Juan Reardon on Occupy Richmond

Juan Reardon

Public Health Epidemiologist, Contra Costa County chapter

How have you been involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement?

I live in the City of Richmond, CA and participate in the Occupy Richmond Solidarity Movement in support of Occupy Wall Street. We marched through Richmond in late October, and marched 10 miles from Richmond to Oakland on November 2to join the general strike called for by Occupy Oakland. We are planning another mobilization in Richmond for November 11.

Why are you involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement?

Over the last 30 years the greatest transfer of wealth took place in this country from the 99% working families to the 1% who controls our lives and future. The greed of the 1% is insatiable. They want everything. I love the Occupy-99% movement because 3 months ago the political discussion was about where to cut next and what lay-offs would take place. Today there is another type of thinking thanks to that movement: We have power, we can say no, we can protest and we can occupy the spaces from which we have been excluded as corporations took over this land.

What do you see as the connections between being a Local 21 union member, and a participant in Occupy Wall Street?

The 99% movement has solidarity, activism, wisdom, vision for the future, defends the rights and aspirations of all working folks, it is inclusive and democratic. Those are the best of labor treats.

What would you say to members who are interested in supporting protestors, but feel they don’t have the time, resources, or ability to sleep in a park?

It is not about supporting the protesters, it is about defending yourselves from the disasters upon all of us. You don't have to be 'there,' be where you are. You have a couple of hours on a weekend to contribute? Write a sign with what you and your neighbors want and plant yourself in a corner of your neighborhood and wave to the cars passing by, and talk to those who join you. They will. Occupy 'your' place. Reclaim it. Bring people together. Talk and listen. Decide what to do next. Democracy in action....and take your money out of the banks and put it in a credit union!

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