Occupy Congress expands on several key points from the same MLK letter that I referenced yesterday...
A couple of points that Martin Luther King Jr. made in a 1963 letter from a Birmingham jail are applicable to our current protest of Congress. It is fitting that we keep the following concepts in mind as we struggle to improve our society:
1. The difference between just and unjust laws. King wrote, “An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself. This is difference made legal. By the same token, a just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself. This is sameness made legal.” We experience this now when our powerful Congress enacts laws that they themselves are exempt from following (healthcare mandates, insider trading, etc.). Another, more prevalent, example of applying the law differently to the power group and the powerless group is in our justice system. A book on the topic was released in October by Glenn Greenwald, “With Liberty and Justice For Some”.
2. Exposing injustice is necessary prior to correcting it. King wrote, “Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with an its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.”
Congratulations to all courageous OCCUPIERS OF CONGRESS ON JANUARY 17TH! The brave act of bringing the injustice out into the open so that it can be seen and dealt with is absolutely necessary. Although many may accuse occupiers of creating tension, remain confident knowing that the tension is already alive and well. The injustice must be exposed to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion so that it can be cured. Please remember these words by Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the critically important protest during Congress’ return to session.
Opinions by Shelly Bernal
As you can see below, many signs express anger like "Fuck You McCONGRESS" - and though it doesn't send a message of non-violence and reconciliation - there still has to be an understanding "that this normal and healthy discontent can be channeled into the creative outlet of nonviolent direct action" that most often begins with intense confrontation.
An early morning picture as protesters begin to gather - a larger version can be seen here.
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