The 10 Most Memorable Moments Of The 'Occupy' Protests [PHOTOS]

When the history books look back on 2011, they likely won't forget Occupy Wall Street.

The humble protest that started in Zuccotti Park on September 17 after a call from the magazine AdBusters turned quickly into a social media phenomenon and, ultimately, a worldwide movement. The demonstrations against income inequality, corporate influence in politics and other topics have attracted so much attention that Time magazine named "The Protestor" the person of the year due in part to the Occupy movement, as well as the Arab Spring.

It's perhaps the protesters' tenacity that's given them the most recognition. They continued to spread their message -- and ramp up occupations across the country and around the world -- in the face of initial skepticism, ultimately netting endorsements from a variety of politicians and unions.

The occupiers have also faced injuries and arrests along the way. When a video surfaced in September of New York Police officers pepper-spraying a group of young women during a protest in Union Square it launched the movement into the spotlight. The arrest of more than 700 protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge a few days later only heightened the focus on the movement.

But the protesters didn't let up. And neither did the police. Several people, including an 84-year-old woman in Seattle, a protester in Oakland and several students at the University of California-Davis, have been pepper-sprayed at close range. Oakland police also injured an Iraq war veteran during a march in October.

Though the protest camp was evicted from Zuccotti Park in November, Occupy organizers have attempted to keep the movement alive. Some activists helped homeless people take over foreclosed houses in cities across the country earlier this month. Others have targeted fundraisers for politicians and lobbyists.

 

Comments

[Laura Thompson-Schaeffer]

09:52 AM on 12/20/2011

I feel so full of fury when I see the police behave like this. I am so glad its been recorded. Bless you OWS

[meteetse]

10:41 PM on 12/19/2011

Go OWS
The system we have in place, allows bankers not to fail, business executives not to lose their jobs, stock holders can't lose their money.
The feds rigged it. They turned America’s leading business sectors into zombie-controlled, value-destroying industries. They turned the nation’s money into an ersatz currency. And they pushed the country’s middle class households in debt holes they find it difficult to climb out of.
Now when it's time for the American people to get a lift, the boot-dragging politicians that we elected stall. The deck has never been so crookedly stacked against us. Our government is stealing our money to make sure the rich don't fail.

[Lady Saera]

02:36 PM on 12/16/2011

OWS you are so inspiring, be strong, be peaceful, stay safe.

[butterfly218]

12:16 PM on 12/16/2011

Go OWS. The baggers opened it up but the OWS are going to bring it home .

[Captain Archer]

06:11 PM on 12/18/2011

So you support OWS and Obama but blame the repubs.

This sort of thinking is exactly why this Country is in trouble!

[anniesez455]

06:14 PM on 12/18/2011

everyone's drinking the alien treated water..lol..The libs are rather funny at times

[Carly freedom]

10:13 AM on 12/16/2011

What a horrible week for civil liberties. First I find out that Obama is not going to veto the involuntary detention centers, and they are building more to house American dissidents. Marshall law in America. I wonder when the first tanks start rolling into our town and cities if then we will fully understand the rights that were given up for us by or congressman and senate.

[butterfly218]

12:18 PM on 12/16/2011

Please remember that Obama will have 4 more years to correct everything . He will reverse a lot of this but he has to get these bills passed to keep America rolling . You have to be president to know how to be a president .

[xanas]

09:29 PM on 12/16/2011

Right. He's totally not a crony capitalist and doesn't enjoy the privileges of his office. It's all for the little guy.

[Occupirates]

10:11 AM on 12/16/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6qiTVs711M

[Richard Lent]

03:44 AM on 12/16/2011

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[jordan2]

01:55 AM on 12/16/2011

I am a retied media/newspaper consultant and have some ideas but can't seem to get anyone's attention so I guess they have it all figured out.

[johnmorgan]

01:55 AM on 12/16/2011

The fact that so many trolls come out of the wordwork for every article about the Occupy movement really proves that Occupy has been successful.

The Occupy movement has obviously scared the 1% and their minions in the trailer parks of Alabama who work as paid trolls on this website.

[xanas]

09:30 PM on 12/16/2011

You really think it requires people to pay money to have a problem with OWS? LOL...

[advchaser]

11:11 PM on 12/15/2011

Best moments were the police carting off occupiers and maintenance workers cleaning up!!

ABO 2012!

[AyeChart]

10:40 PM on 12/15/2011

It appears that the country is not in favor of communism.

[oheart]

08:40 AM on 12/16/2011

Ah, another useless, mindless talking point.

[szab0413]

01:09 AM on 12/17/2011

What would you call it? Socialism?

[ctcadguy]

09:44 AM on 12/16/2011

What?

