A NY Occupy Anniversary, Many Are Arrested

By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News

17 December 11

round 2,000 protesters gathered in Duarte Square to mark the one-year anniversary of the Occupy movement, which was inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian merchant who lit himself on fire one year ago today. It was also the three-month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street.

Most of the day was festive and peaceful, with artists and Occupiers celebrating the three-month anniversary. However, the celebration was not the only event planned by the protesters. Adjacent to the park is a fenced-off lot owned by Trinity Real Estate, the corporate arm of Trinity Episcopal Church. For the last month - since the Occupation was forcibly removed from Zuccotti Park just blocks from Wall Street - the Occupiers, backed by religious leaders, have called on Trinity to allow them to Occupy the lot adjacent to Duarte Square.

Most of the day was a festive celebration, with puppets and balloons. (photo: Scott Galindez/Reader Supported News)

Despite pressure from Bishop George Packard, retired Episcopal Bishop to the Armed Forces and Chaplaincies, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and 1,400 other religious leaders, the church has refused to allow the Occupiers access.

At around 3 pm, the roughly 2,000 protesters marched north out of Duarte Square for two blocks before turning and heading back towards the Trinity property. Upon arriving at the space they want to occupy, protesters lined the north section of the fence. Moments later many climbed the fence, including Bishop Packard who was among the first to enter the property.

A large wooden structure was then placed near the fence that allowed others to cross over the fence. Bolt cutters were then used on the fence, and hundreds broke through and raised a banner declaring the space liberated.

The liberation, however, was short-lived. Riot police began to restore the fence, which caused a mass exodus from the park. Police attempted to stop protesters from leaving the area, which was reminiscent of the Brooklyn Bridge arrests where demonstrators were trapped.

Many reporters, including myself, had to struggle to leave the area where arrests were made. In the end, an estimated thirty people were arrested, including Bishop George Packard.

As things quieted down, a General Assembly was held in Duarte Square where the Occupiers vowed they would re-occupy somewhere in the City.

Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.

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