Earlier this year Moscow and the University of Idaho campus hosted several protests dealing with injustice and lack of freedom. Participants showed support for a democratic system and a demand for people to have more of a say in countries all around the world.
But daily protests for the past week or more have not had to do with injustices in foreign countries, and instead address issues that affect citizens of the United States of America.
The Occupy Wall Street movement, a protest that began in New York City, has spread across the nation and now includes Occupy Philadelphia, Occupy Chicago and Occupy Moscow.
The initial Occupy Wall Street created a Facebook page where it posted its declaration against corporate business and its involvement with the government. The declaration demands for common people to be heard, their needs to be met and for the government to return to being a serving body established for the people, by the people.
Occupy Wall Street’s stance is simple: Corporate business has pushed and shoved its way into all aspects of U.S. citizens’ lives and is destructive to their future. Whether citizens agree or disagree with the message, it’s important that people are taking a stand.
For too long there has been an overwhelming sense of apathy in America. The Civil Rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War during the ‘60s is the last time there were any exceptionally strong opinions voiced by citizens. Occupy Wall Street’s movement might not be as strong as past protests, but considering the steady drop since the ‘60s it is a positive turnaround.
An issue focused on our own government is also a turnaround in recent history. In Moscow and at UI, there’s been more attention given to issues like the revolutions and oppression of human rights in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya than the injustices happening in the streets of America.
Agree or not — at least someone is starting to care again.
— ER