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'''Occupy Wall Street''' is an ongoing [[peaceful demonstration]]<ref>{{Cite news | work=[[Bloomberg.com]] | last=Marcinek | first=Laura |title =Protesters Converge on Lower Manhattan, Plan ‘Occupation’|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-16/wall-street-protesters-vow-to-occupy-lower-manhattan-for-months.html| date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> opposing what participants view as negative corporate influence over U.S. politics and a lack of legal repercussions over the [[global financial crisis]].<ref name="ibtimes">{{Cite news |work=IBTimes New York | last= | first= | title='Occupy Wall Street' to Turn Manhattan into 'Tahrir Square' |url= http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/215511/20110917/occupy-wall-street-new-york-saturday-protest.htm | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 18, 2011}}</ref> It was inspired by the [[Arab Spring]] movement, particularly the protests in [[Cairo]]'s [[Tahrir Square]] which resulted in the [[2011 Egyptian Revolution]].<ref name="cnn">
'''Occupy Wall Street''' is an ongoing [[peaceful demonstration]]<ref>{{Cite news | work=[[Bloomberg.com]] | last=Marcinek | first=Laura |title =Protesters Converge on Lower Manhattan, Plan ‘Occupation’|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-16/wall-street-protesters-vow-to-occupy-lower-manhattan-for-months.html| date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> opposing what participants view as negative corporate influence over U.S. politics and a lack of legal repercussions over the [[global financial crisis]].<ref name="ibtimes">{{Cite news |work=IBTimes New York | last= | first= | title='Occupy Wall Street' to Turn Manhattan into 'Tahrir Square' |url= http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/215511/20110917/occupy-wall-street-new-york-saturday-protest.htm | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 18, 2011}}</ref> It was inspired by the [[Arab Spring]] movement, particularly the protests in [[Cairo]]'s [[Tahrir Square]] which resulted in the [[2011 Egyptian Revolution]].<ref name="cnn">
{{Cite news |work=CNN tech | last=Saba | first=Michael| title=Twitter #occupywallstreet movement aims to mimic Iran |url= http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/16/tech/social-media/twitter-occupy-wall-street/index.html | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> The aim of the demonstration is to begin a sustained [[occupation (protest)|occupation]] of [[Wall Street]], the [[financial district]] of [[New York City]]. Organizers intend for the occupation to last "a few months."<ref name="adbusterscampaigns">{{cite web|url=http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/occupywallstreet | title=#OCCUPYWALLSTREET | publisher=''www.adbusters.org'' | date= | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> The protests have come to encompass unrelated causes, and the activities and slogans of the protesters reflect a fragmented movement, including [[African American culture|African American]] and [[Stateside Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] cultural issues, alleged [[political prisoner]]s in [[Washington state]], food-related movements, and [[Discordianism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/info/occupy-wall-st2/occupy-wall-st2.htm |title=Occupy Wall Street Photos, 19&nbsp;September&nbsp;2011, Cryptome |publisher=Cryptome.org |date=September 19, 2011 |accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/info/occupy-wall-st3/occupy-wall-st3.htm |title=Occupy Wall Street Photos, 21&nbsp;September&nbsp;2011, Cryptome |publisher=Cryptome.org |date= |accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref>
{{Cite news |work=CNN tech | last=Saba | first=Michael| title=Twitter #occupywallstreet movement aims to mimic Iran |url= http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/16/tech/social-media/twitter-occupy-wall-street/index.html | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> The aim of the demonstration is to begin a sustained [[occupation (protest)|occupation]] of [[Wall Street]], the [[financial district]] of [[New York City]]. Organizers intend for the occupation to last "a few months."<ref name="adbusterscampaigns">{{cite web|url=http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/occupywallstreet | title=#OCCUPYWALLSTREET | publisher=''www.adbusters.org'' | date= | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref>

==Background==
==Background==
The demonstration is leaderless,<ref>{{Cite news | title=US protesters rally to occupy Wall Street |url= http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/us-protesters-rally-occupy-wall-street | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> although it was originally proposed by ''[[Adbusters]]'', a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[anti-consumerist]] magazine. The [[hacktivism|hacktivist]] group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] incited its followers to take part in the protest, which increased the attention it received.<ref name="cnn"/> Other groups followed, typically of [[anti-capitalist]] and [[leftism|leftist]] persuasions, including the NYC General Assembly and U.S. Day of Rage.<ref name="ibtimes"/>
The demonstration is leaderless,<ref>{{Cite news | title=US protesters rally to occupy Wall Street |url= http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/us-protesters-rally-occupy-wall-street | date=September 17, 2011 | accessdate=September 17, 2011}}</ref> although it was originally proposed by ''[[Adbusters]]'', a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[anti-consumerist]] magazine. The [[hacktivism|hacktivist]] group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] incited its followers to take part in the protest, which increased the attention it received.<ref name="cnn"/> Other groups followed, typically of [[anti-capitalist]] and [[leftism|leftist]] persuasions, including the NYC General Assembly and U.S. Day of Rage.<ref name="ibtimes"/>

