'Occupy' is a response to economic permafrost 16 October 2011Last updated at 11:27 'Anonymous' people have become the new pole of attraction for the deep 'autonomist' movement. In February I wrote a blog called "Twenty Reasons Why It's Kicking Off Everywhere". With the global Occupy protests yesterday it is still looking quite accurate. But it's now clear there is a 21st reason. And a 22nd. I went down to Paternoster Square to observe the first few hours of the London protest. Who were they? Of the people I met: lots of student occupation activists from last winter; veteran leftists and veteran anarchists going back to the days of Saltley Gate; people involved in NGOs; an Oxbridge professor of computer science; a large smattering of "Anonymous" people - with their Guy Fawkes masks - who've become the new pole of attraction for the deep "autonomist" movement. Protesters mean to limit the power of finance capital and build a more equal society It's a pointless question. Powerful signal worldwide Protesters say the media is ignoring them
Occupy Oakland seeks strike after Scott Olsen injury 27 October 2011Last updated at 19:35 Occupy Wall Street organisers say Scott Olsen was hit in the head with a police tear gas canister Activists taking part in the the Occupy Oakland protests have called for a general strike in the city. The call to strike on 2 November emerged as protesters gathered late on Wednesday, one day after clashes with police left an Iraq veteran badly hurt. On Tuesday evening police used tear gas and baton rounds to force protesters to leave their camp. Many have now called for the mayor of Oakland to resign. Occupy Wall Street protests are now in their sixth week. On Wednesday night up to 1,000 people filled the plaza outside Oakland's City Hall to continue the protest, groups of people marched down the streets, reports said. There were no clashes with police on Wednesday night, and the numbers on the streets were smaller than the previous night. Solidarity Continue reading the main story “Start Quote End QuoteAdele CarpenterFriend of Scott Olsen Unreasonable force
Is Occupy Wall Street bad for the American Dream? 14 October 2011Last updated at 03:21 By Kate Dailey BBC News Both Occupy Wall Street and their conservative critics each claim to representing American ideals Conservative groups responding to Occupy Wall Street argue that hard work, not protests, will bring people out of poverty. Is that true? As the Occupy Wall Street movement has grown, more and more Americans are stepping up to share their stories and air their grievances. But not everyone is angry at Wall Street. The site is a reaction to We Are The 99 Percent, a website that allows citizens to upload photos of themselves holding a sign with their story - such as too much student debt, trouble getting a job, or no health insurance. Contributors claim they stand in opposition to the 1% of Americans who control the majority of the country's wealth, as well as the big business and government systems they say allowed the economy to flounder. Character test The counter site doesn't defend any of those institutions. Dissenting voices
Can the 'occupation' spread to middle America? 7 October 2011Last updated at 05:05 By Daniel Nasaw BBC News, Cleveland Union official Al Mixon told the crowd, "I'm not anti the Obama administration. They're putting road blocks in front of what he wants to do" Five hundred miles from Wall Street, a crowd of roughly 200 marched on downtown Cleveland, in the mid-western US state of Ohio. After three hours of speeches, folk songs and group discussions, protesters for Occupy Cleveland marched past city hall to a public square. It is one of the latest manifestations of protests against corporate power and income inequality - all stemming from a continuing demonstration in New York City called Occupy Wall Street. But it remains to be seen whether the "Occupy" movement can channel its energy into real political power, like its conservative counterpart, the Tea Party. Members of the first Occupy Cleveland protest call themselves "the 99%". People in the crowd both resembled and defied the stereotypes of young anarchist demonstrators. “Start Quote
Occupy Wall Street: Nashville protesters arrested 28 October 2011Last updated at 22:41 Demonstrators say they are protesting economic inequality and corporate greed Protesters in two US cities have been detained after police moved into their camps during the night. In Nashville, a new law was enacted preventing camping overnight near the Tennessee state Capitol. In San Diego, police arrested 51 people at 02:30 (9:30 GMT), removing tents, canopies, tables and other furniture. On the US East Coast, many of those taking part in Occupy protests are preparing for an unseasonally cold storm due to hit this weekend. As much as 10in (25cm) of snow is expected in some areas on Saturday, with between two and four inches forecast for New York City. Protesters are raising money and floating ideas for how to cope as the temperature drops. Suggestions reportedly include stockpiling donated coats and blankets, trying to find more secure tents and turning to possible indoor locations. State troopers Around 75 state troopers were used for the operation. Europe