Yesterday’s effort by 1,000 riot police officers to clear protestors from Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland—and today’s follow-up in New York’s Zuccotti Park—will do little to diminish the movement. In fact, it may instead strengthen forces on the ground, and those safely participating in their homes and offices by emailing and blogging away.
Occupy Wall Street has been a catalyst following the financial crisis of 2008, the ascendancy of the Tea Party, and perhaps most egregiously, the bonuses and big checks retuning to Wall Street. Millions were fed up. Occupy Wall Street provides a spark, a newfound legitimacy and passion for progressive goals. 1000, 10,000, even 100,000 riot police will not diminish that spark.