Occupy 2.0

Grungy 20-somethings full of scorn for America’s financial system but unable to articulate a concrete vision for reform–that’s the image most associated with Occupy Wall Street, which launched a series of anti-Establishment demonstrations around the globe in 2011. But less than a year after the last protester was removed from New York City’s Zuccotti Park, the movement has re-emerged as a series of laser-focused advocacy groups that, loosely organized under the Occupy umbrella, are trying to effect change in a variety of sectors, financial and otherwise. Led in part by former Wall Streeters, these groups might still promote radical ideas (Occupy Bank wants to overhaul the entire U.S. banking system), but their approach to change is incremental, and they’re playing by the rules. Instead of complaining about predatory lending, for example, Strike Debt is raising cash ($35,000 so far) to buy medical debt, then forgive it. “It’s a strategic initiative,” says Amin Husain, who helped organize the movement. “We’re affecting people’s lives in a positive way but also exposing the nature of the system.” Here are five Occupy groups that are making real progress.

Occupy SEC

As regulators finalize rules associated with the Dodd-Frank financial-reform law, this group, which emerged in February, is looking over their shoulders, lobbying for consumer interests to counterbalance the outsize influence of financial firms.

Occupy the Boardroom

One way to help the 1% understand the plight of the 99%? Organize a letter-writing campaign. That’s the mission of this group, which has helped send more than 8,000 missives from lower-income Americans to the CEOs of firms like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

Strike Debt

In an effort to raise awareness about what it calls a predatory lending system–in which many Americans must borrow money to pay for basic needs like medical care and education–this group, organized in the summer of 2012, is staging high-profile fundraisers to buy people’s debt and then forgive it. To date, it has raised $35,000.

Occupy Bank

This group, founded in late 2011 by Wall Street types like former hedge-fund quant Cathy O’Neil, wants to partner with or acquire an existing financial institution in order to set up a national Occupy Bank, which would be owned by employees and depositors and emphasize transparency and equal access to financial services.

Occupy Sandy

The most recent grassroots movement, which funneled hundreds of volunteers and crucial supplies to storm-hit New York City neighborhoods almost as fast as FEMA, may be the best evidence yet that Occupy’s brand of direct democracy can also be efficient.

Source: RollingJubilee.org