After about two months of protesting in New York City's Zuccotti Park, the Occupy Wall Street movement suffered a blow when the city ruled they could no longer camp there. After many arguments from both sides of the issue, a judge upheld the city's ruling.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said protesters had had enough time to camp in the park and now needed to unify behind their message. They will still be allowed to protest in the park but they won't be allowed to set up camp there again unless the ruling changes.
Police, city officials and protesters have also clashed in other cities where the Occupy movement has taken hold; in Oakland, Calif., police raided the protesters' camp, arresting more than 50 people, and in Oregon, police disbanded protesters over health and safety concerns.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is the First Amendment of the Constitution? What rights does it give all Americans?
2. What is the Occupy Wall Street movement?
3. What is a protest?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think the protesters should be allowed to keep camping in Zuccotti Park? Why or why not?
2. Why is it often difficult for judges to decide what should happen in First Amendment cases like this? What's tough about the decision?
3. What do you view as the main message of Occupy Wall Street? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
Additional Resources
Democracy Protests Spread From New York to Other U.S. Cities
