Occupy: What to expect in May Day "general strike"

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

(CBS News) In hundreds of cities around the world on Tuesday, protesters are taking to the streets to protest rising economic inequality as part of a "general strike" for which citizens are being encouraged to skip work and school and forgo shopping. Here's what you need to know:

What exactly is this?

The May Day protests are the centerpiece of a "spring offensive" by the Occupy movement, which garnered headlines last fall after protesters set up camp in New York's Zucotti Park. The protests grew after police pepper-sprayed and arrested protesters, and Occupy encampments and protests soon erupted around the world.

By December, authorities had cleared out many of these encampments, and the movement faded from the headlines. The most committed Occupiers continued their protests, but their actions were smaller and more targeted: Infiltrations of foreclosure auctions and shareholder meetings, "sleepful protests" on Wall Street, picket lines for workers rights among them. (In some cities, such as Oakland, large protests endured.) The May Day marches, which are being held with labor and immigrants rights groups, represent an effort by the movement to reinsert its message back into the national conversation.

Occupy movement set for return to the streets
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Complete coverage: Occupy Wall Street

How will it affect me?

Depends. If you're interested in participating, you can learn more by checking out the main Occupy Wall Street site or the sites for marches in specific areas: New York, the Bay Area, Chicago, Southern California and Seattle among them.

If you're just looking to get to work, the protests could bring headaches. In the Bay Area, Occupiers had planned to blockade the Golden Gate Bridge from Marin to San Francisco - but those plans were cancelled on Monday. Ferry service, however, is expected to be disrupted as workers go on strike.

In New York, protesters plan to shut down one or more of the bridges or tunnels into and out of Manhattan as one of many planned activities -- and they have yet to announce which they will target, possibly to keep the police from being ready to stop them. (Plans are expected to be announced in Manhattan's Bryant Park early Monday morning - and it's worth noting that some Occupiers disagree with the plan for a blockade.)

An unpermitted march is set for 1 pm in the East Village; a permitted march, which organizers hope will attract 30,000, follows a mass gathering of protesters at 4:00 p.m. in Union Square. There is also talk among some Occupiers of disrupting subway service.

In Chicago, Occupiers plan to march from Union Park to Federal Plaza; in Seattle, they will rally at a downtown park, and officials are warning of traffic disruptions and possible violence. In Los Angeles, where the focus is on immigrants' rights, Occupiers plan to have four "Caravans" of protesters "taking over our streets on routes designed to bring to light to societies [sic] ills" that converge in the city's financial district.

Oakland is also expected to have a large demonstration, with marches on banks and a rally in the downtown area. There are additional actions planned - with various levels of disruption - in London, Toronto, Sydney and a number of other cities as well. 

How are officials preparing?

Pretty seriously. In New York, the NYPD reportedly engaged in training exercises over the weekend, though officials aren't commenting on the details; NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne told CBS News that "[t]he NYPD accommodates lawful protest, and arrests those who break the law." In a number of cities, police are setting up barriers to control crowds and are receiving training on how best to deal with potentially aggressive protesters.

Financial institutions, meanwhile, have reportedly banded together to prepare and share information about expected May Day picket lines as well as a planned "radical after-party" in New York's financial district in the evening. 

What else do I need to know?

For a primer on the state of the Occupy movement, check out our story from Monday, "Occupy movement set for return to the streets."

And check back to CBSNews.com for updates on the May Day strike throughout the day on Tuesday. 

25 Photos

Occupy protests: Month 7

[Zann-Zel]

by TX-Ed May 1, 2012 2:56 PM EDT
The sad thing is there are nuts in every group and that is what every one judges the rest on.
-----------------

Exactly! That's why people need to look a little deeper than the latest sensational thing they see on the news, to what the REAL message of each movement is.

[Zann-Zel]

George what do you consider the basic republican message?

[Zann-Zel]

Okay - If Republicans stuck to that basic message, they could earn respect as very practical people.

Problem is there's too much of their social agenda mixed in. I hear too much about how they are the "Religious Right", about anti-gay, anti-WOMEN, anti-anyone that doesn't look like them! Too much about War!

Reduce the debt might be listened to more if they didn't constantly feed the War Machine! And........oh there's no use! IF they didn't want to give tax breaks to the rich after starting two wars! Sorry, I just CAN'T get past that one!

You can't cut the salary of a $50,000 worker AND give tax breaks to the rich! WHILE complaining that the deficit is too high! It all adds up to too much nonsense guided by too much greed!

[Zann-Zel]

You never answered George - what HAVE you seen with your own eyes today?
Did you make it to work?

