In recent years, we have taken many positive steps toward creating a cutting-edge progressive city.  Well, now is the time for us to take another step in Richmond - a giant step- and this time we are not alone.  The Occupy Wall Street movement has burst onto the scene, calling for an end to corporate domination all over the globe.  We, in Richmond, are part of this movement and have everything to gain from it.  

We are a city that has an ever-growing disproportionate number of our residents living at or below the poverty level, while at the same time, we have a multi-billion dollar oil corporation operating their refinery in our backyard. Chevron recently doubled its quarterly profits and is brazen enough to simultaneously be seeking a property tax refund of approximately 100 million dollars from Richmond and Contra Costa County, which would leave our city and county in desparate straits.  This is a reflection of an obscene economic inequity that threatens to get far worse. 

We are also a city with massive numbers of foreclosures while the big banks get bailouts and massive insurance guarantees with taxpayer money (Bank of America has recently been backed by the Federal Reserve to the tune of 75 trillion dollars!)  

As Dr. King said in 1967:  "We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now."   His words are more true today than ever.  It is clear the Occupy Movement provides an open-doorway to futher our dialogue in Richmond.   Please join the Occupy Richmond movement on Friday, November 11th, at 11 a.m. in Civic Center Plaza for a Public SpeakOut.  I will be there in solidarity and support!  Click on this link for more details:  Richmond Speak Out Flyer -- English and Spanish

A better Richmond and a better world is possible, and the 99 percent will make it happen!

Gayle