Occupy Wall Street

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This article is about the protests in New York City. For the wider movement, see Occupy movement.

Adbusters poster promoting the start date of the occupation, September 17, 2011.
Date / September 17, 2011(2011-09-17)– ongoing
(4 months,1 weekand6 days)
Location / New York City
Status / Ongoing
Causes / Wealth inequality, Corporate influence of government, Populism, (in support of) Social Democracy, inter alia.
Characteristics / ·  Non violent protest
·  Civil disobedience
·  Occupation
·  Picketing
·  Demonstrations
·  Internet activism
Number
· 

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street is the original protest that began the worldwide movement beginning September 17, 2011 in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City's Wall Street financial district, initiated by the Canadian activist group Adbusters. The protests are against social and economic inequality, high unemployment, greed, as well as corruption and the undue influence of corporations on government—particularly from the financial services sector. The protesters' slogan We are the 99% refers to the growing income and wealth inequality in the U.S. between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of the population. The protests in New York City have sparked similar Occupy protests and movements around the world.

Guy Fawkes mask

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Members of the group "Anonymous" wearing the mask in Los Angeles, 2008

The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylised depiction of Guy Fawkes, the best-known member of the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up the English Palace of Westminster in 1605. While the use of a mask on an effigy has long roots as part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations, a stylised mask designed by illustrator David Lloyd came to represent broader protest after it was used as a major plot element in V for Vendetta, published in 1982, and its 2005 film adaptation. After appearing in internet forums, the mask was worn by participants in real-life protests and has become widespread internationally among groups protesting against politicians, banks and financial institutions, such as the Occupy movement.

The mask portrays a white face with a subtle smile, a wide moustache upturned at both ends, and a thin vertical pointed beard. It is often accompanied by a black cape and a black conical hat.

Origins

While the Gunpowder Plot was commemorated from early on with effigies of unpopular figures, towards the end of the 18th century reports appeared of children begging for money with masked effigies of Guy Fawkes, and 5 November gradually became known as Guy Fawkes Night.

The main character in the comic book series V for Vendetta, which started in 1982, and its 2005 film adaptation, wore a Guy Fawkes mask. The series, written by Alan Moore and illustrated mostly by David Lloyd is about a dystopian future United Kingdom

Use in protests

Protesters wearing "Guy Fawkes masks" at a protest against Scientology in London in 2008

Since the release in 2006 of the film V for Vendetta, the use of stylised "Guy Fawkes" masks, with moustache and pointed beard, has become widespread internationally among groups protesting against politicians, banks and financial institutions. The masks both conceal the identity of individuals and demonstrate their commitment to a shared cause.[2][3]

The character developed as an internet meme, common on imageboards such as 4chan as well as on video-sharing based websites such as YouTube. Initially, a stick figure who failed at everything emerged and became known as "Epic Fail Guy" (EFG). This character was increasingly shown as wearing a V for Vendetta "Guy Fawkes" mask. It became associated with Project Chanology's protests against the Church of Scientology in 2008, as their way of expressing the view that Scientology was an "Epic Fail". The internet-based group known as Anonymous then adopted the character for its wider protests against authority.[4][5] On 23 May 2009, protesters wearing the mask set off a fake barrel of gunpowder outside Parliament while protesting over the issue of British MPs' expenses.[6] During the 2011 Wisconsin protests, and then during the subsequent Occupy Wall Street and the ongoing Occupy movement, the mask appeared internationally[7] as a symbol of popular rebellion. In October 2011, campaigner Julian Assange attended the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest wearing such a mask, which he removed after a request by the police.[2] In January 2012, members of the Palikot's Movement held up Guy Fawkes masks in the National Assembly of the Republic of Poland to protest against Poland's signing of ACTA.[8]

According to Time in 2011, the protesters' adoption of the mask has led to it becoming the top-selling mask on Amazon.com, selling hundreds of thousands a year. Time Warner, one of the largest media companies in the world, is paid a fee with the sale of each mask, as it owns the rights to the image.[9]