The Occupy DC movement that began as a grassroots protest with vague goals and a strong disdain for power is increasingly being supplied and influenced by major labor unions who say the protest has drawn national attention to issues they seek to highlight. Unions have embraced the Occupy movement eagerly, sending out press releases in support of protesters and helping organize a massive, days-long protest this December on Capitol Hill that promises to fight for the 99 percent. They’ve joined Occupiers in protest marches, donated basic necessities at the campsites and even helped spawn an Occupy committee dedicated to creating liaisons between protesters and unions.
In some cities, officials have claimed big unions are taking over the protests. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that he believed protesters who took to the streets after police evicted Occupiers in the Financial District’s Zuccotti Park were largely union members.
“It was just an opportunity for a bunch of unions to complain or to protest or whatever they want to do,” he said.
