Organizing Occupy Wall Street: This is Just Practice

This book is the first study of the processes and structures of the Occupy Wall Street movement, written from the perspective of a core organizer. It aims to fill the gap by analyzing primary sources and footage from the OWS Media Working Group archive.

Format: Hardback
Length: 335 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate processes and structures that shaped the Occupy Wall Street movement. Written from the perspective of a core organizer who played a pivotal role from its inception to its culmination, it offers a unique insight into the movement's organizational dynamics. Despite the abundance of literature on Occupy Wall Street, few books have specifically focused on the intricacies of its organization. Marisa Holmes, an organizer actively involved in the New York City chapter of OWS, aims to bridge this gap by drawing theoretical insights from practical experiences and analyzing a diverse array of primary sources. These sources encompass collective statements, structure documents, meeting minutes, live tweets, and hundreds of hours of footage from the OWS Media Working Group archive. Through this meticulous analysis, Holmes unveils the practical strategies employed by the movement, identifies the most effective experiments, and offers valuable lessons for future generations.

The book begins by providing a historical backdrop, tracing the origins and evolution of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Holmes explores the social, economic, and political factors that fueled the movement's emergence and highlights the growing dissatisfaction among individuals with the dominant economic system. This contextualization sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, which delve into the organizational aspects of the movement.

Holmes emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing in the success of Occupy Wall Street. She explains how the movement was built from the ground up, with individuals coming together to form local chapters and coordinate actions. The book showcases the diverse range of individuals and groups that contributed to the movement, including activists, artists, students, and ordinary citizens who were motivated by a shared sense of injustice and a desire for change.

One of the key strengths of the book is its extensive use of primary sources. Holmes has scoured a wide range of materials, including official documents, personal accounts, and social media posts, to provide a comprehensive account of the movement's organization. These sources offer a firsthand perspective on the experiences of organizers, participants, and observers, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the movement's dynamics and challenges.

Holmes employs a rigorous analytical approach to her analysis, drawing upon various theoretical frameworks and concepts to shed light on the movement's organizational structures and processes. She explores the role of leadership, communication, and collaboration in shaping the movement's direction and effectiveness. She also examines the impact of technology and social media on the movement's organizing and dissemination of information.

Throughout the book, Holmes offers valuable insights and recommendations for future movements and social activists. She emphasizes the importance of building strong networks and alliances, fostering diversity and inclusivity, and developing effective strategies for mobilizing and organizing large groups of people. She also highlights the need for long-term sustainability and the importance of addressing the underlying economic and political systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of social movements and organizational dynamics. Written from the perspective of a core organizer who played a pivotal role in shaping the Occupy Wall Street movement, it offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the movement's processes and structures. Through its extensive use of primary sources and rigorous analytical approach, it provides valuable insights into the strategies employed by the movement, the lessons learned, and the potential for future social activism. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the power dynamics of social movements and the potential for collective action to bring about positive change.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 156 x 218 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811989469
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023