Occupy Wall Street: Night Of Action (VIDEO)

As night fell on Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, Occupy Wall Street protesters came out in the thousands for a final rally at the end of the movement's two-month anniversary.

The atmosphere was festive -- it even drew a large number of families. Erica Brody brought her young daughter Ella to the protest.

“I think it’s important to be out here for our children, and for people to see that we care about the future and what happens to this country. ... they are the next generation”, she said.

Jessie Spector and Helen Stillman are recent college graduates, who, by their own account, come from wealthy families. They said they want to use their wealth and privilege to leverage resources for change.

“All of us have a role to play, including those of us who are connected to communities of the one percent”, Stillman explained.

As the protesters gathered to leave the square for a final march across the pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, scores of riot police stood by. A sense of enthusiasm filled the crisp night air.

Holding a small candle in his hand, union worker Lewis Torres appeared hopeful about the future of the movement, but when asked about the next step he replied, "I'm feeling good, but that's the best question -- what is going to happen next?"

Watch the video above to get a better sense for the scene at Foley Square.

 

 

Comments

[maddy305]

07:19 PM on 11/18/2011

My name is Madeleine Raymond. I am a nurse and I am turning to you for help on the following: Jackson Memorial is going trough difficult financial problems. We went to the governor of Florida, we have spent 2 days lobbying to save the hospital and office . Yet, no answer. We are about to have all 12,000 staff, including doctors and nurses, take 2 weeks off without pay before December 31 to save the hospital. We have given 5 % from our pay check for about 2 yrs now. I will not have Thanksgiving and Christmas for my kids and that goes for most off us at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. Please help me save Jackson Memorial Hospital. We need our job and the patients need our care.

[Kenz300]

12:39 PM on 11/18/2011

The right wing media and faux noise are trying to portray the OWS protesters as a MOB.

They promoted the tea party as patriots. Maybe the top 1% is worried and their spokesmen are trying to squash the movement.

The Republican party has always been the party of big business and billionaires.

[designcreature]

12:07 PM on 11/18/2011

When does a movement with great potential become just a mob. My question is...if there were no police whatsoever, that the protesters had free rein, what would happen? Trashed buildings? Burning? Looting? All in the name of defending our right to more fair representation in Washington?

[John fulano de tal]

09:52 AM on 11/18/2011

I think OWS should do a shout out to Ralph Nader as their Presidential Spokesperson 2012.

Click below to hear Mr. Nader speak of OWS and other important topics.

http://october2011.org/blogs/kevin-zeese/ralph-nader-freedom-plaza-importance-public-commons#.TrVWkMzY00o.facebook

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133692826678176

[m362000]

08:33 AM on 11/18/2011

Here you can see the real protesters not the ones picked for you !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-GAkNNJNk

[whatwerewethinking]

07:01 AM on 11/18/2011

As I sit and read about these "occupy" stories. I am flabergasted that this is happening in AMERICA. We are not a third world country! We are showing the world what?? America can be savages with violence, just as they are? America is where you have the freedom of speech. The best country in the world. All of this can be done peacefully! Whether you believe in Occupy or not, there is no reason to be violent. We are in this together, THE BANKS DID NOT MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR JOB!!!! WALL STREET DID NOT MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR JOB!! You can place blame anywhere you want, and some of us that are not happy or unbelievably unhappy regarding the situation are working through it without forcing a war against the rich and poor. THE RICH DID NOT MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR JOB! I am not going to blame anyone for my misfortunes, I did not live beyond my means, I saved so if I lost my job I was able to continue my way of life with as little change as possible. Yes I had to tweek my life, but adjustment is a way of life. I am not rich, I do not pretend to be and I definately could care less about keeping up with the JONE'S. As the time progressed we have lost our own focus as to what our parents and grandparents taught us. STOP BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR MISFORTUNE!!

[mecormany]

07:35 AM on 11/18/2011

What exactly is happening in America that flabbergasts you? That the income inequality is obscene? That the amount we spend on the military is obscene? You haven't been keeping up on current events have you? There are so many books and articles out that detail how Wall Street and the big banks helped by laws written by crooked politicians tanked the economy you'd have to be deliberately ignoring them to make such a dumb statement. Yes, we are in this together. Tell that to Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, the Fortune 400, Bush and Obama, Congress. They sure dont' think we're in it together.
And that's what OWS is doing. Working through it. But they're also demanding accountability. You can be a martyr if you want, but none of this had to happen.
Geez. some people are like -- I don't even know what to compare you to. Even sheep show more backbone when they're attacked.
Yes, I think the various police departments through out the coutnry are showing the world we're world class hypocrites. . We can tell everybody else they need to open up their society so all people can be heard and have chances, but try and use your first amendment right to address your grievances about that here, and wham! Out comes the police state. That' s why there's hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who are marching and occupying. .

