Occupy Wall Street plans NYSE shutdown | Crain's New York Business

Occupy Wall Street protesters are planning an attempt to shut down the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, Nov. 17, as part of a series of actions to mark the movement's two-month birthday, according to a Facebook page that went live Friday.

“Join Occupy Wall Street and 99%ers from across the country as we shut down the stock market by throwing a block party the 1% will never forget,” the page states.

Sources within the Occupy Wall Street movement confirmed that the page, which details plans to stop the opening bell from ringing, is authentic.

The page says that a “People's Bell” will ring out instead, and outlines plans for a street carnival in which protesters “rebuild and celebrate the neighborhoods that the Wall Street economy has destroyed.” The action is expected to focus on housing, food, the environment, health care and education, with people from communities telling their stories and protesters constructing monuments to signify the rebuilding of neighborhoods.

A NYSE spokesman declined to comment. The NYPD did not immediately comment.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg referred to comments the mayor made when protesters recently took over the port in Oakland. “They have a right to do that,” Mr. Bloomberg said, “but people that don't want to protest have a right to be able to assemble.”

The Stock Exchange protest, which is expected to start around 7 a.m., will kick off a day-long series of actions, that will culminate in a rally in Foley Square and a march over the Brooklyn Bridge.

After the morning events, protesters will fan out across the city at various transportation hubs, holding public assemblies where people can talk about their community's needs. They will then symbolically “Occupy the Subway” and head to lower Manhattan for the rally at Foley Square and march over the Brooklyn Bridge.

The rally and march are being organized in conjunction with more than a dozen unions and community groups, including United NY, New York Communities for Change, Strong Economy for All and Make the Road New York. Some two dozen other groups have endorsed the march, which will focus on the need to create jobs and extend the so-called millionaire's tax. It's part of a nationwide campaign that is expected to see rallies in about 30 cities.

“Nov. 17 will be the coming together of the different pieces of the 99%—community members, labor and Occupy Wall Street—in the first nationally coordinated event designed to help take the message about the need for job creation and economic justice out of the park and into the streets,” said Camille Rivera, executive director of UnitedNY.

via crainsnewyork.com