High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8508f1e-e77d-11e0-9da3-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1Z1i4g85L
Police arrest 90 in Wall Street protests
Protests targeting the financial sector escalated on Saturday as more than 90 people were arrested as they marched through Manhattan.
The so-called “Occupy Wall Street” movement has entered its second week and has drawn hundreds of activists to protest in front of the New York Stock Exchange and other commercial centres of the city.
More
ON THIS STORY
On Saturday, skirmishes with the police erupted as a group of several hundred attempted to march to the UN building without a permit. Protest organisers said at least 96 people were arrested, with at least five being sprayed with mace by police.
The demonstrations began September 17 when several hundred people gathered in Zuccotti Park, near Wall Street. Organised through social media, the protests continued through the week, with a smaller number of people demonstrating each morning as traders and financial workers made their way to work.
Police presence has remained heavy throughout the week, and police said most of Saturday’s arrests were for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic. There was one arrest for assault on a police officer.
Scenes of the protests posted on YouTube showed hundreds of people swarming the streets near Union Square as police worked to move protesters back onto the sidewalk. Some videos captured police shoving protesters to the ground, fencing them off and using pepper spray on a group of women.
Activists representing a broad array of causes have joined the demonstrations. In recent days signs protesting against capital punishment, the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the tax code have been seen on the marches.
“End Corporate Personhood,” read one placard, referring to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s recent assertion that “corporations are people”.
Protesters said their goal was not simply to halt trading or disrupt business in the financial sector.
“It’s more complicated than that,” said Patrick Bruner, a spokesman for the protesters. “The idea is that we’re starting a real conversation, a conversation that has not existed. There’s a real misuse of wealth and power and we’re talking about it.”
But even supporters of the demonstrations said the movement lacks a coherent voice.
“The protests should have a clearer message,” said one commenter from Australia on the Occupy Wall Street website. “A lot of people are being confused as to what the protests are all about.”
The demonstrations have so far failed to disrupt work on Wall Street, but protesters said they would continue into next week. “We’re not going anywhere,” said Mr Brun
No comments:
Post a Comment