“We are the 99%.” The well-known slogan of the recent anti-economic inequality protest movement recognized as Occupy Wall Street. Since its outbreak in mid-September, this found a considerable support base across the United States, stretching coast to coast in a matter of weeks. The movement intentions include a revolt against the high unemployment rate affecting the country, corruption of corporations, and the argued difference of wealth between the “norm” of society and the wealthiest of the United States, said to consist of only 1%.

  Though Occupy makes plans to create radical change for the country, there manners of rebellion are considerably conservative and most of all, non-violent—for the most part. Application of the “occupy effect” describe protesters obstructing the streets of cities with rows of tents to set a point across—an effective, yet equally obstructive approach.

  However, after many police authorities grew fed-up over there continued “tent riots” police responded with what protesters called: “pepper spray showers.” As Occupy branched to the western region of the United States, most recently in Washington, protesters there were victims to what they believe may have been the biggest and most destructive of the showers. As published by the Seattle Times, on November 25th an 84-year-old woman suffered from massive exposure of pepper spray in the eyes that she was rushed to the hospital, later it was confirmed she was recovering. Still, though the elderly woman was in good condition, the public reaction, much like mine was an aggravated one.

  “Those pigs man, she’s an old lady for crying out loud!” mentioned local neighbor Robert Salas. Needless to say—with a slight change in diction from Salas—I agree wholeheartedly. Personally, Occupy is essentially another gesture of our society constitutional right to assemble, and yes society does not have the right to assemble with tents and block the busy streets of our country. Yet, what else is there left to do? In reference to Florida State University undergraduate Lucas Cardenas, aspiring public relations major, he expresses concern that though public authority isn’t actually causing havoc for Occupy protesters, the police may only be an incident away from total public resentment.

  “What everyone should really be concerned about what is may happen next; today pepper spray, tomorrow bullets? We are at a point in our nation’s history that the majority of people, if not all, are releasing the fumes of a jobless country.” So does this affect everyone? No. Keep in mind the slogan of Occupy—the 1%.

  Karen Sanders, another local Turlock resident reasons that, “Those guys don’t suffer from anything. And then they ask why people like us are protesting and ruining the country.” Thanks to the top dogs of corporations, all are money is gone. Debt, unemployment, and the suffering of country are the results of their selfishness.

  So who is to blame? Will authorities continue to react in such retaliation to Occupy protesters? Based on these prior incidents they answer may in fact be a yes. As the Occupy movement moves farther and farther across the country, such results and reactions will continue to persist.