The Iraq government has revoked the license of the private security firm employed by the US Government " Blackwater USA " to operate in Iraq and is the company is now banned from operating in Iraq. This is directly related to an incident that occurred during which seventeen Iraqis were killed. The employees of Blackwater will be held in the country pending a criminal trial.

Protesters begin their "Occupation" of Wall Street in New York City, a movement for reform and acknowledgement of the social problems that have helped to cause the economic downturn in the country. The protesters state that they represent the majority of Americans and are demonstrating against the wealthiest Americans who they believe control the majority of wealth and political power in the country, among other reasons. The protests spread across the country to other cities, as well as gaining attention worldwide as protesters in other countries joined in for solidarity. (The protests are still occurring as of October 17th, 2011)