The Occupy movement was an international populist socio-political movement that expressed opposition to social and economic inequality and to the perceived lack of real democracy around the world. It aimed primarily to advance social and economic justice and different forms of democracy. The movement has had many different scopes, since local groups often had different focuses, but its prime concerns included how large corporations control the world in a way that disproportionately benefits a minority, undermines democracy and causes instability.
Occupy protesters with "We are the 99%" signs in Bennington, Vermont
Protesters with the "99%" t-shirts at Occupy Wall Street on 17 November 2011 near the New York City Hall.
The General Assembly meeting in Washington Square Park, New York City, on 8 October 2011
Occupy Wall Street (OWS) was a left-wing populist movement against economic inequality, corporate greed, big finance, and the influence of money in politics that began in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City's Financial District, and lasted for fifty-nine days—from September 17 to November 15, 2011.
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello with Occupy Wall Street protesters outside of the Equitable Building at 120 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, New York on October 14, 2011
The anthropologist David Graeber played a leading early role in the movement and in the coining of the slogan "We are the 99%."
Beginning on September 17, 2011, Zuccotti Park was occupied by protesters.