Friday, November 18, 2011

Bridges

An aerial view of NYC demonstrators crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, with police estimates over 30,000



Some more aerial footage from BBC.

Occupy Wall Street demonstrators jammed the area in front of the Stock Exchange Thursday morning blockading all entry points, and with participants speaking out at each barrier locale, and via People's Mic, about personal experiences under an unfair economy.  Demonstrators also strategically occupied throughout the subway system, distributing leaflets.  Numbers swelled even more dramatically throughout the day. 


N17: Occupy Wall Street Stands Up
For the First Amendment

 
Around 240 people are reported arrested while peaceably assembling, including retired Philadelphia police captain, Ray Lewis.  "All the cops are just workers for the one percent, and they don't even realize they're being exploited," said Mr. Lewis. "As soon as I'm let out of jail, I'll be right back here and they'll have to arrest me again."

Law enforcement officers are increasingly visible as demonstrators themselves.  Democracy Now! interviewed retired Seattle police chief Norm Stamper who has also spoken out in support of Occupy Wall Street while criticizing police approaches reminiscent of failed policies and mistakes he remembers from the late nineties.  And, as blogged earlier, one law enforcement officer in the Atlanta area hosted occupation activists in his home in order resist eviction upon a bank foreclosure.  (The officer and his family of five were later evicted.)


Courtesy of KIMATV.com
Photographer:  Kevin P. Casey
N17: Seattle protesters march across the University Bridge


Many demonstrators marched on city bridges across the United States today in solidarity with the OWS Day of Action protesting financial inequities.  Locations included (just to name a few) Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Denver, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Houston, Miami, and Washington D.C. 

In Atlanta, a story followed by this blog, 8 activists were arrested at Georgia State University for blocking traffic while protesting tuition hikes and the cost of student loans.  Protesters also acted up inside a Wells Fargo branch making a statement via People's Mic.  Demonstrators later converged in front of the capitol addressing government corruption and financial equities caused by corporate greed.



Courtesy of MPR News
Photographer: Madeline Baran
N17 Occupy Minneapolis Protesters
On 10th Avenue Bridge: "Bridge the Gap"

 
MPI reports 11 people arrested in Minneapolis when demonstrators marched across the 10th Avenue Bridge, sat down, and refused to leave.   As police arrested protesters, they shouted, "You are the 99%!" 
"I have kids that I want to grow up and be able to have good jobs, and be able to achieve their American dream," said David Hoaglund, as he locked arms with other protesters and waited to be arrested. "This is important."          

In Chicago, police issued 46 Occupy Chicago protesters tickets for blocking the La Salle Street Bridge, when they sat down, linking arms in matching bright blue jackets with logos stating, "Jobs Not Cuts."

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune
Photographer:  Phil Velasquez
N17:  Occupy Chicago Blocks
the La Salle Street Bridge



Demonstrations in Chicago swelled to thousands.  Philip DeVon, a research manager at a trade publication, said he joined the Chicago march to show his support for the nationwide movement.  "It's a no-brainer today for me to be out here," he said.  "If everyone steps up and joins in, then the middle class and the 99 percent can be heard. Then, we're a force to be reckoned with."
 
More fabulous photos coming in out of New York from Davids Camera Craft.  A group of 17 photos from the New York Times.

N17 demonstrations were also held in cities throughout Canada, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Japan.  Blogger Italy Calling reports Turin students tried to occupy Italy's National Bank but were halted by violent charges by riot police.  Students subsequently occupied the landmark tower known as Mole Antonelliana holding a general assembly and demanding release of all students arrested that day.  In that one blog report by Italy Calling, simultaneous actions took place in a number of Italian cities and towns.

So the world is vast, but the bridges are many.

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