The Occupy movement’s slogan was “We are the 99%.” Describe what this slogan meant and its significance in the movement’s development.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The slogan “We Are the 99%” emerged as the rallying cry, criticizing the wealthiest 1 percent who, the movement argued, had disproportionate political influence in American democracy and controlled far more economic wealth than they believed was fair. Once the “99%” slogan crystallized and an online campaign of photos of people holding signs saying “I am the 99%” went viral, support spread rapidly. Occupy groups sprang up across the country and around the world, occupying city squares, university campuses, prominent government headquarters, and financial institutions. The Occupy movement’s “We are the 99%” slogan gained support from people from a wide array of backgrounds and was the first class-based social movement in many years in the United States (Winlow, et al 2015). This model, though, ultimately led those in the encampment to decide against making any specific demands of political leaders; they produced a critique but were so skeptical of established political institutions that they had no wish to negotiate with anyone in power, and they certainly did not engage in electoral politics.