Michael Moore helps to "Occupy Wall Street"

NEW YORK - Protesters camping out in a lower Manhattan plaza to speak out against corporate greed and social inequality got a morale boost Monday from filmmaker activist Michael Moore, who told the crowd they were the start of something big.

"It warms my heart to see all of you here," Moore told the few hundred people gathered at Zuccotti Park as part of the "Occupy Wall Street" protest. He told them they each represented thousands of other Americans, and to not lose heart, that "our power is derived from the people."

Moore posted a message on his Twitter account while he was still with the protesters stating: "This is just the beginning. Honored to be part of this."

He railed against Wall Street and the richest of the rich, saying "they have tried to take our democracy and turn it into a 'kleptocracy."'

The protest is in its second week. Moore, an outspoken critic of Wall Street and its role in the economic downturn, arrived in the evening.

90 Photos

Wall Street protests spread

View the Full Gallery »

"These people on Wall Street ripped off the future of many of these young people here and their not-yet-born children," he said. "It was the greatest heist, certainly of my lifetime. This protest has to start somewhere, and it might as well have started here."

While the main focus of "Occupy Wall Street" is centered on the financial world, those camping out in the park speak to causes covering the political and social spectrum, from supporters of Ron Paul to the anti-war activists of the Granny Peace Brigade. The protest has also included marches, with mixed results. On Saturday, about 80 people were arrested in tense and sometimes physical interactions with police.

Video of some of the arrests were posted online, and included scenes that appeared to show officers using pepper spray on women who already were cordoned off and officers handcuffing a man after pulling him up off the ground, blood trickling down his face. The police have said the response was appropriate to the situation.

A march Monday night was not confrontational.

Below: Video posted to YouTube by TheOther99Percent shows police confronting protesters.

[noloyalisti]

Just found out through Daily Kos that there are not 250 Occupy rallies across America. Join one or support one today!

[noloyalisti]

This is the perfect storm to start the American Autumn. The deepening of the Second Great Republicon Depression caused by GOP greed and corruption. The deepening world wide economic disaster caused by the Republicon Corporation Banksters at the same time we are all going out on the streets!

However, I will forgive the right wingers if they join with us in the Class War against the Top 2%. That means no more Tea Baggers unwittingly supporting a laissez-faire agenda for establishing a corporate plutocracy over the people.

[sinclair_babbitt]

Democracy Now! did a GREAT interview with Michael Moore today! He talked about this book, the Wall St protests, the death threats he's gotten over the years... very interesting and pretty funny too. Here's the link: http://www.democracynow.org/2011/9/28/here_comes_trouble_michael_moore_tells.

[greenelent]

Occupy Wall Street photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenelent/sets/72157627712600116/

[commenter777]

That is absurd that those cops that did what is on that video still have a job.

Thank goodness for people like these protesters that make the world a better place. As many of us as possible need to join them there. Let's take our country back from the ultra-rich corporate interests.

[Brokennews]

"These people on Wall Street ripped off the future of many of these young people here and their not-yet-born children," he said. "It was the greatest heist, certainly of my lifetime."



I am curious (as rcht2370 touched on) specifically how Wall Street ripped off anyone? Did they seize people's account & kept the money for no reason? Did they take someone at gun point & forced them to buy stocks that lost money? Did they break into people's houses & steal the piggybank? Without giving examples of how Wall Street was ripping people off, it all sounds rather hollow! I'd be happy to see some examples, but the article says nothing regarding specifics. I'm sure there are some that are not playing by the rules, but not all are. That's like saying because some teachers are banging their students, that means they all are! The old broad brush thing!
To a large extent, people that put money in the stock market are little different than people that put money on the blackjack table. There are no guarantees that you will get it back!

[bugwhips]

Remember he's preaching to the same class of people who protest against the evils of Dihydrogen Monoxide and how Dihydrogen Monoxide is destroying the planet on evil drop at a time.....

"Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol. "

I mean really who wouldn't be against that stuff except for those evil corporate types of course.

[Hala_c]

Wow Bugwhips, you almost described water accurately. ALMOST.
Water is not "Hydric Acid". Pure water is not an acid any more than it is a base.
And when have you ever seen anyone protest against water? Oh that's right, when you have nothing based in reality to go on make $hit up. Typical TeaPublicans!

[jschmidt27]

No one protesting about Michael Moore Greed?
Oh yes that's right he deserves everything he earns. But any other businessman who is considered rich, doesn't deserve it.
Haven't seen MM write a big fat donation to the Federal government as a protest against greed. How about all these rich people who want higher taxes writing a big check to the Federal government to help with the deficit as a protest. THat would be putting your money where your mouth is and supporting the belief they seem have that the Federal government can spend money more wisely and with less waste then anyone else. I'd like to see that kinda of protest. I won't hold my breath. Call it the 'put your money where your mouth is' protest. Buffett can spend a few bucks on it right. How about it MM, Buffett?

[katyids]

Actually, MM does give a lot to the feds - through his own taxes and the taxes of his many and well-paid employees. So, yes, he does put his money where his mouth is. Furthermore, he gives generously to others through various charities. He has all the right in the world to be there because instead of whining and ******** like many a commenter on here, he has done the very un-right wing thing...he went out looking for evidence. Sure, he is not always right, but he has posed some serious questions about economic and health care problems in this country. Some of his observations and facts have proved very uncomfortable for many who foolishly and stupidly believe that the whole problem is the left and/or the government.
Secondly, is there really anyone on the planet who hasn't seen the vast array of evidence that some Wall Street traders, banks, and very crooked CEOs and companies are fully responsible for many of our economic woes? Does anyone really think that somehow Bernie Madoff is a rarity? Does anyone really believe Wall Street Greed is not a world wide problem. Maybe we need more public education - not less. Of course, that is already obvious by many posts. Simple minded people look for simple answers that completely absolve them of any guilt or complicity.

[Kingrat1]

Congress: Sold Out the Middle Class

We're dead. Congress (Dems & GOP) is a "millionaires club" who sold out the middle class. They "only" care about themselves, their families & cronies—and nobody else.

Congress allowed Corporate America move million upon million of jobs (first manufacturing and now service) minted here to foreign lands, and thereby undermining our national security. That's something that nobody mentions. The middle class supports our tax-base infrastructure. For over 30 years now we have been eroding that tax base—federal, state and local. So, why can't we pay our teachers (and other civil servants) what they are worth? Duh???

And this outsourcing (and off-shoring) of American jobs continues today, despite the fact that 55% our young people (age 19-29) are either unemployed or underemployed. Congress is not getting the message. Congress is not getting the message!!!

This "is not" a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. It's a government of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. There's my two cents.

[bugwhips]

You want your change back (on the two cents)?

In 2005 Republicans passed a tariff act to protect American jobs and companies from Chinese dumping, it worked in fact it worked so well the Chinese moved their companies to Vietnam to get around it. BY then Democrats were in charge and our tariff act needed amending to cover the loophole. What have Democrats done? nothing they needed China to fund their credit card utopia. Don't like it ask the democrats you know the party of the little guy remember?

[Hala_c]

Now we have started OUTSOURCING work on our roads and bridges. So much for trying to rebuild our economy while we rebuild our infrastructure. Brilliant!

[Brokennews]

Stewie Griffen talking about Michael Moore & Rush Limbaugh:



"Can you picture the 2 of those guys pokin' each other in the chops?"

Eeuugh! It'd be like sticking your arm in a backed up sink.

Imagine that? The 2 of them going at it?
An oversized Armani suit and an oversized cheap wind breaker tossed casually on the floor.

Next day at work, Limbaugh finds a Detroit Tigers ball cap up in there.

[Hala_c]

What do bullies turn into when they get old (notice I don't use the phrase "grow up")?

Criminals
Organized to
Protect
Socialites