Tag Archives: Overpass Light Brigade

The Sequester is Austerity and Austerity is Class Warfare!

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Tampa, Fl - The recent battle over the Sequester in Washington may seem like far off politi-babble and the President and press may simply write it off as “gobbly gook” but we should really be calling it exactly what the Overpass Light Brigade and Tampa Light Brigade (OLB is an affiliation of volunteer activist groups that use LED letters to spell out messages on pedestrian overpass bridges around the country) are calling it, “CLASS WARFARE”!

The Overpass Light Brigade shine a "QUESTION AUSTERITY" message in Wisconsin.

The Overpass Light Brigade shine a “QUESTION AUSTERITY” message in Wisconsin.

These illuminated messages aim to awaken The People who must realize that they are being forced to shoulder the crushing financial burden manufactured by the malfeasance of the 1% through this Sequester. It is only another veiled package of austerity for the 99% and yet another bailout for the 1%. Austerity is killing Europe and now it will grip North America unless the people stand up and fight back!

The Tampa Light Brigade took out this "SEQUESTER THIS! message last night.

The Tampa Light Brigade took out this “SEQUESTER THIS! message last night.

Here are some of the Overpass Light Brigade's Austerity messages sequenced nicely.

Here are some of the Overpass Light Brigade’s Austerity messages sequenced nicely.

OLB and MPS Educators Use Collective Power to Benefit Kids

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The Overpass Light Brigade held their "UNIFIED FOR KIDS" message high in the back row of Thursday night's School Board meeting.

The Overpass Light Brigade held their “UNIFIED FOR KIDS” message high in the back row of Thursday night’s School Board meeting.

Milwaukee, WI - Over 500 Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) educators and their allies showed up at Thursday night’s Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) School Board meeting in a tremendous show of solidarity and strength. MTEA members and their many supporters were completely silent in entering the meeting and sat holding signs making several demands:

  • Economic justice for educational assistants
  • Smaller class sizes for better learning
  • Restoration of art, music, and physical education classes
  • Fair contracts and fair learning conditions
An overflow crowd waits silently to enter the MPS School Board meeting.

An overflow crowd waits silently to enter the MPS School Board meeting.

The silent protest opened with the Overpass Light Brigade (OLB) marching a brilliant “UNIFIED FOR KIDS” message to the back of the room, where each holder of the light raised their letter above their head, while simultaneously a sea of educators flowed silently into the auditorium filling every single seat. Even though every last seat was filled, the entire adjoining hallway was still crammed with overflow crowd. Organizers did an excellent job of moving people in and out of the auditorium to ensure that everyone who showed up in support would receive a chance to sit. Groups of about thirty would get up silently and leave the auditorium as a new group of thirty would immediately fill the vacated seats.

Educators and OLB holders of the light hold their message outside MPS Central Office

Educators and OLB holders of the light hold their message outside MPS Central Office

The School Board Directors and MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton had to be impressed with the massive showing of solidarity. The MTEA sent a clear message that educators are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the proper working conditions to be able to more effectively provide the proper learning conditions for Milwaukee’s children.

 

 

 

Check out all the action through this video:

OLB and MPS Educators Unified For Kids from Occupy Riverwest on Vimeo.

 

Overpass Light Brigade Shines at Madison Capitol “Idle No More” Event

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A great crowd turned out for an Idle No More Solidarity Peace Rally at the Capitol in Madison this past Sunday night.

A great crowd turned out for an Idle No More Solidarity Peace Rally at the Capitol in Madison this past Sunday night.

Madison, WI - Frigid temperatures and negative wind chills were not nearly enough to hold back close to 300 participants in an Idle No More Solidarity Peace Rally on the lawn of the State Capitol Sunday night. Instead, the spirited crowd seemed to gain intensity as the night when on, thanks to many factors including a steady stream of poignant scrolling messages from the Overpass Light Brigade (OLB - an affiliation of volunteer activist groups that use LED letters to spell out messages on pedestrian overpass bridges around the country).

"WATER IS LIFE" was the first of several messages held by the Overpass Light Brigade.

“WATER IS LIFE” was the first of several messages held by the Overpass Light Brigade.

 

 

The spirited gathering began with speakers from many of the represented tribes from around the state of Wisconsin. After the speakers, on the paved concourse just before the Capitol doors, a drum circle began with a ceremonial round dance forming around the outside. On the stairs climbing to the Capitol doors the OLB displayed their first message of the evening, “WATER IS LIFE”. As the drumming, dancing, singing, and chanting went on, OLB reshuffled their displayed messages several times (“HONOR THE TREATIES” “PROTECT THE EARTH” “# IDLE NO MORE”). Incredibly as the night grew colder and windier those participating seemed to grow even more energized.

