If an individual wishes to support the Occupy folks, that is of course, an individual choice. If you petition the AIA to offer the Institute's support, I for one, oppose such action. There is neither an identity nor a purpose or cause that defines these spontaneous events. It would be a tough sell to suggest that there is something there essential to the profession. A tougher sell that there is a defined course to take to ameliorate economic conditions.
As to the alignment of your efforts with those of your clients, again it is a personal choice, but the kind of choice that the AIA cannot sanction, nor, should interefer with. Please don't ask the AIA to adopt some political point of view that is (so ill) defined as the "1%".
Rhetoric may suggest that there are legitimate concerns. But, the intent or end goal is in this occupy action has not been articulated to my mind, nor has it been explained by anyone who has attempted to articulate the purpose. What is clear is that there is frustration over the course of our failing economy, and anger with those who presumably could help in a recovery but have not. The list of those who could help, or could have tried, is lengthy, and the cuprits clearly represent more than 1% of every group.
This is the worst time for architects since the 30's and 40's and may in the end be worse. Like the greed driving investment abuses, seeking to blame the powers that be, for our discomfort, is human nature. Though the real causes are complex, throwing the bums out often works, often fails, as the bloody history of civil and revolutions wars has defined civilization. Are the occupiers ready to take arms and attempt the ultimate? Should the AIA supply arms and vittles to the soldiers? Wait, before the rumble starts, what was that cause?
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Allen E Neyman AIA
Principal
StovallSmithNeyman and Associates Architects
Germantown MD
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