The Occupy Wall Street movement began due to overwelming income inequality in the United States. The protest aspect took root in downtown Manhattan's Zuccotti Park around mid-September of 2011. The overall theme is geared towards bringing about economic and social changes to local, state, and federal government practices by decreasing corporate influence. The slogan “We are the 99%”, is now chanted in solidarity as protests spread worldwide. Numerous groups and organizations combined efforts to facilitate a self-sustaining ethos free from corporate sponsorship. Peaceful mass demonstrations took place on a weekly basis and were sometimes met with confrontation, violence, and arrest. In November of 2011 the protest aspect based near Zuccotti Park was forced to disband. Protests continued in other parts of the city well into 2012. It was a movement of the people without cultural or generational boundaries.
