Dear Commons Community,

The following message was sent to the PSC membership last night by Michael Fabricant.  The text refers to today (Friday, October 14th).

Tony

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Dear PSC Members:

We are borrowing the text from a Move On alert to its members.  The City of New York is threatening to shut down Zuccotti Park tomorrow at 7:00AM.  Now more than ever, those who have stood up to Wall Street greed need our support.

Unless we act now, tomorrow morning could mark the end of the occupation of Wall Street.

Mayor Bloomberg has ordered the NYPD to clear Zuccotti Park at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Protesters would only be allowed back in under new rules that would make it impossible to continue the occupation. But this is our city, our park, and our mayor, so as New Yorkers, we can put a stop to this.

If you can, come to Zuccotti Park tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. to stand with the protesters at the moment when they need us most. We are not sure what form the protest will take, but the other PSC Officers and I plan to engage in peaceful protest against this unjust and unnecessary action by the City. The Occupy Wall Street participants have put everything on the line to stand up against Wall Street greed and the corruption of our democracy. Tomorrow morning it’s time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.

And right now call the city at 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675), and demand that Mayor Bloomberg respect the protesters’ First Amendment rights and not interfere with this peaceful occupation. Press “0” to speak to an operator when it asks you to choose a language.You can also text the Mayor at 311692. Your regular cell phone texting charges will apply.

Mayor Bloomberg claims the shutdown is necessary for “cleaning operations,” but this tactic has been used to end protests before. And the new rules explicitly prohibit tarps, sleeping bags, and even “lying down.”

This “operation” is not about cleaning, it’s about trampling on the First Amendment rights of protesters to speak out against economic injustice and gather peaceably to petition the government. It could damage the movement that has been spreading across the country.

So come to the park Friday morning at 6 a.m. to stand with the protesters.

And right now, call 311, or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675), and tell them you want Occupy Wall Street to be allowed to remain in Zuccotti Park without restrictions on their ability to camp overnight. You can also text the Mayor at 311692. Your regular cell phone texting charges will apply.