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November 17 marked two months of activism. Occupy Wall Street.org called it a "Historic Day of Action for the 99%."
In New York, over 30,000 rallied. NYPD estimated 32,500. Likely it was thousands more, the most anywhere in America so far on one day. Protesters sense "a powerful and diverse civic movement for social justice is on the ascent."
Hopefully they're right. One protester spoke for others saying:
"Our political system should serve all of us - not just the very rich and powerful. Right now, Wall Street owns Washington. We are the (left out) 99%, and we are here to reclaim our democracy."
Dozens of other cities participated nationwide and globally. Occupy Police got involved. They call themselves part of the 99%. An anonymous sergeant said, "I'm a cop and I support the ideal of Occupy. We're on the same team."
A web site logo read, "We are the 99% protecting 100%." Philadelphia police captain Ray Lewis joined New York's OWS and got arrested. He vowed to stay involved when released. He doesn't fear arrest, he said, when people are starving or freezing to death on streets.
"All the cops are just workers for the 1%, and don't even realize they're being exploited," he said. "As soon as I'm let out of jail, I'll be right back here, and they'll have to arrest me again."Occupy Marines (OccupyOMC) are involved, saying they'll "support the movement. We will support demonstrators with organization, direction, supply and logistics, and leadership." They feature a logo saying "Semper Occupare."
They also highlight Operation Returning Freedom, including a New Common Sense Charter for equality and participation in government for change. They represent the 99%'s "collective conscience" against "oligarchic" America.
Occupy Veterans, Veterans for Peace, Occupy Writers, and Occupy Filmakers are involved. So are people from all walks of life who care and want change. Fordham University Professor Paul Levinson said OWS represents direct democracy. Cornell University Professor Cornel West called it a "democratic awakening."
Over 1,000 writers signed an online petition, saying:
"We the undersigned writers and all who will join us, support Occupy Wall Street and the Occupy Movement around the world."
Celebrities are involved, including folk singer Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Arlo Guthrie.
Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek said:
"They tell you we are dreamers. The true dreamers are those who think things can go on indefinitely the way they are. We are not dreamers. We are awakening from a dream which is turning into a nightmare."
