Occupy Wall Street held its first Occupy Town Square in Washington Square Park yesterday, the movement's first in a series of one-day occupations dedicated to educating and updating the public about the movement.
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"For a few hours a week, these events will recreate the essence of the Zuccotti Park Occupation," said Aaron Bornstein, an NYU graduate student and OWS organizer. "There will be info tables, teach-ins, trainings and political discussions."
Hundreds gathered for the festivities, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stations were set up around the park for supporters with ideas for T-shirts and signs as well as plans for the future.
Discussions held throughout the day focused on inequality, healthcare, student loans and direct democracy.
While many veteran supporters attended the daylong occupation, it was also an opportunity for many first-timers to finally familiarize themselves with the movement.
"This is my first time coming to an event," Pratt Institute senior Felicia Itri said, "I really wanted to see what it was about because I do very much agree with what they're doing."
OWS supporter Trevor Ruccione, 22, has attended many of the movement's previous events. He said he noticed several new faces in attendance and hopes that it will help garner more support in the future.
"It's not a day of protest but a day of occupation so that the movement can get people to see what it is actually about," Ruccione said.
The Town Square ended with OWS's traditional General Assembly, where supporters were able to voice their concerns and hopes for the movement.
Afterwards, protesters marched up Fifth Avenue from Washington Square Park and Union Square in solidarity for the protesters arrested at the Occupy Oakland movement Saturday night, though their destination was unknown at the time of publication.
According to Bornstein, the day's Washington Square Park events were not directly related to the march and the Town Square's organizers did not know about it.
Organizers plan to have more of these one-day occupations over the next few months in parks and other public spaces across the city. The movement has not yet announced the location or date of the next event.
