Inner city residents in former industrial centers, already
struggling with economic challenges and coping
with the fallout of the financial crisis, are turning
to the commons as their hope for the future. Significant
grassroots initiatives are underway in places like
Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. OTC is planning
a series of public events showcasing the promise of
local commons-based action in Detroit at the time of
the U.S. Social Forum next June. OTC’s communications
team will also be preparing an in-depths report
about local initiatives in Cleveland, Detroit and other
cities.
The impact of the continuing economic crisis is measured
not only in jobs gone but in valuable public assets
lost forever. State and local governments struggle
with plummeting tax revenues, forcing slashes in
many essential services such as schools, libraries,
parks, transit and social programs at a time when they
are more needed than ever.
In a political climate where tax hikes are vehemently
challenged, this increases pressure for governments
to sell off public assets that the public depends upon.
Chicago has already leased a major highway to a
private firm. OTC Fellow Jay Walljasper has been coordinating coverage on our
website and made a strong case for the importance of publicly-owned
assets in op-eds for the San Francisco Chronicle, Minneapolis
Star-Tribune and Alternet news service. He
also addresses the subject at presentations in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, contact Jay Walljasper