New York, NY – Protesters hope to shut down Wall Street on Thursday — home to the New York Stock Exchange — by holding a street carnival to mark the two-month anniversary of their campaign against economic inequality.
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Protest organizers acknowledged that the “day of action” they have planned could be the group’s most provocative most yet, and could lead to mass arrests and further strain relations with city authorities.
“I think we’re certainly going into this with our eyes wide open, but (the march is) to provoke ideas and discussion, not to provoke any violent reactions,” said Occupy Wall Street spokesman Ed Needham.
“I think it is very difficult to do a day of action and not expect some sort of reaction from the (authorities),” he said.
The protesters plan to march to Wall Street from their camp headquarters in a park two blocks away and then spread out across the city’s subway system to tell the stories of disenfranchised Americans. They will reconvene later on Thursday for a march across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Last month, more than 700 people were arrested during a similar march across the bridge, after some protesters sat on the pedestrian walkway and refused to move, while others strayed into car lanes.
“We will shut down Wall Street,” a post on the movement’s Facebook page said. “We will ring the People’s Bell, and initiate a street carnival in which we rebuild and celebrate the neighborhoods that the Wall Street economy has destroyed.”
The group promises a “a block party the 1 percent will never forget.”
A spokesman for the stock exchange declined to comment. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office and the New York Police Department did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
Protesters set up camp in Zuccotti park in New York City’s financial district on September 17 to protest a financial system they believe mostly benefits corporations and the wealthy.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has sparked similar protests against economic inequality across the country, and in some cases have led to violent clashes with police.
Police on Monday moved into an anti-Wall Street protester encampment in Oakland, California, clearing out occupants and taking down tents. And police confronted an estimated 1,000 anti-corporate protesters in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday.
In recent weeks, New York protesters have conducted peaceful marches along city sidewalks for a variety of causes ranging from veterans rights and alleged police brutality to big bank greed and labor union issues.
At times the police presence has outnumbered the protesters and city officials have shown their patience is wearing thin with the encamped protest. But Thursday’s march could attract up to 10,000 people, protest spokesman Needham said.
Enough already, Mr. Bloomberg tear down the tents.
If the OWS malcontents are allowed to do as planned then I hope that NYPD will let them occupy jail cells as a reward. It’s time for Mayor Bloomberg to follow the example of Oakland California and rid the city of this nightmare.
It’s time for them to go home and do something useful with their lives. Is it any wonder patience is growing thin for all this nonsense?!
maybe a good idea, after reading this article Congress: Trading stock on inside information
another words crony capitalism that must stop
from 60 minutes
not sure I can provide link so do a search if you want
I don’t have the heart to tell them that most of the financial institutions relocated uptown and to New Jersey after 9/11.
When they leave Zuccotti Park to march to Wall Street please make like Oakland and Portland clean out the park. Its time we took the Park back.
How are people who work in the area supposed to get to there jobs? Some people do need to work and we are not the upper 1% we work very hard and don’t have a lot of money to spare.
Hey I sympathize with both sides- I just wish they were more like the tea party so much more effective
Move the tents to City Hall Park and in front of Herr Bloomberg’s East Side Townhouse.
Of course they are upset their unemployment checks are running out.
All that the smelly fleabaggers (AKA as “occupy wall street” people) need to do is to get a few industrial-sized fans, set the fans up all in a row BEHIND themselves, and let the fans blow their unwashed odor in the direction of Wall Street: the stench of these menuvalim will create an immediate hazmat condition, forcing all civilized people to leave.
Of course, then the malodorous fleabaggers will be all by themselves – perhaps then they can bang their bongo drums loudly enough to cause their brains to resonate together – with any luck, if all of their corroded brains resonate together, assuming they try VERY hard, may allow these latter-day wannabe hippies to form a single coherent thought – most likely that thought will be something like: “how can I get more money from mommy and daddy?”
maybe they should start questioning the OWS group to find the Haters that came in to Brooklynlast week that destroyed jewish property.I am sure they will be found there eventually ,
Well, if they want to put a few in jail that does not bother me at all. Let them find a new way to represent themselves in the future, with a prison record due to their anarchy activity. Then surely they will find a job right? Good to be an occupier huh? Jobs will find you when you are done huh?
No thanks, Occupy! Good bye.