REPORT: First ever Mayday for Money
With many thanks from me personally for BMRC's strong support of Mayday for Money, here is a report.
First Ever Mayday for Money
A wave of Fresh energy enlivened the banking district of Chicago last weekend. Mayday for Money brought a merry band of money reformers marching and chanting for democracy and a debt-free future. On the long road toward Eden, or at least away from dystopia and debt slavery, this was the Alliance For Just Money’s (AFJM) national debut, three days of inspiring actions calling out the Federal Reserve System's failure.
After delivering a letter of dissatisfaction to the Fed, on Friday evening monetary reformers gathered at the beautiful Climate Action Museum to discuss Cecilia Paulsson & Anders Nilsson’s new film, Outgrow the System. To the oft-heard lament that the monetary system is “too hard to explain,” a quiet man spoke up to say he starts by telling his friends it’s not as complicated as the NFL Draft.
The Rally and March on Saturday sported eye-catching signs, like “money for the common good” and the 12-foot-long banner, “The people want their money back.” In stark contrast to the message of Just Money, marchers were accompanied all day at the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building by a 4-block long line of mostly poor people required to file make-work tax returns. Naturally many were sour about their wasted Saturday. With fliers and conversation demonstrators offered connection to AFJM’s passion for a fair system.
Rally speakers pointed out the crimes, belligerence and instability of the bank credit system. Messages of solidarity were read from allies here and abroad.
Songs brought tourist attention and a playful break from monetary reform's heavy lift. One was the New Economistas’ song, Money out of Air. When a friend said sadly that you couldn't write a song about hedge funds, derivatives and credit default swaps, Gwen Hallsmith said, Hold my beer!
Here is the chorus:
Hedge Funds, derivatives and credit default swaps
Once we were working class, now we’re on top
We’ve brainwashed the people into thinking that it’s fair
For the Federal Reserve to make money out of air.
The Raging Grannies of Madison WI brought their version of the Beer Barrel Polka, Follow the Money:
Follow the money, to see why we go off to war
Follow the money, it’s not freedom we’re fighting for
Follow the money, profits aren’t worth dying for
Lockheed Martin’s got their billions,
And they don’t need more!
In the evening preachers, teachers and activists turned into pretty good actors. They premiered a dramatized version of James Stuart Gibbs’ Fantopia. It’s a parable of two neighboring towns who each needed a bridge over the river between. The one town borrowed to build in the usual manner, adding the cost of money to the costs of building. The banks ridiculed the other town’s use of a trusted local currency for their bridge until the tables turned.
The Sunday program was a capstone, showcasing again the skills, passion and vision of AFJM directors and staff. John Howell gave an animated distillation of the monetary history that brings us to this existential moment. It generated lively conversation among long-time money activists and curious newcomers. After a comforting home-cooked dal, author-activist Gwen Hallsmith wrapped up the weekend with a game and role-play to boost appreciation for the important role that local and complimentary currencies play in the ecology of money, in particular to avoid depending upon any one form of something so necessary as a medium of exchange. The conversation was again lively and friendly, with monetary reformers noting limitations of local currencies, and Hallsmith affirming the need for both macro and micro solutions.
