“Occupy Wall Street”, a peaceful movement which protests against the abuse of the financial system, has now entered in its sixth week sit-in protest, in Zucotti Park, near Wall Street in New York.
What is the origin of the Anti- Wall Street Movement?
This movement initially started in Canada by The Adbusters Media Foundation and then spread across the USA at the time when the American Congress was unable to come to an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, necessary to avoid a default of payment of the country. Many other cities like Philiadelphia, Chicago, Seattle or Los Angeles have since joined the movement, organizing marches and sit-ins.
What happened to the American Dream?
Many Americans no longer believe in their political leaders, accused of missrepresenting them. They have risen up against the American financial system and against economic and social inequalities. According to Barack Obama, Occupy Wall Street “expresses the frustrations that American people feel about how our financial system works”. This protest also stems from the generalized deep uneasiness of American citizens, who can barely make ends meet and who, for some of them are crippled with debt. This feeling of uneasiness is all the more deeply rooted as the unemployment rate in the USA stays high, at 9,1%.
What are they claiming?
Most Wall Street protesters are young graduate students who denounce a society, which not offer valuable jobs. They are blaming the system for not having concrete demands but they actually just want to be heard and, put an end to corporate greed. "We are the 99%", their now famous slogan, refers to income inequality between the 1% mostly shared by corporates and political leaders who control wealth and, the rest of the population.
Like the Arab revolutions, as well as Spain’s indignants, American protesters struggle for a more egalitarian society no longer based on corruption. If you have a look at this blog: http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/, you might be surprised by the number of people, especially graduate students who live with serious financial difficulties. In response to this, some people who belong to the 1% category, created another blog: http://westandwiththe99percent.tumblr.com/, as a sign of solidarity.
A global movement?
The Occupy Wall Street Movement has taken a global dimension, spreading in the streets of European, Asian and Australian major cities. Nevertheless, no such marches or sit-ins have been organized in France, where indignation is part of our culture. So why French people, especially graduate students don’t join this protest? Are they less affected by economic and social issues than other countries where there is an erosion of the Welfare State?
Mathilde Desmoulins-Colas
I agree on the fact that both Arab revolution and American movement are struggling for a free democratic and just society but in my opinion the Occupy Movement has done everything right by so far in using only non-violent protest and organizing.
ReplyDeleteViolent revolutions in Arab countries have been able to accomplish changes in the government through force, but the price has always been high, with deaths of civilians and destruction of cities.
So far the outcome of the OWS’ movement is still uncertain, but let’s hope they can accomplish what they want by protesting, making themselves heard and convince with sit-down strikes only; even if this is going to be a long hard struggle.
Carine Vulliez