Unknown; Occupy Wall Street Archives Working Group
Object Type
Signs
Description
By one account, this sign links economic injustice within the United States to the United States’ imperialism abroad. Although the Obama administration was in the process of withdrawing troops from Iraq, it also decided to increase the nation's troop levels in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. Anti-war activism had waned by 2011, but critiques of American imperialism persisted during the Obama years. The sign reads, "Arrest Financial Terrorists, End the Evil Empire, Troops Home from Europe/Asia." The opposite side of the sign reveals a more conspiratorial slant, warning of “the order”—a nod to a conspiracy theory that hypothesizes the emergence of a global totalitarian government—and encourages the reader to refuse vaccination, hoard gold and silver, and purchase a fire arm. In 2021, we see these same messages being vocalized on the far-right. Though Occupy was by and large a protest initiated, organized, and carried out by the left, right-wing participation, particularly among Libertarians, was not a complete anomaly—then GOP presidential primary candidate Gary Johnson expressed his solidarity with the movement and met with protesters.
Image Description
Several sheets of white paper are held together by masking tape in order to create the front side of this sign. Across the sign in black marker the text says "Arrest Financial Terrorists" A line is drawn below this text and below the sign says, "End the Evil Empire (Troops Home from Europe/Asia)." The opposite side of the sign is written in cursive handwriting and says, "This is exactly what they want and you are handing them the one reason they need to implement the order. For now or ever that matter do not vaccinate! Do not sell your gold/silver & get a gun!" In the upper right hand corner is a small pyramid with an eye at its center, reminiscent of an Illuminati symbol.
Citation
Arrest Financial Terrorist Troops, End the Evil Empire sign, circa 2011-2012; TAM.630 Occupy Wall Street Archives Working Group Records; box 15; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University