Occupy Wall Street (OWS)

2456 Words5 Pages

Zuccotti Park, one of the many fairly unknown and generally unassuming parks in New York City, was quiet and peaceful on the morning of September 17th, 2011. This was not to remain, however, as it would soon become the center of a global movement, and with it gain the attention of the entire world. For it was in Zuccotti Park where Occupy Wall Street (OWS), a movement in which protestors “occupy” public spaces 24/7 to bring awareness to their cause, began. This movement started as a way to bring awareness to grievances the protestors had with the actions, and the government’s response to those actions, of Wall Street banks and financial institutions before, during, and after the financial crisis in America. Occupy Wall Street has since spread to hundreds of cities around the world and has begun to incorporate additional issues beyond that of their namesake. The occupation protest that Occupy Wall Street has chosen, is an effective style of peaceful protest, which has made OWS a movement that those with similar ideologies should join or work with. Occupations of the past Occupations in general are a very effective form of protest, as it keeps the movement in the news for prolonged periods of time. This enables a stronger platform for the movement to build upon, which allows people to share their grievances, and makes those statements harder to ignore. The occupation protest has a long and storied history. One of the most recognizable examples in recent history was the occupation of Tahrir Square in Egypt; which occurred during the protests and continued throughout the resulting revolution in that country. Closer to home, the Bonus Army, a name given to a group of individuals during the great depression that went to Washington D... ... middle of paper ... ... October 16, 2011: 37. Lightblau, Eric. "Democrats Try Wary Embrace Of the Protests." The New York Times, October 11, 2011: 1. mediamatters.org. Fox's Guilfoyle: Wall Street Protesters Are "People With Absolutely No Purpose Or Focus In Life" There To Just "Dirty The Streets". September 30, 2011. http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201109300025. Milne, Seumas. "Comment: The Occupy movement has lit a fire for real change: Establishment praise for protests reflects anxiety at public anger - which now needs to be turned into political pressure." The Guardian, October 20, 2011: 31. Office of the Press Secretary. "News Conference by the President." The White House. October 06, 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/06/news-conference-president. Timpane, John. "In Occupy movement, many voices, interconnected." The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 11, 2011: A03.

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