We are the 99%

The slogan originated in the Occupy Wall Street protests that began in New York City's Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011. It was popularized by the anonymous blog “We Are the 99 Percent,” which featured personal stories of economic hardship, student debt, and unemployment. The phrase contrasts the wealth and power of the top 1% with the struggles of the remaining 99%, drawing on data showing that the top 1% of Americans controlled roughly 40% of the nation's wealth and received about 24% of income in 2010.¹

“We are the 99%” quickly became a global rallying cry, inspiring Occupy protests in over 80 countries and hundreds of cities. The slogan influenced public discourse on inequality, prompting politicians and media to address wealth gaps. It also inspired academic research and policy debates, such as the work of economists like Thomas Piketty, whose book Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013) examined long-term wealth concentration.² The phrase was named one of the top political slogans of 2011 by The New York Times.

Critics argued that the slogan oversimplified complex economic issues and ignored the diversity within the 99%, including differences in income, education, and opportunity. Some economists noted that income mobility and global poverty reduction complicate the narrative of a static 1% versus 99% divide. Others pointed out that many of the top 1% are not inherently exploitative, and that wealth creation can benefit society. These critiques, however, did not diminish the slogan's power as a unifying call for economic justice.³

The slogan's origins trace to a Tumblr blog created by a group of activists, not a single individual. The blog featured anonymous submissions, many from middle-class Americans facing foreclosure and medical debt. The phrase also inspired merchandise, art, and academic conferences. In 2012, the slogan was used in a U.S. congressional hearing by Representative Alan Grayson. Additionally, the slogan has been adapted internationally, such as “Nous sommes les 99%” in France and “Somos el 99%” in Spain, reflecting its global resonance.⁴

Occupy movement

A decentralized protest movement against economic inequality and corporate influence, beginning with Occupy Wall Street in 2011.

Top 1%

The wealthiest 1% of a population, often measured by income or wealth distribution.