This lesson was designed for ESL students at a Jr. High level and above. It introduces the Occupy Movement and is meant to give students enough information to have a discussion and share opinions at the end of the lesson. There is a link to a news video at the end which students are expected to be able to answer questions about. This is meant to give the students authentic listening practice.

1. September 17th
, 2011 to Present

2. oc·cu·py verb
1.to take or fill up (space, time, etc.)
2.to take possession and control of
(a place), as by military invasion.
pro·test noun
1.an expression or statement of
resistance, disapproval, or
dissent, often in opposition to
something a person is
powerless to prevent or avoid: a
protest against the war
Wall Street noun
1.a street in New York City, in
South Manhattan: the major
financial center of the U.S.
2.the money market or the financiers of
the U.S.
movement noun
1. a) group of people with a common id
eology, esp. a political or
religious one
b) the organized action of such a group

3. fi·nan·cial adjective
1.pertaining to monetary receipts and
spending; relating to money matters
2.of or relating to those commonly
engaged in dealing with
money and credit.
dis·trict noun
1.a division of territory, as of a country,
state, or county, marked off for
governmental things
ac·tiv·ist noun
1.an especially active, strong supporter o
f a cause, especially a political cause.
in·e·qual·i·ty noun
1.the condition of being unequal; lac
k of equality; inequality
of size and power.
in·i·ti·ate verb
1.to begin, start
un·em·ploy·ment noun
1.The state of being unemployed,
having no job especially not by
choice
2. The number of people who don’t
have jobs
cor·rup·tion noun
1. The act of being dishonest, doing
things that are harmful to others, but
good for you.

4. What is Occupy Wall
Street?
Occupy Wall Street is a protest
movement that began September 17,
2011 in Zuccotti Park, located in New
York City’s Wall Street financial
district, initiated by the Canadian
activist group Adbusters. The protests
are against social and economic
inequality, high unemployment, greed,
as well as corruption and the undue
influence of corporations on
government—particularly from
the financial services sector.

5. The protesters' slogan We are
the 99% refers to the
growing income and wealth
inequality in the U.S. between
the wealthiest 1% and the rest
of the population. The protests
in New York City have sparked
similar Occupy protests and
movements around the world.
 A list of events for the 15 October 2011
global protests lists events in 951 cities
in 82 countries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Occupy_
movement_protest_locations

7. After months of protest and
occupation in cities across
America, government and police
have cracked down and raided
many protest areas.
Governments use the reasons of
noise, garbage, and rodents as
cause for their decision to get
involved.

9. You will watch a short video from the first week of
February in Washington D.C., U.S.A.. The police started to
enforce a ban on overnight camping at the Occupy D.C.
camp. McPherson Square had been the headquarters of
the movement up till then when riot police came in to
remove the protestors.
Reports say this was a calm and mellow camp up till the
moment the police came in. Some reporters say after 5pm,
when it became dark, the police came in and started
hitting people. Reporters were told to put their cameras
away. Police made a human wall to block the view of what
was happening. It is said that this has happened across the
country.

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELUTMrcqBpI&feature=youtu.be
Things to think about while watching the video:
1. How long have they been reporting on Occupy Wall Street?
2. How would you describe the feelings and emotions in area where protestors and
police met?
3. Do you think the police acted correctly from what you saw? Why or why not?
4. Are there any situations when police should be able to hit and beat people?
5. How does the guest on the show describe what it was like there during the day
before it became dark? Was he surprised?
6. How many people were arrested?
7. Does this news surprise you?
8. Does it change what you think about America? Why or why not?