Occupy Wall Street Look Book

By Jolie Peters-Mitnick Front photo by Alexandra Ackerman

Jordan McCarthy

Originally from New Hampshire, has been traveling for two years. Im here because I have a feeling of personal responsibility. I dont know if this movement is going to accomplish everything I want it to, but it goes along with what I believe has to happen so much that I needed to be here. A lot of people have been feeling angry and disenfranchized for a very long time. Its time we get information out to people. Were here protesting a global system that holds money more important than human life. People are saying the 99% dont have a common goal? How is the whole 99% supposed to agree on a common problem when were each affected by the system in a different way?

Holly Russel Code Pink Upper West Side

We are Code Pink, and we are women for peace. Create, dont hate. Our main issue is anti-war. Obviously, with the financial mess that we are in, we need to think about the fact that in the USA the human treasure is being lost. The fact that we are fighting in these wars is only creating more enemies. We are also spending over 600 billion dollars in war. What that money should be used for is creating jobs, and going towards schools.

Eddie Davis

World War Two Veteran Millions of Americans are hurting. Wall Street is at fault. They get money from the blood, sweat, and tears of the American people. Im here because there needs to be a broad peoples movement. All of us affected by the same issue need to call for a meeting of interested parties. In the 1930s there were unemployment councils organized throughout the country. The outcome of this was Social Security and Unemployment Insurance. We all need to band together to see a change.

Shirley Conoley
Halifax Nova Scotia I think the problem is there are a lot of people here, there are lot of different goals. It is going to take a while to organize ourselves and figure shit out. Im from Canada, Im mostly here to show solidarity, and to bring some positive energy and love. Its a depressing subject matter that we are fighting for so we need to show each other love. Ive been living here since Thursday, this is our bedroom. Were being taken care of, were taking care of each other. Weve developed a little family, a little community. In the town where Im from this is starting. Thats another reason we came. To get experience and see whats going on so we are able to bring back our experience to Halifax.

Yotam Marom 25

Activist, Recent College Graduate One of the cool things about this group that is occupying Wall Street is that it is really militant. It makes us able to take risks. In New York everyone is used to marching on side walks with permits, and here that is totally being thrown away. I think the police officers just got desperate, took out their orange nets, and blocked off the block. That was a intentional move to scare these people from coming out today.

Peter Hart

Legal Aid Lawyer, UAW Union Member-United Auto Workers We repressent the poor people of New York. We are here to support the kids working for a cause. We want people to listen to the 98%. The 98% is too big to ignore.

Marlene Feliz

Highschool Student 18, from Queens NY I would like to see more schools opened, because education is important. Supposedly we dont have any money, so where is it all going? Im scared for our generation. Its only a matter of time before we are the ones ruling. We are hidden from all these facts. We should be allowed to know whats going on in the world. My dad has a job where he makes 18,000 dollars a year and I have to help him pay rent. Who knows if Ill be able to go to school next year. I dont know if financial aid will cover my tuition. I just want to see knowledge.

Brian Murphy

Criminal Defence Attorney I think everyone should be here. We have had enough already. This should have happened a couple years ago. Wall Street had seven million dollars, and sat on it without recycling it back into our economy. We have had to pay for it, and we want our money back. We want to see justice.