From the Occupy Wall Street Website
Mission Statement
#OCCUPYWALLSTREET is a people powered movement for democracy that began in America on September 17 with an encampment in the financial district of New York City. Inspired by the Egyptian Tahrir Square uprising and the Spanish acampadas, we vow to end the monied corruption of our democracy … join us! We’re now in DAY 15.
Occupy Wall Street has had a busy day! At least that is a notation that is posted on one of their websites. See this website also.
It appears occupy(ing) Wall Street is the name of the movement, but it is clear the movement far exceeds the concrete boundaries of Wall Street.
The bridge was apparently a ‘march target’ of the day. There are conflicting reports on the impact of the march on the Brooklyn Bridge. Protesters are texting and tweeting regular messages such that the website Gotrhamist.com has posted a running chronology of events starting at 4:26 PM today. New York City police are making arrests, but there is a noticeable absence of violence from both sides. Rumors have spread that the police allowed female protesters to leave the bridge while blocking the progress of men. (This was reported and has not been not confirmed).
Global Revolution has a live stream related to the Brooklyn Bridge march and on-going marches.
The following picture gives a perspective on just how crowded and packed the afternoon bridge protesters were. If you look very closely you will find a group of ‘white shirt’ NYC police officers making an arrest. A late report was that NYC police are trapping people on the bridge and arresting hundreds.
Another picture seems to show a middle-aged protester being photographed before being placed in the police ‘arrest wagon’. So, much for the police allowing women to leave the bridge while retaining others. Of course, we do not know why the woman was arrested.
There were also reports that, despite marcher movement on the bridge walking lanes, some were working their way through traffic. The wisdom of crossing through bridge traffic is questionable. It is not hard to imagine that the packed crowds on the bridge forced some to seek relief.
Apparently, the protest hit a snag as a reported concert did not take place as had been rumored. The band RadioHead is alleged via their manager to have contacted event organizers with a desire to perform. The band did not perform and there is question about the veracity of the email received by group organizers. The word is possible hoax.
The Wall Street Protest has striking familiarity with posts in Egypt, and Tunisia. I find the following image an interesting exercise in organization.
- Liberty Square Layout (including a kitchen)
While the New York protest moves into it’s second full week, curiosity about the possible length of the protest comes to mind.
In fact, how widespread is the OWS going to become?
Scope and Breadth
a.) Ventura County, Calif Tea Party? (Extensive list of event cities International and national, plus dynamic sideshow at bottom of page) I will readily admit utter surprise at this site and pages linked to OWS.
b.) Van Jones (Former White House official) Praise
c.) Image linked
Navigation from the image to a web page will lead to a list of cities where groups are forming or events have been planned.
I believe it safe to say that Occupy Wall Street is serious in its commitment, although the OWS’s mission does not seem to be completely clear. In fact, I am not finding clear evidence that OWS is actually anti-government.
I have no problem finding evidence that it is very much anti-greed, anti-class, and seriously anti-entities that pushed the nation into a major financial collapse and continuing ‘fog’.
If the Ventura County Tea Party affiliates with OWS, it will add a level of ‘cred’ to the movement which will increase its diversity and expedite its growth.
I would be seriously remiss, however, if I did not frankly state that I would like to see a more clear statement of mission and how the OWS intends to accomplish the mission.
The means are not always commensurate with the end, if not approached with caution.
