Introduction
On the morning of September 17th, 2011, a small group of activists descended on the financial district of Manhattan to protest what they perceived as extreme inequality and political corruption.
Occupy Wall Street Movement
Known as Occupy Wall Street, this movement was the first major mass protest to challenge the nation's economic inequality since the onset of the 2007-2010 recession. Protesters called the situation a class conflict and asserted that Wall Street was rigged to benefit the elite. The movement quickly spread beyond the confines of New York City and impacted communities around the country.
Role of Adbusters and Internet-based Radical Groups
Unlike the Tea Party Movement, which had been leaderless and horizontal, Occupy Wall Street was led by Adbusters, an activist magazine, and it received a boost from internet-based radical groups such as Anonymous.
Successes and Problems
The Movement was a success in that it helped to change the way Americans talked about inequality, economic justice, and the role of money in politics. But the movement also ran into problems.
Clash with Conservative Beliefs
One problem was that the movement's emphasis on economic equality and political corruption clashed with conservative beliefs in individualism and personal responsibility. Many conservatives viewed the movement as unrealistic and pointless, and some have even criticized it as an illegal waste of public space (Castells, 2015).
Lack of Clear Leadership
Another problem with the movement was that it didn't have clear leadership. This was a serious issue because it prevented the movement from organizing and coordinating its efforts. It also encouraged opportunism and grift. People who were willing to take advantage of the movement often found ways to glom on to its popularity, especially in a political environment that was dominated by partisan gridlock and corporate power.
Unresolved Issues
The movement also raised issues that have remained unresolved to this day, including the disproportionate influence of money in politics and the lack of transparency in Wall Street's financial dealings. In response to these challenges, the Occupy movement began a campaign of direct democracy that sought to highlight civil disobedience as a tool for social change and activism.
Tactics and General Assemblies
Occupy Wall Street had many different tactics for achieving its goals, such as occupation, picketing, and demonstrations. It also held a series of meetings that allowed participants to discuss ideas for solutions and action, called General Assemblies. This method of decision-making slowed down the pace of the movement, but it was still effective in terms of creating change and spreading the movement. It also allowed for a more diverse demographic to participate.
Occupied Wall Street Journal
During the movement, a group of activists set up an online newspaper called Occupied Wall Street Journal, which was published by Occupied Wall Street and distributed freely to anyone who signed up. It featured articles by OWS's General Assembly, as well as pieces written by high-profile academics, journalists, and OWS members. Its slogan, "We are the 99 percent," was used by the movement as a catchphrase and symbol of its message. It was later changed to "99%."
Conclusion
The Occupy movement eventually died out after its initial public phase, although it continued to be active in a smaller form for years afterward. Its main focus was on income inequality and a perceived lack of economic opportunity in the United States, particularly for young people.