Revision as of 15:09, 27 September 2011

Occupy Wall Street
thumbtime=(Video thumbnail frame - see below)
Poster for the protest, expressing the absence of a unified cause or demand
DateSeptember 17, 2011 (2011-09-17) (Constitution Day) –
ongoing
LocationNew York City, USA
ParticipantsAnonymous, Middle Class Youth, Anti-Capitalists, Socialists, Social Activists, AdBusters readers, Anarchists, former financial services workers, the IWW, Democracy Now!, 9/11 first responders
Websiteoccupywallst.org
New York City General Assembly
adbusters.org/campaigns/occupywallstreet
A speaker addresses the crowd in Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011
A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and keffiyeh, holding an Anonymous flier, September 17, 2011

Occupy Wall Street is an ongoing peaceful demonstration[1] opposing what participants view as negative corporate influence over U.S. politics and a lack of legal repercussions over the global financial crisis.[2] It was inspired by the Arab Spring movement, particularly the protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square which resulted in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.[3] The aim of the demonstration is to begin a sustained occupation of Wall Street, the financial district of New York City. Organizers intend for the occupation to last "a few months."[4]

Background

The demonstration is leaderless,[5] although it was originally proposed by Adbusters, a Canadian anti-consumerist magazine. The hacktivist group Anonymous incited its followers to take part in the protest, which increased the attention it received.[3] Other groups followed, typically of anti-capitalist and leftist persuasions, including the NYC General Assembly and U.S. Day of Rage.[2]

Prior to the protest's beginning on September 17, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a press conference, "People have a right to protest, and if they want to protest, we'll be happy to make sure they have locations to do it."[2]

Chronology of events

September 17 saw the beginning of the Occupy Wall Street gathering. An estimated 1,000 people[6] attended on the first day. NYPD police officers prohibited protesters from erecting tents, citing loitering rules. This led to masses of people walking up and down Wall Street.

On Monday, September 19, the stock market opened on Wall Street for regular business. Many major news sources began to publish articles on the occupation[7] and Occupy Wall Street caught some mainstream media attention across a wide variety of sources.[8]

On September 23, the action at Liberty Plaza Park, across the street from finance hub One Liberty Plaza in New York City continued.[9] The Colbert Report[10] satirized the protests and major newspapers including The Guardian[11] and the New York Times covered the protests.[12]

Opposition and support

Zuni Tikka, whom the New York Times called "a blond with a marked likeness to Joni Mitchell," using toplessness as a method to convey her message on Day 8, September 24[12]

Despite the organizers' insistence that the occupation would remain non-violent, some commentators in the media and financial sector raised fears of unrest in the run-up to the event. In an interview with The New American, Ron Arnold of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise claimed that, "American radicals are planning hundreds of simultaneous violent uprisings to topple our system of capitalism...I'm talking about anti-capitalist terrorists in our own country."[13] The Blaze, a conservative news website, criticized U.S. Day of Rage's involvement in the demonstration and compared the event to the violent "Days of Rage" protests in 1969.[14]

Support for the demonstration amongst mainstream liberal groups varied. Progressive blogger Zaid Jilani, writing for ThinkProgress, wrote that the protesters' anger against Wall Street banks was not unreasonable "because Wall Street’s actions made tens of millions of people dramatically poorer through no fault of their own"; however, Jilani also wrote that "debates about the tactics and strategy behind an anti-Wall Street campaign are warranted."[15] The left-wing blog Crooks and Liars offered more praise of the effort, which contributor Susie Madrak writing, "I have a feeling this might be a good one."[16]

Rap artist Lupe Fiasco donated tents and a mobile sound system for the occupation; he also wrote a poem to help inspire the protesters.[17] Comedienne Roseanne Barr spoke to protesters during the first day of the demonstration, describing Wall Street financiers as "the people who decimated our economy and caused all the problems in the world."[18] Filmmaker Michael Moore addressed the crowd on the evening of September 26, 2011. [19]

Political commentator and writer Keith Olbermann criticized mainstream media for failing to cover Occupy Wall Street, saying, "Why isn't any major news outlet covering this? ... If that's a Tea Party protest in front of Wall Street ..., it's the lead story on every network newscast."[20][9]

Arrests and police interaction

The New York Police Department have made several arrests during the protests:

