Occupy Wall Street is a social movement (read this primer written by Ezra Klein) inspired by the Arab Spring and other protest movements around the world. Although the call to action was made by the magazine Adbusters in July of 2011, the occupation in NYC began on at Zuccotti Park September 17th, 2011. Since then, hundreds of protesters have occupied various locations in cities around the US (including Minneapolis) and the world.
Individuals in the protest movement identify themselves as the 99% and although they represent a multitude of views, they have organized around their shared interest as the 99% of people in America who do not have tremendous wealth.
In some ways they have created a new society. Food is served, medical care is provided, a newspaper has been created, and people can find reading material at the peoples library (In NYC this was all taken away on Nov 15, the city of New York claims the books are being held at an of-site location. See below).
All of this is aided in part by a unique way (or perhaps only true way) of doing democracy. Proposals for action, questions and concerns are brought forth in an organizational meeting called a General assembly. Decisions are made by consensus whereby everyone must agree. Watch this video describing the process.
The mainstream media has been critical of this movement claiming that it lacks a coherent message. More than anything this represents the fact that these activists are fed up with the traditional way of participating in democracy which they see as corrupt and ineffectual. (As evidence check out this article on Chuck Schumer) They are attempting to take democracy into their own hands and truly make it by and for the people. (read this excellent article written by anthropologist David Graeber).
A few more links:
Update: Below is a video of a UC Davis police officer pepper-spraying a group of students who were peacefully protesting the destruction of an Occupy encampment. Here is an article by Matt Taibbi that link’s the militarization of the police and to the erosion of civil liberties associated with the War on Terror.
This started as a great cause. I’m afraid the only way to get through however is with the wallet. Be careful of the products and services you buy…who or what are you supporting?
I feel bad for the people who are really standing for a cause here. I think this has emploded into a reason for many people to just go stand around and yell and make what started out as a real stand for a cause, and turned it into something much closer to a circus. Many people who claim to support this cause really have no idea what the cause is. The violence and rapidly ensuing problems have distracted greatly from the problem at hand and as great of a cause as it is, I just wonder if what I’m seeing a reading about is really good for the cause, or more destructive.
I agree with their message. The ever-widening gap between rich and poor can not be good for our society overall.
Me too..
It’s great that people are making a movement and protesting against what really matters for Americans. I believe social media such as facebook, twitter and etc. are making this movement even stronger and more applicable in its effort to gain strength and support. One draw back that I believe everyone is forgetting about this protest is that we are taking out emergency personnel away from fighting crime on our streets, increasing the cost of city budget due to security & crowd control, the small or large business that are being hurt due to protesters occupying their business space and etc.
I agree with you that it is probably doing more harm than good when you look at how much it is costing and effecting the people of the city. If only there were a better way…
You have a point. But everything comes with a price. If want a change, then one has to be prepared for the consequence whatever that may be.
Social Media is an amazing new use of the world wide web. The connections and forwardment of globalization can only unite us more with the help of social media. yay!
What do you think would happen if the cities (and the police) didn’t commit the resources and personnel and just ignored the protests? There is a fundamental worry that left to its own devices the movement would devolve into chaos, but I think its worth asking whether or not that is actually true.
I believe, both parties have their own goal. When protestors are there to protest for their specific agendas and Law Inforcement is there to keep things under control. I believe it keeps it balanced.
I think that is a really good question. Although it might be a hard thing to do because of how widespread the movement has become. But I do wonder what would happen. Would protesters become more outspoken and bold?
I think it’s a joke. If they had a clear message it would give them some credibility. However, it seems to be a bunch of drug addicts and drop outs who just want to “fight the power”. There are legitimate issues this country has and we aren’t going to change them by throwing rocks through bank windows and pooping on side walks.
I see where you are coming from, but what do you suggest we do instead? People are fed up and outraged. I agree that sleeping outside and occupying our streets may not be the best way to get our message across but as least it is catching the attention of our country. I believe that the protest at UC David is a perfect example of what protests should be looking like.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/11/20/142562402/video-after-pepper-spraying-a-powerfully-silent-protest-at-uc-davis
I’m not sure why people are so shocked by what happened at UC Davis. Just as a civilian I know that if the police tell me I’m breaking the law and need to stop, I should. If I don’t, I may be arrested. If I refuse to cooperate at all, I might be physically dealt with. I avoid said situations and I don’t get arrested or maced. I guess I don’t understand where people are seeing this as an outrage when it’s such a simple chain of outcomes. The videos of course dramatize it but the police can’t choose what they enforce. I guarantee that the previous half-hour before the video the police repeatedly warned the protesters, something the video does not show.
