Occupy Wall Street facts for kids
Occupy Wall Street was a large protest movement that began in 2011 in New York City. It quickly spread to many other cities across the United States. People protested against the big differences between how poor and wealthy people live. They also wanted to show their unhappiness with how large companies, called corporations, use their money and power.
The protests in New York started on September 17, 2011, in a place called Zuccotti Park. Some people even camped there overnight. The movement grew to include thousands of people. These protesters came from many different backgrounds and had various political ideas. They included people with liberal views, conservative views, and many others.
Many Occupy protests in other parts of the country began in the middle of October. In some cities, like Denver, Oakland, and New York City, police sometimes used force. However, in other places, such as Miami, the protests were peaceful. Some police officers even showed support for the protesters.
Contents
What Was Occupy Wall Street?
Occupy Wall Street (often called OWS) was a protest movement. It aimed to highlight how a small number of very rich people and large companies seemed to have too much power. Protesters felt this power was used in ways that hurt ordinary people. The movement's main idea was that the "99%" of people were suffering while the "1%" (the very wealthy) benefited.
Why Did People Protest?
People joined Occupy Wall Street for several reasons. They were concerned about the growing gap between the rich and the poor. Many felt that large banks and corporations had too much influence over the government. They also believed that these powerful groups were not being held responsible for their actions. Protesters wanted more fairness and equality for everyone.
Where Did Protests Happen?
The first protest started in Zuccotti Park in New York City. This park became the main camp for the movement. From there, the idea of "Occupy" spread quickly. Similar protests began in cities all over the United States. People gathered in public spaces, parks, and city squares to share their messages.
The Human Microphone
One interesting way protesters communicated was using the "human microphone." When someone wanted to speak to a large crowd, they would say a few words. Then, people nearby would repeat those words loudly. This chain reaction allowed the message to travel through the entire crowd. It was used because the protesters were not allowed to use electronic sound systems.
The People's Library
At the Zuccotti Park camp, protesters created something called the "People's Library." This was a library run by volunteers. It had thousands of books, internet access, and even librarians. People could borrow books or get information. It showed how the community worked together during the protest.
Other Pages
Images for kids
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"We Are The 99%"
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Beginning on September 17, 2011, Zuccotti Park was occupied by protesters.
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Protesters engaging in the 'human microphone'
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Encampment at Zuccotti Park and "People's Library" with over 5,000 books, wi-fi internet, and a reference service, often staffed by professional librarians, procuring material through the interlibrary loan system.
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Zuccotti Park, cleared and cleaned on November 15, 2011
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Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello playing Occupy Wall Street in New York, October 2011
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Although the movement's primary slogan was "we are the 99%," it was criticized for not encompassing the voice of the entire 99%, specifically lower-class individuals and minorities
See also
In Spanish: Occupy Wall Street para niños
