Occupy Wall Street Launched in Sacramento
Under the late morning threat of rain, hundreds of people gathered in Sacramento’s Cesar Chavez Park to launch a local protest of the Occupy...
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Under the late morning threat of rain, hundreds of people gathered in Sacramento’s Cesar Chavez Park to launch a local protest of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The movement that started several weeks ago in New York City is spreading internationally to protest a host of economic related frustrations.
One of the people behind the organization of the so-called Occupy Sacramento protest is 24-year-old Arya Rashid. A student at American River College, Rashid said he was not sure how long the Sacramento protest will last, but said the bigger purpose was to raise awareness of the growing economic inequalities in American society.
“This is a way to get people involved,” he said.
Among those in attendance was 34-year-old Janelle who was carrying a sign decrying the bailout of banks. Janelle, who declined to give her last name said as a full-time student with a part time job, said she is growing frustrated with economic conditions.
“There are no jobs out there,” she said. “I question why I got to school anymore.”
Like Rashid, Janelle said she is attending to show her support for the movement’s goals of illuminating the growing influence of Wall Street and corporations on American life and to raise awareness of these issues.
Those attending the early hours of the protest was a diverse group of people, some wearing Guy Fawkes masks and several others carrying placards with the increasingly popular 99 percent mantra. The 99 percent stems from the claim that that one percent of the wealthiest Americans controls 50 percent of the wealth and 99 percent control the other half.
One group with a strong presence at the park is the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 1000. The SEIU has two booths set up distributing information, dispensing first aid and snacks.
At the SEIU’s first aid booth was member Kimberly Cowart, RN. Cowart, chair of bargaining unit of district 17 said the SEIU firmly stands behind the ideals of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Cowart said the union is strongly supporting the movement and said she was concerned about economic inequalities. “Everybody needs to pay their fair share of taxes,” she added.
Another group who was on the outer edges of the Cesar Chavez Park was officers from the Sacramento Police Department. On all four sides of the park officers were mounted on horses, in patrol cars and on bicycles, and placed an unmanned surveillance camera unit in front of city hall pointed at the park.
Rashid said he was aware of the police presence and noted that he and other organizers had been openly communicating with Mayor Kevin Johnson and the police department.
“The cops have been very cooperative,” Rashid said and quickly added, “We will be peaceful.”
More photos here.
The movement that started several weeks ago in New York City is spreading internationally to protest a host of economic related frustrations.
One of the people behind the organization of the so-called Occupy Sacramento protest is 24-year-old Arya Rashid. A student at American River College, Rashid said he was not sure how long the Sacramento protest will last, but said the bigger purpose was to raise awareness of the growing economic inequalities in American society.
“This is a way to get people involved,” he said.
Among those in attendance was 34-year-old Janelle who was carrying a sign decrying the bailout of banks. Janelle, who declined to give her last name said as a full-time student with a part time job, said she is growing frustrated with economic conditions.
“There are no jobs out there,” she said. “I question why I got to school anymore.”
Like Rashid, Janelle said she is attending to show her support for the movement’s goals of illuminating the growing influence of Wall Street and corporations on American life and to raise awareness of these issues.
Those attending the early hours of the protest was a diverse group of people, some wearing Guy Fawkes masks and several others carrying placards with the increasingly popular 99 percent mantra. The 99 percent stems from the claim that that one percent of the wealthiest Americans controls 50 percent of the wealth and 99 percent control the other half.
One group with a strong presence at the park is the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 1000. The SEIU has two booths set up distributing information, dispensing first aid and snacks.
At the SEIU’s first aid booth was member Kimberly Cowart, RN. Cowart, chair of bargaining unit of district 17 said the SEIU firmly stands behind the ideals of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Cowart said the union is strongly supporting the movement and said she was concerned about economic inequalities. “Everybody needs to pay their fair share of taxes,” she added.
Another group who was on the outer edges of the Cesar Chavez Park was officers from the Sacramento Police Department. On all four sides of the park officers were mounted on horses, in patrol cars and on bicycles, and placed an unmanned surveillance camera unit in front of city hall pointed at the park.
Rashid said he was aware of the police presence and noted that he and other organizers had been openly communicating with Mayor Kevin Johnson and the police department.
“The cops have been very cooperative,” Rashid said and quickly added, “We will be peaceful.”
More photos here.
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