Mark Ruffalo on Occupy Wall Street: 'We Are the 99%'

04.10.11
It is a thing of beauty to see so many people in love with the ideal of democracy, so alive with its promise, so committed to its continuity in the face of crony capitalism and corporate rule. And so many different kinds of people all looking for a chance at the dream that America had promised them. They forget that these people have taken time out of their lives to stand up for values that are purely American and in the interest of our democracy. When people critique this movement and say spurious things about the protesters’ clothes or their jobs or the general way they look, they are showing how shallow we have become as a nation. They forget that these people are encamped in an urban park, where they are not allowed to have tents or other normal camping gear. It was a beautiful display of peaceful action: so much kindness and gentleness in the camp, so much belief in our world and democracy. They are living far outside their comfort zone to protect and celebrate liberty, equality and the rule of law.