Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street Movement

Efren Pascual

COM 215

November 29, 2011

Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley

Occupy Wall Street: America’s Fight Against Corporate Greed

If there is one thing everyday, ordinary Americans have grown increasingly tired of nowadays –that of living under the status quo. High unemployment, corporate greed, and economic inequality. These are just a few of the social and economic issues facing Americans today. Wondering about the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement occurring in various parts of the country and across the world? In case you missed it or have not heard of it, thousands of OWS demonstrators have been “occupying” and gathering at parks in major cities all over the country. This grassroots movement started two months ago, and traces its roots from Adbusters, a Canada-based publication best known for its advertisement-free anti consumerist views. Protesters nationwide are up in arms against social inequality, rising costs of living, greed, as well as corruption. The protests also center around various causes including financial and political overhaul, social awareness, war, environmental issues and the division of American wealth. It subsequently evolved into an ongoing series of nationwide demonstrations which began September 17, 2011 in Zuccotti Park, located in New York’s Wall Street financial district. Several thousand protesters have been arrested nationwide for blocking city traffic and other alleged violations.

Catchy Slogan

Opposing views on the issue continue to fuel national debate on how the government should rein in the excesses of corporate America. Characterized by most media outlets and business and political pundits as a leaderless resistance movement, OWS proposed a peaceful and non-violent occupation of Wall Street to protest undue influence of corporations, particularly that of the financial services sector – on the government. The protesters go by the catchy slogan We...