Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Monday's OWS March To Honor MLK's Fight Against Economic Injustice
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 14, 2012
Modified Jan 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 14, 2012
Modified Jan 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Following tomorrow night's worldwide candlelight vigil for Martin Luther King Jr., a group of African American faith leaders will join Occupy Wall Street in a march at 10 a.m. Monday from the Financial District to Madison Square Garden in an effort to "reclaim the dream" and further the slain civil rights leader's fight for economic justice.
A release notes that the "roots of extreme inequality" can be traced to Wall Street, as it "is the exact site of the slave auction block upon which our prosperity as a nation was built…While slavery has been abolished, racism and systematic profiteering of the working class has not."
Michelle Crentsil, a member of Occupy Wall Street and members of Communications Workers of America, says the union will join the march to Madison Square Garden "to meet African American and Latino Cablevision workers as they confront Cablevision CEO and Knicks owner James Dolan—a member of the 1% who makes more than all of the workers in Cablevision combined and is blocking their right to organize.” The demonstration plans to appear in front of MSG as fans arrive for the Knicks game scheduled for that afternoon.
Occupy the Dream isn't just limited to New York, as cities across the country will host marches commemorating the anniversary of Dr. King's birthday.
A letter signed by city councilmembers Ydanis Rodriguez, Jumaane Williams, Robert Jackson, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Fernando Cabrera outlines their support for the direction action.
We applaud the work of the Occupy movement in bringing economic and social justice to the center of the global conversation, and believe that it is crucial to acknowledge the past leaders whose sacrifices laid the foundation for future movements.
In an interview with a PBS affiliate this summer, Professor Michael Honey describes Dr. King's commitment to economic justice thusly: "Dr. King said that the civil rights movement was only phase one of the freedom movement, and phase two was economic justice."
Tagged
economic injustice
freedom
Jr.
liberty
madison square garden
martin luther king
occupy the dream
occupy wall street
protests
Right to assemble
wall street
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .