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The momentum is building in Seminole
By jmb | October 8, 2003
(Edited 10-10-03 @ 10:58 a.m.)Here is the latest announcement/essay on what we are doing with the protests at the Wrangler plant in Seminole. It was first posted at OK-IMC.
- This was originally posted to the OKGreens discussion list and was written for members of the Oklahoma Green Party, however for clarification, this protest is not an official Green party event or a partisan event at all. All are welcome no matter what their political persuasion.EVENT: Protest at Wrangler Plant (on SH9, aka “Wrangler Blvd”) in Seminole, OK
TIME: 5-7 p.m.
DATE: Friday, October 10, 2003
CONTACTS: Rachel at rachel@okgreens.org
James at jmb@okgreens.org, (405)476-5620.)
ANNOUNCEMENT:
We need your presence in Seminole, at the Wrangler Protest this Friday, October 10th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in front of the Wrangler plant on SH 9, also marked as Wrangler Boulevard.
As a result of the actions of Wrangler and the Vanity Fair corporation, rural Oklahomans lose autonomy, and rural Oklahoma suffers the loss of local culture . What we do not hesitate to greive for in third world countries is happening here. Several plants have been closed throughout the state over the past year and a half, in such towns as Okemah, Coalgate, and Prague. Workers who have given their lives to the productivity of the company are being treated as unimportant and powerless. And, as the plants close, the towns collapse. Poverty increases, crime increases, and a well-established and once vital community disappears, as workers migrate to metropolitan areas in search of jobs.
Though people rarely stop to consider it (due to the abundance of negative stereotypes associated with folks in rural areas), the culture of rural Oklahoma is more innately aligned to Green values than suburban culture - and it is also more threatened, as the very concept of the smalltown and local government is dying. The Wrangler protests call attention to this - in addition to tying the experience of Oklahoma workers to those workers in other countries who will take their place. Both indirectly and directly, these issues will affect us all eventually; they prove the undeniable connection between ourselves and the workers being most immediately affected. We should demonstrate this solidarity in the face of this unfairness, as solidarity helps to change unfairness. We need to bear witness together to that which is wrong.
We have organized this Friday’s protest in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which is a logical relationship for Greens to nurture. They have consistently numbered around 15 - 20 people, whereas the Greens have consistently numbered around 2 - 4. We would appreciate the presence of any and all Greens in order that we might show support for the cause of the workers, and for Oklahoma. If our numbers are big enough, the media guarantees they will respond.
Please bring your signs and yourself to Seminole this Friday. You will be astonished by the positive response from the community. Folks who might disagree with us on other issues not only understand our stance - they agree with it. It makes you realize how great it would be if we all just raised our voices. We would appreciate it if you could help us set an example.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Let’s be about it.
Thanks,
Rachel Jackson
Co-Chair, Green Party of Oklahoma
BTW, if you haven’t seen these pictures from 2 weeks ago be sure and check them out. It is so good to see citizens standing up for their own communities. If only more of us would wake up and realize we that we don’t have to be silent when we are being pushed around.
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