Paul Harris Photograph: GuardianToday's march seems to show how the Occupy Wall Street movement continues to grow. Last week marchers were told to trickle up to Washington Square for a General Assembly. This week, perhaps emboldened by Friday mornings victory against eviction, they march right through lower Manhattan. The police seem very happy to just escort them. Watching them go through the wealthy TriBeCa neighbourhood it is slightly surreal to see brunching New Yorkers watch the march go by. Some wave and flash peace signs. Most just smile or look bemused. Nearly all take pics on their phone.
12.53pm: Adam Gabbatt writes: Protesters here in New York have been remarking on how the protests have spread to London and other places. 18-year-old Ethan McGarry, who had travelled down from Boston for the day.
He said it was "fantastic" how the occupy movement had spread to the UK and elsewhere. "People identify with us, then hey will find reasons in their own community for action."
Lauren Zygmont had travelled from the Occupy Denver protest to New York a week ago ago. "Borders don't matter at all," she said. "Were all human beings, were all in this together. This is a global movement."
Dave Bonan, who was at OWS on day one, said it was "a little surreal" that the protest had spread. "I didn't expect it to last more than 15 mins," he said. "The fact it lasted more than a day inspired people all over the world to capitalise - no pun intended - on our success."
Bonan said the movement had spread because "folks are angrier, their wallets are getting hit now". Asked if he had a message for protesters elsewhere in the world, he said: "Decentralized movements are mire effective than movements with leaders." He added: "It's good to have our brothers and sisters involved."
12.45pm: Good afternoon and welcome to our continuing live coverage of the Occupy protests. As the focus switches from London to New York, here is a summary of events so far today.
More than 950 demonstrations against the global financial system and corporate greed are being held in more than 80 countries around the world today. Inspired by the huge rallies organised by 15-M movement in Spain and more recently Occupy Wall Street, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets from as far afield as Seoul and Rome.
(SOURCE)********From Al Jazeera:
'Occupy' protest turns violent in Rome
Violence has broken out in Rome as tens of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" have marched in European cities in protest against capitalism and austerity measures.As the "Occupy Wall Street" protests took place across the globe on Saturday, some protesters in Rome smashed shop windows, torched cars and attacked news crews.
Black smoke billowed into the air in downtown Rome as a small group of violent protesters broke away from the main demonstration. They smashed car windows, set vehicles on fire and assaulted two news crews of Sky Italia, the TV station reported. Others burned Italian and EU flags.
Witnesses said the violence was caused by several dozen hooded radicals known as "black blocs", who wear black clothing to hide their identities and have been involved in the organising process of protests since early in the movement.
At least one person was reported injured and taken to hospital.
Police were out in force in Rome, which expected up to 100,000 protesters a day after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi barely survived a confidence vote. Italy, with a national debt ratio second only to Greece in the 17-nation eurozone, is rapidly becoming a focus of concern in Europe's debt crisis. (READ FULL ARTICLE W/PHOTO GALLERY HERE)
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