Occupy Wall Street Movement in Second Month

Members of the Grannie Brigade at a Lincoln Center

As The Occupy Wall Street movement grows, it has embraced various groups protesting specific social and economic injustices. I have been covering events initiated by these affiliated groups: The Grannie Brigade at a peace vigil at Lincoln Center (these senior citizens have been protesting against war for six years); a march to the New York District Attorney's office by Vocal NY, a group of community activists,protesting police brutality and arrests of OWS participants; a march and protest at a meeting aagainst fracking; a rally and civil disobedience action led by Cornel West and religious leaders in Harlem that kicked off a campaign against the NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy; and a march to Union Square by The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation.

Despite Mayor Bloomberg's promise to be tougher on protestors who don't obey the law, no further mass arrests have been made in New York City. The only arrests made were those of Cornel West and others protesting the Stop and Frisk policy. NYPD gave the group time to say their piece in front of a Harlem precinct headquarters before arresting those who were determined to be arrested, locking arms until they were taken away.

Two days ago police in Albany refused orders to arrest protesters, while the encampment in Oakland was broken up by police with tear gas and arrests. What is next for protesters in Zuccotti Park, no one knows, but their agenda is growing and tents are replacing tarps as cold weahter moves in.

Click here to see images available through Corbis and others through Flickr set

Cornel West leads a protest against NYPD policy, Stop & Frisk

Man at a meeting on Spectra Pipe Line

Protestor at a meeting on Spectra Pipe Line

Protester offers flowers to NYPD in  front of DA's office

Occupying Wall Street

Sign in Liberty Plaza on Day 10 of Occupy Wall Street

The police brutality against protestors participating in the Occupy Wall Street Movement has been appalling. Our political leaders take foreign leaders to task for human rights violations abroad, so to see them in America disturbed me. In Cairo, when the protests began, I could sense the significance of what was happening in Tahrir Square. (See my coverage here ) Though comparing Tahrir Square to Liberty Plaza is a stretch, I believe it is significant none the less. The Wall St. protesters have remained in the plaza, no easy feat when facing a massive police presence. With each passing day, the Occupy Wall Street movement (AKA We Are the 99%) is growing. The social injustice and corruption in the American political system and the destructiveness of corporate greed is not a message those in charge want to hear.

If the police's goal was to intimidate the protesters, that hasn't happened. Manhandling protesters on 9/24 while video and still cameras recorded police brutality only empowered the group. Maybe those in charge haven't grasped  the power of social media, the spirit that fueled the Arab Spring. Predictably the protesters' resolve strengthened and their movement gained credibility once the media was forced to recognized what was going on. I am one of many who came to NYC to document Occupy Wall Street after seeing protestors pepper-sprayed and arrested.  The eyes of the world are on NYC

now.

Some say the protesters are the Left's answer to the Tea Party. How refreshing to hear voices from another side. There is no single voice in Liberty Plaza and seemingly all the voices there are welcomed.The movement is gaining momentum as protests spread to other cities . Well known personalities are showing up, including Michael Moore and Cornel West, both of whom praised the protestors and thanked them for standing up to the powers that be and starting a much needed movement whose goal is social and economic justice.

Watching people practice free speech whether or not I agree with what they are saying or not reminds me how valuable free speech is. More coverage to follow in the coming days as the protest continues. 

See a video clip of Michael Moore speaking to Fox News reporter, here chiding him for not understanding capitalism.

Michael Moore Talking to Fox Reporter on Day 10

Cornel West tells the crowd not being afraid to say the word "Revolution" and thanking the protesters.
And a clip of West talking about how out of touch Geithner and Paulson are, how frightening this unpredictable gathering of people of all races and sexual orientations is to them.
See a photo slide show from my first day on the scene on the Atlantic Wire shot on day ten. And more images on Occupy Wall Street flickr set.

Protestors March on Wall Street

Police stand on the sidewalk of Liberty Square

Cornel West on Day 11 of Occupy Wall Street

One of many signs at Liberty Plaza

Protestors March around Wall Street on Day 10

Protestors March Through Wall Street on Day 10