The ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement is almost completing one month. It started on 17th September with a few hundred protestors squatting in streets around the Wall Street, the centre of trading in New York. It caught the attention of the whole world immediately, especially as it is happening in US, the flag bearer of capitalism.
It is reported that the movement is not a spontaneous one. The increasing unemployment, job loss, the inequality in income with the corporates grabbing all the profits and benefits leaving the vast majority in distress, the unjustified attacks on other countries spending huge sums of money – all these have been agitating the minds of the youth and the jobless. The preparations started months back with a call to all the citizens to agitate and become part of the coming movement.
It is stated that 1% of the people, the rich, hold 99% of the money and the 99% , the common people, hold only 1%. Even though it is difficult to believe, that is the fact as per the protesters. The appeal by the protesters invites all to participate in the movement: “ The current depression level is not due to lack of revenue. It is due to theft. The trillions that the banks are sitting on right now? That is our money. Whether through taxes; the looting of pension and social security contributions; or the wealth we created from our labour – all of that belongs to us. Come to Wall Street…”
The protesters are supported by the people. The trade unions are supporting them and giving all help including food and clothes as also money. Every day the numbers are increasing. Even the New York city police who are trying to stop them to Wall Street seems to be in support with the agitators. The protestors belong to several groups but with regard to the opposition to the government’s policies and actions, they are united. It was seen in the photos that certain protesters were having the picture of Che Guvere, the revolutionary, in their hand.
Within one month the number of protesters have increased in the Wall Street, New York. More than that the protest has extended to most of the cities and towns in USA. The Obama Government seems to be in real trouble if the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ further intensifies.
Let me quote another portion of the pamphlet issued by the protesters which reveals the serious thinking on their part: “ The world does not have to be this way. A society of ruthlessness and isolation can be confronted and replaced with a society of co-operation and community. Cynics will tell us that this world is not possible. That the forces arrayed against us have won and will always win, and, perhaps, should always win. But they are not gods. They are human beings, just like us. They are a product of a society that rewards the behaviour that has led us to where we are today. They can be confronted. What is more they can be reached. They just need to see us. See beyond the price tags we carry. And if they are gods? Then we shall be Prometheus. And we shall laugh as we are lashed to the stone to await the eagle.”
Only at his peril, President Obama can ignore this protest movement.