Wall Street protests coming to University of Michigan's Diag
As crowds of union members, college students and others are adding their voices to the demonstrators who've been camped out near Wall Street in New York, local residents are planning an assembly Thursday in Ann Arbor to show their support.
Occupy Ann Arbor will hold its first general assembly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the University of Michigan Diag. According to the group's Facebook page, the assembly is meant to organize local resources, spread information and show support for Occupy Wall Street and other Occupy groups in Michigan.
AP Photo | John Minchillo
As of Wednesday evening, 177 Facebook users said they were attending the Ann Arbor event.
Other Occupy events are in various stages of planning throughout the state, including in Grand Rapids, Flint, Monroe, Lansing and Detroit, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
The protesters in New York's Financial District have spent most of their time in the Zuccotti Park, sleeping on air mattresses, holding assemblies to discuss their goals and listening to speakers including filmmaker Michael Moore and Princeton University professor Cornel West, The Associated Press reported.
On the past two Saturdays, though, they marched to other parts of the city, which led to tense standoffs with police. On Sept. 24, about 100 people were arrested and the group put out video which showed some women being hit with pepper spray by a police official. On Oct. 1, more than 700 people were arrested as the group attempted to cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
For more information on Occupy Ann Arbor, see the group's post on AnnArbor.com's Community Wall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
Don Burnett
Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
<a href="http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/</a>
Don Burnett
Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
If you don't get why people are out there and their are so many reasons, I suggest you start here.. It's not about downloads and legality.. Someone is trying to hijack the comments here.. If you want to get a clue of why folks are out there I suggest you read about 100 or so of these entries.. In liberal entitled ann arbor it's harder to see this but many people who have lost everything to wall street greed are pissed and without hope and taking to the street.. <a href="http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/</a> This protest isn't about youth, there are a ton of older Americans with problems too.. You need to clue in.. Those who want to deny this is happening either don't have humanity or care about others, OR they have something to gain in other people's misery. The folks in this movement are done listening to this total crap..
nicole
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
This group certainly does NOT speak for all of middle America. Unions? They've destroyed the US economy. And where's the outrage over Solyndra? Taxpayers lost $500 million there. Sorry, these are staged protests, many attending are rich, spoiled college kids with nothing better to do.
L'chaim
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
Unions destroyed the US economy? When was that? Was it during the time period since the 50's as their ranks have steadily dwindled from less than 50% of the workforce to less than 15% of it now? But that's the same period that the official corporate tax rate dwindled from more than 80% to less than 30%. It's the same period of time that average weekly earnings for workers steadily dropped. What, they didn't spend enough and the economy collapsed? What, they drove all the businesses out of the market? Hmmm, what about the rate of production in that period? As workers lost jobs and income did corporations disappear? Actually, production did well, as workers worked harder. Corporations produced more. So, how did unions destroy the economy?
Joe_Citizen
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
Bring it on>
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.
America has govt of the 1%, by the hired hands of the 1% and for the benefit of the 1%. The 99% ask only that their govt represent the majority of Americans and not the smallest of minorities. In fact most recent polls show that the majority of TeaPartiers, the majority of Republicans, the majority of Democrats and the majority of Independents agree with Warren Buffet and his many wealthy supporters who are requesting tax fairness to increase theiir share of that burden of the cost of govt! Yet Speaker Boehner, big tobacco's man on the job, and his band of revolutionary TeaPartiers are ignoring the clear will of the American people! America is in chaos on the way to third world status and all they are doing is playing politics to defeat one man, fiddling while Rome is burning around them!
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:17 a.m.
You want jobs, give companies reason to expand. Increased regulation and uncertainty related to an anti-business president have cost millions of jobs. These kids aren't protesting Wall Street. They're simply addicted to handouts and realize that their next fix may be a bit harder to get because the country is broke. As for this "movement", it's largely an artifact of a media that's desperate to keep its favorite son in office.
hut hut
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
@f4 You need a new accountant.
f4phantomII
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Please tell me how I can get my capital gains tax free. I'm paying 15%. Of course, it was taxed 33% when I earned it the first time. I must be myopic because I can't see how that's a handout.
