Protesters marked the one-year anniversary of the Occupy Boston movement Sunday with a gathering at the Massachusetts State House. This time last year, Bostonians of all ages first gathered to protest the growing economic disparity between the wealthy and the middle class, and the fallout that resulted from the 2008 financial crisis.
One year later, months after police in riot gear evicted the demonstrators from their camp, the remnants of the movement lack the fervor and passion that protesters displayed last autumn. Only about 60 people appeared at the demonstration, compared to the 300 or so that camped out in Dewey Square last year. By now, protesters have returned to their jobs, classes and daily lives.
The economic situation today remains troubling. Growth continues to hobble along at slow rates, layoffs remain a nagging fear for many and thousands of college graduates are still having trouble finding jobs and paying off loan debt. The rich continue to get richer, and the poor continue to get poorer.
The financial situation of the middle class is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, but sleeping outside in the Financial District and marching with signs about the 99 percent weren’t doing enough to accomplish anything. Sure, the protests and the subsequent police response they provoked drew attention to the frustration the economy was causing. But merely venting frustration isn’t an effective way of solving problems.
The Occupy Boston movement fizzled out because at the end of the day, it did not have a clearly defined set of goals. Interviews with protesters about what they were trying to accomplish yielded a variety of responses. Something about economic equality, a conversation about lowering tuition costs, and a lot of yelling about the 1 percent comprised an uncertain message. Occupy started a conversation, but initiating real change takes a more unified effort. And it requires that its members make a long-term commitment, rather than attracting those who are simply jumping on the bandwagon.
The passion of Occupy Boston last year was at times inspiring to witness. It seemed, for a brief moment, that people were finally taking matters into their own hands. When police all across the nation forcibly evicted and arrested dozens, we sided with the protesters because freedom of speech, petition and assembly are core American principles that deserve vigilant protection. But our qualified support of Occupy quickly turned to disappointment with its failures.
The Occupy movement didn’t change anything, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth anything. It served as a reminder that organized protest is a vital component of American society. And even though it ultimately failed to accomplish anything substantive, we are hopeful that in the future, change will be in store.
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