What Is Next for the Occupy Movement?

I have been curious about the Occupy movement that has taken over green space all over the world and even found a spot in Minnesota. It is a protest movement that appears to have multiple different messages and no real leader at this point.

Part of my questions about this movement have been, how can they “occupy” these public spaces, 24 hours a day, without camping permits and without getting kicked out, like homeless people do? They also appear to be more disrespectful than the typical homeless person.

In trying to do some research on this I came across an interesting website: www.rentadrone.tv. They claim to have Occupy live stream for all the major Occupy cities across the country though I didn’t find any live stream every time I have checked their sites. What I have found are taped messages, singing, chanting, and some political messages blaming all problems to some political parties. What most of the sites have in common is a pleading for contributions to support the group. Some of the California sites will even blatantly state that lobby groups, unions, etc. are funding them.

It also has been a little confusing that there is this movement against Wall Street, against big business and yet many of the sites will include ads right on the video stream sites from such companies as Wal-Mart, Dove, IKEA, HTC, and Call of Duty. They are all companies that use Wall Street to fund their company yet they don’t seem to mind funding the Occupy videos.  Or maybe I should say, the Occupy groups have no problem using the stock-owned companies to fund their protest?

Seattle’s live stream has been showing movies, such as V for Vendetta and The Day the Earth Stood Still. Maybe the Seattle group is stating with these movies that it is okay to use violence to get a message across? The acceptance of using these types of movies as a rallying cry could be the reason for the arrests and possibly for at least one of the deaths that has been somewhat connected to these groups.

Whatever the message started out to be it seems to have been taken over by every disgruntled organization out there. There is not just talk on these sites about the corruption of Wall Street, there are references to Sustainability, Global Warming, Marriage Equality, Healthcare, Immigration, Teacher Unions and more.  With so many voices that are asking for recognition it is very confusing. 

There are many references to how democracy is working in these Occupy Movements. There are also many references to ‘the people’ as the 99 percent and Wall Street as the 1 percent. Yet as a Republic/Democratic Society we give even the 1 percent a say in government. If we didn’t have a Republic, 51 percent would rule 49 percent. This has nothing to do with Republican vs. Democratic parties but is referring to a type of government and how they get there is what makes the parties different. 

What is my advice? Take care in getting caught up in any movement that has no distinguishable voice and where the message is blurred. Are you dissatisfied with the status quo? Then maybe it is time to get involved in whatever party you feel the closest to. As you work with an established group you can get things done, you can make a difference. 

Has Occupy Wall Street made a difference? I think so. It seems to have brought people together disgruntled about foreclosures and the bailouts that banks received, using the name of Wall Street as a vocal point. But I also think it has evolved into something that it wasn’t intended to be and no logical solutions appear to be given to resolve the problems. It is time to step back, regroup, re-evaluate what problems with Wall Street you are referring to and start making a difference.  

Occupy Wall Street will be a rallying cry, just like 9/11, Vietnam, the Tea Party and Arab Spring are a rallying cry.  But we need to move on from the rally and get busy in making a difference.  We do not want the rally to turn into a dismal autumn with nothing to show for our efforts but the remains of an encampment.