Amy Goodman, Lablo Iglesias and Pablos Iglesias talk about NYC, Wall Street and modern capitalism

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

People packed the house and many could not even get into the CUNY Grad Center at 35th and 5th Ave today in New York City to hear Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman and Pablo Iglesias, the General Secretary of the Spanish grassroots organization Podemos “we can” Party. Podemos grew out of the “Indignatos” movement that began occupying squares in Spain 4 years ago. Lablo Iglesias was also present, a 36-year-old political science professor and longtime activist of no relation who was elected to the European Parliament last year.

The grassroots party Podemos has quickly gaining popularity in Spain, Europe’s fifth largest economy. As many as 150,000 people rallied in Madrid on Jan 31, to show support. Podemos only became an official party last March, but a recent poll by El País found they have 28 percent support of the population, enough to possibly emerge as winner of Spain’s next general election.

Last May, Podemos surprised many when it received 1.2 million votes and five seats in the European Parliament elections. The indignados rallied against austerity cuts, rising unemployment and Spain’s political establishment. If Podemos wins Spain’s national elections later this year, Pablo could become Spain’s next prime minister.

Amy Goodman spoke first with a much needed emphasis on the importance of the Independent Media. “I see the Media as a long kitchen table that stretches across the globe” Amy says, “that we can all sit at to discuss and debate the most important issues of the day”.

“Anything less is a disservice to the service men and women even, of this country who can’t have these debates on Military bases.” “They rely on us in civilian society that lead to the discussions about whether they live or die, whether they’re sent to kill or be killed”.

Amy Goodman, “Look what happened at Zuccotti Park a few years ago.”I remember being down there the first days at Occupy, the Spaniards who came from the Squares of Barcelona & Madrid to talk about what happened there”.

Then Pablo Iglesias spoke giving thanks to the United States and the people it gave us, like Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, He quoted Abraham Lincoln at the Gettysburg address about a Gov. OF, BY, and FOR the PEOPLE shall not perish from the earth.

Pablo went on, “The financial Powers of the world represent the supreme Soviet of Global Political Powers, above Presidents and Parliament”. “The party of Wall St. represent those living in the attic of the Economic system, the same party of the Sub Prime mortgages in the United States that serve to evict Millions of Americans from their homes”. “The party of Wall St also has Officials in Spain”.

Photos by April Watters: