Occupy Wall Street Receiving Support and Funds from SEIU and AFL-CIO
I’ve written about it in my book and blogs – the mainstream media is attempting to portray the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement as the Left’s version of the Tea Party. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve spoken at several Tea Party events and observed those in attendance as respectful and thoughtful, unlike the rabble-rousers at the OWS events across the country whose main goal is to disrupt – at all cost.
OWS is not the voice of the people; it is part of a grand scheme concocted by labor unions to serve their agenda. Watching the protests on TV, you will notice numerous Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and AFL-CIO participants in the crowds. This is clearly an organization attempt by labor unions, despite SEIU President Mary Kay Henry’s attempt to distance SEIU involvement in OWS. (Interestingly enough, the AFL-CIO was very up front in its involvement.)
The fact is: the OWS movement is no longer a citizen protest; it is now a well-organized, hardcore far-left movement designed to cause as much trouble as possible. The participants with “good intentions” abandoned the idea a long time ago. What remains now is a professional politically-driven organization with one goal in mind: to re-elect President Obama. This is a quote from a recent segment on The O’Reilly Factor:
“The Occupy movement is now being run out of Washington, D.C. and offices belonging to the Institute for Policy Studies, a far left outfit. The director of the group is John Cavanagh, a long time liberal activist. His non-profit institute accepts money from George Soros through the Tides Foundation. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are involved. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) headed by Mary K. Henry is paying rent for the OWS crew in D.C. – about $4,000 a month, the union is picking up. The SEIU has more than two million members and collects about $300 million a year from dues and other financial vehicles. Miss Henry herself has visited the White House a number of times as has the former head of the SEIU, Andy Stern, who has also been a frequent visitor to the White House and remains deeply involved with the union. From their D.C. offices, the Occupy leadership e-mails game plans to their hardcore members, telling them where to assemble, what to protest and even what to wear.”
The goal of the occupiers is no longer to raise awareness of economic injustice; it is to disturb the peace and attack those with whom they disagree. The occupiers have big plans for the political conventions this summer and disruption and violence is their strategy. So, why does President Obama protect and even defend this movement and the people who have acted out against the law? Because he has a vested interest in keeping OWS alive and his union supporters happy.
About the author: David A. Bego is the President and CEO of EMS, an industry leader in the field of environmental workplace maintenance, employing nearly 5000 workers in thirty-three states. Bego is the author of “The Devil at My Doorstep,” as well as the just released sequel, “The Devil at Our Doorstep,” based on his experiences fighting back against one of the most powerful unions in existence today.