Tim Paez on Occupy San Francisco

Tim Paez

Water Quality Technician I/II, San Francisco Chemists and Lab Professionals

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

Initially I had only heard about the movement, and the subsequent actions cropping up all over the US and the world. On October 5, after the weekend that NYC saw the largest mass arrests in US history, I went to see the Occupation in SF first-hand. The excited, inspired people I met there, many who had also just went for their first time, drove me to stay through the early evening and I participated in my first General Assembly (M-F, 6pm; Sat, 12pm). I was hooked! Seeing participatory, democratic consensus-based decision making was astounding, and the depth and richness of conversations I had with everyone I spoke with showed me plainly that regardless of income or background or creed, many of us understand the enormity of a predatory, classist financial system.

Now, as the occupation has moved its overnight spot to Justin Herman Plaza (daily protest at the Fed persists), it has become easier to participate. I remain involved mainly by attending General Assemblies and larger marches and events when I’m able to; I aim for a weekly donation of supplies I can find easily and cheaply (blankets, food, water, etc.); and I tell everyone I can about the movement and the process, including what kinds of questions are being raised, and I urge anyone to go down and participate.

Why are you involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement?

This movement is creating decentralized yet networked public spaces outside the mainstream channels, and reclaiming the very democratic idea of open, public forums for debate and questioning of the status quo. Without media censors and for-profit channels framing issues and providing the discourse, people are coming together over common grievances we hadn’t known were shared amongst so many.

I agree with the main message of the movement: systemic economic inequality plagues the American dream. The same inequalities pit working people against their own, and the result has been consistently measures and legislation like this year’s Prop’s C & D, attacks on workers’ rights, and defeats for aggrieved classes of workers in big-businesses. Certainly, I also don’t want to look back on this period of great political debate & discussion and say “I wish I had been there.”

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

The connections are pretty clear – unions, under our economic and political system, are sort of the first and last bastion for working people to organize together for our betterment. In America we really only have unions to organize working people. The same systemic inequities and exploitation of working people fostered by the culture of corporate capitalism, especially in times of economic ‘bust,’ leads to the decimation of conditions for working people and mass unemployment, further weakening workers’ organizations. Unions are the primary organizations that can politicize and mobilize working people in a very real, immediate context. It’s important for organized labor to participate in the Occupy movement, if not in solidarity, which is paramount, at least to take the struggle of working people to a much larger audience – one which is at this moment ready to listen and be heard.

I work for a living, and I haven’t yet heard anyone at any Occupation ask only for hand outs; people want to work and study in order to contribute back to our society, our country. What is the aim of someone who wants to go to school, even for free? No one has said they only want to kick back afterwards and collect paychecks. People want to work, to improve the material conditions, and provide better opportunities for their families. No large organizations in the U.S. have so aptly understood this for as long as unions have, and these ideas need to be part of the discussions at the Occupations as we look at and debate solutions and actions for the future.

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 an encampment?

Sleeping out there is certainly not the only way to support and participate, though probably one of the most engaging and exciting. I suggest everyone simply to stop by the encampment and talk to people. Another option is to join a working group! Every one of the Occupations (absent police action) are totally family-friendly during the day, as the issues of the movement, the magnanimity of scope, and the demographics of the aggrieved certainly include all youth.

Some people have reservations about being amongst, or bringing their families and kids to places where homeless and indigent people are gathered and are visible. We must remember that one in six Americans now live in poverty and the proportion of unemployed youth and certain ethnic groups is astronomically high. Part of the significance of this movement is that it is pushing us to recognize the connections and similarities all of the 99% has, rather than maintain the old status quo of identity politics – the Us vs. Them. Many folks, like us, are part of the 99%; and many have been exploited well beyond what the economic structures can inflict. It’s critical that we remember the distinctions between the poor and middle class have long been eroding, while the split between the middle and rich class has been widening.

I also recommend members stay informed about what needs and ideas are emerging on the ground, especially if you can’t make it to the Occupation sites. Visit your local Occupation and the Wall Street websites (occupysf.org, occupyoakland.org, occupywallst.org) to see what items can be donated or what other volunteer opportunities exist. I know all Occupations (and the their specific working groups) could always use some advisory assistance. For example, Occupy SF is seeking IT knowledge, anyone with electrical engineering background to help streamline their communications network, anyone with medical experience to volunteer with their First Aid team, or folks with experience in mental health counseling. Folks who have extra time at home to cook the plethora of raw ingredients that get donated are always needed, as are blankets, and people to be at the encampment and participate.

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