Mixed Support for Occupy Wall Street in New Jersey; but Most Say Camps Should not be Shut Down

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – On the heels of today’s early morning removal of Occupy Wall Street protestors from Zuccotti Park by New York City police, a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll shows that nearly two-thirds of New Jersey registered voters who are aware of the Occupy movement believe the protestors should be allowed to maintain their camps and demonstrations.

Only 23 percent say officials should shut down the camps and arrest those who will not leave. The poll, taken Nov. 9-12 before the New York crackdown, asked those who have heard about the protest whether the actions of police in other cities were appropriate.

Despite general support for the rights of the protestors, Garden State voters are less certain about the movement itself. Just 34 percent say they have a favorable impression of Occupy Wall Street, while 39 percent say their impression is unfavorable, and 27 percent are not sure. At the same time, 54 percent say that they are “part of the 99 percent” and 53 percent say Occupy Wall Street makes them “hope things will change in America.” Moreover, 65 percent say taxes need to be raised on the wealthy.

“While many New Jersey voters do not explicitly support the Occupy Wall Street movement, a majority endorses their key messages,” said David Redlawsk, poll director and professor of political science at Rutgers University. “Though we asked our questions before today’s NYPD action to remove the Zuccotti Park encampment, a large majority of Garden Staters are supportive of allowing camps and demonstrations to remain in place.”

The poll also shows that half of Garden State voters are “very concerned” about the increasing income gap between the rich and the poor in the United States, while an additional 30 percent are “somewhat concerned.” Concern about inequality crosses over to those who say they are unfavorable toward Occupy Wall Street. Nearly all supporters (97 percent) are at least somewhat concerned about inequality, but even two-thirds of those who do not support the movement express concern.

 Results are from a poll of 753 registered voters, conducted from Nov. 9 - 12. The full sample of registered voters has a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points.

To read the entire poll click here.

Media Contact: Steve Manas
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E-mail: smanas@ur.rutgers.edu