VOA标准英语2011--Occupy Protests Look Toward Future

Occupy Protests Look Toward Future

As Occupy protests around the country continue after starting more than a month ago, some involved with the movement are beginning to look toward the future. The protests have succeeded in bringing their concerns about corporate¹ influence in politics and the economy onto the national stage. And Occupy movements are beginning to talk with each other about what comes next.

Protesters from Occupy D.C., were outside the hearing room of the congressional Super Committee, tasked with cutting the federal deficit².

Capitol Police moved in to issue the first of three warnings before arrests were made.

"You must cease your activities or be subject to arrest. That is your first warning."

The demonstrators know how far they can go to make their point without being arrested.

"One of the goals of the action is to cause some disruption and get some attention in this city," said Margaret Flowers, a pediatrician from Baltimore, Maryland. "We need people to realize that is why we take over the streets and disrupt the streets."

Three weeks into the Occupation at Freedom Plaza³ in Washington, demonstrators gather to organize protests.

But many people are beginning to wonder whether the Occupy protests have outlived their purpose. Kevin Zeese is an activist⁴ and lawyer from Maryland. Zeese says their message of ending corporate greed and justice has resonated with the public.

"The debate is not what it was before when we started," said Zeese. "So, I think we have had a great impact. The question is, and I am not sure what the answer is, and we are starting to wrestle⁵ with it, is, what is next for the Occupy movement?"

Zeese says protesters at Freedom Plaza are addressing that very question. Options range from staying at Freedom Plaza through the winter, to creating a more organized national movement.

Margaret Flowers says Occupy movements around the country are also talking through Web conferences. She would like to see a nationally organized movement.

"We are trying to put more guidance in there," explained Flowers. "And more of the tools that we used to learn about how you use non-violent means to change the power structure."

The conversations are very preliminary and geared toward building on the momentum⁶ Occupy has achieved nationally. Protesters say they represent the 99 percent of Americans who are suffering in the current economy, while the other 1 percent prospers⁷.

"Ending corporate rule and shifting power to the people is a complicated task," said Zeese. "And the occupation is a tactic⁸ to achieve a step toward that task and build the kind of independent movement we need to achieve it."

For now, the Washington Occupy demonstrators will continue with their daily protests. Today, they back down before police make any arrests. They retreat outside and carry on bringing their message of ending corporate greed to the people.

1 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

2 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

3 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

4 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

5 wrestle   

vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付

参考例句：

• He taught his little brother how to wrestle.他教他小弟弟如何摔跤。
• We have to wrestle with difficulties.我们必须同困难作斗争。

6 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

7 prospers   

v.成功，兴旺( prosper的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Whatever prospers my business is welcome. 凡使我生意兴隆者皆竭诚欢迎。 来自辞典例句
• Whatever prospers my business is good. 任何使我生意兴隆的都是好的。 来自辞典例句

8 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。