The Occupy Movement is a legitimate public airing of grievances. It highlights the ways in which the economy is not working for most Americans and calls to account those who have plunged our nation and the world into a desperate economic crisis.
Trillions of taxpayer dollars have bailed out the wealthy while close to nothing has gone to cushion economic collapse for the poor and middle class. Millions of Americans are unemployed or under-employed. The US is faced with a massive permanent underclass that may never work again.
As people of faith we acknowledge that we all bear a certain responsibility for the current economic condition, but all are not equally guilty. The grievances of the protesters include: lasting foreclosure relief, restoration of appropriate financial regulation, greater legal protection for workers’ rights, and more progressive taxation. The country needs a shift in emphasis from protecting financial institutions, corporations and the wealthy to fostering equitable wages and lasting economic development.
The Occupy Movement illuminates the socio-economic inequality that fuels so much injustice. In a nation which proudly claims, “Liberty and Justice for all…” it’s time to live up to our principles. We ask our elected leaders to give ear to the underlying messages of these protests and to find the courage to represent the interests of all Americans and not just those who, along with their business malfeasance, contribute generously to re-election campaigns.
We endorse the work of the teaching elders, ruling elders, church members and Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations that are working actively in the local and national Occupy Movement. We encourage our congregations to support the Occupy Movement actively with prayer, finances and participation.