“This occupation is a proclamation of solidarity with the millions of people occupying cities around the world right now. They and we seek economic, political and social change that will lead to a more just and equitable society. We are the 99%.” This is the unofficial statement of Occupy Melbourne, a burgeoning movement for social and political change.

On September 17, 2011 America’s infamous Wall Street was flooded with protestors attempting to bring about social change in favour of a fair democracy. What started as a small protest has developed into a massive phenomenon, with the masses demanding more jobs, fair taxes and corporate oversight.

Today, as protestors continue to occupy Wall Street, the Occupy movement itself has transcended its American birthplace and is rapidly going global.

On October 15 the movement reached Australia and people gathered in Melbourne’s City Square to bring about social change.

“It’s time our elected representatives actually started representing the 99% of the population who don’t have enormous wealth and political influence. Who suffer the social, economic and environmental consequences of corporate greed, who work to generate enormous wealth for a mere 1% of the population” (Occupy Melbourne).

These Occupy movements are not the mechanism of any political party or organisation but an independent collective of people with a wide range of beliefs, ideas, opinions, political ideologies and backgrounds who have united to rise up against injustice.

Photographs by Ben Reeson and Matthew Kay