An estimated three to four thousand people took to downtown streets Oct. 15 for the beginning of the Occupy Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»protest, one of dozens of similar ongoing demonstrations being held in cities across the world to support the now month-long Occupy Wall Street protest in New York City.
While lacking cohesive demands or a specific message, the protesters were calling for change to the current climate of what they say is financial inequality and out-of-control corporate greed, as well as to show their disgust with governments they believe don't defend the interests of "the 99 per cent" of citizens.
Two days later, maybe 10 per cent of the 99 per cent remained at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Art Gallery, which is ground zero for the protest.
Approximately two hundred people showed up for the "general assembly" on Monday afternoon, which was delayed by an hour due to a separate protest against the missing women inquiry taking place a block away at the intersection of Georgia and Granville.
While their numbers have dropped, several dozen tents remained and protesters say they have no intention of leaving any time soon.
"We have troops that are fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan, I figure the least I can do is stay and fight for our freedom here at home," said Dave Henderson, a 22-year-old tree planter who has spent the past two nights sleeping inside a tent. "I'd rather be sleeping in my own bed, but I think it is time people finally take a stand against The Man."
No arrests have yet been made, and Mayor Gregor Robertson has given his support for peaceful protesters' right to camp on city property. "In these turbulent economic times, I recognize and appreciate the concerns and angst that people, especially young people, feel about the economy, rising inequality, the environment, and state of the world right now," Robertson said the day before the protest began Oct. 15. "I fully support the right of people to demonstrate those concerns publicly and peacefully."
City workers have erected signs stating stakes aren't permitted to anchor tents to the ground, which will have the effect of making most tents substantially less water-proof when the protest sees its first rainfall later this week. "I think this is kind of a sneaky way of discouraging people of staying," said Niko Garret, a student juggling two part-time jobs at the moment but who plans on staying at the site for "as long as it takes."
Protesters have formed over a dozen committees to deal with a variety of issues including security, first aid and food requirements. Organizers announced on Monday that over $5,000 has been raised in donations, although an undetermined amount of money was also lost after thieves carrying "donations bins" took advantage of the crowds over the weekend.
General assemblies are scheduled for twice a day, at noon and 7 p.m., for protesters to reach consensus on what exactly their demands are. The process is complicated due to the adoption of the "human microphone" technique. First employed by Occupy Wall Street protesters in Manhattan's Zuccotti Park who, unlike their Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»counterparts, are prohibited from using actual microphones, it involves the crowd shouting back whatever any given speaker has to say.The protest has so far been limited to the gallery and police-escorted marches, and no private property has yet been occupied by protesters.
Twitter: @flematic
