The movement has, indeed, started to receive national media attention, spawning similar grassroots efforts in other cities throughout the country who hope to replicate the success of the international protests that have taken place in the past year throughout Europe and the Middle East. This, in and of itself, is largely a success. Igniting conversation in the political arena is the true objective of any demonstration. Those most passionate about reform want to see change, they want representation. They want to bring to the left what the Tea Party has brought to the right. From the outside, the picture is clear and the message is resounding.
In reality, the site of the protests, which has become a downtown attraction over the past few weeks, has as much resemblance to Shakedown Street as it does to the uprisings in Europe. Surrounding the perimeter of the park are men and women, mostly young, but of all ages and demographics, holding signs and chanting and participating in drum circles. Cameras from tourists and news stations and passers-by point in every direction. But when the focus shifts to the inside of the park, the scene is quite different. A few centers of information pertaining to 'the cause' as well as press releases and legal advice for protesters (many of whom -approximately 700 according so some media sources - were arrested for marching on the Brooklyn Bridge last weekend) are scattered throughout the park, the rest of which has become a commune littered with sleeping bags, cardboard boxes and other materials used for make-shift shelters. There is a small collection of books in a library, a list of volunteers assigned to cleaning duty, and areas for food, clothing, and garbage. In fact, the whole operation is largely reminiscent of the camps one might expect to see at an overnight music festival in the middle of summer.
All of this does not work to the benefit of the protesters. They run the risk of becoming complacent, of buying into themselves and forgetting their cause. I witnessed a small rally at which several members of the occupation were chanting (echoed by their peers for amplification in lieu of a microphone, which was a surprisingly effective speaking/listening exercise that should be replicated in the classroom - for future consideration) but their message was largely unclear, and the focus turned frequently back to the details of the camp itself.
Taking a step back from the scene, it appears the occupation is largely working. The Occupy Wall Street protest has caused city officials to actually shut down Wall Street. Not the economic center of trade, but the street itself. Normally a walk-able section of downtown, gates and fencing have been put into place and small walking paths have been allotted for pedestrians, but it appears that the streets have been closed for the foreseeable future to prevent protesting outside of Federal Hall. Police officers flank the fences in every direction, and two were positioned on horseback in the center of the square. I kid you not when I say that this occupation has changed the entire feeling of the financial district.
While the protests lack the organization and coherence of message that they need to refine in order to avoid becoming a caricature of themselves (as a friend of mine put it upon seeing the park), there is one resounding message that has made its way onto the signs and into most of the media:
We are the 99%.
The motto refers to the fact that 1% of the taxpayers in this country are recipients of tax-sheltered incentives and the vast majority of the income in the country while the rest of the citizens face record high unemployment rates and financial crises that are unmatched in recent history. And it is a good place to start. The reason Occupy Wall Street is getting the attention and replication throughout the country is because this message resonates with most of us in the middle and lower class.
I was fortunate enough to catch a small glimpse of the things that they are doing right on OWS this morning. In what she donned an 'Un-Columbus Day' reading, an elementary school teacher from one of the public schools in Manhattan read the children's story 'Encounter', which is a Native American point of view retelling of Columbus' occupation of America. It was an apt analogy and a perfect setting. In fact, before taking off for Liberty Plaza, I started the day with this thought: "Columbus Day: Reflecting on the foundations of our nation; from free world to slaughtering natives. Seems like good day to show support for Occupy Wall Street." A group of young children from the teacher's school joined in the conversation, and even hung around to make signs and march around the park. It was an exceptional display of education, and a valuable message for those students and any curious onlookers. If only the revolution had a teacher at the helm.
This revolution will not be organized. And until politicians adopt the best interests of the 99% and begin bringing these issues to the forefront of their political agendas, the revolution won't have much of a chance. But they are beginning to force the conversation. And with a little guidance, and some forethought, they can be making even bigger stands. I hoped to join the marchers and protest in support today, but there were no marches to join and no messages to shout. If the citizens who occupy Wall Street are hopeful that they can impact political change, they need to agree on how to do so.
We are the 99%. We will vote together, we will work together for the future, we will come together eventually to solve these issues. We have to. That is the message that needs to make its way into the homes and lives of the rest of our peers. I'm not sure that sitting the middle of the park is the best way to send that message, but at least it's a start.
