From the Miami Herald
LISTEN TO JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ:
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“Let’s put the politics of the old aside [and] let’s come together and do something new,” said Justin Rodriguez, a participant in the ongoing occupation on K Street, just two blocks north of the White House.
“For too long, people have been protesting for just a day and then leaving,” said the 25-year-old Rodriguez, who’s been sleeping at McPherson Square since the occupation began Oct. 1. “But nothing gets solved [and] no one knows what the issues are.”
The U.S. occupation movement, which began Sept. 17 on Wall Street and has quickly spread throughout the country, has a central theme. “Pretty much the main goal is to bring people’s attention to how corporations have been controlling and dominating politics,” said Rodriguez.
The hundreds of ongoing occupations, including the two in D.C. (at McPherson Square and at Freedom Plaza), have struck a nerve.
Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak noted, “Every Washingtonian I talked to who stepped out to watch the action in Freedom Plaza – from the security guards to the suits – felt a solidarity with the message.”
Justin Rodriguez, member of the Occupy DC Food Committee, at work.
At McPherson Square, the occupation has experienced one of those good problems: the numbers have swelled. Several hundred attended last night’s General Assembly meeting (GAs take place twice daily at approximately 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.).
The increase in occupiers has put a strain on the Food Committee, which Rodriguez serves on. “It’s been pretty hard for us to keep up, but now we’re doing pretty well,” he said.
The group is using the Twitter hashtag #OccupyDCneeds as “a delivery service,” explained Rodriguez. “That hashtag has helped us a lot. Every time we put [out a request]… donations come in.”
With cold weather not far off and the possibility of rain mid-week, the growing occupation is in need of more blankets, tarps, umbrellas, among other items (find out more information here).
In a short period of time, this movement has been able to shift public discourse in remarkable ways, particularly when considering its shoestring budget (Occupy DC has raised $1,765 to date). If D.C.’s occupation is to be sustained, like at Wall Street, it will require community support.
In endorsing the occupation, the Office and Professional Employees International Union stated, “OPEIU Local 2 stands in solidarity with and supports the Occupy DC movement. The massive protests on Wall Street against the economic forces that are decimating the middle class and punishing working families have electrified Americans across the country who are saying: enough is enough! Occupy DC represents an extension of this growing movement.”
Above all else, said Rodriguez, the need is for “people to come down here, even if it’s just to come down to visit… The mainstream media hasn’t really been reporting on what really goes on here. This really is a great place to stay.”
Check out Eric Byler’s video of Occupy DC’s first days.
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- “Occupy the USA,” Says/Sings Emma’s Revolution, 10/8/11
- From Occupy Wall Street to Occupy DC, 10/5/11
- Occupy Wall Street: A Movement is Born, 9/30/11