Occupy Philadelphia

Summary

Occupy Philadelphia was a collaboration that included nonviolent protests and demonstrations with an aim to overcome economic inequality,[1] corporate greed and the influence of corporations and lobbyists on government. The protest took place at Thomas Paine Plaza, which is adjacent to Philadelphia's City Hall.[2]

Occupy Philadelphia
Part of the Occupy movement
Image from Occupy Philadelphia 2011
Date6 October 2011 – Ongoing
(12 years, 169 days)
Location
Caused byEconomic inequality, corporate influence over government, inter alia.
MethodsDemonstration, occupation, protest, street protesters
StatusWon
Arrests and injuries
Injuries3 taken to the hospital
Many did not seek medical treatment[citation needed]
Arrested93

As of June 2012, Occupy Philadelphia had continued to engage in organized meetings, events and actions.[3]

Chronology of events edit

2011 edit

 
Older couple at Liberty Bell, with a message: "Plutocracy is not Democracy" on October 8
  • September 29 - The first general assembly occurred at Arch Street Methodist United Church.
  • October 4 - The second general assembly attracted 800–1000 people and occurred at Arch Street Methodist United Church[4] The Occupy Philadelphia web site was launched.
  • October 6 - The first camp out associated with the protest occurred.[5] The occupation began with a march[6]
  • October 8 - Occupy Philadelphia marched with Matt Milly to the Liberty Bell.[7]
  • October 15 - Quakers support Occupy Philadelphia.[8]
  • October 20 - Occupy Philadelphia continues. An unofficial count of tents in Dilworth Plaza totaled 304.[9] Protesters were informed about upcoming scheduled renovations for Dilworth Plaza (for the construction of Dilworth Park, which has since been completed), and city officials have been conferring with protesters about relocating the protest to another location.[9][10]
  • October 21 - Occupy Philadelphia gathered at the University of Pennsylvania to confront Eric Cantor, the Republican House Majority Leader who has been highly critical of the Occupy movement protests. Cantor decided to cancel his lecture.[11] The incident was called Occupy Eric Cantor.[12][13]
  • October 23 - Rock band Portugal. The Man play an acoustic set of songs to support the Occupy movement.[14] Fifteen members of Occupy Philadelphia were arrested for blocking traffic near the police administration building.[15]
  • October 27 - Occupy Philadelphia encampment reaches 23rd day, remaining one of the most peaceful "occupy" protests.[16]
  • October 28 - Angela Davis speaks at Occupy Philadelphia following an appearance at the University of Pennsylvania.[17]
  • November 2 - Ten protesters were arrested at the headquarters of cable company Comcast. One protester said she was protesting Comcast because their headquarters was not blighted like other buildings in the neighborhood.[18]
  • November 4 - One hundred protesters from the Occupy movement marched from Dilworth Plaza to the Rittenhouse hotel to chant, "Hey Romney, picture this, no more greedy politics." Mitt Romney managed to side-step the group to attend the fundraiser that was staged on his behalf. The fundraiser's price tag was $10,000 per plate. No arrests or injuries were reported.[19]
  • November 8 - Frances Fox Piven gave a speech at Occupy Philadelphia following an appearance at Temple University.[20]
  • November 13 - Rev. Jesse Jackson makes an unannounced appearance and gives a brief speech.[21]
  • November 15 - Estimated date of the start of the construction project on Dilworth Plaza. The city wants the occupation to move from the plaza.
  • November 18 - 10 arrested at a Wells Fargo sit-in.[22]
  • November 30 - Police evict the protesters from Dilworth Plaza beginning at 1:20 AM, 52 people are arrested.[23] Urban theorist David Harvey meets with Occupiers at a teach-in at the University of Pennsylvania.[24]

2012 edit

  • April 2012 - protesters arrested after the eviction of their City Hall encampment were acquitted on all charges.[25]

See also edit

Related portals:

References edit

  1. ^ "Study: Rich get a lot richer, outpace middle class". Action News. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  2. ^ "'Occupy Philadelphia' joins 'Occupy Wall Street' effort". Metro. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  3. ^ "Occupy Philly: Events". Occupy Philly. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "Occupy Philly generates mixed opinions". The Temple News. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  5. ^ "Occupy Philadelphia - City Hall - October 6". ActivismNetwork.org. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  6. ^ "300 march as Occupy Philly movement begins". CourierPostOnline.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  7. ^ "Occupy Philly Plans March To Liberty Bell". myfoxphilly.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  8. ^ "Quakers are well situated to assist 'Occupy'". Philly.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  9. ^ a b Nguyen, Quan (October 20, 2011.) "'Occupy Philadelphia' keeps growing as move looms." Philly.com (News). Accessed October 2011.
  10. ^ "It Is Day Ten Of Occupy Philadelphia". CBS Philly Local. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  11. ^ "Protesters storm campus after Cantor cancels visit". The Daily Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  12. ^ Eric Cantor Cancels Philly Appearance Targeted by Occupy Protesters | NBC4 Washington
  13. ^ DAILY GRINDER: Are You Ready to Occupy Eric Cantor? | PhillyNow | A blog about Philadelphia news, politics and culture by Philadelphia Weekly
  14. ^ "Portugal. The Man played at Occupy Philly (photos, videos, setlist), then later at the TLA (setlist)". The Swollen Fox: A Philadelphia Music Blog. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  15. ^ "Daily Occupation Report: Monday, October 24th". Infoshop News. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  16. ^ "Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace". Philly.com. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  17. ^ Angela Davis: Power to the Imagination, The Huffington Post, November 1, 2011
  18. ^ "10 'Occupy Philly' Protesters Arrested After March On Comcast Center - CBS Philadelphia". CBS News. 2023-04-02. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  19. ^ "Occupy vs. Romney". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  20. ^ Frances Fox Piven Says Occupiers Need to Do, Campus Progress, November 9, 2011
  21. ^ "Jesse Jackson at Occupy Philly". Philly.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011.
  22. ^ Nguyen, Quan (2011-11-18). "Occupy Philadelphia confronts Wells Fargo". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  23. ^ 200+ arrested at Occupy Los Angeles, 50 in Philly Archived from the original.
  24. ^ Finkel, Rachel. "Occupy Philly joins OccupyPenn for CUNY speaker". www.thedp.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  25. ^ 'Occupy Philly' protesters acquitted on all counts Apr. 26, 2012

Additional sources edit

  • Brown, Catherine (October 13, 2011.) "Occupy Philly Takes a Stand Against "Corporate Greed"." NBC Philadelphia. Accessed October 2011.
  • Brown, Catherine; Stamm, Dan (October 13, 2011.) "Occupy Philly Is Costing Taxpayers: Mayor." NBC Philadelphia. Accessed October 2011.
  • Scott, Katherine (November 13, 2011.) "Man arrested in Occupy Philly sexual assault" 6 ABC Philadelphia. Accessed November 2011.

External links edit

  • Occupy Philadelphia facebook page (primary active site)
  • Occupy Philadelphia on livestream
  • Occupy Philly archived website
  • Occupy Philly Media archived blog
  • Occupy Philadelphia records
  • Occupy Philadelphia on Flickr
  • Photos of Occupy Philadelphia – Flickr
  • Who Threw the Can of Green Paint? The First Two Weeks of Occupy Philadelphia. An account of the formation of Occupy Philadelphia, written by a participant for Viewpoint Magazine

39°57′15″N 75°09′46″W / 39.9541°N 75.1628°W / 39.9541; -75.1628