Occupy Wall Street just keeps growing and growing

Merchandise is being sold rapidly to pronounce and support the Occupy Wall Street movement as the idea behind it just keeps on growing and spreading around the globe. Now there is a scramble to trademark the name and even some variations of it are found such as Occupy Wall St. Trademarks usually go to the first to apply and that seems to be the group itself, but many clothing manufacturers have jumped into the fray because they’re selling their wares literally like “hot cakes”! Items such as back packs, overnight bags, jackets, sweatshirts, hats and caps, as well as the usual silk screened t-shirts are being sold or given away by the hundreds daily. As the anarchic movement spreads across the land many confrontations have been observed.

Occupy Philly

In Philadelphia the movement began over a month ago and now there are safety and health issues that are seriously threatening the progress of Occupy Philly in ways that may well cause police to shut down the camps that are becoming a sore spot for everyone concerned. A woman was sexually assaulted while sleeping in her tent last Saturday, and numerous assaults, thefts, and reports of defecating, urinating, and adding graffiti to the walls of businesses and buildings have kept the Philly police force busy for weeks now. Dilworth Plaza, City Hall has a maintenance project in the making and soon will begin the 50 million dollar renovation. But that is where protesters have been camped so something will have to give.

Occupy Oakland

As police dressed up in their riot gear and swarmed the encampment at Frank Ogawa Plaza last Monday, they tore down tents and arrested those who stood in their way. The public health and safety threat is considered a big problem that cannot continue. As in Philly the protesters have no place to go to the bathroom other than out in public and evidently that is just another part of their protest movement. The shooting and death of a frequent resident in the encampment only added fuel to the flame, bringing on the police to clean out the area of trouble.

Occupy movement spreads globally

Other major cities that have joined in the movement include Portland in Oregon, Denver in Colorado, and Salt Lake City in Utah as well as nearly every city large and not so large around the country. With many more sympathetic to the cause around the world, Occupy Wall Street just continues to spread. Portland police had to bring in reinforcements from other jurisdictions, bringing the number of officers to over 300. Denver police arrested protesters who were using tents and furniture to block right of ways in that city. Twitter reports from the Salt Lake City police provided information on clearing attempts as they descended on encampments in a downtown Salt Lake City park, arresting some 19 people. This came about due to the death of a man in the park. He allegedly died from a drug overdose and also carbon monoxide poisoning. These occurrences cannot be tolerated said Chris Burbank, Chief of Police in Salt Lake City.

Nashville movement protesters have charges dismissed

With all the violence and showing of force through police presence going on the story in Nashville, Tennessee is far more positive. Some 55 Occupy Wall Street protesters, who had received citations for trespassing, have found their charges dismissed by a judge after the prosecutor involved in the case recommended it. Where this movement goes from here and how long it will last is anybody’s guess.