China had its “Gang of Five.” Back in 1968 the U.S. had the “Chicago Seven,” which trans-morphed over the years into different organizations that eventually spawned the “99 Percenters” of today. All of the aforementioned groups were, or are, composed of members that were arrested at one time. Perhaps the largest group of individuals seeking a change is what Truthout calls the “U.S. 2.3 Million.”
The United States, with five percent of the world’s population, has the highest rate of incareceration—25 percent, which translates to 2.3 million people. We don’t always hear about them in the media, only when they are celebrities, children or spouses of celebrities, politicians, members of well known activist groups, or are individuals who have committed a particularly egregious crime. The others, claims, Maya Schenwar of Truthout, are the “ invisible one percent of the ninety-nine percent.” Schenwar writes that on the day when the “NATO 3” were arrested, as well as on the day 45 protesters were arrested at the Chicago NATO Summit, 35,948 people in America were arrested. Every day, according to FBI statistics obtained by Truthout, approximately 35, 948 people are arrested in the U.S. The 34,948 humans who are arrested each day are absorbed into the larger group, “The U.S. 2.3 Million,” the majority of whom will be regurgitated, only to be re-absorbed again. So who are the silent U.S. 2.3 Million? Mostly, they are non-violent drug offenders. What can be done to give them a voice? Maya Schenwar tells us.
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