Many see lack of focus in Occupy Wall Street movement

As the 'Occupy Wall Street' protests enter their second month inspiring similar demonstrations against corporate greed across the globe, criticism is growing in some quarters that the movement lacks focus and there is absence of specific policy demands by the protesters.

The protests that began on September 17 by a small group of people in Manhattan have snowballed into a movement against the financial institutions, income inequality and corporate bailouts with thousands taking to the streets and courting arrests.

. . .

However, the protesters are yet to ask local and federal governments to adopt specific actions to address their grievances.

"Protests inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and fed by social media spread around the globe over the weekend, but there were few signs demonstrators were coalescing around a set of demands for change or had a desire to push the traditional levers of power," a report in the Wall Street Journal said.

. . .

Shawn Redden, a protester in New York said the movement 'absolutely need demands'.

While the influence and staying power of Occupy Wall Street are undeniable, 'a frequent criticism of the protesters has been the absence of specific policy demands,' the New York Times said.

Graduate student Cecliy McMillan feels the movement could become 'a joke' without specific goals.

. . .

The Wall Street Journal report quoted political activist Sonia Silbert as saying that "We are not going to make demands.

"We are not going to become a political party.

"The second we start making demands, we start splintering, and we are no longer the 99 per cent".

"It is unclear if the month-old movement, grounded in a general discontent with the economic situation and corporations, can transform its energy into influence on politics and policy -- even though some Democratic politicians seem to have warmed to the movement," the report said.

. . .

The protests, though largely peaceful, turned violent in Rome as demonstrators turned the protests into a riot, setting fire to a building and clashing with the police.

In the US, hundreds of protesters were arrested over the weekend in New York, Chicago, Arizona and Phoenix.

Thousands of protesters filled Times Square on Saturday carrying banners and shouting slogans against financial inequity.