NEW YORK - November 14, 2011 - Protestors hope to shut down Wall Street - home to the New York Stock Exchange - on Thursday, by holding a street carnival to mark the two-month anniversary of their campaign against economic inequality.
Protest organizers acknowledged that the "day of action" could be the group's most provocative yet, and could lead to mass arrests and further strain relations with city authorities.
"I think we're certainly going into this with our eyes wide open, but (the march is) to provoke ideas and discussion, not to provoke any violent reactions," said Occupy Wall Street spokesman Ed Needham.
"I think it is very difficult to do a day of action and not expect some sort of reaction from the (authorities)," he added.
The protestors plan to march to Wall Street from their camp headquarters in a park two blocks away and then spread out across the city's subway system to tell the stories of disenfranchised Amerikans. They will reconvene later on Thursday for a march across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Last month, more than 700 people were arrested during a similar march across the bridge, after some protestors sat on the pedestrian walkway and refused to move, while others strayed into car lanes.
"We will shut down Wall Street," a post on the movement's Facebook page said. "We will ring the People's Bell and initiate a street carnival in which we rebuild and celebrate the neighborhoods that the Wall Street economy has destroyed."
The group promises a "a block party the 1% will never forget."
A spokesman for the stock exchange declined to comment.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, asked by reporters on Monday about the protestors' plans, said, "The New York Stock Exchange will open on time. People will be able to get to work, you can rest assured."
