The Occupy Wall Street movement celebrated its one-year anniversary on Monday with actions in New York City and other cities across the country. In Manhattan, protesters tried to block access to the New York Stock Exchange by erecting a "People’s Wall."
Amanda Montgomery: "Today is Occupy Wall Street’s birthday, and we are celebrating. We are rising above all the corruption and police brutality that could happen, has happened already."
Eeo Stubblefield: "I, myself, had never, in all my 57 years, seen anything like Zuccotti Park, and I personally had been waiting for 10 years for something to — something. And I had no idea that the kids — I had no idea that the kids were going to rise up like that, and I’m so proud of them."
Overall, more than 150 people were arrested, including half a dozen journalists. Monday’s actions saw a lower turnout than expected, with around 1,000 people taking part in the protests, far lower than the numbers seen last fall.
Judge Rejects Mayor’s Effort to End Chicago Strike
A federal judge has denied Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to forcefully end the city’s week-long teacher strike ahead of a vote by the union later today. Emanuel had sought a court order declaring the strike illegal. But on Monday, a circuit court judge said he will not consider the request until after union delegates decide on whether to proceed with the strike at a meeting set for tonight. In a statement, the Chicago Teachers Union blasted Emanuel’s effort, calling it "a vindictive act."
Obama Admin Appeals Overruling of Indefinite Detention Under NDAA
The Obama administration has filed an emergency appeal of a federal judge’s decision last week to block a controversial statute that gave the government the power to carry out indefinite detention. Judge Katherine Forrest ruled against a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, authorizing the imprisonment of anyone deemed a terrorism suspect anywhere in the world without charge or trial. A group of journalists, scholars and political activists had brought the case, arguing the provision was so broad it could easily infringe on freedom of speech. In a court filing on Monday, the government argued Judge Forrest’s ruling could go beyond the statute itself to curb the indefinite provisions contained in the legislation authorizing the so-called post-9/11 "War on Terror," potentially jeopardizing the imprisonment of foreigners in Afghanistan without charge.
White House: Reprieve Doesn’t Confer Healthcare Rights for Undocumented Immigrants
The White House has quietly announced young immigrants able to remain in the United States as part of a recent immigration reprieve will not be eligible for health insurance under the new federal healthcare law. The new immigration program grants temporary legal status to live and work in the country to undocumented people who meet certain conditions, including being under 31 as of June 15. But in a ruling late last month, the White House said the federal healthcare law excludes undocumented immigrants because they still fall outside the definition of a "lawfully present" resident. In a separate statement, the administration also explicitly decreed that young immigrants covered by the reprieve will not be eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Immigrant rights groups have denounced the decision, calling it reactionary and inhumane
Romney: 47% of U.S. Backing Obama "Dependent" on Government
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has sparked what could be the biggest political firestorm facing his campaign to date. In a newly unearthed recording released by the magazine Mother Jones, Romney tells a crowd of donors that he thinks 47 percent of Americans are "dependent" on government and see themselves as "victims."
Mitt Romney: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they’re entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you-name-it, that that’s — it’s entitlement, and the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. And that — I mean, the president starts off with 48, 49, 48 — he starts off with a huge number. These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect. So he’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that’s what they sell every four years. And so, my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the 5 to 10 percent in the center."
The Obama campaign immediately pounced on Romney’s remarks, saying: "It’s hard to serve as president for all Americans when you’ve disdainfully written off half the nation." At a hastily arranged news conference last night, Romney said although his words were not "elegantly stated," he stood by their substance.
Mitt Romney: "Well, you know, it’s not elegantly stated, let me put it that way. I’m speaking off the cuff in response to a question, and I’m sure I could state it more clearly and in a more effective way than I did in a setting like that. And so, I’ll — I’m sure I’ll point that out as time goes on. But we don’t even have the question, given the snippet there, nor the full response, and I hope the person who has the video would put out the full — the full material. Of course, I want to help all Americans, all Americans, have a bright and prosperous future, and I’m convinced that the president’s approach has not done that and will not do that."
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