Peacefully United

For those of us that don’t know hundreds and in some cases thousands of people have expressed discontent with the economy in Asia, the Americas and Europe. With the phrase “occupy” ringing across the globe, “the people powered movement has spread to over 100 cities in the United States and actions in over 1,500 cities globally.” According to the article from the New York Times, this movement is fighting back against the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations, and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic collapse that has caused the greatest recession in generations.

This picture portrays exactly those frustrations. Taken in Washington Square Park in NYC, the depiction of the protestors reveals just how much angst the people feel against the government. With very few smiles, and very many signs, the mob is attempting to send a message to the government. However, this picture represents just how far we have advanced. It creates a view of the world which is completely different from that of the angry riots present during earlier decades. It shows how far we, as a group, have advanced in terms of peaceful cooperation. We do not resort to violence as often as we had. Comparing this picture to other ones depicting protests, I would say that this seems almost friendly. There isn’t any fire, fighting, and it even lacks guns. However, the sign which draws our attention says it all: “Wall St. =War St. Comparing the well-known headquarters for the United States stock exchange to “war”, the word which ignites emotions in itself, the mass is peacefully making a statement. This idea of the peaceful protest is also emphasized through the police officers’ stance. Relaxed yet attentive, they are not attempting to intervene. And although part of the crowd has been barricaded, the police officers are just observing the people.

Old or young, male or female, ethnic or white, the crowd here is composed of people from all walks of life. Yet, they all have one common goal. The government’s decision has allowed the demonstrators to come together for one mutual cause. They are showing the world that the power of the people is an unstoppable force of global change.