by Brian Greene

'Occupy Wall Street' Protests movement shows no signs of slowing

Monday (October 17th) marked the one month since the start of "Occupy Wall Street" in New York. Since its inception, the movement has spawned offshoot groups in other cities both in America and abroad. The focal point of the protests -- Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan -- was the site of one of the movement's largest victories so far, as a scheduled cleanup of the park was deferred after protesters promised "to defend the occupation from eviction." This weekend, occupiers in over 80 countries took to the streets in protest.

Here's how the protests have emanated out of a small park in the Financial District and captured the world's attention:

July 13

Canadian anti-consumerist magazine Adbusters calls for an occupation starting September 17 (Constitution Day in the United States) where "20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months." In a September 27 Vancouver Courier article, Adbusters senior editor Micah White is quoted as saying that after floating the original concept on their website and to their E-mail list, the idea of the occupation was spontaneously taken up by independent activists.

July 26

A group calling itself "New Yorkers Against Budget Cuts" announces a meeting on Wall Street on August 2 to protest potential austerity measures as a result of the debt-ceiling crisis. That day, another set of protesters planning for an upcoming "occupation" protest joins them, and, according to occupywallst.org, after the assembly the two groups "gather into working groups to plan for the September 17 occupation of Wall Street."

August 23

A blog entitled "We Are the 99%" launches, encouraging contributors to post complaints about how "the 99 percent have been set against each other, fighting over the crumbs the 1 percent leaves behind."

September 17

An estimated 1,000 protesters gather in Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan and march on Wall Street. In San Francisco, protesters demonstrate in front of the Federal Reserve Bank on Market Street, beginning their own occupation.

September 23

"Occupy" movement spreads to Chicago where protesters march from Willis Tower to the Federal Reserve Bank.

September 24

At least 80 occupiers are arrested during another march in lower Manhattan which closed multiple streets. A New York Police Department officer, later identified as deputy inspector Anthony Bologna, is videotaped using pepper-spray on a group of young women.

September 27

New York City Councilmen Charles Barron and Jumaane Williams visit Zuccotti Park, becoming the first elected officials to publicly visit the encampment. Almost 2,000 people, the largest gathering yet, descend upon the park to hear Dr. Cornel West lead the nightly meeting, known as the general assembly.

September 28

In a unanimous vote, the New York Transit Workers Union becomes the first union to support the protests.

October 1

Over 5,000 protesters bearing banners reading "We are the 99%" head toward the Brooklyn Bridge, shutting down a lane of traffic for several hours. New York City police arrest over 700 occupiers. "Occupy" movements begin in Los Angeles, Boston, and St. Louis.

October 3

Protesters in Manhattan dressed as "corporate zombies" stage a march past the New York Stock Exchange.

October 5

An estimated 15,000 protesters and union members, the largest group to date, march on the financial district. Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain explains his view of the movement, saying, "Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself!"

October 6

Regarding the occupy protests, President Obama says, "I think it expresses the frustrations the American people feel, that we had the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, huge collateral damage all throughout the country ... and yet you're still seeing some of the same folks who acted irresponsibly trying to fight efforts to crack down on the abusive practices that got us into this in the first place." "Occupy" movement spreads to Portland, Oregon, where an estimated crowd of 5,000 marches.

October 10

Over 50 protesters in Boston are arrested for refusing to vacate the park they have been occupying for a week. In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg tells reporters, "People want to express themselves, and as long as they obey the laws, we'll allow them to," indicating that occupiers will be allowed to continue peaceful protests in Zuccotti Park.

October 13

Occupiers start a cleaning project in Zuccotti Park after Bloomberg says they will have to leave the park in order for the park's owner, Brookfield Office Properties Inc., to perform scheduled maintenance the next day. New York Police Department announces that they are prepared to make arrests on behalf of Brookfield. Organizers post instructions on "How To Hold Your Ground" and "basic blockading" on the Occupy Wall Street website.

October 14

Brookfield postpones the park cleaning. In a statement, Occupy organizers proclaim, "This development has emboldened the movement and sent a clear message that the power of the people has prevailed against Wall Street."

October 15

Thousands march from lower Manhattan to Times Square as protesters in Asia, Europe, and Australia demonstrate and echo the American movement on what is dubbed a "Global Day of Action." In Rome, rioters cause an estimated $1.4 million in property damage.

October 16

At the dedication of the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington, D.C., President Obama explains that Dr. King "would want us to challenge the excesses of Wall Street without demonizing those who work there." White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the Obama administration is fighting so the "interests of 99 percent of Americans are well represented."

 

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How 'Occupy Wall Street' Started and Spread | Politics

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