The 'will she/won't she' nature of Roseanne Barr's presidential campaign has been put to rest. The Emmy award-winning actress and comedienne told a crowd of New York City activists that she is serious about becoming the President of the USA.
But that isn't all. Roseanne was in Zuccotti Park, NYC, to lend her support to the mass demonstration that began there on September 17th 2011. Two days later, she Tweeted that she intends to stay, in order to attract media attention to the Occupy Wall Street/US Day of Rage protest.
Roseanne Surprises Civic and Human Rights Protesters in Zuccotti Park, NYC
As activists gathered in New York City's Zuccotti Park, nobody knew that a celebrity was about to stroll into their midst. It was the evening of September 17th 2011, when crowds of demonstrators were making their way into the plaza for their General Assembly and free food. This was the time when matters of the day were discussed and tactics were planned for the next stage of the protests. They were there for the joint initiatives of Occupy Wall Street and US Day of Rage. They were campaigning against American governmental policies, which seemed to favour big business and wealthy corporate lobbyists over the basic needs of citizens.
Around 500 people were in the privately owned square, with another 6000 viewers watching on the Global Revolution Livestream. Roseanne Barr arrived without warning, prepared with a speech to address the protesters. She supported their cause and she had news that fans have been waiting for. She was definitely going to enter the next presidential race.
Creating People-ism: Roseanne Lends her Support for Occupy Wall Street
Until now, protesters had been amplifying their voice through the 'human microphone'. As each speaker stood up, their words were echoed by everyone close enough to hear. In that way, even those at the back and on the streets around could hear the messages. Roseanne Barr arrived when the assembly had a bullhorn and her speech boomed across the plaza, amid a great deal of cheering.
Roseanne told demonstrators that she looked forward to new and fair democracy in America. "I'm talking about a system which rewards hard work and ambition, but also cares for its weakest child; and being called a femin-Nazi for saying these things will be considered treasonous." She added, "We will simply combine Capitalism and Socialism and create People-ism."
Roseanne Calls for Unity Amongst Demonstrators and their Fellow Americans
Roseanne's avowed heroine, American philosopher and radical Feminist, Mary Daly was quoted, "There is no liberty without truth." Then the actress called upon the police officers of the NYPD to side with protesters 'against those people who are trying to take their retirement funds.' She highlighted her own Jewish heritage in warning that the inevitable future of rampant profiteering was in forced labor camps.
Her personal history was recalled in a warning to protesters. Citing her own experiences in the peace demonstrations of the 1960s, Roseanne counseled that it was time to 'put egos aside'. She used the example of websites, saying that a unified site giving all of the information and providing updates from all, would get the message out faster than disparate sites competing for hits. It was not important which individual organizations and groups received the most credit. Their shared aims and messages should win out, or else the protest risked getting mired in internal politics.
Hacktivists Anonymous Receive a Nod from Roseanne Barr in New York
Sitting in a row alongside Roseanne were several Anonymous hacktivists, wearing their trademark Guy Fawkes masks. They each held up identical notices, which the actress read aloud in Zuccotti Park. "The corrupt fear us. The honest support us. The heroic join us."
Afterwards she nodded in salute and said, "I love your masks. I love you guys."
The activists were taking a risk. At the start of the protest, word of mouth warned that anyone caught wearing a mask would be arrested. Two days later, on September 19th 2011, those rumours became reality. Eye-witnesses were shown on the Global Revolution Livestream, reporting at another General Assembly, that people with Guy Fawkes masks had been arrested near Wall Street in the morning. They weren't wearing them over their faces, but slung behind, covering the rear of their heads.
Roseanne Barr Confirms That She Will Entering the Presidential Race
At the same rally, Roseanne ended a year of speculation about her participation in the next presidential race. Previously she had blogged that her intention to run was only a way of entering the debates, in order to ask questions on behalf of the working class. At the Occupy Wall Street protest, she confirmed that it was now for real. If enough people vote, then Roseanne Barr could be the next Green Tea Party President of the USA.
Her intention was repeated on Twitter, on September 19th 2011, where she also stated that she intends to stay in New York while the demonstrations are on-going.
Sources:
- Hollywood Reporter, Roseanne Barr Embarking on Presidential Campaign (Video). (August 6th 2010.)
- Roseanne World, Roseanne Barr Presidential Campaign Announcement. (May 27th 2010.)
- Twitter, Roseanne Barr (Staying in NYC to bring the media; urging Jews to join in. September 19th 2011.)
- Twitter, Roseanne Barr (Announcement at Occupy Wall Street rally that she is really running for president, September 19th 2011.)
- Vimeo, Roseanne Barr Speaks to Wall Street Protesters. (Uploaded by Nathan Vickers, September 18th, 2011.)
Jo Harrington - Jo has a BA (Hons) in History and Philosophy and a MA in History. She has a book published on the history of Wicca.
