10.04.2011

Zombie Protestors Rally Occupy Wall Street Movement

Less than a dozen college students kicked-off what would soon be known as the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

Three weeks since, the movement has spawned similar demonstrations in several key cities in the United States. Occupy Los Angeles, Occupy Chicago, and Occupy Boston rallies were staged in front of Federal Reserve buildings in these cities. In Columbus, Ohio, protesters marched on the streets. Later this month, supporters in Toronto, Canada are set to stage a rally against Wall Street, the first outside of the U.S.

Focusing the main issue of corporate greed, Wall Street protesters once again bid for attention last Monday by dressing up as corporate zombies. Recent developments over the weekend included some 700 arrests of protesters which ignited the support of like minded demonstrators in other parts of the country. The rally which took place Monday with protesters dressed up as corporate zombies was specifically staged in protest against police brutality related to the arrests in Brooklyn Bridge.

Patrick Bruner, spokesperson for the Occupy Wall Street movement, encouraged group members to dress like corporate zombies and eat Monopoly money, which according to him, will let Wall Street "see us reflecting the metaphor of their actions".

As Monday dawned, police visibly was evident just across the street from the encampment site. The group's organizers revealed that they are bringing the protest to City Hall. William Stack, an Occupy Wall Street supporter, urged city officials to drop all charges made against those who were arrested. Stack wrote, "It is not a crime to demand that our money be spent on meeting people's needs, not for massive corporate bailouts". He added that, "The real criminals are in the boardrooms and executive offices on Wall Street".

As for the police, they remain vigilant on their duties and respect the rights of the protesters but would arrest those who break the law. A map displayed in Manhattan Plaza showed 21 locations where similar protests have taken place or are scheduled to.

Observers said the atmosphere was chaotic during the past two weeks, with campers taking turns to organize general assemblies. Rallying around a website called OccupyWallSt.org, protesters have even released a newspaper; Occupied Wall Street Journal. The group put up make-shift hospital beds and has made preparations to get ready legal assistance if necessary. Supporters for the movement included actor, Alec Baldwin who posted videos on Twitter. Unnamed sympathizers supported the protesters with food and other necessities. A man from Egypt was said to have ordered pizza from a local outlet to be delivered to the demonstrators. 

Though protesters cited corporate greed as the primary issue for the demonstrations, social inequality, global climate change and other concerns were also among the reasons mentioned. One protester said she has issues with "big money dictating which politicians get elected and what programs get funded".

Still, in spite of the increasing tension and the rallies, some of the demonstrators verbalized that they do not intend to take down Wall Street.Less than a dozen college students kicked-off what would soon be known as the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

Three weeks since, the movement has spawned similar demonstrations in several key cities in the United States. Occupy Los Angeles, Occupy Chicago, and Occupy Boston rallies were staged in front of Federal Reserve buildings in these cities. In Columbus, Ohio, protesters marched on the streets. Later this month, supporters in Toronto, Canada are set to stage a rally against Wall Street, the first outside of the U.S.

Focusing the main issue of corporate greed, Wall Street protesters once again bid for attention last Monday by dressing up as corporate zombies. Recent developments over the weekend included some 700 arrests of protesters which ignited the support of like minded demonstrators in other parts of the country. The rally which took place Monday with protesters dressed up as corporate zombies was specifically staged in protest against police brutality related to the arrests in Brooklyn Bridge.

Patrick Bruner, spokesperson for the Occupy Wall Street movement, encouraged group members to dress like corporate zombies and eat Monopoly money, which according to him, will let Wall Street "see us reflecting the metaphor of their actions".

As Monday dawned, police visibly was evident just across the street from the encampment site. The group's organizers revealed that they are bringing the protest to City Hall. William Stack, an Occupy Wall Street supporter, urged city officials to drop all charges made against those who were arrested. Stack wrote, "It is not a crime to demand that our money be spent on meeting people's needs, not for massive corporate bailouts". He added that, "The real criminals are in the boardrooms and executive offices on Wall Street".

As for the police, they remain vigilant on their duties and respect the rights of the protesters but would arrest those who break the law. A map displayed in Manhattan Plaza showed 21 locations where similar protests have taken place or are scheduled to.

Observers said the atmosphere was chaotic during the past two weeks, with campers taking turns to organize general assemblies. Rallying around a website called OccupyWallSt.org, protesters have even released a newspaper; Occupied Wall Street Journal. The group put up make-shift hospital beds and has made preparations to get ready legal assistance if necessary. Supporters for the movement included actor, Alec Baldwin who posted videos on Twitter. Unnamed sympathizers supported the protesters with food and other necessities. A man from Egypt was said to have ordered pizza from a local outlet to be delivered to the demonstrators. 

Though protesters cited corporate greed as the primary issue for the demonstrations, social inequality, global climate change and other concerns were also among the reasons mentioned. One protester said she has issues with "big money dictating which politicians get elected and what programs get funded".

Still, in spite of the increasing tension and the rallies, some of the demonstrators verbalized that they do not intend to take down Wall Street.