Occupy Chicago recognizes the imperative need to change the American system of government from a representative system to a democracy, as reflected in the following statement:  The system of government in the U.S. is the representative system.  This system is a form of oligarchy and plutocracy--the rule of the few and the rich.  It is under this political system that the interests of the elite are promoted over those of the majority of Americans.  It is through the representative system that the rich and the big corporations control the economy and our society and keep the mass of the population a permanent underclass.  The representative system must therefore be abolished.  It must be replaced by democracy, a system of government based on sovereign community assemblies.  It is in democracy that the people rule themselves and further their own interests.

 

Occupy Chicago does not endorse and never has endorsed the two dominant parties, Democrat and Republican, that are currently carrying out the agenda of the 1%. Our only affiliation is with those who want to end the control of government by big business. The people who are working together to create this movement are its sole and mutual caretakers. If you have chosen to devote resources to building this movement, especially your time and labor, then it is yours.

 

While we acknowledge that many people and organizations have historically attempted to fight for freedom and justice through participation in the two political parties, the aim of Occupy Chicago is to stake out a more powerful and politically independent path that can win the real change we need, instead of accepting hollow solutions offered to placate us. We invite people and organizations to work with us to realize this goal. Organizations who choose not to follow this politically independent path are nonetheless encouraged to work with us where we can find common ground.

 

We call upon our allies to speak with us, not for us. We value the contributions of all participants in our movement including professional activists who work to make our world a better place. However, if you are representing or being compensated by an independent source while participating in our process, please disclose your affiliation. Those seeking to compromise this movement's political independence by appropriating its message or symbols do not represent Occupy Chicago.

 

Any statement or declaration not released through the General Assembly and made public online at http://www.occupychi.org should be considered independent of Occupy Chicago.

We are an independent movement of the 99%. Join us in fighting for a better future.

 

[approved by Occupy Chicago General Assembly, 01/02/13]