Occupy Wall Street

Definition

Occupy Wall Street was a progressive social movement that began in September 2011, focused on addressing economic inequality and the influence of corporate money in politics. The movement primarily used public spaces, such as Zuccotti Park in New York City, as its base to organize protests and raise awareness about issues like wealth disparity and corporate greed. The grassroots nature of this movement highlighted the role of user-generated content and citizen journalism in mobilizing support and spreading its message.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Occupy Wall Street started on September 17, 2011, and quickly gained traction, inspiring similar movements across the globe.
2. The movement's slogan, 'We are the 99%', highlighted the growing economic disparity in the United States, portraying the rich as a minority benefiting from systemic inequities.
3. Protests were characterized by their use of non-hierarchical organizational structures, encouraging participation and input from all members.
4. The role of social media was critical for Occupy Wall Street; platforms like Twitter and Facebook helped coordinate events and spread information rapidly.
5. While the movement faced challenges in terms of achieving concrete policy changes, it succeeded in shifting public discourse around economic inequality and corporate influence in politics.

Review Questions

• How did user-generated content contribute to the visibility and organization of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
  • User-generated content played a crucial role in shaping the narrative around Occupy Wall Street by allowing participants to share their experiences, ideas, and protest updates online. This decentralized approach meant that anyone could document and disseminate information, leading to greater visibility for the movement. As images, videos, and personal stories circulated on social media, they galvanized support both locally and globally, ultimately bringing attention to the issues of economic inequality and corporate influence.
• Discuss the impact of crowdsourcing strategies employed by Occupy Wall Street on its organizational effectiveness.
  • Crowdsourcing strategies were integral to Occupy Wall Street's success as they facilitated collective decision-making and resource sharing among participants. By encouraging individuals to contribute ideas and actions rather than relying on formal leadership structures, the movement fostered a sense of ownership and inclusivity. This allowed for swift responses to changing conditions during protests and helped maintain momentum over time, enabling diverse voices to shape the direction of the movement.
• Evaluate how Occupy Wall Street has influenced subsequent social movements regarding economic justice and political reform.
  • Occupy Wall Street set a precedent for future social movements focused on economic justice by highlighting the significance of grassroots organizing and digital engagement. It inspired initiatives like Black Lives Matter and the Women's March, which similarly utilize social media for mobilization. Furthermore, its emphasis on issues like income inequality continues to resonate today as debates around wealth distribution and corporate regulation remain relevant in political discourse. By framing these issues as interconnected challenges within broader systemic structures, Occupy Wall Street has left a lasting impact on activism for economic reform.

Related terms

99 Percent Movement: A phrase associated with Occupy Wall Street that emphasizes the divide between the wealthiest 1% of the population and the remaining 99%, calling attention to economic inequality.

Social Media Activism: The use of social media platforms to promote social or political change, significantly utilized by Occupy Wall Street to mobilize participants and share real-time updates.

Direct Action: A form of political activism that seeks immediate change through direct intervention, often employed by Occupy Wall Street through sit-ins and protests.