  • Four protesters were arrested for wearing masks.[21]
  • One protester was arrested for crossing a police barricade and resisting arrest.[22]
  • Two protesters were arrested for entering a building belonging to Bank of America.[22]
  • One protester was arrested for disorderly conduct.[23]

At least 80 arrests were made on September 24,[24] after protesters started marching uptown and forcing the closure of several streets.[25][26] Most of the 80 arrests were for blocking traffic, though some were also charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Police officers have also been using a technique called kettling which involves using orange nets to isolate protesters into small groups. [25][26]

Witnesses said they saw three women collapse on the ground screaming after they were pepper sprayed in the face. A video posted on YouTube and NYDailyNews.com shows uniformed officers had corralled the women using orange nets and one suddenly sprayed the women before turning and quickly walking away.[27] The Police Department’s chief spokesman, Paul J. Browne, said the police had used the pepper spray “appropriately". According to the spokesperson, “Pepper spray was used once after individuals confronted officers and tried to prevent them from deploying a mesh barrier — something that was edited out or otherwise not captured in the video.”[28] Activists later published the name and contact details of the officer seen spraying the women with Mace, Lieutenant Anthony Bologna, and encouraged members of the public to complain about his conduct.[29]

See also

2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests

References

  1. ^ Marcinek, Laura (September 17, 2011). "Protesters Converge on Lower Manhattan, Plan 'Occupation'". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "'Occupy Wall Street' to Turn Manhattan into 'Tahrir Square'". IBTimes New York. September 17, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Saba, Michael (September 17, 2011). "Twitter #occupywallstreet movement aims to mimic Iran". CNN tech. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  4. ^ "#OCCUPYWALLSTREET". www.adbusters.org. Retrieved September 17, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "US protesters rally to occupy Wall Street". September 17, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Zerbisias, Antonia (September 20, 2011). "World News: Protests dwindle in attempt to 'occupy Wall Street'". thestar.com. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  7. ^ "Google Trends: occupy wall street". Google.com. September 17, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  8. ^ ""Occupy Wall Street" Google News agreggation". September 17, 2011.
  9. ^ a b om een reactie te plaatsen! (September 21, 2011). "Keith Olbermann Covers Occupy Wall Street Protests Media Blackout". YouTube. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  10. ^ "Colbert Report, 23 September 2011". Colbertnation.com. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  11. ^ Harris, Paul. "Guardian". Guardian. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Bellafante, Ginia (September 23, 2011). "Gunning for Wall Street, With Faulty Aim". The New York Times. New York City. The New York Times Company. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  13. ^ “Day of Rage” Wall St. Occupation Sparks Fears, The New American, September 13, 2011
  14. ^ Who Is Behind the ‘US Day of Rage’ to ‘Occupy’ Wall Street this September 17?, TheBlaze.com, August 19, 2011
  15. ^ Why There Are Protests On Wall Street: Their Actions Impoverished More Than 60 Million People, ThinkProgress, September 18, 2011
  16. ^ Occupy Wall Street: 'This Is Not A One-Day Demonstration, We're Not Leaving', Crooks and Liars, September 17, 2011
  17. ^ "U.S. Day of Rage planned for Saturday — an Arab Spring in America?". September 15, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  18. ^ "Occupy Wall Street": Thousands March in NYC Financial District, Set Up Protest Encampment, DemocracyNow.org, September 19, 2011
  19. ^ Strachan, Jessica. "Michael Moore gives speech at Liberty Plaza for 'Occupy Wall Street'". The Flint Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Will Bunch, author of 'The Backlash,' on mainstream media's failure to cover Wall Street protests". current.com. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  21. ^ Marcinek, Laura (September 19, 2011). "NYPD Arrest Seven Wall Street Protesters". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Marcinek, Laura (September 19, 2011). "Wall Street Areas Blocked as Police Arrest Seven in Protest". Businessweek. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  23. ^ "What I am doing right now | United States | By Asdf Asdf (picos)". Qik.com. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  24. ^ Smith, Candice. "Occupy Wall Street Movement Reports 80 Arrested Today in Protests". abc. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  25. ^ a b "Police Arrest 80 During 'Occupy Wall Street' Protest". Fox New.com. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  26. ^ a b Moynihan, Colin. "80 Arrested as Financial District Protest Moves North". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Deluca, Matt. "Wall Street protesters cuffed, pepper-sprayed during 'inequality' march". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  28. ^ Goldstein, Joseph. "Videos Show Police Using Pepper Spray at Protest on the Financial System". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Karen McVeigh in New York. "Occupy Wall Street activists name officer over pepper spray incident | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved September 27, 2011.

External Links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Occupy Wall Street.
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