The viaduct — that eyesore that divides neighborhoods and requires repairs or removal — will be one site where local activists gather on Thursday for the “National Day of Action for the 99%” (also being called March and Occupy the Bridge for the Jobless).
Nationwide, people will be marching across bridges and in other public spaces to demand that Congress create jobs. Organizers say that “America’s crumbling infrastructure” needs to be addressed. Of I-84, they say “this interstate needs work and so do we. We could create millions of jobs repairing bridges and roads like I-84 in downtown Hartford, as well as schools and parks — fixing up our country will help us meet America’s education, transportation, and clean energy needs.”
Steve Thornton, who is with SEIU 1199 and will be taking part in Thursday’s action, noted that “public safety is not a priority” when it comes to government spending, “but tax breaks” have been in recent years. This action, he said, is designed to shine a light on “upside down priorities.”
The Connecticut Action Alliance for a Fair Economy has organized this event. CAAFFE writes that “By November 17th — the day before the congressional Super Committee’s recommendations to push further job-killing plans at the worst possible time — the U.S. Senate will have voted several times to block the passage of any piece of the American Jobs Act.”
The CAAFFE has appeared at many of Governor Malloy’s town hall forums. It has also been protesting Bank of America since early 2011.
At 3 pm on Thursday, activists will gather in front of Aetna at 151 Farmington Avenue. They will head down Flower Street, to Capitol Avenue, and then up Broad Street, past the Hartford Courant building, which has been the site of controversy regarding the cleaning staff. On December 12, eight Capitol Cleaning employees who work at that location will lose their jobs; it has been reported that they will be replaced by non-union workers. Meanwhile, according to the Courant, $42 million in bonuses were approved for Tribune higher-ups.
After passing the Hartford Courant building, activists plan to march to the grassy area of the I-84 East ramp on Broad Street. The possibility of civil disobedience has been publicized. Thornton says, “people will resent being blocked,” but they will be warned that the entrance will be closed and that there are several others in the area they could use instead.
lobonick
sign from movement that the ramp will be closed was removed this morning by the state police..
Kerri Provost
Thanks for the update.
An I-84 ramp will be occupied on Thursday | Dating Jesus
[…] action is part of the larger International Day of Action. You can read more here. Protesters are calling on Congress […]
Richard
On Tuesday at 6 Am the revolution will begin. Please pass this on to the cops, the military, and all who oppose the revolt so they can prepare themselves with pepper spray, guns, cannons, rubber bullets, concentration camps, Drones, weapon firing helicopters, and whatever else it will take to put down the people. Damn who told the cops, the military and those who are against the people the plans that the revolution will begin on Tuesday at 6AM?
Oh those blessings of the state who will allow you to sit in as long as you tell them. Be forwarned the sit in is coming, the sit in is coming. Get out your blinking directional signs get them in place so the drivers will know that there is a sit in in town today. Be sure to arrange to have enough cash in your pocket so you can get home to a good hot meal and then cozy up and watch your revolt on TV. Symbols its only symbols they tell me, who needs symbols, the real deal fights real deal, symbols and permission from the state to correct the ills of the state is loving the master and joining the enemy. AMEN.
Real Hartford » Ramping Up Demonstrations
[…] a stop to cutting important services, and that Wall Street be held accountable. This action was inspired by Occupy Wall Street, but not planned by those taking part in the encampment at the corner of Farmington Avenue and Broad Street here in Hartford. The Connecticut Action […]