An active library with sections for topics such as philosophy, gender studies, ecology, a meal station serving three hot meals a day, a think-tank serving as a discussion hot spot, a first-aid station offering free flu shots, and a comfort station stocked with amenities like underwear and blankets.
In the one square-block named Zuccotti Park, the protestors had an impressive infrastructure.
However, shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, police raided and shutdown the makeshift encampment at Liberty Square.
In addition to police forcing people out of Liberty Square, the Brooklyn Bridge and most subway stops were closed, according to Occupy Wall Street’s official website, www.occupywallst.org.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg sent the police and stated, “Protestors have had two months to occupy the park with tents and sleeping bags. Now they will have to occupy the space with the power of their arguments.”
The press was not allowed to enter the area, either on the ground or in the air. There were also reports of tear gas being used.
The protestors moved towards Folly Square soon after the police raids began. As of 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Liberty Square was cleared.
However, according to the official website, protestors plan to return to their original spot in Liberty Square.
Due to similar shutdowns of “Occupy” movements, such as Oakland and Portland, it is uncertain what will happen with the future of the movement.
The physical chaos of Zuccotti Park before the raids was a good indicator of the disjointedness and diversity that has become part of the “Occupy” movement. The park’s then-permanent inhabitants ranged from classic hippies smoking the tail end of joints, anarchist punks with leather jackets, older, seemingly normal politically active types, and homeless individuals, latching onto the site for safety and free meals.
The issues and goals of each group and the ways each group wants to achieve them varies so greatly that it’s surprising that they align themselves under the same banner of the Occupy Movement.
Ryan Maxwell, a Seattle native in his twenties who’s been a resident of the camp for the past two weeks, said that although groups in the camp were very diverse, there are things that they can find consensus on.
“Everybody agrees that there needs to be a change,” Max well said. “There needs to be a cultural change. There needs to be a change in our values. Right now, our values are [expletive], the pyramid is upside down.”
Since the protest began in New York City, similar protests sprung up in over 1,500 cities worldwide.
While there are many people in Fairfield county that commute into New York City, Connecticut residents participated in their own “Occupy” protests in New Haven on Oct. 15 and Hartford on Oct. 8, according to www.liberationnews.org.
These protestors continue in their respective cities. Many flocked to New York City to participate in the events of Occupy Wall Street.
“There are growing numbers of people who do not feel they can get ahead simply by working hard. The system seems to be stacked against them,” said Dr. Michael Tucker, professor of Finance. “Politicians listen to money and not voters.”
Recent graduates are among the “Occupy” protestors, according to Tucker. He explains that due to these protests and an unpredictable economy, students may choose their fields of study more carefully.
Junior Jordan J. Freeman commented on his observations on Fairfield students’ lack of knowledge concerning the protests.
“It is surprising how many people are unaware of what is happening just an hour away from our campus,” Freeman stated.