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News :: Occupy Boston |
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Occupy the T opens camp at State House |
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by Boston IMC
(No verified email address) |
05 Apr 2012
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April 5 Boston
Occupy the T began a 10-day encampment in front of the State House yesterday to protest the MBTA's proposed fare increases and service cuts. Camp Charlie kicked off with a festival featuring music, food, mic checks and more. |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
Occupy the T released the following statement:
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This evening, Occupy the MBTA, a working group of Occupy Boston, launched Camp Charlie, a ten day occupation of the State House steps to protest fare-hikes and service cutbacks on the MBTA. Having survived the depths of the recession, the 99% now faces additional taxes in the form of escalating T fares and the loss of essential transport routes. This is a further transfer of public wealth to the banks. These are the same institutions that were bailed out by the American taxpayer after being rendered insolvent by their own, criminal recklessness. The only debt in need of servicing is their debt to us. In a country that lavishes four billion dollars in subsidies on the oil companies, the relentless assault on public transport could not make less sense – ethically, environmentally, or otherwise. Camp Charlie will be a place for public debate, conversation, and outreach – a living testament to the refusal of the people to be further abused by a clutch of corporate interests, multinational banking cartels and consolidated oil interests.
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The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society was on hand, along with a group of drummers, for musical interludes. Food was provided by Food Not Bombs. Police presence included officers from the state police, park rangers (who are responsible for State House security) and Boston Police Department. They made no arrests, but contented themselves with minor harassment, including forcing a man to stop blowing giant soap bubbles on the grounds that it was unsafe. |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
 Occupy the T opens camp at State Huse |
This work is in the public domain. |
