Occupy D.C.

Occupy D.C.
Part of the Occupy movement
Occupy DC march of October 9, 2011
DateOctober 1, 2011
Location
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia
Caused by
Methods
Parties
  • U.S. Park Police
  • Metropolitan Police Department (D.C.)
Lead figures

No Central Leadership

  • Unknown
Arrests and injuries
Injuries
Arrested135+[5][6][7][4][8]

Occupy D.C. was an occupation of public space in Washington, D.C.[9] based at McPherson Square and connected to the Occupy movements that sprung up across the United States in Fall 2011. The group had been demonstrating in McPherson Square since October 1, 2011, and in Freedom Plaza since October 6. Despite crackdowns on other Occupy projects across the country, federal authorities claimed on November 15 that they have no plans to clear McPherson Square Park. The National Park Service decided against eviction after meeting with activists and discussing health and safety conditions.[10]

As of January 31, 2012, the occupiers had remained in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza, despite the National Park Service's ban, which had gone into effect at 12pm on January 30, 2012. Federal judge James Boasberg heard arguments on January 31, 2012 to determine whether or not to uphold the ban.[11]

According to occupyfreedomplaza.org,[12] the movement contends that "money is not speech, corporations are not people, only people have Constitutional rights," demanding the shift of power from the wealthiest 1% of Americans to the underrepresented 99%.[9] The "Declaration of Occupy D.C.", released by the General Assembly of Occupy D.C. on November 30, 2011, provides a list of the group's grievances.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference pershing1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference CraigTim2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference YTTaser was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Noble, Andrea (7 December 2011). "Occupy protesters block K Street; 62 arrested". The Washington Times. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference CornelWest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference CraigTim was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Clash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference 11Arrest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "What is Occupy D.C.?". Occupy DC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  10. ^ Tracy, Ryan (15 November 2011). "Occupy DC Allowed to Keep On Occupying D.C. Park". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Occupy DC Tries to Save off Eviction in Court". ABC News. 31 January 2012.
  12. ^ Mike-Check! | Occupy Freedom of the Press Archived 2012-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Occupy DC Declaration Is Released As Protest Enters 3rd Month". 1 December 2011.