Occupy Wall Street Turns One

The first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement is this week. In addition to today’s concert in downtown Manhattan, there will be a march tomorrow morning. ACT UP will be there. Via press release:

ACT UP NY (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power) announced plans to endorse the Sept 17 demonstration celebrating Occupy Wall St.’s first anniversary. Members of ACT UP will join OWS in front of Trinity Church at the corner of Broadway and Wall St at 7AM on Monday calling for a Financial Transaction Tax to Tax Wall St, End AIDS. From 1914 to 1966 in the US, a Financial Transaction Tax (or FTT) was used to calm the stock market and generate funds for much-needed services. Today, economists estimate that a .5% tax on the financial speculation of Wall St institutions could generate hundreds of billions of dollars. AIDS activists are frustrated by the recent lack of attention dedicated to the AIDS crisis by the major political parties. “After watching the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and not hearing AIDS mentioned once, we see Occupy Wall St’s anniversary as a good opportunity to talk about AIDS and propose solutions, like the Financial Transaction Tax, to the AIDS crisis,” said Brandon Cuicchi of ACT UP. “The September 17 protest is an exciting way for us to kick off the 2012 election season.”