Detained US protesters demand jury trial

Two dozen Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters that had been arrested for trespassing on state property have appeared in a US court, pleading not guilty and asking for jury trials.

Some of the detained protesters were released while others were charged and fined. Yet, several more protesters that refused to plead guilty have demanded a jury trial.Some of the protesters had previously warned that they would demand a jury trial and pursue charges against arresting officers if the charges against them weren't dropped, Bloomberg reported.In an apparent attempt to bring an end to the steadily growing protest rallies, the New York police had previously arrested hundreds of anti-Wall Street protesters for joining a demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge on October 1.

The OWS protest began September 17 in the US in opposition to the corporatism that overshadows the country. It has now become a popular widespread movement against capitalism and corporatism throughout the US. The people of Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and others are also protesting along similar lines. According to a Press TV survey, many believe that the American Awakening -- represented by the OWS movement -- is in direct response to the misguided financial policies of the US establishment, thought to be behind the country's current economic crisis.

Global anti-capitalism protesters also demand an end to widespread corruption and inequality that accompany capitalism. European demonstrators have expressed solidarity with the OWS movement by often using the keyword occupy for their mottos and slogans in protest rallies.