OccupyDC: Report from McPherson Square
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Like its New York City model, OccupyDC has started small. About 30 protestors
were in McPherson Square on Tuesday afternoon on Day 3 of the local occupation,
standing in solidarity with those who have been occupying Wall Street in New
York City for the last few weeks (thousands are expected to turn out in New York
City at 4:30p today).
While the Occupy
movement is still in its early stages, and lacks a central focus, each day it
becomes more and more obvious what it's protesting: corporate greed, the
influence of large sums of money in politics, the rights of the middle class and
the hope of a better life for a young generation. The protestors are frustrated
by a political system that fails to address the real issues affecting the lives
of Americans today and angry that it only benefits the wealthiest one percent.
Similar protests have already been sparked in Boston, Austin, Toronto, Los
Angeles, Baltimore, Detroit and on college campuses across the
country.
The scene at the protest is
congenial, with more weathered protestors talking in groups with newcomers. One
man with a long beard sits among a pile of backups, the supplies they use at
night. On a park bench is a box full of oranges, bread, granola bars, water,
gatorade. Leaning on a nearby tree are signs that read "If you have college
loans you are the 99 percent", "Repeal Citizens United", and "No representation
without Taxation."
Wes, a young
protestor, told how both his parents' pensions were in danger due to his home
state's finances. Leah Bloger, the vice president of Veterans for Peace, said
that the economics of war are enriching corporations, rather than fighting for
the nation's interests. The protestors say they're in need of supplies like
sign-making tools, blankets, tarps, and a place to store their signs at night.
But most importantly, says Wes, they're in need of supporters, people willing to
give up some of their time to join them in the
park.
On Tuesday afternoon the
protestors planned a march to the D.C. offices of Koch Industries, whose owners
have been prominent Tea Party supporters. And on Thursday they'll hold a large
protest with a number of D.C. area groups at Freedom Plaza.
- report/photos
by Andrew Metcalf