Press release headline of the afternoon:
Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Applaud Occupy Wall Street Movement
Yes, that’s two members of Congress who declare themselves supporters of the movement, begun by AdBusters, identified with anarchists. In less than 24 hours, a massive group of unions will endorse the Occupiers with a march in New York; here, the progressives jump the queue.
“We have been inspired by the growing grassroots movements on Wall Street and across the country,” say Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. and Rep. Keith Ellison, co-signing a statement. “We share the anger and frustration of so many Americans who have seen the enormous toll that an unchecked Wall Street has taken on the overwhelming majority of Americans while benefitting the super wealthy. We join the calls for corporate accountability and expanded middle-class opportunity.”
There’s an Occupy D.C. camp set up in D.C., where Suzy Khimm has already done some reporting. There’s an American Dream Project rally at the Capitol at noon tomorrow. In both places, there are chances for members of Congress to endorse, and thereby dub some official status, on these movements. It’s tempting to compare this to the Tea Party, which a few Republicans (Bachmann, Gohmert, Gingrich) embraced right away, as leading Republican candidates hedged on whether to attach their names to it.
UPDATE: And a New York blogger writes about Charlie Rangel visiting the Wall Street protest.
