It took thousands of people camping out in parks around the country to convince the mainstream media to acknowledge that economic inequality is a major problem in our country. One study found that use of the words “income inequality” in the media increased more than 500% in the weeks after the Occupy Wall Street Movement began.The issues that the Occupy Movement are protesting aren’t new for Crossroads Fund, however. We’ve been funding grassroots groups working for racial, social and economic justice in Chicago for 30 years. That’s why we’ve decided to support Occupy Chicago, by hosting their online donations page, and collecting donations for them in a pooled fund housed here at Crossroads Fund.Occupy Chicago is a clear match for our mission and priorities. Like the Occupy Movement, we understand that social justice issues are profoundly interconnected, and that we need cross-issue and cross-community movements to create lasting change in our society. Many of our grantees have taken to the streets with Occupy Chicago to protest against foreclosures, for worker rights, to save mental health clinics and to protest cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. So we have put our money (and time) where our mouth is! Not only are we waiving our fees for pooled funds for Occupy Chicago, but we are also paying the costs associated with hosting their donation pages. We’ve dedicated hours of staff time to meeting with folks from Occupy Chicago, attended the General Assemblies downtown, and given advice about everything from legal assistance to fiscal sponsors.Whatever the outcomes of the Occupy Movement, it represents an important nexus for economic justice organizing in our city, and we’re proud to have played a part.You can donate online to support Occupy Chicago here.
