? The "We Are The 1%" mantra stuck.

I went to Zuccotti Park many times over the months including before and after the NYPD raid that shut the park down.  I sang Amazing Grace with a small crowd standing in the rain, surrounded by barriers and showing a stamina and resolve to continue the fight for justice that I hadn't seen since my youth.

Today I am mindful of the anniversary and how it is not the celebration of the past year so much as it is looking forward to how the next days, months and years will unfold.

Here's a little a recap of my time at Zuccotti Park:

blog Occupy Wall Street Day 25

NYCSubwayGirl Returns to Zuccotti Park

Performance March 17th 1pm It's the 6 month anniversary, come and join us.

The Occupy Wall Street movement is far from a footnote in our history. Zuccotti Park, the birthplace of the Occupy Movement renamed Liberty Park, might not allow tents and cots, but a cultural movement is taking place to keep the spirit alive.  Listen to an NPR story about the Park. I am exited to have been invited to perform at the Park once again. 

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: CATHY GRIER – 1PM in case of inclement weather inside atrium at 60 Wall St @B'way

Singer/songwriter/activist Cathy Grier, aka NYC Subway Girl, weaves in interaction with audience members on the theme of “What’s your inspiration?” 

  • Watch the live stream of me performing my song Dedicate, Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone and my song Through My Eyes, plus streaming by Eric Light and Chris and Jean Reed, from the heart of the 6 month anniversay gathering and protest. 

image taken March 8th in Liberty Park

 

check out the Occupy Wall Street OWS clips I made last fall published on Citizen Global

Cultural Occupation Of Liberty Square

The Occupy Wall Street movement is far from a footnote in our history. Zuccotti Park, the birthplace of the Occupy Movement renamed Liberty Park, might not allow tents and cots, but a cultural movement is taking place to keep the spirit alive. Listen to the latest NPR story about the Park. I am exited to have been invited to perform at the Park. My first performance will be March 8th, for me a wonderful date too as it is International Women's Day. (is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.)
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