January 1, 2012; Source: Register Guard | A satirical contingent of Occupy supporters in Eugene, Oregon braved freezing fog on New Year’s Eve to demonstrate against income inequality by dressing as “rich people” and promoting their rights. Speeches, “money = power” signs, and chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, the middle class has got to go” punctuated the evening. The fun is “celebrating, in our sarcastic way,” one participant noted.

The demonstrators may not want their protest to be taken literally, but the opportunity to do so is not lost on those who advocate for the rights of the very wealthy. In a recent Financial Timesarticle, New York hedge-fund manager Anthony Scaramucci asserted that “The 99 percent really want to be part of the 1 percent.” The article also contains several examples of Wall Street executives taking their policy agenda to “the people,” as they cite the positive job creation impact of financial services, income tax contributions of high-income individuals, and traditional American values that should guard against divisive tax policy debate. It’s interesting to see their advocacy move beyond the borders of back room negotiating tactics and campaign donations to a direct-media campaign.

What’s next? As communication tactics evolve, do you see a different, or more visible, role for nonprofits emerging?—Kathi Jaworski