[JMars491]

08:06 PM on 12/15/2011

(continued)

To compare this movement to those in the middle east this past spring is far fetched at best. They revolted against fascist dictators that often deprived their citizens of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. People are protesting here because they have become so engrained in a system of government that continues to promote the idea that government is the answer to all problems. They believe that the government should ensure they own a home, should ensure they have health care, ensure that they have an education. Now that it is becoming a reality that these things are unsustainable there is an uprising. I 100% agree that there should have been NO BAILOUTS for any corporation, but to continue to protest saying THATS NOT FAIR is simply childish.
I propose that you take this fire that your movement has and use that in a constructive way. Find a political candidate that supports your views and get them elected, that is how we make real change in this country through legislation and amendments. Not Rioting and defecating on the sidewalks. I will spare you my political leanings as much as I can but I assure you that there are candidates out there that believe in your message but few can get behind your methods.

Thanks.

[advchaser]

11:13 PM on 12/15/2011

The occupiers can't do that, because it entails taking a bath, getting a job and working for change.

ABO 2012!

[johnmorgan]

01:46 AM on 12/16/2011

Thanks for the message from your beloved Fox Propaganda Network.

[JMars491]

07:27 PM on 12/16/2011

While, I don't particularly agree with their methods or for the most part their message let's please refrain from bashing each other. It's really not productive for either party.

Thanks

[butterfly218]

12:28 PM on 12/16/2011

Governments all over the world have figured out how to collect taxes and distribute them equally for " All the people ". That is why they can have health care for all , housing that works , free college because the educated make more money to pay more taxes and those taxes help pay for roads and bridges and schools and clean air and water . See . It works when the elected officials work for the people and not special interest greed . Voters will make this decision .

[JMars491]

06:52 PM on 12/16/2011

Ok, fair enough. However, let me start by saying that we are not other countries all over the world, we are America. Now I am not some Right wing nut preaching blind patriotism but there was a time when people were proud to call themselves an american. What other countries have you been to? I don't mean for vacation. Let's say spent at least a year in. Those countries that you speak of aren't the fairytale land you believe them to be. I hate to be cliche but I can't help but spout the saying "the Grass is always greener on the other side." In 2009 my grandfather lost his battle to cancer because the government run healthcare system where they reside could no longer afford to keep treating him and doctors had to effectively "cut their losses" I wish I could say that his case was the exception and not the rule but that would be a lie. As to taxing people and distributing the money equally; on what grounds is it fair to tax person A who studies hard, goes to college and works hard for 20 years and becomes a wealthy individual, only to support person B who slacked off in school, would rather collect welfare and in turn pays NO taxes to help out society?

[JMars491]

06:52 PM on 12/16/2011

I know not every person on unemployment is lazy. Many suffered unfortunate circumstances that lead to their current situation. I will even go as far as to agree with you that some were straight up "sold out" in favor of major corporations. That is why I don't believe there shouldn't be ANY bailouts by the government. It is just a slippery slope, If we over tax person A to pay for person B, then at what point does person A finally just get sick of it and stop producing money. Then there is nothing to tax and nobody wins. Please feel free to respond again as I love to sit and debate with people. I'll keep it civil if you will.

Thanks.

[JMars491]

08:06 PM on 12/15/2011

The OWS will never accomplish what they set out to because of a few factors;

First being that there is a complete lack of cohesion as to what the desired end state actually is. Depending on who you ask you get a different answer. Be it The end of capitalism, The end of corporate interference in politics or the fact that some people believe that the government simply owes them and should provide them with everything in life.

The second reason in my opinion is the blatant disregard for the public. I am not speaking of your "civil disobedience" (though I don't care for that either"). I am speaking about the destruction, desecration and sheer malicious acts taken against the communities you pretend to represent. I will speak specifically about Occupy Portland. Portland is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, with beautiful parks and amazing out door scenery. After the Occupy crowd was removed from the parks in portland they were a shadow of their former selfs. There was graffiti, garbage, and not to mention human waste. I know that I speak for more than just myself when I say that the needless destruction of such beautiful public domains is not the way to win support for your cause.

[ctcadguy]

09:51 AM on 12/16/2011

Give it a rest - The 1% is ruimning your kid's future - the flowers will grow back.

[JMars491]

06:35 PM on 12/16/2011

I simply expressed my opinion why I believe the OWS movement will not accomplish it's goal. If you care to debate please express some facts or more specific opinions, saying that the "1% are destroying my kid's future" seems to imply that I am in fact not adequately preparing my daughter for her future. Don't brush off my opinions as rash or unfounded or "drinking the kool-aid" as others tend to do. I can remain civil if you can :)

Thanks

[Candide33]

08:02 PM on 12/15/2011

Seriously ... the Koch bros must be paying these tr0IIs over time to sit on the OWS thread... not a single tr0II on any other thread!!!!

[butterfly218]

12:30 PM on 12/16/2011

Poor dears . They look for red meat and this is all they can find ? Well maybe the Fox daily talking points can warm them up .

[Ian Gord]

06:21 PM on 12/15/2011

"PHOTOS the Occupy Movement's Best Moments" says the headline.

If those are the "best moments" of anything it's participants should be embarrassed to have wasted a couple months of their lives.