RayA2
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 10:58 a.m.
If you are so opposed to handouts, why haven't you mentioned the handouts W gave to his real wealthy constituency. They continue swim in capital gains income tax free while the budget deficit and income disparity grow. Why are conservatives so myopic?
A2nowDenver
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:06 a.m.
Umm... has anybody even read the goals of "Occupy Wall Street?" Judge for yourselves... <a href="http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-for-occupy-wall-st-moveme/" rel='nofollow'>http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-for-occupy-wall-st-moveme/</a> Some bear further thought, but a number are just ridiculous.
joe.blow
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
What are these people protesting against? What would they like changed? What do they think is wrong and what is their solution. Specifics please.
L'chaim
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
You can actually go talk to them and their supporters, that's the cool thing about it! And don't forget to ask them specific questions!
Monica R-W
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:33 a.m.
Check this out, it might help.... <a href="http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution" rel='nofollow'>http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution</a> and this page also <a href="http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/</a>
Michigan Man
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
Wonder if this group will attack the Ann Arbor banks? I think Ann Arbor still is home to a few wealthy capitalists who park, once every so often, money in Ann Arbor banks. They would be good target to attack, I suppose, Hope is doesn't get violent. Should be cool to see how it develops! I hope a photographer has been assigned to this story.
Michigan Man
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
David - I am a capitalist who owns property in Ann Arbor - Perhaps I will move back to Ann Arbor and occupy the property I own? I also pay my Ann Arbor property taxes on time - so that you and others in Ann Arbor can benefit - where is your appreciation and expression of thanks?
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
Why wouldn't you be more concerned about the Chicago suburbs? Why would you be concerned about police tactics against non violent citizens?
Monica R-W
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
Why would you think a peaceful General Assembly would be violent Stephen? Is this your hope for the event because if so, you will be disappointed. Occupy protesters nationwide have clearly went out their way to promote these events as non-violent protests....
cibachrome
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:51 a.m.
Yeah and I want to see UofM divest itself of all stocks, bonds, insurance policies, annuities and lottery tickets. Pay Sue Coleman in bread and vegetables instead of direct deposit paper. And rid all her minions of IRAs and 401ks. And students should now pay their tuition in coins and bullion. No more credit cards, either. Off with their heads...
slug
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
Isn't it kind of embarrassing that it has taken this long to get to Ann Arbor?? It should have started here. This "liberal" "enlightened" "progressive" "highly-charged" town has become fat and lazy - politically obese, obsessed with non-issues.
M
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
No, most people realize that the tiny bit of good that could come from these protests are outdone by the massive ignorance of the organizers. Remember that two of the major bullet points are to give full sovereignty to the UN, and to forgive all debt that students took out and cannot pay back. That sounds like communism, anarchism, and irresponsibility rolled into a ball of whininess. It has no goal, other than "me me me me me me give it to me I'm not rich yet"
microtini
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.
As it is around the world, and as it has been for centuries, it is the youth that set the wheels of change in motion.
Technojunkie
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
One of the very few sane and eloquent protesters at the Wall Street event: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFz1VVXsWRU" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFz1VVXsWRU</a> For the most part the protesters appear to want another French Revolution, likely ending in farce more than terror this time. I suspect someone is grasping at the possibility of using these folks and the disruption they create as a pretext to do some very undemocratic things. Trial balloons have already been floated by Democrats on skipping the next national election. I doubt they'll pull it off, but... If you really want to hurt Wall Street: take your money out of it, pay down all debt, and if there's any money left put it in physical silver and gold. Had I figured things out a few years sooner I'd have had the money to do that. You can track the destruction of the middle class starting with LBJ's removal of silver from our coinage. Inflation is the tax you should really worry about. The federal income tax, insane as it is, is mostly a diversion. But pass the Fair Tax anyhow, if only to put much of K Street out of business.
