The occupy movement is an international protest that is mainly directed toward economic and social inequality. The 99 percent are those protesting against the one percent who are accused of corporate greed. Occupy Wall Street in New York City was the first movement that was extensively covered, and took place on Sept. 17. By Oct. 9, Occupy Protests were taking place in over 95 cities around 82 countries, and over 600 communities in the United States. The protests are held in public areas such as city halls and parks. They are non-violent, but often described as civil disobedience.
CMU’s very own Nicholas Moore is an English major who used his final project for a Documentary Photography Class as an opportunity to document the journey of these protestors through a photo album. His instructions were to choose a social or political issue and document it.
“That inspired me to document something that’s happening on a national level,” Moore said.
Moore first heard of the Occupy Movement through a friend, and became interested in “making people aware of the white collar crime that’s occurring.”
He has witnessed marches in Colorado, an Occupy Committee meeting in New York City, crowds of protestors camping out at the City Hall in Los Angeles and many other Occupy events. Moore  even witnessed the Elder’s Council of the Civil Rights Movement celebrating the Occupy Wall Street Movement by giving everyone candles as a symbol of passing the torch. His album will include 120 photos, with direct and implied narratives to describe them.
“My goal is to portray protestors in an objective way,” Moore said.
Moore has been exploring the issue for himself, but he’s also inspired other students to support the cause.
“I would like to learn more about what is going on, and maybe I could bring awareness to others as well,” CMU student Skyler Velasquez said.
Moore has his wown views on the Occupy Movement, but was more interested in bringing light to the protest itself.
“I have mixed feelings about it, but it was a matter of presenting the protest and the settings in which they were taking place,” he said.
Learning about this Movement also gave Moore a new outlook on history.
“If there’s anything that I have learned, it’s that the best way to see history is to witness it first-hand,” Moore said.