It is dusk and the temperature has fallen. It is also wet and damp. Not the most inviting of climes for any event. But this is different. The Occupy Wall Street movement has made Zuccotti Park in downtown Manhattan, the heart of Wall Street, its home. Three weeks have gone by and there is seemingly a momentum. There is electricity in the air and talk of an imminent crackdown by authorities if the park isn't vacated to allow city sanitation workers to do their job. It is difficult to put a number on the turnout that evening, but it does not exceed a thousand. Amid makeshift stalls where political literature is peddled, there are cots, comforters, tents, and mattresses- signs that the protesters are here for the long haul.
I approach a young man donning a well tailored suit. He prefers to be known solely by his first name, Dustin. Holding a placard that decries US plutocracy, he appears exhausted, but willing to engage. He goes on to relate his plight: "I graduated two years ago and it has been impossible for me to find a job. I understand that for every 300 qualified applicants there is only one available position," punctuating his statement with the mantra, "Socialism for the rich but not the poor." His message echoes throughout. Sonia Mahabir, 23 is from Guyana and attending a New York college. She finds solidarity with the supporters but was guarded, opting to offer the following, and nothing more: "Trickle-down economics obviously isn't working...people are working but cannot make ends meet."
Melissa Marquez, CEO of Genesee Credit Union is also among the supporters. "People are really having a hard time. Many who have jobs don't have benefits. As someone in the financial business, I can tell you that there is a lot of pain going around." She believes that Occupy Wall Street is only the "tip of the iceberg," and warned that the movement will continue to grow throughout the country.The pulse of the movement is located in the center of the square. Technologically savvy and mindful of the role of social media on the ongoing revolution throughout the Middle East, Occupy Wall Street has a media wing-manned by Kari and Kelley, two baby-faced young women. Like many, they are uncomfortable with giving out their full name.
"This is where we disseminate what's going," Kari tells me. "We have live streaming here. It is the information hub of the movement." A few metres away, a broad shouldered young man is giving directions to a couple. Pointing to his name tag which identifies his as "Ox," he flashes a broad smile and accommodates all questions. "We are all leaders. In a way too, we are a leaderless organisation." He calls the movement "horizontal." He scoffs at terms such as "structure." However, he concedes that "in time the movement may have to reorganise..."depending." He understands that with growing numbers, the dynamics will have to change. He also has a message for those who "don't understand."
With his "bigger- than-life" demeanour, he says: "This is a beautiful movement. We are not dirty hippies. We are lefties from every walk of life."
Hungry protesters are fed at a quickly assembled pantry with food donated by anonymous well-wishers. Musicians lighten the mood with catchy rock and roll melody and protest songs. Meanwhile, the General Assembly is getting ready to address the crowd. I am told that it is a "platform for free speech." Anyone can approach and deliver a "message" to this enthusiastic gathering. Prohibited from using bull horns, every utterance from the speaker is repeated by supporters, creating a rippling effect so that none will miss a word. Voices ebb and flow according to the cadence and the speaker. It is political echolalia reminiscent of legendary communist regimes. No one seems to care though-they are united by their common disdain for the establishment.
As I leave the park, a cold wind rushes by. I bow my head and raise the collar of my jacket. I couldn't help but wonder what would become of this small but daring movement in the dead of winter. Then, I am reminded of the pronouncement on everyone's lips just moments earlier: "We are not going anywhere, come hell or high water."
Dr Glenville Ashby
New York corespondent
The Guardian Media Group