[JubalTHarshaw]

07:53 AM on 11/18/2011

Your need to buy into the notion that an Evil 1% is responsible for the plight of a small percentage of the remaining 99% is the height of self-victimization. At what point do you and those who espouse your skewed view accept that Congress as well as Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama were elected by THE PEOPLE. Do those who despise either Mr. Bush or Mr. Obama believe that really bad decisions were made by the electorate? Absolutely. Like it or not, in a democracy the people always get the very government that they deserve, We have an ignorant and apathetic electorate that has consistently supported whoever promised to give them the most. If you rent your vote to a charlatan why are you surprise at the result? Social and political change isn't achieved in the streets it is achieved at the polls. They "are demanding accountability"; from whom? Wall Street didn't do anything that Washington didn't tell them that they could. We are indeed seeing world class hypocrisy. OWS rants about the preferential treatment received by their targets and then demands that it be given preferential treatment when it comes to enforcement of the laws that the rest of us are expected to obey.

[Bubba Link]

07:56 AM on 11/18/2011

You voted for this..Its what you wanted..How is that OBAMA thing working out for you now?

[Rjchinook]

08:09 AM on 11/18/2011

You can find everyone of your talking points @ right-wing web sites all over the internet.

[whatwerewethinking]

08:15 AM on 11/18/2011

Right wing or left wing, we all have our own views. That is what has made America. Just so you know some democrats feel the same way as the republicans do.

[Carolab]

02:01 AM on 11/18/2011

A very inspiring day, I loved the projections on the Verizon building as tens of thousands were finally allowed to cross the bridge. The police in the end were fairly overwhelmed. Which tells you, it is vital to grow this movement so the marches and rallies are larger each time.

[JubalTHarshaw]

07:57 AM on 11/18/2011

Overwhelm the police in the performance of their sworn duty and you invite the presence of the National Guard. As the mob grows, so does the revulsion of law abiding citizens. We have the right to walk the streets of our cities, use our subways and go to work without harassment from an unruly mob. OWS doesn't get a pass on its criminal conduct. As they escalate and announce plans to interrupt interstate commerce we can only hope that they get to experience the breadth and depth of the Patriot Act up close and personal.

[Carolab]

12:41 AM on 11/19/2011

I'm sorry you don't understand the nature and rationale for civil disobedience.  Thoreau wrote at length on it and he heavily influenced both Gandhi and Martin Luther King. 

Disruption of business as usual is unfortunately the only way to get the "elite's attention" as it affects their pocketbooks.  If the citizenry is inconvenienced by the actions temporarily but gains in the long run it seems a small price to pay.

[Carolab]

12:47 AM on 11/19/2011

By the way, you should wish further paramilitary shows of force on no one, but particularly on your fellow citizens.  If you feel that their actions put you in harm's way, you might be better served joining the cause than sitting back and becoming a victim as you surely will in time if you do nothing at all.

[Candide33]

11:58 PM on 11/17/2011

I remember when the stories about Scott Walker first started coming out and my hubby would ask why I was looking for info about it every day, he even teased me about only being so interested in WI because of my love of cheese!

But I told him that something was going to happen because so many of the things were the same things my many friends in Egypt talked about for years before the revolution there.

WI deserves some props for getting the ball rolling.... and they stayed through the snow!!!

Lots of love and best wishes to the good people of WI and best of luck with the recall.

[rgrsjolly]

05:45 AM on 11/18/2011

And exactly what has changed for the better in Egypt?

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:00 AM on 11/18/2011

A bunch of folks in LL Bean parkas and tents with gas heaters and portable generators stayed through a one day snow storm? You are easily impressed. As to Egypt and the rest of the Arab Spring we have yet to determine what harvest was reaped. Do you and your wife revel in the rise of Sharia Law and Islamic fundamentalism? If you think that regular Americans responding to OWS squatters is mean spirited or short sided, how do you describe the actions of those who view women as property and yearn for a return of the Caliphate? OWS is now being judged by the company it keeps and the conduct it engages in.

[JannielB]

10:39 AM on 11/19/2011

Yes, you are mean-spirited in the way that you speak of OWS.
As for the Arab Spring, when you have fundamentalists firmly entrenched, it will take time to dislodge them.
As for America; we are a people very similar to the French, and how did that French Revolution work out? Yeah, I think OWS is keeping company with the likes of the Revolutionary Patriots of France and Colonial America.

