| OCCUPY WALL STREET | United States |
How the Occupy Wall Street Movement Began?
| By Eduardo Barraza | October 21, 2011 |
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Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
| HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE Grassroots Journalism |
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Protests began in New York on September 17, 2011
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On September 17, 2011, approximately 3,000 demonstrators gathered at Battery Park, in
New York City. They had the intention to occupy Wall Street to protest against government’s
financial greed and corruption. Since they were not able to occupy Wall Street,
demonstrators moved their protest to Zuccotti Park, located about 200 feet walking distance
from Wall Street. Zuccotti Park used to be called Liberty Plaza Park, and it is a 33,000-square-
foot area. This park is also near the area known as Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
New York City. They had the intention to occupy Wall Street to protest against government’s
financial greed and corruption. Since they were not able to occupy Wall Street,
demonstrators moved their protest to Zuccotti Park, located about 200 feet walking distance
from Wall Street. Zuccotti Park used to be called Liberty Plaza Park, and it is a 33,000-square-
foot area. This park is also near the area known as Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
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The protest motto of "We Are the 99%" was coined, and
during the first week about 300 people camped out.
Demonstrators organized some marches to show their
opposition to a financial system they accuse of bailing out
banks while neglecting the rest of the population.
Since the United States has been experiencing a serious
economic recession, the message of the few who began
these protests in New York reached millions of people who
felt the same way. Individuals who are unemployed or
underemployed, have lost their homes and are in
financial-related desperate situations, became all of a
sudden part of this movement.
As law enforcement moved to crack down on protesters in
New York, the demonstrations gained momentum due
mainly to two incidents that went viral on social media
sites: the pepper-spraying of women protesters and the
arrest of about 700 protesters who had blocked the
Brooklyn Bridge.
Since these incidents reached the masses via videos
taken by other protesters and posted on social media
sites, the protests have spread not only throughout the
United States but in many countries of the world.
On October 17, the original protests against Wall Street
reached one month, and demonstrators continue to camp
out in the privately-owned Zuccotti Park.
during the first week about 300 people camped out.
Demonstrators organized some marches to show their
opposition to a financial system they accuse of bailing out
banks while neglecting the rest of the population.
Since the United States has been experiencing a serious
economic recession, the message of the few who began
these protests in New York reached millions of people who
felt the same way. Individuals who are unemployed or
underemployed, have lost their homes and are in
financial-related desperate situations, became all of a
sudden part of this movement.
As law enforcement moved to crack down on protesters in
New York, the demonstrations gained momentum due
mainly to two incidents that went viral on social media
sites: the pepper-spraying of women protesters and the
arrest of about 700 protesters who had blocked the
Brooklyn Bridge.
Since these incidents reached the masses via videos
taken by other protesters and posted on social media
sites, the protests have spread not only throughout the
United States but in many countries of the world.
On October 17, the original protests against Wall Street
reached one month, and demonstrators continue to camp
out in the privately-owned Zuccotti Park.
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Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
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| Video: Police arrest protesters at Brooklyn Bridge |
| CLICK ARROW TO WATCH VIDEO |
