[col. writ. 10/7/11] © '11 Mumia Abu-Jamal

In Lower Manhattan's Zucotti Park (renamed 'Liberty Square' by the demonstrators), the cast of thousands swell in rebellion against the betrayals by the banks, Wall Street's relentless greed, the plague of joblessness and the craven servility of the political class--both Republicans and Democrats--to their moneyed masters.

"You're asking our youth to be punished for something they have no power over. You've taken all the resources. You've cut the programs, you've cut the schools, you've cut everything and this is what remains. If you pass this curfew law you are telling the out of today you don't care about them . Let's be serious this is not going to upset middle class University City students.

My name is Khadijah White and I’m here with many others to reiterate my protest against this curfew.

Just a day before Mayor Michael Nutter passed the Philadelphia curfew this summer, he made it clear that his target was Black youth. “That's part of the problem in the black community”, he said, “we have too many men making too many babies they don't want to take care of and then we end up dealing with your children."

After hours of testimony from activists, parents, teachers, community members including a large contingent from Occupy Philly, City Council overwhelmingly voted the curfew bill into law.

Check out testimony from Occupy Philly anti-curfew organizer Khadija White, community organizer Adan X, Suzy Subway, a Upenn education student Mehan and our own media tent's John all delivered fiery speeches. All break down the racist nature of the bill and call for the City refocusing on resources for Black and poor youth.