The 99% nearly claimed the Charleston Bridge to demonstrate its desire for occupation of all Boston. One person was arrested.

The relationship with the police, which was until this time was amicable, soured quickly. Boston Occupiers linked arms to ward off marauding police and swat personnel Oct. 11, in the early morning. The protesters expanded into the park across the street because their numbers grew. Despite getting the permission of the park's caretaker, the police started making arrests and destroying the property of occupiers at about 1:30 a.m.

Many of the 141 arrested protesters were brutalized or later mistreated in police custody, but later released on civil charges. While the peaceable occupiers were in custody, they maintained high spirits and sang Solidarity Together. One victim of police repression, Kyle Forrester, said, “It was unanimous amongst the arrested that our sacrifice would only grow the movement and I hope that holds true in the coming days.”

The 99% at Occupy Boston kept their resolve to make sure their voice is heard. Plans for the weekend of Oct. 15-16 include a solidarity march against U.S. imperialist wars. The numbers participating are expected to be similar.

#BostonMA #AntiwarMovement #Labor #PoliceBrutality #OccupyBoston #OccupyWallStreet

Boston, MA – In solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street campaign, Boston is joining in with other cities across the United States.

The Occupy Boston event was planned in less than a week, showing up in strength on the evening of Sept. 30. Over 1000 occupants started their own protest in Dewey Square, right across from the Federal Reserve Bank. The gathering included a large swath of persons with diverse political leanings. After some initial planning for an encampment, the protesters took to the street in an unplanned march.

The march lasted for nearly two hours and weaved all over downtown Boston. Bars and restaurant patrons regarded the protest with a mix of awe and camaraderie as it moved past. The slogans proclaimed solidarity with fellow demonstrators across the nation with chants like “We are the 99 percent!” Other chants included, “Out of the bars, into the streets,” and “They got bailed out, we got sold out!” After the march finished, protesters gathered in front of the Federal Reserve Bank. Police guarded the doors.

Eventually, demonstrators settled down for night, occupying Dewey Square. Support groups have been established to meet all essential needs: medical, food and sanitation. Many other secondary services have also been established, indicating that Occupy Boston is there for the long haul. Signs show a wide support for demands against the capitalist system. When one protester was ask why he was there, he replied, “We live in an unjust world and an unjust country. Too many people rich, too many people poor, too many people starving and dying. We need to change the system and it cannot be reformed. We have to build a new one.”

#BostonMA #CapitalismAndEconomy #EconomicCrisis #OccupyBoston #OccupyWallStreet