Occupy Philadelphia Explained

Occupy Philadelphia
Partof:	the Occupy movement
Date:	6 October 2011 – Ongoing
Place:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Causes:	Economic inequality, corporate influence over government, inter alia.
Status:	Won
Methods:	Demonstration, occupation, protest, street protesters
Casualties Label:	Arrests and injuries
Arrests:	93
Injuries:	3 taken to the hospital Many did not seek medical treatment

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]

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

Chronology of events

2011

• 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

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

See also

Occupy articles

• List of global Occupy protest locations
• Occupy movement
• Timeline of Occupy Wall Street
• We are the 99%

Other Protests

• 15 October 2011 global protests
• 2011 United States public employee protests
• 2011 Wisconsin protests

Related articles

• Arab Spring
• Corruption Perceptions Index
• Economic inequality
• Grassroots movement

• Income inequality in the United States
• Plutocracy
• Protest
• Tea Party protests
• Wealth inequality in the United States

Related portals:

References

Additional sources

• 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

• 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 PhiladelphiaFlickr
• 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

39.9541°N -75.1628°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Study: Rich get a lot richer, outpace middle class says Matt Milly. Action News . 2011-10-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145007/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Fbusiness&id=8406747 . 2014-04-13 . live .
2. Web site: 'Occupy Philadelphia' joins 'Occupy Wall Street' effort . Metro . 2011-10-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405135322/http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/local/article/980233--occupy-philadelphia-joins-occupy-wall-street-effort . 2012-04-05 . dead .
3. Web site: Occupy Philly: Events . Occupy Philly . March 3, 2012.
4. Web site: Occupy Philly generates mixed opinions . The Temple News . 2011-10-16.
5. Web site: Occupy Philadelphia - City Hall - October 6 . ActivismNetwork.org . 2011-10-16.
6. Web site: 300 march as Occupy Philly movement begins . CourierPostOnline.com . 2011-10-16.
7. Web site: Occupy Philly Plans March To Liberty Bell . myfoxphilly.com . 2011-10-16.
8. Web site: Quakers are well situated to assist 'Occupy' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151017193803/http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-15/news/30283700_1_fellow-protesters-peaceful-protest-quakers . 17 October 2015 . 2011-10-28 . Philly.com.
9. Nguyen, Quan (October 20, 2011.) "'Occupy Philadelphia' keeps growing as move looms." Philly.com (News). Accessed October 2011.
10. Web site: It Is Day Ten Of Occupy Philadelphia . 15 October 2011 . CBS Philly Local . 2011-10-16.
11. Web site: Protesters storm campus after Cantor cancels visit . The Daily Pennsylvania . 2011-10-28.
12. http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/politics/132338503.html Eric Cantor Cancels Philly Appearance Targeted by Occupy Protesters | NBC4 Washington
13. http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2011/10/18/daily-grinder-are-you-ready-to-occupy-eric-cantor/ DAILY GRINDER: Are You Ready to Occupy Eric Cantor? | PhillyNow | A blog about Philadelphia news, politics and culture by Philadelphia Weekly
14. Web site: 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 . 2011-11-19.
15. Web site: Daily Occupation Report: Monday, October 24th . Infoshop News . 2011-10-28.
16. Web site: Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace . Philly.com . 2011-10-28.
17. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-howard/angela-davis-occupy-philly_b_1067740.html Angela Davis: Power to the Imagination
18. Web site: 2023-04-02 . 10 'Occupy Philly' Protesters Arrested After March On Comcast Center - CBS Philadelphia . . 2023-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402021834/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/occupy-philly-protesters-arrested-after-march-inside-comcast-center/ . 2023-04-02 .
19. Web site: Occupy vs. Romney . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 2011-11-05.
20. http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/five_things_frances_fox_piven_says_the_occupiers_need_to_do Frances Fox Piven Says Occupiers Need to Do
21. Web site: Jesse Jackson at Occupy Philly . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117015252/http://www.philly.com/philly/video/BC1273697077001.html . 17 November 2011 . Philly.com.
22. Web site: Nguyen . Quan . 2011-11-18 . Occupy Philadelphia confronts Wells Fargo . 2023-11-18 . The Philadelphia Inquirer . en.
23. https://web.archive.org/web/20111203060654/https://news.yahoo.com/200-arrested-occupy-los-angeles-50-philly-134737674.html 200+ arrested at Occupy Los Angeles, 50 in Philly
24. Web site: Finkel . Rachel . Occupy Philly joins OccupyPenn for CUNY speaker . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116060343/https://www.thedp.com/article/2011/11/occupy_philly_joins_occupypenn_for_cuny_speaker . 16 November 2018 . 2023-12-02 . www.thedp.com . en-us.
25. http://hosted2.ap.org/PASCR/a9680d76eb6b41b1aeef10e7559dc261/Article_2012-04-26-Occupy%20Philadelphia/id-6d42a06fcd594678bdeac39faba46ed5 'Occupy Philly' protesters acquitted on all counts