Occupy Wall Street

U.S. cities have spent at least $13 million in response to the Occupy Wall Street movement in police overtime and other expenses.  The majority of the costs that are being incurred are from police overtime but they are also seeing damage done to city parks and property because of the movement.  When you look at the big picture this is a small amount of money when you look at some of the budget that is allotted in these cities for police overtime.  However, this is taxpayers money that is being spent to what they cities claim is keeping the protesters safe while the protesters themselves are saying it is a waste of taxpayers money to infringe on their first amendment right of freedom of speech.  This is a unique and interesting issue that our nation is seeing happen.  These protests have occurred in almost every major city in the U.S. and even here in Des Moines.  There have been arrests made because of protesters being on state property later than they should have been or for a number of other, in my opinion, rediculous reasons.  These people do and should have the right to peacefully assemble and protest an issue that they have with our federal government.  That being said I also feel that a police presence is necessary to insure that the peaceful protesting continues and that it does not escalate into a situation that can not be handled without force.  It is unfortunate that taxpayer money has to be spent for this reason but I think it is for the better good.