"[8] A Washington Times editorial criticized the group's proposed restrictions on political contributions and speech, saying they "would leave us less free and show a woeful contempt for the First Amendment.

"[4] Attorney Michael Pollok had issued a press release representing himself as the group's co-founder and publicizing its plans, also expressing understanding that the NY General Assembly "fears 'co-opting' by Occupy spin-off groups like ours", but indicating his belief that "occupations and protests will not end the corporate state" and that a petition for redress of grievances is the best way to achieve the "dismantling [of] corporate control of our country".

[10] Michael Pollok has stated on his earliest websites and Facebook pages (since deleted or edited) that he came into contact with OWS through providing legal representation to several of the people who were arrested on September 30, 2011 during a march of 700 protesters across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Very early on, the group was fraught with contention among participants and went through several incarnations of leadership before the actual event that took place the weekend of July 4, 2012.

The petition was to be publicly presented to the American people and copies were to be served to the United States Congress, Supreme Court and President Barack Obama.[17][when?]