Origin of the San Francisco 99% Coalition
The San Francisco 99% Coalition was organized in October 2011, shortly after a new group of antiwar and economic equality groups began working together. The various progressive groups coalesced to hold a successful solidarity action with the http://october2011.org/ event held one day before the 10th Anniversary of the Invasion of Afghanistan, on October 6, 2011 in Washington, D.C. and in San Francisco, in addition to other venues throughout the Untied States. The groups represented Bay Area interfaith peace and justice, single payer and health equity concerns, labor, veterans for peace, women’s rights, independent political parties, and nationally recognized antiwar interests.
At the October 6th protest in San Francisco held at the Federal Building, there were many speakers including members of the newly organized Occupy San Francisco. The Occupy Wall Street movement had sprung up spontaneously throughout the country and members of the coalition immediately identified with the focus of this young and vibrant movement. We decided to continue our work together specifically around four goals and members from many similar groups in the Bay Area affiliated with our coalition. We identified with the economic inequity proclamations of the Occupy Wall Street movement which deftly clarified the hitherto confusion of economics with a true portrayal of our country’s disparities in simple yet comprehensible ways.
Our fledgling coalition was impressed with this step forward in clarifying the need for change in our system and believes that continued educational events and activities are necessary to build public awareness and participation in a more equitable and humane society.
In late 2011, we worked closely with members of the Occupy San Francisco encampments, in demonstrations, and protest marches on Saturdays; specifically participating in the late October defense of the Justin Herman camp “no show raid” by the SFPD; providing material aid in the form of “Portapottie” emergency funding from the coalition and individual donors; medical supplies; food deliveries specifically at Thanksgiving and Christmas; transportation assistance; nonviolent training venues and resources; and numerous other items like computer printers, warm clothing, and specific personal assistance when needed. Coalition members also joined in specific OSF groups such as OccupySF Action Council; and many joined the Occupy Oakland’s major port protests. All of this support was individually or collectively achieved through the enthusiastic participation of members of the coalition.
In addition to the support for the Occupy movement, the coalition is working separately on more educational and coalition supportive activities such as the very successful January “Spaghetti Dinner for the 99%” which included speakers from members and from Occupy colleagues describing reasons for organizing our coalition (see Arthur Persyko’s statement, poetry and photos from this event). This project was developed by our Finance Committee as a way to fund raise and stabilize our future endeavors.
The coalition consists of many long time activists from a variety many sectors who with their experience and talents in many areas, have come together in renewed efforts to search for ways to accomplish our stated goals. We believe only through careful consideration and acclamation by a majority, can we begin to accomplish our goals. Although we do not endorse specific political candidates or parties, we have endorsed the four coalition goals as prime targets with which to go forward.
We meet once a week, usually on Mondays, and have had many interesting discussions on current political events, such as the recent National Defense Authorization Act, recently signed by President Obama, and how this will affect ordinary American citizens speaking up for their rights under the Constitution; how to grow and strengthen our coalition; and to plan new and effective future projects chosen by our members.
Please join us in this newly organized effort to further true democracy and equality for all Americans. We welcome new ideas and suggestions.
Reviewed and adopted 11/31/2011
