Labor, Occupy Prepare for May Day Protests

New York- Posted by: Democracy Now! Posted date: 30 April 2012 In: North America, Politics

Labor and progressive groups are preparing for a national slate of protests on Tuesday in what’s expected to be one of the largest May Day turnouts since the immigrant rights marches of 2006 and 2007. Occupy Wall Street is seeking a turnout of tens of thousands under the slogan of “General Strike. No Work. No Shopping. Occupy Everywhere.”

**Report: Banks, Police Share Occupy Monitoring**

Ahead of May Day, new reports have emerged of major banks working with police to monitor Occupy protesters. According to Bloomberg News, the nation’s largest banks are sharing information about protesters’ May Day plans amongst themselves, as well as with police.

Tuesday’s day of action includes a list of 99 sites in Manhattan where protesters will gather to rally against corporate power. The banks are also sharing intelligence in preparation for the antiwar protests set for the NATO summit in Chicago later in May.

The information sharing is relying on video surveillance, robots and officers positioned in buildings to monitor protesters’ movements.

**Hundreds March on New York Stock Exchange**

On Friday, hundreds of Occupy activists rallied in Manhattan as part of a weekly march to the New York Stock Exchange. A handful of arrests were made.