The Occupy Movement’s bold and inventive methods of confronting the 1% are how the movement got its name; by “occupying” spaces that challenge the moral accountability of the powers that be. This movement has swept the world and can easily be argued to have roots outside U.S. borders. Within the U.S. the movement’s 1970 antecedents, more frequently referred to as “take-overs”, have frequently been overlooked.

The most contemporary Occupy expressions have been embodied in the Take Back the Land movement (TBL), which has been able to make concrete differences in the lives of those most acutely affected by the indiscretions of the 1%.

The Institute for Policy Studies invites you to a cutting edge and interactive forum featuring one TBL leader, Max Rameau. Accompanied by video presentation, Max will lead a discussion about the historical context of this movement; an analysis of how the Occupy movement relates to TBL; and the differences, similarities, and synergies between this movement and TBL. An integral part of the discussion will be about race, class, and international issues.

Max Rameau is a Haitian born Pan-African theorist, campaign strategist, organizer and author. After moving to Miami, Florida in 1991, Max began organizing around a broad range of issues impacting low-income Black communities, including Immigrant rights, particularly Haitian immigrants, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, particularly for ex-felons and police abuse, among others. As the housing “boom” took off and the devastating impacts of gentrification began to take root, Max shifted his attention to the subject and in the summer of 2006 helped found the organization which eventually became known as Take Back the Land, to address ‘Land’ issues in the Black community. Max relocated to Washington, DC in 2011, where he lives with his family and is the director of Movement Catalyst, a movement strategy and support organization.

We will appreciate a suggested donation of $5 help us cover the cost of the event but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.