What Are They Protesting? PSFK Goes To Wall Street

As the weather turned, an American flag bearing the insignia of Fortune 500 companies in place of Stars stirred restlessly.

Wednesday, Day 12 of the Occupy Wall Street movement proved uneventful in comparison to days past. Over the past two weeks, the NYPD has arrested at least 80 people with tensions reaching a boiling point this past weekend as several women were caught on video being pepper sprayed by police. The anxiety was palpable as the protesters discussed impending rainfall and a cold spell set to arrive some time on Friday. Despite this potentially disheartening news, the protesters spoke with an air of resolve, determined to see these events through to the end, whenever that end may be.

In a general assembly format, a cascading slew of individuals spoke on topics ranging from where to locate public outlets to basic administrative notes and scheduling. Megaphones are not permitted, so individuals rise to address the group in curt sentences then echoed by the chorus in attendance. An issue for many of us following the events through mainstream media has been putting a finer point on what exactly the protesters are protesting. Admittedly it appeared an eclectic mix, but from conversations I had, the reoccurring theme of contention centers on the growing wealth disparity in this country exacerbated by the prevailing influence of money in politics.

Wall Street therefore functions as more of a symbol than the scorn of enmity in itself. The lobbyist agendas of corporations, financial institutions, and the like are perceived by protesters to have pushed American politics past the tipping point for what can be reasonably held as responsible politics. The 99% the protesters claim to represent (with respect to wealth distribution), go underrepresented in the Halls of Congress and beyond. The protesters evidence for this claim is themselves; many of them are educated and without jobs, indicating a systemic failure where the interests of a few have trumped those of everyone else.

Galvanized by the recent violence over the weekend, the protesters have been inspired to carry on in solidarity. All are welcome to attend.