Thursday, April 19, 2012

The scene remains the same

This photo was taken at Federal Hall in October 2008, when people gathered outside the Stock Exchange in anticipation of the final bell.  It was a nightmarish week when the economy seemed to tank overnight and no one knew if it would ever end.

Staking out the Stock Exchange

Fast-forward three and a half years and we have protesters sleeping on these same steps.

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.  - George Washington

On this site, Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.  What would he think of it today?

3 comments:

  1. That's a great George Washington quote and perfect for anyone who opposes OWS.

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  2. ZThanks, Marty.  Have you heard about the 'Free Speech Zone' currently at Federal Hall?  It's a fenced-in area on the steps.  Eleven people arrested yesterday.  I've heard charges are things like making too much noise...and people living on Wall Street are complaining about the protesters. Who moves to Wall Street and expects it to be a residential neighborhood?  Even worse, who moves in across the street from Federal hall and complains about people exercising their basic rights?

    I try not to get political with this blog because it's more of a visual journal of what I see around me, but what is happening downtown (and elsewhere) must be publicized and people really should be angry.

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  3. I love the colors in this picture.

    This country would blow Washington's mind.  His family owned plantations and slaves so he might be a 1% guy.

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