2020-09-04 12:15:42

"We Are the 99%": Occupy Wall Street Activist & Author David Graeber, Dead at 59, in His Own Words

Upon the death of acclaimed anthropologist and anarchist David Graeber, DN featureS his 2011 interview on Democracy Now!, two days after the Occupy encampment began.

Graeber helped organize the initial Occupy Wall Street protest and was credited with helping to develop the slogan, "We are the 99%." "The idea is the system is not going to save us; we're going to have to save ourselves," says Graeber.

"So, we're going to try to get as many people as possible to camp in some public place and start rebuilding society as we'd like to see it." He also discusses how his influential book "Debt: The First 5,000 Years" makes the case for sweeping debt cancellation.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. 

Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Amy Goodman David Graeber Democracy Now! Economy Free Speech TV Great Depression Occupy Wall Street United States

Economy

FSTV Speaks

Social Security Is Under Attack – Fight Back! | FSTV Speaks

Social Security Is Under Attack – Fight Back! | FSTV Speaks

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | An All-Out Assault on Organized Labor

The Rick Smith Show | An All-Out Assault on Organized Labor

The Randi Rhodes' Show

The Randi Rhodes Show | Businesses are Losing Their Minds

The Randi Rhodes Show | Businesses are Losing Their Minds

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | The Leopards Continue Eating Faces

The Rick Smith Show | The Leopards Continue Eating Faces

Related

Working Families Party Mass Call 4/16 -- Watch on Demand Now!

Working Families Party Mass Call 4/16 -- Watch on Demand Now!

Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Gay USA

Gay USA 3/5/2025 | Resistance To Trump Cuts Escalate

Gay USA 3/5/2025 | Resistance To Trump Cuts Escalate

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Proud Partners