Atticus F.
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
Technojunkie, inflation is at it's worst when the cost of goods raise quicker than wages. The main problem, is when the cost of goods goes up, but wages remain flat.
Monica R-W
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
What? The point is that a majority of these protesters are without money to handle their basic needs like food/shelter. With that, how are they suppose to buy gold/silver and pay down debt....with luck?
toofmullets
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.
Seriously? Don't tread on you
A2anon
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Don't understand the movement? Really? Read this: <a href="http://tmotr.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/going-for-broke-will-legislate-for-food/" rel='nofollow'>http://tmotr.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/going-for-broke-will-legislate-for-food/</a>. CEO-to-average worker ratio of pay: Japan 11:1. Germany 12:1. South Africa 21:1. Britain 22:1. Mexico 47:1. USA 475:1. This country was created by the people, for the people. However, it is now run for the corporations, by the corporations. Everything in this country is purchased, including elections and air time and opinions and votes. We are so far gone from our original intentions, and have been passive about it for way too long.
A2anon
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11 a.m.
mojo -- yeah, hard to believe, isn't it? <a href="http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/pay/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/pay/</a> <a href="http://www.epi.org/publication/webfeatures_snapshots_20060621/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.epi.org/publication/webfeatures_snapshots_20060621/</a> <a href="http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html" rel='nofollow'>http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html</a> The last one is FULL of inequity data. The specific numbers depend on the year you are using, or taking an average, etc... but the triple digits make the point.
mojo
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:15 a.m.
475 to 1, Really. Let's run those numbers, = $26,000,000 average CEO pay to $55,000 avg employee pay. It is only correct if you don't include 95% of CEO's in America.
RayA2
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.
The growth of this protest movement is very hopeful. It started small, but despite the media's attempts to denigrate and make it sound like a whim, its continues to gather steam. I would of course expect to see rupert's rag, faux noise, attack the protestors. I am very disappointed at the negative coverage in the rest of the media. I guess its no surprise given the total lack of coverage, except in Bloomberg News, of the Koch Brothers treasonous sales to Iran. I guess its time we all turned off the news and listened to each other.
RayA2
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
M, I answered it. Ending the ever accelerating income and justice disparity in this country.
M
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
@RayA2. You avoided the question.
RayA2
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:04 a.m.
joe. Doesn't the fact that these people have left their homes, to camp in the streets to show their disgust with the ever accelerating growth of income and justice disparity in this country suggest that they want to do something? Your comment seems to ignore a great deal of fact.
joe.blow
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
What is their goal? What do they want? Sounds like they're the new generation Hippies who don't really want anything, except to complain about the world and do nothing to change it.
james
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:15 p.m.
This doesn't surprise me. Yesterday, I read the demands of "occupy Wall street", and they are even more ridiculous than I ever imagined. Aside from all the generic anti-corporate propaganda, one of the demands was about how college students were forced to take out huge loans and now don't have any jobs to pay these loans back (and it's somehow the fault of the people on Wall street) This is just another example of the self-entitled youth of america. Getting a degree (especially at a University as expensive at UofM) is a gamble. You are fronting the money in the hopes that you will be able to pay it back with a job. You were never guaranteed a job. It's funny because many of the these youth feel very strongly about Intellectual property and the ability to freely download it. The musicians, software developers, and movie makers came out against this and said it was hurting their bottom line. Their response has typically been that times are changing and there is no more profit in selling these sorts of products. It's funny they now think I'm suppose to care when the same thing happens to them.
Jack
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 9 p.m.
You don't have to care. Just don't get in the way. There is a problem when your pursuit of happiness and security is a gamble with money. It shouldn't be that way and it's not going to be that way for long! Wall Street was bailed out when they made terrible mistakes and continue to keep the same policies because they know they will get bailed out again. bailed out by everyday, hard working citizens who are struggling more than ever right now. Why is it the middle class that has to give money to Wall Street?
Roy Munson
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
great post