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The Occupy Wall Street protesters continue to shout for reform along the streets of the financial capital of the world as wealthy, corporate suits watch from above.
The YouTube video "Wall Street Mocks Protesters By Drinking Champage 2011" was uploaded on Sept 23 and provides a unique view of the stark contrast between crusader and foe. The corporate gaggle gathered - with iPhones and cocktails in hand - along the balcony of the Cipriani Club Residences at 55 Wall Street; a beautiful venue, no doubt, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
Cipriani is a dual condominium residence and private luxury club. The building features 106 furnished apartments, where studios start at $625,000. Membership includes access to the club's bar, restaurant, full-service spa, billiard room, library, business lounge, and a 24-hour concierge. The venue is also used to host events such as charity fundraisers and wine tastings. It is where the Wall Street elite rub elbows... and take some time to laugh at the throng of protestors below.
While watching the video, the word "condescendence" comes to mind. Of course it is possible that the onlookers are not mocking, merely watching, but the symbolism is all there. Do these observers think themselves to be royals viewing a court jester performance?
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But the Occupy Wall Street protest is no joke.
The demonstration has picked up real steam since beginning twelve days ago. Those willing to march for a cause, dubbing themselves "The 99 percent," have gotten help from Hollywood Heavyweights such as Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, and Lupe Fiasco.
Michael Moore went to Zuccotti Park on Monday night, Sept. 26, to encourage the hundreds gathered to keep marching. "This is just the beginning," he said.
On one of the first days, Liberatos Pizza sold out after supporters from as far away as England called in to make orders to "support the cause" and "feed the protestors."
The movement started via the social networking site Twitter after a tweet was sent out saying "#OCCUPYWALLSTREET will begin @12pm at Bowling Green Park, NYC." With endorsement from the hacking group, Anonymous, @OccupyWallSt currently has 16,582 followers and 24,723 Facebook "likes."
Protestors are fighting to end the reign of capitalism that they believe is currently strangling the nation. With an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent and thousands of educated college students graduating without any hope of finding a job, the call to duty seems to be a personal one.
They vow to stay indefinitely; or at least until real change is made.
For now, the Wall Streeters may glare down flippantly, perched comfortably up above; but when will they have to step down and face the music?
