The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protest quickly gained national and international resonance. It became a symbol of the fight against a financial system that, according to participants, was responsible for the 2007–2008 crisis and the deteriorating lives of the younger generation. The movement also inspired similar actions across the country, launching the broader Occupy Movement in the U.S. and later globally. Read on new-york-yes.com for the genesis, key events, and impact of OWS.
The Birth of a Movement That Changed New York
The idea for the protest that would become the famous Occupy Wall Street movement originated in a conversation between Kalle Lasn, founder of the anti-consumerist magazine Adbusters, and his colleague Micah White. They were inspired by the mass protests in Tahrir Square in Egypt in early 2011 and decided to organize a peaceful action against corporate influence in politics and the rising wealth inequality in the U.S. September 17th—Lasn’s mother’s birthday—was chosen as the date for the protest.
In July, Adbusters published a call on its blog and a poster featuring a dancer on the famous bronze Charging Bull in Manhattan’s Financial District, urging activists to bring tents and join the protest. The hashtag #OccupyWallStreet quickly spread on social media, and throughout August, the online community actively discussed the action, helping to raise the first donations.
Various groups joined the movement, including “A Day of Rage”—activists against corporate political influence—as well as anonymous cyber-activists from the Anonymous movement, who helped mobilize masses online and disseminate information. By mid-September, preparations were conducted through forums, social media, and the movement’s own website, which became a hub for communication and fundraising.
Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan was the first site of the protest. Other potential locations, such as Bowling Green and One Chase Manhattan Plaza, were fenced off by police, but Zuccotti Park remained open. Mayor Michael Bloomberg supported the right to peaceful protest, emphasizing the city’s readiness to ensure participants’ safety.
The movement combined street activism with online campaigns, art, and performance. Posters, videos, and hashtags helped create a unique protest atmosphere where technology and social activism intertwined. Occupy Wall Street became the first large-scale political action for many Anonymous participants, who had previously limited themselves to cyber-activism.
The slogan “We Are the 99%” became the symbol of Occupy Wall Street and reflected the core issue that fueled the movement: the vast economic inequality in the U.S. Journalists called it one of the most successful protest slogans since the anti-war slogans of the Vietnam era. The slogan was backed by concrete data: a report from the Congressional Budget Office confirmed the massive income gap, further fueling public outrage. The movement’s focus was clear: reduce corporate influence on politics, achieve a fairer distribution of income, create more quality jobs, reform banks, limit speculative activities, and ease the financial burden of student loans. The idea itself remained clear and powerful: the majority of Americans are the “99%,” and they demand systemic changes in society and the economy.
Occupy Wall Street from the Inside
When the OWS movement turned Zuccotti Park into its encampment, the first nights were basic: 100 to 200 protesters slept on the ground in sleeping bags and under blankets, as tents were initially banned. Food was cooked communally, costing approximately a thousand dollars a day, and for showering and sanitation, many used the restrooms of neighboring establishments, where local residents willingly offered their facilities.
To bypass restrictions on the use of electric megaphones, participants invented the “People’s Mic”: a speaker would state a phrase, and the crowd would repeat it in unison. The encampment in Zuccotti became a living laboratory of community life: it featured free kitchens, Wi-Fi, a lending library, and various alternative media outlets, from the Occupy Wall Street Journal to Tidal and On the Frontlines, which disseminated news and participants’ creative work worldwide.
Life in the camp was organized based on the principles of direct democracy—decisions were made at open General Assembly meetings where everyone could speak. But it didn’t last long. On November 15, the police raided the camp, evicted the people, and arrested about 200 individuals, including journalists. Several weeks later, demonstrators tried to re-establish the camp, but police control made it impossible.
Despite the eviction, the movement did not stop: activists continued their actions at banks, corporations, university campuses, and on Wall Street itself.
The Zuccotti Park camp became a symbol of resilience and innovation. Protesters managed to self-organize under limited resources, combining collective cooking, sanitation solutions, a library, and an effective communication system.
Government Crackdown and Public Reaction to Occupy Wall Street
As the OWS movement gained momentum nationwide, U.S. federal agencies began closely monitoring it. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that mass protests could pose a threat to transportation, commerce, and government services, especially in large cities. In October 2011, the DHS prepared a report titled “Special Coverage: Occupy Wall Street,” and agencies, including the FBI, began gathering information even from social media. Arrests became a part of the standoff. The first person arrested was student videographer Alexander Arbuckle, who, as video showed, was following police orders but was charged anyway. About 2,000 protesters were arrested in New York, and nearly 8,000 nationwide, mostly for disorderly conduct or refusing to disperse.
The events on the Brooklyn Bridge on October 1, 2011, became particularly well-known. 768 protesters were detained for obstructing traffic. Many later filed lawsuits against the city, claiming they were illegally kettled (trapped) and arrested. A federal court ruled in 2012 that protesters had not been given adequate warning.
Some court cases gained significant attention. Michael Premo was acquitted thanks to video footage showing unprovoked police aggression. Cecily McMillan, charged with assaulting an officer, received 90 days but served only 60, claiming she acted in response to sexual assault.
The reaction from politicians and the public was mixed. President Obama expressed understanding for the protesters and noted that they reflected American frustration following the financial crisis. Jon Stewart criticized those who failed to fix the system and mocked political apathy. Mitt Romney, although considering the movement dangerous and inciting class warfare, later expressed sympathy for the protesters. Some Democratic leaders, notably Nancy Pelosi, and labor unions supported OWS.
Polls showed mixed public sentiment: in November 2011, 33% of voters supported the movement, 45% were against it, and 22% were undecided. By January 2012, 51% viewed the protest as a public nuisance, while 39% considered it a genuine movement representing the people.
The movement also faced criticism for underrepresentation of minorities and the lower class, and some actions included anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist slogans. Despite the criticism, the movement elevated the national discussion about economic inequality, corporate responsibility, and social justice, cementing the slogan “We Are the 99%” in public consciousness.
The Development and Impact of Occupy Wall Street
By December 2011, the future of the OWS movement was still uncertain. The movement retained over $450,000$ in donated funds and continued to use its website to call for specific actions. Protests in other U.S. cities continued, occasionally escalating into clashes with police. Participants remained committed to their main goal—to defend the interests of the 99% against the economic elite 1%.
The term “Occupy” became a brand of resistance; initiatives arose such as Occupy Sandy, which helped victims of Hurricane Sandy, and Occupy Monsanto, which protested against genetically modified crops. The movement spread internationally, with protests taking place in dozens of countries, including Occupy Central in Hong Kong.
The movement brought the topic of economic inequality back into public discourse, inspired campaigns for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, and led to the creation of non-profits like the Rolling Jubilee (or Strike Debt), which buys up past-due medical debt for a symbolic sum.
In 2021, on the 10th anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, The Atlantic noted its long-term impact: the re-imagining of activism, the inspiration for new generations to fight for systemic reforms, and its influence on the Green New Deal and campaigns for increased minimum wages. The movement also energized environmental protests, particularly against the Keystone XL pipeline project, and contributed to a shift in political discourse to the left.
Despite the lack of specific legislative victories, Occupy Wall Street remains a symbol of decentralized activism and demonstrated how mass protests can inspire local and national campaigns for social justice.