To rebel against the newly imposed debit card fees and in support of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, 1 million Americans had moved their money from the big banks. On November 4, Good Morning America (GMA) reported that in October 650,000 people had moved their money to credit unions giving them $4.5 billion in new accounts; although there was a national movement encouraging others to do the same, there has been no more news reported on this issue. GMA also said that another Iraq war veteran was hurt at the Oakland protest and a car hit 3 District of Columbia (DC) protesters.
On November 10, 32 Berkeley, California protesters were arrested for not vacating a portion of the campus property; police used night sticks and tore down tents. On November 11, Harvard students join the OWS movement. There was a shooting at the Oakland protest grounds that is said not to be tied to the protest. However, on November 12, a new eviction order is issued to the Oakland protesters, the injured war veteran was out of the hospital however it was reported that he was still having trouble speaking and the Oakland protesters were bracing for another showdown with police.
On November 13, 2 police officers were cut by San Francisco (SF) protesters. Police and protesters in Portland, Oregon clashed when protesters defied a midnight eviction order; one cop was injured by a thrown firecracker and the protester was arrested. Per ABC News, in Portland most left when asked but 100s were hauled out, the protest was attracting thieves and drug users and about 50 protesters had to be arrested after someone threw a fiery object at police. In Salt Lake City, Utah a man was found dead in his tent and 10 were arrested for refusing to leave. In Denver, Colorado there were more arrests when protesters interfered with police trying to clean a park. In Albany, New York (NY) they violated their curfew. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a woman was dragged into a tent and sexually assaulted. In Vermont a man committed suicide. Atlanta, Georgia protesters were also evicted.
On November 14, 32 Oakland protesters were arrested and the Mayor said they’ll be allowed back but not allowed to camp at the site. On November 14, I heard Bill Maher on the View say he went to the protests in Washington and Los Angeles and he was going to the one in NY to show his support. (Barbara said one of the female protesters was nude.) Bill said the protests are about income and equality; nothing like the Tea Party and his (the President’s) birth certificate issue.
On November 15, NY’s lower Manhattan protesters lost a court battle over having tents and tarps and the police cleared them out saying it was due to crime and noise violations as well as health and safety hazards; the protesters say they can work in shifts, they don’t have to sleep. At least 90 were arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Officials said the protesters would be allowed to return without tents and sleeping bags.
On November 16, Seattle, Washington protesters were hit with pepper-spray; a pregnant woman and an 84 year old, 4’10”, ex- school teacher were among those sprayed. The Berkeley protesters defied police orders and were setting up tents (later they flew a tent above the ground); a man with a gun was shot and wounded in the business school by police. In the middle of the night, police raided SF protesters and cleared their camp. GMA reported that a survey found that 47% of the members of Congress are millionaires and on November 17, a band of millionaires stormed Capitol Hill urging Congress to tax them more.
On November 9, 21 OWS protesters began a walk from New York to DC (231 miles). Per the Washington Post, although a few did heckle them, the majority of the people provided support along their way, giving them a place to stay, food, and donations. There were no serious incidents and they arrived in DC on November 21.
Nationwide police said the unsanitary and life threatening conditions are prompting the various evictions. I saw the pictures on the TV and law enforcement is right, the protesters are not cleaning up after themselves and I don’t like the violence that is occurring at the protests; both by the protesters and the police. I do like what the New Yorker said on November 15, no more camping out – protest in shifts.
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