Obama's anti-Wall Street rhetoric blamed for mounting protests

by: jim kouri | published: 09 19, 2011

"This statement is ours, and for anyone who will get behind it. Representing ourselves, we bring this call for revolution." - Occupy Wall Street

With millions of Americans unemployed, and millions of others losing their home and their savings, the almost constant anti-capitalist rhetoric -- about Wall Street and corporate "fat cats" and "billionaires and millionaires not paying their fair share" -- by elected leaders such as President Barack Obama, Senator Harry Reid, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and others is starting to take it's toll.

The New York City Police Department found it necessary to block off Wall Street for a second day of unrest on Sunday as hundreds of people took to the streets in protest against financial institutions, banks and stockbrokerage houses.

Demonstration leaders and protestors claimed they were going hurt the very people who are destroying the U.S. economy. Using the social-media incited uprisings in places like Egypt and Iran as their model, the group of online activists hopes it will work on Wall Street.

Protestors lashed out at the "rich" especially those making "seven figure salaries plus bonuses" at Wall Street financial institutions. More than one speaker blamed the wealthy for destroying the country, and depriving Americans of their "rights to mortgages, student loans and employment."

Another speaker claimed the rich are even destroying or hurting people's livelihoods and lives.

"So … can we on the left learn some new tricks? Can we head off to lower Manhattan with a fresh mindset and a powerful new demand?" states the group on its web site.

Protestors gathered at a nearby square since the center of Wall Street has been cordoned off by police officers. On Monday, those working on Wall Street will be required to show identification.

The anti-Wall Street protest began on Saturday as a result of the social-networking web site "Occupy Wall Street." The web site's creators say their protest will last at least a few months if not more.

Several police officers assigned to security duty at the protest site blamed the President and his staff and supporters for the anger seen during the protest.

"The President talks about civility while he stokes up people with anti-capitalism, anti-rich comments. No one spends as much time with the rich than Obama, except for the other ultra-rich," said Police Officer Edie Velez.

"I'm not looking forward to working on this detail on Monday when Wall Street opens and the protestors decide to take matters into their own hands. I hope it doesn't happen, but these people are angry," said another police officer who requested anonymity.

New York City Police officials said the protest could cause access to Wall Street to be restricted Monday morning.

According to the group's Internet site, the mission of the "leaderless" resistance movement is to flood thousands of people into lower Manhattan, set up beds, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months in order to persuade political leaders to establish a commission to end "the influence money has over representatives in Washington." Pr

According to a member of the NYPD's intelligence division, the participants claim the demonstration is leaderless, but in reality, it was organized by Adbusters, a Canadian anti-capitalist magazine. The hacktivist group Anonymous also incited its followers to take part in the protest, which increased the attention it received.

Other groups involved are typically from anti-capitalist and radical leftist networks. The Marxist filmmaker and radical icon Michael Moore is a supporter and he's urging his web site visitors to participate.

On Monday morning, the group's web site stated: Occupation currently at Zuccotti Park now re-named Liberty Plaza. Corner of Liberty Street and Broadway. Food and Democracy are free.

The group boasts of owning its own television station: "The General Assembly (of Occupy Wall Street], in association with a number of activists around the world, has set up a live "TV" channel called Global Revolution."

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