[JLTorres]

11:43 PM on 11/17/2011

I support the OWS movement, but it needs to make its objectives clearer. It needs to articulate what it wants from our government. And it needs to get the message across more effectively so that what we get from the media is not only streaming video of the occasional tussle with cops. Where is the leadership of the movement? I applaud their courage and perseverance.

[workinguy]

11:50 PM on 11/17/2011

Agree.

[Candide33]

12:02 AM on 11/18/2011

It is clear.... get the corrupt money out of politics

It has been on the front page of their website since before the protests started and it is still there.

http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/occupywallstreet

#OCCUPYWALLSTREET is a leaderless people powered movement for democracy that began in America on September 17 with an encampment in the financial district of New York City. Inspired by the Egyptian Tahrir Square uprising and the Spanish acampadas, we vow to end the monied corruption of our democracy … join your local #OCCUPY! We're now in DAY 62.

[JLTorres]

12:06 AM on 11/18/2011

Wonderful concept. Now, tell me how exactly does the nation go about making this happen? What are the steps towards this goal that the movement is advocating? Without specifics this means nothing.

[rgrsjolly]

05:46 AM on 11/18/2011

Who decides what is corrupt and what isn't corrupt? You?

[workinguy]

11:29 PM on 11/17/2011

Keith just showed Bill'O declaring the end of OWS when Bloomberg blocked return to Park. Per usual Bill'O proven wrong within 24hrs of prediction.

[quietiskept]

04:12 AM on 11/18/2011

anybody hear about how bloomberg went to media stations impressing upon them not to report on events at ows, and how 8 reporters have already been jailed for their role in reporting on events? are we living in a fascist state?

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:09 AM on 11/18/2011

I'm sure that Mr. O'Reilley will be pleased to learn that you are regular viewer; we know that Keith holds you and his other two viewers in high regard. OWS didn’t end yesterday but it did plant the seeds of its own destruction.

[Wendy Davis]

11:29 PM on 11/17/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFIpAqZJGYQ&feature=uploademail Clip of police brutality on violent dancers. ::eye roll::

[Candide33]

11:44 PM on 11/17/2011

Yep and now the whole world is watching thanks to YouTube and LiveStream and all the other outlets like them.

[rgrsjolly]

05:47 AM on 11/18/2011

OK, so now OWS has gotten a lot of attention. What are you going to do with it?

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:10 AM on 11/18/2011

The world is indeed watching. For OWS that isn't a good thing.

[justitia]

11:26 PM on 11/17/2011

It would be peaceful as long as the police just watch. There'll be more. Who was it who said that this whole thing would fizzle out in 24 hours?

[whatwerewethinking]

07:15 AM on 11/18/2011

The police are just watching! The insane thing is you actually believe that the police have caused the violence?? The police get violent on protestors that are causing violent outbreaks! alot of the OWS is trying to be peaceful it is the other half that is acting like a third world country and getting people hurt!

[rayoflights]

11:07 PM on 11/17/2011

Communication failure in NY. Police estimate 32,650 on ground & Twittestimate 21 Mill online worldwide #OWS #Iwilloccupy

[Candide33]

11:51 PM on 11/17/2011

There were over 23k on the UStream Live feed today while I was watching and another 18k on global revolution live feed, and that was just 2 of the hundreds around the world at all the OWS cities.

LiveStream has a lot of them, I stop in and say hey to people in Belgium and England and Phoenix and Germany most days.

Bloomberg is a dinosaur if he thinks arresting a few reporters is going to have any effect at all on what goes online.

I am probably older than he is and even I know the score.

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:12 AM on 11/18/2011

NYPD isn't too concerned about the valiant keyboard activists. They are welcome to trash Mom's basement and beat their drums until the neighbors come over and make them stop.

[phoflex]

10:59 PM on 11/17/2011

OWS has staying power. It only took 30 plus years, but it is here to stay. Thank you demonstrators of every ilk. We are proud of your enthusiasm and courage. Stay safe. Non violence rules! MLK, Gandhi, The Dali Lama, and many others are very proud. On to the future with a voice for the people.

[Wendy Davis]

11:31 PM on 11/17/2011

Indeed. Thank you OWS for keeping it real. I am so proud of Americans~My heart is singing!

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:12 AM on 11/18/2011

OK singing heart, tell us what OWS stands for and why you are so proud.

[JAne Rudden]

10:57 PM on 11/17/2011

Thanks Huff Post for the video!!!! Your reporting of OWS, and usually the Christian Science monitor will be on the right side of history

[JubalTHarshaw]

06:13 AM on 11/18/2011

OWS will soon be history...

[BustMyChops]

06:33 AM on 11/18/2011

Wrong, again... Nostradamus. And who's gonna beat Obama in 2012?