[TX-Ed]

by EmpireGeorge-_____---- May 1, 2012 1:02 PM EDT
by Zann-Zel May 1, 2012 12:44 PM EDT
Occupy does NOT equal Democrat
______________

and Tea Partys are what ?
-------------------
Jerks! I have a few in-laws who are tea partiers....well they were jerks before they were tea party and didn't change :)

[Zann-Zel]

George I think a lot of these Occupiers are people never affiliated with either party. People who have convinced themselves the government is broken no matter which side you vote for.

[TX-Ed]

The sad thing is there are nuts in every group and that is what every one judges the rest on.

[Zann-Zel]

If you're trying to decide whether these protests are being "Violent" try watching the Live Feed.......

http://occupywallst.org/

[AOCGUY]

Zann, using the OWS web site to prove that OWS protests are peaceful is like using www.GOP.com to prove that Obama shouldn't President. Neither are credible giving their respective bias.

[Zann-Zel]

Its a live feed to what's happening there though - and it certainly doesn't appear that anyone's causing too much trouble.

[boocbsboooooooooo]

This Democratic orchestrated "Occupy" is a nice little diversion from noticing all the scams leading up to our 5 trillion added debt.. It's simply amazing the the masses can be fooled by our government/media complex.

[AOCGUY]

boo, I seriously doubt that the DNC is happy about the OWS. As I posted the other day OWS is not affilaited with either party nor either party afffilliated with the OWS, however most people incorrectly identify OWS with the democrats and that does not help their election efforts (and they know it)

[Zann-Zel]

Occupy does NOT equal Democrat

[AOCGUY]

I strongly support American's right to protest but you DO NOT sway me to your cause when you prevent me from going to my place of work. In fact you do the opposite.

[TX-Ed]

That is always the problem...to get noticed people have to disrupt other peoples lives...too bad there can't be a peaceful demonstration down by the river...we could all join in and get a little fishing in...

[AOCGUY]

Ironically, dispite their inability to have a unified message there are some things that the OWS movement advocates I agree with but I take offense at anyone who belives their rights extend to infringing upon mine.

[TX-Ed]

Well it looks like a beautiful day to just line up the troops and mow down any one who thinks any different than the crap on here! Every one is sooo afraid that some one is going to get some thing they didn't. Re-tired military complaining about unions on this site is a joke! The military is and always will be one of the BIGGEST unions of all! In the military you get paid wages, plus meals, plus housing, plus medical, eye care, dental....why is it good for you and so bad for a union worker to want the same benefits??Or for ANY body to want that? And don't use that I put my life on the line bit....every body does in one way or another, and if there is not a war or police action going on as military it is a hurry up and wait thing....and the pay still comes in...any other job if you are not producing you are not getting paid. Total respect for the military, but show respect both ways.

[ch47fe]

TX - Ed..... you say you have total respect for the Military but yet you slam them about the way their benefits system is. Am I missing something here??? And find me a military guy that makes what union wages are paying. U obviously dont get it....the military gets their housing (Barracks 3-4 guys to a room) off post base housing if you are married, because they are paid a fairly low wage compared to the civilian counterpart. If the unions dont do enough for you try joining the Army. They are looking for some new recruits. I mean why not....remember you said you have total respect for us...so join us and get these great benefits you are looking for...

[Zann-Zel]

TX-Ed served 8 years already! He speaks from experience.

[Martha12345]

Where is the Orkin man when you really need him ?

[Fox_Rush_Zombie]

by TimeToEvolve April 30, 2012 7:57 PM EDT

These are exciting times. The Awakening of the American people after the corporation driven Crisis of 2007-2008. We are all part of the Revolution the American Spring. Righteous!
**
...by The_Bad_Ranger April 30, 2012 8:11 PM EDT
Like I told you last time "evolve" -- bring guns ... a lot of guns...
Let's do this hero
**************************

This is a textbook example of the difference education can make. On the one hand we have a thoughtful individual talking about the 'Awakening of America' and a peaceful revolution, while on the other hand we hear the screeching of a mindless, brainwashed zombie threatening violence.

[ajvw]

I just hope Obama's children create havoc all summer. Useful idiots.

[1stlttightwad]

Yeah, Obama said, "I know where you are coming from." Of course he does, he is a socialist just like them..Hates people that have worked hard and wants to be a leech on them. You do not what a leech is don't you..It's a parasite that will drain your blood until death and then goes in search of another victim.

[retm-w]

1stlttightwad

You mean like the gop, that wants to take away Social Security and Medicare from all those hard working seniors.