The 99.9 Percent: What’s wrong with Wall Street? By Elaina Price
There are events that happen over the span of our lifetimes that define our history, whether good or bad. Off the top of my head I can think over a dozen different happenings that will likely make their way into our history books. One such event is happening as we speak. The event is known as “Occupy Wall Street” and it started in New York City and is making history as its power and influence spreads into other cities across the United States. It has been too long since Americans have made a stand and demanded change. The protest on Wall Street known as “Occupy Wall Street” is doing just that. It is bringing to light the injustices and the lack of equality that exists in the United States today. Many feel that the greed on Wall Street has gone on for far too long, and now is the time for change. America is standing tall and speaking up, and this could define our history more than anyone can possible imagine.
doesn’t pay their fair share of taxes, and continues to make more money each year, while the rest of the population is losing their jobs and their savings. The movement is also taking a stand against big businesses and their leaders who except government bailouts and funding, but don’t help stimulate or benefit the economy as a whole. The protesters want to send a message and bring about positive, democratic change in a nonviolent way. They are speaking out against the poverty, the homelessness, foreclosures, the lack of healthcare, and the high unemployment rate that are ravaging our once great nation. The issues that Occupy Wall Street are protesting about, are not new issues. These issues have been plaguing the United States for nearly a decade now, and all of them have come to a head. While New York may have been the birthplace of the movement, other cities all over the United States have followed their example. There are protestors in over 1,470 cities nation wide. Mayor Bloomberg, known for being vocal and outspoken has said “What they're trying to do is take away the jobs of people working in the city, take away the tax base that we have," showing that even he doesn’t understand what Occupy Wall Street is all about, and his resistance to its happening. The movement is not directed entirely at one individual, the movement is directed at the 1% of the population and at the government who aids the 1% and turns the other cheek when it comes to economic turmoil and inequality.
While the protest was initially unorganized and had no leadership, and no true demands, which opened up the flood gates for doubt and ridicule, it has since become a powerhouse that is seeking to make positive changes. Even without specific leaders, individuals are joining the ranks and staking their claim to their right to protest. While the protest seems to be making strides with the public, it has met resistance from police and government forces. These police forces have in many cases used excessive force in order to stop protestors. Numerous arrests have been made in all cities, but in Oakland in particular, the situation got out of hand. Police determined the situaOccupy Wall Street began on September 17, 2011 tion to be an illegal gathering, and threw and sprayed cans of tear gas and pepper spray into the crowds of protestors. with just a small group of a few dozen protestors camping The police officers gave little warning before they began out in front of City Hall in New York City. Their message, their assault, and as a result Scott Olsen, and Iraq Veteran “We the 99% are fed up with the greed and corruption of was hit directly in the face with a can of tear gas, fracturthe 1%.” This leaderless group has become a nationwide ing his skull. movement for democracy and equality for all. The 1% represents the richest 1% of the United States population that
Other protestors participating in the march that attempted to go to his aid, had tear gas canisters thrown at them as well. Police also fired rubber bullets into the crowd. While rubber bullets aren’t considered lethal, they can be harmful and cause serious injury. This again shows how even though everyone is told from a young age to speak out about what they believe in, that is completely untrue. My question is when did non violence ever become immoral or unconstitutional? The answer is never, but the way the police and government officials are handling the situation leads me to believe that they don’t know what free speech is. It is empowering to see Americans all over the United States with different ethnicities, religions, cultures, backgrounds, genders, and opinions coming together for change, and not just disagreeing with what they see, but actually speaking up and rallying against it. Individuals are showing their support by writing and posting pictures about their personal problems and how the economy and government are responsible for their unenviable situations. Small signs written on all forms of writing material have been surfacing all over the internet. At the end of each piece the writer signs off by saying “I am the 99%.” This shows how the movement is greater than any one of us. It is truly and event that will go down in history as the time when people actually sought to be the difference they want to see in the world, instead of just wishing something different would happen. Could have been will not be something that those participating in the national movement will be saying. With all their hard dedication to the cause it is quite likely they will be saying I did.
How can you get involved? You can visit the movement's personal webpage to find upcoming protest locations and what you can do to help. This site and this movement show that the voices of many will not be stifled any longer. http://occupywallst.org