Most of our HC readers have probably heard something about the Occupy movements that have been going on around the country. After months of economic downturn, more than a year after the collapse of several big banks and financial firms, people of all walks of life and from all different socio-economic strata are coming together to tell those in power that “it’s not ok.”
The movement began in mid-September in New York City. Hundreds of people descended on the city’s financial district in an attempt to raise awareness about the fact of big financial institutions’ role in the economic meltdown that has affected the world market. The participants came from different social and community groups and activist organizations, all with different particular grievances, but were united by the general notion that, economically, the “cards were stacked.” Big financial firms were responsible for huge credit and housing bubbles, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, properties, and jobs and yet the CEOs, CFOs, and other leaders of these firms faced barely any punitive charges. The Occupy Wall Street movement, participants argue, is a response to such government bias. But people are also protesting other domestic and foreign-policy issues. Â
Modeled after the social-media driven movements in the Middle East, Occupy Wall Street has snowballed incredibly fast. Occupy movements have sprung up all across the country and across the world. For many it is “about time” that the message of the people be heard, en masse. For others, however the movement is a mere nnuisance. Critics say that it is unorganized and lacks clarity. Because of the wide range of complaints that members of the protesting community have voiced, onlookers doubt the seriousness and bargaining power of the movement. The occupiers have submitted no formal set of complaints, and have no official organizing platform. It cannot be argued, however, that the movement poses a threat solely because of its size. Several weeks ago New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was forced to withdraw an evacuation notice because of threats of possibly violent protest from those in the streets.
Though it remains to see what, if anything with result from the Occupy movements it is certainly enough simply to marvel at the speed with which they have grown and the sheer number of people who have turned out into the streets. Perhaps no policy change will immediately result. It seems, however, that a turning point in the scope of American politics has been reached. The grievances are many (perhaps too many) and the platform unfocused, but the general sentiment is clear: a powerful few control much of the politics in this country, and the unheard many want that statistic to change.
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