This was a direct violation of the our constitutional rights. And you are correct- I wasnt there so I dont know exactly how it went down or what happened prior. But I do understand that this was a peaceful protest on a college campus. Where was the law breaking??
Kelsey-I don’t see where you perceive a violation of constitutional rights here. From what I heard, the students were all blocking a public entrance which is against the law. There are a lot of places to protest and in front of a public building blocking an entrance isn’t one of them. I know how police protocol goes, you don’t just walk up to people and mace them unless you feel like the law supports you on that; otherwise you could lose your job. You can even see all the people trying to cover their faces before the mace is ever sprayed; this tells me they were warned first. They didn’t move from blocking the entrance, and they were maced. If they would have all moved twenty feet to the left or the right, nobody gets maced. I know these things because I deal with protestors in my job. I have no problem whatsoever with lawful protests.
“we aren’t going to change them by throwing rocks through bank windows and pooping on side walks.”
I agree, but do think these actions accurately reflect the movement?
I know you were asking the person above me but I don’t think anyone has an idea of what accurately reflects the movement without using broad or vague language. I think that is a direct result of their incoherency as a movement that lacks a unified goal. To me, a unified goal is not a list of 40 some demands essentially requesting that the current system be entirely changed. I would just like to see some ideas on how they would like to make those things happen; otherwise they seem to be not unlike a child asking for money not realizing the work that went into it. A first-world powerhouse of a nation does not simply change drastically without world-shaking consequences.
I think that they all have good intentions and good ideas, but that this is the wrong way to go about getting what you want. Unfortunately I don’t think there is any good way to get what you want in today’s society. I just don’t think that a bunch of people sleeping and yelling outside is going to change this economy. We are so far in over our heads that it is going to take a lot more to turn it around. I think we will slowly get there though.
I agree with you. The intentions are good, but these people are definitely going about it the wrong way. Crowing the streets and creating all of this chaos is not helping their cause and nothing will come of this protest. The message isn’t clear and it doesn’t seem very efficient how decisions are made. There is simply no way that every one of those people will agree on the same thing and I don’t think that anything will ever come of this by how they are going about it.
@ Rebecca: I agree that many Americans are going about the occupy in an unorganized manner. The conditions around New York I hear are quite gruesome. For this- I believe that law enforcement must take proper non violent action to clean up those streets. Even here in MN, government plaza is looking like a homeless shelter. But nonetheless, steps are being taken towards developing a cohesive plan of action and message. I believe that many people thought that things would happen over night. They wanted to see results right away, and living in a society where someone can get whatever they want at a price, it is hard to be patient. But with patience comes results, meaningful ones. This will be a slow and continuous process and the support of citizens is a crucial part of that.
What a week in the United State surrounding the Occupy movement. I am overwhelmed and excited to see the first real step forward to seeing change in this country. The impact of the silent protest at UC Davis has finally caught the attention of this country. Protesting is all good and such but this protest was non violent and had real meaning. After students were pepper sprayed by local police for pretty much doing nothing, we can see the corruption within our political system. Now the “Chancellor” of this University has changed her position. Whether or not she did this because she thought it would help in her efforts to keep her job or she is actually in real support of the movement, it is important that we have the support of someone in position of power.
The common person, the 90%, are tired of being slighted, overlooked, and delt with as they don’t matter. So as for as the issues being talked about, I believe they are real, and the people have alot to say. That being said, the process in which they are going about it probably won’t produce results. But for alot of these people its not all about the results. A lot of people are just getting stuff off their chest. Things that have been festering for a while, now it’s reached a boiling point and the top finally blew. I’m not in a position to judge anyone, I can only identify with how they feel. In a perfect world it would be great if you colud sit down and talk about things like this, but the reality is nobody wants to hear what you have to say at least not these people. Let’s be honest. So what do you do, and how do you get someones attention when the don’t want to give it to you, especially when it comes to peoples livelyhood? You grab their attention. The Watts riots, L.A. riots and even this are attention getters. People are angry, and they want specific issues to be addressed. Do I agree with how they’re doing it, no. But I can surely empathize.
I am in support of this movement.I think it is about time we, Americans, take a stand against the government. The only ones that benefit inthis country are the wealthy. It is time the “little people” have a say in what’s going on.
I don’t support this movement because I really don’t feel that this movement is organized nor are their demands realistic. Here is a link to their list of demands: http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/occupy-wallstreet-list-of-demands
Also, I do not agree with the militarization of the police on many different levels, nor do I agree with the use of such heavy handed tactics against the protesters that seem to be largely peaceful.
