(NEW YORK) MintPress — Throngs of people, as many as 10,000 according to some police estimates, made their way down Broadway to the Financial District in lower Manhattan, in a procession that was the culmination of a series of demonstrations organized by Occupy Wall Street (OWS) in a bid to reignite the movement on May Day, recognized internationally as a day to celebrate labor.
Indeed, the Occupy organizers joined forces with a broad array of labor unions as well as immigration rights activists to mount protests and pickets throughout the city. OWS has been in somewhat of a disarray since protesters were evacuated from their base in Zuccotti Park, near Wall Street, last November.
“I think it’s important to bring it (OWS) back and this is a way to bring it back with a vengeance,” said 45-year-old protester Michael Thaddeus. “We have a political season coming up with both presidential and congressional campaigns, so it’s very important that these voices be a part of that.”
The main march, which stretched more than a dozen blocks, took place in a carnival-like atmosphere. People were dancing, playing drums and trombones and chanting slogans such as, “No war but class war, no rich, no poor.”
“Another World is Possible,” “Legalize, Unionize, Organize,” and “Undocumented, Unafraid,” read some of the signs. Others included “Justice 4 Trayvon Martin, End Racial Profiling,” “Health Care for All,” and “Let Freedom Spring.”
One woman held a poster with a picture of George W. Bush under the words “I f***** you, but thanks for blaming the black guy.”
“I’m here because I think that there’s a huge outgrowth of solidarity between lot of movements and we have to celebrate that,” said Sam Jones, 22.
The march ended near the southern tip of Manhattan, after several Occupy and union speeches and dancing by the Wall Street Bull.
Questionable tactics
The bulk of the protesters began to disperse after 8:30 p.m., but a group of more than 1,000 gathered at a park nearby and talked of trying to spend the night there. Police moved in around 10 p.m. and pushed most of them out, meeting little resistance. Some groups, however, pushed back, which led to several physical clashes and arrests.
According to one policeman, protesters also threw beer cans and bottles at officers. There was a huge police presence, with most prominently displaying plastic handcuffs, and a total of 30 people were arrested throughout the day and night.
Although organizers initially called for protesters to block one or more bridges or tunnels, those plans were later canceled. Activists had also said they planned to bring business to a standstill, but there were no major disruptions. And shortly before 8:30 p.m., Occupy leaders at the front of the parade called on everyone to “Sit down, shut down the city,” although quickly abandoned the idea. “I don’t think it can be so spontaneous and still be effective,” said one protester.
The marches did, however, cause huge traffic jams throughout Manhattan. “It’s going to cost the city of New York, which is in debt now, millions and millions of dollars in police overtime,” said one woman. “What’s the point of that?”
Mixed signals
Aside from a weak organizational structure, there were no clear demands, which has been a criticism of the movement from the beginning. “I saw 10,000 people, I heard 10,000 messages,” said an attorney at the scene.
“They missed the opportunity to engage America in a real conversation,” contended a public relations executive. He continued, “Most Americans don’t even have an idea of what Wall Street is. It’s a very short street that they can’t physically occupy. The closest they get is the steps of the federal building nearby.”
Shortly before midnight, about 100 protesters were gathered back at Zuccotti Park, discussing whether they should try to stay until the morning. Scores of police officers and cars ringed the park.
People from both groups stood in line together at a nearby McDonalds. Said one policeman, shaking his head, “They are buying food from one of the biggest corporations in America. And they take pictures of us on their iphones. Apple moves the market.”