Occupy Wall Street

I’ve been following the Occupy Wall Street movement since they started back on Sept 17th. I’ve mostly been observing, I did study Political Science as an undergrad major, so things like this fascinate me. I’ve taken time to watch some of the live streaming of the protest. When I first watched early in the first week, there were about 1400 live viewers. Last week there were 6000. Watching today as the protesters are being arrested on the Brooklyn bridge, the number rose from 17,000 to 20,000 in just a few minutes while I watched it. The live stream was just lost when I started this post.

The movement started out relatively small, a few thousand on the first day, and then just a few hundred each day for the next week. But it’s now been going on for two solid weeks and there appear to be several thousand involved today. Recently, several New York Unions voted to join the protest, which probably accounts for many of the increased numbers for today. It has also spawned sister movements in Boston,  Chicago, Los Angeles and a movement for occupying Freedom Plaza in Washington DC on October 6. That’s just what I found after a quick search. There seems to be some effort to get one started in Houston for next weekend.

Unlike some movements, Tea Party, which claims to be grassroots but is really backed by corporations, Occupy Wall Street is really an organic entity. There is no central leadership and all of the sister movements are springing up on their own. At least, as far as I can tell. There is some evidence linking Anonymous to it, but that’s not really a centrally organized powerhouse either.

I also happen to agree with their goals. What are these goals? That is a difficult, yet simple, question to answer. It’s simple, in that if you get it, you don’t need it explained. They are opposed the general status quo of big business, corporate greed and the principles of money before people. But it’s not just that, and there’s no easy answer. That’s why they have claimed to speak for “the 99%” of Americans and released their “One Demand” that is anything but. These are a rhetorical device, and not official.

The protesters have formed a General Assembly to formulate their demands, citing that their demands are a process, not a simple rallying call. This movement is true grass roots democratic movement. Some even call it a revolution, but that depends on what happens.

Will this be a minor protest that is forgotten in a few weeks? Or is this the start of a genuine socialist revolution as some claim? Will the political elite hear the call? Will things remain peaceful? There are lot’s of questions remain to be answered. But I am interested in finding out.