Personally, I think this whole “we are the 99%” thing is kind-of destructive also, from my own experience working and living in America, I have had to work very hard for everything I have and make it to the point I am at in my life, and I will have to work very hard to continue to advance in my life. And If I want to give my offspring a better life, I might even need to make it all the way up to the upper income classes in America. I believe personally that most of the people that are in the 1% deserve to be there because of the work and time of their life they invested into making where they are.
I don’t think demanding a hand out from the government like a living wage will do anything more than further inflate prices, I could see the price of basic staples quadrupling in the minimum wage was $20 and people were just getting money for there sake that they are alive.
Reports of crime and drug use are on the rise for people around occupy camps. I know that some OccupyMN people are guilty of trespassing. I know that there are sanitation issues at these ‘camps’.
Our first amendment right guarantees us the right to free speech, and the right to peaceably assemble, in our organized society we have allowed for laws to be made that require a permitting process to assemble in certain public space or to use public spaces, I don’t like this idea of just allowing people to camp out like vagrants, nor do I think that they are doing their cause any good by camping out in tents and preventing others from using the public spaces that they are occupying.
To sum up my response to the occupy movement, I think they are a joke, and should be convicted of any crimes that they have committed.
I support this movement. I am so tired of the wealthy become wealthier and the poor becoming poorer. I think the activists need to become more organized in a nonviolent way. This is America and we have freedom of speech we just need to make our point in a civilized way. It is nice to see people standing up in what they believe in!!!
I think the main issue I have with the Occupy movement is that while it has gained attention from the media, it hasn’t actually done anything but do just what they say, “occupy”. Well I agree that’s a great way of letting people know you are unhappy but where do you go after that? You can’t simply say, “we want this all changed, we don’t know to what or how we’ll do that but change it!”. I guess I see the Occupy movement in many ways as an organized temper tantrum.
On the flip side though, I am glad to see Americans actually voice their opinions instead of just chat on facebook. This movement has garnered some attention and they just need to figure out what to do with it.
Videos posted of people who are breaking the law getting arrested or maced to me is simply a reflection that they lack direction and are unable to protest peacefully. Just because you are protesting doesn’t mean that suddenly all the laws can be ignored so that when you break them any consequence is seen as police brutality; that seems foolish to me. Police don’t have a choice of which laws to enforce so if you refuse to cooperate with them by continuing to block an entrance or public property then I guess you should have seen it coming. I don’t feel bad for those protesters for one minute, protest peacefully and without breaking laws and you won’t get maced or arrested. Many people seem to be doing that just fine.
People think this is going to be a quick and simple process. That they want results overnight. That is not going to happen. The occupy has been going on now for like 3 months.. I believe over time, our small accomplishments will become larger ones. I went to a protest (peaceful) at a home that was to be foreclosed on. With our support and solutions, that family ended up getting to keep their home. These small actions is what will help move us towards bigger and better things.
I agree with you that law enforcement is needed to regulate our streets, but with that I feel they are taking advantage of the situation at hand. Anything to reap authority over another.
Firstly, I just want to say that I think police brutality does happen and is deplorable. Some angry guy who has a chip on his shoulder shouldn’t be a cop. Police absolutely need to be able to control themselves in times of stress and if not they need to find a new job. So in other words, I agree with you on that.
I think it’s great to see meaningful protests honestly, I have no problem with the Occupy movement but just think they need more reachable goals to set for themselves and work their way up. I think protesting is what makes democracies work because in the end, the people are supposed to be represent the nation, not the government. Part of the reason I am a bit hard on the Occupy movement at times is that I have high hopes for it; their hearts are in the right place but they need a solid plan.
I’ve spent a lot of time at the occupy movement for another one of my classes and I’m actually doing my final project on the movement. In my time at the Minneapolis movement I’ve discovered a lot of mixed feelings I have about it. I agree with the general message I get from it. The economic system is upside down and the wealth should be more evenly distributed. The first problem I ran into however is that there is no quick solution to this problem and frankly I can’t find a solution at all. We can’t just take the money from the rich to give to the poor. There will always be someone poorer and I’m sure those who recieve the redistribution would be pretty pissed if their money got taken away and then given to someone else right away. The movement needs to find a solution to the problem it is looking to address.
The second critical problem I find is that there is no real problem being presented. If you talk to one hundred different people at the protest they will ilkely give you one hundred different problems. While a few may seem to be similar some are completely off the wall. This is a link to ABC news on YouTube that I found in my research…
Basically this outlines what I found in my talks and interviews with people for my other class.