At the end of the event the Idle No More banner and OLB "IDLE NO MORE" message were marched around the Capitol.

At the end of the event the Idle No More banner and OLB “IDLE NO MORE” message were marched around the Capitol.

When the ceremonial drumming and dancing was finished the event’s large “Idle No More” banner was positioned in the front of a march around the Capitol that included the OLB LED message “IDLE NO MORE” staggered behind. The rest of the those taking part marched behind in a full circle around the Capitol, where the event finished for the evening. A strong message was sent to the leaders in the state that Wisconsinites support Indigenous Sovereignty and protections for land & water.

——————————————-#IdleNoMore—————————————-

The final message of the evening was "IDLE NO MORE".

The final message of the evening was “IDLE NO MORE”.

"PROTECT THE EARTH" message from the Capitol Idle No More event.

“PROTECT THE EARTH” message from the Capitol Idle No More event.

"HONOR THE TREATIES" was the second message brought out by the OLB.

“HONOR THE TREATIES” was the second message brought out by the OLB.

Check out our video below that captures the great spirit of the evening!

Idle No More in Madison from Occupy Riverwest on Vimeo.

This video is from a bridge action with the Overpass Light Brigade on Friday night!

Idle No More from Occupy Riverwest on Vimeo.

 

 

Overpass Light Brigades Stand in Support of Idle No More #J11 Day of Action

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idle no more logoWest Allis, WI - The growing Idle No More Movement targeted January 11th as a worldwide day of action in support of Indigenous Sovereignty and protections to land and water. Ever since Idle No More held it’s first action in November of 2012 in Saskatoon, the Movement has gone global. The Overpass Light Brigade (OLB - an affiliation of volunteer activist groups that use LED letters to spell out messages on pedestrian overpass bridges around the country) and it’s affiliate in Portland, Oregon, OLB – PDX illuminated messages of support Friday night to help bring greater visibility to burgeoning movement.

The Overpass Light Brigade took their "IDLE NO MORE" message to a bridge in West Allis, Wisconsin.

The Overpass Light Brigade took their “IDLE NO MORE” message to a bridge in West Allis, Wisconsin.

OLB - PDX message outside the Canadian Consulate in Portland.

OLB – PDX message outside the Canadian Consulate in Portland (photo courtesy of OLB – PDX).

Idle No More from Occupy Riverwest on Vimeo.

Overpass Light Brigade to Join “Idle No More” Event at Capitol in Madison

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Idle No More

Idle No More is a burgeoning movement that began in Saskatchewan aiming to secure aboriginal rights for First Nations groups around the world.

Madison, WI - A growing aboriginal rights movement called “Idle No More” has been sweeping across the globe. The burgeoning movement started in late October of 2012 when four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about Bill C-45, which had just been introduced in Ottawa that they felt would erode indigenous rights. They organized a first event that was held November 10th in Saskatoon. Soon after a social media campaign was launched and a slew of events popped up around the globe. Several First Nations leaders have started on hunger strikes until the Canadian government agrees to speak, which recently was announced would happen. Despite little to no mainstream media coverage the budding movement has effectively used social media, widespread rallies, flash mobs, protests, and roadblocks to disseminate their message worldwide. Next Sunday at the State Capitol in Madison they will receive a little more help bringing visibility to their cause.

The Overpass Light Brigade is a network of activists who bring LED lit messages to events of high visibility.

The Overpass Light Brigade is a network of activists who bring LED lit messages to events of high visibility.

The Overpass Light Brigade (OLB - an affiliation of volunteer activist groups that use LED letters to spell out messages on pedestrian overpass bridges around the country), known for helping to bring greater visibility to under-covered issues, will be taking part in an event being organized by Sovereign Nations and leaders in Wisconsin (Ojibwe-Anishinaabe Tribe, The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe) at the Lady Forward statue next Sunday (1/13/13) @ 4:00 in front of the State Capitol in Madison. Organizers are calling for a ceremonial Round Dance and march around the Capitol block but many of the event details are still in the planning phase. We will update any details here on occupyriverwest.com. Don’t miss this chance to join the movement.

"Idle No More" protesters marched and block an international toll bridge Saturday linking the U.S. to Canada.

“Idle No More” protesters marched and block an international toll bridge Saturday linking the U.S. to Canada (Photo courtesy of Overpass Light Brigade and Jenna Pope).