Sunday, October 2, 2011

Wall Street protest

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One sign said, "Just because we can't see it doesn't mean we don't feel it." Another said, "Castrate the Bull!" And still another, simply, "Wake Up!" All of them, and lots more like them were part of Saturday's march/rally/protest against Wall Street -- the U.S. financial hub -- on and near the Brooklyn Bridge, an artery leading into New York. Some 700 were arrested. Here is Reuters' version of the story.

Saturday ... one of two days off provided largely by the blood, sweat and tears of early union workers at the beginning of the 20th century. Lately, the Republicans, among others, have targeted unions, doing what they can to vitiate collective bargaining rights and other protections. There's more money to be made where people don't talk back, where they are simply grateful to have a job (which is more an more true in these economic times), and where what is benevolent and nourishing is defined by 'big business' which sets the rules and "creates more jobs," as conservatives like to claim.

Saturday ....

It is hard not to imagine how much more impact the gathering might have had if it had been held on a Monday, a work day, a day when commuters needed the Brooklyn Bridge in order to get to their desks, a day when the computers inside all those shiny buildings would need savvy financial drones to make transactions.

The Wall Street protest has been gaining momentum, with several unions and several high-profile personalities lending verbal support. Although amorphous in its goals (it's hard not to remember the line from the movie, "Network" -- "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!") still there is something apt and expressive in it. It seems to be gaining traction.

A protest held on Saturday.

I wonder what it would be like if it were held on Monday.
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