The third problem I see is a more minor problem but one that could be a bigger issue for other people and that is that they are messy. They look unorganized and their message shows that. In order to be a player on a global scale I think the protest should get their pieces together. Their small sort of democratic state they have is messy and gross. The resources they have are not being taken care of and it looks bad. A more organized protest would being about a more organized physical appearance and maybe lead to a more organized result.
I think the Occupy Wall Street movement has done a good job of gaining recognition and support but feel their mission needs clarity to achieve the vast goals they are setting out for. It seems the movement is very unorganized in the large scheme of things without any true focus besides occupying areas and spreading anti government ideas. Although there are problems in Americas system, the movement doesn’t seem to offer up any realistic ideas for change. Although the list of demands seems appealing it is unrealistic in the modern day and must be realized as so to deal with the true problems at hand. There is a lot of potential to make change with a movement like occupy wall street but the group would need to have realistic ideas that could promote change. Maybe the movement is still growing in productive ideas that could work with our government, but with the unrealistic demands currently offered there is no way to make change. Conflict will continue to occur even if the movement gains practical ideas, that has seemingly always been the nature of protest groups. If the movement cannot learn to accommodate and work with the system on hand they will struggle to meet their goals.
I think these protests are a good cause. It is important for people to be heard and sometimes this is the only way to get the message across. People are able to stand up and give their voices. I only hope that this can have some sort of an impact on our society and make it known that the majority are tired of the way things are being run and that a real change needs to happen. There have been really great speeches at these protests and people have really important things to say.
I think this movement will be beneficial in changing how the United States economy is regulated. However, I think the movement lacks a dynamic leader, which is so important in keeping a movement cohesive, motivated, and focused. This particular movement encompasses such a large varied demographic that a leader is imperative to keep these different parties united in the cause. A leader would be able to specify the message of the movement and keep the focus on their final goal. They would be able to open a dialogue with those that oppose the movement. They would also be able to speak out about the violence that has taken place and provide a message of nonviolence for the protesters.
I feel this movement has the right idea and passion behind them but I think they are missing direction. I know there are several policies that need to change in our Government and legal system and I feel they should focus on a specific policy. For example I believe it was unfair to bail out businesses who were not performing in this economy. The small business would have to close shop but others get a bail out that is not fair. In a competitive market businesses will fail and new businesses will be created. Let the bad ones fail and save taxpayers dollars for other problems which matter more.
Although it may lack leadership and some organization I think that the Occupy movement is inspiring. There is obvious frustration among the citizens of this country. There is hopelessness in the air. Many people are struggling financially. The unemployment rate is high. The wage gap between the top earners and the rest of us has become ridiculous. The poverty rate is rising. I think occupy is a good example of citizens being proactive. Even though they are gaining a lot of negative criticism in the mass media, most people I talk to support the movement and the message. If nothing else, the movement has been successful in starting a dialogue about important issues that need to be dealt with in one way or another.
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I really enjoy the knowing that individuals are finally making this come to light. The one quote: “Individuals in the protest movement identify themselves as the 99% and although they represent a multitude of views, they have organized around their shared interest as the 99% of people in America who do not have tremendous wealth.” This really hits a spot for most people, would be nice to be one of the 1% with “tremendous wealth”. Hopefully our College Education gets us on the right path!
I think the 99% of all of the people being represented for really says something. That is so impressive! But there are so many negatives to this cause. This country wide protesting trend is causing disruption and chaos. I have heard of people being seriously hurt and in one case raped. It’s for a great cause, a fantastic cause, but bad structure. But with the protesters that are generating, we have got to finally make a stand! Hopefully it works!
This part relates to the second part of this blog which I did before the first. I do agree that something needs to be done about the current leadership style of our government but being a conservative I supported the initial motive of OWS. As time went on they lost their strength as a group and had inconsistent “demands” that were frequently discussed but never posted anywhere. Most of them wanted socialist items like increased spending and social programs from what I have talked about with others and read in the news.
I oppose them as I believe deregulation and lowering the cost of living and doing business will create more jobs and lead to economic growth. Their method of protesting defaces property and diminishes the positive impact of their cause. It’s obvious that no amount of protesting on its own will actually change the way the government operates.
Regarding the reports of police brutality against them – I think it’s largely fictional. If you are ordered to leave a place and don’t it is considered trespassing and being forcibly removed is to be expected. Seeing videos of the protestors being belligerent and uncooperative make it seem like they got what was coming to them.
OWS would be best off going home until they can organize what they actually want and lobby their representative to legislate on their behalf like other groups and businesses do. They are defacing the democratic party and have turned into broke college kids looking for free tuition as it is now.