I wrote a comparison between the two movements for a mini article in my yearbook.
The Occupy Wall Street movement took the United States by storm on September 17, 2011. Protesters set up camp in Zuccotti Park in New York City to protest various issues, the most popular being that the 1% (the “fat cats” on Wall Street and other wealthy Americans) hold too much wealth and too much power. One could say that the Occupy movement is the liberal equivalent of the Tea Party movement that started in 2009. For those who don’t know, the Tea Party movement was a resurgence of paleo-conservative beliefs in America after the Bush era.
The two movements are similar in that they both started as peaceful protests, a right we have had as Americans since the Constitution was adopted in 1788. They both started out with clear grievances, reasons for their protest. They have also both had their share of extremists as well. The similarities end there.
The Occupy movement was unorganized from the beginning, with rag-tag protests popping up around the country. The Occupiers were able to amass incredible amounts of protesters The Tea Party movement was organized and able to put together mass rallies with ease. The Tea Party was also able to do something that no other group of protesters in our history were able to do, not the Anti-Federalists, not the Whigs, not the Anti-Masonics, and not even the Rent Is Too Damn High party. The Tea Party was able to make the Republican party change to fit them. The GOP changed to fit the Tea Party beliefs, and even got people, such as Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Christine O’Donnell, elected to office.
The two movements are similar in that they both started as peaceful protests, a right we have had as Americans since the Constitution was adopted in 1788. They both started out with clear grievances, reasons for their protest. They have also both had their share of extremists as well. The similarities end there.
The Occupy movement was unorganized from the beginning, with rag-tag protests popping up around the country. The Occupiers were able to amass incredible amounts of protesters The Tea Party movement was organized and able to put together mass rallies with ease. The Tea Party was also able to do something that no other group of protesters in our history were able to do, not the Anti-Federalists, not the Whigs, not the Anti-Masonics, and not even the Rent Is Too Damn High party. The Tea Party was able to make the Republican party change to fit them. The GOP changed to fit the Tea Party beliefs, and even got people, such as Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Christine O’Donnell, elected to office.
Eh, given how crazy Christine O'Donnell's theories are, I wouldn't really list her as a beneficial asset to the GOP. Other than that, I agree with you. The Occupy Movement looks like it's burning out now that they realize the cops actually have the power to arrest them for disobeying the law, go figure...
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