Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

For over a month, protesters supporting Occupy Wall Street have gathered in major cities across the country, and have since sparked protests supporting the same cause world-wide.  Protests officially began on September 17 in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District with claims that the richest 1 percent of the population is in control of the economy and that the financial woes are due to their practices.

The movement has made a huge presence on Twitter and while there are many other social media platforms out there, Occupy Wall Street has for the most part stuck with Twitter to organize and get the word out about the movement.

Dr. Leigh Browning, associate professor in the Department of Communication, said that if it weren’t for social media, which has made a tremendous impact, the Occupy Wall Street movement would not have the status that it has.“It wouldn’t have the legs that it has had without social media. More people go online to get their news today and without that component, it just wouldn’t be something that has everyone’s attention. Social media is very critical to news events,” she said.

Browning said the reason Occupy Wall Street has stuck with Twitter as their outlet is due to the demographic that the social network targets.

“Twitter’s user base is a little older. This is an issue that of course doesn’t resonate with a younger population that may be on Facebook, other websites, or chat groups, but with an older demographic, mainly an older male demographic. Twitter seems to be the machine that is driving the voices,” she said.

Part-time instructor of Economics Parman Reynolds said he thinks the movement doesn’t have much organization and that groups may try to claim the movement as their own idea.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of organization to the protests so far, though in situations like this certain groups tend to try and claim the ‘movement’ and brand it their own,” he said.  “The Democrats are attempting to give voice to some of the concerns of the protestors, much like the Republicans egged on the tea party, because it mirrors the leadership’s frustrations with getting the Republicans to go along with the reforms the Democrats seek. We’ll see if it turns out to be a clever strategy.”

College of Business Department Head and Professor of Marketing and Banking Dr. Nicholas Gerlich said he believes the movement will disperse soon and it will not have any impact on Wall Street or the economy.

“I really don’t think it’s going to have any negative repercussions on Wall Street or the economy at all.  I think it’s probably just a temporary glitch, and to be perfectly honest, when the snow starts flying most of the folks are going to go home,” he said.

Gerlich also said they are being very unclear in their message.

“I’ve criticized them for being very vague. They are complaining about low wages, corporate greed, corporate spending, you know, all these things. The signs on the ends of their sticks are not telling me a whole lot,” he said.

Regardless of opinions about the movement, it is clear that it has impacted the debate about America’s economy.