Occupy movement hand signals

The Occupy movement hand signals are a group of hand signals used by Occupy movement protesters to negotiate a consensus.^[1][2][3] Hand signals are used instead of conventional audible signals, like applause, shouts, or booing, because they do not interrupt the speaker using the human microphone, a system where the front of the crowd repeats the speaker so that the content can be heard at the back of the crowd. The signals have been compared to other hand languages used by soldiers, cliques and Wall Street traders.^[4]

Between sharing of information on Facebook, Twitter, and other news reports, the hand signals have become common at other Occupy movement protest locations.^[5][6][7][8] Some protesters go to neighboring groups to assist in teaching the hand signals along with other general cooperation.^[9] There are YouTube videos showing the hand signals, though the signals are not universal at all locations.^[10][11]